There just is no financially responsible basis to keep these small branches open given the current economic climate. All that was provided to support keeping the branches open were emotional pleas and some old rant about the sewage authority. Let's save where we can. The main library on New Monmouth Road really isn't that far and is much better equipped than these outdated branches. The spending has to stop!

As a member of the Township Committee referenced above, I will submit as I have on the record at multiple Township meetings that Mrs. Elminger's assertions with respect to the Township Committee and MTPL are completely false, baseless, and politically motivated. While I appreciate her passion for the branch library system, I urge you to read the true facts regarding the library budget and current situation by clicking the following link:

http://cdn.gov-i.com/clients/28bd4cc0/files/000/024/448/original/37c50ce29c93adda41504a63d5c159f3.pdf?1360016064

And Middletown does have a strong library - the one on New Monmouth Rd, not the ones that hardly anyone uses. You know what Ms Elminger, when the library stops giving out 6% raises and living large on the taxpayers dime, maybe they'll have enough money to keep the seldom used branches open.

When the library was getting $4.1 million in 2009 and not paying its fair share, I am sure a first grade math class could make a budget and the public would call them geniuses!

When the municipal allocation drops to $700K over 4 years, where do you make cuts? What services and extras do you stop offering? How many employees do you layoff? The money has to come from somewhere.

The author, Melanie Elmiger wants you to believe that the library should spend more of thier reserves, use volunteers, and hold bake sales to keep the branches open. But what she neglects to tell you about, or simply forgets because she lives in the "other" side of town, is that all of our houses here in port monmouth and the rest of the bayshore damaged by Hurricane Sandy can contest thier tax assesment. The town, the school, the county, and even the library will get less tax revenue because of these reassesments. Trying to keep the library branches open is emotionally and politicly motivated and downright fiscally irresponsible. Close them now!

Publius, the main branch can be as far away as thirty minutes or more from some parts of the township - a considerable distance when one does not have a car. Those smaller branches serve a vital role in their respective sections; even before the devastation of Sandy, the computers in the Bayshore Brach were a lifeline to that less prosperous area of the township. Now, they are absolutely essential, and the stations are regularly filled. The ones at the main branch, as numerous as they are, are also regularly filled. If the patrons from the other branches managed to get to the main branch, what computers would they use? Where would you put the computers from the other branches?

Gary, you say that the other branches are seldom used. They are probably not used as heavily as the main branch, but they are regularly and devotedly used by those in their neighborhoods. It would be a real crime to take those small pockets of learning away, simply because of disagreements over money.

Libraries are frequently under the knife during budget cuts. A common idea is that they are old-fashined and used less because of the Internet. If this is so, why do I have to circle to find a space at the main branch at 2pm during the week? I have been exploring the joys of the other branches whenever I am nearby. They are all small jewels - no less wonderful because of their size. There is a way to solve this dilemma without closing the branches - it only needs the right motivation.

I meant the disagreements over how what little money there is should be spent, or not spent, as the case may be. I have read several times that costs are a factor in keeping the branches open. I never said it was an opinion.

You are not a political person? That's a good one. Just because you are a registered Republican makes this not political? If you've never put a lawn sign on your lawn, maybe I'd agree with you.

If you really stand behind our Governor you would also know that he has stated on thousands of occasions "Everyone must make sacrifices and it's not about doing more with less anymore, it's doing less". That was his quote when he introduced his cap. I believe library funding was also cut under the state budget.

I havent used the library since it moved out of the A&P building. But I do use the roads every day and may need emergency services some day . Thats where money should be spent and cut last .

Just wondering, what part of Middletown is 30 minutes away from the library?

