Middletown Library Branches Will Close

The Middletown Library Board of Trustees voted 5-2 Wednesday to adopt the 2013 budget, which calls for the closure of the Bayshore, Navesink and Lincroft branch libraries as of March 1.

Despite a recent effort by a committee of citizens and the board to find alternatives to the closures and even a last-minute challenge by one board member to rethink hours and salaries, the majority of the trustees said that keeping the branches afloat for even one more year could jeopardize its tight budget. 

About 50 people attended the meeting, and several spoke out against the board's decision. "Lincroft feels robbed," Melanie Elminger told the board, after its vote. "Our school library, funded by the PTA, is being reduced to carts with grade-school books wheeled to classrooms. Our children live the farthest from the main branch. Lincroft will be an area that is 'underserved.'"

To soften the blow, Library Director Susan O'Neal submitted suggestions to the board that she hoped would benefit the entire township.

Among the ideas, which Board President Brock Siebert said would be implemented, is promoting the MTPL's variety of digital services ("The Virtual Library"); expansion and improvement of services; a book delivery service for homebound patrons; a permanent deposit collections of materials, when requested, in senior living facilities and communities; and meeting with local and county mini bus transportation services to ensure that the Main Library is on their bus routes. 

She also made the following suggestions for the branches: 

BAYSHORE BRANCH

The Bayshore Branch on Main Street in Port Monmouth is actually owned by the township. O'Neal noted the township's governing body has said that if they make use of the space for offices, they have made a verbal commitment to allow residents to come in to use the public computers there during business hours. If another alternative is needed, the Tonya Keller Center at Ideal Beach could be considered. 

The library would allow teachers in the Port Monmouth, Bayside, Ocean Avenue and Harmony Schools to come pick out any materials they can use in their classrooms. 

A 4th and 5th grade libary skills training program will be initiated with the local schools, either at the library or via the Internet. 

Additional storytime for preschoolers by "Miss Grace" will be scheduled on the same day of the week as they were at the Bayshore branch. 

Promotion of the "Books in Schools" program will be stepped up. 

The book drop will remain there until May 1. 

LINCROFT BRANCH: 

The Lincroft library will revert back to the Middletown Board of Education. The library will move slowly on the removal of materials, in the event some alternative comes up. 

The Lincroft Elementary School teachers will be invited to come pick out any materials they can use in classrooms. 

A 4th and 5th grade libary skills training program will be initiated with the local schools, either at the library or via the Internet. 

For preschoolers, if the library can find a volunteer among staff to perform an unpaid service, an additional storytime a preschool storytime will be conducted one morning per week for an additional 6-8 weeks. 

At the main library, librarians are already scheduling an additional storytime on the same day of the week (Friday) as it was at the Lincroft branch, with "Miss Eileen" when she is available. 

Promotion of the "Books in Schools" program will be stepped up. 

The book drop will remain there until May 1. 

NAVESINK BRANCH: 

The Navesink Library, the original headquarters, is owned by the Duryea-Navesink Library Association.

The library will leave the collection intact, save for some materials needed at the main branch, and computer equipment. 

A 4th and 5th grade libary skills training program will be initiated with the local schools, either at the library or via the Internet. 

At the main library, librarians are already scheduling an additional storytime on the same day of the week as it was at the Navesink branch. 

Promotion of the "Books in Schools" program will be stepped up. 

The book drop will remain there open until May 1. 

The 9-member Library Board of Trustees was down to 7 members for the important vote. Michael Convery, appointed to a five year term in 2012, submitted a resignation after last month's meeting citing work demands, said O'Neal. A replacement has not yet been appointed by the mayor. 

Robert Cordiano, appointed Jan 6, was on vacation. 

Voting to adopt the budget (and close the branches) was Board President Brock Siebert, Vice President Lawrence Nelson, Treasurer David Siwiec and members Michael Vitkansis and Vivian Breen. 

Voting against the budget (and the branch closures) was Cynthia Wilson and Steve Monaghan. 

The new $3,901,574 budget calls for layoffs of two full time employees and six part-time employees, said O'Neal.