|
|
Vol. LXIII, No. 17
|
|
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
|
|
|
|
Vol. LXIII, No. 17
|
|
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
|
For literary name-dropping, last week’s Board of Trustees meeting set the bar high, as Director Leslie Burger announced the upcoming appearances of several writers at the Princeton Public Library.
On September 22, The Other Boleyn Girl author Phillipa Gregory will visit the library in conjunction with the release of her latest book. Humanitarian Greg Mortenson, author of the best-seller Three Cups of Tea, will appear on October 23, and on November 21, the journalist, humorist, and novelist Calvin Trillin will be the guest speaker at the Friends’ annual fundraiser. “We’re really pleased that he’s coming,” observed Ms. Burger, noting that the event will include dining in the library, followed by Mr. Trillin’s talk, and a possible reception afterward.
The expanded Friends’ book sale, which has moved into the space previously occupied by the Library Store, is proving to be a success, said Ms. Burger, who described it as “a win-win situation for everybody,” and “a great recycling opportunity.” The library’s recent student-run Ghana Project book drive was similarly successful, she said, proving that “books can live many lives.”
Straight to Your Door
Ms. Burger also announced a new delivery system that, beginning in June, will enable patrons to request books online or by phone, for mailing directly to their homes. Thanks to a grant from the Central Jersey Library Cooperative, said Development Officer Lindsay Forden, this service will be available to all library cardholders at no charge, and will include all library materials except feature-length films. Patrons will be able to return borrowed items by mail, at drop-off boxes, or directly at the library. Usage of this new system will be tracked, Ms. Forden noted, and revisited for its viability in two years.
Recent grants approved for acceptance by the Board at last week’s meeting include $25,000 in unrestricted funds from the J. Seward Johnson, Sr. Charitable Trust; $15,000 from the Revson Foundation for the sole purpose of Springboard and Tutor.com for the 2009-2010 school year; $1,000 from PNC Bank for Tutor.Com; and two grants, $5,000 from Bert Kerstetter, and $5,000 from Church & Dwight, for the Princeton Environmental Film Festival.