Monmouth Library Offers Summer Entertainment

By Renee B. Swartz, Chair, Monmouth County Library Commission

With summer in full swing, beaches full, ocean and pools inviting, Monmouth County is fortunate in having alternative entertainment, from music and song to dance and drama at the Library Headquarters in Manalapan and all of the Monmouth County Library’s 12 other branches.

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Lost Amusement Parks of the North Jersey Shore to be discovered at Monmouth County Library

By Muriel Smith

Rick Geffken, author

MANALAPAN –  Noted author Rick Geffken will bring his stories of New Jersey amusement parks to the Headquarters Library Thursday, June 21,  at 7 p.m.

The author of “Lost Amusement Parks of the North Jersey Shore,” and other books on local history will display images from the Library of Congress and local collections documenting how the Jersey Shore was the most famous vacation and recreational destination along the US coast in earlier times.

Geffken, who lives in Farmingdale,  will bring to life through word and photo the families who spent their days on the beaches of the Jersey Shore and their evenings sipping sodas, savoring candied apples and purchasing salt water taffy and souvenirs of their visits to Asbury Park, Highlands, Sea Bright, and other amusement parks. Geffken will also talk about the rides at these amusement parks and the varieties of personalities whose summers were enjoyed along the boardwalk and beach. Read the rest of this entry »

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Eastern Branch of Monmouth Library hosts programs for college bound students and job seekers next week

By Muriel Smith

SHREWSBURY – Programs for parents and college bound students on the application process for higher education and a support group for persons actively looking for jobs are both on tap at the Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library next week.

Christian Dapolito of Biondfinancial will present a program aiming at informing parents of the college application process, on Tuesday, May 22, from 7 to 8 p.m.

The session will include student preparation for ACT/SATs, understanding and applying for grants and scholarship, and searching for the right college to meet the student’s individual needs.  For further information on this program, call 866-941-8188.

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$1.6 million technology improvements to begin at Monmouth County Library

By Muriel Smith

MANALAPAN -A $1.6 million phase one renovation that will bring the 117,000 square foot Monmouth County Library Headquarters to a 21^st century technological state-of-the-art transformation will begin by June.

The announcement was made by Monmouth County Library Commission Chair Renee B. Swartz who reported at a commission meeting earlier this month the final details on the extensive program which is being coordinated by Library Interiors of Brick.

“The Commission has been working and planning a proposal for two years,” Swartz said, “and we are confident we have not only contracted a top of the line coordinator to see it through, but also to accomplish the transition with the least amount of disruption for our patrons.”

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Opinion: Vote Yes to fund library construction

By Don Burden

While it is imperative for voters to cast their ballots for all candidates they feel will continue to bring outstanding government to Monmouth County and its municipalities, careful attention should also be paid to the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, the first question on the ballot.   A yes vote here will provide $125,000,000 for construction and renovation projects throughout the state on a matching basis with the library itself.

The goals of the bond issue are to continue to upgrade of public library facilities, a goal that has been paramount to the Monmouth County Library Commission since its inception. Routine upkeep and continued improvements to keep up with the newest technology are necessary to meet community needs and strengthen the state’s economy through the creation of opportunities for New Jersey businesses. Read the rest of this entry »

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The Show Must Go On!

Librarian Steps In As Actress

By Muriel Smith

Jemma Nigh Players: Myra Danon, Donna Mansfield, Martin Moskowitz, Fridel Buxbaum, Bob Landman

MANALAPAN – Donna Mansfield takes it seriously when she says “The Show must go on!” So seriously, in fact, that the Programming Coordinator at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters did the only thing she could think of to do when she learned a one act play scheduled to go on stage at the headquarters library had to be cancelled because one of the five actors had to drop out.  With scant weeks to go before the event Mansfield had been promoting throughout Monmouth County with great zeal was scheduled, and not wanting to spend as much zeal in announcing its cancellation, Mansfield volunteered to step in and do the job!

Mansfield…who is not an actress and has absolutely no experience on stage….pulled it off beautifully last week when she portrayed Nora in Sisters-in-Pain, a charming comedy written by Myra Danon of Jamesburg. Danon also played a role in this, the first comedy she has written on her own, though she did co-author one other play since she retired as an elementary school teacher in Harlem.

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