LibraryLinkNJ News
February 2024
LibraryLinkNJ The New Jersey Library Cooperative
For more details about any of our projects, programs, or services, please visit the LibraryLinkNJ website!
For questions, suggestions, or help with your account, please reach out to our CE Team: ce@librarylinknj.org
Executive Director Update
I hope your year is off to a great start like ours. Thank you for your interest and participation in our programs and services. We are pleased that you are taking advantage of all that we have to offer, and we look forward to continuing to serve our member libraries throughout the coming year.
Thanks to VALE NJ, the NJLA College and University Section and ACRL University Chapter, and the conference committee for welcoming us as sponsors to the 2024 New Jersey Academic Libraries Conference held at Middlesex College in Edison on January 5. Online Learning & Digital Content Specialist Jon Braun and I staffed an exhibitor table and answered questions about our services. Jon also presented a poster session about our LearningSpace. We enjoyed the opportunity to connect with our academic library colleagues face-to-face.
As you can see from our newsletter below, we have a lot of exciting professional development opportunities scheduled over the next few months. We are especially looking forward to two in-person events--the MentorNJ Mega Meetup on Tuesday, March 5th at Monroe Township Public Library and the Culture Connection: API Culture Event on Friday, March 22nd at the Piscataway Public Library. Also, we are thrilled to share how the recipients of last year’s Level Up Your Library mini-grants leveled up service to their communities by improving, expanding, or revamping an existing project, program, or initiative.
Please tell us how awesome your library is! We know that there is a lot of fantastic work being done by New Jersey Libraries as they serve their communities. Please share your stories with us, so we can share them with our members, by emailing your article ideas or photos to ce@librarylinknj.org.
Best regards,
Ralph
LibraryLinkNJ Executive Board Meeting
The next LibraryLinkNJ Executive Board Meeting will take place on Thursday, February 15th at 2:30PM via Zoom.
All LibraryLinkNJ members are welcome to attend Executive Board meetings. Find more information on the Executive Board page on our website!
Announcements
Registration is still open for the 2024 MentorNJ March Mega Meetup!
Join us for a full day of networking, growth, and connection with your colleagues! All are welcome!
Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 @ Monroe Township Public Library
Free of Charge - Registration is limited to 80 participants
Visit the Mega Meetup webpage for further details and registration!
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Join us for "Culture Connection: API Culture Event"
Culture Connection aims to connect library staff from diverse backgrounds through cultural experiences, education, and events. Come and network with your Asian & Pacific Islander (API) colleagues with our food booth and lightning talks!
Friday, March 22, 2024, 11am-3:15 @ Piscataway Public Library, Free of Charge
- Attendance for the full-day, in-person event is limited to 70
- Our Main Presentation - "Addressing Racial Microaggressions towards Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders in the Library Workplace: An Interactive Discussion" presented by Raymon Pun & Tarida Anantachai will be available to view virtually via Zoom
Visit the Culture Connection: API Culture Event page on our website for further details and registration!
Snapshots
❄️ Thanks to the libraries that sent us photos of your recent snowy days! Check out a few of NJ's snowy libraries below:
Pompton Lakes Public Library was looking picture-perfect on a snowy day in January!
Hunterdon County Library's South County Branch had snow inside and out! They shared this photo featuring just a few of the 60+ snowy decorations that go on display in their library each winter.
The Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library was looking warm and inviting following last month's snowfall!
Pequannock Public Library
Pequannock Public Library
Professional Development Opportunities
Skill-Sharing Conversations
Share your knowledge and learn from your colleagues in these attendee-driven conversations focused on specific library skills. Come ready to share experiences and ask questions!
