Welcome to the Director’s Page.
Here you will find periodic messages from the Library’s Director, Laverne Mann.
CHPL is among New Jersey’s Busiest Libraries
Cherry Hill Public Library: 565,487 visitors
The CHPL is one of the state’s largest municipal libraries at 72,000 square feet. It has 30,187 total registered borrowers (28,785 resident and 1,402 nonresident) and 381,260 books in circulation.
In the state, there are 234 municipal libraries, 45 association libraries, 14 county libraries, and five joint libraries.
Click here for the full article.
View the Full February 2023 Director’s Report
Director’s Notes
Attended:
ALA LibLearnX- New Orleans Jan 26- Jan 31 ALA Chapter Councilor for NJLA (New Jersey)
SAIL – (South Jersey Alliance of Independent Libraries) – Chair for 2023
Currently working on:
-Annual Report for 2022
-Annual statistics report for State Aid
-Review goals from 2022 and set 2023 goals for departments
View the Full March 2023 Director’s Report
Director’s Notes
The Cherry Hill Sun for writing about our newest addition to the library.
Mamava lactation pod in the children’s services area.
See the article in The Sun Newspaper!
The CHPL Annual Report for 2022 is available now
View the Full April 2023 Director’s Report
Director’s Notes
Cherry Hill Sun article:
Maker’s Day goes local at Cherry Hill library
State observance inspires a how-to festival at the facility
We had a great visit recently with Faith Hamilton, newest Trustee on the
Cherry Hill Public Library Board of Trustees. She took some time to visit
with each of the library departments and get to know the staff. Featured in pic
with Faith are Youth Services Supervisor Beth Cackowski and Teen Services
Librarian Jasmine Riel. Each of them are holding one of our American Girl Dolls
which you can check out from the library just like a book!
CNN Senior Legal Analyst, bestselling author, and Cherry Hill East alum Elie Honig’s 3rd successful visit to the library!
His new book, Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away with It, is available and is a must read! Thank you to Elie for joining us again, for the support of our Town Council members – including Council President David Fleisher who presented Elie with a proclamation. Special thanks to our Library Board members in attendance including former Cherry Hill Mayor Susan Bass Levin, and Inkwood Books in Haddonfield for handlingbook sales.
View the Full May 2023 Director’s Report
Director’s Notes
We have many exciting programs planned for this year’s Summer Reading Program. Look for events to be published in our annual booklet and our online calendar. Don’t forget to sign up and earn a prize!
View the Full June 2023 Director’s Report
Director’s Notes
NJLA Conference: May 31 – June 2, 2023
Laverne Mann- NJLA Executive Board, ALA Councilor presented at the Annual NJLA business meeting. She also presented The Year’s Best Graphic Novels 2022.
-Tierney Miller and Michelle Yeager presented “Jumping Through Hoopla ,” a discussion of challenges faced with a digital resource vendor
-Claire Thomas served as host for the NJLA Honors & Awards Dinner
– a member ofthe NJLA Honors & Awards Committee
-AS 4 FT,
YS 3 FT, 2 PT staff attended NJLA Annual Conference.
Beth & Kristin did a poster session on Mamava and Lactation Stations in libraries.
Melissa Brinn did a panel session on public libraries collaborating with schools.
Children’s Librarian Kristin Redmond won the Innovative Program Award for her “Crafting for a Cause” program. Kristin’s love of knitting and libraries formed the perfect union to support this program. Library patrons were encouraged to knit warm weather items which Kristin then provided to a local shelter, Lucy Outreach in Camden.
View the Full July 2023 Director’s Report
Director’s Notes
Summer Reading at CHPL underway with many fun, entertaining and informative programs planned – check our online calendar or pick up a Summer Reading Booklet of events.
