BORDENTOWN CITY: Library to patrons: tell us your story

By Geoffrey Wertime, Staff Writer
   BORDENTOWN CITY — A visit to a library can last a minute or an hour, from returning a book to learning tai chi.
   But the value of a reading or viewing experience facilitated by the library system can be hard to quantify so the Bordentown branch is asking for help.
   As part of a statewide initiative, “Solving Life’s Problems,” the Bordentown branch of the Burlington County Library System is asking its patrons to “please help us tell our story by telling us yours.”
   Librarian Andy Woolworth said the program “is an excellent opportunity for people to show their support for the local library system. It’s nice for us to know what we provide for the community and also nice for us to demonstrate that to the people who write our budgets. With the state and municipal budgets being tough this year, it’s a good way of demonstrating the library’s value and worth.”
   The library has been taking in several responses per day since it started collecting them a few weeks ago, according to Mr. Woolworth.
   ”So far the response has been pretty good, very positive,” he said, including notes from longtime residents about what the library means to them and some of their experiences with the late Anna Burr, who worked for 40 years on the board that ran the library before it joined the county system.
   Mr. Woolworth said statistics show patronage has picked up since the economy began to falter about a year and a half ago. Some people who have lost earning power have begun to borrow books and movies instead of buying them outright while others are looking at the system’s many job resources.
   ”The library services and resources are pretty important for people who are facing tough economic times,” he said.
   Patrons can check their e-mail, work on a resume or even apply for a job online. What’s more, the library expects to start a program in May called “Job 1-on-1” that will set up individual appointments with Mr. Woolworth to go over the library’s resources, get their resume online and give them tips on finding work.
   The county system even has a career center available online at explore.bcls.lib.nj.us/jobs.
   Of course, the library is not just for job hunters. A wealth of resources is available to help research colleges, pet projects or even household buying decisions. Above all, the Bordentown branch strives for accessibility, he said.
   ”We are here to serve the community,” Mr. Woolworth said. “People should always feel comfortable being able to come in, call or e-mail us with comments or questions. We are in an age of information, and we offer more than meets the eye.”
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