- "Library Reclassification Projects"; Online Discussion; Tuesday, February 6th, 11AM-12PM; Moderated by Lisa Thornton, Seton Hall University, and Catherine Oliver, Montclair State University
- "Library Cooking Classes"; Online Discussion; Thursday, March 14th, 2PM-3PM; Moderated by Nicole Marconi, Hoboken Public Library
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Delivery Demystified
LibraryLinkNJ and the New Jersey State Library are excited to bring you an information session that will answer all your questions about Interlibrary Loan, JerseyCat, and the Statewide Delivery Service! The intersections and divisions between these services can be confusing, but representatives from both LLNJ and NJSL will provide valuable practical information, help demystify the process of using these services, and answer your questions in this free, one-hour virtual information session.
- Delivery Demystified; Virtual; Tuesday, February 6th, 1pm-2pm. Brought to you in partnership with the New Jersey State Library.
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Benefits of Inclusion in the Workplace: Ways to Attract Job Seekers & Keep Them
LibraryLinkNJ is proud to offer a webinar on inclusive hiring and navigating bias during the recruiting and hiring process. Job seekers now desire a workplace where everyone feels seen, heard, and represented. This session will go into the ideas and importance of how to get started on the right foot with your recruitment, hiring process, and job postings.
- Benefits of Inclusion in the Workplace; Virtual; Wednesday, February 7th, 2pm-3pm. Presented by Donella Tilery, Talent Development Manager at SCLSNJ.
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Diary of an XR Lab
The Office of Digital Learning at the New Jersey Institute of Technology recently built an Extended Reality (XR) lab. Learn about their journey to the completion of the lab and discover the positives, challenges, and pitfalls of establishing a system to support XR in teaching and learning. Attendees will be able to understand the key areas that must be planned for to build and sustain an XR lab, as well as outline potential solutions to challenges inherent to XR.
- Diary of an XR Lab; Virtual; Thursday, February 29th, 2:30PM-4PM; Presented by Joe Almoradie, Emerging Technologies Integration Specialist in the Office of Digital Learning at NJIT.
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LibraryLinkNJ is proud to partner with Hackensack Meridian Hospital System to offer both Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid training to our members. Mental health can touch nearly any aspect of library service, and we invite staff in any position to register for this valuable training course. *Capacity for each training is limited to 25 participants!*
- Adult Mental Health First Aid Training; Virtual, Friday February 23rd, 9AM-2:30PM. *Registration for this date is full. We encourage you to register for the waiting list; additional dates will be added as necessary.*
- Youth Mental Health First Aid Training; Virtual, Thursday, March 21st, 9AM-1:30PM.
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MentorNJ Mega Meetup
Join us for a full day of in-person networking, growth, and connection with your colleagues! Events include a featured presentation on mentoring relationships, guided mindfulness meditation, and breakout discussion groups, in addition to plenty of time for networking and fun! All are welcome!
- MentorNJ Mega Meetup 2024; In Person; Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 @ Monroe Township Public Library.
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Signing Basics: Customer Service Signs for Librarians
LibraryLinkNJ is proud to partner with Signing Basics to offer "Customer Service Signs for Librarians," a series of workshops which will teach library staff how to better communicate with members of their community who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing. "Customer Service Signs for Librarians" consists of three 45-minute trainings taught by an experienced ASL instructor. Participants must commit to attending all 3 trainings in the series.
- Signing Basics March 2024; Virtual; Wednesdays, March 6th, 13th, & 20th, 2024 *Registration for this series will open on Wednesday, February 7th*
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Getting Started With Infographics
In this dynamic session, you will create a fun infographic in AdobeExpress and learn how presenting information visually invites learners to engage deeply, discuss thoughtfully, and make vital connections for learning!
- Getting Started With Infographics; Virtual; Thursday, March 7th, 2024. *Brought to you via our partners in the Professional Development Alliance.*
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MentorNJ Online Meetups
Start the new year off right by joining your colleagues for one of our MentorNJ Online Meetups! Meetups are online discussions where library staff from around the state gather to share successes, ask questions, seek advice, or simply take some time to network with peers. Join us for one of our tried-and-true favorites, drop in to one of our brand-new Meetups, or do both!