The Library Board is appointed solely by the Township Committee (almost all by then Mayor Fiore). Yet the TC says there is nothing they can do to sway the Board's decision. The TC raided the Library's reserves in 2011 - they forced the board to comply by making a public statement that if if the Library Board did not give a million dollars to the Town that policemen would lose their jobs. Had they not done that, the library would be able to keep the branches open. Now they are pushing through a new parking lot at the Main Branch which is not needed when that money could be used to operate the branches - there are plenty of spaces on the other side of the building - I have never seen ANYONE parked there!!! If we do not protect our community resources our community will deteriorate, and then you will see a decline in tax revenue. There is no will here to work things out. They are rejecting the idea of volunteers coming in to staff the branches because they say the Unions will sue. The Town fact sheet is heavily subjective, you can tell by the last few lines. Also the Library funding formula can be increased, although the Town denies it. This is just a shame.

Heather, you are wrong on a couple of points. If the Library "had back" the surplus funds that they transferred to the town in 2011, they would increase their current surplus by $499,999 dollars adding to the $450,000 already there -- AND they still would close the branch libraries because they need to spend withing their budget, not their surplus. In any event, that is the decision of the Library Board, and they have made the decision that their situation calls for cuts, which they have chosen in the form of closing the branches. At least that's what they decided before hearing alternatives that will be presented tomorrow night -- we'll see what happens.

As for the parking lot. The Township Committee pledged to bond and pay for the Library parking lot improvements as a part of the transfer of surplus to the town in 2011. As far as I know the Library Board has not asked for that to be halted, they still apparently need the expansion.

You probably should seek information from unbiased sources...

I spoke directly to the Library Board and the Township Council and I reviewed the Library budget. Why would the Library try to pull back the parking lot plan? The members are controlled by the TC. As for the surplus, I've been advised it costs approximately $300K per year to operate the branches. If the Library still had $1M in reserves, it would be responsible to keep the branches open.

Howell Twp. is larger than Middletown in area. It has only one building for it's library. Some have to travel from the Freehold and Colts Neck area to the southern part of the town. Rt. 9 in Howell regularly sees backs that Middletown never sees. Or you can take the long zig-zag route of back roads. They seem to manage.

The local branchs are a draw to that community. As a resident of the Navesink area, it adds to the package of why we live there. The school, playgrounds, tennis courts and baseball fields and the LIBRARY (all within walking distance) are part of the reason people want to live there. This transfers to higher home values which in turn equals higher taxes. Start taking things away and people will look elsewhere. Nothing against the fine people of Howell, but i dont want to live there, thats why i moved to Middletown

John Jay, you are obviously not familiar with the social contract our country was founded on, which is that residents pay taxes to services for all to use, whether they need/want to or not, such as schools, parks and libraries.

Legion, the Town Council has left the Library Board with no choice....and then they say this is the Board's decision. And the decision is being made with our tax dollars, so we most certainly should have input into the process.

Jerseyswamps, I'm not implying an end of the world scenario. Sarcasm is not necessary. I'm simply saying that it's a quality of life issue, and to remove the branches will decrease that. That those in Howell find their situation acceptable has nothing to do with Middletown.

OMG - this is still going on? Which one of you gets free health benfits, or a no show job, or cash under the table, or something from keeping these rotting book dumps open?

Unless, Ms. Hussey, you are calling the people who live in Howell unreasonable, stupid, and irrational, than how a town, not so different than ours, has handled a similar issue is instructive. Rather than allocate limited resources to a number of library branches, Howell chose to focus on one. Sounds efficient. The same applies here - funds saved from operating obsolete branches could be used to improve services and facilities at the main library. Savings would also inure to the benefit of all taxpayers - a true benefit when Washington shows no sign of slowing tax increases and spending.

John jay, your comment is very offensive. Not that it matters, but I am not employed in the manner you suggest. I am resident of Navesink making a rational argument for a community resource that is important to me and my children.

Wow - I think I will keep my opinions to myself in the future if these are the kind of responses that are generated. Be happy in your opinions, kids - I will not be offering mine again. Name calling and unjustified criticisms are for children, so I will restrict myself to the adult conversations from now on.