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Somerset County Library System Of New Jersey - Somerville Branch

Business Information
Name of Organization: 
Somerset County Library System Of New Jersey - Somerville Branch
Organization Type: 
Business Description: 
Public Library
Contact Person: 
Jen Sulligan
Title: 
Branch Manager
Business Location: 
Somerville Library
35 West End Ave.
08822 Somerville , NJ
United States
40° 34' 13.3752" N, 74° 37' 11.028" W
Phone: 
908-458-8446
Email: 
jsulligan@sclibnj.org
Number of Employees: 
20
Website: 
https://sclsnj.org/
Renewal Date: 
Friday, December 22, 2023
Waste
Waste Reduction
Description of Action: 
The library has switched to an electronic format for the following workflows: - scheduling - supply requests - programming requests - help desk tickets - tracking professional development hours - library account applications - home borrowing applications - meeting room reservations - program registration - summer reading program record keeping In addition, printers are set to double sided printing.
Waste Reuse
Description of Action: 
As a practice, before placing orders for items like furniture, supplies, and durable goods, we ask other branches if they have something we can borrow or have. This year, we benefitted from another branch's renovation and received, at no cost, discarded like-new shelving, storage, and book trucks to refresh our youth services area. Purchasing new would have cost us $33000.00.
Money Saved: 
33,000
Waste Recycling
Description of Action: 
The library has recycling receptacles in staff areas and public spaces - indoor and outdoor - for paper, plastics, and metal. Trash cans are reserved for non-recyclable materials.
Lbs Saved: 
450
Food Waste
Description of Action: 
This past summer, the library partnered with local organization Jewish Family Service to distribute an overabundance of fresh produce that had been donated by a local farmer.
Energy
Energy Efficiency
Description of Action: 
There are motion sensors to activate the lights in the library's bathrooms. Energy audits are conducted by programs run by PSE&G, we are in a Direct Install program.The library was re-lamped with high efficient bulbs and ballasts.
Water
Water Conservation
Description of Action: 
We converted all public sinks to become more water efficient; they are all hand activated. All public bathrooms now have water efficient toilets.
Industry-Specific
Industry Specific Practices
Description of Action: 
Libraries regularly assess their collections for materials that do not circulate well. Some titles fall out of fashion, others just didn't perform as expected, and some just don't resonate with the community. When making room for new materials, instead of simply throwing away the items, we will most often box them up to send to a secondhand book dealer. Items that do not fit the retailer's restrictions are usually recycled. We only discard items that are not recyclable.
Emergency Preparedness
Be Prepared for Emergencies
Description of Action: 
The borough, and in turn the library, have taken big steps in emergency preparedness adopting emergency action plans. There is one for the borough, which covers the library, as well as one for library staff to follow. PDF files of each emergency action plan have been uploaded.
Community
Serve Customers with Disabilities
Description of Action: 
The library provides accessible spaces, materials, services, and programs to our customers with disabilities. Examples include: - Accessibilty ramp at library entrance - Button-activated entrance doors - ADA compliant spacing of library furniture - Support finding and accessing accessible materials though our partner, NJ Talking Book and Braille Center - Accessible computer peripherals: Maltron keyboard, vertical mouse. - Magnifier screen for use in-house - Large type books and magazines - Audio books - Home borrowing (book by mail) program - Delivery of materials to Somerville Senior Housing
Finished Application: 
1
required_descriptions: 
5
Member Since: 
Friday, December 22, 2023