Dear Friends,

These are exciting times for our Library and Friends. As you may know, the Library is working on its new three-year strategic plan. In these times when social and technological changes are happening at breakneck speed, the strategic plan will guide the Library in its future endeavors. The Friends Board encourages all Friends to give their valuable input by attend-ing the open town-wide meeting at the Library on Wednesday, August 5 at 7PM and by participating in the Library Survey (available on paper in the Li-brary and at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/livpublib). Friends will also be represented in the process with a voice on the Strategic Planning Com-mittee and a representative on the business/civic leaders focus group.

We are also busy working on enhancements to our 2015-16 Membership Drive—which will roll-out with a town-wide mailing in September. Mem-bership benefits are being enhanced across all membership levels and the Merchants & Members (M&M) Program is expanding. The M&M Program gives all card-carrying members of Friends discounts at select local stores/establishments. What is also new is that Library Administration and Trus-tees are joining in the Friends membership effort rather than conducting a separate annual campaign. As Library Director Amy Babcock Landry ex-plains, “We want the message to the community to be clear and concise—the best way for people to support the Library is through Friends.”

Friends extends congratulations to the Li-brary for winning the NJ State Library 2015 Multicultural Programming Award, honoring outstanding programs that increase under-standing and promote multiculturalism through creative and sustainable cultural programming. The award reflects the Library’s “Multicultural Celebration Series,” a yearlong public program that features major holidays from cultures rep-resented in the Livingston community.

On a personal note, I say farewell to Friends as President. I know that Friends is in excellent hands with its wonderful Board and a newly appointed president, Mary Jane Dough, who had previously served as Vice President for Membership. I wish everyone all the best. Enjoy the summer.

In Friendship, Bernie Stephan, President

Volume 8, Issue 1

Summer 2015

Footnotes

The Friends Board Meeting is usually the third

TUESDAY of each month.

Next Meeting: Sept 15 at 8:00PM

Page 2 FOOTNOTES

Friends of the Library Supports Music For Me During the spring, the Library introduced a new program for children with special

needs. Music for Me is a fun multi-sensory music program de-signed for differently-abled children of all ages and their par-ents. Children are encouraged to sing, play rhythm instru-ments and actively participate in music making. Following a trial session, the program was offered in April-May for chil-dren in grades K and up and is again scheduled for the sum-mer. Developed by Children’s Librarian Gina Vaccaro, the program has become a key part of the youth offering.

Gina explains that while library programs have always been open to children of all ages and abilities, she long rec-ognized the importance for children with special needs to have “a program all their own.” Encouraged by Library Ad-ministration, Gina took a continuing-education course and did additional research which gave her the skills to develop the actual program. “Music is an all-encompassing medium, spanning many (dis)abilities” so it was the best foundation upon which to develop a program. “It was very im-portant to create a safe, welcoming environment where the focus is on what each child can do rather than on what they cannot do.”

Gina adds, “Music is a multi-sensory experi-ence and by making music, the children develop mo-tor skills, listening skills, and social skills—all while having fun.” She says, “It’s a beautiful thing to see the children participate. Sometimes I have tears of joy…as do some of the parents.” Gina is told by parents and children that they look forward to coming to the Program (Attendee Michael Romano is pictured with Gina above.)

The half-hour class typically has seven to eight participants plus parents and sometimes siblings. During that time, the children will march, dance, sing songs, clap, and play instru-ments—ranging from shaking eggs to rhythm sticks to drums. (Gina is pictured demonstrat-ing some of the instruments used.)

Gina explains that with more research, she has modified program elements, but “we always close with ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams and ‘Shake it Off ’ by Taylor Swift.”

Friends is pleased to play a role in Music For Me by providing some of the equipment used such as the music player/speaker.

Page 3 VOLUME 8, ISSUE 1

Thanks to our Business Partners

Merchants & Members Program: Members of Friends receive discounts from the follow-ing when they present their Friends membership card to participating businesses. Jay’s Shoe Box, 20 East Mount Pleasant Ave: $5.00 off on purchases of $50.00 or more. Excludes sale items and Uggs.

