Avalon Library becoming community center
By DEBRA RECH
For The Press, 609-463-6719
Published: Friday, October 10, 2008
AVALON - The Avalon Library has become what Mayor Martin Pagliughi calls "Avalon's Front Porch." The library hosts programs from art and computer classes to free concerts by the Bay Atlantic Symphony Orchestra.The library staff sees the library's location adjacent to the Avalon Elementary School as an excellent opportunity to get children involved with programs. "We bring the library to them, and they visit the library often," library director Norman Gluckman said. "We're going to be doing an outreach program with the Walnut Street Theater and the kids this winter, and we have an author/illustrator coming to visit with the students as well."Gluckman pointed to Linda Duffy, his administrative assistant, as the reason the library is able to offer such programs. "Linda knows everyone, and I have a very creative staff," Gluckman said. "We've been fortunate to know the right people, and we approach people about holding programs here. We're always looking to add new and exciting programs for all ages. The library isn't just about books anymore. It's a social center for the city. Our overall goal is to be responsive to the community, to find out what the community wants and then provide it for them."
In the summer, Gluckman said the library is packed with patrons, many of whom don't live in Avalon year-round. The Library by Mail Service features a reusable mailer and free postage. "We get requests from all over the country for materials, so it's been a very well received program," Gluckman said. "Soon people will be able to order directly from our Web site, and we also offer an e-newsletter which is sent out monthly." Also new is the merger of the Avalon Library with the Avalon Museum set for November.The library plans to put all its New Jersey information and genealogy information as well as some office space in the Museum. "We think this will be a real plus for the community and give us some much needed space," Gluckman said. "Libraries are more technology-driven than ever, and we have a large population of nonresident homeowners, but that's why our online services are so important to us. We can offer everything to the nonresident homeowners as well as the full-time residents. We have many library resources on the branch Web site as well as videos and audio books." The library also offers online homework help through the Coalition of Independent Libraries of New Jersey. "We've had over 1,000 Cape May County residents use this library, and I think we've outperformed all our expectations," Gluckman said. "I enjoy the endless possibilities here. I worked at another library before, and the difference between there and here is night and day. Here the staff is just so creative, and the community has really received us well." Duffy added that people sometimes don't realize they can make special requests for materials. "Our answer is never 'no,' it's 'why not?'" Duffy said. "That really should be our motto." E-mail Debra Rech:DRech@pressofac.com
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