Message from Mayor Josh Losardo | October 13, 2023

The Scotch Plains Public Library is an amazing community asset. There’s something for everyone, as the library plays such an important role in making our entire township more vibrant and equitable to the needs of all.

Our library is always improving, committed to providing free access to information and resources for people of all ages and backgrounds. The building, at 1927 Bartle Ave., in our downtown, is the ideal place to learn how to perform better in school, to engage in lifelong learning and mingle with fellow old and new friends from town.

For these reasons, and many more, our library is busier than ever. Book circulation for July and August was 10.27% higher than in July 2019 and 18% higher than August 2019, prior to the pandemic.

We are proud members of the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium, a non-profit membership organization that provides a wide range of services.  Since January, Scotch Plains has loaned 16,622 books to other consortium member libraries.

The library provides students with easy access to a vast array of books and other resources that they may not have at home or school. It is fully geared to help students learn new skills and improve their academic performance beyond the capacity of school, with endless access to whatever information is needed.

Our library is widely known for its story time and early literacy programs for young children. There’s also homework help through Tutor.com, summer reading programs and services to help prepare students for college and graduate school entrance tests. Also, the library provides resources for people to earn their high school equivalency diploma, as well as links for job searches and genealogy research.

I am pleased our library has also bridged the digital divide, loaning out Chromebooks and mobile hot spots to make sure every resident of Scotch Plains has reliable access to the Internet and digital learning. You can even borrow a telescope!

There is also a strong social connection through the library, the ideal place to meet for book clubs, author talks, children’s events, senior programs and free cultural events throughout the year. And, with the library just steps from the downtown, and all of our great eateries, it is the perfect complement for a great lunch date.

Some other important stats that underscore the vibrancy of our library:

• 61,632 children’s’ books and 32,280 adult books were circulated between January and August this year.
• The Scotch Plains Library borrowed 2,267 items from other libraries between June and August.
• 36,408 electronic items were circulated since January.
• 7,772 queries were made to librarians in person, phone or by email.
• 52,472 people visited the library in the 200 days the library was open between January 1 and August 30.

Children, individuals, families, and seniors: The Scotch Plains Public Library is here for you. It brings us all together. If you haven’t stopped in yet, why wait?

Visit https://www.scotlib.org to learn about the latest events this fall. I hope you immerse yourself in all of the free resources that are available. (Have I mentioned free?)