Star Wars related items in the Somerset County Library System have been checked out over 58,000 times.
With a new Star Wars spinoff, Rogue One, coming to theaters in December, and the first of a new trilogy having set box office records last year, this franchise continues to have worldwide popularity. In New Jersey, one couple had a Star Wars-themed wedding this month.
In New Jersey, the Somerset County Library System says Star Wars-related books, graphic novels, video games, music CDs and the films themselves have been checked out 58,400 times, according to information provided by the system's Collection Development Team.
Jesse Kremer (left) sells soda to Ethan Sanchez, both of Dubuque, Iowa, dressed as a Storm Trooper, before the early showing of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' at Mindframe Theaters in Dubuque, Iowa, on Dec. 17, 2015. (Nicki Kohl/Telegraph Herald via AP) The library system has almost 200 copies of the seven Star Wars movies on DVD and BluRay that have been checked out almost 7,500 times. Here are the top 10 titles that have been checked out, including the spinoff Clone Wars cartoon series and multi-film sets.
- Star Wars VI - Return of the Jedi - 728
- Star Wars Trilogy: Episodes IV, V and VI - 680
- Star Wars V - The Empire Strikes Back - 507
- Star Wars IV - A New Hope - 490
- Star Wars I - The Phantom Menace - 434
- Star Wars II - Attack of the Clones - 426
- Star Wars III - Revenge of the Sith - 379
- Clone Wars: The Complete First Season - 369
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Darth Maul Returns - 251
- Star Wars VII - The Force Awakens - 203 times (released in April)
"Star Wars Episode VII set all kinds of records, from 'Biggest Single Days at Domestic Box Office' to 'Fastest Movies to Earn $900 million at Domestic Box Office'," said Morris Balacco, collection development librarian at the library system. "We knew that as soon as the movie was released on DVD and BluRay, we would need to order an ample supply to make the movie available to our patrons. We now have 50 copies ready for checkout at our libraries."
Stars Wars fans of all ages came out today to the 'Science, Sabers & Star Wars: The Force Awakens' interactive event at the Liberty Science Center. (Nancy Benecki | The Jersey Journal)The library system's 10 branches have more than 1,500 Star Wars-themed books and graphic novels that have been checked out almost 47,000 times. All of the titles that made the top 10 of checkouts were books for children and young adults.
- Early Reader - Star Wars: The Story of Darth Vader by Catherine Saunders - 585
- Early Reader - Watch out for Jabba the Hutt! by Simon Beecroft - 512
- Early Reader - Stand Aside -- Bounty Hunters! by Simon Beecroft - 432
- Juvenile Fiction - Darth Paper Strikes Back: An Origami Yoda Book by Tom Angleberger - 411
- Early Reader - Jedi in Training by Heather Scott - 411
- Juvenile Graphic Novel - Star Wars, Episode 1, The Phantom Menace adapted by Henry Gilroy - 390
- Early Reader - Lego Star Wars: The Padawan Menace adapted by Ace Landers - 387
- Early Reader - Star Wars: A Queen's Diary by Simon Beecroft - 351
- Early Reader - Star Wars: R2-D2 and Friends by Simon Beecroft - 343
- Early Reader - Star Wars: Join the Rebels by Catherine Saunders - 339
"I am so excited to bring Star Wars to all of our libraries," said Katie Bojanek, a youth services librarian at the Warren Township Library branch. "I knew that when the movie came out, we had to celebrate big. This franchise has meant so much to people of all ages and I'm so happy to have a huge celebration all across our Library System."
Smooth-On Inc., a rubber, plastic and foam and coatings manufacturer, maintains a 370,000-square-foot facility in Lower Macungie Township in Pennsylvania. The 30-acre campus includes production facilities, warehouse space, lab and training space, office areas and even a retail store. (Sue Beyer | For lehighvalleylive.com)The library system's 40 copies of Star Wars video games have been checked out almost 2,400 times. The most popular is Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, which has circulated 736 times.
In addition, over 30 copies of various Star Wars CDs that have been checked out almost 1,500 times. Here are the top 10 music CDs:
- Star Wars Trilogy: The Original Soundtrack Anthology (music composed and conducted by John Williams) - 201
- Star Wars, Episode 1, The Phantom Menace: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (music composed and conducted by John Williams) - 151
- Star Wars, Episode III, Revenge of the Sith: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (music composed and conducted by John Williams) - 128
- Star Wars, Episode II, Attack of the Clones: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (music composed and conducted by John Williams) - 127
- Star Wars. Selections/The Music of Star Wars (John Williams) - 126
- Star Wars, The Clone Wars: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (music composed and conducted by Kevin Kiner; original Star Wars themes and score by John Williams) - 84
- Star Wars: A New Hope (music composed and conducted by John Williams) - 81
- Star Wars (Wilco) - 31
- Star Wars, The Force Awakens: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (music by John Williams) - 28
- Star Wars. Selections/Star wars: The Original Soundtrack from the 20th Century-Fox Film (composed and conducted by John Williams) - 27
This photo provided by Disney/Lucasfilm shows a scene from the new film, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens.' (Film Frame/Disney/Lucasfilm via AP)During June and July, children can visit any Somerset County library branch for Star Wars Trivia; answer all the questions right to receive a prize. Also happening this June and July, nine of the library branches will be hosting special Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens programs.
Here is a list of the upcoming Somerset County Library System Episode VII - The Force Awakens programs:
- June 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. - Somerville Library branch, 35 W. End Ave. - Teens and adults are invited for a Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens viewing. No registration required.
- June 24, 2-4 p.m. - North Plainfield Memorial Library branch, 6 Rockview Ave. - Ages 10 and over are invited for a Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens viewing. Snacks and drinks will be available. No registration required.
- June 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Warren Township Library branch, 42 Mountain Blvd. - All ages are invited for drop-in Star Wars crafts and games, as a well as a visit from the storm troopers for the 501st Legion.
- June 25, 1-4 p.m. - Warren Township Library branch, 42 Mountain Blvd. - Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens viewing. Registration is required for the movie viewing.
- June 28, 1:30-4 p.m. - Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch, 64 Washington St., Rocky Hill - Grades 6-12 are invited for a Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens viewing, complete with pizza. Registration is required.
- June 29, 5:30-8 p.m. - Bound Brook Memorial Library branch, 402 E. High St. - Teens grades 6-12 are invited for a Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens viewing, complete with pizza. Registration is required.
- July 1, 2-4:30 p.m. - Peapack & Gladstone Library branch, Municipal Complex, School Street, Peapack - Teens are invited for a Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens viewing. Registration is required.
- July 18, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Hillsborough Library branch, 379 S. Branch Road - Star Wars Drop-In Craft for all ages. Available while supplies last. No registration required.
- July 18, 5-7:30 p.m. - Hillsborough Library branch, 379 S. Branch Road - Star Wars Party for teens entering grades 6-12: Pizza and crafts while watching Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens on the big screen. Registration is required.
- July 22, 2-4:30 p.m. - Manville Library branch, 100 S. 10th Ave. - Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens viewing. All ages welcome. Registration is required.
- July 25, 6-8:30 p.m. - Bridgewater Library branch, 1 Vogt Dr. - Tweens and teens grades 7-12 are invited for a Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens movie viewing and an ice cream sundae. Registration is required.