"This is basically to get the indication of what our residents are feeling in terms of the new library", Watchung Council President Deb Joren said. "In the end run, it's going to be our decision no matter what the vote is, it's non-binding".
Well, what we have here by Council President Deb Joren is political doublespeak. When she said the vote by Watchung residents on deciding if Watchung needs a new library is "non-binding", what she really meant was; Who cares how the residents of Watchung vote on the issue of a new library (for or against) we (the almighty) will decide in the "end run".
Take note Watchung residents, don't you just love the arrogance? Again, this is typical of politicians regardless of how taxpayers respond to the community overall. You the taxpayer have absolutely no control of your tax dollars within you own communities.
Recently, there was a commissioned investigation on merging all Somerset County municipal police forces into one "regional force" which was summarily rejected by most of individual Somerset County municipalities.
What a shame (read stupidity) the commission did not investigate having a regional library or multiple regional libraries. Further, in the age of Kindles, I-phones,tablets, internet, etc.,etc., is this really necessary? Wake up! In the age of electronic arts even libraries are on the endangered species list.
Hey Ms. Joren, can't wait to vote next time around when my vote does count for YOU!

What does Watchung need this new Library for? Where they are planning on building this Library is 666 Mountain Blvd the old Ness property. This property was purchased for OPEN SPACE, NOT BUILDING SPACE. Warren has a very nice Library just 1 mile from this property? WHAT IS WRONG WITH ARE TOWN COUNCIL. They can't take care of what they have right now. Just look at the town buildings, roads, etc. I was in are towns Firehouse building what a disgrace to our town. Paint was peeling all over the inside and outside of the building and lots more. But lets go spend 4.2 MILLION on something we don't need.

Attached here are the BOROUGH OF WATCHUNG MINUTES JULY 21, 2005.
Where it reads OPEN SPACE ?? AM I READING THIS WRONG

http://watchungnj.com/Council%20Minutes/minutes72105.pdf

Steve: If approved, the referendum authorizes a 9,000 sq. foot expansion of the existing building, not construction of a new facility.
Anthony: The Watchung Library is a branch of the Somerset County Library System, which is a regional library, however, under the structure of the system, the municipalities maintain the buildings and facilities, while the county library provides the books, materials and employees.

John:
I know who pays the employees and procures the materials within the walls of the library.
As your post further acknowledges Watchung Borough will maintain the buildings and grounds and THOSE employees are paid by Watchung taxpayers which going forward will only increase property taxes. And here is the rub: Why does Watchung need a new library/community center. So the deal is Watchung gets a library and who benefits the most from a community center, the community or politicians?
However, those points are all mute,. what is relevant is the Machiavellian attitude and sheer arrogance of elected local officials and quite candidly the utter stupidity to make remarks regarding the will of taxpayers present for the media. I am simply dumbfounded that such a small fish in the huge political pond can think like most Federal and State politicians. Obviously, regardless of a politicians rank they all think in the same brain wave which is the end justifies the means taxpayers be damned.
Also, Bridgewater & Warren Township have massive new libraries with both municipalities denser populations than Watchung Borough so before the undertaking of such an expensive proposition utilization studies of both facilities should be conducted. Finally, if Watchung were to build a new library (and it should only be a Library!) would we have to have the best of the best because after all it's Watchung?

Steve and Anthony,
Please drop by the Watchung Library. I will be glad to give you a tour of the place as well as a library card so that you too can take advantage of our extraordinary resources. We offer the best in popular and research materials, free access to paid subscription databases, extensive music and movie collections, professional programs for children, teens and adults, free internet access, professional reference and readers advisory services and lots more. Libraries are far from extinct and I will show you why. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.
Doug Poswencyk
Director, Watchung Public Library
Somerset County Library System
(908)561-0117

Thanks for you comments, Anthony. I'm sure many others in town have similar questions about the plans.

And we have over 8,000 free e-books for your Kindle, Nook, I-phone, tablet, etc.

Doug:
I love the Watchung library (is that possible?) I find the atmosphere relaxing and inviting. The selection of materials as you noted is fantastic. It would also be a lapse of judgement not to mention the great staff of volunteers at the Watchung library as they are attentive and courteous at all times.
Again, my gripe is NOT with the library or building a new one (nix that community center thing) but the attitude of elected officials circumventing the will and rights of taxpayers of Watchung Borough. Let the taxpayers decide if they indeed desire even more property taxes. And Doug, even though Watchung library is a great venue as are other municipal libraries you are not without competition in the age of the internet. Keep in mind, no one could have predicted General Motors would go bankrupt, AIG would fail or Lehman Brothers would fade away. Times they are changing.

