The Barnegat branch won the 2008 One Book New Jersey program contest for its play, Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock, based on Eric Kimmel’s book of the same name. The library was one of only three winners in the state. Local teen volunteers and businesses were recruited to stage the summer play for a large, mostly pre-school audience. Children’s librarian Lisa Taylor organized and submitted the program to the non-profit One Book New Jersey organization for judging.
Each year, the One Book New Jersey organization chooses four books – one each for preschoolers, children, teens and adults. Libraries throughout the state are encouraged to host programs promoting the books with the goal of creating a shared literary heritage amongst New Jerseyans. The Barnegat branch chose Kimmel’s multicultural folktale as a perfect book for a live action play.
Teen volunteers from the library’s S.A.I.L program (Service and Achievement in the Library) acted in the play. Local businesses, Genuardi’s and Le-Ed Concrete, donated props. The One Book New Jersey committee appreciated the library’s “outreach efforts in terms of volunteers and donations, and was impressed by the multitude of publicity and promotional materials.” The library received congratulations and twenty-five dollars that it will use to purchase promotional items for children and teens.
