One Transformative Word - Volunteer

It only takes one word to make a significant difference in your community and your own life - "volunteer." Both a verb and a noun, volunteer means you're actively committing a portion of your time and talent to a cause. It also means you've been awarded a well-respected job title that "pays" in personal satisfaction.

Bernardsville Public Library welcomes new volunteers throughout the year, and we hope you'll consider joining our team of community-minded teens and adults who love their library. There are numerous interesting opportunities that might work with your schedule, including book processing, language assistance, local history work. Teens are invited to apply for volunteer duties over the summer in order to earn their community service hours. And, don't forget that the Friends and the Foundation can always use new members who are dedicated to enriching the resources and experiences that Bernardsville Library offers its community and guests. Transform yourself, transform your library - volunteer.

Will You Be One Of Our Makers In 2016?

Bernardsville Public Library is putting out a call for creative people - Makers - to participate in our Maker Day 2016, which is scheduled for Sunday, March 19, 2016. You might just be among the Makers who will be joining us!

Are you one of those people who likes to tinker with technology, to kick it up a notch with culinary tricks, to create a new angle on an old craft?  Maybe you know a thing or two about robotics, circuitry, 3D printing or motors?  Perhaps you're an artist with a different approach to your medium?

We're currently seeking Makers with novel, but practical ideas that can be demonstrated to an audience of all ages. We encourage you to present your special knowledge or skill in such a way that your audience can try it out, too, if possible. Please contact us right away at 908-766-0118 to express your interest in participating. We can't wait to hear from you!

Takin' It To The Streets

Bernardsville Public Library is going on the road in September to sign up new members during Library Card Sign-Up Month. You could even say we’re “takin’ it to the streets” of Bernardsville to show you just how easy it is to get a library card!

Our information tables are popping up at such Bernardsville locations as Starbucks, Kings, Shoprite, and Penguin Ice Cream where staff members greet shoppers and acquaint them with the many benefits of having a Bernardsville Library membership. These benefits include full borrowing access to our incredible free resources; exciting, educational programming for children and adults; tools for online learning and homework help; numerous volunteer opportunities; and a career skills center.

As a thank you, new members will receive our library tote bag, information pamphlets, and tokens such as library cups, notecards, or rubber bracelets – something for everyone! But wait, there’s more! Did you know that you don’t necessarily have to be a resident of Bernardsville to get a library card? Anyone who works in Bernardsville, though not a resident, is entitled to a card, as are certain non-resident students. People from neighboring towns or towns in our library federation are also entitled to a card. All you need do is ask! Show us your ID, fill out a short form, and you’ll be a card-carrying member of Bernardsville Library in no time!

Thank You, Volunteers!

Volunteer Appreciation Week is coming up the week of May 18th, at which time the Friends of Bernardsville Public Library will celebrate our hardworking volunteers. Without this capable corps, it would not be possible to offer many of the features that make our library so extraordinary. For instance, our free English-As-A-Second Language (ESL) and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs are run by trained volunteers who offer their time on a regular basis, as do our knowledgeable Local History volunteers. These people are willing to commit to a regular volunteer schedule and always come through for us.

Those who like to work behind the scenes have helped us process the large assortment of new materials coming in every day, including audio-visual items as well as books. We even have a volunteer who does minor book restoration for us! As members of the Collection Advisory Team, other volunteers suggest new additions to our book collection. There are additional committees on which interested volunteers may serve, too, including One Book Bernardsville and Maker Day.

We even benefit from the horticultural talents of the Bernardsville Garden Club whose members tend our gardens and provide weekly arrangements for the library. Opportunities also exist for teen volunteers to assist us with shelving and story time preparation. In all, there have been over 4,000 hours of volunteer time given annually to our library, and the entire library organization is so appreciative. If any of these volunteer opportunities interest you, please consider volunteering here or at your local library.

The Past is Present in Our Local History Room

Thanks to the dedicated work of some Bernardsville Public Library volunteers, a large trove of Somerset Hills family histories, artifacts, photographs, and books have been preserved in the library's Edwin S. Spinning Local History Room. Significant collections in the Local History Room include the Fred Pitney Crater negatives from the early 20th century. Hundreds of these negatives have now been scanned and are viewable on our website. These negatives document town life in the early 1900's and include marvelous images of various well-known mansions built for industrialists seeking country living on a grand scale.

