Bookmark
April 2024
April President's Message
Happy Spring! Believe it or not, the end of the year is just around the corner. Yes, there are the endless days of testing, but pretty soon we will be attending end of year concerts, field day, field trips and moving up/graduation ceremonies. I always feel a little sad when I have to start recalling the library books to the shelves! On the other hand, that means it is almost time for summer reading. I encourage you to consider putting together an end of the year library report/infographic. It is a great way to reflect on the year and it is a great piece of advocacy to share with your principal, staff, administration and the wider community.
This past month I had the honor of being in Trenton to receive the official declaration of April as School Library Month in New Jersey from the State Board of Education. The acting Commissioner of the Department of Education, Kevin Dehmer, spoke with great appreciation for his school library where he found books that helped him learn to code! AASL provided me with the opportunity for an Instagram takeover where I shared a “day in the life of a school librarian” posts. I also attended the NJEA PDII 2024 Transform Conference that was held in Princeton. Jill Mills and I had a great table, and we took the opportunity to chat with NJEA members and encourage them to support the Freedom to Read bill. Please read Mary Moyer’s column to find out how you can help.
Advocacy was a top priority this month. I attended meetings with the Philadelphia Alliance to Restore School Librarians (PARSL), Act for School Libraries (ACT4SL), and the AASL Chapter Delegate Assembly. In addition, I connected with the NJ Center for the Book and NJEA Affiliated Special Interest Groups. Ewa Elliott, Mary Moyer and I also met with the IMLS group about the information literacy standard, and we hope to have news to share soon.
Congratulations to our newly elected Board members for 2024-2025:
Vice-President: Iveth Mollinedo Yelegen
Treasurer - April Barry
Member-at-Large: Joyce Soto
AASL Chapters Assembly Representative: Steve Tetreault
ISTE: Elissa Malespina
I look forward to seeing many of you at our Spring Meeting - School Librarians; Busy as Can Be - on Saturday, May 4 at TCNJ. Thank you in advance to Members at Large Iveth Mollinedo and Darla Kaminsky for their hard work.
NJASL President 2023-24
Beth Raff
Pictured below: Kathy Goldenberg, President of the NJ State Board of Education
Kevin Dehmer, Acting Commissioner of the NJDOE
Dear NJASL members,
Please help me congratulate our newly elected board members!
Vice-President: Iveth Mollinedo Yelegen
Treasurer - April Barry
Member-at-Large: Joyce Soto
AASL Chapters Assembly Representative: Steve Tetreault
ISTE: Elissa Malespina
Thank you to the nominations/elections committee members for your hard work! Together we spent months soliciting for nominations, evaluating the candidates, preparing the slate, presenting the slate to the board and finally presenting the list of candidates to the membership for their vote.
Moving forward: if you are inspired by the work that the executive team has been doing and wish to become part of it, please consider joining one of our committees, start attending our public virtual and in person board meetings, and become familiar with the organizational operations.
- Ewa Elliot
Sign up to be a Pension Justice Advocate
Read the article and sign up to join NJEA's team of Pension Justice Advocates
April Bookmark 2024
by Mary Moyer
School Library Legislation: Updates for Legislative Session (2024-2026)
This bill is an updated version of S1633 and has many changes that reflect collaborative efforts of NJASL, NJLA, NJEA, ACLU, SweepNJ, NJ State Library.
Changes based on Collection Development with Civil Rights - this would be a first in the nation for such a bill. The new framework would extend civil rights protections to access to supplemental materials (such as library materials)
Materials would cover protected classes: race, religion, LGBTQ+
Include anti-discriminatory clauses that would prohibit the ability of local control to override the protections
Equal access to materials
Libraries - become places of public accommodations
Would include religious extensions
Need to have bill tied to legislative funding for libraries
Make statutory changes around Right to Read
Allow for enforcement
InsiderNJ Press Release: NJASL Statement of Support for S2421/A3446
Sign the petition: https://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/njaslbookbans
Latest coalition partner: Sikh Coaltion. View their school climate report which is one of their supporting documents in supporting the bill.
