Join Friends Of Hazlet Library For A Say In Programs And More

HAZLET, NJ — Is one of your winter pleasures going to your local library and exploring the stacks for your next good read?

If so, why not take the experience to the next level? Consider becoming a "friend" of your library.

And in Hazlet, now is your chance.

The inaugural meeting of the newly formed Friends of the Hazlet Township Public Library will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at the Hazlet Library Meeting Room, 251 Middle Road.

And Branch Manager Jennifer Brennan sees the nonprofit "friends" transition as a way for more involvement by the public in a great local institution.

"A lot of libraries have friends groups," she said. It's a way for volunteers to to support the library and raise funds, among other activities, she said.

She also said that, rather than a library board, a "friends" structure is more open.

"More people can join. The community can really have a say," said Brennan, who has an advanced degree in Library Science. She has worked for the county system for five years and has been the branch manager for Hazlet since May of 2023.

She added that the well-established Friends of the Middletown Township Public Library provided guidance in setting up the counterpart in Hazlet.

All are invited to join the the nonprofit group, which would promote library services and stimulate community interest in the facilities and services. It would also help sponsor programs to support technologies at the library and enhancements of the library facilities.

The Friends of the Hazlet Library would help identify additional programs to offer for children, teens, adults and senior citizens. And it could consider additional materials or technology that would benefit all patrons.

The group will also gauge interest in a periodic newsletter for the library.

The Hazlet Library is a branch of the Monmouth County Library System. You can go to its website to see upcoming events and access your checkouts.

There are 11 official branches, plus the main headquarters in Manalapan and the Eastern Branch in Shrewsbury. You can learn more about how the libraries throughout the county are structured at the Monmouth County website. For example, not all municipalities are part of the county system, but have their own libraries.

Access the overall Monmouth County Library site for more information on new book arrivals and other activities at all the branches.

Contact the new Hazlet group at [email protected].