View the Full September 2023 Director’s Report
Director’s Notes
We had a blast hosting our yearly summer reading program, and it was an enormous triumph. Thank you for being a part of it! Here are some of the impressive numbers:
Youth Services
Early Literacy (Pre-K) registration: 124
Children’s Summer Reading program (Grades K-5) registration: 540
Teen Summer Reading program (Grades 6-12) registration: 260
Adult Services
Participants 416 (25% increase from 2022)
Books Read 3,087
Activities Completed 1,460
Book Reviews 623
Registration Prizes Redeemed 233
Director’s Notes
Big October events:
Diwali Festival
Murder Mystery
Flea Market Fundraiser and Scarecrow Contest
Trick or Treat at the Library
Stop the Bleed training from the Cherry Hill Free Clinic – 11/1/2022
Laverne moderated, presented a webinar for Ready for Anything: Successful Resiliency Grants from LibraryLinkNJ
View the Full November 2022 Director’s Report
Director’s Notes
Highlights:
Book It 5K, Walk, Kids Dash 9/24 – 142 people registered
Scarecrow contest and Fall Fest 9/25
Adult Lego Challenge at Mechanical Brewery
Banned Books Week displays 9/18- 9/24
View the Full October 2022 Director’s Report
Summer Reading Program
2022 Summer Reading – Youth Services
Early Literacy Registrants: 117
Early Literacy all missions completed: 43
Children’s Registrants: 546
Total number of Children’s programs: 39
Total number of attendees at Children’s programs: 4,494
Number of minutes read: 428,605 (approx. 7,143 books)
Total number of Teen Registrants: 166
Total number of Teen programs: 25
Total number of attendees at Teen programs: 270
Total books read by Teens: 660
Teen volunteers: 25
Teen volunteer hours: 546
Adult Summer Reading Program
Total Enrollment 303 (+ 29 staff)
Book Reviews 685
Books Read 2,147
Activities Completed 589
Adult Lego challenge Sept 15 at Mechanical Brewery, Cherry HIll
Cherry Hill Sun article
https://tinyurl.com/5cehkxyd
Edna Ryan is the August featured artist in the Art Gallery, Lower Level. Edna’s show is “96
and Still Going!” For the past 20 years, she has produced works in pen and ink,
watercolor, oil, and pastel. Creating a serene palette is always her goal, and she has great
respect for our natural world.
https://thesunpapers.com/2022/08/12/august-art-exhibit-features-cherry-hill-residentedna-
ryan/
Thank you for librarian outreach visit to The Village-
“I want to thank the both of you for coming out to our location and assisting our residents with
kindness, professionalism and a truly wonderful spirit. I cannot tell you how many people told
me how this was the 1st library card they have ever had or how you two made them want to
go to the library. I am so grateful for your experience and expertise in making this run swiftly
and smoothly. Thank you again. You always have friends here over at The Village.”
View the Full September 2022 Director’s Report
Director’s Notes
Summer Reading Program Kickoffs:
Family Fort Night 44 attended
Trucks, Trucks, Trucks 2000+ attended
Attended the ALA conference – Washington, DC June 24 – June 27
Book Sale- interviewed for article in The Cherry Hill Sun
View the Full July 2022 Director’s Report
Director’s Notes
NJLA Conference June 1-3
Rising Star Award: Jasmine Riel, Teen Librarian
CHPL presenters: Get out of your building! (Outreach, Michelle Yeager)
Caught a vibe: Teen Engagement (Jasmine & Suzanne Fox)
The Year’s Best Graphic Novels (Laverne Mann)
Fundraising Chair (Beth Cackowski)
Sponsorship: Chris and Jessica Bruner, American Construction Company
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Festival Sunday, May 15 1:30 – 4 p.m. Asian American Alliance in South Jersey Performances, Activities, Vendors
View the Full June 2022 Director’s Report
Director’s Notes
Staff Development Day held March 18
Longevity Awards
Presentations: CHPD Office of Emergency Management (with vehicle) EWICE (East West Intercultural Exchange) Pensions, Archives, Seed Library, Library of Things, Romance book genre, Fire Extinguisher Safety 3/22
Attended NJ Trustee Association/Library Directors session on book challenges for Boards (Intellectual Freedom}
Personnel: Retirement of Diana Babb, Circulation Library Assistant – 29 years of service
Youth Services Librarian- Full time job posted
Friends of CHPL library – Board, April Book sale: set up, volunteers, financials
National Library Week: Samost Jewish Family & Childrens Services Food pantry for a fine forgiveness campaign.