Instagram Live Interview with Jennie Pu, NJLA
Ratio Bill: (Requires ratio of SLMS to students) New bill numbers (A1712, S2316) and new EveryLibrary Petition. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Garnet Hall (LD28 and Senator Beach (LD6). Use the NJASL white paper created by Past President, Beth Thomas for talking points on the need for the bill.
CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR:
NASL is continuing to partner with EveryLibrary to advocate for school libraries. An easy way to contact legislators is through their petitions. Click on links: Ratio Bill Freedom to Read Bill
NJASL Member Participation:
If interested in participating on the Advocacy team, please email either Tricina Strong-Beebe, advocacy@njasl.org or Mary Moyer Stubbs, mmoyer@njasl.org.
State Board of Education
March 6 Recap. View at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrgOT4NB-i0
Camden School District annual report:
2:32:35 - New HS, Eastside HS has a Media Center/Makerspace (4500 sq ft) listed as one of the special features. Question: Will there be a full-time SLMS?
3:00-3:03 - One of the best practices discussed for improving ELA scores was promoting a love of literacy. How can they do that effectively without school libraries or SLMs?
Appointment: Keisha Golding-Cooper, Director, Office of Recruitment, Prep. and Cert.
Resolution_Gifted_and_Talented_Month.pdf - much discussion about the inequities in G&T implementation. Mentioned the Strengthening Gifted and Talented Act.
Resoution_Social_and_Emotional_Learning_Day.pdf
Chapter_12_Interdistrict_Public_School_Choice.pdf
Interdistrict_Public_School_Choice_presentation.pdf
The total demand for choice seats exceeds the supply, though it varies by choice district.
Chapter_23A_Subchapter_16_through_22_nonaccessible.pdf
Because of all comments received, the DOE will not be making any changes to subchapter 18.
Religious_Holidays_Calendar_Resolution.pdf Religious_Holidays_Calendar_presentation.pdf
April 3 Recap View at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp0jQv9JXKE
Resolution for School Library Month 1:19 - 1:27
Resolution_Month_of_the_Military_Child.pdf
Resolution_National_Hearing_and_Speech_Month.pdf
Resolution_Autism_Awareness_Month.pdf
2022-2023_School_Performance_Reports_and_Graduation_Date_presentation.pdf
SLMS statistics from report cards updated: NJASL Document
Lengthy discussion on Chronic Absenteeism
Chapter_3,_Controversies_and_Disputes.pdf Chapter_3,presentation.pdf
Education Updates
Updates to State Board of Education Nominations
NOTE: Many of State Board of Education Members are serving under expired terms.
NJEA/NAACP statement NJEA Action Center:Email Your State Senator to Move Nominations
NJEA President Sean Spiller Op-ed
State Board of Education Member Nominees:
The nominees must be approved by their district senators before they can be confirmed by a Senate vote before taking their seats. Possible issues with nomination: Senatorial Courtesy can block nomination.
Serena Rice, Skillman is a pastor at Abiding Peace Lutheran Church in Budd Lake. She previously served as executive director of the Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey and the managing director of the Poverty Research Institute of Legal Services of New Jersey.
NOTE: Nomination was pulled from the Senate voting session on 3/18 because of opposition votes.
CALL TO ACTION – PASTOR RICE NOMINATION TO NJ STATE BD OF ED.
1) Please call Senate President Scutari (732-827-7480) or email (senscutari@njleg.org) as well as your legislative Senator and tell them it is your right to have a qualified candidate seated as a member of the Board of Education who understands the needs of all protected categories of people and represents the needs of your family. (See link to roster below for Senator email addresses; emails are Sen[name]@njleg.org
April Bookmark 2024: Legislative Calls to Action
Library Legislation
This bill is an updated version of S1633 and has many changes that reflect collaborative efforts of NJASL, NJLA, NJEA, ACLU, SweepNJ, NJ State Library.
