Room dedicated to memory of late librarian

By Mark Rosman
Staff Writer

MARLBORO – A former head librarian at the Marlboro Library has been honored with the dedication of a meeting room in her name.

On May 8, librarians, trustees, family members and friends gathered at the library to dedicate the Jennifer King room.

King, 58, was a lifelong resident of Freehold Township. She died in October 2016 after a long struggle with health challenges, according to a press release.

She was a principal librarian/senior reference librarian with the Monmouth County Library System for 29 years and was the head librarian at the Marlboro Library for 16 years during the building’s expansion.

“Jennifer King was the face of the Marlboro Library for nearly 16 years.
The Marlboro Board of Trustees is dedicating this meeting room space in her memory because Jennifer left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege to meet her and now she will have a lasting presence in this building she helped build,” said Daphne Mishkin, president, Marlboro Library Board of Trustees.
“Jennifer was an extraordinary librarian who touched many lives, patrons and staff. It was an honor to have her family, friends and co-workers here for the dedication,” said Robyn Miller, Marlboro Library Branch Manager, Monmouth County Library System.

King was an active leader and advocate through the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees during her career.

She worked as a reporter for the News Transcript in the 1980s.

King was a 1976 graduate of Freehold Township High School, where she was a National Merit Scholar, and a 1981 graduate of Stockton State College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. She earned a master’s degree in library and information science from Rutgers University.

She was widely known as an expert on dogs and a founder of many dog related organizations and publications with her focus on Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens, included her Sylvie, the first PBGV to win an agility trial in the United States.

A global book donation and Jennifer King memoriam bookplate initiative has been launched by several friends and former patrons in England and the United States, according to the press release.