Join your neighbors! Vote YES on November 7.

The New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act authorizes issuance of $125,000,000 in general obligation bonds to finance capital projects at public libraries; it appropriates $5,000. Under the bill, for any approved project financed by bond proceeds, the grant award will support 50% of the cost of the project, and the appropriate local governing entity in the area served by the public library will support 50% of the cost of the project. The bill has bipartisan support in both the State Assembly and the State Senate.

Vote FOR the Library Construction Bond on Nov. 7!

HOW SHOULD I VOTE ON QUESTION 1, on Nov. 7? VOTE YES!

How ​might ​this ​bond ​referendum ​benefit ​our ​community? By ​helping ​libraries ​meet high-priority ​needs ​relating ​to accessibility, ​infrastructure, and innovation By ​creating opportunities to ​invest ​in ​the ​NJ ​workforce ​and ​local ​businesses ​through jobs, ​construction, ​and ​substantial ​economic ​development. By ​providing ​communities ​across ​the ​state ​with ​enhanced, ​state-of-the-art ​public libraries How can library supporters help? Tell ​friends ​and ​neighbors ​about ​the ​referendum Promote ​the ​benefits ​of ​public ​libraries in ​communities Share ​information ​on ​social ​media Write ​letters ​to ​local ​papers ​about it

Library Construction Bond on the ballot - Nov. 7

The next General Election is on November 7, 2017.

Voters will be asked to vote on two ballot questions, including a Library Construction Bond.

The state League of Women Voters has provided this useful summary of the question with reasons to support or oppose it.

 

October 31, 2017 is the "Vote by Mail—Deadline" to send in the Vote by Mail application to vote in the November General Election. This is a great option for college students, travelers and others who may want an alternative to voting in person. Once you apply for a vote-by-mail ballot, you will not be permitted to vote at the polls. Download the form here.

For additional information about this Library Construction Bond, the NJLA has setup a website with of information regarding the bill itself and legislators who support the bill - including:

Senator Loretta Weinberg
Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle
Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson 

see NJ Libraries Build Communities

Leonia Library Short Survey: Win a Kindle

The Leonia Public Library needs YOUR feedback!

As a special bonus: anyone who fills out the survey can choose to enter into a raffle to win a new Kindle Fire! 

It should take no more than 5 minutes to help us learn more about what the local library can do for you.

To be entered in the raffle just add your email or phone number at the end of the survey. The winner will be contacted in 30-60 days from the close of the survey. One survey/entrance per person ONLY.

TAKE THE SURVEY HERE

Senate Bill S2171 - The Library Construction Bond Act

All supporters of Leonia should email Senator Loretta Weinberg at senweinberg@njleg.org, attn: Shane Mitchell or call 201-928-0100, to ask that she support Senate Bill S2171 - The Library Construction Bond Act.

This can potentially save taxpayers money while supporting the ideals of a free society that our founding fathers envisioned. Contribute your voice to empower your elected officials to support it.The NJ Library Construction Bond Act is under review by members of the NJ Legislature (Assembly and Senate). The Leonia Public library and thus Leonia residents and taxpayers will benefit from it, along with many libraries in the state, who are in need of large repairs, upgrades and other capital projects as they try to offer the best and latest services to their communities. The bill will be discussed in the State Senate Committee on Monday, June 19 and has to be passed by the Legislature BEFORE JUNE 30th. 

NJLA (The New Jersey Library Association) has an informative website about the legislation. Please visit http://njlibrariesbuildcommunities.org/.

Currently, both our Assembly representatives - Gordon M. Johnson and Valerie Vainieri Huttle - support the bill (A222). Library Director Matt Latham met with them about this and other library related bills last month in their Englewood office. Ask our state senator, Loretta Weinberg, to sign on to support the Senate version of it (S2171) as well. 

The bill will allow NJ voters to vote, for or against, a statewide construction bond authorizing $125 million of general obligation bonds to finance library capital and construction projects. These projects will require a 1:1 match from the local municipality.

As you are likely aware, the Leonia Public Library has had problems with its roof and leaks for years. Along with its HVAC system, some room renovations, and several other big projects this bond will be a huge help for the library, as well as other NJ Libraries, because it will allow it to correct these problems.

10 Reasons Librarians Are More Important Than Ever

1. Librarians know tech.
2. Librarians keep us honest.
3. Librarians create "maker" hubs.
4. Librarians take risks

... and more!

See the full article written to celebrate National Library Week.

"It's National Library Week, and we couldn't resist paying homage to one of the most important members of the school community: librarians. Also known as library media specialists, librarians play a unique role in our schools. Often asked to take on a wide range of duties, these passionate and savvy educators deserve more than only a week of praise. And in case you need a reminder of all that librarians do for our students and our schools, we've put together a list -- but it's only a start."

Leonia Library budget update

BUDGET Good news! 
The Leonia Council approved the 2017 Budget at their meeting on April 19.  We are grateful to the Mayor and Council for accepting the library’s budget and proposing no new cuts to it. Read At a Glance:  Leonia's 2017 Budget from NorthJersey.com. We appreciate the creative and energetic management of the library budget, shown by Director Matt Latham and the library board, to limit loss of services and programs. We are heartened by the tangible support demonstrated by members of the community to join, and take action, in support of the library and for their generous financial donations.

PROGRAM Good news!  

With stable funding, the library is now offering many programs, for all ages. We encourage you to subscribe to its free, monthly, short newsletter to learn about their programs. To learn more, visit the library table on Leonia Day, Sunday, May 21

HELP STILL NEEDED FOR ONGOING ADVOCACY
Demonstrating its ongoing support for the community, the Library will be providing meeting space for the Climate March Sign and Poster Workshop sponsored by the Leonia Action Alliance.  See their Facebook page.   This new activist group is working to influence national and local policies.  Learn more about this group.

If ​the proposed federal budget is approved, the Institute of Museum and Library Studies will be completed defunded---and our library will not be able to offer database access for scholarly research, business research, and language learning software. While the federal budget cut directly affects the NJ State Library, programs and services the state library provides to Leonia would be affected. Please TAKE ACTION to prevent this federal funding cut.

To have your friends and neighbors join Leonia Reads, please have them JOIN our email list. We promise to use the list only to inform you, and them, about what is going on with our valuable community resource.

Assemblyman Johnson and Assemblywoman Huttle meet with library Directors

Library Director Matthew Latham posted on the Leonia Library Facebook page:

"Big thanks to Assemblyman Johnson and Assemblywoman Huttle for meeting with the directors of the Leonia, Bogota and Teaneck libraries today, and for your continued support of libraries in the State of New Jersey! Gordon M. Johnson and Valerie Vainieri Huttle."