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Livingston Behind the Scenes

A closer look at state-of-the-art library, a center of action in town.

By Kelly Feeney and John Marelli | Email the authors | January 22, 2010

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Bobby has been a longtime and loyal Livingston employee for over 20 years.

Credit John Marelli http://assets2.patch-assets.com/assets/photos/000/157/323/157323_collapsed.jpg?1263411540 600x400 400,400,100,0 0.147058823529412 88,88 4080x2720

Judy Kron is the director of this state-of-the art library. Currently she is introducing a new section on Hindu texts.

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Credit John Marelli http://assets0.patch-assets.com/assets/photos/000/157/325/157325_collapsed.jpg?1263411560 600x400 400,400,100,0 0.147058823529412 88,88 4080x2720

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Credit John Marelli http://assets2.patch-assets.com/assets/photos/000/157/327/157327_collapsed.jpg?1263411584 600x400 400,400,100,0 0.147058823529412 88,88 4080x2720

Amy, the assistant director, seems to be omnipresent as she glides from department to department.

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Every book is coded and only one space assigned to it. It's Jesse's job to make sure that the returned books are placed exactly where they belong.

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Magi Schept and Michael San Martin keep track of the incoming and outgoing borrowed books.

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Margi Schept, Michael SanMartin, and Lori Wetterer

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Credit John Marelli http://assets2.patch-assets.com/assets/photos/000/157/337/157337_collapsed.jpg?1263411694 600x400 400,400,100,0 0.147058823529412 88,88 4080x2720

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Credit John Marelli http://assets0.patch-assets.com/assets/photos/000/157/343/157343_collapsed.jpg?1263411766 600x400 400,400,100,0 0.147058823529412 88,88 4080x2720

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Help is always availble at the info desk

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Archana Chiplunkar oversees the reference department

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Charles Harrison, a West Orange resident, researches the value of his stamp collection.

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One teen tutors another in one of the private and quiet rooms in the reference section of the library

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A lawyer takes respite from her hectic office to prepare an argument.

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Joanna Crosby enjoys the quiet to prepare her case for tomorrow.

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Owen Ables, 5, is busy with a table toy while his sister, Phoebe 7, and his Mom Maria Ables read in the background.

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Adam Weiss reading to his daughter, Marielle, 6.

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Credit John Marelli http://assets1.patch-assets.com/assets/photos/000/157/371/157371_collapsed.jpg?1263412009 600x400 400,400,100,0 0.147058823529412 88,88 4080x2720

Credit John Marelli http://assets0.patch-assets.com/assets/photos/000/157/372/157372_collapsed.jpg?1263412024 600x400 400,400,100,0 0.147058823529412 88,88 4080x2720

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George Vasilopoloulos researching New Jersey law

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One of the many faces that can be found at the Information desk, Nohemy Verduga.

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It's Faye Guerriero's birthday and was she surprised by the reception!

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Michael, Thea and Margi kazoo a happy birthday to Faye.

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Faye joins the crowd of red-nosed kazooists.

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Your photos, videos & PDFs: Add

Livingston's Public Library is a hub of activity. On a daily basis, hundreds of patrons pass through the doors to borrow books, use the free Internet or go to a story hour, among many other activities.

The library "re-opened" in 2007 after an extensive $8.8 million expansion and remolding of the building, which the Alpha Club founded in 1911. The library is almost 60,000 square feet, with enough space for amenities such as a technology center, local history room, study rooms and even a quiet reading area by a fireplace, not to mention an on-site cafe with a coffee vending machine. The vast children's area is a wing onto itself. Natural light flows into all areas of the building through large windows.

Simply, Livingston's library is one of the best in the state.

Patch photographer John Marelli recently took a tour of the library to capture the building's beauty. He was aided by the library's helpful staff.

Here's a look...

This story is the first in a series of photo essays/pieces on "Livingston Behind the Scenes." Got any other ideas of places we should visit? Send them to me at kelly@patch.com. Thanks!