Thanks In Montclair For National Friends Of Libraries Week

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A pair of community groups in Montclair recently gave a big-thank you to the town’s library workers and board in honor of National Friends Of Libraries Week.

Edward Robin of the Montclair Library Friends Steering Committee and Cordelia Siporin of Friends Of The Bellevue Avenue Library authored a joint statement in recognition of this year’s holiday:

“To celebrate, we wish to thank Montclair Public Library’s Board of Trustees, Library Director Peter Coyl, as well as our wonderful librarians and maintenance and support staff.

“With limited resources, they restored evening and weekend hours at the Main Library and the Bellevue Avenue Branch Library with all Main Library floors and Bellevue Branch levels open to patrons for visiting.

“The Montclair Library Friends and the Friends of the Bellevue Avenue Library are supporting the ibrary and enhancing its effectiveness through community advocacy. Our volunteer members donate their time and talents by raising public awareness, organizing community events and stimulating use of Library facilities.

“We are committed to maintaining a high quality Library for our community and sustaining the concept of free access to ideas and information for everyone because many Montclair residents could not otherwise afford the publications, databases and software that the Library provides free to all.

“Montclair’s Public Library offers new technologies, innovative programs, and essential services to all age groups from children and teens to adults and seniors, such as ‘Senior Center in a Box,’ featuring kits focusing on specific activities and themes.

“While substantial progress has been made in restoring the Library’s budget to pre-pandemic levels, much more needs to be done. We ask for the community’s support in obtaining funds to fully restore the Montclair Public Library’s services.”

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