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Roving Library Provides Social Forum

BOOKS, SOCIABILITY AND AN EAGER EAR. That's what awaits visitors to the Cape May County Bookmobile. Pictured with the bookmobile is bookmobile operator Robert Giddis.

By Kathleen Cox

Schaeffer

Robert Giddis is the Charles Kuralt of Cape day County Library. Giddis. 29. operator of he library’s bookmobile irends hi$ way down the jyways of Cape May bounty on an oddyssey that tas taught him much about luman nature. An affable, articulate nan. Giddis sees his role as wokmobile operator en:ompassing far more than merely checking out books and straightening shelves. He is “by my own account. a rare bird in this

county."

The thousands of patrons that troop into the reconverted bread truck donated in 1974 by the Cape May County Rotary club met not be a stoic card stamper but a “philosopher In residence" of sorts. Giddis who says he has "always had a lot of sympatico" for his fellow human beings said he eagerly acts as a sounding

board to his patrons and has learned alot about the a therapeutic position at times, especially in the winter." Giddis said. "People like to have a place to sound off. There’s no such place as the old American barbershop anymore," he said. One elderly patron has even convinced Giddis to change his politics on an issue, he said. "I have gained a real sense of American history from these people," Giddis siad. Patrons, many older residents, relate tales of their experiences, breathing life into that which has been written in many of the books surrounding Giddis. The bookmobile is a vital outreach community program that has successfully encouraged a higher degree of literacy, Giddis said. The bookmobile makes

people of Cape as a result. “I have been in

stops at eight different locations sparinlrig the county from Cape May Point to Tuckahoe. The vehicle contains a base collection of 2.000 volumes which fluctuates up to 3.000 volumes in the summer. Giddis said. In additui, the book mobile proves a swap shelf allowinApatrons to trade paperback books, a reference and request service and large print editions. Giddis will arrange for books not found in the bookmobile but available in the main library at Court House to be specially ordered. “The patrons really make the bookmobile." Giddis said. “They make their dem a nds known. ’ ’ Personal contact, Giddis says is the essential factor that gives the bookmobile its unique character. The gas shortage instead of being the anathema it is to the rest of us. has escalated his business, if anything. Giddis said.

Tom Leonard, director voiced

library \ firm

committment to the bookmobile’s continued operation during the energy crisis. "We’ll keep it on the road until we have to push it. Leonard said. The library is pleased with the bookmobile's success, he added "We're happy with the bookmobile It extends library service to areas that don’t have direct access to a branch." In addition to the main library in Court House branches are maintained in Avalon. Stone Harbor and Sea Isle. A southern library 'branch could be established if public demand warrants it, Giddis said. But, the public would have to request one, he adddd. The librwies other extension services include maintaining libraries at area nursing homes, senior citizen centers, the Coast Guard section and jails. The bookmobile circulates an average of 1,000 books ]per month. Giddis said. Circulation is down this summer "because people just aren't here." Giddis said. June through August are boom times for the book-

mobile. North Cape MayVillas. and Marmora are the areas of highest circulation. Giddis said. Year-round retirees comprise the solid core of patrons for the bookmobile, checking out two to three books each week, without fail. Giddis said. The most popular books checked out are non-fiction and local history. Giddis said. Periods of economic stress are boom periods for libraries," Giddis said. During times of economic or ’ social depression a dramatic rise in popularity of economic, how-to and spiritual books is seen, he added. "People are saying, ‘how can I make my life better?’" Giddis explained. There is also a national trend toward selfawareness evidenced in the popularity of spiritual, religious, philosophical and psychological books. Giddis said. The most popular fiction nationally currently is spy thrillers. Westerns, spy stories. Gothic romances and sea stories are the most popular fiction on the bookmobile. Giddis said. v "The books that are the most popular are the ones that are most believable."

he said. World War II non-fiction books are still very popular. Giddis said “The war still weighs heavily on people^ s minds." The library i^trying to entourage children to read more through a summer "Catch the Jersey Dcvh" reading dub. The impact of television on juvenile reading has been tremendous. Giddis said. The library, therefore stocks many books inspired by shows such as Star Wars. Sesame Street and Walt Disney. Giddis and Leonard both contend that people dfe still reading, despite media reports to the contrary. And. the longterm outlook for the county library. Giddis deems "positive" because he says. Cape M^ay County is in a growth area To Giddis. his roving library is much more than just a place to borrow books And. jiis job is mush more than "driver-clerk-intermediary. ” Giddis likes his job. he likes the people he serves "It’s not a high ressured job. It leaves me room, so that my head is clear when I go home at night. I've really learned alot in this job.- he said.

Bookmobile Route

MONDAY - Villas 10 - noon - Adjacent to the Villas Liquor .Store N. Cape May-1-3 p.m - N. Cape May Shopping Center TUESDAY - S. Seaville - 10 a.m. -noon - Adjacent to the Masonic Hall and Seaville Market. 1-3:30 P.M. - Adjacent to the Middle Township Elementary WEDNESDAY - Dennisville - 10-noon - Adjacent to Dennis Township Town Hall. > Woodbine — 1-3:30 p.m - Adjacent to Old Borough

Hall.

THURSDAY - Belleplain-lOa.m. noon - Belleplain Fire Hall Tuckahoe - Adjacent td Upper Township Townhall.

Tuckahoe.

FRIDAY - Cape May Point - 10 a m - noon - Opposite Cape May Pomi

Post Office^

Cape May Group Forms To Fight Energy Crisis

By Kathleen Cox Schaeffer CAPE MAY - A newly formed organization of Cape May motel and business owners met to plot their strategy for an all out frontal assault on the energy crisis. The "New Energy for Cape May" group germinated last week after a meeting of the Cape May Chamber of Commerce and Motel-Hotel Association in an attempt to offset what appears to be a crippling of the tourism business because of the current gas shortage.

The group is developing an advertisement campaign, free inter-city bus service, daily gas availability bulletin and a free room if no gas is available offer (providing the guest has a tht%e-night reservation beginning Friday) in an attempt to lure back tourists to the city. In addition, the group has sent 200 mailgrams to regional papers, voiced complaints to tfrea and state legislators and urged the community to get involved in relaying the

message “that there is gas

in Cape May."

"If this situation is sustained for a duration we will become vulnerable to bankruptcy and turmoil will develop up and down the line," motel owner Gus Andy, group leader, said. "Our basic premise is not to sell ourselves short and

to provide the security the tourist needs," Andy said. The group is determined to inform tourists that Cape May is a park-and-walk city and to inspire their confidence by assuring tourists of the availability

of gas in the city. The energy group has polled all city gas stations and is publishing a daily bulletin posted in motel lobbies, restaurants and shops advising tourists of the location, time and limits on gas supplies at local gas stations. The Rev. Carl Mclntire has agreed to let the city use his double decker bus to shuttle tourists from the jetty to Pittsburgh Ave. to the liObster House and the city government has offered full support. Future plans call for

advertisements in Pennsylvania area newspapers, television spots and a possible "write-in" to state legislators. In addition, the group urges local residents to buy their gas during the week to shorten weekend lines for tourists. Business and motel reservations in Cape May are doing 50-60 percent, group members said. A flood of motel reservation cancellations was reported this weekend. "This is a manmade disparity, but it can be

catastrophic." Andy said. Some group members said they foresee massive employee * layoffs if business does not improve significantly. The group said they have been encouraged by the support and involvement of the Cape May community. "Cape May is not a gimmicky town." said one group member. "We offer the same level of quality and service we always have. " The New Energy Group met with tremendous Continued on Pg. 12

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