February Meetup Dates:
- *NEW* Maker Meetup: Thursday, February 1st @ 3pm
- Disabled & Neurodivergent Library Staff: Tuesday, February 6th @ 2pm
- Wellness Wednesday: Wednesday, February 7th @ 3pm
- Adventures in Administration: Thursday, February 8th @ 10:30am
- Youth Services: Friday, February 9th @ 11am
- Latino Library Staff Meetup: Tuesday, February 13th @ 10am
- Tech: Tuesday, February 15th @ 3pm
- API Meetup: Friday, February 16th @ 10am
- Juggling Parenting & Library Work: Wednesday, February 21st @ 2pm
- Adventures in Administration: Thursdsay, February 22nd @ 10:30am
- *NEW* African American Library Staff: Wednesday, February 28th @ 2pm
Find more information about all of our Meetups on the LLNJ Events Calendar
Mark your calendars for the events below, and keep an eye on our email communications and website for more details about event content, logistics, and registration in the coming weeks!
Creating Grant Proposals with AI, April 23, 2024, 2:30-4:00pm
Crafting AI Policies *With* AI, April 30, 2024, 2:30-4:00pm
AI Ethics: A Library Perspective, May 2, 2024, 2:30-4pm
Planning for Artificial Intelligence in a Time of Uncertainty, May 20, 2024, 2:30-4pm
Recaps, Resources, and Reminders
LibraryLinkNJ's most recent recent grant program - the Level Up Your Library mini-grant - wrapped up in December 2023. Recipients of the grant received up to $5,000 to improve, expand, or revamp an existing project, program, or initiative in their libraries. We're thrilled to be able to share some of the successful grant-funded projects below. Read on to see how libraries around the state "leveled up" last year!
Atlantic Cape Community College Libraries, staff used Level Up Funds on a project called Textbook Access for All that increased the number of textbooks available in the Spangler Library's "Textbook on Reserve Collection." This collection allows students to borrow rather than purchase expensive textbooks, and ACCC Library staff report that following their Level Up project it now contains "almost all of the course textbooks currently in use at the college. In particular, the collection now contains all of the most expensive textbooks Atlantic Cape students desperately needed but had long been outside the library's budgetary means to acquire." Staff attribute the addition of the new textbooks and marketing surrounding the grant to some pretty remarkable statistics; including a 182% increase in use of the Textbooks on Reserve program in September 2023 compared to the previous September and a 93% increase in creation of library accounts in fall 2023 versus the same period the previous year!
And ACCC wasn't the only Level Up Recipient looking to help save its community money while simultaneously helping their community rediscover what the library can offer! Libraries of Things and other special circulation items were a popular project for our Level Up recipients. These include:
- Denville Public Library's Jump Into a Book project, which spotlights IR books that feature both virtual and augmented reality components in additional to traditional text copy. The addition of 25 IR books to the library circulating juvenile collection has helped them reach their goal of providing a truly immersive reading experience to their young patrons!
- Montville Township Public Library's Library of "New Things:" Creation, Recreation, Celebration! saw the expansion of Montville Township's existing Library of Things to offer some of the most-requested items in Montville and surrounding communities. These items include kitchen appliances, musical instruments, electronics, and hobby items.
- Pascack Hills High School Media Center's Libros en Espanol: A Proposal to Promote Spanish Literacy focused on expanding the PHHS collection of circulating Spanish-language materials to include 118 new Spanish and bilingual books and books by Latino authors. "Our project builds on our goal of educational inclusivity and access to quality literature that resonates with individuals" say project managers Meg Pettigano (PHHS Librarian) and Vanessa Martinez (PHHS teacher).
Jump Into a Book
Promotional material for Denville Public Library's expanded IR books collection!
Libros en Espanol
Students in the PHHS Latino and Hispanic Culture Club helped prepare and display new purchased materials!
