Bernardsville Library to Close an Hour Earlier on Fridays

The Board of Trustees of Bernardsville Public Library has announced that beginning on Friday, March 31st, the library will close an hour earlier--at 5:00 pm--on Fridays. Board President Terry Thompson said that it was a difficult decision to make, but, due to budget constraints, it was one that had to be made. "As we move to function with a reduced budget this year, there may be more service reductions in the future," she added.

Executive Director Alexandria Arnold said that the library's fundraising groups are working hard to fill the budget gaps. The Bernardsville Library Foundation is in the midst of a campaign to fund a long-term endowment for the library, and the Friends of the Bernardsville Library work for donations to underwrite children's programs, special events for adults like Sunday afternoon concerts, and to enhance the library's collection of large type books, DVDs and online resources such as Zinio and Flipster (electronic magazines). "Considering the constraints we are facing this year, we encourage all concerned citizens who use and love the library to make a contribution to one of these groups," she said. For information about the Foundation and the Friends, and to make a donation online, please go to www.bernardsvillelibrary.org/support.