"You don't know what you have 'til it's gone."The purpose of this friends site is to showcase what Jamesburg has in its free public library, a Cultural Gem.
Read about the history of this library; a group of volunteers that had a vision for Jamesburg. After private citizens and businesses raised thousands of dollars to bring the dream to fruition, the elected municipal government became a principle supporter by spreading the basic cost across all taxpayers in Jamesburg.
Despite an overwhelming public outcry at public meetings to keep the library serving Jamesburg, we now face a referendum to close the library. The Borough Council unanimously introduced and supports a call to close the library, with an anticipated tax savings of about $5. per person in Jamesburg. The first year, ...maybe.
True, they wish to create a new sending relation with Monroe, sending kids walking nearly two miles to the Monroe Library.
Simply put we find this a shameful shell game, with no guarantee that this new sending relationship with Monroe will continue to afford the $5. savings. Costs could indeed rise. The Borough Council would also be free to end all access to a free public library for Jamesburg residents.
The current state law mandates municipal funding to the library. The Mayor and Council, on a whim, can not reduce or eliminate funding. The idea is to keep politics out of a cultural center of knowledge seeking. Voters must request by referendum to close the library. But, why close it?
Please understand, beyond municipal funding, there is a monumental investment in time, cash, material and services from the people of Jamesburg as well as from surrounding towns. Positive support for over 5o years!
We have seen the Borough Council create a sending arrangement with our High School students, our post office went to another town, lack of vision has allowed an overflow of traffic, cars and trucks, to be funneled into town, the Buckelew Lakeview House is in shambles, along with a professed opinion that Jamesburg is "built out." Heck, even the Jamesburg Chamber of Commerce hauled off to Monroe.
The town now thrives on "life support" of political grant monies with no enthusiasm to invest in the future.
But there is hope. We have seen the birth of a Revitalization group. A group that hosted a study "A Vision for Jamesburg" by Rutgers University also see the Slide Show Presentation. A study completely ignored in the last Master Plan change, by leaders still stuck in the "Jamesburg is Built Out." mentality
The Rutgers vision sees Jamesburg as a cultural hub for the surrounding suburbs. Shops, offices, parking, lofts all the ingredients for an improved "Lakeside Village of Jamesburg."
The bottom line is property values. A culturally interesting town with a central thriving business district attracts buyers willing to pay a premium for charm. Who can argue against an increase in value of their home?
Our point is, the Jamesburg Library is already an asset to rising property values. And yes, it could even be more utilized.
Closing this library makes no sense.
It is our hope to showcase our library. Once you realize what a town treasure this library is, you will certainly vote to continue its existence and funding.
Note: Feel free to view or print these fliers by clicking on them.
3 comments:
YES we totally agree with your thoughts, there is nothing like our home town library, the ease of driving or walking over, the pleasant staff always ready to help, and most important to see the future of America, the blessed country that we live in and soldiers have fought and gave all the children our future reading and researching, what could be better for our future leaders but to continue to spend time in OUR library not up the hill on a chance that things won't change, YES keep our library in Jamesburg !!
What a wonderful resource this blog is! It certainly tells it like it is...we are in a sorry state if we have to close a public library down! The sense of community that the Jamesburg Public Library brings to town is "priceless". It is amazing that this wonderful, cultural, and vital resource is being put on the chopping block! The dedication of the staff, library board and volunteers is heartwarming. The programs for children and adults alike are an integral part of the Jamesburg community and should be valued as such. It is sad to think that those who are making plans for this referendum obviously do not value the future of the children of Jamesburg. The libraries in the schools have limited resources, whereas the Jamesburg Public Library has "unlimited" resources. The non or limited English speaking students and adults in the community have a place to go to assist them in their perseverance in learning the English language. The staff at the library is extremely helpful to all who enter seeking assistance, be it for obtaining resources from other libraries, tax forms, or any other information they may be seeking. On any given afternoon there can be found an abundance of students who spend their afternoons and sometimes early evenings at the Jamesburg Library waiting for their working parents because it's a safe place to be. It would not be a safe walk to the neighboring town's library, nor is there any type of community or recreation centers available for these children. The Jamesburg Public Library is the heart of Jamesburg and should be in everyone's heart on November 4th when they vote YES to save the Jamesburg Public Library!
I agree with all said. But we need to say NO on the municipal question to keep the library open. Read the question carefully.
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