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OC EAN COU NT Y LI BR A RY CURRENTS • SEPTEMBER 2011 •

OCEAN COUNTY LIBRARY

REMEMBER september 11

OC EAN COU NT Y LI BR A RY CURRENTS • SEPTEMBER 2011 •

contents 3

Toms River Reading Buddies Party

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Emma Lazarus and American Idealism

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Happy 30th Toms River Branch

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Bullying 101

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System Happenings

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BookFest

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A Fine Romance

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Stormtrooper Circulation

ON THE COVER: Friends of the Toms River Branch President Anne Burgan helps at the Friends’ summer booksale. The Friends sold donated books, videos and music. Funds from this event will be used to support library programs.

Produced by the Ocean County Library Public Relations Department.

EDITORS: Heather Andolsen, Chris Barnes, Christine Matteo, Larry Meegan, Scott Walker LIBRARY DIRECTOR: Susan Quinn LIBRARY LIAISON: Joseph H. Vicari, Director of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders Information is correct at press time.

Check www.theoceancountylibrary. org for updates. Currents is published bi-monthly online by the Ocean County Library Public Relations Department, 101 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ.

Project Girl Performance Collective presents 10 Years Later: Voices of the Post 9/11 Generation Speak, a play exploring the impact--10 years later--of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The young cast (aged 9-23) explores questions of terrorism, religion, democracy, patriotism, security and what it means to be coming of age in a post-9/11 society.

This special 90 minute performance takes place on Saturday, September 17 at 2 pm at the Toms River Branch.

Support Our Troops The Barnegat Branch is hosting its tenth annual Military Care Package Assembly Day on Saturday, September 10, starting 11 am.

Teens ages 12-18 are asked to volunteer some time at the library Branch that day to help show appreciation for our Armed Forces by writing letters to them and assembling care packages. Contact the Branch to find out what kind of items can be donated.

As always, Summer Reading was a hit for children at all 21 Branches of the Ocean County Library.

The Reading Buddies, a program where younger readers team up with teen volunteers to practice reading, celebrated their end of summer party at the Toms River Branch on August 10.

The Reading Buddies were treated to a special

barnyard puppet show presented by teen volunteers from the Branch’s SAIL program.

Following the puppet show, there was a special appearance by Ocean County Library mascot Sparks!

To cap off the fun evening, the Reading Buddies received certificates of achievement for the books they read and had an ice cream party.

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toms river reading buddies party

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emma lazarus and american idealism

Poet Emma Lazarus wrote a sonnet in 1883 that became the unofficial anthem of America’s idealism and was read three years later at the dedication ceremonies of the Statue of Liberty.

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore,” she wrote. “Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

As Americans prepare to celebrate the 125th anniversary of that dedication on Oct. 28th, the Ocean County Library will introduce the woman who, through her poem “The New Colossus,” recast Lady Liberty as the unofficial greeter of millions of immigrants to their new home.

Ocean County Library’s Jackson and Plumsted Branches will host the nationally touring American Library Association’s exhibit “Emma Lazarus: Voice

of Liberty, Voice of Conscience” in September.

The touring exhibit, composed of informative panels featuring photographic reproductions of historical images and original works by Lazarus, was curated by Dr. Esther Schor of Princeton University.

The Jackson Branch (2 Jackson Drive) will hold an opening reception Thursday September 8th at 6 pm It will be hosted by the Friends of the Jackson Library.

Refreshments will be available.

Following the reception Schor will discuss aspects of Jewish American culture and her biography of Lazarus.

The display is an Her book, Emma Lazarus, exploration of Lazarus’ was released to critical accomplished poetry and acclaim and won the her secular Jewish life 2006 National Jewish devoted to social activism. Book Award.

Dr. Ali Botein-Furrevig, Assistant Professor of English at Ocean County College, will provide an overview of the life and work of Emma Lazarus, at the Plumsted Branch Friday Sept. 23 at 3:30 pm She will also discuss her own book, Heart of the Stranger, that chronicles how, beginning in the late 1800s when Lazarus wrote her famous poem, a handful of Eastern

European Jews settled here in Lakewood. That community is now one of the largest Orthodox enclaves in America.

Registration for the Plumsted program is required.

Lazarus was a fourthgeneration American from a prominent Jewish family in New York City.

A poet, critic, early feminist, and champion of immigrants and refugees, Lazarus was a tireless advocate for justice and championed her most cherished

causes: denouncing anti-Semitism, promoting Zionism, and training and educating refugees.

“She showed America how to become more generous, more noble, and more just. Her passion for justice lives on whenever we Americans dedicate ourselves to welcoming immigrants, training and educating the poor, and celebrating diversity,” said Schor.

