Dear Library Champion or

 ”soon to be” Library Champion!

Please take a moment to review three very important links below.  The first takes you to an important message from  Robert White, the Executive Director of BCCLS, about the dramatic impact decreased funding will have on NJ libraries, including the Fairview Free Public Library.

http://www.bccls.org/advocacyArchive/20100324.shtml

The second one is a link to a sign-up page to become a library champion, which will place your email address on a list to receive updates about BCCLS  library related issues in both good times and bad.

http://www.bccls.org/champions/

This third one links you to a website designed to keep NJ library users informed about legislation of critical importance to public libraries along with your legislator’s contact information so you can indicate your opposition to cuts to library funding.

http://www.savemylibrary.org

The FFPL Director and staff trust you will make your voice heard!

Matthew Burcaw’s “TRAFFIC”, a site-specific art installation is closing this month.  Please feel free to stop by ANYTIME during regular library hours to see the bas-relief sculpture, which is located in the community room.

Traffic 2009 by Matthew Burcaw

A reception for South Bronx artist, Matthew Burcaw  will be held on Thursday, January 14, 2010, 6-8pm.  Traffic is a bas-relief sculpture depicting a traffic scene.  Burcaw collected old car parts from auto-body shops, fashioned them into car-like shapes with a plasma cutter, and then welded them together.  When installed, the sculpture will wrap the perimeter of the library gallery.  The artist received his Masters in Fine Arts from Parsons.  His work was most recently included in the show AIM28 at the Bronx Museum in New York.  Mr. Burcaw also teaches and curates. The event is free and open to the public.

Arnie the Balloonman creates balloons like the standing flower you see pictured here.  Not to mention airplanes, cartoon characters, and flying saucers “that really fly”!  The library was lucky enough to have found Arnie in Princeton, where he is a much loved part of the downtown scene….doing what he does best…making art out of balloons.  He recently made artful balloons for the library at our children’s Halloween party!

Tom Ando has been photographing his way through the rapidly changing landscape of the American Southwest since 1999.  ”Cadillac Ranch” is one of many images which are part of  “Lost in America”, a haunting series of photographs which Ando describes as “not about being lost, but about finding one’s way…”.  An opening reception for the artist will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2009, 6-8 pm.  Free and open to the public.

Edy Martinez has played with jazz giants Herb Alpert, Ron Carter and Tito Puente! On Thursday, October 1, 2009, pianist, arranger, composer and producer Edy Martinez and his classic jazz trio will perform selections from his recently released CD, “Midnight Jazz Affair” at the Fairview Free Public Library.

Library staff became aquainted with Mr. Martinez, a Fairview resident, when he began photocopying  playlists for performances he’ll be giving that evening.  As he visited the library more frequently, we learned about his contributions to the New York jazz scene and that he received the Chico O’Farrill Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

The trio will perform from 6-8pm.  The concert is free and open to all.

TIME, TIME, TIME
2006
Giclee print on archival paper of original collage

Some of the highlights include:

• a Flickr page featuring Fairview Free Public Library users.  We aim to find library users visiting, volunteering, or just plain enjoying their time in the library!
• a quick link section to help you search for FFPL books, DVDs and audio
• a kids and teens section with links to databases and websites designed just for kids and teens
• and of course, this Newsletter, which will keep our community up to date with library events and happenings

Some other parts are still in “development”, but should be here soon!  Stay tuned!

The Fairview Free Public Library will be using this weblog technology to  keep our library users up to date about library happenings.  Blogs, as they are more commonly known, are “both free and priceless”, not to mention fun and interactive. 

For readers who are new to the Fairview community, pictured left is the library facade.  Harder to see are the hardy petunias in the plant bed and the newly paved parking lot.  The staff and I really appreciate the recent attentions of the Department of Public Works.  Thanks to the men and women who work there!