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3- n 1 1 1 1 .i.i.nr n x x x t l x j l x j ,i_x .rjLxxx-Volume 10, No. 3 - May-June 1996

SOMETHING NEWThe Board of Chosen Freeholders of Middlesex County

will include in its capital budget for 1996, the purchase of new central processors for the computer system which controls the data and supports library operations for the Middlesex County College Library and the public libraries of Middlesex County. Responding to a budget request made by the Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium, the Freeholders, working with the Middlesex County Improvement Authority, will fund the purchase of six Tandem Himalaya K2000 processors and operating system. The processors will replace current hardware which must be phased out by the end of 1997.At a total cost of $300,000, the new hardware and operating system will more than double the processing speed of the current system and will enable the continuation of the flourishing library network in Middlesex County!

SUMMER HOURSJUNE 24 thru SEPTEMBER 3

u

MAIN LIBRARY 287-2298

- 340 PLAINFIELD AVE.ADULT & CHILDREN

NORTH EDISON BRANCH548-3045 MONDAY ....................... 9 AM to

TUESDAY....................... 9 AM toWEDNESDAY....................... 9 AM toTHURSDAY....................... 9 AM to

FRIDAY....................... 9 AM toSATURDAY ....................... CLOSED

777 GROVE AVE.PMPMPMPMPM

CLARA BARTON,BRANCH 738-0096

MONDAY....................... 12 PM to 5TUESDAY ....................... 10 AM to 5

WEDNESDAY....................... 12 PM to 5THURSDAY....................... 10 AM to 5

FRIDAY ....................... 10 AM to 5SATURDAY ....................... CLOSED

141 HOOVER AVE.PMPMPMPMPM

& 7 PM to 9 PM & 7 PM to 9 PM

CLOSED ALL LEGAL HOLIDAYS EVENINGS children should be with an adult.

Our next FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY meeting will take place at the Main Library on MONDAY JUNE 17 at 7 P.M. Please join us!

2 .

An “Herbal Information Presentation” will be held at the Main Library on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 pm. Herbalist Susan Kemp believes that the medicinal qualities of herbs greatly benefit the human body and by sharing her information will teach people how to be healthier, feelbetter, and live longer.

PROGRAMS

In June, Joanna Boyd, Prevention Coordinator from the New Jersey Head Injury Association, will present seminars at the three branches. She will discuss the Headsmart Program which is aimed at preventing brain injuries, the #1 killer of young people. On Monday, June 3, at 7 pm she will be at the Main Library, on June 10, 7 pm at North Edison Branch and on June 17, 7 pm at Clara Barton Branch.

“Estate Planning for Families with Disabled Dependents” will be presented at the North Edison Branch Library on Tuesday, June 25 at 7 pm. Topics to be discussed include the legal, social, and financial aspects of providing a secure future for disabled loved ones. Liz Michaelian from Allmerica Financial in Edison^will be the speaker.

To register for these free programs please call the library hosting the program. The phone number for the Main Library is 287-2298 or TTY 777-7813. For North Edison call 548- 3045 and for Clara Barton call 738-0096.

An assistive listening device can be made available to Hard of Hearing attendees. Please call ahead to request this service.

To celebrate Mother’s Day in May, Edison resident June Herka will display her collection of “Mother and Child” dolls in the Main Library’s display case.

In honor of the late Leo Meyer, the Main Library will display Mr. Meyer’s memorabilia of the Battleship New Jersey which is celebrating its 53rd anniversary on May 23.

Also in the month of May and through mid-June, the North Edison Library will proudly present a display created by the Battleship New Jersey Historical Museum Society (Walter Olkowski - past president). Replicas, memorabilia and books will be presented in honor of this famous battleship. A few of the models being displayed were made by Greg Mikel, an eighth grader at St. Helena’s. These were made to conform to the World War II configuration. The Battleship New Jersey, the only battleship ever to have served in three wars (World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars), has become the most decorated warship in the annals of the United States Navy. She will be permanantly harbored at Liberty State Park within the next three to four years. She will be harbored in Bayonne in approximately one to two years. Fleet week will take place in the New York Harbor in May.

DISPLAYS

At the Main Library in June the Edison Garden Club will display books, posters, and other materials on gardening.

HERBS3 .

Anyone who’s ever been jolted to life by coffee knows that plants can be powerful medicine. More and more evidence suggests that certain foods and household staples can relieve common health problems. Also known as botanical medicine, herbal remedies work in the same way that conventional drugs do-that is, by their chemical makeup. Different

herbs contain different compounds that can strengthen the immune system and improve the blood chemistry.

Herbal remedies are still used extensively in many countries, particularly in Asia. Though herbal remedies were more common in this country several generations ago, they lost popularity as the pharmaceutical industry began creating synthetic medicines. But now many physicians, concerned about the overuse of antibiotics and the trend toward treatment overkill for even minor ailments, are using these simple remedies.

Encouraged by widespread interest and greatly relaxed federal laws, sales of natural herbal remedies are growing by an estimated 15 per cent a year, and now total in the millions. But before you try an herbal cure, be careful. These products don’t have to be tested for safety or effectiveness as as other durgs do. So it’s hard to know just what’s in the supplements you take, and whether they might help or hurt you.

Consumer Reports put out a lengthy 7 page artic'e naming some drugs that can be harmful when misused, and others requiring special caution. Shrewd marketers promote herbal extracts as the key to lower weight, higher energy and higher spirits. But there are recommendations to follow before buying, especially for pregnant and nursing women. Be alert to the books and magazines in the library that will help keep you informed.