Changes based on Collection Development with Civil Rights - this would be a first in the nation for such a bill. The new framework would extend civil rights protections to access to supplemental materials (such as library materials)
Materials would cover protected classes: race, religion, LGBTQ+
Include anti-discriminatory clauses that would prohibit the ability of local control to override the protections
Equal access to materials
Libraries - become places of public accommodations
Would include religious extensions
Make statutory changes around Right to Read
Allow for enforcement but not create civil causes of action.
InsiderNJ Press Release: NJASL Statement of Support for S2421/A3446
Sign the petition: https://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/njaslbookbans
Latest information on a Senate Education hearing date: sometime in June
NJASL is meeting with SweepNJ, NJLA, NJEA, ACLU and now the Sikh Coalition to coordinate efforts.
Ratio Bill: (Requires ratio of SLMS to students) New bill numbers (A1712, S2316) and new EveryLibrary Petition. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Garnet Hall (LD28 and Senator Beach (LD6). Use the NJASL white paper created by Past President, Beth Thomas for talking points on the need for the bill.
Library Network Aid (no new bill number)
o Provides funding for shared resources through deliveries across the state’s libraries. This funding also supports the technologies that power library statewide resource sharing. In addition, funding from this appropriation is dedicated to the State Library Resource Center in Trenton.
NOTE: The Library Network was subject to cuts in the Governor's budget. The impact of these budget cuts may be felt by school libraries through cuts in delivery services as well as the loss of professional development.
Message to your legislator.
Please reinstate funding for the Library Network in the Governor's budget.
If network aid gets cut, it will likely impact LLNJ and library material delivery to school libraries, which undercuts Governor Murphy’s support of student literacy by reducing access to books and other media. Additionally, other consequences for loss of funding may also impact professional development for school librarians which they are dependent upon for continuing to serve as the educational leaders in their schools.
To find your legislator:
1. Type your address into the address box.: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/district-map Click on the number for the legislative district pinned.
2. The legislators' names will appear in a box. Select "See District Details."
3. Select individual names for District Office information which will include office phone numbers. Click on the email button to send an email message.
CALL TO ACTION – PASTOR RICE NOMINATION TO NJ STATE BD OF ED.
Serena Rice, Skillman is a pastor at Abiding Peace Lutheran Church in Budd Lake. She previously served as executive director of the Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey and the managing director of the Poverty Research Institute of Legal Services of New Jersey.
NOTE: Nomination was pulled from the Senate voting session on 3/18 because of opposition votes.
1) Please call Senate President Scutari (732-827-7480) or email (senscutari@njleg.org) as well as your legislative Senator and tell them it is your right to have a qualified candidate seated as a member of the Board of Education who understands the needs of all protected categories of people and represents the needs of your family. (See link to roster below for Senator email addresses; emails are Sen[name]@njleg.org
2) Call Senator Brian Stack, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee (201-721-5263) or email (senstack@njleg.org) and do the same.
3) Call the Governor (609-292-6000) to thank him for nominating Pastor Rice as a member of the State Board of Education and ask him to push for a vote at the next Senate meeting. full document with talking points for phone calls and emails.
NJEA Vouchers / Tax Credit Bill Take Action:
NJEA joined more than 50 other pro-education advocacy groups in a joint letter opposing a voucher/tuition tax credit bill proposed in the New Jersey Legislature. https://www.njea.org/njea-and-allies-no-private-school-vouchers-in-new-jersey/
A4144/S3035 Take Action: https://actioncenter.njea.org/support-public-schools-oppose-a-4144-s-3035/
Senator Ruiz - Literacy Bills
S2644 - Requires reading intervention programs
S2645 - Requires screening for reading
S2646 - Requires training and programs for literacy coaches
(also sponsored by Mike Testa (LD1)
S2647 - Establishes an Office of Learning Czar in DOE
Email Senator Ruiz senruiz@njleg.org
Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions for improving literacy skills in NJ students.
The literacy instruction bills are a good start to helping to increase the literacy skills of NJ students. However, drill and practice does not build the joy of reading. That is something that certified School Library Media Specialists (SLMS) excel at doing. Furthermore, certified SLMS are a cost-effective way to assist in building literacy skills since they work with ALL students and ALL content-area teachers and staff. They provide an excellent return on investment.
