The Rockaway Township Library, the heart of our community, offers an innovative and engaging public environment as well as resources to support the cultural, intellectual, and lifelong learning needs of the Rockaway Township community.

  • Supports the community’s personal and intellectual growth.
  • Collaborates with individuals and community organizations to meet residents’ library needs.
  • Seeks to provide open accessibility to all library facilities and its Web site.
  • Offers excellent and diverse collections and programs that respond to the changing community.
  • Improves the library experience by providing modern facilities and engaging new technologies.
  • Embraces innovation and change.
  • Builds community support for the library by demonstrating sound stewardship.

To help keep patrons and residents informed of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) the New Jersey State Library's State Library Information Center has put together the following LibGuide with all of the most current information regarding the spread of this disease and its impact.

https://libguides.njstatelib.org/covid2019

While the library is closed we are compiling list of resources for both inform and entertain. Please be sure to check out our

Adult Resources Page: Latest Covid-19 news, podcasts, virtual tours, and more!

and our

Children and Teen Resources Page: Online storytimes, printable worksheets, virtual zoo and aquarium tours, and so much more!

Be sure to check out Facebook page daily for new updates.

Rockaway Township Public Library Meeting Notice                            

 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that in recognition of the declared COVID-19 public  health emergency the Rockaway Township Public Library Board Meeting  scheduled for June 22nd,  2020 will now be held  remotely/electronically at 6:30 p.m as rescheduled. The public  will have the ability to attend remotely/electronically. The public may  address the Library Board by email only in advance by submitting  questions at  TrusteeQuestions2020@gmail.com.

RingCentral Meeting
Time: Jun 22, 2020 6:20 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:   https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1488650274

Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1(470)8692200 (US East), +1(773)2319226 (US North)

If you will be emailing questions/comments for the Library Board, please do so by 5:30pm on the scheduled meeting date. If you have any questions, please contact the Library’s Director, Scott Davan at (973) 627-2344 x 11 or Scott.Davan@rtlibrary.org.


Rockaway Township Public Library
61 Mount Hope Rd
Rockaway, NJ 07866
   973-627-2344

Announcement:

The Rockaway Township Public Library is excited to announce that the Library will be reopening for frontdoor service beginning on Tuesday, June 16th!

Under Phase 2 of our reopening plan Rockaway Township library card holders can begin placing holds on materials owned by the Rockaway Township Library starting Monday, June 15th; there is no date for the return of statewide delivery service so we do not have access to other libraries’ materials.

The Library will be closed to patrons, please wait until you’re contacted that your materials are ready for pick up before you come to the library. While you can place multiple holds we will be limiting check outs to 5 adult and/or 10 children’s items at a time.

We will only be offering service to Rockaway Township Library Card Holders at this time.

We will only be accepting the return of library materials on Mondays and Thursdays only so that these materials can be quarantined. While we will try to be accommodating we reserve the right to not take materials back on other days.

Masks are required to receive service as we’ll pass materials out the door to you when you arrive for pick up.

Chat, email, and phone reference services will continue; no in-person reference will be available at this time.

We will not be providing fax, photocopying, or computer access at this time.

We will continue to bring you virtual storytimes as well as additional online programming.

Non-circulating items such as newspapers, magazines, etc will be unavailable at this time.

The Hibernia Branch will remain closed at this time but is ready to reopen as we progress through our reopening plan.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday and ask that everyone has patience as we begin the reopening process.

See you soon!

In an effort to help keep our community safe from contracting or spreading the Covid-19 virus, the library will be suspending all programs effective immediately for three weeks. The library will remain open at this time but be sure to check our website and social medial frequently for updates.

We hope to resume programming on Monday, April 6th however we'll review this decision in two weeks to ascertain if we can resume programming or if we need to continue suspending programs. 

Additionally we'll be postponing the Spring Festival to a yet to be determined date.

In response to the Covid-19 outbreak effective Sunday, March 15th the Rockaway Township Public Library will be transitioning to pick-up/drive-up circulation services for residents and Rockaway Township Public Library Card holders only. All other services and areas of the Library (Meeting Rooms, Quiet Study Room, computer access, studying, reading, tutoring, printing, copying, etc) will be closed to the public until further notice. Reference services will continue to be provided via phone and email. Text and chat reference services are being reviewed and implemented. We request that patrons limit their time in the library to pick up and drop off only. We require you to call ahead with your requests or wait until notified that your hold(s) is available before coming to the Library. 