View the Full May 2022 Director’s Report
Director’s Notes
Staff Development Day held March 18
Longevity Awards
Presentations: CHPD Office of Emergency Management (with vehicle) EWICE (East West Intercultural Exchange) Pensions, Archives, Seed Library, Library of Things, Romance book genre, Fire Extinguisher Safety 3/22
Attended NJ Trustee Association/Library Directors session on book challenges for Boards (Intellectual Freedom}
Personnel: Retirement of Diana Babb, Circulation Library Assistant – 29 years of service
Youth Services Librarian- Full time job posted
Friends of CHPL library – Board, April Book sale: set up, volunteers, financials
National Library Week: Samost Jewish Family & Childrens Services Food pantry for a fine forgiveness campaign.
Director’s Notes
2021 Annual Report -Year End reports and statistics from Technical Services, Youth Services Presented at New Director’s Training for the NJ State Library on Partnerships 2/16
NJ Library Association (NJLA) -on ballot for Election as ALA Councilor (3 year term)
Elected Vice Chair for SAIL (South Jersey Alliance of Independent Libraries)
Judged Poster contest for CHAACA
Seed Library -Seed requests (as of 3/3) = 238
Summer Reading Program planning, including sponsorships
Director’s Notes
2021 Annual Report -Year End reports and statistics from Departments and State Aid report completed
2022 Goals for Departments and Director were shared with all staff
Conducted an Online interview by Hilary Ettenson @jfkliving and @housesandhilary highlighting CHPL services and resource
Director’s Notes
2021 Annual Report -Year End reports and statistics from Departments and State Aid report completed
2022 Goals for Departments and Director were shared with all staff
Conducted an Online interview by Hilary Ettenson @jfkliving and @housesandhilary highlighting CHPL services and resource
Rhona Fischer Family Assistance Center -JFCS- Ribbon cutting, partnerships October 28
Hosted NJLA Executive Board, State Librarian of NJ. October 19
Halloween kids parade in Friendship Grove (227 attended) and staff costumes October 29
Friends Book Sale: November 10- 14
Friends preview night Wed Nov. 10, 5 – 9 pm,
Bag of books both Saturday & Sunday
View the Full November 2021 Director’s Report
One Book One Cherry Hill
Titles =The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett and Genesis Begins Again (YA selection) by Alicia D. Williams
Events for all ages run Oct-Nov.
Please share events with your networks!
Staff Development Day, Friday Oct 22 Speakers on Stress Management and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Sensitivity Training. Librarians training on Diversity Audit of Children’s Books, Universal Class
database. Fire Alarm and Fire drill to be conducted.
Policy updates for approval: Collection Development, Patron Code of Conduct (update), new Programming Policy and Vulnerable Persons update.
View the Full October 2021 Director’s Report
CHPL was awarded an ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) grant from the NJ State Library for $14,854 for Cherry Hill Digital Inclusion – narrowing the digital gap and enhancing online learning with a focus on the workforce, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), entrepreneurs and homeschoolers.
- Starting September 7, Hours for Monday- Wednesday until 9pm, Thursday – Saturday until 5 pm
- September 12 open for Sunday hours 1-5pm
One Book One Cherry Hill
Titles = The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett and Genesis Begins Again (YA selection) by Alicia D. Williams
Sept 1 – Website, events, promotion all go live September is the reading month, events for all ages run Oct-Nov.
