Library use in 2013:  Circulation was up!  Borrowing of library collections  rose to 138,055. This shows the growing impact of eBooks and the continuation of the downturn in the economy. Borrowing in 2012 was 132,711. This was slightly lower than 2011, which was 134, 510.  We did loan 5,452 eBooks in 2013 as compared with 2,409 eBooks in 2012. It should be noted that we did join the 3M Cloud on April 15, 2013 and joined Tumblebooks, a source of eBooks for children in the mid year.  eBook borrowing was almost 4% of all circulation in 2013. As eBook collections increase, the use of them will certainly increase.   

Our computer use in the library and remote use of our website increased dramatically. Visits to our web site and mobile presence rose from 26,067 in 2012 to 37,965 in 2013 and views of web pages rose from 53,158 to 80,472. eBook use made a dramatic impact here. Programs and attendance were slightly lower for adults and teens. Children's program attendance rose to 5,471 from 4,849 in 2012. Reference and computer instruction and interlibrary loan borrowing and loaning were comparable to 2012.  We also issued 84 more library cards in 2013 for a total of 654, up from 566 in 2012.  

Dorothy Peppard retired as Head of Children's Services after more than 20 years of excellent service to the Haddonfield community. Jordan Bilodeau, long time staff member and recent graduate with her Librarian's Master's degree, began her duties as Head of Children's Services in Jan. 2014. The Children's Dept. is very busy with many new programs and activities. 

Notably, the library was open four more days in 2013 for a total of 339 days up from 335 days in 2012. Exceptionally snowy weather has caused the library to close for quite a few snow days since the winter began in late December. The Library Board is further reducing budget closing days in 2014, subject to adequate levels of funding to be received from the Borough of Haddonfield.

The library was very busy, notably on weekends, with job hunters, students doing research, families, senior citizens, business people, those attending computer classes and individual instruction. The library is a happening place in the Haddonfield community.

The Library Board, staff, and the Borough Commissioners  continued planning efforts for the addition to and renovation of the library building. Architect Anthony Iovino continued work on the 2000 square foot addition planned for Tanner St. Plans on reconfiguring the inside of the library building are progressing. Construction is anticipated later in 2014. It will include making the building handicapped accessible and modernizing for 21st century library service.   

The Friends of the Library continue to be a great success. The group received the Best Friends group award for 2013 at the June NJ Library Association Conference in Atlantic City. They had a most successful book sale  on Sept. 23-25, 2013 with gross sales of more than $21,000. The Friends gave generously to the library - supporting all children's, teen, and adult programs. The Friends gave funding for the library to purchase a Kiosk to market the 3M Cloud eBooks.

•    Donate a book in memory or in honor of a loved one or friend
•   Join the Friends of the Library by visiting www.hfol.org
•  Donate books or DVDs to the Friends for the book sale after August 1
• Join the Friends to organize the book sale from Aug. 1- mid-Sept. 
• Present a program that the community will enjoy - contact Susan Briant at sbriant@haddonfieldlibrary.org

The Adult Book group meets on March  17 at 7 pm.  

The featured selection is " Overdressed: the Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion  ." by  Elizabeth Cline. New members are welcome. For more information, contact Kathleen Metrick at 429-1304, ext. 116 or email her at kmetrick@haddonfieldlibrary.org  

Light refreshments will be served.

Kathy Metrick, Book Group Leader & Baker

 Click here to see the future meetings and book selections.   

        Computer Classes with Jo-Ann Pure

• March 4 from 6-7 pm - Free eBooks with your library card using the Overdrive and 3M Cloud Subscriptions: Find out how to get free eBooks for your eReader or mobile device with your library card through the library's subscriptions to these eBook services. Registration is not required.

• March 12, 2014 from 11 am to 12 pm. Learn about U.S. companies with Reference USA. This computer class will provide you with information that you need when seeking a position with thousands of companies in this database. If you are self-employed it will help you find clients and a great deal of company background is provided for investors. Basic computer skills are needed for this program.

• March 19, 2014 from 11 am to 12 pm. Learn a Language Online!  Take a tour of more than 80 languages. Take one step at your own pace with related activities as you use this exciting tool to learn a new language. Then use it from home! Basic computer skills are needed for this program.

•  March 26, 2014 from 11 am to 12 pm. An Introduction to the Internet & Internet Searching - Learn how to use the Internet, understand website addresses, and get an introduction to major web search engines. This is one of the key steps to start you on the road to online job searching. Basic computer skills are needed for this program.

Call 429-1304, ext. 112 to register for these free computer classes. Jo-Ann Pure is the instructor.