enhancing quality of life

Sharing books helps in gaining knowledge. We will save forests by not printing the same book for each individual person in world. One copy could be used by many people and each one save a lot of money, even for the govt. Jagruti, Green Brook

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 am visually impaired and use recorded books EVERY DAY! Jeanne, Whiting, TBBC

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

My father, who has severe macular degeneration, lost one of his true joys: being able to read. Thanks to the NJ State Library Talking Book and Braille Center, he has found some happiness again by being able to listen to audio books with his supplied digital player. It's been a godsend for him! We've all had to make great sacrifices during this brutal economic situation, which is incorrectly referred to as a recession, but is quite realistically a depression, but should we sacrifice our access to literature, knowledge and resources to aid the unemployed?

My family started using our library for everything. My husband gets audio books for his commute, which makes his hour-long commute go much faster. My children get movies regularly to take on vacation and also to watch at home. Their preferences change almost every month, so I am able to save money by not purchasing the books. I am an avid reader and I request books and utilize the books-by mail service frequently. I request from all of the member libraries. I also stopped going to video stores to save money, because all the movies I wanted were at the library.

As a disabled person, it is very difficult and expensive for me to get around. I am able to borrow books and movies by mail. - Lynn, Pompton Plains

By supplying learning tools for personal growth, books for relaxation, movies and books on tape our libraries help relieve some of the everyday anxieties that hard economic times bring to all of us. It's also a place to meet and greet friends. I have met and made many new friends there through a group that formed to learn how to knit. We now meet on a weekly basis, knitting for ourselves and also for some charity groups. We knit for pre-mature babies, cancer patients and veterans to name a few of the people who face difficulties and hard economic times!!

It is indeed difficult times, and in this time of “crises,” sacrifices have to be made by everyone in the civilian sector including our government & civil officials. I am a veteran of the United States military and have been honorably discharged. Being home since 2005, during these past few years my family and I always have helped others in times of need. I am fortunate to have the understanding of what it means to conduct humanitarian work. All of our family members, including our friends and their families, believe in the same.

This library has been and is a pillar in my life since I come to the USA. First the librarians just go beyond themselves every time you seek help. I got a job through this library, I bring my kids, aged 6, 3 and 1 here and they love it Thanks a million and now as I start my college next year. I know I will be with the right people and in the right place God Bless! – Samuel, Trenton