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The following news article appeared in the Sunday Star Ledger, April 3, 2005
 
For Essex Librarian, a New Chapter

April Judge, Director of West Caldwell Facility to Lead Group in Her Profession

BY ELIZABETH MOORE
STAR LEDGER STAFF

When West Caldwell Library Director April Judge takes the helm of the New Jersey Library Association this year, she will be heading up the state's oldest and largest professional library organization.

Besides offering continuing education and a job hotline for librarians, the organization also works on behalf of the state's public and university libraries, promoting library awareness and lobbying for public funding.

"There's a lot going on," Judge said of the state's libraries. "We're offering a lot more different things than before."

There are around 1,700 paying members of the association, including individual librarians and public libraries, but Judge said she would love to attract more members during her tenure, which begins on July 1.

Judge will be honored as the group's incoming president at a luncheon by the library association at its annual convention April 11-13. She said that during her year, she plans to emphasize working with state and federal legislators to increase awareness about libraries and advocate for library support.

To that end, Judge and other librarians will visit Trenton on May 12 to meet with state representatives and go to Washington, D.C., May 3 for two days to meet with legislators.

Judge said public libraries offer so many services — from language classes to Internet access — that they have become akin to community centers, drawing all ages of residents, from children to senior citizens. At her own library, there is a public meeting room, weekly film showings and a local history project involving area veterans. "It's not just a place to check things out," she said.

Librarians around New Jersey say there will be plenty of issues to keep Judge busy over her tenure. Perhaps the biggest ongoing issue for public libraries is funding, said Patricia Tumulty, the association’s paid executive director. She said that when the state made matching grant money available a few years ago, 68 libraries applied for the grants to help pay for construction projects. Now, there are 80 additional libraries seeking construction grants.

Tumulty said even libraries built in the 1960s need upgrades to accommodate the growing needs of communities — whether that be computer classes, storytime for children or providing Internet access.

Outgoing association President Carol Phillips, manager of youth services at the East Brunswick Public Library, said the library association also helps professional librarians deal with a host of issues, such as protecting the privacy of patrons or deciding whether libraries should provide refreshments or cafes to attract visitors.

"We reinvented ourselves as our customers changed and their. needs changed," she said. "A library has to grow with the times."

Judge's library colleagues said she will bring a good perspective to the job — she is a former children's librarian who deals with the public on a regular basis. "It helps to not have a career administrator," said Paterson Library Director Cindy Czesak, a former association president. "She has worked with the public and understands what the community wants. And she understands the importance of youth services."

Judge, a native of Lawrenceville, worked at libraries in Baltimore; Boston; Thousand Oaks, Calif., Plainfield and Livingston before coming to West Caldwell.

Marilyn Rubino, president of the West Caldwell Library board of trustees, said Judge is an enthusiastic advocate who is active in library organizations and has kept the township's library up to date. "She's brought us forward to new things," Rubino said. "She's very, very thoughtful."

Judge, who is wrapping up her year as vice-president of the association, said she is ready for the challenge. "It's been really exciting," she said. "It's a great honor to be president of this association."

Elizabeth Moore covers West Caldwell. She can be reached at (973) 392-1852 or emoore@starledger.com.

Note: File photo of April Judge inserted in news article by webmaster.