NUTLEYJOURNAL
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Composer makes music
— See Page 3
Rotary work progresses
— See Page 12
Sculpture at JHWMS
— See Page 26
VOL. 36 NO. 21
MAY 2021
Nutley Library learns new, exciting ways to connect with community By Amanda Valentovic Staff Writer Like all libraries, when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of the country in March 2020 and forced shutdowns of nonessential businesses, the Nutley Public Library had to completely shift how it operated. A year later, things are slowly getting back to normal: Residents can browse the stacks in person a few days a week now, and events have picked up in recent months. But during the shutdown, the library staff had to learn how to do their jobs in a whole new way. “Connecting with patrons was not very easy during shutdown,” Deidra Garcia, the NPL’s head of Youth Services, said in an email to the Nutley Journal on April 21. “The library enjoys a lot of support from the community, but so much of our promotion relies on word-of-mouth, in-person programs and library visits, and that just couldn’t happen the way it used to.” The library took to its website at www.nutleypubliclibrary.org, social media, email newsletters and press releases, in addition to analog promotions such as signs on major streets in town and flyers
Photos Courtesy of Michelle Albert
Above are winners from the Nutley Public Library’s Winter Reading Contest, which saw heavy competition. available for pickup outside the building. The staff made take-home craft kits for children, which is still a popular activity a year later, and stocked the “free books” cart outside the library with materials that were being discarded or were unneeded
extra donations; this all helped the librarians maintain contact with residents. “We partnered and hosted outreach opportunities to assist the community during the pandemic,” library Director See MAKING, Page 15
Nutley commissioners condemn acts of anti-AAPI bigotry, violence The Nutley Board of Commissioners released the following joint statement on April 19 to condemn the recent increase in discrimination against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community during the COVID-19 pandemic: “News outlets, along with local sources, are reporting an alarming surge in anti-Asian racism. All legal efforts will be put forth to prevent the public targeting of Asian Americans, which ranges from bias incidents to hate crimes to inappropriate lawn signs, while remaining cognizant of our nation’s constitutional right of free speech.
“Those that perpetuate hate crimes, racism and violate antidiscrimination laws against Asian Americans, and any others, will be answerable for their actions. “We ask residents to take affirmative steps to acknowledge, condemn and correct acts of prejudice and hate. Our goal is not to alienate, marginalize, or disregard any of our community members, regardless of race or ethnicity.” Mayor Mauro G. Tucci added: “Our goal is to protect and promote mutual respect and appreciation for all people and cultures within our community, with no exceptions.”