Decorative holiday cards and postcards dating approximately from 1905 make up another extensive collection in the Local History Room.  Postcards of area sites and state-wide views are particularly of interest.  Maps, manuscripts, old medicine bottles, and crockery comprise some of the other items donated to the library for preservation.  Oftentimes, these donated items have been found in home basements or attics long after having been left behind by their original owners.

The Local History Room also maintains a file of obituaries dating back to the 1800's for genealogists in search of family histories.  For those who want to revisit their youthful days in Bernardsville or research a family member who graduated from Bernards High School, a collection of high school yearbooks dating back to 1907 may be looked at on days when the Local History Room is open.  Our dedicated volunteers are present on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. to show you these items, discuss local history, answer questions or receive donated materials pertinent to Bernardsville's past.  Please keep this wonderful resource in mind.

VITA Appointments Being Taken

Bernardsville Public Library continues to provide complimentary tax assistance to community residents through the VITA program.  VITA stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, and this service has been offered free of charge for over 15 years at our library. Volunteers are trained to assist with state and federal tax preparation as well as to help with estimated taxes and the filing of tax extensions.  We are especially pleased to offer translation for Spanish language speakers who request this service. Free appointments may be made with our VITA volunteers by calling the library at 908-766-0118.

Handmade Baby Blankets Are Donated By Saturday Crafters

Saturday Crafters, the Bernardsville Public Library crafting group, completed yet another charity project, this one benefiting premature infants at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey.  As you can see, the project certainly brought out the creative talents of everyone involved!  Each of the baby blankets was a unique creation demonstrating a joyful choice of color, pattern, and technique.  Not only will the blankets brighten up the neonatal ward at Overlook, but once the infants are released from the hospital, these blankets will go home with each child as a special gift.

Group leader Evelyn Fischel, a staff member at the library, first contacted several area hospitals to inquire about their interest in receiving handmade blankets for preemies, and Overlook Hospital responded enthusiastically.  Members of the group who wanted to volunteer for this project then worked at home as well as at the monthly Saturday Crafters meetings to complete more than 40 blankets and hats for the infants.  Using donated supplies and yarns they purchased themselves, the members hand knit or crocheted the blankets and hats over a period of six months.

Evelyn delivered the finished items to Overlook Hospital just before Christmas and was deeply gratified by the appreciation of the staff and nurses who received them.  A thank you letter sent to her will be shared with the group at the next meeting of Saturday Crafters, scheduled for Feb. 15th at 3 p.m. in the library.  In addition to the baby blankets, Saturday Crafters participants have donated handmade items to the Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown, to the Dulaan Project in Mongolia, and to the annual Teddy Bear project at the library.  Monthly Saturday Crafters meetings are open to individuals who enjoy working on their own projects in a pleasant, communal setting, and new members are always welcome to attend.

Blankets for Preemies from Saturday Crafters

Saturday Crafters, a Bernardsville Library crafting group, has just completed another charity project, this one to be donated to a local hospital.  Forty beautiful blankets for premature babies were knitted or crocheted by participating crafters who volunteered their time and materials for this project.  

Participants chose their own patterns and yarns, so each blanket is truly one of a kind.  Hospitals are happy to receive these donations which they distribute to premature infants remaining in hospital for a period of time, often weeks.  The blankets not only help the babies regulate their body heat, but also add a cheerful note to the neonatal nursery setting.  When the infants are finally able to go home, the blankets are given to the departing families as a gift.  

In addition to these preemie blankets, Saturday Crafters has produced a large quantity of woolen clothing for the Dulaan Project in Mongolia and has assembled knitted washcloth/soap sets for The Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown.  Members of Saturday Crafters also enjoy creating outfits for the holiday teddy bears given annually to needy children. New members are invited to attend monthly meetings of this group where they can make progress on their own handwork projects while enjoying the camaraderie of others.  All kinds of handcrafts are encouraged and welcomed.  The next meeting of Saturday Crafters will be October 19th at 3 p.m.

