Welcoming Congressman Andy Kim

Left to Right: Library Training Officer Deborah Blackwell, Library Director Susan Quinn, Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari, Congressman Andy Kim, Library Commission Chair Ruthanne Scaturro, Assistant Library Director Sara Siegler, Chief Librarian & Toms River Branch Manager Rachel LaVoie-Dohn.

The mosaic in the background is located in the Children’s Area of the Toms River Branch. Located on the wall of the Discovery Room, the mosaic features the Barnegat Bay Estuary. It was made possible through a partnership with The Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program, Discovery Place, and Ocean County Library.

Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari welcomes Congressman Andy Kim to the Ocean County Library’s Toms River Branch.

From left to right: Library Commission Chair Ruthanne Scaturro, Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari, Congressman Andy Kim, Library Director Susan Quinn.

Library Director Susan Quinn welcomes Congressman Andy Kim to the Ocean County Library’s Toms River Branch.

From left to right: Congressman Andy Kim, Library Training Officer Deborah Blackwell, Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari, Library Director Susan Quinn.

Library Commission Chair Ruthanne Scaturro discusses Ocean County Library operations during the COVID-19 pandemic with Congressman Andy Kim.

Congressman Andy Kim is greeted by Library Assistant, Jean Goodyear, at the Ocean County Library’s Toms River Branch.

Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari highlights the Toms River Branch’s new featured series of QR code installments. QR codes are a touchless technology that can be scanned like a barcode using a smartphone, quickly connecting customers to a dedicated website about a topic. To better serve our customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, QR codes prominently accompany Ocean County Library art installations, exhibits, services, and more.

Ocean County Library Commission Chair Ruthanne Scaturro demonstrates the library’s QR Code for Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari.

Assistant Library Director Sara Siegler demonstrates to Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari and Library Commission Chair Ruthanne Scaturro the Library’s mobile databases and apps.

Assistant Library Director Sara Siegler shows the Library’s Self-Check Kiosks to Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari.

Assistant Library Director Sara Siegler and Assistant Technology Manager Tim Mailley introduce Congressman Andy Kim to the Library’s Hotspot and Chromebook Lending Pilot Project.

The COVID-19 pandemic unearthed an issue that many in our community face, a lack of reliable access to the internet. Known as the Digital Divide, this lack of access to the internet affects over 11% of households in Ocean County, according the 2019 American Community Survey. The Ocean County Library aims to narrow the Digital Divide by providing internet hotspots and Chromebooks for customers to checkout for a loan period of 28 days. This project is sponsored by the Ocean County Library and through a generous donation by the Ocean County Library Foundation. Launch of the Pilot Project is anticipated in the Spring of 2021.

Left to Right: Congressman Andy Kim, Assistant Technology Manager Tim Mailley, Assistant Library Director Sara Siegler.

Congressman Andy Kim reads the brochure about Toms River High School North Alumni and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Maria Ressa, from the Women’s History Month Display.

Maria Ressa, co-founder and CEO of the investigative news site, Rappler, was nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for her work as a journalist.

Congressman Andy Kim explores the library’s book display for Women’s History Month.

Assistant Library Director Sara Siegler shares information about the Joseph H. Vicari Sensory Space.

Left to Right: Assistant Library Director Sara Siegler, Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari, Congressman Andy Kim.

Left to Right: Assistant Library Director Sara Siegler, Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari, Senior Advisor Lynette Whiteman, Congressman Andy Kim.

Visiting our Maker Space, Sparks’s Lab.

Sparks's Lab at the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch is a public makerspace that provides a hands-on creative environment where you can transform your ideas into reality. To find out more about Sparks’s Lab, including a list of equipment, click here.

Left to Right: Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari, Chief Librarian & Toms River Branch Manager Rachel LaVoie-Dohn, Congressman Andy Kim.

Sparks’s Lab staff librarian, Allison Ryan, shows Congressman Andy Kim the Cricut Maker.

The Cricut Maker cutting machine quickly and accurately cuts hundreds of materials, from the most delicate paper and fabric to thick mat board, leather, and balsa wood. It makes professional-level cutting power accessible to everyone.

Congressman Andy Kim checking out the items created by the 3D printer in Sparks’s Lab.

The LulzBot is a 3D printer that creates a three dimensional solid object from a digital design. Multiple cross sections of the CAD (computer-aided design) drawings are printed layer by layer until the object is created.

Congressman Andy Kim learning about Take & Makes. Take & Make crafts have been a great way for staff to continue providing craft programs to the public during the pandemic.

Take & Makes contain instructions and all the materials needed to create a specific craft all in one bag. Patrons of all ages can pick up Take & Makes from their favorite Ocean County Library location to make at home. For a list of available Take & Makes, click here.

Chief Librarian & Toms River Branch Manager Rachel LaVoie-Dohn, Congressman Andy Kim and Senior Advisor Lynette Whiteman looking at the Take & Makes available for children at the Toms River Branch.

Left to Right: Library Director Susan Quinn, Congressman Andy Kim, Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari, Senior Advisor Lynette Whiteman, Toms River Assistant Branch Manager Gigi Hayes.

Left to Right: Library Commission Chair Ruthanne Scaturro, Library Director Susan Quinn, Congressman Andy Kim, Ocean County Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari, Senior Advisor Lynette Whiteman, Toms River Assistant Branch Manager Gigi Hayes, Chief Librarian & Toms River Branch Manager Rachel LaVoie-Dohn.