Cannot be combined with other offers.

Philly Pretzel Factory of Livingston, 21 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue: Buy 3 pretzels and get 3 pretzels free. Available on equal or greater value purchases.

Eye Level Learning Center, 184 South Livingston Avenue (CVS Plaza): 50% off first month’s tuition for new cus-tomers. Valid only at the Livingston location. Cannot be combined with other offers.

The ACL Art Gallery, 2010 Town Center Way: 15%-off discount. Cannot be combined with other offers.

Chocolate Works, Town Center Way: 10%-off discount on products. Cannot be used on parties or workshops.

Skybox Sports Collectibles, 517 S. Livingston Ave: 15%-off discount on products. Cannot be combined with other offers.

Affinity Program with TD Bank

TD Bank makes a contribution based on the activity of customers’ bank accounts participat-ing in the Bank Affinity Program. Contact Friends or TD Bank (973-992-5277).

Thanks to Our 2014-2015 Extraordinary Friends President’s Circle: Alan Glazer

Sponsors Circle: Laurence & Deborah Bergmann Ira & Joan Berkowitz Caryn & Joel Mollin

Members Circle: Laurence Agron Teresa & John Allard Dennis & Helen Attenello Stuart Berson

Samuel Bickel Jeanette Black Barbara & Pete Bye Ellie & Max Cohen

Kenneth & Helen DeGhetto Judy Silberner & Haim Erder Jane & Arthur Grossman

Stella Hennigan Edward Kaplan Sasha & Matthew Koff Francis & Candace Lai

Heather & Paul Lichtman James Lynch Doreen & Allen Mollenhauer Nadia & Achilles Perry

Joy & Neil Prupis & Family Michael Smilios Lou & Beth Sultan

Bookplates honoring all Extraordinary Friends are placed in the Library. To identify the book rec-

ognizing your donation, contact us at friends_livlibrary@verizon.net or 973-992-4600 X505.

Programming Choral music filled the Library on

the afternoon of April 19 as the Friends’ Music Matters series hosted The Masterwork Camarata who performed a wonderful array of songs to the delight of scores of patrons. Under the direction of Sun Min Lee, the 16-singer ensemble sang works by Brahms, Grieg, Greaves, Mendelsohn, (Zoltan) Kodaly, and Vivaldi as well as spirituals and folk music from Korea, Greece and America (e.g., Stephen Foster, Moses Hogan). On May 17, Music Matters was pleased to sponsor the Duo Scorpio—twin harpists Kathryn Andrews and Kristi Shade—in a program of pieces from their debut album featuring a unique selection of modern masterpieces and new works for harp duo. The duo took its name from the fact that Kathryn and Kristi were both born on the same day (November 5) making them both Scorpios. The Music Matters series and other Friends-sponsored live adult programming will take a summer break as the Library focuses its adult programming on its summer movie series. The Program Room and other

Library venues will, however, be filled with lots of activity as the Youth Department rolls into high gear with the Summer Reading Programs (SRP). As with past years, Friends is pleased to be the primary sponsor and to provide volunteer “book report

listeners”. Children from ages 4 to grade 5 can participate in the Children’s SRP; Every Hero Has a

Story. There are separate Summer Reading Programs for ages 0-3 called Read to Me and teen grades 6-12, also called Every Hero Has a Story.