- Plainsboro Public Library's Plainsboro Library of Things project focused on expanding the library's existing jigsaw puzzle collection and Seed Library into a full-fledged Library of Things. The project succeeded, and saw a number of positive community impacts. Staff shared that: "We made it possible for one patron to finally change the light bulbs she had been putting off due to the lack of a step stool. Another was gratified that we added a leaf blower in time for her to clear her lawn of autumn leaves. One patron had been deliberating over the purchase of an ice cream maker, and was delighted to join the ice cream making class to see how it worked before taking the plunge."
- Princeton Public Library's Library of Things: Little Thinker Kits brings a new option for children to the existing PPL LIbrary of Things by providing kits featuring a Toniebox and Tonie characters (a popular screen-free audio listening device for young children) and magnetic building tiles that encourage children to engage in creative STEM play while listening to favorite songs, stories, or audiobooks.
- Red Bank Public Library's But Wait, There's More! project upgraded Red Bank's existing Library of Things to include materials commonly requested by patrons. Project personnel explain that following their Level Up program, their collection now includes "tools that improve daily life, items that enable patrons to explore their creativity and foster lifelong learning, and some [items] which are just downright fun."
Makerspaces and technology proved to be another popular focus for many of our Level Up grant recipients, including Collingswood Public Library with their "STEAM Jr. Creation Station" initiative, MCL's West Windsor Branch Library with a project to enhance STEAM and digital literacy programming, and Moore Library at Rider University where expanded access to Virtual Reality apps is helping to increase support for programming, pedagogy, and curriculum. Meanwhile, "making" was the focus for Atlantic City Free Public Library with their makerspace revitalization project, Boonton Holmes Public Library with their expansion and reimagining of sewing machine programming and circulation, and both North Warren Regional Media Center and Sterling High School Media Center, which undertook makerspace makeovers.
Outreach and programming efforts took center stage for still more participating libraries. Cliffside Park Public Library was able to successfully upgrade their ESL and Citizenship classes to meet the needs of more community members, while Kemmerer Library expanded their summer programming with a lecture series that engaged adult patrons. Kenilworth Public Library reached a similar goal of engaging with adult patrons via programming by upgrading their popular "Paper Pals" adult crafting program, while Woodbridge Public Library opted for a broader focus with an expanded repertoire of both adult and teen programs.
Access and accessibility were also tackled in a variety of ways with Level Up project! Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library and Maywood Public Library focused on serving and welcoming previously underserved populations - in this case, neurodivergent patrons and those with sensory or communication challenges. Johnson Public Library focused on a different type of accessibility with a project that helped them create a "pop up library" in easily accessible community spaces, and Livingston Public Library focused their accessibility efforts on making their extensive local history collection more accessible and navigable to the community at large. For the Camden County Library System, patron access to critical personal care items took top priority and they were able to level up their Personal Care Pantry program to provide "low-barrier access to health and hygiene supplies for patrons visiting 6 branches of the Camden County Library System to help create as welcoming and safe an environment as possible for all." A welcoming and safe environment was also the goal for Union City Public Library which expanded teen services with the creation of the library's first-event designated teen space
Personal Care Pantries
“You have exactly the ‘little things’ you need when we need them, like socks are a big deal when you don’t have socks or can’t wash your socks. You guys are lifesavers, seriously.” – Patron at the Downtown Camden Branch
Creating a More Inclusive Library
"74 children have attended our Children’s
Sensory- Friendly programming through the time of grant project...The children love to engage with the sensory materials. We have also been able to accommodate children that have recently been diagnosed and are participating in early intervention; giving the caregivers a chance to meet and connect as well." - Maywood Public Library Staff
To learn more about the Level Up Your Library program - including further details about the projects undertaken by our grant recipients, visit the Level Up Your Library page on our website!
We've recently added a new learning pathway to our on-demand professional development platform! This new addition is a significant step forward in providing targeted skill enhancement opportunities for library personnel throughout New Jersey. We invite you to browse this curated collection of courses, specifically designed for public library staff.