The research is clear on the value of certified SLMS and literacy. Numerous studies from around the world have consistently found that schools with certified school librarians and libraries have higher student outcomes across multiple measures, including, but not limited to, reading scores. School librarians also span subject areas and grade levels, which provides a unique window into students’ learning. This allows school librarians to support literacy across the curriculum, bridging the divides between subjects with engaging resources that encourage reading in all subject areas. Not only does this promote increased literacy, but it also helps students to understand that literacy is a part of every subject, and indeed, every facet of their lives. School librarians are also unique in their position to be able to follow students’ academic growth and develop personal relationships over an extended period of time.
ADD Personal Story:
I serve as a certified school library media specialist and this is how I work to support literacy in my school……….
However, there are no (or few SLMS) in the district where I live. My children OR Those children do not have the same access to the services of a certified SLMS. Data from the NJ School Performance Report Cards bears out the declining numbers of SLMS. The latest report card shows that there are only 1194 SLMS for a total of 1,416,109 students. In 2016-2017, the ratio of SLMS to students was 911:1 and the latest report shows a dramatic increase in the ratio (1188:1). SLMS have the highest ratio of staff to students of any of the education support staff (see the attached document with full data). When faced with making budget cuts, too many schools see SLMSs as expendable staff and eliminate that position. My children do not have equitable access to school library media services.
What can the Senator do to increase the number of school libraries staffed by certified SLMS? What can the Senator do to help provide for equitable access to school libraries and the certified staff to provide school library media services? School library media specialists are the staff member who supports literacy, teaches research skills, collaborates with teachers to support their classroom curricula, and provides a curated collection of diverse and current resources that promote student achievement.
Freedom to Read Bill Update
by Mary Moyer
NJ legislators are currently on budget break so there will not be any committee hearings until May. However, this is a good time to try to engage your legislators and let them know that S2421/A3446, the Freedom to Read bill is important to you. Use the SaveSchoolLibrarians petition to easily contact your legislator.
https://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/njaslbookbans
Additionally, use the graphics to assist with explaining this bill to friends and neighbors. There is so much disinformation being promoted about this bill and these graphics very clearly and simply explain the goals ofT the bill.
Thanks to NJASL Past President, Ewa Dziedzic Elliott along with her Dean at TCNJ or their op-ed, https://www.nj.com/opinion/2024/03/this-bill-will-protect-a-childs-freedom-to-read-lets-pass-it-opinion.html
Regional Response Team
The Regional Response Team is here for any librarian facing threatened or actual attempts at censorship. Our resources can also support teachers dealing with challenged curriculum materials. Here are just some of the resources to support you:
a database of ‘book resumes’ to help you justify including the most frequently challenged titles in your library collection. Have something to add to the list? Email the title and author to rrt@njasl.org
An anonymous censorship reporting tool. You can also email rrt@njasl.org anytime. We never share personally identifying information.
A one page printable toolkit on censorship and related resources, created to be shared with anyone who wants to better understand how to stand up to censorship in public schools. We’ll even come to a county or local EA meeting and present the toolkit - just email rrt@njasl.org for more info.
Registration: bit.ly/MAR2024ENDLITSHAMING
The most important thing we can do is help students learn to love reading. But sometimes, students are - inadvertently or purposefully - made to feel bad about their reading preferences. NJASL's own Steve Tetreault shares ideas, information, and tips for identifying, teaching others about, and ending "literacy shaming".
NJASL EDI COMMITTEE CONNECTS WITH NJEA - MOC ONE COMMON GOAL...... DIVERSITY
Under the leadership of Mr. Eric Jones, the NJEA Members -of-Color (MOC)
EST. 2019 Initiative is an intentional organizing effort to connect and engage with all
educators who are underrepresented affinity groups within the NJEA Association.
MOC goal is to elevate the advocacy, engagement, and ownership that all members
have in their union.
Through targeted conversations and continual advocacy and educational opportunities,
NJEA Members -of-Color believe they will grow a stronger association reflecting their
rich diversity of membership. To connect with NJEA Members-of-Color associations
in your county, please contact Mr. Eric Jones @ ejones@njea.org.or on their Facebook
page @ NJEA MOC
Upcoming Events
NJEA MOC 2nd Annual EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE
JUNE 2024
Registration and Location TBA.....Stay Tuned!
