Bernards Library Begins to Make Plans for Digitial and Physical Renovations

In response to a changing environment for books, as evidenced by the release of products like Amazon's Kindle or Apple's new iPad, the Bernards Township Library has begun to make plans for an expansion of its virtual content.

The Library Board of Trustees met on Wednesday night and discussed plans for renovating both digital and physical aspects of the library.

Virtual Content

Long-range Planning officer Paul Bryan reported on the library's revision of its long-term planning goals for the upcoming years.

Bryan said that the library was operating near capacity for the types of things that can be done at the library itself due to physical limitations and the substantial amount of programming conducted.

Because of an increased focus on mobile electronic technology, however, Bryan suggested that the next frontier for the library could be to improve its virtual offerings. "This seemed to be the hottest area for us to focus our attention on," Bryan said at the meeting, calling it one of the biggest issues in terms of serving people.

"People either stay at home or use their portable devices to get their information," Bryan said. "The world is changing and people are trying to get their information virtually wherever they are. ... [The question is] what can we do to provide more functionality in that regard?"

According to a draft proposal circulated by Bryan, the library would begin by going through a complete overhaul of its Web site.

The proposal had eleven points for how to improve the library's Web site offerings, including a complete redesign and switch to a "Web Content Management System" that would enable staff members to make quick and easy updates to the library Web site in order to ensure it has fast and accurate information.

The library will also explore using more social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter to advertise the library to its younger constituents, as well as setting up pages for library patrons to share their opinions and interact about library programs through blogs and forums.

Even electronic books for the Kindle and other e-reader devices could be offered. The Highland Regional Library Cooperative in northwest New Jersey announced that it will begin providing eBook titles, which is something Bernards Library could promote as well.

Physical Renovations

In addition to a virtual overhaul of the library, the Board of Trustees spoke about making some physical improvements to the library.

The upstairs bathrooms in the library are the only original parts of the building that have not been renovated since it was built, according the trustee Lois Bloom. As a result of wear over time, the bathrooms are in need of repair.

The library will consider using bequest money to redo the building's bathrooms – complete renovations of the two upstairs bathrooms and potentially some work to open up the area surrounding the two newer bathrooms near the children's area for security reasons.

The library will first hear potential redesign plans from contractors before going forward with the project.

Other renovations include fixing a cracked column outside of the library, which is a project that has been ongoing, as well as completing the roof work that was done on the library last year.

The library will also soon install a brand new phone system, which will be paid for from money that was put aside for the last three years in the budget for this purpose.

Meeting Notes

The Monday meeting was also the reorganization meeting of the Library Board of Trustees.

The Board welcomed two new members, Leslie Workman, who has served the town previously as a volunteer on the Open Space Commission and with Parks and Recreation, and Mayor Scott Spitzer, who replaced former Mayor Carolyn Kelly as the Township Committee liaison to the Board. Workman agreed to replace Marie Schelfaut as the Board's policy officer, and the Board unanimously reelected Tim Opremcak as Board President.

The Board will finish putting together its budget next month, but early indications are that the library will be in good shape financially, carrying over $800,000 in long-range reserves. Bloom, who serves as the Board's treasurer, recommended that the library save the reserve money to help cover future operating costs.