Making Cities Stronger: Public Library Contributions to Local Economic Development
    from the Urban Libraries Council with funding from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation:

• "Public libraries are part of formal and informal community networks and initiatives the support education, jobs and careers, business and cultural activity, and civic pride."
• "Public libraries are unique, open institutions, where people have access to information, technology and training on an as-needed basis."
• "Early Literacy services at public libraries are a key foundation for long term economic success."
• "Library employment and career service are preparing workers with new technologies."
• "Small business resources and programs at public libraries are lowering barriers to market entry."

New Jersey Public Library Survey: Customer Survey of New Jersey Residents about Libraries
   by Potomac Incorporated, Bethesda, MD:

• 71% of New Jersey residents surveyed considered public libraries essential community service
• 83% of residents surveyed consider their tax dollars that support public libraries to be a good investment in their communities
• Public library fund makes up less than 2% of local tax dollars, 57% of those surveyed think more money should be invested in library service.
• Libraries ranked second to public parks as the most desired community asset.
• 71% identified public libraries as an essential service like a school.
• 83% think public libraries are a good investment of tax dollars.

To read the full text of the reports, click on the individual report titles, above.

To serve the total community as the center for intellectual, literary, cultural and information services, programs and activities. The Board of Trustees of the Summit Free Public Library endeavors to achieve this mission through the provision of collections of books, tapes, discs and other informational and cultural materials designed to appeal to the total community; through the provision of a physical plant designed to attract and stimulate all of Summit; and through the provision of information and reference service to the community.

Jon Plaut, President
Arthur T. Vanderbilt II, Vice-President
Ruth H. Hamann, Treasurer
Eleanor K.Haugh, Secretary
John B. Crosby, Jr.
Catherine Hathaway, Superintendent of Schools Representative
Ellen Dickson, Mayor's Representative

The Library Board of Trustees Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month with the exception on July and August when the Board does not meet. Meetings are held in the basement conference room and begin promptly at 8:00pm. Meetings may be subject to change due to holidays. Meeting notices, as required by law, are sent to the Observer. Meeting changes for 2008: Wednesday, January 16 and Wednesday, October 15.

Glenn Devitt-- Director
Alexandria Arnold-- Assistant Director
Pat Obst - Head of Reference Services
Robin Carroll-Mann - Adult Programs and Publicity
Carol Walker - Circulation Supervisor