Libraries Collaborate Across the Two Towns

Summer is a fine time to see the two towns’ libraries in action. Kids use their student cards at one library, then another, to borrow every book in this year’s hot series. Teens and adults attend book talks and even dance classes in both South Orange and Maplewood.

This is only the most visible of the South Orange Public Library (SOPL) and Maplewood Memorial Library collaborations, however. Melissa Kopecky, who heads the South Orange Public Library, noted, “The Library trustees of South Orange and Maplewood have held joint meetings every 12-18 months for about the past 4-5 years."

It's interesting to note how much the two systems already share services and coordinate purchases and programming particularly in light of the fact that Maplewood leaders have been stepping up rhetoric about exploring the merger of the two libraries due to Maplewood Library Director .

In a few instances, the two library boards jointly have hosted an outside speaker, thereby fulfilling the state requirement for professional development as well as stimulating interesting conversations. Both library boards have been supportive of each other and interested in sharing ways to deliver the best possible library services. Both also appreciate the support and input of their "Friends" groups.

Staff of both libraries recently shared a half-day of professional development on diversity, says Kopecky, “thereby sharing organizational knowledge among staff (as well as saving money — by sharing costs and taking advantage of a subsidy from the NJ library cooperative.”

Cooperative projects include the “student card,” which is available to all K-12 students of South Orange and Maplewood. The card allows students to use materials from both towns’ libraries.

In addition, noted Kopecky, “The children’s librarians work together on visiting all of the schools in May and June, talking about the libraries, and letting students know that they are free to participate in summer reading programs at both libraries.”

Behind the scenes, the children’s and teen librarians also participate in a listserv that allows for easy sharing of information between school and public libraries. All these librarians have also collaborated to develop summer reading lists for elementary and middle school students

In 2008, notes Kopecky, the head children’s librarians of SOPL and Maplewood Memorial Library, won the NJLA/NJALS award for cooperation between public and school libraries.

Librarians from SOPL and Maplewood also participate in a joint collection development committee to inform purchasing, and to avoid unnecessary duplication.

Adults are served by two towns, as well, with programs open to the public. And they can borrow from both libraries, as well. The ReBL card allows for reciprocal borrowing from many county libraries. The only catch?  You need to stop in at your home library first to get a ReBL sticker — and to check out the action this summer.