SBPL

SBPL
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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

More Good Movies You Might Have Missed...

Hi Everyone!  If you like quirky films, check out these titles from our collection:

Safety Not Guaranteed


[Cover]
Directed by Colin Trevorrow. Starring Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake M. Johnson, Mary Lynn Rajskub. Three magazine employees take on an assignment investigating the author of a classified ad who believes he has created a time machine. 2012, rated R.  Comedy.

Ruby Sparks


[Cover]

Directed by Jonathan Dayton. Written by Zoe Kazan. Starring Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Antonio Banderas, Annette Bening, Steve Coogan. A novelist creates a female character that he thinks will love him, and then attempts to will her into existence.  Rated R, 2012. Comedy/Romance.

Moonrise Kingdom


[Cover]

Directed by Wes Anderson.
Starring Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Jason Schwartzman, Bob Balaban.  In the 1960s, when two teenagers from a small town run away together a search party forms to look for them. 2012, rated PG-13. Comedy/Drama/Romance.

Let me know what you think.

Jill

Monday, January 28, 2013

SBPL - Now Your Pocket Library!




With a blink at a barcode or a swoosh of a thumb the new LMxPress smartphone/tablet app can give you all you need to know about what you want to read or listen to at the South Brunswick Public Library, or other participating local library. You can renew, search, place hold requests, as well as download eBooks and eAudiobooks using your mobile device anytime, anywhere!



LMxPress is free!



The app can be found in the iTunes Store for Apple and also in the Google Play Store for Android. The LMxPress free mobile app is a one-stop resource for accessing the South Brunswick Public Library’s online services and resources. Search our online catalog of books, CDs, and DVDs, and more. If your local library is one other than SBPL, then check to see if it is a LMx participating member.



Go to our website at http://www.sbpl.info and bookmark its mobile device features, which is a fine way to search the catalog, check your account, put items on hold, and also use the eBranch. However, the LMxPress app can be much handier. It also takes you to our calendar for lightening quick reference to upcoming events, as well as our social sites at Facebook and Twitter.



Perhaps one of its handiest features is for scanning barcodes. For example, if you are in a book store and see something you like you may wonder if perhaps you can save yourself the purchase price by instead borrowing the item from the Library. With a quick scan of the item’s barcode using your mobile device, the LMxPress app can tell you if the item can be found at your Library.



Getting and using the app could not be easier. Just follow these instructions for set-up and use. To begin, just click on the store icon (either App Store for Apple or Play Store for Android). Then search for and download the LMxPress app. Open the LMxPress app and click OK to allow the app to access your location. If you hold a South Brunswick Public Library card, then choose South Brunswick Public Library to make it your home library for the app.



To check your personal library account, go to “My Account.” Log in with your 14-digit barcode number and PIN. View your checkouts, holds requests, and fee balance here. In “Catalog” you may search for items and place hold requests. Click “Request” and choose your pickup library. To cancel, click on “Click to Cancel.” The option will turn red, and click again to confirm.


In “BookLook” you may find the availability of any book (in book stores and such) by scanning or typing its ISBN. In “Overdrive” you can download eBooks and eAudiobooks. You will need to download the Overdrive Media Console App before downloading any materials. For assistance, use eLibraryNJHelp at or call 732-329-4000, ext. 7286. Search at top. If the material is available, you will see the option “Check out now!” If you have not entered your information it will ask again. Click “Check out now!” and then “Click to download.”


Other options include “Location and Hours,” “Ask Us,” “Calendar,” “Twitter,” and “Facebook.” To search for information specific to another library, click “Choose a different LMxAC library.”

Some funding for this project has been provided by LibraryLinkNJ, which is funded by the New Jersey State Library, which is responsible for the coordination, promotion, and funding of the New Jersey Library Network.

By Rosemary Gohd, SBPL Library Staff





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Monday, January 7, 2013

Highlights of 2012 at South Brunswick Public Library

2012 Highlights Final




This past year was bursting with lots of good news and tempered with some not so good news.



While Hurricane Sandy was surely not good news, it did remind residents without power that the South Brunswick Public Library has more to offer than just books, which was great news for them and for us!



Extensive power outages after the hurricane in October prompted extended operating hours and service for several days, bringing literally hundreds more residents through our doors as we operated as a day shelter and power charging station. Residents found needed power, heat, camaraderie, and resources during the crisis and the Library made a lot of new friends.



Another weather related celebrity graced us with a more enjoyable experience earlier in October. Channel 7 weatherman Bill Evans acted as our featured author for the Foundation’s annual Book & Author Dinner at Pierre’s Restaurant. Generous with his time, Bill stayed late into the night at the Foundation fundraiser, signing books and chatting with guests.



The Library’s usefulness after Sandy and throughout the year was recognized with a Community Partnership Award from the South Brunswick Board of Education. Also, longtime Library volunteers Lease and Ruth Ruddick were awarded a Certificate of Appreciation plaque from the Libraries of Middlesex for their many years of service to the Library and to the Friends of the Library.



Improved services for the public in several areas came to fruition in 2012. After a year of combined staff efforts our new website went live with a more interactive digital component. We built a new web site to include more user-friendly features and an extensive e-branch to keep up with today’s user needs and desires. A new print and pay system was installed to protect user privacy and also offer a color option for a few more cents.

Throughout 2012 our bi-monthly Compass newsletter went from 8 to 12 pages to accommodate the expanding variety of programs offered to the public. There has been an increase in programming for all ages and interests including tweens, technology, special needs, and ESL.



Programming highlights earlier in 2012 included the SB Reads partnership between the schools, Library and community featuring Alice in Wonderland. We expect to go from wonderland to fairytale land in 2013.



Thanks to combined efforts, the Friends’ Daphne Powell Concert Series presented not one but ten different musical performances in the library throughout the year. Thanks to combined efforts, the Friends’ Daphne Powell Concert Series presented not one but ten different musical performances in the library throughout the year. This program was funded in part by a grant from the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission and sponsored by the Friends of the S.B. P. L.



In the spring our partnership with Aging in Place prompted a community panel discussion on The Faith Club and was part of the Continuing Cultural Conversation Initiative.



Our bookmobile marked its 35th anniversary of curbside library service to the community in April.



We dedicated two collaborative murals in 2012. In February a Teen Mural was dedicated and now hangs in the Teen Computer Lab. Teens had worked many months to complete the collage of characters from popular literature for young adults. Adults in the Summer Reading program created panels puzzled together of Van Gogh’s Bedroom at Arles, which now brightens up the Computer Lab.



Three successful Foundation fundraisers and three Friends book sales were held. The Friends also began a successful partnership with the Defensive Driving program.



We welcomed new Board of Member Trustee Janet Campisano.



Although there was not much bad news in 2012, it surely was significant.



Sad and totally unexpected was the recent passing of SBPL Board President and community activist Ellen Gambatese, wife of Mayor Frank Gambatese. Ellen founded several of the Library’s successful fundraisers and was active in the Hugs for Brady organization, among many others. She will be sorely missed.



Of course the property damages to homes and power outages caused by Hurricane Sandy were bad news though we did all make the best of it together. Other not so good news would be the six furlough day closings in 2012, needed to stay within budget; as we will have to do again in 2013.



In 2013 we are looking forward to even more good news! To receive current Library news check the bi-monthly Compass newsletter, our website and social sites, and subscribe to our e-mail news blasts.



SBPL is proud to be the community’s Guide to Discovery for information, culture, continuing education, and entertainment. We thank the residents, town officials and partners for their continued support.