TEACHING THURSDAYS!
Dear NJASL members!
We are pleased to announce a new initiative that came from our partnership with the members of NJLA-CUS/ACRL - NJ (academic librarians association): TEACHING THURSDAYS!
Thank you NJLA-CUS/ACRL - NJ president, Gary Marks, for your work and leadership on this project!
Once a month academic librarians will hold a professional development webinar for school librarians. Here are the dates, names of presenters and topics:
Thursday, May 16th 3:30-4:15 pm
Presenter(s)- Neil Grimes, William Paterson University
Topic: Grant writing for School Librarians: Get your idea funded
Register Here: https://wpunj.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEpf-GrpjMtHNXqv2ycL-DzxO3r1vuGjpr6#/registration
For more information please visit Teaching Thursdays: https://sites.google.com/view/m-o-njla-cusacrl-nj/teaching-thursdays
Ewa Dziedzic-Elliott
NJASL Immediate President 2023-2024
SAVE THE DATE
For more opportunities don't forget to check out our local groups workshops and meetings below in County Corner!!!
E-Resources Survey: All NJ Library Personnel Invited to Participate
by Sharon Rawlins
Thank you for participating in this survey concerning the JerseyClicks suite of databases, available to all New Jersey residents at www.jerseyclicks.org. Your feedback is important to the New Jersey State Library, as we consider the needs of the library community in selecting future statewide resources. This survey was created through the volunteer work and participation of the E-Resources Advisory Committee, a group comprised of representatives from New Jersey academic, public and school libraries. Here is the link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NJSL24JC The survey should take about five minutes to complete. Please respond by May 13, 2024. Thank you!
JerseyClicks is made possible in part with funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the New Jersey State Library.
Questions? If you have any questions about the above, feel free to reach out to us at jerseyclicks@njstatelib.org or in the contact form within the Library Resources section of the JerseyClicks webpage: www.jerseyclicks.org
A Morning in the Stacks at the Library of Congress
By Kerry Weinstein
Earlier in the school year, I asked my colleague Phillip to research grants, prizes, and opportunities to economically acquire new books for the Bayonne High School Library. He returned with a thorough list, and there was one option that was particularly interesting: the Library of Congress Surplus Books Program.
As you can imagine, the Library of Congress receives tons of new books. Two copies of books are sent by publishers for creation of Cataloging in Publication records (also known as CIP data) that appear on the copyright pages and are used by librarians and catalogers. Congresspeople donate books from their offices to the Library, some of which are gifted to them by constituents and lobbyists. Sometimes famous people donate their books. When these books cannot be used by the Library, they are sent to the Surplus Books Program.
The Surplus Books Program is an opportunity for the Library to donate these brand new books to organizations, such as public schools and universities. An application needs to be completed and submitted with a letter on your organization’s letterhead.
I had never heard of this program, and applied. The Bayonne High School Library was accepted, and I was contacted to make an appointment to visit. I shared the news with my director, who was supportive. Who doesn’t get excited about free books?!
He arranged for reimbursement for a hotel room and mileage as I represented the school district on this trip. This is the ultimate professional development opportunity at the largest library in the country. With this approval I scheduled my visit for Monday April 22. I was worried a government shutdown would cancel my trip, but thankfully that didn't happen.
My strategy for selecting books was to focus on nonfiction. Since arriving at the Bayonne High School Library in 2022, I have been aggressively weeding the collection and working to add more contemporary books that will interest my students and align with the curriculum.
I arrived for my appointment and went through security screenings before proceeding to the basement where the Surplus Books Program is located. The books are not organized in any particular order—it is definitely a treasure hunt.
Joseph Mahar, Head of the Surplus Books program, greeted me and showed me around the space. He asked me what I was looking for, and he pointed out areas of interest. Then he handed me a cart and set me off to browse.
There were two other clerks in the room who would periodically take my cart when it was full and replace it with an empty one. They packed my books in boxes.