During this time of reduced services we encourage patrons to utilize our online services to place holds, renew items, download ebooks, listen to e-audio books, or browse over 30,000 movies and lectures on Kanopy.com. We are presently working with our vendors to enrich our electronic offerings at this time. Please note that all fines for overdue materials that would normally accrue during this reduction in service will be waived through April 30th, therefore there is no need to rush to the Library to return overdue materials. 

Furthermore, please be advised that during this time of reduced services delivery and the fulfilling of materials placed on hold may be impacted.  We ask your patience when ordering materials from other libraries and expect that at some point in the near future delivery services will be suspended.  

Finally, we expect that the library will be closed to the public in the very near future for an extended period of time. We are presently identifying and implementing as many virtual services as possible. We understand that this is an inconvenience but we feel it is in the best interest of our community to help curb the spread of the Coronavirus. We look forward to resuming full operations as soon as possible. 

This evening's Library Board meeting will continue as scheduled. Please use the rear, lower level door if you wish to join us.

Thank you,
The Library

Covid-19 update. Effective Tuesday, March 17th the library will close. We hope to reopen Monday, March 30th, but will review and make a decision on Friday, March 27th. Please note, we are finalizing a plan to offer phone, online, and virtual services while the building is closed. Please continue to stay vigilante and check back soon for additional updates.

As many of you know by now the library was closed to the public on Tuesday, March 17th to help curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus. This decision was not made lightly as we know how important the library is to our community and how many would be impacted by an interruption in service. Be assured we have been working round the clock to identify and transform many of our critical services to a virtual, work from home environment. Thanks in part to the dedication of our many library employees we are proud to announce that the library will be offering a wide variety of virtual services starting Thursday, March 19th at 9am. 

As part of our new virtual offerings residents will be able to contact the library by phone, email, or chat and get a response from a staff member waiting to assist you. You can call the library at 973-627-2344 and leave a message with your name and a contact number and any questions you have about your holds, library materials, e-resource technical assistance, reference questions, and more. We will promptly call you back to assist you with your needs. In order to maintain employee privacy we will return your call from a “caller id blocked” number. 

If you’d prefer, you can email the library by contacting circrock@gmail.com with questions regarding due dates, library materials, etc and for reference questions, assistance with e-resources, ebooks and more please contact refrockaway@gmail.com.

Please note, we are now offering a new Reference Chat which will link you directly to a Reference Librarian who will assist you with all your needs. You’ll find the chat widget in the lower right corner of our website found at www.rtlibrary.org.

Unfortunately, at this time we cannot provide our community with access to materials or services within the library itself, or materials held at other libraries. However, in addition to our new virtual services, the library offers a wide variety of e-resources that you can access from home. 

Download any of hundreds of ebooks and e-audio books offered through the library’s CloudLibrary. From NY Times Best Sellers to popular fiction cloudlibrary has a wide variety of materials for you to choose from. We have recently upgraded this service to offer a larger selection of titles, more checkouts per person, and more holds per user. 

Watch one of more than 30,000 streaming movies and videos through kanopy.com. Offering what the New York Times calls “a garden of cinematic delights,” Kanopy showcases more than 30,000 of the world’s best films, including award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, indie and classic films, and world cinema with collections from Kino Lorber, Music Box Films, Samuel Goldwyn, The Orchard, The Great Courses, PBS and thousands of independent filmmakers.

Browse your favorite magazine with RBdigital. Offering free full color, interactive digital magazines for your enjoyment. You’ll be able to browse from your library’s collection of popular titles with no holds, no checkout periods, and no limit to the number of magazines you can download. 

Be assured that the library hasn't forgotten about our young readers! Be sure to visit TumbleBooks for hundreds of story books, read alongs, graphic novels, and more all readily accessible for your young readers!

All online services require a current Rockaway Township Public Library card in good standing and as such we are going fine free through May 31st with all due dates extended while we’re closed. Need a library card? Call 973-627-2344 and leave a message or email us at circrock@gmail.com. New cards are issued for Rockaway Township residents, only.

Please be advised that while the library is closed we are working diligently to assist you in every way possible and will continue to do so long after we reopen. During this time of modified service our virtual assistance by phone, email and chat will be available Monday - Saturday 9am-5pm and Sundays 1pm-4pm while our online e-resources are available 24 hours a day. Please continue to stay vigilant and check back soon for additional updates as we expand our virtual services and look to offer new resources to our community. 


PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that in recognition of the declared COVID-19 public health emergency the Rockaway Township Public Library Board Meeting meeting scheduled for April 20, 2020 will now be held remotely/electronically at 6:30 p.m as originally scheduled. The public will have the ability to attend remotely/electronically. The public may address the Library Board by email only in advance by submitting questions at TrusteeQuestions2020@gmail.com.


The meeting will be hosted via RingCentral Meeting, you will need access/meeting code: 149 382 5593. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1493825593
Or by Telephone: +1(623)4049000 (US West), +1(720)9027700 (US Central), +1(773)2319226 (US North), +1(469)4450100 (US South), +1(470)8692200 (US East)


If you will be emailing questions/comments for the Library Board, please do so by 5:30pm on the scheduled meeting date.


If you have any questions, please contact the Library’s Director, Scott Davan at (973)627-2344 x 11 or Scott.Davan@rtlibrary.org.


Rockaway Township Public Library61 Mount Hope RdRockaway, NJ 07866973-627-2344

Agenda
March Minutes
Financials
Director's Report
YA Report
Reference Report
Circulation Stats

Dear patrons,

As you know, The Rockaway Township Public Library’s Board of Trustees elected to close the library on Tuesday, March 17th in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Later that week Governor Murphy released Executive Order 107 whereby all municipal, county, and State public libraries, and all libraries and computer labs at public and private colleges and universities were forced to close by 9pm on March, 21st until such time as the Governor’s order is revoked or modified.

Your health and safety continue to be our top priorities at this time. The Library Board of Trustees and I agree that continuation of current measures are critical to protecting our patrons, staff and volunteers from unnecessary COVID-19 exposure.

Please know that, while our buildings may be closed, we have many wonderful resources and services you can access online 24 hours a day, including a vast digital collection of books, movies and music – as well as personal online assistance. For more information, or to sign up for a library card online, please visit www.rtlibrary.org. In addition, Library staff members are working to deliver and develop online services and programs to help our community make it through this very challenging time.

We remain committed to our mission and our values of promoting access for all, equitable service delivery and educational resources for every member of our community.

Lastly, I want to share how very proud I am of the work our staff has accomplished in this time – we have adapted quickly and creatively in very difficult times. Staff members are able to conduct these services while working from home – a tremendous short-term achievement in its own right.

However, while we are very grateful to be able to serve the public in these ways and at this time, our hearts are heavy that we cannot open our doors each day and interact with you in person as you navigate this difficult time. Please know that we are working on plans to phase in reopening the library as soon as the Governor allows. We understand that there is no substitute for the relationships we have developed with our community and we can’t wait to be back in full service to you as soon as we can.

Thank you and stay safe,

Scott Davan, Library Director

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that in recognition of the declared COVID-19 public health emergency the Rockaway Township Public Library Board Meeting scheduled for May 18th,  2020 will now be held remotely/electronically at 6:30 p.m as originally scheduled. The public will have the ability to attend remotely/electronically. The public may address the Library Board by email only in advance by submitting questions at TrusteeQuestions2020@gmail.com.


 The meeting will be hosted via RingCentral Meeting, you will need access/meeting code:  1496779556

Rockaway Township Public Library is inviting you to a scheduled RingCentral meeting. 

Time: May 18, 2020 6:20 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1496779556

Or Telephone:

    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): 

    US: (773)2319226 (US North), (469)4450100 (US South), (470)8692200 (US East)

    Meeting ID: 149 677 9556


If you will be emailing questions/comments for the Library Board, please do so by 5:30pm on the scheduled meeting date. If you have any questions, please contact the Library’s Director, Scott Davan at (973) 627-2344 x 11 or Scott.Davan@rtlibrary.org.


Rockaway Township Public Library
61 Mount Hope Rd
Rockaway, NJ 07866
 973-627-2344

Rockaway Township Public Library Meeting Notice                            

 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that in recognition of the declared COVID-19 public  health emergency the Rockaway Township Public Library Board Meeting  scheduled for July 20th,  2020 will now be held  remotely/electronically at 6:30 p.m as scheduled. The public  will have the ability to attend remotely/electronically. The public may  address the Library Board by email only in advance by submitting  questions at TrusteeQuestions2020@gmail.com. 
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1487814461

Or Telephone:US: +1(773)2319226 (US North), +1(312)2630281, +1(470)8692200 (US East), +1(646)3573664

Meeting ID: 148 781 4461

Rockaway Township Public Library
61 Mount Hope RdRockaway, NJ 07866973-627-2344

Announcement:

The Library is excited to announce that starting September 2nd we will expand our front door service until 8pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. The Library is continuously identifying and implementing new services during these difficult times. In addition to the expanded hours the Library will be enhancing our patio space by adding additional tents, furniture, and offering power for those who are looking to work quietly outside the Library.

