Dear Editor,
While many libraries across the country and around New Jersey are closing down or curtailing their activities, the Hoboken Public Library continues to thrive. Last year, in fact, when the institution celebrated its 120th birthday, the library recorded 227,333 visits, and circulated 217,890 items (such as books, videos, Cds, etc).
Those are impressive figures, by any measure. The library attracted hundreds of adults, teenagers and children to dozens of programs: 88 events for adults, such as lectures, book reviews and film screenings; 195 programs for children; and 70 programs for teenagers. Thousands of hours were logged in by Hobokenites using the library’s computers.
Much of the credit for this growth and progress goes to our library director, Lina Podles, and to JoAnn Serrano, president of the library’s Board of Trustees. During the 10 years Ms. Podles has been director, the library has experienced dramatic growth, more than doubling the number of visitors and programs. A dedicated staff and support from the Friends of the Library have added to her efforts.
Ms. Serrano has been a dedicated worker for the library for 13 years, as a member of the library’s Board of Trustees. In those years she has organized several fund-raisers and programs. In the last eight years she has dedicated herself to the preservation of the 115-year-old library building, first with the addition of an elevator, repairs to the roof and replacement of windows.
She has attended numerous state and regional conferences on her own time and expense, at no cost to the city, to gain further expertise on running libraries. Under her leadership, the library is about to enter the first phase of an extensive renovation program to bring the building into the new technological age, yet preserving the integrity of its historic beauty. She has been working with historic preservation experts and architects and planners, hours upon hours of conferences, toward this goal for about six years. In September, renovation of the basement, to include an all-purpose community room, will commence the first phase.
Our community owes Ms. Podles much gratitude for her dedication–it’s not just a job with her. We also should applaud Ms. Serrano for the hundreds of hours she has spent to give us a better, upgraded library and her efforts to preserve our beautiful historic structure.
I have spent more than 20 years as a library volunteer, as a member of the Friends of the Library and the last nine as a member of the Board of Trustees. I served as president of the trustees for four years preceding Ms. Serrano. It has been a great pleasure working with these terrific public servants. Few people in our community work as hard or with such dedication.
Arturo Martinez