By MELISSA BEVERIDGE
For a municipality only one square mile, the Neptune City Library is suprisingly busy.
In June the library kicked off its 90th year with an open house celebration where more than 80 attendees joined in the festivities with librarians Lorraine Hansen, Elaine Scott, Theresa Riccardello, and Patty Scott who have 50 years of combined service for the Neptune City Library.
“We really work with everyone and know everyone,” said head librarian Patty Scott who also noted that the library is really personalized. Patrons can’t help but feel at home in a place where “every staff member loves their job.”
As a member of the Monmouth County Library System, Neptune City residents receive countless advantages including access to best sellers, the newest movies, and the interlibrary loan where Neptune City residents can receive books from just about anywhere including Alaska and the Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Every quarter, Scott visits the headquarters of the Monmouth County Library System in Manalapan where she attends a book exchange. During these events, members of the system are allowed to borrow items for three months, which include new titles. In addition to the book exchange, the Monmouth County Library system also delivers 150 movies every month (adding to the library’s DVD collection of over 2000 titles) and a large print and audio book circuit quarterly. Members can also download e-books for free online.
In addition, the library receives a budget from the Monmouth County Library System each year to assist their members in purchasing books, movies, or materials for programs such as the summer reading program and holiday parties.
“Back in May the delivery man came with 5 to 6 boxes stacked high, filled with books,” stated Mary Sapp, Neptune City borough administrator. “He told me that no other library gets as many books (as Neptune City).”
In 2013, the library borrowed more than 6,000 items from the County and received more than 2,700 items to add to the library’s permanent collection. Over the years the library has added a large print book section, young adult section, juvenile easy reader section, and talking book section.
Each month, when the library receives additional books they weed out the old books, which they sell during their Annual Book Fair.
“It was a two to three day project and the proceeds just didn’t offset the cost,” said Scott. “Now we mail the books to Better World Books who donates the proceeds to the Center for American Literacy.” Scott and Sapp urge residents who want to donate books to visit BetterWorldBooks.com for more information.
Children are invited to attend Rick Mikula, The Butterfly Guy, for a presentation of his bestseller program on Sept. 18 at 3:15pm. The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Monmouth County will be at the library on Sept. 25 at 3:15pm for a presentation.
Neptune City residents, property owners, borough employees, and teachers are invited to join the Neptune City Library for a free membership, which includes a card to the Monmouth County Library System.