"Local History" Tidbits, Tales and Treasures

Volunteers from Bernardsville Library's Edwin S. Spinning Local History Room will offer the public a historical overview of Bernardsville, New Jersey, on Saturday, July 13th, from 10 a.m. to noon in the library.  Referencing old maps, newspapers, and photographs, our volunteers plan to discuss noteworthy and perhaps even odd stories about the early days of our town.  Here's a wonderful opportunity to learn about notable houses, famous past residents, and lesser known, but equally fascinating tidbits from Bernardsville's local history.  Small group tours of the Spinning Collection will follow the presentation.  To sign up or for more information, please refer here.

Michaele and Keiko Make a Splash at the Library

Bernardsville youth services librarian Michaele Casey and library volunteer Keiko Matsuura have done it again...yet another great display for the children's summer reading program!

This year's theme is "Make a Splash at Your Library" and the accompanying book display does just that.  Read more about this beautiful display by clicking here.


Keiko constructed the sea figures and young diver from paper, fabric and paint, and it took her very special imagination to assemble them all into a magical underwater scene.

Michaele borrowed a fabulous papier mache coral reef construction from the Bedwell School and made it the base of this floating world.  What a perfect match!  All  around the coral can be found interesting books for children to borrow.

The children have been very enthusiastic about the reading program at Bernardsville Public Library this summer, in part because of this gorgeous book display.

Kids: Dip Into Some Great Summer Reading!

The first week of Bernardsville Public Library's summer reading program has started with a SPLASH!  In fact, that's the theme of the statewide reading program for children this summer - "Make a Splash at Your Library."

As you enter the library lobby, you will be immersed in a beautiful display created in part by library volunteer Keiko Matsuura and Youth Services librarian Michaele Casey with contributions as well from Bedwell School. This display depicts a fantastic underwater scene complete with coral, wondrous sea life and a startled diver.  Jellyfish, squid, a sea turtle and various fish appear to swim in mid-air as a young diver descends into the watery realm.  The diver is as surprised as you will be when you see just how gorgeous this underwater world is.   Books about sea life have been placed around the display by our Youth Services librarians, and children are encouraged to borrow these books.

Be sure to register your children for this program soon.  The sooner they get their feet wet, the sooner they will become great readers!

Make A Difference

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service.  To honor his life's work toward social justice, equality and community service, Congress  in 1994 appointed the third Monday of every January as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, asking people to make this holiday "a day on, not a day off."  Learn more about the Rev. King, his life, and opportunities for volunteerism here.

Bernardsville Public Library, open today, has a display of books about the life and writings of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Biography area as well as at the circulation desk. Please feel to borrow any of these and other books about him in the Nonfiction wing.

If you are looking for volunteer opportunities close to home that you can continue short-term or throughout the year, please consider the library.  Bernardsville Public Library gratefully accepts volunteer assistance with computer classes, VITA tax assistance, ESL (English-as-a-second-language) instruction, book processing, children's activities, the Local History Room, and many other rewarding volunteer opportunities. Please stop by or call the library at 908-766-0118 to make a difference.

Library Volunteers Keiko Matsuura and Bob Baker Honored Today

Bernardsville residents, Bob Baker and Keiko Matsuura, were recognized for their outstanding volunteer service to Bernardsville Public Library at a reception held on the library's patio this afternoon. 

The Board of Trustees organized this event which included refreshments, speeches and awards. Board members, staff and friends were in attendance to show their appreciation.

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Bob has given many hours of service to the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program he manages at the library. VITA provides free assistance with income tax preparation for people with low or moderate incomes.  He also provides free computer instruction at the library.  Keiko has brightened the library with her artistic talents over the last four years. As a Youth Services volunteer, she has given origami classes and programs on Japanese culture to our patrons.  Keiko is also the creator of our wonderful summer reading displays including this year's creative pigs and last year's summer reading bugs.  We truly appreciate all the dedication and time that Bob, Keiko and our many other wonderful volunteers have offered to the library.

From Bernardsville To Mongolia With Love

Thanks to a very generous donation of wool yarn from area resident Susan Haynes, the Adult Services department of Bernardsville Public Library was able to organize a charity knitting project this year. Knitters on the library staff, as well as library volunteers and members of the library's Saturday Crafters group, turned an abundance of colorful skeins into woolen outerwear designed to keep children and adults in Mongolia warm throughout the winter. As you can see, we had spectacular results...