I spent nearly three hours going through the shelves. Selections I made included dictionaries in Japanese and Korean—the collection currently has no resources in East Asian languages. I scored two Lonely Planet Arabic language dictionaries, which is a commonly spoken language in the school community.
The computers/technology section looks particularly sad after weeding (one such “gem” was a technology book from the 1990s that featured a typewriter on the cover) and I grabbed coding and software development books to replenish.
A colleague teaches an Indigenous History elective, and I picked a few books on that topic. Another teacher is offering a Women’s History elective in the next school year, and I found some books on notable women. A US History teacher’s students participate in the We the People competition, so I focused on books about the government and the Constitution.
In the end, I left with seven boxes of free, new books. The staff brought up the boxes and helped pack the car before bidding adieu.
Once back at school, the maintenance department helped get the books out of my car and up to the library. Now the fun of adding these books to the collection and getting them into readers’ hands begins.
Participating in the Surplus Books Program was a great experience that I highly recommend, and I look forward to going back again.
Please reach out to me at kweinstein@bboed.org with any questions, and I’ll do my best to assist.
THE NJEA REVIEW IS SEEKING YOUR IDEAS FOR CENSORSHIP-RELATED ARTICLES!
The NJEA Editorial Committee goal for 2023-2024 is:
Through the NJEA Review, the Editorial Committee will raise awareness about book bans and other forms of censorship and share examples of local/county association and community responses.
NJASL members, if you have an idea for an article that would fit with this goal, please share it! Steve Tetreault, NJASL's PD Committee Chair, is on the NJEA Editorial Committee, and he'd be glad to connect with you about submitting your idea for a Review article.
Submissions are due no later than the 15th of the month for potential publication 45 days later. So there's no time to waste! Reach out to Steve at PD@NJASL.org.
AECT News
The month of May will be busy for AECT. The Organization will be preparing for the Summer Board Meeting that will include a leadership portion for mainly new Board of Directors members and Division leaders. This Board event is to update everyone on what has been happening the past six months and what is planned for the next six months in the Organization. This will happen over two half days in early June.
At the same time the Convention Planners, me included, will be reviewing the 914 submissions submitted for the Fall Convention in October. This doesn’t include the many poster submissions and the special sessions that are being planned.
One event that has been announced that people are excited about is the Educators Mini- Conference. The K-12 educators will spend Saturday morning participating in special sessions that are geared to K-12 educators, meeting the speakers, and may be able to participate in the hands-on Tech Playground. This “playground” is a fun place to see what is happening in the field. There will be plenty for all to see and do. The attendees will also have a pass to attend the full Convention the next day.
Besides Convention planning AECT is doing some reorganizing of committees. AECT has a fair number of publications scattered through the Divisions as well as AECT itself. These are being brought together under one “umbrella” called Center for Publishing. Another Center that is being discussed is taking the four main AECT yearly events under one umbrella. This is similar to how NJASL took similar committees and put them under one heading. So far, this concept has been well received at AECT.
Finally, if you are working in a school or your district is committed to technology in the schools. AECT has an award you may want to apply for. Here is the website. Scroll down to Technology Integrated Learning for the information: https://aect.connectedcommunity.org/technologyintegratedlearning/home/awards
If you have any questions about AECT, please contact me.
Leslie Blatt aect@njasl.org
Villy Gandhi Leadership Training Scholarship
It is with pleasure that the 2024 Villy Gandhi Leadership Training Scholarship recipient is Tara Cooper Weiss from George Washington Middle School in Wayne.
Tara received her BA degree from Saint Elizabeth University in English, Education, Writing and American Studies. She then went to Rutgers University for her MA in Library & Information Science and now is enrolled at Montclair State University pursuing a MS in Educational Leadership and Administration.
Tara has been a teacher of English, Team Leader and now, for the past 7 years a SLMS in Wayne Public Schools. She has received the NJASL/ISTE Make It Happen Award, the Governor’s Educator of the Year – Educational Services Professional, representing Wayne Public Schools. When in Summit Public Schools, Tara received awards for the Yearbooks she helped produce, four years in a row.
