ABOUT US
About our County  About our Library System's History  About our Friends Groups  About our Librarians  Contact Information
Sussex County celebrates its 250th anniversary this year. The county is located at the top of northwestern New Jersey and is one of New Jersey’s most pristine rural areas. Sussex County covers 526 square miles with an economic emphasis on tourism and agriculture. The area was first settled by Europeans in the 1640's. The colonial legislature created Sussex County as a government entity on June 8, 1753. The Freeholders first met on November 20, 1753.
The Sussex County Library System works under the authority of the Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The Board is extremely supportive of the library and has helped greatly to maintain and expand its services, programs, and facilities. CLICK HERE for more information about Board of Freeholders, and Sussex County Government.
About our Library System's History
The Sussex County Library System consists of the Main Library, located in Frankford and five branches, located in Newton, Sussex, Franklin, Hopatcong and Vernon. CLICK HERE for more information about the System's History.
About our Friends Groups - CLICK HERE
About our Librarians
Stan Pollakoff - Chief County Library Director
B.A. in English from Brooklyn College
M.L.S. from Rutgers.
Prior to coming to Sussex County, I was the Library Director in Wanaque and Somerville. I have been the Library Director of the Sussex County Library System since December 2001.
Ellen Callanan - Chief Librarian, Branch Libraries
I was born in New York and grew up in New Jersey.
B.A. in Psychology from Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA.
M.L.S. from the University of Pittsburgh.
Library experience: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rockaway Township Library, Warner-Lambert Company, and Pfizer, Inc.. Since 2001, the Chief Librarian who oversees the five branches and Extension Services Dept. in the Sussex County Library System.
Debbie Molé - Chief Librarian, Main Library
B.A. in English from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City
M.L.S. from Rutgers.
I’ve lived in New Jersey all my life and I always wanted to be a librarian. I worked at the Dennis Library for 19 years and recently moved on to the Sussex County Main Library. For fun I like to gamble at casinos and shop.
Carol Crowley - Branch Librarian, Franklin Library, Franklin
B.A. in history from Caldwell College, Caldwell NJ
M.L.S. from Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
My special interests are genealogy and quilting.
Nancy Helmer - Branch Librarian, Sussex-Wantage Library, Sussex
Born in Syracuse, NY
B.A. in Political Science from Drew University, Madison NJ
M.L.S from State University of New York at Albany, School of Library and Information Science
Library experience: Canal Museum (Syracuse, NY), Binghamton Psychiatric Center Medical Library, Brooklyn Public Library.
Branch Librarian for the Sussex-Wantage Library since June 1985.
An avid reader of mysteries and all things Harry Potter, enjoys gardening and quilting.
Victoria Larson - Branch Librarian, E. Louise Childs Library, Hopatcong
I was born in Connecticut.
B.S. in Library Science from Southern Connecticut State College (now University)
M.L.S. in Library Science from Simmons College in Boston
Jacqueline Oregero - Branch Librarian, Dorothy Henry Library, Vernon
B.A. in English from Rutgers State University
M.L.S. from Florida State University
After previously working in a town library, I’ve found our county library system to be an interesting change.
Will Porter - Branch Librarian, Dennis Library, Newton
B.A. in English from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA
MLIS from the University of Texas at Austin
Born and raised in the Oregon high desert.
Previous library experience: After my first job as a librarian at the Queens Borough Public Library in New York City, I joined the reference staff of the Main Library here in Sussex County, then moved to the shore for a while and opened the Avalon Free Public Library, before returning to Newton and SCLS.
Tim Thacker - Head of Technical Services, Main Library
B.S. in Library Science from Southern Connecticut State College (now University) in New Haven, CT.
M.L.S. from the University of Pittsburgh
While pursuing a professional degree I interned at Western Psychiatric Institute Clinic Library (part of the University of Pittsburgh Library system). After earning an M.L.S. I worked as Head of Technical Services at the Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library in Clarksburg, WV. Since 1988 I've been Head of Technical Services in the Sussex County Library system.
I'm an avid music enthusiast.
Anna Marie Bateman - Reference Librarian, Main Library
B.A. from Douglass College
M.L.S. from Rutgers University
Library experience: Media Specialist at Lounsberry Hollow Middle School in Vernon, Head of Reference at Sparta Township Public Library and now in Reference Department at Main Library.
I've thoroughly enjoyed the diverse experiences of working in a school library, a municipal library and a county library system.
Elspeth Goodin - Reference Librarian, Main Library
B.A. in Education from Newark State College
M.A. in Humanities from Newark State College
6th Year Specialist in Library Administration from Rutgers University
Ph.D. in Library and Information Studies from Rutgers University
Debbie Jack - Reference Librarian, Main Library
I grew up on Long Island.
B.A. in Human Relations from St. Joseph’s College
M.L.S. in Library Science from Long Island University
I enjoy crafting and scrap booking. I am enjoying my work at the Sussex County Library System
Susan McCabe - Reference Librarian, Main Library
B.A. from Hartwick College
M.L.S. from Rutgers University
Heather Schaefer - Reference Librarian, Main Library
Reference Librarian
B.A.in Psychology from Douglass College
M.L.S. from Rutgers University
My first library job, as a circulation clerk, was with Boston Public Library while I was attending Berklee College of Music. After achieving my MLS, I worked as a collections manager for the AT&T Labs Information Research Center. I'm happy to be back in a public library and excited to be working with the Local History Collection.
Kim Grohs - Systems Librarian, Main Library
Born and raised in Florida
B.A. in English from Bates College, Lewiston, ME
M.L.S. from University of Illinois
Library Experience: Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory, Middlebury College, New College of Florida/USF
Greatly enjoys working with the Sussex County Library System's dedicated and enthusiastic staff, travel, reading, family, and crafts.
Contact Information
|
Newton, NJ 07860
Newton, NJ 
07860
Vernon, NJ