State and local government budgets around the country are under siege as officials scramble to align public spending with revenues. Although public libraries along with other public services have been in the line of fire for resulting budget cuts, New Jersey library lovers scored a win recently when the impending shut-down of the wildly successful BCCLS inter-library loan network – of which Hoboken Public Library is a member – was called off.
The impassioned pleas sent to lawmakers and the governor by library patrons and BCCLS fans, including many in Hoboken, surely played a role in securing this reprieve. The incident is another case of citizens turning out in force for their local public libraries.
In short, public libraries are in. In a world fueled by information, hungry for genuine community, and eager to identify public institutions that work, libraries are in sync with the zeitgeist.
Libraries, these days, are overflowing with patrons spanning the age and demographic spectrum from toddlers to students to parents to retirees to out-of-work adults of all ages. Visit the Hoboken Public Library on a weekday, an evening, or a Saturday to see for yourself.
But don’t confuse in with passing fashion because, unlike fads, libraries are always vital to civic life.
As a non-fad, libraries necessarily require continual support. And Hoboken-ites, you have an immediate opportunity, here at home, to do your part.
Novel Night is Hoboken’s home-grown fund-raising event to benefit the Hoboken Public Library. Marking its third year on Oct. 16, Novel Night is produced by the Friends of the Hoboken Public Library and draws on the strengths of our community—generous and culinary-inclined residents—to generate much-needed funds for the institution. (Note: The Hoboken Reporter is a sponsor of Novel Night.)
This year, 20 hosts are firing up their stoves and opening their doors to Novel Night diners. Each host’s dinner is built around a theme inspired by a book of the host’s choosing. As you can see from the list below, their literary tastes are wide ranging:
Animal, Vegetable, Mineral Lby Barbara Kingsolver
An Infamous Army by Georgette Heyer
Bangkok 8 by John Burdett
The Book of Salt by Monique Truong
Dr. Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café by Fannie Flagg
From Russia With Love by Ian Fleming
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Istanbul: Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk
Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Last Dinner on the Titanic by Rick Archbold and Dana McCauley
My Life in France by Julia Child
New York: The Novel by Edward Rutherfurd
Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison by Piper Kerman
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
Rashi’s Daughters (Vols. 1-3) by Maggie Anton
A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
Tom Jones by Henry Fielding
Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto
After dinner, all guests and hosts will convene at the library for a dessert buffet, including a cake from Hoboken’s Carlo’s Bakery.
Don’t miss this chance for an evening of great food and conversation, making new friendships and perhaps renewing old ones. For more information on dinner choices and to download a reservation card, visit the Friends online at www.hobokenfol.org/novelnight.html.
Deadline for reservations is Oct. 1, but previous dinners have sold out so, to ensure a seat, reserve today. If you have questions, call 201-795-5410 or email us at novelnight@gmail.com. We hope to see you Oct.16th!
WANTED: ESL COORDINATOR: The Friends of the Hoboken Public Library seek a volunteer to coordinate our Fall 2010 English as a Second Language (ESL) Program for adults who want to improve their language skills. Students from beginner to advanced speakers practice their English conversation skills in small groups with volunteer tutors. Classes meet weekly for an hour at the Library over a 10-week semester starting after Labor Day. Coordinator responsibilities include: working with library staff to set the calendar, recruiting volunteer tutors, marketing the program through flyers and local ads, choosing discussion topics for weekly classes, preparing materials to assist in discussions, and attending weekly classes. Interested? Please write us at info@hobokenfol.org.