Page 4 FOOTNOTES

Page 5 VOLUME 8, ISSUE 1

Programming (cont’d) Children are encouraged to read a book,

enter the weekly raffle, and visit the library at least once a week from June 29 to August 9. Those completing all 6 weeks of the SRP are invited to the Invitation-Only Summer Reading Final Party. Every week a child comes in to log his/her reading and activities, he/she will receive a prize. Prizes include superhero themed items and ice cream. Each week that children (age 4 to grade 5) participate, they will also be entered into the raffle for prizes at the end of the SRP. Raffle prizes include books, toys, games, museum passes, and gift certificates. This year’s grand prize is a $250 gift certificate to the Paper Mill Playhouse (PMP). PMP has worked with the Library in the past to bring free Children’s Theater to the Library such as The Little Mermaid, Into the Woods, The Castaways, and many more productions. The SRP also offers an array of free programs including several “family nights” featuring games, a puppet show, a movie, and an author. A related feature of the SRP is the Library’s Book Mark Contest. Youth were asked to design an original book mark based on the theme of the SRP, Every Hero Has A Story. Applicants entered according to four different age groups from kindergarten through high school. The judges (including a representative from Friends) had a tough time but finally selected the four winners shown. Seven contestants received Honorable Mention: Alina Rong Lee (K-2), Hannah Ryan Taub (K-2), Dajana Kim (3-5), Matthew Lam (3-5), Rachel Kogut (6-8), Courtney Rosen (6-8), and Alyssa Yam (9-12). Friends was pleased to fund the gift certificates for Michaels Art Store given to the winners and to arrange for the printing of copies of the book marks.

Page 6 FOOTNOTES

Book Sales 3rd Pool Prose and Beach Books Sale

Friends held its 3rd Pool Prose & Beach Book Sale on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 in the Library’s Program Room. Nearly 4000 items were scooped up by patrons as great bargains were offered on books, Playbills, CDs, puzzles, games, and table-top toys. The sale has become an annual tradition as Friends helps patrons get ready for the lazy, hazy days of summer with light reading. The sale also featured a drawing for two lovely baskets—for children and for adults. Pictured right is Friends Treasurer Teresa Allard imagining a day at the beach.

Watch for BookFEST!

Friends next BIG sale is BookFEST! which offers members of Friends pre-public access on Wednesday, October 28. BookFEST! is open to the public from Thursday, October 29 through Sunday, November 1. As in past years, Sunday will be a bag sale day. BookFEST! typically offers some 12,000 books and non-print media. All categories of books are offered.

Ongoing Book Sales

Friends is again restocking the Ongoing Book Sale shelves monthly with new stock. Some 1200 items are offered daily. Stock is replenished semi-weekly.

Donations

Friends of the Library welcomes the donation of gently used books, games, table-top toys, CDs, DVDs, and audio books all year round. Items should be in saleable condition. Donations may be left at the Friends Desk any time the Library is open. A tax receipt is available from the Help Desk.

Friends is not able to sell, re-donate, or otherwise able to re-direct certain materials. Therefore, we strongly request that these items not be left in our donation bins. Disposing of these items increases our recycling costs and absorbs limited volunteer time. We respectfully request that you arrange for private disposal of the following: Books in poor, non-saleable condition, Magazines, VHS tapes, Cassettes, Encyclopedias, Text books*.

*Under some very limited circumstances we can accept text books but these must be pre-cleared by contacting Friends BEFORE donating.

Harold Kravis makes a purchase from Friends volunteers Tom DeVenezia, Teresa Allard, and Judy Fierro

Mom Sahar Farhang holds the lovely children’s basket won by twin sisters Ava and Ariana Azizi. Looking on are Children’s librarians Anna Coats and Gina Vaccaro and Friends volunteer Robert Stein who drew the winning name for the Children's basket.

Page 7 VOLUME 8, ISSUE 1

Saturday, August 29th All Day at Macy’s

Donate $5.00 to

Friends of the Library and receive a

Macy’s Shop for a Cause Ticket to

Enter a drawing for a $500 Macy’s Gift Card*

Receive 25%-30% off** on regular, sale and clearance merchandise, including designer brands,

throughout any Macy’s store

Get 10% off furniture, electronics mattresses and area rugs**

Proceeds from tickets benefit Friends of the Library Visit our website for more information: livingston.bccls.org

Visit the Friends Table at Macy’s Livingston Mall on Aug 29 and receive a free gift from Friends

*No purchase from Macy’s is required to enter the drawing. **30% on regular, sale & clearance; 25% on designer. Some restrictions may apply.