“Emma Lazarus: Voice of Liberty, Voice of Conscience” was developed by Nextbook, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Jewish literature, culture, and ideas, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The national tour of the exhibit has been made possible by grants from the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Righteous Persons Foundation, the David Berg Foundation, and an anonymous donor, with additional support from Tablet Magazine: A New Read on Jewish Life. Emma Lazarus is also a book by Esther Schor, published as part of the Jewish Encounters series by Nextbook/ Schocken.

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The exhibit will move to the Plumsted Branch (119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt) on September 22.

happy 30th toms river Branch

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This year has been a time When the Branch was of milestones in Ocean dedicated in 1981 Lady County Library history.

Diana Spencer married Charles, Prince of Wales.

Ocean County Library Microsoft released MScelebrated 85 years of DOS on the first IBM PC. serving residents on And the price of a gallon September 19, 2010. of gasoline was $1.25.

August 28 marks the 30th anniversary of the Toms River Branch being dedicated at its current location on Washington Street. The move was very important in the history of the Ocean County Library, as the Toms River Branch was created to be the system’s headquarters.

Its prior location was at 15 Hooper Avenue, now a site of the Probation Department.

Thirty years ago the library card catalog was just that: a paper card file that listed its holdings.

Its music records were on vinyl or 8-track tape.

If one wanted to view a feature film the library had just created its Video Tape Circuit that had groups of 12 VHS tapes that rotated bimonthly amongst the Branches.

A limited number of Apple’s “microcomputers” were being introduced for the public’s use to see if they would catch on.

The Toms River Branch as it appears in 2011.

Since the building’s dedication it has gone through a renovation, doubling its size to 100,000 square feet. A coffee shop serves the library’s customers, and Mancini Hall has served up top notch speakers and entertainers.

The Toms River Branch has created a display of its last 30 years at 101 Washington Street that can be viewed in the Wheeler Room on the building’s second floor.

The Toms River Branch’s circulation desk back in 1981.

The new Students’ AntiBullying Bill of Rights, signed into law in New Jersey in January, has been described as the toughest state law about school bullying in the nation.

why it is so harmful, what parents can do about it, what teenagers need to know, and what the new law means for all of us.

appeared on 20/20 and has been quoted in many publications including Newsweek.

of bullying: what it is,

internationally, has

pm.

Professional Development Certificates are provided.

The Ocean County Library is a registered NJ Department of Education Professional Development Provider.

The Toms River Branch Sponsored by the Partnership Presenting the (101 Washington Street) that brought you the programs will be Dr. will be hosting the GangWise Project, O.C. Board Paula Rodriguez Rust, program on September of Chosen Freeholders, O.C. Youth Service Commission, What does this law mean sociologist and member 25 and the Barnegat O.C. Health Department, for students, parents and of the NJ Special Task Branch (112 Burr Street) S.C. of NJ Ocean County schools?

Force on Bullying, hosts it on September 26.

Probation-Juvenile Cyberbullying Awareness Supervision, O.C. Library, and Prevention.

Ocean County Library is Both programs start at Municipal Alliance Project, hosting two programs 6:30 pm. Sign in for the N.J. Governors Council on that will cover the basics Dr. Rust lectures programs begins at 6:00 Alcoholism & Drug Abuse.

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bullying 101

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System happenings...

Happy Birthday Berkeley Branch!

Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders Director Joseph H. Vicari (right) was on hand to present Ocean County Library Director Susan Quinn and Ocean County Library Berkeley Branch Manager Michael Bobish with a proclamation to celebrate the Branch’s thirtieth anniversary on Saturday, August 8, 2011.

Let Go Of My Legos!

Did you know that every minute, Lego produce 36,000 of their famous toy bricks? On August 1 the Waretown Branch was filled with Lego block constructions ranging from robots to monsters to houses and more! SAIL volunteers helped lead a program for young children. The beloved construction toys have been popular all over the world since they were invented in 1932 by Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen.

Harry Carson Tackles His Way Into Toms River Branch!

One of the greatest linebackers ever to play professional football, Harry Carson will be coming to the Toms River Branch to discuss his new book, Captain for Life: My Story as a Hall of Fame Linebacker on Tuesday, September 20 at 7 pm.

Carson’s story of his life as a football player and after his retirement is more powerful and eyeopening than any that’s come before. In Captain for Life, Carson reveals the startling truth behind the sacrifices these great warriors make for our entertainment, the thrill of stepping onto a field with 80,000 fans screaming your name, and the debilitating physical and mental toll this violent and uncompromising game takes.

Carson’s 13 year tenure with the New York Giants is one of the longest in club history. The indestructible former linebacker served as team captain for 10 of his 13 seasons including the 1986 season, when the team won the Super Bowl. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.

System happenings...

A Hannah Montana themed scarecrow made by Girl Scouts from Ocean County watches over the bookshelves at the Toms River Branch.

