This past year was another banner year for the Temple Library. Over 170 books, music CDs and videos were donated or purchased. Our focus this past year has been on DVDs for children and adults. To date, 680 items have been cataloged into our online database. These entries are predominately the children’s books, but work has begun on cataloging the adult books. You can search the database at www.templeshalomnj.org/education/library.

There is a mini-exhibit in the Library this summer. “Play Ball!” highlights the famous and not-so-famous Jewish baseball players over the last century. Check it out!

The Temple Library’s purpose is to serve the educational, informational, and enjoyment needs of the synagogue and its members by providing printed materials (books and magazines) and audiovisual materials (CDs, DVDs, and VHS).  The Library supports the Education Department by providing story time and book circulation during Sunday School classes.  We would like to be a support for the weekday HebrewSchooland Adult Learning programs and welcome ideas for collaboration. 

Our Online Catalog

We are currently cataloging every item into an online database. To review these items, visit LibraryWorld.net.  When searching, try the Keyword search, as it casts the widest net.  You can truncate a search word by placing an asterisk after the first common letters.  Remember that there may be different ways of spelling Hebrew words, so don’t give up without trying several variations.  Please note that we have many more books than are in the database, but all will be entered eventually. If there is an item you are interested in, but cannot find it in the catalog, please let us know, and we may be able to get it.

[There are still a few glitches in LibraryWorld’s new system, so if you have any questions or something looks odd, do not hesitate to let me know.  For example, call number searches show no copies in, which are not necessarily true.]

Sunday School and the Library

The K-3 children can check out one item for a two-week period.  If the item is not returned, they may not take out another until it is. 

If there is a book, DVD, or CD that you would like to have in our library, please tell me.  The Library has funding, and I am happy to spend it on worthy items. 

Special Collections

The Library has a section of teaching materials that can support synagogue educators, but are also good for parents who wish to further support their child’s Jewish life.

The Library is the repository for the Caring Committee’s Humor Heals Collection, created to cheer those sick at home or in the hospital.

Questions? Contact library coordinator Carla Zimmerman.