“We really intended for this building to be teen user-friendly,” said Princeton Public Library Board of Trustees President Katherine McGavern at last Tuesday’s meeting. Observing the end of the terms of several members of the library’s Teen Advisory Board, she thanked them for “all the energy and creativity that you bring to this place,” adding that they have fostered the “best practices for teen library programs that we could have asked for.”
The Teen Advisory Board consists of students in grade 6 and over who meet monthly at the library to advise Teen Services Librarian Susan Conlon about the teen collection, and to talk about books, films, and music. The sessions have clearly had an impact on library services and programs, as evidenced by Ms. Conlon’s descriptions of the students present at Tuesday’s meeting, and the programs they fostered. Princeton High School senior Alauna Safarpour, for example, was responsible for organizing this year’s GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) film and lecture series at the library. Ms. Safar-pour expressed her gratitude to the library for being open to innovative programs, “even if they’re controversial.” Miriam Eapen, another PHS senior, coordinated a day-long piano recital at the library on April 28 to support “Small Miracles,” a program that brings music to underprivileged children. Sam Boyles, a tenth-grader from West Windsor, was thanked for organizing a Rubik’s cube competition and did an on-the-spot demo of his own Rubik’s cube-solving skills. In a show of family unity, PHS freshman Alesandra Taranov will succeed her sister, Maria, who is graduating this year, as a member of the Teen Advisory Board.
Library Director Leslie Burger announced that library staff would be receiving three-and one-quarter percent COLA (“cost of living adjustment”) raises, retroactive to January 1 of this year. She noted that this amount is consistent with recent salary raises of Borough employees.
Fund-Raiser
A Friends of the Princeton Public Library fund raiser, “Princeton in Bloom,” on June 7 from 2 to 5 p.m., will include tours of gardens belonging to Barbara Trelstad (Westcott Road.), Mildred King (North Road.), Judith Stenn (Bayard Lane), and Norm and Nancy Klath (Prospect Avenue). The afternoon, with a suggested contribution of $40 to the Friends, will conclude with a tea, including homemade ice cream, at the Western section home of the tour organizer, Betsy Hoover.
Smooth Transition
Ms. Burger reported that there is likely to be “no interruption” in library café service during the transition from Chez Alice’s management, which ends on May 31, to the MOMO Restaurant Group takeover, after a June 1 inspection. She noted that although the menu will be new, the venue will look largely the same for the first 90 days. A “grand opening” in September will see some design changes about which the library is “really excited.” Another ground floor change in the library may be the advent of Arts Council merchandise for sale, said Ms. Burger, since Arts Council zoning prohibits retail business in that building.
Although his term was not due to end until 2011, Ms. McGavern announced the resignation of board member Ryan Lilianthal. She thanked him for staying an additional ten months after initially asking to leave because of other commitments.
71 Years Late
In what must surely be among the records for overdue books, Ms. Burger announced that a library book, due on May 18, 1937, had finally been returned. She said the estimated overdue fee (which was waived) for the book, Moses and the Crime of Poverty, was $1200.