So very true….the most democratic of organizations. Free access to all who need it. Those Christie funding cuts were brutal and changed the landscape of NJ libraries in some significant ways. Best of luck in whatever you’re pursuing and keep supporting libraries….champions are always needed.

Exactly. The eligibility is key. Municipalities are required by law to fund libraries at millage, however, there is also the practice of chargebacks (and that’s how some municipalities end up funding at less). A lot of people have been working very hard at getting the state aid back to pre-Christie levels, but aside from a small increase of funds last year, it’s still much behind what it once was. I hope you found your time in NJ libraries worthwhile.

The one draw back is that to be eligible for E-rate funding, libraries must filter their internet access. This goes against the principle of freedom to access information,which is held by many libraries. That said, you are correct. For those that are willing to filter, the Erate program is a wonderful source of saving.

The library may have been awarded a grant to the Construction Bond Act of 2018(not sure of the date). Libraries that applied for the grant which could only be used for construction related expenses had to provide matching funds. Those funds could have come from the municipality, library reserves, or whatever other sources the library was able to secure.

That’s great!

A lot of truth in your response, however, NJ libraries are not funded as you describe. There is no state matching fund (if only!!!). The little funding libraries receive from the state is something called per-capita-state aid which is based on eligibility and comes in at roughly .43 per capita. The core funding for public libraries is assessed at the local/municipal level using a formula (1/3 of a mill) based on equalized property evaluations.

It gets confusing. There are multiple library systems in the state with individual libraries from various counties, with county library systems thrown into the mix. Ideally, you could just go to any library in the state and get stuff.

That's correct. While there are individual members from various counties, they are not a three county system. It's complicated. Especially if you just want to go to any library to get stuff. :)

Check to see if your library is part of a library system such as BCCLS, LMxAC, MAIN, or PALS Plus. If they are, then then can very easily request those materials from their partner libraries. Also, many libraries can place special requests for materials from other libraries in the state or the rest of the country through interlibrary loan (ILL).

Great tip. And if you're near the Meadowlands, there is a flea market every Saturday in the Metlife Stadium parking lot