"Weird Al" Yankovic releases video for local library

TOMS RIVER – Celebrity parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic has thrown his serious support behind the Ocean County Library.

Yankovic, whose four-decade career spans hit parody songs like "Eat It" and "Amish Paradise" — released a 24-second video congratulating the Ocean County Library on its 90th anniversary.

"It was fantastic," said Bob Vosseller, a spokesman for the library system, after learning of the endorsement.

Vosseller said this is the library system's first celebrity endorsement.

He reached out to Yankovic's staff last year, believing the comedic mind behind "White & Nerdy" and "Like a Surgeon" was a good choice for a library endorsement. Yankovic is the author of two illustrated children's books, "When I Grow Up" and "My New Teacher and Me!," as well as "The Authorized Al," "Weird Al: The Book" and "The 'Weird Al' Yankovic Anthology" sheet music. Vosseller said the library carries Yankovic's books.

Founded in 1925, the Ocean County Library was formed after a state law pushed for the establishment of county library systems, Vosseller said. Since its founding, the system has grown to include 19 branches and two reading centers spread across the county.

"Ocean County wasn't the first (county library system), but it was among the first to move in that direction," he said.

The benefit of the vast system means local librarians can retrieve materials for residents from across the county, he added.

Vosseller hopes to attract more celebrity endorsements to New Jersey's largest library system. LeVar Burton, the host of "Reading Rainbow," is on his radar, as well as actress and television personality Kelly Rippa, who grew up in Camden County.

"It would be nice to have three," Vosseller said.

"The Ocean County Library has experienced great changes in 90 years ... but one thing has remained constant throughout time," said Susan Quinn, director of the Ocean County Library. That is 'the library's mission to connect people, build community and transform lives through the power of information.'"

Amanda Oglesby: 732-557-5701; aoglesby@GannettNJ.com

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