Thank you so much for your kind words Anthony. They mean a lot to me. The library staff really enjoys helping our patrons. A lot of really nice people walk through our doors. Ten years ago people were saying that libraries were dead. Yet, circulation of materials is still strong. Many people still love books with e-books not being as popular as one would think. Many books are not even available via e-books. One thing for certain is that the love of children's books and the special experience of sharing one with a child will never die. And as powerful as the internet is, your best guide to it is still a librarian. If was someone was to ask me what do I see for the future of libraries the best answer I could give would be change. That is why the architect is designing a very flexible space for us so we can change with the times. I know that he mentioned at the public forum that we would be able to add more books to the collection but that's not really what we were thinking about. We are looking to create space for people. Space for people to meet other people and discuss ideas or to hang around after a children's program and meet other parents. We are also looking to expand our program offerings not just in the amount that we do but in the amount of people that we can register.

We also want to introduce new programs such as Reading Buddies with older children helping the little guys become better readers and oral history projects with our teens recording the wisdom of our seniors. And when we are not using the meeting rooms for programs we want them to be available to the various organizations in town such as the Seniors, Scouts, Gardening Club or Youth Sports. Through the internet we can connect people to the world but through the library we can connect people to people.

Doug:
Agreed,agreed,agreed. Please do not take this offensively but as the libraries director your position is biased. For the future of Watchung, it is not what I want or what you want but it is all about what the taxpayers can afford. Since you brought up the seniors of Watchung and the idea of their wisdom being passed down to younger generations please understand it is higher property taxes that are driving seniors out of Watchung as well as New Jersey in general. Remember, nobody travels North to retire! Let me be clear, my argument is not against the library but with the capricious manner in which elected officials operate. In your last post you mentioned the architect, so I am to assume the Borough is in the process of going forward before a formal vote by the taxpayers? And you know what is just laughable the price tag of this building costing 4.2 million dollars, does anyone really believe that? In my very first post I brought the notion to the floor that perhaps libraries in Somerset County could be centralized instead of individual municipal police forces. In today's economies it makes more sense to have regional libraries than a regional police force. All the arguments that you brought up could still be accomplished with fewer buildings to maintain as well as providing tax dollars freed to fund other endeavors that are extremely important to residents in their everyday lives. Municipalities cannot look to Trenton or Washington for handouts or bailouts.

Doug:
Some parting thoughts:
If you asked the seniors of Watchung if they desired a new library or a full time rescue squad staffed with full time EMTs how would they respond?
If you asked a Watchung home owner if they would like to have a full time paid fire dept. vs. a new library the response would be?
If you asked the residents of Watchung to expand the police force vs, a new library the response would be?
If you asked the residents of Watchung to expand reading, mathematics and sciences in the elementary schools in the formative years vs. a new community center the response would be?
My point is, Capital needs to be spent wisely especially when there are MANY other great libraries in our area and EVERY local church already has a community center.

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Your the love that I've looked for come with me and escape.
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No state income tax. Thank you Gov, Byrne circa 1976
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No state tax on Social Security
Updated infrastructure
What else do you need to know?

Hi Anthony,
Please drop by or call me a call when you have a chance. It would be great to talk with you. Thanks.

Doug

Good Morning Doug:
Absolutely! Thanks for the invite that would be swell.

A 4.2 MILLON DOLLAR Library for what? What kind of Library is this being built GOLD, at the coast of $467 a square foot. The Building is going to coast more to Heat, Cool, Power, ETC. WE CAN'T KEEP UP WITH WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IN WATCHUNG. Look At Warren, roads get paved, center islands were planted with nice flowers, there fire department got a new fire trucks, ETC. Watchung roads don't get paved, center islands have weeds growing out of all the pavers, trees are dead, fire department was supposed to get a new truck from what I hear but the town toke the money from the found because they're “Broke”? We can’t take care of what we have now but lets build a 4.2 MILLON DOLLAR Library.

Hi Steve,
My offer goes out to you too. Please drop by or give me a call. I would love to talk with you. Thanks.
Doug

The proposed new library comes in at too high a price, I think. We're not far from Warren, with it's showy library, and being in the Somerset system is what counts. North Plainfield's is a zoo when those schools disgorge their masses. Let's streamline what we have, first by getting rid of that kid's "fine arts" romper room in front of the main desk; an embarrassment to the staff and patrons alike.
Mike Bellew 446 Watchung Av

Michael,
Please give me a call or drop by to chat. Thanks,
Doug

Mike:
You are correct, however I say 4.2M is a fantasy and the cost will be much higher. The question here is not so much the library in itself but the way these "elected representatives" are going about it. If the residents of Watchung want a new library than so be it, but if the town council wants a new library that presents a huge problem.
Unfortunately, libraries are on the endangered species list in the electronic world we live in as their cost to build and maintain make them dinosaurs.
Again, it is up to the voters because they will be paying for now and in the years to come. And you thought Washington was doing a bad job managing the Nation's finances? Now, the same politicians are in your backyard!
Solution equals, throw them all out until they work for the people they represent not themselves.