Herbal Roulette. Consumer Reports. Nov. 1995, pp. 698-705.Shaudys, Phyllis. The Pleasure of Herbs. Story Communications, Inc. Pownal, VT., 1986. Ody, Penelope. The Complete Medicinal. London, Dorling Kindersley, 1992

Martha Gartner - Reference Librarian

FACTS FROM ANDREA

Did you know that chive spray will keep bugs off your roses? Whirl lots of chives with water to cover in a blender; let sit overnight; strain through a cheesecloth and add 3 times as much water as you have blend. Spray 3 times in one day, then again after heavy rains. Store excess in the refrigerator. This information is from “The Pleasure of Herbs” by Phyllis Shaudys.

Andrea Searls - Reference Librarian

I want to take this time to thank the children's librarians and the staff o f the Edison Library for all their encouragement, support, and assistance during the past three years while I was working as a children's librarian. 1 have enjoyed providing library services to the children and their parents in the junior rooms at the Main and the North Edison Libraries. 1 will miss you all!

As I begin to take on my new position as Supervising Librarian on the Bookmobile, I look forward to working very closely with my new staff in order to continue to provide the most up-to-date library services to our patrons. ! hope to get to know all our library patrons who frequent the Bookmobile. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at the Bookmobile Office (287-2351 ext. 4) at the Main Library and ask for Sharon Giniger.

Sharon Giniger Bookmobile Librarian

Summer Reading Suggestions

Traveling this summer? Perhaps some of our new books might inspire some of you to discover new places or rediscover old ones. Five new books in our collection which jus t might do the trick are:

796.109 LAULauner, Captain David A Cruising Guide to New Jersey Waters. 1995

977.311 MILMiller, Donald L. City of the Century: the Epic of of America. 1996.

945.31 PEMPemble, John Venice Rediscovered. I995.

933 SHAShanks, Hershel. Jerusalem: an Archaeological Biography. I995.

974.1 TAUTauranac, John. The Empire State Building: The Making of a Landmark. 1995.

READ MORE ABOUT BICYCLES AND BICYCLE SAFETYAT THE LIBRARY

By Sharon Giniger - Children's Librarian

National Bike Month is celebrated during the month o f May. This year marks the fortieth annual celebration o f bicycling for recreation and transportation. All Edison residents are invited to attend the HeadSmart Bicycle Safety Program on Family Day, Saturday, May 18th. The purpose o f this program is to educate and to promote the prevention o f head injury. The Bicycle Safety Program, conducted by the Edison Police Department, will include bicycle registration and a bicycle safety demonstration. A limited number o f complimentary tee shirts promoting bicycle safety will be available. According to the New Jersey Head Injury Association, Inc., 40% o f all bicycle deaths involve children 14 and under. Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk o f head injury by 85% and the risk o f brain injury by almost 90%.

Since many children start to ride their bicycles in the spring, this is an excellent time to visit the Edison Library to read about bicycles and bicycle safety. By reading the many children's books that are available in the junior room, children and adults can learn more about how to choose and purchase an appropriate bicycle, bicycle safety, bicycle care and the history o f the bicycle. The following suggested list will assist you in the selection o f juvenile books on this subject:

Better Bicycling for Bovs and Girls by George Sullivan J796.6 SULA guide to successful cycling, including tips on choosing the right bicycle, buying accessory

equipment, cycling safety, bicycle maintenance, touring and racing.

Bicycles are Fun to Ride by Dorothy Chlad JEREAD796.6 CHLA young boy tells how he enjoys riding his bicycle while remembering important safety rules.

Bicycling Basics by Tim and Glenda Wilhelm J796.6 WALDiscusses the history o f the bicycle and describes the modem bicycle and its parts. Includes

advice on buying a bicycle, learning to ride correctly and safely, touring and bicycle racing.

Things to Know Before Buying a Bike by Joanne Fink J629.2 FINProvides information on the types o f bicycles and their uses, how to choose and purchase an

appropriate bicycle, how to care for it, and safety rules. Also describes clubs, races, tours, and other activities for bicyclists.

Two Hundred Years o f Bicycles by Jim Murphy J629.227 MURTraces the history o f bicycles from the French "celerifere" o f 1791, through the

nineteenth-century velocipede, hobby horse, boneshaker, and high-wheeler, to the modem racing bicycle.

Wheels! The Kids Bike Book by Megan Stine J796.6 STIDiscusses choosing a bicycle, equipment, accessories, instructions for riding and customizing.

- 6 -

Another Mother’s Day is here, Bringing joy and pleasures new. On this special day, Mother dear, I want to remember you.

A Scrapbook for Dad

I open a page in my faded scrapbook,And there tucked away in a special nookIs a problem you worked with patience and care;I remember the night I placed it there.

I cannot give you costly gifts, And I’ve told you this before,No matter what I give to you,You give back much, much more.

I see in my scrapbook a ribbon of blue,A faded corsage with a message from you. You sent it with love for my graduation;I wore it with pride and much admiration

I’m giving you a pure, sweet rose, Gathered in the early morn;This rose you planted in my heart The day that I was born.

In kindly, loving thoughts of you, And with the faith you still impart, The rose I give to you today Is the love that’s in my heart.

Cleo M. Shoffstall

And here in the back is a menu so fine;You remembered my birthday and took me to dine You gave me so much to make my heart glad!

Township of Edison

FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY340 PLAINFIELD AVENUE

EDISON, NEW JERSEY 08817