For the better part of a year now, the library has come under an undue share of criticism. Last year, after an intense scrutiny of the library budget, the library commission formed a three-person budget committee, and with the help of the county’s finance director, brought in a $16 million budget with a flat tax rate.
This year, the library budget comes in again with a tax rate that remains flat, while taking on an additional $3.5 million in expenses for indirect costs that was in previous years paid by the county. Again, thank you to the library budget committee and to Craig Marshall.
That should end the criticism. After all, the library is enjoying a great success — circulation is up 3 percent (equals 4 million articles), new patrons increased by 15,000, program attendance at headquarters is up 12 percent, and attendance at children’s programs is up 7.5 percent system-wide.
But no, now we have to endure attacks in the press on a library employee.
Aso-called “independent journalist” has published an attack on a member of the library’s public relations department in several weeklies, contending that the library commission secretly hired her. Mr. Art Kamin also contends this is a “simmering controversy” among the freeholders.
Let me set the record straight:
On Nov. 19, 2009, Coleen Dee Berry applied for a public relations job with the county. Her application is on file in the personnel office, and Ms. Berry hand-delivered her application to all the sitting freeholders and to Freeholder-elect John Curley.
The library commission hired Ms. Berry in a public session at its January 2010 meeting, after she wrote several press releases for the library system as a freelancer. Her civil service title is public participation specialist, and she assists the library’s public relations office with programming and planning, besides media relations.
Since she began working on March 1, 2010, her name has been on numerous press relaeases published online at the Asbury Park Press and other online media. She has been quoted numerous times in stories on the library, by the media.
And, on Sept. 7, 2010, she appeared before the full Board of Freeholders at its work session to lead an exceptional presentation on the library’s Department of the Month award.
For anyone to claim this was a “secret hire” or that they were unaware that the library has hired Ms. Berry is disingenuous at best. She’s been in plain sight for almost a year! Certainly the quality of her work is not in question.
Ms. Berry worked for 32 years at the Asbury Park Press as an award-winning reporter and editor before accepting a buyout by Gannett. Her extensive journalistic experience and knowledge of this county more than qualifies her for this job. Positive media coverage of library events has more than doubled since her hire.
So why is she under attack? The library system is one of the crown jewels of this great county. Its successful programs and services do nothing but reflect positively on all of us here in Monmouth County. It is full of hard-working and dedicated employees, and any attempt to tarnish this library system also diminishes all their efforts. Library services are more in demand today than ever before. Let’s keep it that way!
Lillian G. Burry
member and former director
Monmouth County Board of
Freeholders