Among the diverse array of courses offered, notable ones include Accessibility in Your Library, where JJ Pionke guides participants through evaluating their own library spaces to be more inclusive. This course provides practical advice staff and administration can use to enhance the customer experience. Another critical course, Adult Learning in the Library, focuses on transforming library programs to better cater to adult learners. It offers strategies and insights based on extensive research. Similarly, Adult Library Programs that Work presents a range of engaging program ideas for adult patrons, ensuring libraries meet diverse needs.
Courses like Advising Parents About Child Digital Media Use and Community Homelessness and What Libraries Can Do address contemporary challenges faced by libraries. These, alongside others such as Designing Effective Library Signage and Disability Accommodations in Libraries, demonstrate the pathway's comprehensive approach to covering a wide array of topics relevant to modern librarianship.
News and Partner Updates
Send an email: Every student in New Jersey deserve a librarian!
The New Jersey Association of School Librarians is pleased to share a way for all New Jersey library staff to support bill A1712/S2316 - often referred to as "The Ratio Bill." The Bill requires a "ratio of school librarians to students" and could be a game-changer for equity of access to certified media specialists for New Jersey students!
We are encouraging all community members to visit the link here to contact their legislators in support of this bill, and asking them to share this link widely with their colleagues and community. This is how we can grow our ecosystem and strengthen the role of libraries in our state!
NJASL appreciates NJLA's support as we work to have a school library media specialist in every school.
The New Jersey Center for the Book proudly presents the annual Miss Rumphius Award, based upon the title character of the National Book Award winner by Barbara Cooney.
In the spirit of Miss Rumphius, we seek to amplify the work of exemplary librarians, library staff, library students, and school librarians who implement creative and engaging programs to improve their environments. We hope the Miss Rumphius Award inspires other librarians to plant the seeds of these ideas to enhance literacy in their own communities!
Click here for more details and application materials! Applications are due March 15th!
This week is your last chance to register for the New Jersey Open Libraries Tour!
Learn from your colleagues, seek diverse perspectives, celebrate excellence, unite with with the larger library ecosystem, and advocate for the value of libraries by joining us at one of our NJOLT sites during the designated dates and time.
Registration is required, so visit this link to sign up before Friday, February 2nd!
We are excited to bring you news from our friends and partners at the NJLA Professional Development Committee! Join NJLA PD here in the LLNJ Newsletter each month for interesting articles and valuable updates!
Violeta Aybar-Maki --- Children’s Librarian at Union City Public Library
Not long ago one of the most hardworking and dedicated library assistants I know shared an unsettling encounter she had with her library director. While she was browsing through the pages of a book in circulation, the director caught her off guard with a reprimand: "Really? Reading? Go and do shelf reading." The book in question was Solito by Javier Zamora, the moving story of the author’s journey from El Salvador to the United States as a nine year-old boy. Being a founding member of the local Spanish book club, she eagerly anticipated delving into the book and sharing her insight with fellow readers. On this particular day, she was merely flipping through the pages in search of childhood pictures of the author, perhaps glimpses of his family, friends, and home. Hearing her account, I initially thought it was a joke, but I quickly noticed she was completely demoralized and it affected the way in which she approached her work for the rest of the day.
In thinking about “How did I get here?” I wonder about what happens to the soul of a librarian when they seek and take on the monumental responsibility of a public institution and its staff. Why do such transgressions permeate the ranks of those entrusted to champion community and foster a love of reading? Is this the path I want to follow? Is it worth it? I know there are good role models in leadership out there –library workers at all levels supporting one another while serving their communities through the toughest times. However, we can still find disenfranchised voices in our midst and we must do our best to hear their stories.
