General Information of the Library

Of course, not everyone who uses the Library is a child. The figure which illustrates the breadth of Library use is its circulation, or "sales" figures. Your Library loaned 430,000 items in 2000 in a wide variety of formats. It still ranks as the busiest library in the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS). This was accomplished despite having the most liberal loan policies among the member libraries. For instance, Teaneck's videos in the adult collection are loaned for two weeks, while children's videos go out for one week. In most other libraries, the loan period is measured in days rather than weeks. Media circulation comprises 24% of the Library's overall circulation. The new format of DVD was introduced last spring and was quickly embraced by the public as the machines became more common in homes. The Library's compact disc collection remains one of the best in the state. Customers borrowed 44,000 compact discs last year as the collection draws people from around the county. The next busiest library had a circulation level of only 18,000 compact discs!

The Library's collection was augmented by the addition of over 13,500 items that were selected and processed by Library staff. To keep the collection fresh and current, about 11,500 items were withdrawn or "retired". Given the Library's space limitations, culling the collection is as important as selecting new items.

The Library's web site, www.teaneck.org, underwent a major design change to make it easier to navigate. Greg Pelly, currently a student at Brown University, and librarian Weilee Liu not only modified the look of the site, but the content was greatly expanded over the last year. More and more historical material on Teaneck was made accessible through the Internet. Ms. Liu also helped the Township get its web site "up" and continues to assist in its maintenance.

The Friends of the Library donated funds to permit the Library to acquire the new edition of the multi-volume "The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians". They also sponsored the very popular film showings in the Library's auditorium.

The Library was aided by volunteers and donors in 2000. We would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank them. Our Annual Volunteer Recognition Day, held in the Library auditorium in October, drew over 75 people who were saluted for their help with the literacy program, for being "adopt a shelf' volunteers (a Library program sponsored by the Friends in which one agrees to maintain a given section of books) and the Friday Morning Group steering committee.

Donations were received in memory of Arthur Brody, William Peist, Sylvia Mager, Sam Nashel, Margrethe and Henning Larsen and Peter Menkes. The funds were used to purchase special books or compact disc sets that greatly enhanced the Library's collections.

The physical plant was upgraded by new lighting in the reference and the courtyard area. The Library hired an interior design firm that specializes in libraries to advise it on renovations and utilization of existing space. The plans of Globus Design Associates, developed with input from the Library's staff and trustees, led to a budget request to the Council of $300,000 which was approved for the 2001 budget. Look for developments as 2001 unfolds.

General Information of the Library

Phone Service: Reserve or renew up to three items by reading the bar code number on your library card or in the particular book, have short answer reference questions answered, get information about programs and services, locate needed books, media, and other titles if owned by a BCCLS library.

Online Service: If you have access to the Internet, you can search the BCCLS library catalog at www.bccls.org. With a PIN number, which you can obtain at the Library, you can also check the status of your account and search the online magazine index.

Reciprocal Borrowing Privileges: Your Teaneck Library Card is valid at 72 public libraries in Bergen County and North Jersey. The libraries are linked by a daily delivery service that permits you to have materials sent to Teaneck and to return materials from other libraries to Teaneck. Your Teaneck Library Card gives you access to nearly 6 million items across Bergen County and at nine other community libraries.

Inter-Library Loans: The Library has the ability to bring needed books and periodical articles to Teaneck for you from libraries around the country. Details at the reference desk-allow 5 to 20 days for materials to arrive.

Reference Service: The Library fields queries from people of all ages, education levels, etc. We find addresses of companies, evaluations of cars and consumer goods, criticism of authors, a doctor's credentials, material for preparing a resume, and facts and figures for the range of human knowledge. The Library stocks current editions of many standard reference works and uses the services of the Internet and the New Jersey Regional Network to find materials that answer a patron's questions. Reference service is available in person or over the phone except on Sunday when the level of in-house use does not permit phone service.