“Libraries Equals Strong Communities” is the theme of National Library Week, which was celebrated by the Hickory Corner and Twin Rivers branches of the Mercer County Library System in East Windsor Township.
East Windsor Township Mayor Janice S. Mironov acknowledged National Library Week, which was held April 7-13, with a mayoral proclamation that was presented to library representatives at the East Windsor Township Council’s April 2 meeting.
Mayor Mironov presented the proclamation, along with Barnes & Noble book store gift certificates donated by Shiseido America, to Branch Manager Jeanne Murray of the Twin Rivers library branch, and Senior Reference Librarian Mary Astarita of the Hickory Corner library branch.
Also on hand were Phyllis Anker, the East Windsor Township representative on the Mercer County Library Commission, and Debbie Scherholz, president of the Hickory Corner library branch’s Friends of the Library.
“National Library Week recognizes the role that the library plays in East Windsor Township. The library in the community is a wonderful treasure, and it reminds people of how important libraries are,” Mayor Mironov said.
The library is the central focus for a community. It is a place where families and individuals can take out music and books, Mayor Mironov said. It is not uncommon to see students in the library with a tutor.
The library offers many services, such as income tax preparation assistance, she said. It is used by groups for meetings. There may be guest speakers, and movies may be shown at the library.
“It goes well beyond” what the original public libraries offered, Mayor Mironov said.
The mayoral proclamation stated that public libraries provide everyone with books, information, computers, videos, audio cassettes and other resources to enrich their lives with the help of librarians, who provide the “essential guidance and support” needed by patrons.
“Our public libraries safeguard the right of Americans to free access to read, learn and connect to information on all subjects and representing all points of view, serving as a cornerstone of our democracy,” the proclamation stated.
Mayor Mironov, through the proclamation, encouraged all residents to support and rediscover the wealth of resources and services available at the two East Windsor Township libraries.