The Alternative Press

PATERSON, NJ – About four months ago, the Paterson Free Public Library received its second shipment of laptops, part of a state grant that has provided 60 computers for the city’s library system.

But so far, 30 of the computers have not been put to regular use yet, officials said.

There are two reasons for that, according to officials. Ten of the computers have been assigned to the 1^st Ward library branch, which has been shut down because of damage from last summer’s historic flooding.  Another 20 laptops were assigned to the main branch on Broadway, but they have not been made available to the public on a regular basis because the library board has not yet approved policies on how their use will be monitored.

Library Director Cynthia Czesak said she hoped the policies would be approved at the board’s meeting later this month, which would make the laptops available to the public by March.

“We’re very excited about having them,’’ said Czesak. The city library system already has 30 of the laptops provided through the grant in use – 20 at the teen center at the main branch and 10 at the South Paterson branch, she said.

The other 20 at the main branch have been used during certain sessions run by community groups, including income tax filing assistance program run by St. Paul’s.

Meanwhile, Czesak said officials are looking for solutions to the 1^st Ward library problem. She said library officials have contacted the housing authority and public works departments about using some of their space in the 1^st ward for a temporary branch. Another possibility would be using the city’s bookmobile in the 1^st Ward, she said.