I’ve been a children’s librarian at the Union City Public Library for the last nine years. I was given a chance to run a department fresh out of graduate school and without much relevant experience. It was overwhelming, but exciting. My path into the unknown was heavily facilitated by library assistants and pages, whose wealth of knowledge I eagerly absorbed, recognizing the invaluable experiential narratives they impart. My predecessor was a wonderful librarian who ran popular programs for over thirty years, and since she retired several months before my first day on the job, I had to start from scratch. I began with the basics – arts and crafts, story time, and music and movement. Then it was a matter of introducing special events around major holidays and celebrations. Over the years, our team has worked hard to infuse the library with vibrant and engaging programming. We've had penguins waddling in from the aquarium, and all sorts of cool animals visiting. Plus, we've welcomed musicians, mad scientists, storytellers and awesome local authors. Sometimes, we just make up reasons to have parties with the kids, like Elephant Day or Popcorn Day. These parties are full of laughter and joy for everyone who joins in and I'm incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of the staff, who consistently have my back, whether they're officially assigned to my department or generously volunteering their time. Their dedication and willingness to lend a hand, regardless of their formal roles, exemplify the true spirit of teamwork and camaraderie within our organization.
As I've gone through ups and downs, I've learned something special about libraries: they're where all kinds of people and stories collide, mixing together to teach us important lessons that will inevitably shape our careers. My own journey into the library world began in Santo Domingo when I was nine. I didn't care much for school and figured out I needed a job if I wanted to buy candy and magazines. My family ran a local K-12 school in my neighborhood that was founded by my grandmother in the 60s. I asked them for work, and they made me into a "bibliotecaria de tarde" -- the afternoon librarian. I thought the title was too severe and older kids used to pay me a visit with the strangest academic inquiries.
Libraries, no matter the time or place, seem to speak a universal language. Whether stepping into a dusty, humid room as a child or entering the children's section of my current library, the experience feels remarkably similar. The quest for order, the array of characters with their unique inquiries and challenges – it all remains consistent. This realization dawns on me that one can never be fully prepared, yet remarkably, the answers lie not just within the walls but within the people themselves – in library workers and patrons. Libraries serve as special places where individuals and narratives converge, whether in a small library in Santo Domingo or a bustling children's section in a public library in New Jersey, fostering a desire for learning and connection. As I continue my work in libraries, I'm reminded that our strength extends beyond books and digital resources; it's in the relationships we build and the stories we share. By embracing the diverse voices in our community and embracing the power of storytelling, we ensure that everyone feels valued and included. This underscores the enduring significance of libraries as spaces for learning, empathy, and communal engagement –and it starts with us.
Violeta joined the Union City Public Library in 2014 as a Children’s Librarian. She holds a Masters in Library and Information Science from the Pratt Institute and a BA in History of Art and Architecture from DePaul University. Her areas of interest are Early Literacy and multi-generational programming.
UPCOMING EVENTS
NJLA Diversity & Outreach Section's Professional Development Opportunities Calendar: Both free and paid continuing education offerings in New Jersey (or online) that focus on the topics of diversity, outreach, equity, inclusion, LGBTQIAAP+, and access.
We Want to Hear From You!
Please email suggestionbox@librarylinknj.org with feedback about our services and programs. Suggestions for new services and programs are welcome, too.
About LibraryLinkNJ
LibraryLinkNJ: Every New Jersey Library - Connected and Thriving
LibraryLinkNJ (formerly known as INFOLINK) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Its members are multi-type libraries and library-related agencies located in the twenty-one counties of New Jersey. This area includes 8.79 million people. The population of the state is highly diverse and includes some of the largest communities of Spanish speaking and Asian Indian persons in the U.S.
LibraryLinkNJ – The New Jersey Library Cooperative has over 1100 voting representatives from over 2,500 public and private school, public, academic, institutional, corporate, health sciences and special libraries and library-related agencies. A member-elected Executive Board meets regularly to oversee the programs and services of the organization.
LibraryLinkNJ and its services are funded by the New Jersey State Library, which is responsible for the coordination, promotion and funding of the New Jersey Library Network. Members join at no charge and pay no dues.
Email: info@librarylinknj.org
Website: www.librarylinknj.org
Location: 2300 Stuyvesant Avenue, Ewing Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 732-752-7720
Facebook: facebook.com/librarylinknj
Instagram: @librarylinknj