WPSphere Repository (William Paterson University)

David and Lorraine Cheng Library

ChengChat with Kurt Wagner, Assistant Director, Library Information Systems 
 
 A wise man once said “every reader his/her book, every book its reader, save the 
time of the reader, and the library is a growing organism.”* These library principles have never 
been expressed so well. 
At the Cheng Library we spend a lot of time doing “librarian” things: teaching classes, 
improving our collections, assessing our programs, rolling out new databases and web pages, 
putting up signs, and telling people to take their food to the Friends Room. 
            But that’s not what we are really all about. It’s really all about you. 
            Sometimes we lose sight of this and have to remind ourselves that though we have our 
own understanding of what the library should be, we must always be aware of what you need it 
to be. All the things we do have you at their center. It’s all about you. 
            This column is not going to be all about the Cheng Library. It is going to be about you. If 
you want to know about us, we’re available:  call us, email us, chat with us online, or text us. 
Why not try our mobile app? 
We want you to talk to us. We must know about you:  the questions you have, the 
research you’re doing, and the resources you need to do your work. It’s all about you. 
            That bit above about “every reader his/her book, every book its reader” is meant to say 
it’s our job to be a matchmaker, to make sure you get set up with the things you need. These 
might include a book, an e-book, a video, a scholarly article, a website, or other information. 
The other part, “every book its reader,” is meant to say the reverse is also true, We strive 
to make sure all of our resources, physical and virtual, are matched to the users who needs them. 
Because it’s all about you. 
            Check out that last statement again: “the library is a growing organism.” We are all about 
change, growth, and development. Sure, we still fit the old image of a library – a big building full 
of books. But we know we can’t stand still, and we are as much interested in moving ahead as 
we are about preserving the past. 
What changes do we need to make? That’s where you come in. We need to hear from 
you. What’s the place of the library in this day and age? What do you need it to be? What are the 
best ways it can help you and your success? 
Maybe you don’t use the library right now. If the reason is because you don’t see yourself 
in what the library does, we’d like to help change that perception. Talk to us. 
            So that’s it. We’ll be here, a different librarian each time, writing about things here at the 
library. But although we’re talking to you in this column, the most important communication will 
be when you’re talking to us. We promise to listen. Because it’s all about you. 
 
 
 
*Ranganathan, S. R. (1963). The five laws of library science. Bombay, New York: Asia Pub. House. 


ChengChat

One page history of Hobart Manor

Description of early archival collection of Hobart papers

Transcript of taped interview with Larry Chalfin

Photocopy of a business card for an excavating company

Pier Kooistra business card

An eight page program for the May 5th, 2013 high tea at Hobart Manor. Contains a chronology of Hobart Manor, biography of historian Robert Cohen, and information about the Hobart Manor Revitalization Committee. Sponsored by the Hobart Manor Revitalization Committee

William Paterson University of New Jersey

High tea at Hobart Manor

B/W photograph of Hobart Manor north side through a copse of trees. Note on reverse: "Hobart Manor, north side"

Hobart Manor, north side, through trees

B/W photograph of Hobart Manor staircase shot from below

Hobart Manor staircase

William Paterson University research and scholarly publications compiled for the annual authors reception

Research and Scholarship Day

Hobart Manor fireplace. Note on back: "Fireplace". Date is approximate

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