"BCUG and MTPL – A Literary Relationship"

MEETING DATE: September 16, 2011

On their website, The Middletown Township Public Library (MTPL) states that they are a “civic institution that provides materials, ideas, information, technology and cultural opportunities to enrich, empower and educate.”

As far as our members and participants know, the library has done just that. It is under the directorship of our speaker, Susan O’Neal, that it has achieved its latest accomplishments in providing services and enjoyment to our local communities. If you live anywhere near Middletown, you know that this library, newly renovated and modernized, has just about anything you may need that a library can provide.

In addition, the library has begun to utilize computer technology not only in its WiFi capability, but in many other aspects. Susan will explain how that has influenced various changes and services you see today.

The MTPL is much more than books and free workshops, though. Susan has graciously agreed to speak to us about some of the things you may not know about our library. First of all, there is a huge website that provides much information. Susan will take us through the main features of the MTPL website and point out things we should know, even before we go inside the building. For instance, if you are looking for a book, you can peruse the online catalog and even reserve items for later pickup. One very exciting feature is the audio and ebook lending library. Susan will explain how to download an audio book, something that is a boon to homebound and busy people who may not get to the physical site.

Only time will limit the amount of information that Susan is able to share with us.

BCUG has an ongoing, successful relationship with MTPL. For many years, through the tireless efforts of John Corbett, we have maintained a series of workshops and classes for anyone who wants to attend. We have also garnered several members through these workshops, and they are always offered to the library staff.

Susan has been a library administrator for 30 years, and Director of the Middletown Township Public Library since 2000.  She has her M.S. in Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has worked in public and business libraries in NC, NY and NJ.  Currently, she is the President of the NJ Library Association, and her presidential theme is "ReTooling for Tomorrow, changing librarians and libraries to meet the needs and expectations of the public."  She is trying to read a  book on a Kindle. 

We are looking forward to her presentation. Come hear all about this wonderful resource, the library, and how we can better utilize its services