Our charity of choice was the Dulaan Project, under the auspices of F.I.R.E., Flagstaff International Relief Effort, which collects knitted clothing for a yearly shipment to Mongolia. Our knitted goods joined a total of 10 tons of boxed donations which were shipped off on July 10th. All of us who participated in this project felt immense satisfaction in putting our knitting skills to work for others.

Pig Fever, Yes! Swine Flu, No!

Be Creative @ Your Library, Bernardsville Public Library's summer reading program, has attracted a huge number of young readers, but it has also caused "Pig Fever" to break out among our patrons.

Anyone who enters the library is sure to experience symptoms that include gasps of amazement, feverish urges to smile, and an overwhelming sense of complete happiness. No one seems to be immune.

This is all due to the performing pigs who highlight the summer reading program theme of creativity...

...and to their creator, Keiko Matsuura, who is one of our very talented library volunteers. Last year Keiko helped with the summer reading program by making the reading bugs that were so popular (see June 24, 2008 posting.)

Michaele Casey, Bernardsville librarian, once again asked Keiko to help her with this year's summer reading display, and Keiko came up with a design concept that incorporated her fondness for pigs. It was decided that pigs doing creative things would be the perfect visual accent to the summer reading theme. Obviously, Keiko was the first one to come down with "Pig Fever" because she worked feverishly for two months to create the piggies out of papier mache and other materials.

Working from her home, Keiko glued multiple layers of brown paper around large balloons to form the pigs' bodies and then attached limbs and other features with more papier mache. This process took days to complete, followed by many layers of paint, trim and accessories to give each pig a unique character. Eyes and some lips were formed from sponges that Keiko cut, and hair and clothing were created with sculpted paper, paint or yarn.

Keiko reports that the rock 'n roll pig was the hardest one to make because he had to be able to stand even without the microphone. Although the pigs "hogged" the sofa in Keiko's house for the past two months, she and her husband were sorry to see them go. But they are delighted that the pigs have made themselves right at home in the library! Come see for yourself, and catch the fever.

Knit Up a Storm This Winter And Help Others At The Same Time

photo source - Bernardsville Public Library

With winter just waiting to blast its way into our lives, it's time for all you knitters to whip out your needles and start the great cast-on! Bernardsville Public Library is here to help you find pattern books and great ideas. Just visit our display of knitting books in the nonfiction wing to find inspiration and instruction. You'll find a wide selection, including Nordic and Andean pattern books, as well as project ideas such as felted purses and doggie outfits.

If you love to knit, but have a closetful of woolies, why not turn your talents to great use by knitting projects for charity? A local group that gladly accepts knitted items for merchant mariners entering the Port of New York and New Jersey is the Seaman's Church Institute. They will provide you with patterns via their Web site. Another great site is The Daily Knitter which lists many charities for which you can knit. If pictures help to spur you on, here are a few

from another organization, FireProject, based in Flagstaff, Arizona. They are promoting a hat knitting project for children in Mongolia and they provide free patterns on their Web site.

Thank You, Keiko

photo source - Bernardsville Public Library

Keiko Matsuura, a volunteer in the Youth Services department of Bernardsville Public Library, is responsible for all the charming "reading bugs" that have taken up residence throughout the library. These adorable insects, posed with their books and magazines, mark the beginning of the library's summer reading program called "Catch the Reading Bug @ Bernardsville Library."
Although Keiko has had no formal art training, she is obviously very talented and possesses an artist's eye and imagination. Michaele Casey, Youth Services Librarian, reports that Keiko took her inspiration from the drawings of illustrator, Harry Bliss, bringing his bug illustrations to 3-D life. Using styrofoam balls, corrugated paper, and even some special packaging paper from Japan, Keiko sculpted and formed a variety of insects, turning them into the kinds of bugs we would actually like to have in the library! Keiko carved and sandpapered large styrofoam balls to create the facial structure of each bug and then hand painted them with vivid, eye-catching colors. Posed at ease in beach chairs and on sofas, these larger-than-life reading bugs surely know how to pass a lazy summer day - with a good book, of course!

Bernardsville Library has been so fortunate to have Keiko as a volunteer over the last two years. She moved to Bernardsville with her husband after leaving Japan, where she studied English, and it wasn't long before Keiko found her way to us. She has done children's programs on Japanese culture and origami and will be teaching origami in 3-D for teens on August 4th at the library.