Dorothy Peppard cultivating a lifelong reader in Rockabye Readers program.

A Fond Farewell to Children's Librarian Extraordinaire Dorothy Peppard

Dorothy Peppard has been Head of Children's Services at Haddonfield Public Library for more than 20 years. She earned her MLS degree at Drexel University before spending five years as Children's Librarian at Southampton Free Library in Pennsylvania. Leaving that position to start a family, Dorothy moved to NJ and worked at part-time jobs while raising two sons with her husband, Jack Peppard. One of those part-time jobs led her to Haddonfield.

Having developed a love for books and libraries since childhood, Dorothy focused on public library work because it allowed her to connect people and books --- and although she enjoys all ages, her favorite people are the small variety. In the years that Dorothy has spent at Haddonfield, she has tripled the Summer Reading Program participation, increased children's and young adult circulation, conducted story times with monthly crafts and added an assortment of new programs including music and stories for babies, read together programs for emerging readers and "Read to a Dog," utilizing therapy dogs to listen to books read aloud by young readers. Enlisting local community talent, Dorothy has developed fun foreign language story times and creative workshops with singer songwriter Sara O'Brien.  

Expanding in new directions with the young people's collections, Dorothy has developed an eBook collection in the 3M Cloud and with Tumblebooks. She has also updated the audio book collection. In addition to her children's services contributions, Dorothy designed the Teen Nook and Loft areas of the library.  

As you can see, Dorothy has been a major asset and visionary at the Haddonfield Library! Dorothy has been an exceptional Children's Librarian that has made the library essential to children and their families.  

Dorothy especially wants to thank the Haddonfield Friends of the Library for their exceptional support to the Children's Dept. The Friends have provided $10,000 annually for children's programs, which when combined with Dot's creative and planning abilities, has made reading fun and successful for kids year round.  

Dorothy and her husband will be moving to South Carolina. We all wish Dorothy and her family the very best and success in their new chapter. We thank her for her dedicated years of excellent service. Come wish Dorothy great happiness and health in her retirement. Everyone is invited to stop in to see Dorothy from Dec. 1-13 on Monday to Friday. Cookies will be served to all well-wishers.  

Displays at the Library In  December     

Elfreth Alley in Philadelphia

 The library will feature a display of  "Images of Philadelphia"  this month.  The display will feature photos of  historic buildings and locations.  It will also have information on Philadelphia museums. The library has a fine collection of books on Philadelphia and some will be displayed. Claire Stairiker is creating the display, which will be on the first floor of the library. Contact Claire if you want to use the display case at 429-1304, ext 113. 

   Coming Events @ the library

Dec. 8- Friends of the Library Astral  Artists Concert at the Cherry Hill Library at 7 pm

Dec. 9- Library closes at 5 pm. 

Dec. 11- Genealogy with Heritage Quest Computer Class at 11 am- call 429-1304, ext.

               112 to register.  

Dec. 12- Haddonfield Holiday House Tour from 10-4 and 5-9 pm 

Dec. 17- Library Board of Trustees meeting at 8 am.

Dec. 24- Library closed for Christmas Eve

Dec. 25- Library closed for Christmas Day

Dec. 31- Library closes at 1 pm -     First Night in Haddonfield 

Jan. 1, 2014- Library closed for New Year's Day 

Jan. 15- Chris Ehrhardt Program on Interviews of Haddonfield Citizens for the

             Tricentennial at 7 pm - (Snow date is Jan. 22.)

Children's Dept. programs:  (sign up at the Children's Dept.!)   

Dec. 2-6 and 9-13- Wish Dorothy Peppard a fond farewell - cookies for all well wishers! 

Dec. 3, 10- Preschool Story Hour at 10:30 am (Tuesdays)

Dec. 4,11- Preschool Story Hour at 1:30 pm (Wednesdays)

Dec. 5,12 - Toddlertime at 10:30 am (Thursdays)

Dec. 16-31- No children's story hours or programs

Adult,children's, and teen programs resume in January. 

For more information,  visit Calendar of Events;