What's the Story at the Livingston Public Library?

Since 1911, when a group of local women known as the Alpha Club started a lending library, the Livingston Public Library’s story has been one of amazing and constant growth. The library owns more than 3 1/2 miles of books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, newspapers and other materials, and checks out approximately 400,000 items a year.

In addition to the collection housed in the library building, the library’s membership in the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS), the holdings of 74 additional libraries, are also available to the Livingston community. BCCLS facilitates interlibrary loans through a shared computer system and offers the widest possible access to all types of materials and information.

“The Livingston Public Library is a gateway to a wealth of knowledge, entertainment, and community programs,” said Judith Kron, Director of the Public Library. “From magazines, journals, books in print or digital, audio books, music, and videos, the library’s members have access to it all.”

“And that’s not all,” continued Kron. “The library also provides entertaining and educational programs from opera and concerts, to authors and magicians, for all ages and interests.  There are special events for children, teens, adults and seniors as well as flourishing English as a Second Language program and a monthly Social Hour for Developmentally Disabled Adults.”

For those who have difficulty in reading because of the print size, the library has a range of large print books including best sellers, fiction and non-fiction titles. “And there is a wonderful machine call the Merlin LCD Enhanced Vision Reader which magnifies text,” explained Amy Hyfler, Assistant Director. “The machine was donated by the Lions Club of Livingston, and enables library members to read books not only by changing the text size, but by changing the color of the text, providing back light, brightness control, or changing the words into a negative image.“

Book donations are accepted and are sold by the Friends of Livingston Library to raise funds for a wide range of programs which includes the Friends Summer Reading Program for Children and Teens, and the Guest/Writers Speakers Series, a weekend and weeknight program of noted authors and lecturers on topics geared to both youth and adults. Through membership drives and special events, the Friends of Livingston Library typically raises around $20,000 per year.

For more information on membership and activities of the Friends of Livingston Library, call 973-992-4600 x 505 or email Liv_bookfest@yahoo.com. Or visit the Township website www.livingstonnj.org. Click on Library in the left hand corner to access the online catalogue and program information. The Livingston Public Library is located at 10 Robert Harp Drive, between the Town Hall and Livingston High School.