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore will welcome autumn when they once again create scarecrows for many of the branches of the Ocean County Library.

scarecrows is determined by several factors, including the amount of space the library Branch can provide and how many troops are decorating each Branch.

The scarecrows will be displayed from midOctober to the end of November.

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore are invited to participate in creating their own display.

In the past the Girl Scouts have been very creative in their designs. Some scarecrows have the look of plush ragdolls, stuffed with loose-packed cloth while others take on a menacing face and are over-stuffed with straw.

Some are free-standing while others casually recline on a chair or bench.

To take part contact Marilyn Bass, Volunteer Coordinator, at mbass@ theoceancountylibrary. org or by telephone at (732) 349-6200, ext. 5535.

The size of the

The Girl Scouts of America, founded by Juliette Low in Savannah, Georgia on March 12, 1912, will soon begin celebrations marking the organization’s 100th anniversary.

Learn Your Boardwalk History Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Brick!

The Brick Branch was filled with families on July 13 enjoying “The Runaway Wok” puppet show presented by OCL Puppet Players. The show celebrated the Chinese New Year. Everyone learned about Chinese culture and the importance of generosity. Dragon crafts were made after the show and all the kids paraded around the branch afterwards!

Authors Dick Handschuch and Sal Marino led their audience at the Waretown Branch through many memorable years of Jersey boardwalk history.

They not only brought their book Beach Bums Guide to the Boardwalks of New Jersey to life, but they also inspired audience members to reminisce about their own anecdotes. There was plenty of interactive banter and fun among all who attended.

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Girl Scouts Make Scarecrows for the Ocean County Library

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a fine romance

Songwriters Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg practice with the cast of Wizard of Oz during a rehearsal. The most famous of the songs Arlen and Harburg wrote for the movie was “Over the Rainbow” which won the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song.

photo credit PhotoFest

Perhaps you remember the Broadway musicals “West Side Story”, “Gypsy,” or “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Maybe you recall the recent revivals of others, such as “Oklahoma”, “Annie Get Your Gun”, “My Fair Lady,” and “The King and I.” All spawned dozens of musical hits that make up The Great American Songbook.

The Point Pleasant Borough Branch, 834

Beaver Dam Rd., will host the nationally-touring exhibit “A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs, 19101965” Sept. 7 through Oct. 21.

Both the reception and concert are sponsored by the Friends of the Point Pleasant Library.

Liberty Hall Museum Educator Sid Frank will share anecdotes Monday The exhibit will open Oct. 3 at 7 pm about the with a reception Saturday cultural contributions of Jewish New Jerseyans Sept. 10 at 12:30 pm Maggie Worsdale will in such diverse areas as sports, politics, law, perform songs from science, literature and these great Jewish American songwriters, entertainment. along with a tribute to Sophie Tucker, at 2 pm Poet, editor and author

David Lehman, whose book A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs was the basis for the exhibit, will speak at the library Branch Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 7 pm and regale people with stories from the era. Lehman is also the exhibition’s curator.

The exhibit looks at the enormously popular collection of songs and songwriters who entertained and inspired

the exhibit has been made possible by grants from the Charles H. Its songwriters combined Revson Foundation, a genius for developing the Righteous Persons a melody, pairing it Foundation, the David with the perfect words Berg Foundation, and an and connecting with anonymous donor, with their audience on an additional support from emotional level.

“Tablet Magazine: A New Read on Jewish Life.”

A high percentage of those writers were The programs, exhibit Jewish, coming from and reception are free families that immigrated and open to the public, to America in the 1800s but registration is or fleeing from pogroms required. and persecutions in Europe at the turn of the For more information or to register go to the century. library’s Web site (www.

The songwriters included theoceancountylibrary. org) or call (732) 295such well-known 1555. composers as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, George and Ira Gershwin The Point Pleasant Borough Branch is one and Harold Arlen. of 55 sites nationwide to host this exhibit.

Their songs were performed by artists such as Eddie Cantor, Al Jolson, Kate Smith, Frank Sinatra, Ethel Merman, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman and Miles Davis.

The exhibit was developed by Nextbook, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Jewish literature, culture and ideas, and the American Library Association Public Programs Office.

The national tour of

Ethel Merman in Annie Get Your Gun

Benny Goodman performing in concert

photo credit PhotoFest

photo credit PhotoFest

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America during the early 20th century.

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stormtrooper circulation

Having to explain to an Imperial Stormtrooper why your library books are overdue might be one way to make sure you return them on time.

Fortunately, they are too busy in a galaxy far, far away to deal with library matters.

However, Star Wars reenactors from the 501st Legion Northeast Remnant came to visit the Long Beach Island Branch on July 27, as the library held a crafting event for families featuring Star Wars themed projects.