Around NJ, Libraries Help After the Hurricane

When disaster strikes, where do you go? In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene many New Jersey residents went to their local library, because, as one Princetonian put it: “I just knew they’d be open.”

Unless under water or without power, New Jersey libraries were open and were the place residents flocked to the morning after Irene passed, accessing computers and free wireless to conduct business; work from “home;” contact relatives or their insurance companies;  and find tree removal specialists.

The South Orange Public Library served as an emergency shelter for residents with cots and water available. The Maplewood Library has offered its computers and a chance to power cell phones for residents without electricity. Both libraries have also offered diversion in the form of books and activities. 

Some locals the facilities to get ready for work, appointments or job interviews by bringing in their electric razors & curling irons. In Chester, the library permitted visitors to fill water jugs. Over 500 people used the Florham Park Library as their “port in a storm.” The Kemmerer Library in Harding Township  and the Mountainside Public Library served free coffee  to “help residents reclaim a bit more of their routine lives.” They along with other libraries throughout the state waived fines on materials due that week, as well.  At the Oceanic Free Library, people came in just to get away from their homes for a while to chat, get a sympathetic ear and be comfortable.

The Princeton Public Library doubled its daily usage with over 4,500 users. They converted their Community Room into a business center, and with Comcast down, their IT staff rerouted the staff Internet, which comes from Princeton University, to the public side.  Check out their video “Plug In and Power Up Day” at

http://ldb.njstatelib.org/ldb_news/2011/aug/31/hurricane_irenes_effect_on_nj_libraries and scrolling to the Princeton Public Library entry.

When the computers got overloaded and went down at the Sparta Public Library, the township IT manager came to the rescue by purchasing, installing and configuring a new router, and then ensured that each patron was able to get back on the system. They ran movies in the Children’s Room and got their popcorn machine running for the occasion.

As many New Jerseyans have found since the recession began, their public library and the staffs at those libraries are there to provide them with the assistance, resources and guidance to aid them in their time of need with dignity, compassion and understanding. Irene provided one more example.

“It is gratifying to see that so many New Jersey residents thought of their local libraries first as the place to go after the hurricane to access the internet, conduct business, reach out to family and friends, or just get out of the house,” said Norma Blake, New Jersey State Librarian. “If ever an event dispelled the stereotype that libraries were just a place you went to for books, Hurricane Irene was it. Our libraries can, justly, be proud of themselves, and their communities can be proud of them, as well.”