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C A s A s H A W s e e k s A d v o C A t e s
Every year there are more than 100,000 reports of child
abuse or neglect in NJ and more than 10,000 children are
removed from their homes because the Court has found
it to be too dangerous for them to remain in their homes.
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Somerset, Hunterdon
and Warren Counties (CASA SHaW) recruit, screen, train
and supervise community volunteers to act as advocates in
court for children living in foster care. CASA volunteers are
appointed by a family court judge to discover the best possible
outcome for an abused or neglected child's future as well as
make recommendations that support the child's current needs.
Volunteers receive support and supervision from a trained
social worker throughout the duration of their cases. To find
out more, visit: www.casashaw.org, call 908.689.5515,
or email: info@casashaw.org.
H u n t e r d o n C o u n t y l i B r A r y r e o P e n s !
The Hunterdon County Main and North County Branch Libraries have reopened
with a modified schedule and services for patrons, as directed by the state's administrative order.
The modified library hours are currently from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Mondays, 9:00 am
to 7:00 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
on Fridays and Saturdays.
"We have heard great demand from the public for the library to re-open," said Hunterdon
Freeholder Board member Zach T. Rich, liaison to the Library Commission. "and while the library
has provided non-contact materials pickup over the past few weeks, it remains an important
community resource and the opening of its doors, even with limitations, is most welcome."
The library will be limited to 25 percent of capacity, have extra cleaning rotations,
and plexiglass barriers. Face coverings are also required for all staff and library users, as well as
appropriate social distancing per the state's administrative order.
"It is important to all of us at Hunterdon County Library that we re-open in a way that
maintains a safe and healthy environment for our staff and our library users," said James
Keehbler, Hunterdon County Library Director. "We appreciate your patience, and we look forward
to this next phase in our plan to resume full services at the library."
Return items must be returned to the outdoor book drops and will remain in quarantine for
96 hours. Meeting rooms are not available in the current phase and donations of magazines and
newspapers are still prohibited. Computer usage is by reservation only and limited to one hour
per day, per person.
"The library is a place where books and movies are rented, where children will be able to
stay engaged and entertained and where computer access is available for individuals without
internet at home," Rich said. "We are grateful to the library staff for their hard work and
organization which have allowed services to continue during the shutdown and to now resume,
giving back some normalcy to county residents."
For more information, call the library at: 908.788.1434 or email: reference@hclibrary.us
or watch a video about curbside pickup at: www.facebook.com/HunterdonCountyLibrary/
videos/1164753173902301.
For additional information about the summer reading club, the fines and fee policy or
virtual access, visit the library's website at www.HCLibrary.us.
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely
and more temperate.
Rough winds do shake the
darling buds of May,
and summer's lease hath
all too short a date."
~ William Shakespeare