Visits: Week of June 21- highest in house count at 2,350 visitors, up 28% from previous week.
25,269 visitors since January 1
Awarded: New Jersey Council for the Humanities grant- One Book One Cherry Hill
Juneteenth – Cherry Hill Township event – Library had a table, and a Human Relations Council representative in parade. We also will be at two CHT Barclay Farm concerts.
July 6, opened Tuesday night until 7 pm (now Mon- Wed until 7 pm)
Contactless pickup still available.
- September 7, opening until 9 p.m. M- W, Thurs- Sat 5 pm
- September 12 planning to open for Sunday hours 1-5 pm
The CHPL Art Gallery has reopened!
Stop by each month to see the new art work on display. In July we are featuring the prize winning artists from Cherry Hill Township’s Juried art exhibit – Art Blooms.
Congrats to CHPL Children’s Librarian Alia Shields!
Alia is now on the 2023 Caldecott Committee.
We are so proud of this huge achievement!
The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. The award is presented by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.
“I am so honored to be elected to the 2023 Caldecott Committee. I can vividly remember being a little kid at the library and my mom holding up a picture book, showing me the gold medal, and telling me it meant that it was a good book. For a children’s librarian being on this committee is truly being ‘in the room where it happens!’” – Alia Shields
Library Building: Closed 11/3 at 2 p.m. until 11/18 due to positive employee Covid test
(NJ Libraries still: NJ State 25% capacity for libraries order. CHPL 30 minute time limit)
- Fundraisers: Scarecrow contest and Psychic Medium (Zoom), Pop Up book sale
- Virtual Trustee Institute- Thank you Kathy, Mona, and Dr. Meloche for attending
- NJ Construction Bond grants- 38 of 126 applications awarded, CHPL did not receive a grant
View The Full October 2020 Director’s Report
Library Building open – 50 people maximum, 30 minute limits for patrons due to NJ State 25% capacity for libraries order
Library Card Sign-Up Month! During the month of September CHPL welcomed
112 New Adult Card Holders and 55 New Juvenile Card Holders. We renewed 559 adult cards & 75 juvenile cards!!!
Six patrons won $25 gift cards
(Target, Amazon or WaWa) Thank you to the Friends of the Library for purchasing gift cards and everyone who helped promote Library Card Sign up Month 2020 during a pandemic!
- Additional Google Grant awarded- Virtual Learning (Youth Services)- $1000
- FEMA grant 75% of PPE expenses- estimate $4000
- Opened Monday evenings in addition to Wednesdays until 8 p.m.
- State Aid and 2022 budget minimums
- Pop Up book sale October 19- 21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Congrats to Dr. Joseph Meloche for Outstanding Administrator of the Year from the NJ Association of School Librarians (NJASL)
Town Council Proclamation for English as a Second Language tutors and librarian coordinator Elby Wang
Laverne Mann, Library Director
The Cherry Hill Public Library is called ‘The Heart of Town’ and we truly want to live up to this standard.
We have created five strategic visions to broaden and enhance the quality of service we provide to patrons. These goals and tactics came out of a year of analysis, discussions, and community surveys.
The Cherry Hill Public Library wants to address the fast pace of change in society and technology. We want the community to use the library for reasons they told us were extremely important: for school reasons, entertainment, a quiet place to work or read, or to use the library computers and wifi.
To reflect the diversity of users in Cherry Hill we continue to evaluate our services, collections and programs. In the Cherry Hill schools, 30% of students are Asian, African American, Hispanic or other racial/ethnic heritage. More than 50 native languages are spoken by students and their families. More than 1700 students are bilingual, and more than 160 students receive ESL services.
Our surveys have found the community extremely satisfied with the staff courtesy and competence. The librarians and library staff are committed to rethinking collections and addressing societal and technological shifts. You will see us building more partnerships and on outreach in Cherry Hill.
The Cherry Hill Public Library has a bright future worth funding, and you belong at the library!