Some of Tara’s other achievements have been: creating a makerspace in her school that has 3D Printers, a laser engraver, a Cricut and many STEM activities. There is a Video Lab that is fully equipped for the students to even do such things as digital storytelling. All in all, Tara is a Librarian, Coach, Instructional Facilitator and is also responsible for Professional Development.
In her “spare” time she serves on the NJASL Board as the Webmaster and is Intellectual Freedom Chairperson. Tara also serves on ALA’s State Intellectual Freedom Committee as well as being a member of the Garden State Scholastic Press Association and the Journalism Education Association. She is also working with NJASL’s eResources Advisory Committee to build digital access for the State through the Jersey Clicks Portal.
There is so much more to tell about Tara but that would take many pages. Instead, I would like to share some quotes from her that I feel will have you understand why Tara Cooper Weiss was chosen for this prestigious NJASL award.
QUOTES:
“I will do this as long as I can – every step forward is a chance to bring opportunities to bring my school and I am eager to chase them.”
“I enjoy a challenge and lean into “complicated” because we learn most when we struggle to succeed.”
“Collaboration is my superpower.”
“I work well with others and know that when you believe something is possible, you have to put in the time and effort to achieve the outcome.”
“My biggest fear is failure and my biggest hope is to leave the world better than I found it.”
I cannot wait to see Tara in action at AECT! She will be an asset to AECT as she is to NJASL!
Congratulations, Tara!
AASL and ALA Annual
by Hilda Weisburg
It’s an opportunity not to be missed. The ALA Annual Conference will be held in San Diego from June 27 to July 2, 2024. School is out, and San Diego is a great place to visit. Take the family and make it a vacation. You probably can get one of your vendors to get you a visitor’s pass for the exhibits. My kids loved it when they were younger. And, of course, there is a discount for Early Bird Registration in effect.
Besides enjoying San Diego, the programming meets whatever needs you have for professional development, general knowledge, and, of course, connecting with colleagues from around the country. Great way to expand you PLN.
If you want to focus on AASL content, I counted 19 programs in the preliminary in the following categories: Teaching & Learning, Books & Authors, Collections & Access, and Leadership & Management. There will be more as the program is finalized.
The scheduler allows you to check from what is called “Timely Topics.” Which of them are you interested in?
Artificial Intelligence
Health and Wellness
Intellectual Freedom
Justice-Involved Services
Strategic Partnerships
There are 6 hour and a half Poster sessions on the following topics:
Outreach and Engagement Poster Session
The Educators Poster Session
Diversity Fair Poster Session
Global Solutions Poster Session
Infrastructure Poster Session
There are several Featured Speakers each day. Most of you will probably want to hear Kwame Alexander on Saturday, June 19, from 1:00-200 pm.
And then there are all the Exhibitors. Check the Exhibitor List to see which ones of yours will be there. Of course, there will be lots of author signings and free books. Take a picture with an author to impress your students. Don’t forget the swag. You know you need another canvas bag.
See you in San Diego. You will love it.
Updates From LibraryLinkNJ
All NJ library staff in all library types are invited and encouraged to take advantage of LibraryLinkNJ’s services and programming opportunities, including webinars, in-person events, informal mentoring opportunities, and use of our on-demand training platform. There are no dues, membership fees, or member enrollment required. Simply join us!
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LibraryLinkNJ LearningSpace On-Demand Training Portal
Visit the On-Demand training portal for more than 100 asynchronous learning modules designed specifically for library staff! Explore modules at your own pace, on your own schedule.
The first two modules of our 3-part series on Information Literacy are now available! Media literacy scholar, educator, and author David Cooper Moore presents these self-paced explorations of how we can approach Information Literacy in the library, in the classroom, and beyond!
Who Knows? Reframing Information Literacy for a Wider Audience
What Do I Know? Building Background Knowledge and Developing a Research Framework
Questions about the LearningSpace? Contact our Online Learning & Digital Content Specialist, Jon Braun: jon@librarylinknj.org
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MentorNJ Online Meetups
MentorNJ’s Online Meetups provide informal opportunities to ask questions, share successes, gain support, or simply catch up with colleagues from around the state!
