It was both gratifying and astonishing to see how the staff and all employees of the Monmouth County Library system could so readily and efficiently expand the resources it has always offered to meet the at home needs of its thousands of patrons during this coronavirus stay-at-home crisis.
By Renee B. Swartz, Chair, Monmouth County Library Commission
With summer in full swing, beaches full, ocean and pools inviting, Monmouth County is fortunate in having alternative entertainment, from music and song to dance and drama at the Library Headquarters in Manalapan and all of the Monmouth County Library’s 12 other branches.
MANALAPAN – Noted author Rick Geffken will bring his stories of New Jersey amusement parks to the Headquarters Library Thursday, June 21, at 7 p.m.
The author of “Lost Amusement Parks of the North Jersey Shore,” and other books on local history will display images from the Library of Congress and local collections documenting how the Jersey Shore was the most famous vacation and recreational destination along the US coast in earlier times.
Geffken, who lives in Farmingdale, will bring to life through word and photo the families who spent their days on the beaches of the Jersey Shore and their evenings sipping sodas, savoring candied apples and purchasing salt water taffy and souvenirs of their visits to Asbury Park, Highlands, Sea Bright, and other amusement parks. Geffken will also talk about the rides at these amusement parks and the varieties of personalities whose summers were enjoyed along the boardwalk and beach. Read the rest of this entry »
MANALAPAN -A $1.6 million phase one renovation that will bring the 117,000 square foot Monmouth County Library Headquarters to a 21st century technological state-of-the-art transformation will begin by June.
The announcement was made by Monmouth County Library Commission Chair Renee B. Swartz who reported at a commission meeting earlier this month the final details on the extensive program which is being coordinated by Library Interiors of Brick.
“The Commission has been working and planning a proposal for two years,” Swartz said, “and we are confident we have not only contracted a top of the line coordinator to see it through, but also to accomplish the transition with the least amount of disruption for our patrons.”
The Monmouth County Library Commission honored Freeholder Director Lillian Burry for her ongoing support of the County Library system on Friday, October 20 during a ceremony at the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury.
Commission Chairwoman Renee Swartz, Shrewbury Borough Mayor Donald Burden, a memer of the commission and Library Director Judi Tolchin presented Burry with a Certificate of Honor which declared that the Freeholder Director “is a continuing beacon leading Monmouth County residents to a place of recreation, education and continued cultural expansion.” Read the rest of this entry »
Folks get ready, it’s that time of year again, and the 42nd Annual Monmouth County Fair is set to get underway. Once again you can enjoy all the wonderful fun activities that have become synonymous with the Monmouth County Fair. Congratulations to the Monmouth County Parks system and the Monmouth County 4-H Association for leaving no stone unturned. This year’s fair will prove to be one that you surely will not want to miss, and it will run from Wednesday to Sunday, July 27 – 31 delivering excitement for the entire family. From the 4-H shows & exhibits, home and garden competitions and horse shows to the games, rides and live entertainment, it is guaranteed to be a great time. Additionally, you can expect to see crafters and commercial vendors. You will have many opportunities to sample some delectable food, as well as have an opportunity to make purchases from the farm stands that will be featuring local produce. There is even a climbing wall! I encourage everyone to come out to the Monmouth County Fair and be prepared to be totally entertained with lots of laughs and good surprises along the way.
Jemma Nigh Players: Myra Danon, Donna Mansfield, Martin Moskowitz, Fridel Buxbaum, Bob Landman
MANALAPAN – Donna Mansfield takes it seriously when she says “The Show must go on!” So seriously, in fact, that the Programming Coordinator at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters did the only thing she could think of to do when she learned a one act play scheduled to go on stage at the headquarters library had to be cancelled because one of the five actors had to drop out. With scant weeks to go before the event Mansfield had been promoting throughout Monmouth County with great zeal was scheduled, and not wanting to spend as much zeal in announcing its cancellation, Mansfield volunteered to step in and do the job!
Mansfield…who is not an actress and has absolutely no experience on stage….pulled it off beautifully last week when she portrayed Nora in Sisters-in-Pain, a charming comedy written by Myra Danon of Jamesburg. Danon also played a role in this, the first comedy she has written on her own, though she did co-author one other play since she retired as an elementary school teacher in Harlem.