Page 8 FOOTNOTES

RETURN THIS FORM WITH YOUR CHECK OR ORDER ONLINE OR BY PHONE

Name: _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number: ________________________ E-mail address: __________________________________________

Number of Tickets Requested @ 5.00 per ticket: __ Total Amount enclosed: $

______ Enclosed is my check payable to “Friends of the Livingston Library” ______ Please charge my credit card (circle one): MasterCard Visa American Express Discover Card

Card Number_______________________________ CVV__________ Expiration Date_______________

Name /address of Card Holder (if different than above):_________________________________________________

TO ORDER ONLINE: livingston.bccls.org/ Click on the “Join Friends or Donate NOW” button Select “Shop for a Cause Tickets”

TO ORDER BY PHONE: Call: 973-992-4600 X 505

MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO/MAIL FORM TO Friends of the Livingston Library, 10 Robert Harp Drive, Livingston NJ 07039

Tickets will be mailed or delivered

This portion of the ticket to entitles you to receive discounts at Macy’s on August 29

This portion of the ticket will enter you in a drawing for a $500 Macy’s gift Certificate

Page 9 VOLUME 8, ISSUE 1

Take A Chance on the Library

Friends’ spring fund-raiser, Take A Chance on the Library, concluded on April 30 as a group of auction bidders and raffle entrants gathered to hear the names of the winners. The grand prize in the 50/50 Take A Chance on the Library Raffle.of $2,440 was won by Ellen Audett. Ellen received her check from Friends volunteer Jill Kravis who sold Ellen the winning ticket. Ellen is a relative newcomer to Livingston but said one of the first things she did was get a Livingston Library card. Libraries are in her DNA.

About 30 individuals bid on 17 auctions items using all four bidding venues—paper bids, online, email, and phone. One auction participant told us, “It was fun to be a part of it, and I hope the auction raised lots of money for the library.” Another said the following, “The letter you sent with condolences for not winning in Take a Chance is a really beautiful letter! It doesn't really matter about the bid because of course we wanted the library to win a few dollars. But I wanted you to know what a great job you are doing! The work you are doing means so much…Ours is such a fine library and Friends makes it even more so.”

The event raised nearly $5,000—monies that are used to fund programs and services not covered by the Library’s budget from the Township. Our thanks to all who participated!

Our Thanks to our Take A Chance Sponsors Diamond: Bauch Zucker Hatfield LLC Fairview Insurance Agency

Fidelity Investments Regal Bank

Gold: All J’s Mechanical, LLC Trustees of the Livingston Library

Silver: Library Development Solutions Morris County Elevator

Bronze: Barbara & Peter Bye Hudson City Savings Ned Stevens Gutter Cleaning

Our Thanks to our Take A Chance Merchandise Donors Anthony Franco's Ristorante & Pizzeria Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey

Grooves Unlimited Il Vicolo Ristorante Manhattan Theatre Club,

Morris Museum NJPAC Panevino Restaurant Paper Mill Playhouse

Roundabout Theatre Company, TGI Fridays Thavma Mediterranean Grill

The Public Theater The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey John Sitnik

Village Super Markets, Inc. Westminster Hotel

Page 10 FOOTNOTES

In Other News Youth Appreciation Week: Friends supported the Library’s contribution to Livingston’s Youth Apprecia-tion Week with its sponsorship of Author Wendy Mass on May 20. A Livingston High School alumna, the renowned fiction writer spoke with local youths about her many novels. She also encouraged would-be writers in the audience to follow their dreams, display-ing for them an extensive banner of almost 50 rejec-tion letters she received before ever getting published.

Senior Happenings: Not forgetting more ma-ture audiences, Friends volunteers staffed the Senior Happening season finale which featured cabaret artist Naomi Miller in a multi-language program performing songs from Broadway and beyond. Thea White presented a beautiful pot of flowers to each of the volunteers who worked throughout the season serving coffee and dessert to appreciative attendees. Friends, in turn, of-fered the gift of a book to each attendee to fill the days during the summer hiatus of Senior Happening which returns in September. Scholarship Winner: Friends congratulates Library Assistant and Friends Volunteer Jessica Moskowitz on winning a BCCLS Scholarship to pursue her degree in Library Science at Rutgers. Jessica (profiled in Foot-notes’ spring issue) was delighted to receive the award, exclaiming, “I feel so lucky and honored to have re-ceived this scholarship. I will certainly put it to good use! Thanks to everyone who has helped me in this ongoing process to fund my education. I'm enjoying this learning adventure immensely!”

