NJ Center for the Book and Monmouth County Library
present

Science is FUNdamental
a day of exciting and enlightening events
September 26, 2010,  from 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Rockets and robots shooting for the stars… 

Science is fundamental, and on Sunday, September 26, it’s free to the public at Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive in Manalapan, from noon to 5 p.m.

The New Jersey Center for the Book and Monmouth County Library invite the public to participate in a program featuring astronomy, physics and robotics that will launch a month-long focus on the excitement of science.

Former astronaut Bob Cenker will be the featured speaker during the Sunday, September 26, program.  Participants in the program also will include Mike Centrella, Phil Burkholder, Mike Lemonick, Fred Carl, Jim Raleigh and representatives of StarLab.

Exhibits and programs will be provided by the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, High Technology High School, Biotechnology High School and Health Sciences High School. The Boy Scout Council of Monmouth County will sponsor programs and badges in science.

The mission of the Science is FUNdamental program initiative is “to underscore the importance of science literacy in today’s environment,” according to Renee B. Swartz, who chairs both the NJ Center for the Book and the Monmouth County Library Commission. All programs are free and open to the public.

See what it's all about -- click to view the planning committee video

Beginning Sept. 26, the NJ Center for the Book together with the Monmouth County Library will host a series of science-themed programs for all ages at the Library Headquarters in Manalapan and various other county library branches.

The New Jersey Center for the Book urges all library supporters to continue to advocate on behalf of their libraries.  We understand that this is a challenging year for the State of New Jersey and we know that we must all share in taking budget cuts.  We do feel that the proposed 74% budget cut to the New Jersey State Library is not equitable, as the average department cut is 15%.

• The loss of the Library for the Blind and Handicapped, ending its services to the blind and physically handicapped.
• Access to the Internet will end at libraries.  Over 11 million people depend on libraries to apply and search for jobs, get personalized homework help and connect to family members deployed overseas.
• Access to special online resources for students, small businesses and entrepreneurs will end.
• Per Capita State Aid will be cut in half, which could result in shorter hours, fewer staff and decreased resources at your local library.
• The sharing of resources in New Jersey libraries will end.  Interlibrary loan and delivery has saved New Jersey communities $75 million annually.