NEWS

U.S. & International

Maplewood Stays Open, Will Offer More Programming

Trustees ofthe Maplewood (N.J.) Memorial Library met with Mayor Fred Profeta in an emergency meeting January 14 to reexamine theii' December decision to close the library weekday afternoons because of d ismptive middle-school studentsa policy that would have gone into effect two days later. Library Director jane Kennedy to\d American Libraries that the "the hoard voted to rescind its decision abtiul changing libraiyboiirs" and the township offered some "fundingfor the library to develop new afterschool programs." The hoard's unanimous votewil! keep the main and Hilton branch libraries open between 2:45 and 5 p.m. "We can do what Maplewood does beat." Profeta said at the meeting, "in a pragmatic way." Shortly after the vote, trustee President Marianna Noto commented. "The squeaky wheel gets the what? Grease. And we squeaked a lot." the January 15 Newark Star-Ledger reporttd. Profeta announced that he had at his disposal $170,000 IVom the state's Family Connections program and potentially $50,000 in proceeds from the Mayor's Ball fundraiserto beheld in April. Declaring 200? to be the "Year of the Middle School" in Maplewood. the mayor said that new afterschool programs could be rolled out in days. The board was less excited about the township's offer to provide "nontbreatening safety supervisors" who would wear blazers and dress shirts rather than security-guard uniforms, and it deferred the issue for later discussion. "I have real issues about using security guards as our first line of defense against 11- and 12-yearolds," board Vice-President Karen Pettis said in the Star-Ledger, In a public message on the librar>'"s website explaining their decision to close in the afternoons, trustees said the students "are not usinglibrary resources but are congregating in the building to socialize with friends.... Having as many as 50 young people witli notliing to do creates an untenable situation." The library has done its part to promote young adult progi'ams, including a gallery space for teen art. an animefilm festival, a daily homework-help program using instant messaging, and a 40-meniberTeen Advisoi^' Group that held a recent pizza party. G.M.E.

IN DEED
While preparing the Special Collections for a move out of state, Marietta (Ohio) College Library Associate Linda Showalter discovered a pair of deed papers to more than 300,000 acres in southeastern Ohio that both contained the signatures of then-President George Washington and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. The deeds, in an uncataloged portion of a collection acquired in the 1950s, "were in a file in the bottom of a cabinet marked 'Unidentified Deeds.'" said Shov^faiter, shown unveiling one of the deeds November 14.

Millage Failure Prompts Branch Closings

After two attempts to pass millage increases failed in 2006, the Lapeer (Mich.) District Library has announced it will close five of its eight branches, layoff 33 part-time employees, and reduce the hours of 15 full-time employees. The moves are expected to save $602,000 in the next year. The libraiy also plans to reduce its purchases of books, DVDs, and other materials. Director Kate Pohjola told the Decemher 19 Flint jounial, in an effort to reduce the annual budget from $1.9 milhon to $1.3 million. "All of this assumes no majorserver, roof, or other problems," she cautioned. Additionally, fines for overdue items will be imposed forthe first time. The board bas not decided whether to make anothermiUage attempt, Pohjola said, adding ihat they have already ruled out a Februaiy election.