All are welcome at all Meetups and no registration is required - simply be sure your LLNJ user account is active to receive the Zoom links for that week’s Meetups each Monday! You can find more details and a full listing of Meetups on our events calendar, or save these select May Meetup dates:
Maker Meetup: Thursday, 5/2 @ 2pm
Disabled & Neurodivergent Library Staff: Tuesday, 4/7 @ 2pm
Youth Services: Friday, 5/10 @ 11am
Latino Library Staff: Tuesday, 5/14 @ 10am
School Libraries: Wednesday, 5/15 @ 4:30pm
Tech: Thursday, 5/16 @ 3pm
API: Friday, 5/17 @ 10am
African American Library Staff: Wednesday, 5/22 @ 2pm
For even more informal mentoring opportunities be sure to check out the MentorNJ Directory, where you can browse for colleagues to connect with or create your own Mentor Profile to offer your expertise to the library world. Currently, the Mentors’ Directory is available to both New Jersey and Tennessee library staff, providing you options to connect with your fellow librarians across two states!
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Upcoming Events
Join us for any or all of these upcoming Continuing Education opportunities, free of charge!
AI Ethics: A Library Perspective; Virtual; Thursday, May 2nd @ 2:30pm.
Skill-Sharing Conversation: Running a Writer’s Workshop; Virtual; Tuesday, May 7th @ 11am.
YA Romance Readers’ Advisory: Curious About Crushes; Virtual; Wednesday, May 8th @ 4pm.
Virtual Author Visit: Middle Grade Fantasy Worlds with Jen Calonita, Joshua Levy, and Jamar Perry; Virtual; Tuesday, May 14th @ 2pm.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training; Certificated virtual training provided by Hackensack Meridian Health; Friday, May 17th @ 9am.
Planning for Artificial Intelligence in a Time of Uncertainty; Virtual; Monday, May 20th @ 2:30pm.
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Questions about LibraryLinkNJ or how to participate? Contact our School Libraries Liaison, Darby Malvey: darby@librarylinknj.org.
MCSMA
Are you bummed out by the new uptick of book bans? Mad about something your BOE did? Maybe the opposite is true and you want to celebrate something great that happened in your role/library!
THEN COME BE WITH YOUR PEOPLE!!! We want to be here for you!! We are hosting the perfect platform to end your school year.... come painting with us! No talent required. (Speaking for myself here).
CLICK HERE for the link.
We know how busy you are. But we also know you need this! And we really want to connect with you. So come out and share your stories or just take the time to find your inner painter! You may bring a friend, colleague, family member, etc....just sign up soon!
Can't wait to see you!
Nancy Bosch
(Acting President)
Important and Helpful Resources from NJASL
NJEA Center for Honesty in Education
NJEA Center for Honesty in Education (formerly School Board Protection Center)
NJASL has an active voice in this group and has several members who are involved with the various subcommittees of this group.
NJEA Center for Honesty in Education - now has a webpage, https://www.njea.org/edhonesty/.
Purpose: NJEA’s Center for Honesty in Education aims to combat disinformation, regressive policies, and dangerous rhetoric in local school districts by giving our association leaders the tools necessary to forge constructive partnerships with parents and other community stakeholders, discredit bad actors who seek to politicize our public schools and—above all—keep our education community focused on continuing to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for every single student.
Library Media Specialist Openings
THANK YOU! Looking for submissions...
Don't forget that we are always looking for entries from ALL membership. Please share articles with me at the bookmark@njasl.org email address by sharing a Google Document.
Thank you to our sponsors!
- Mackin
- Rutgers
- MediaFlex-OPALS
- Keyboard Consultants
- EBSCO
- Infobase
- LibraryLinkNJ
- NJ State Library
- Perma-Bound Books
- The Toor Family
- Kids Discover
- Bergen-Passaic, Burlington, Camden, Morris, Union Middlesex Library Associations
NJASL
Email: bookmark@njasl.org
Website: njasl.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NJASL/
Twitter: @njasl