Picture Galleries

New Jersey Room Returns 220 Year Old Book to Library of Virginia

Lost & Found:

Lost – Court Records, Stafford County, VA, prepared October 1791
Found – By NJ Room, Jersey City Free Public Library

Witness – The Return of this 220-year-old Volume to its rightful owners, the Virginia State Archives, on Thursday, October 20
Volume taken on March 30, 1863 by Capt. W.A. Treadwell, 4^th NY Regiment as Spoils of Civil War

New Jersey wasn’t a battleground state during the Civil War, yet a surprising ‘find’ by the New Jersey Room of the Jersey City Free Public Library brings the Civil War into local focus, up front and center, during this 150^th commemorative year of that war’s beginning.

A Tale of Our City 2011

4^th Annual A Tale of Our City, Jersey City’s Book Festival, Presents 21 Authors –
The Most Ever!

A Mix of Established & New Writers, plus Entertainment Featured on Saturday, 9/10

“Nor rain… Nor rain… Nor rain…” There isn’t any reason to continue with that age-old statement on postal carriers’ perseverance, because not one…not two…but three torrential downpours interrupted this year’s book festival. Postal carriers would be proud of Jersey City’s tenacity!!!

In spite of all that rain, Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy and the Municipal Council, the Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Jersey City Free Public Library did proudly present A Tale of Our City, Jersey City’s 4^th annual book festival, on Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which was held at the beautifully Victorian and historic Van Vorst Park, across the street from the Main Library, 472 Jersey Avenue (at Montgomery Street).

Singer/songwriter Chrissy Roberts saved the day, in her impromptu (and brilliant!) idea to gather festival-goers under the safety of the gazebo, where she entertained them with several songs. The fun was palpable, with children – and adults! – joining in the audience participation. (Check out the videos of her performances!)

Crochet Lessons @ Biblioteca Criolla

The Biblioteca Criolla of the Jersey City Free Public Library offered classes in crocheting during the months of October and November of 2010, and in February, 2011, attracting many women who were interested in learning. The accompanying photos were taken during the February 11^th class.

Summer Reading Closing Party

SRP 2011 Closing Party, Friday, August 12^thBonetti Children’s Room, Main Library

Starting with a zero budget, and ending with nearly $7,000 which allowed for incentives, t-shirts, supplies, refreshments, craft materials, a day at Camp Liberty for 137 children, and enough money left over to send to ALL nine branches and the Main Library for end-of-Summer Reading Program celebrations, was an object lesson in determination, dedication and resilience for library staff and the 558 children who registered to participate in the 2011 Summer Reading Program of the Jersey City Free Public Library.

Naturally, we were all heartbroken with the news that the severely reduced library budget didn’t cover any program expenses; but we all got to work, contacting the many businesses, non-profits, and individuals that have helped in the past, and received such support! The SRP Committee was determined to have a Summer Reading Program much like the one we’ve presented for the past 30 years, and not having a SRP was not an option!