Friends is one of many groups providing fund-ing for BCCLS scholarships. Marie Coughlin, BCCLS Executive Director, notes, “We are happy to report that the scholarship fund is fully self-sustaining through donations from Li-brary Boards, librarians, Friends of Libraries, and the general public.” Successful applicants agree to work in a public library for two years after completion of the degree. “By awarding these scholarships, BCCLS is encouraging people, many of whom already work in our librar-ies, to continue their education and grow in the profession,” Coughlin concluded.

Page 11 VOLUME 8, ISSUE 1

In Other News (cont’d) Museum Pass Program: Friends is funding a further expansion of the Li-brary’s Museum Pass Program with a pass for the Newark Museum. The state's largest museum, it holds fine collections of American art, decorative arts, contemporary art, and arts of Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the ancient world. Assistant Library Director Amy Hyfler said, “We are very excited that the Newark Museum is now offer-ing library passes. Our patrons have often asked us about this institution. We are so pleased that they will be able to access it through our Pass Program.” Passes are on order. The Newark Mu-seum brings to 8, the number of participating institutions in our Program—World of Wonder: The Butterfly Museum, Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center, Morris Museum, Montclair Art Museum, Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, Imagine That!!!, and Grounds for Sculpture.

Little Pim Friends has expanded its support of technical “product” by funding the award-winning Little Pim language database program for children. Friends Treas-urer Teresa Allard said, “In today’s global world, learning a foreign language is increasingly valuable and studies have shown that children are uniquely primed to acquire new languages at an early age.” For the curious, Little Pim, is the adorable cartoon panda bear who serves as the “teacher.”

Dining for Donations: On May 21, many Library supporters joined in the 3rd Friends of the Library Benefit Day at TGI Friday’s in East Hanover. TGI Friday’s donated 20% of the proceeds of all diners’ bills who present-ed a FOTLL flyer. Friends is planning another such event in the fall.

To further expand eating options, Friends is also partnering with oth-er local restaurants in similar events. Tuesday, August 11 will be “Give Back” Day at Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza in Livingston Center.. Just go in for lunch, dinner, ot take-out and tell your server you are with Friends of the Library. It’s that simple!

Sunday, September 20 is fund-raising night at Chipotle East Hanover (4-8PM). Watch for our flyer!

As an added incentive, patrons will receive a free gift from Friends for participating in any of these Friends Days. Bring your receipt to our Library and select one complimentary item (book or non-print item) from our Ongoing Book Sale shelves. Drop your receipt in the cash box in lieu of payment; there is no expiration date on use of your receipt.

Shop for a Cause: For a 4th year, Friends will participate in Macy’s Shop for A Cause event on August 29. For a $5.00 tax-exempt donation to Friends, the donor receives a two-part ticket. One part enters him/her in a drawing for a $500 Macy’s gift certificate. The second part entitles the bearer to receive great discounts at any Macy’s store on Saturday, August 29. Friends will also be staffing a table at Macy’s Livingston Mall during the afternoon of August 29. Visitors will receive a free gift from Friends just for stopping by. For more info or to order tickets, see the flyer on pages 7-8.

Visit Friends online at: http://livingston.bccls.org/friends.html

Think Green: If you would like to receive the Newsletter electronically instead of via

U.S. mail, please contact us at friends_livlibrary@verizon.net

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In order to keep up-to-date with the latest program offerings, we suggest subscribing to the Library’s electronic news service. Instructions can be found at http://livingston.bccls.org/electronicnews.html.

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Macy’s Shop for a Cause

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Tickets NOW on Sale

Friends is seeking donations of gently used books, board games, electronic games, CDs, DVDs, books on CD, and toys for our sales.

973-992-4600 X505

Tuesday, August 11:

Give Back Day at Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza