Stories from Everyday Champions

I go to my library to use the free internet to keep in tough with friends and family because I can’t afford a computer with Internet access at home. - Jack, Pemberton

  The library has been a life saver for me in that I am attending UCC (Union County College) in Cranford, NJ and when I can’t get to school, I come here to the library and log on to the UCC site to do homework, tests, and other projects. I have achieved a 4.0 GPA and intend on maintaining it.

I would like to say, Thank You Plainfield Public Library for assisting me in my education. I will be the first of my immediate family members to graduate from college, and you helped me with that.

Thanks again and God Bless You.  -Patricia, Plainfield

The library is always there with books for our children to read and grow and instill new ideas. The library is always here for our seniors, who on fixed incomes after years of hard work enjoy the programs the library has to offer. I and my family would most certainly be devastated if any of the programs my library has provided would no longer be there to use. My daughter and I have used the New Jersey library system extensively. Our country as a whole has been downtrodden with the education of our young.

I grew up in New Jersey but later lived over 20 years on the west coast. While in San Francisco, I was able to make use of the entire branch system, searching for materials on the internet and having them sent to my local branch. When I moved back to NJ five years ago, I was so glad to see that Morris County had developed a similar system for member libraries. I have a Jefferson card but actually am able to use the Dover library much more conveniently. The Dover staff have been wonderful (as have those at Jefferson when I go there).

At this time I'm employed in a lower-paying field than usual (and am in a temporary job). So, some of my bills are simply not being paid on time. I'm also buying more discounted food. I'm looking for a new job to start by the end of June. (and hope to find one on my own rather than having to rely on the state of NJ for economic assistance, if at all possible). I use the computers at my library every day to search for a new job. I've also gone to a parenting workshop and some other workshops. Maria, Bloomfield

During the past few years, I have checked out many, many self-help books related to natural health and healing. Being unemployed right now, I am very grateful to not have to spend money buying these books. Most of them have been obtained through the interlibrary loan service. Losing that service would be devastating to me! Claire, Nutley

I lost my job last year so the sacrifices are many. I can not afford to pay for the services my local library and other nearby libraries are providing. While I am out of work I have been doing volunteer work to stay active in my community. My family has basically cut out every luxury and we are now falling behind on our bills. Without the library services my job search will be severely hindered. I attend many job search related networking groups sponsored by the libraries in the area including county libraries.

Recently my family has had to cut down on extra expenses, such as home internet access, phone service and basic cable. Even after we stopped using these extras, we still had to cut down on the amount of food we were able to purchase monthly. It's still very hard for us to make ends meet. I've even decided to stop my pursuit of higher education so I can work a second job to help my family further. The public library has helped me deal with the hard times my family is going through.

 I am currently retired and my wife will be retiring on July 1, 2010. We spend more time watching movies at home and cooking together, in lieu of going to movies and restaurants. We, also plan many more day trips rather than traveling vacations using guides we loan from our library. Our staff at the Long Hill Library are extremely helpful and I have gotten much enjoyment out of many books suggested by the staff. The delivery of books from other libraries in our area is an outstanding service, saving money that would be spent on gas.

The Evesham Library has helped my family by being a place where my toddler can experience all sorts of wonderful programs and interact with his peers, other adults, and even, at times, dogs! The Evesham Library has helped me to broaden my toddler's horizons through both actual experiences, and through all of the wonderful books, children's music cds, and educational DVDs we borrow. The librarians are always helpful and friendly and so sweet that my son can't help but be comfortable there.

Since my father and I both lost our jobs, we have had to cut back on most things. When you are foregoing doctor visits and putting off car and home repairs, you are not even thinking about buying books and movies. Fortunately, we can get books and DVDs at our local library for free. - M,  Marlton

Due to physical limitations, I receive books from the Library for the Blind & Handicapped. If this is taken away from me, I will have lost the “art of the word” which has been important to this 78 year old since I was a young girl. While prices are rising, my social security has remained the same as in 2009, and governments do nothing but put down more limits on the seniors pocketbooks, as well as the everyday population. - Lucretia, Hackensack TBBC

Due to budget constraints, my family cancelled the Internet and has stopped buying books, cds and DVDs. We now use library access for school assignments and to borrow books, cds and DVDs. - Guadalupe, Hillsborough

Because I have been out of work on medical leave since August 2009, we had to cut back on a lot of things and Internet access was one of them. At our library, the internet and movie borrowing that is free helps with school work and other activities that we can not afford. - Kimberly, Pemberton

 I can’t afford the Internet at my house so my family and I go the library to use the computers for research for school and to take out books. - Lori, Pemberton

 I am out of work and my finances are very low. The library has provided a safe place for my son and me to play and learn. - Lisa, Pemberton.

On our budget we don’t go out as much or buy a lot. With my library, I don't have to purchase books that are expensive, nor do I have to pay for the Internet. All of the information that I need is at the library. The library was very useful when I was in college. I didn't have to buy books for my research papers. I came to the library to use research databases and books. Sometimes I would even use the internet and the computer to complete projects for college. If I wasn't able to find a book at the local library I was able to get the book from another library through Interlibrary Loan.

I am able to get books to read for my book club without having to buy them. As a retiree on a fixed income, that helps a lot. - Delores, Willingboro

 Since my husband lost his job, we are working on only one income and unemployment. This means major cutbacks in entertainment such as going out to dinner, movies, etc. We have saved countless dollars on borrowing books, DVDs and music as well as entertainment costs by making use of the library often. Our three year old daughter absolutely LOVES going to the library. I let her "pay" for our checkouts with the library card. We also try to go there for events and crafts so that we can entertain the kids for free. - Heather, Bridgewater

I come to the library to use the computer so I can cut down on the expenses at home. Also my family likes to take out the books and get my grandchildren to know how to use them. - Jeanne, Browns Mills