Be sure to browse our new books and DVDs through the windows and feel free to call to place a hold on an item or for Reference assistance.  Newspapers and magazines will be made available on a first come first basis for patrons, and printing and faxing services can be utilized by calling ahead to 973-627-2344.

We anticipate the return of delivery service, albeit in a limited capacity, between libraries in the near future whereby patrons will once again be able to borrow items from other libraries and have them delivered here to Rockaway for pick up.

The Library will continue to remain closed on Sundays but the book drop next to the front door has been reopened for your convenience.

For questions or comments please contact the Library’s Director, Scott Davan at 973-627-2344.

LEASE TAKE NOTICE that in recognition of the declared COVID-19 public health emergency the Rockaway Township Public Library Board will be holding a Virtual Meeting on Monday, November 19, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

The public will have the ability to attend remotely/electronically. The public may address the Library Board by email only in advance by submitting questions at TrusteeQuestions2020@gmail.com.

Meeting ID: 895 5340 3223Passcode: 751503

Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)

If you will be emailing questions/comments for the Library Board, please do so by 5:30pm on the scheduled meeting date.

If you have any questions, please contact the Library’s Director, Scott Davan at (973) 627-2344 x 11 or Scott.Davan@rtlibrary.org.

Morris Automated Information Network Libraries Launch SOLUS Mobile Library App

Downloadable app gives patrons real-time access to vast pool of network’s resources

Cedar Knolls, NJ – Morris Automated Information Network (MAIN) Libraries, a northern New Jersey shared services consortium of public libraries, today announced the launch of the SOLUS Mobile Library App to its network of 38 libraries across Morris, Somerset and Warren Counties. Available to patrons now, the app offers an ‘anytime, anywhere, everywhere’ library experience from a user’s Apple iOS or Android device.

Delivering advanced functionality, the SOLUS Mobile Library App gives patrons access to the diverse shared collection of resources, plus a digital library card with linkable accounts, downloadable electronic resources, full-catalog searching with the ability to place holds, multi-language support, curbside pickup, self-check-out and more.

“In the age of COVID and social distancing, remote access has become more important than ever,” said Phillip Berg, Executive Director, MAIN Libraries. “We are excited to deliver the Solus Library App to the MAIN libraries and its patrons, offering convenient remote access to the network’s vast pool of resources from anywhere at any time.”

Patrons can download the app from the Apple and Google Play App stores by searching “MAIN Libraries.” Once downloaded, the app will guide users through a one-time login, then take them directly to their local library environment from that point on.

About MAIN

Morris Automated Information Network (MAIN) is a consortium of 38 public libraries located in Morris, Somerset and Warren Counties. MAIN’s mission is to lead and encourage collaboration, resource sharing, staff development and innovation by providing high-quality, cost-effective shared services to member libraries for their communities. MAIN aspires to help member libraries and the communities they serve readily access a rich spectrum of resources.

For more information, visit https://www.mainlib.org/. Visit us on Facebook or Twitter.

Rockaway Township Public Library Special Meeting Announcement PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that in recognition of the declared COVID-19 public health emergency the Rockaway Township Public Library Board will be holding a Virtual Meeting on Monday, December 21st, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. The public will have the ability to attend remotely/electronically. The public may address the Library Board by email only in advance by submitting questions at  TrusteeQuestions2020@gmail.com Please visit www.rtlibrary.org for meeting documents.

Rockaway Township Public Library is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: December Trustees' Meeting
Time: Dec 21, 2020 06:20 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Meeting ID: 833 5029 9196
Passcode: 525883

Dial by your location
        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that in recognition of the declared COVID-19 public health emergency the Rockaway Township Public Library Board will be holding a Virtual Meeting on Monday, March 15th at 6:30 p.m. The public will have the ability to attend remotely/electronically. The public may address the Library Board by email only in advance by submitting questions at TrusteeQuestions2020@gmail.com

Rockaway Township Public Library March Board Meeting

Meeting ID: 841 6231 3227

Passcode: 785071

Dial by your location

+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)


April is National Poetry Month, and to celebrate, the Rockaway Township Free Public Library is hosting a haiku contest. Create an original haiku poem about the Spring for your chance to win an $25 Amazon Gift Card.

