From the Director – September 2020

This entry has been published on September 1, 2020 and may be out of date.

2020 is the year that keeps on giving! New challenges, new ways of providing library services, new way to start the school year. As school doors open, or maybe don’t open, the Summit Library will be here to assist students every step of the way. The Library’s doors are open regular hours and we will be resuming Sunday hours as well on September 13th. If the students in your home didn’t do their summer reading yet, we have multiple copies of the summer reading titles on our shelves and many are also available through eLibraryNJ (Overdrive) and hoopla Digital. If you’re not quite ready to come into the Library yet, curbside service is still available by placing your order on the library catalog or by calling 908-273-0350, option 2.

Research papers and homework assignments can be tackled using the Library’s online newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias and more all available through our online databases on our website. Librarians are available to assist you in person, on the telephone (908-273-0350, option 3 for Adult or option 4 for Youth Services) or online through our Ask a Librarian service.

While our Library PCs are not yet available, you can still send your prints to our printer using ePRINTit and pick them up when you come into the Library. The Library Wi-Fi is on and waiting for you to use it either inside or outside the Library. At this time, in-Library visits are limited to 20 minutes but we hope to extend that when Governor Murphy gives us the approval to move ahead to the next step in our re-opening plan.

All Library programs will continue to be virtual in September and October but that hasn’t stopped us from filling our calendar with programs for all ages. Two exceptions to the virtual programs will be two live concerts we are offering on the Village Green this fall. On Monday, September 14th at 7:00 pm, the Odessa Klezmer Band will be playing the lively Jewish folk music of Eastern Europe and Middle Eastern music. On Thursday, October 1st at 7:00 pm Silk City with Mary Olive Smith will fill the Village Green with bluegrass, Americana, Honky-tonk, and Roots Country music. Bring your blanket or chair, practice social distancing and enjoy. These concerts are being offered in cooperation with the Department of Community Programs and are made possible by a grant from the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs.

This fall join us in the Library, online and on the Village Green as we continue to mold our services to meet your needs during this eventful year. Welcome back!

Susan Permahos, Director
Summit Free Public Library