County Libraries Are ‘Slice of Paradise’ Serving Patrons in a High-Tech World

COURT HOUSE – These are not Marion the Librarian’s no talking, leave the books on the shelves libraries. As one patron termed her daily visits to her favorite local county library branch, they are “A little slice of paradise” and serve hundreds of thousands of Cape May County users.
“We help our patrons use the computer for all kinds of needs. We’ve found that in a branch like Woodbine, for example, those looking for a job might not even be able to find what’s out there if they don’t have computer skills or even access to a computer. And then to apply they also need an email address which we help them set up. So from that basic point of entry through making their resume look really nice and finally to submitting it, we are really happy to support our residents in this manner,” said Library Director Deborah Poillon, of the county library system.
Woodbine Mayor William Pikolycky and borough council worked hard, along with staff and residents, to keep their community’s library open.
“We have many residents who depend on our local branch library as their sole place for computer usage, something that librarians nationwide have noted as being on the increase. In fact, one such resident, Bill Fitzgerald, spearheaded last summer’s petition campaign to save the library’s Saturday hours, and wrote letters to the editor on behalf of the effort,” said the mayor.
“As we now start a new calendar, and budget year, we need to remember our successful campaign to keep Saturday hours at the Woodbine branch of the Cape May County library, one which actually resulted in increased Saturday hours,” the mayor added.
Pikolycky cited that the community and he were grateful to freeholders especially E. Marie Hayes and Poillon for “The empathy they showed us during our challenging times.”
He urged the Woodbine community to continue to support its library through participation in its programs and activities especially during the “critical Saturday hours.”
Patrons of Cape May County Library branches are not just residents; they are tourists, campground denizens, and those travelling through the county for the day.
Their ages include seniors of a very senior age seeking a window into how to use Facebook to stay in touch with great-grandchildren.
Teens settle in for a movie after school with snacks. Toddlers and their parents attend story time. All are united however in their recognition that a library is indeed a slice of paradise which serves as an acknowledged “comfort zone” and gathering place for all members of the community. 
The Library’s slogan makes reference to an echo of that sentiment as expressed by Bill Gates. The Microsoft guru and philanthropist said, despite his life-long fascination with the development and then expansion of the computer, “I’d be happy if I could think that the role of the library was sustained and even enhanced in the age of the computer.”
The County Library system solidly puts that wish into action with an array of programs, activities and patron support services designed to suit an almost limitless wealth of interests and ages.
In 2016, libraries are more and more not only a repository and lender of books, they’re also places where people learn how to tweet even if they’re not a birder, join a bird watching guided tour if they are, engage in crafts and cooking, start or further a career, discuss the latest best seller in English or learn another language to discuss that country’s best seller, host current event workshops, attend cooking demos, the list is endless with the common denominator being life enhancement.   
The County’s Library system encompasses eight locations from Cape May City to Upper Township. Ocean City and Avalon opted out of the county system and maintain their own libraries.
“Five years ago I would never have been able to predict the types of services and equipment we now regularly offer our users,” said Poillon. 
By “equipment,” Poillon referred to the arsenal of technology and related equipment as well as traditional items such as sewing machines on hand.
All are available to library patrons and their use is promoted and explained by its Technology Learning Center located at the system’s headquarters in Court House.
Computers, printers, 3-D printers, and machinery to help with crafting such as vinyl cutters are just some of the resources.
Library staff also conducts regular tutorials in a classroom setting about social media, how to do a job search and then apply for a job after helping to create and perfect a resume. They will even teach library patrons on a one-to-one basis and tailor information to individual questions which can be invaluable for those who don’t use or have computers at work or home.
Working in the library system since 1986 and its director for seven years, Poillon says all county library branches are well frequented, registering 555,000 patrons in 2015 per its records.
“The number of programs county libraries offered in 2015 was close to the 3,500 mark of individual activities and the Technology Learning Center worked one-on-one with visitors to enhance knowledge, research inquiries which patrons can’t do on their own using google, or in many cases to teach basic operations of eReaders, cell phones, digital cameras and laptops as well as myriad software programs and applications.”
Poillon summed up the rewarding nature of her job by referring to written notes users drop off or email – using their new skills obtained at the library.
One comment was a reflection of the county library as an essential resource available to all: “I have been enriched beyond words by the Cape May County Library system. When I tell friends from other states what is available here they are amazed and envious.”
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.