A haiku is a short unrhymed poem having three lines containing five, seven and five syllables, respectively.

Here’s an example:

The wind and I play
tug-of-war with my new kite.
The wind is winning.

From Guyku by Bob Raczka

Format:

There will be 4 age categories:

Instructions:

All entrants must be current residents of Rockaway Township. Each entrant may submit one haiku. A winner and 2 runners-up will be chosen from each category by a committee of the Library Director, a Library Board Member, and local writer Anthony Lusardi.

Entries will be accepted from April 1st through Thursday, April 30th. Email your haiku to scott.davan@rtlibrary.org. Please include your name, and what age category you are entering. Winners will be notified by email. Winning entries will be posted on the Library website and on social media. Let us know if you are a winner, if we may post your full name. (Other options are initials, or first name + initial of last name.)

Rockaway Township Public Library Foundation seeks new Members. 

If there is one thing the Rockaway Township Public Library Foundation would like residents to know, it's this: Tax dollars cannot support all of the needs and upgrades the Library desires.

"Public funding covers the costs of books, materials and operations that make our library good, but it's with the help of the Foundation that we can become great," Scott Davan, the Library's Director said. 

The Foundation was created nearly 10 years ago, and runs an annual fundraising campaign focusing on the capital improvement needs of the Library. 

Among the many projects the Foundation has helped finance include the Quiet Study Room, media renovations to the meeting room, new furniture for the Adult Department, and assistance with the Children's Room Renovation.

Library Director Scott Davan said "many of the recent upgrades to the Library would not be possible without the group's support."

As a nonprofit organization the Foundation can solicit and accept tax-free donations and then pass them on to the library. The donor gets a tax break, and the public then gets whatever it is the money buys for them and their children.

The Foundation is presently seeking new members to sit on its Board and committees to help reinvigorate its pursuits now that the restrictions of Covid-19 are lifting. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Rockaway Township Public Library Foundation please contact the Library's Director, Scott Davan at 973-627-2344 or via email at scott.davan@rtlibrary.org.

For more information about the Rockaway Township Public Library Foundation please visit https://www.rtlibrary.org/foundation.

Thursday July 8, 2021
6:30-7:30 PM

The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, after more than twenty years of planning, fund raising, and construction. Join Kevin Woyce as he explains how she was built and what she symbolizes, and introduce some of the people involved in her creation!
Click here to sign up! Registration is required!

Thursday August 19, 2021
6:00-7:00 PM

Join a Naturalist from the Somerset County Parks Commission for another great animal program on Sharks! Sharks are amazing but often times misunderstood animals. This presentation will include the facts and myths about sharks. You will walk away with a better understanding of sharks and the important role they play in our ecosystem. Registration is required! Please click here to sign up!

Learn About our Children's Summer Reading Program

Children's Summer Reading Log

Children's Summer Reading Sign-up

Log your Summer Reading Minutes Here

We will have information regarding in person programs and storytimes this summer coming soon!

The Tyler Clementi Foundation is hosting an #Upstander Design Contest for New Jersey teens in grades 8-12. Art, video, or written entries can be submitted. This contest aims to send a positive message about being an #Upstander, as well as inspire people to become #Upstanders. The Foundation will be giving prizes to six students if their entry is selected, as well as featuring them on the Tyler Clementi Foundation's social media accounts.

More information can be found here:

https://www.rtlibrary.org/test/blog/wp-admin/post.php?post=11374&action=edit

Teen Summer Volunteering is open to Rockaway Township residents entering grades 8-12 in the fall.

Teen volunteering will continue to be remote. No registration is necessary. You may access the instructions and activity log here.

Begins Monday June 21, 2021 and ends Monday August 30, 2021

--Sign up! First, sign up for summer reading by using this link!

--Record Books! Once you sign up, please click here to record each book you read this summer! Each book you read or listen to will count as 1 raffle ticket

-- Gift card prizes will be raffled off at the end of August! The more books you read, the more chances you will have to win! There is no minimum or required reading!

If you have any questions call 973-627-2344 or stop by the reference desk!

NOTICE OF A MONTHLY MEETING     
The Board of Library Trustees of the Rockaway Township Public Library will hold its next Monthly Meeting on Monday, July 19th 2021 at 6:30pm in the Conference Room of the Rockaway Township Public Library at 61 Mt Hope Road Rockaway, NJ 07866. Please call Scott Davan, Library Director at 973-627-2344 for information.