Press Release 7/2020

SOUTH AMBOY — This summer is all about Imagining Your Story at the Dowdell Library. One of the greatest gifts a book offers is the ability to transport the reader to far-off lands where magic and mystery are only a turn of the page away. Now more than ever, we need an excellent book that can take a lazy afternoon and turn it into an out-of-this-world adventure. The summer at The Dowdell Library may look a little different this year, but it is not slowing us down! Join us while we discover new lands and meet out-of-this-world characters. Each week we will explore a new theme, jam-packed with book recommendations, craft tutorials, and virtual activities for the entire family! 

What would summer at the Library be without a summer club? This summer, the Dowdell Library has gone virtual! Join our Virtual Summer Club by registering online at dowdelllibrary.readsquared.com. Patrons of all ages can register to earn points and badges to ultimately win a chance at a gift card by the end of the summer! Patrons can also register using their mobile devices by downloading the Readsquared app and selecting Dowdell Library. Points are earned through reading books and completing activities. Keep an eye out for special events, and secret codes that will also give you extra points!

Are your children missing their friends, or looking for a way to make new ones? If so, we may have a fun solution for you! The Dowdell Library has created a Pen Pal Program. We are pairing elementary students with teen volunteers to write letters (yes, handwritten letters) and mail them back and forth! If interested, visit our webpage dowdell.org and fill out a short questionnaire. All information provided will be confidential and shared only with the pen pal. Consent from parents is required. 

We would like to congratulate the winner of our Art Contest, Grant Meehan! Grant’s creative and colorful drawing can be viewed on our website Dowdell.org and in our summer newsletter. Congratulations Grant! 

The Dowdell Library is operating on a phased reopening plan. To find out the latest information regarding our plan please call us at 732-721-6060, email us at comments@dowdell.org or visit our website Dowdell.org. The temporary library hours are Monday- Friday from 12:30-4:30pm. 

To meet the needs of our community, the Dowdell Library offers a large variety of digital materials free to all our patrons through the summer. Visit our website, Dowdell.org to access the following websites. 

TumbleBook Library – Over 1100 titles for grades K-6, with animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, National Geographic videos, non-fiction books, playlists, and books in Spanish and French. Plus, the collection features Graphic Novels. 

Access available through August 31, 2020

eLibraryNJ – Borrow eBooks and digital audiobooks using eLibraryNJ a downloadable digital media collection provided by libraries in central New Jersey. 

Hoopla – is a web and mobile library media streaming platform for audiobooks, comics, e-books, movies, music, and TV. Hoopla allows library patrons to download or stream media content. 

E-Comics – In collaboration with the New Jersey State Library, more than 4,000 comics, graphic novels, and children’s materials are now available online. 

RB Digital– RB Digital offers access to thousands of magazine titles. These digital magazines can be viewed on your computer, or downloaded and used via the RBDigital app on mobile devices. 

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! We will be sharing the most up-to-date information surrounding our opening process and all of the fun summer activities! You might even see a few familiar faces! 

The last few months have been challenging. And while things are far from normal, the Dowdell Library is excited to begin our reopening process and serve our community again! We hope everyone is well, and we look forward to seeing you all soon!

Curious what else is going on at your local library? (We can never fit everything here!) Visit our website to sign up for our newsletter and view adult and children’s activity calendars, which are updated on a monthly basis. 

Comments, queries, compliments? Please visit www.dowdell.org, or contact the Library at 732-721-6060 or comments@dowdell.org. The library is located off John O’Leary Blvd, adjacent to South Amboy Middle High School. Temporary summer hours are Monday – Friday from 12:30- 4:30pm.