Kennedy Branch – Piscataway Public Library

Kennedy Branch – Piscataway Public Library

• One of two library branches serving the reidents of Piscataway.

• Building was originally constructed in 1965, and has witnessed several renovations over the years.

• The library employs 16 individuals, some of them on a part-time basis, and also benefits from the efforts of about 10 volunteers.

Areas of the Library

Main Stacks

• Popular fiction and non-fiction

• Sizable World Language collection

Kids• Print, audio and audiovisual materials

• Six computers

• Storage space

Local History• Books, maps, and posters

• Newspaper collection on microfilm

• Photographs

Computer Lab

• Contains computers, copy machine, and vending machines

Café Area

• Tables and chairs for eating food from the vending machines or outside food.

Performance Space

• Can be rented for events

• Has small kitchen attached

Preservation Hotspots

Food

• Library contains café area.

• Floor and surfaces of café area easily cleaned.

• Food consumption not limited to café area.

Lighting

Lighting consists largely of fluorescent tubing

No UV filtering sleeves

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Windows/Skylights

Though windows have shades, they are not closed

Very large skylight in center of facility

Skylight in children's area has been removed

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Roof

New sloping roof constructed to address leaking

New roof built over old roof

Roof continues to leak

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Security

Building protected by security system

Coming and going is limited to a single entrance

Exterior of building surrounded by security cameras

Access to keys for secure areas is limited and controlled

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Fire Suppression System/Extinguishers

Water based fire suppression system running through ceiling above collections

Fire extinguishers placed throughout the premises

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Climate Systems

Modern HVAC system

No climate data gathered

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Shelving

Enamel coated steel

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Book Placement

Books are arranged well and are not falling over

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Disaster Plan

Were told that it exists (though the location and contents were not made clear)

Local History Room

Overview

Small but growing Created organically through donations over

time Aims to document the history of Piscataway,

and places that have been part of Piscataway at one time

Not expressly managed as an archives, but it does contain “archival” materials, and a semblance of archival procedures have been applied

Preservational Assessment

Storage

• Original documents largely housed in acid-free folders.

• Many maps housed in polyester sleeves to limit wear.

• Many photos in polyester sleeves.

Reformatting/Digitization

• Much of accessible portion of the local history collection consists of copies of originals.

• Some of the oral history collection may be played from online catalog.

• Transcripts of some oral histories have been created.

Accessioning

• No record of origin exists for most smaller local history items.

Description

• A majority of local history items are not described in the library’s catalog. Among the many exceptions are larger gift collections, municipal records, and some oral histories.

• No archival finding aids exist.

How Local History Appears in Catalog:

• Catalog Record: Family Scrapbook

• Catalog Record: Municipal Budget

• Catalog Record: Oral History

Collection Policy

• Policy is to collect items that document Piscataway’s history, natural history, prominent families, etc., and also records pertaining to communities that were part of Piscataway at one time.

• Policy is not in writing.

Staff Training

• Staff not trained in archival standards and techniques.

• Still, Ed, charged with running local history, is a kind and dedicated guy!

Conclusion: Preservation Pros and Cons

Pros

• Separate café area with easily cleaned surfaces

• Window shades

• New sloping roof

• Security system

• Security system

• Limited points of entry and exit

• Tightly controlled keys to secure areas

• Extensive fire suppression system

Pros (Continued)

• Modern HVAC system

• Enamel-coated steel shelving

• Properly arranged (non leaning) books

• Existence of disaster plan

• Acid-free folders/polyester sleeves for local history collection

• Some reformatting of local history materials

• Reasonable collection policy

Cons

• Food consumption not limited to café area

• No UV filters on lighting

• Window shades remain open

• Roof continues to leak

• Fire suppression system is water based, runs through ceiling above collections

• No water alarms

• No climate data gathered

Cons (Continued)

• Little independent ability to control climate in library sections, such as local history area

• Location/contents of disaster plan unknown to host

• No accession records for local history holdings

• Local history holdings largely not described in catalog

• Collection policy not in writing

• Staff not trained in archival techniques