Posted on

Reader Blames Current Council for the Elks club purchase, the library’s proposed “beautification” and the throwing away money on the useless Schedler house reconstruction

63891456 2385753121485754 2123179682202386432 n

” This Council has been totally responsible for the purchase of the Elks club, the library’s proposed “beautification” and the throwing away of massive amounts of money on the totally useless Schedler house reconstruction. And, if they had deigned to side with the citizens of the Village’s suit, they would have been able to put some reasonable halts to the over construction agreed on by the previous Council. They have happily been tossing money around as frequently as the prior Council while saying “they were doing the will of the people” which is just one of their many fabrications as to why things are being done that have clearly been opposed by the current residents of Ridgewood. “

Posted on

Ridgewood Public Library Responds to Questions Regarding Library Renovation Concept

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Blog Staff Note, the unedited version of the questions of Director Nancy Greene gave at Wednesday’s Ridgewood Council Meeting.

Continue reading Ridgewood Public Library Responds to Questions Regarding Library Renovation Concept
Posted on

Reader says so the Ridgewood Elks Lodge was part of the plan all along

Ridgewood Elks

Do these people have any integrity? Aside from misleading residensts with their public statement, the Elks Lodge IS part of the plan. Janis Fuhrman, an award winning realtor, Library Board of Trustee member, held to the NAR Code of Ethics…turned to Social Media, in June and December, saying the Elks Lodge and library renovations are not related. “Too funny.”
Perhaps Janis can explain what happened there.

Posted on

Ridgewood Library board trustee says the Library Renovation and Elks Closing not related

Bike_Ridgewood_Public_Library_theridgewoodblog
December 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Councilman Voigt announced a multi-million dollar renovation plan for the Ridgewood Public library this past Wednesday night at the Village Council meeting and Elks Lodge closing the very next day .Janis Fuhrman a member of the library board of trustees, tried to clear the air in June when the issue first arose, said in the Facebook It takes a Ridgewood Village,  “I can assure you that the Elks Club is in no way tied in with the library in any way shape or form!! Too funny.”

When asked again if the recent closing of the Elks and the corresponding announcement that the Library planned a $5 million dollar renovation , Janis Fuhrman was kind enough to respond once again on December 9th ,”Still not related , The Village neither owns nor operates the Elks Club. You are more than welcome to attend our Board Meetings, they are and have always been open to the public. Next one is next week.”

However some found it a bit odd that the Glen Rock Patch also ran an article on the closing of the Elks at almost the same time the Ridgewood lodge was notified , using the Elks Grand Lodge as its primary source.
Others reminded the Ridgewood blog of the dubious undoing of the Pease Library Trust and ensuing court case .
Posted on

Ridgewood Public Library Needs to Follow the Same Footprint as the RHS Learning Commons

Ridgewood_Public_library_theridgewoodblog
July 26,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, , Readers suggest the Ridgewood Public Library follow the same successful template as the RHS Learning Commons with a public private partnership to raise money for the desired public library renovations.

As many remember Learning Commons project organizers believed a state facilities grant, would supply the last additional needed funds for the community-driven project, even though grants had been awarded across the state, including $434,220 to Ridgewood to finance other work at the high school, the Learning Commons did not fall within the parameters of the grant requirements.

In September 2012 The Ridgewood High School (RHS) Home and School Association (HSA) launched an aggressive fall fundraising campaign to pay for the transformation of the RHS library into a space better suited for 21st century learners. At the time it was thought that the renovation would potentially cost $850,000.The new RHS Learning Commons was needed to replace a library that has not been renovated since it was originally designed in 1963. After a little debate the Village embraced the idea and the needed funds were raised .

The same principles could be applied to the Ridgewood Public Library to attain the desired result and would create a more inclusive comunity based solution.
Posted on

Readers suggest Ridgewood Library poll users

Bolger_theridgewoodpublic_library_theridgewoodblog
Before anything is done they need to research this. This is not about wanting a light and airy library and it is not about the director wanting a renovation, this is taxpayer money. They have clubs meeting there and tutoring taking place. Is this what we want in the library or should the focus be on access to books and information?

Who are the current visitors to the library
How often do they visit
What do they use it for

For residents who do not go to the library
What do they want in a library
Is there something missing that keeps them from using the library

For all residents – how many times a week/month/year do they visit the library
Is the library serving the needs of all residents