PROGRAMS & EVENTS

PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Special MentorNJ Hybrid Meet-ups @ NJLA Conference
Thursday, June 2, 2022

 

Upcoming Programs/Events

Past Programs/Events

 

 

MentorNJ In-Person Networking Event 2016 - Photo 1
MentorNJ In-Person Networking Event 2016 - Photo 1
MentorNJ at NJALA 2016 - Photo 1
Getting to Yes at NJLA Conference 2016 - Photo 1

 

PAST EVENTS/PROGRAMS

NJLA Conference 2018 Programs co-sponsored by MentorNJ

Effective Presentation Skills: Practical Tips for Success

An essential skill for any type of business success is the ability to speak effectively and enthusiastically to a group. By the end of this program, you will be able to grab the attention of your audience; identify vocal, verbal, visual problems and correct them; handle questions; and maximize your environment. Don’t just speak; create a stellar presentation that informs, persuades and gets results!

  • Presenter: Joanne Roukens, LibraryLinkNJ
  • Moderator: Maryjean Bakaletz, Morris County Library
  • Event Time: Thursday, May 31, 2018 - 11:30am to 12:20pm
  • Location: Wildwood 6 & 7
  • Sponsoring Groups: Professional Development Committee, Leadership & Education Subcommittee, MentorNJ

Career Corner

Looking to get feedback on your resume? Interview tips? Or maybe some advice on how to advance in your career? Stop by the Career Corner where MentorNJ mentors/representatives will be onsite to meet with you one-on-one to answer all of your professional development questions. MentorNJ is supported by LibraryLinkNJ and the NJ State Library.

  • Event Time: Thursday, May 31, 2018 - 12:30pm to 2:30pm
  • Location: Wildwood 25 & 26
  • Sponsoring Groups: Leadership & Education Subcommittee, Professional Development Committee, MentorNJ

Maximizing Communication in the Library Workplace

Communicating with all library staff in order to share news, solicit feedback or improve morale is a challenge given the many schedules and duties of library employees. In this pre-conference workshop, professional management consultant Elizabeth A. Winters will explore the important topic of effective communication in the library workplace. This workshop will focus on different methods of communication for library staff and how to distinguish which methods would be most successful for your library's needs. This workshop will equip you with the tips and strategies you need to develop a successful communication strategy for your library staff.

  • Presenter: Elizabeth A. Winters, Consulting Partner, HR Fluent
  • Event Time: Wednesday, May 30, 2018 - 2:00pm to 5:00pm
  • Location: Wildwood 10 & 11
  • Sponsoring Groups: Professional Development Committee, Personnel Administration Subcommittee, Leadership & Education Subcommittee, Administration & Management Section, MentorNJ

 

NJLA Conference 2016 Programs sponsored by MentorNJ [ Available in PDF ]

Getting to Yes: Tips for Selling Your Ideas to the People Who Matter
Tuesday, May 17, 11:30-12:20 @ Wildwood 12 & 13

Do you have a great idea, but wonder how you can present it to your supervisor or library director? A group of panelists will talk about what things you need to consider in order to sell your idea effectively. Bring a sample idea or proposal of your own if you want to get feedback from panelists.

Getting to Yes, NJLA Conference 2016

Getting to Yes, NJLA Conference 2016

Moderators: Ralph Bingham & Lorie Harding

Panelists:

  • Brett Bonfield, Executive Director, Princeton Public Library [ PDF | PowerPoint ]
  • Cindy Czesak, Director, Paterson Free Public Library [ PDF | PowerPoint ]
  • Michael Maziekien, Director, Kenilworth Public Library
  • Anne Wodnick, Director, Gloucester County Library System [ PDF | PowerPoint ]
  • Annemarie Roscello, Interim Dean of Library Services, Sidney Silverman Library, Bergen Community College
    [ PDF | PowerPoint ]
  • Hilda Weisburg, Author/Presenter/Consultant

Sponsoring Groups: MentorNJ, NJLA College & University Section, Leadership & Education Subcommittee, Member Services Committee, Professional Development Committee

Resume Review & Mock Interview Station
Tuesday, May 17 @ Wildwood 3

Participate in one-on-one mock interviews and/or have your resume reviewed with the help of several experienced librarians and directors. This can be a valuable experience for new librarians, para-professionals, job seekers, or anyone looking to make sure their interview skills stay sharp and are interested in keeping their resume current.

11:00 am-12:00 pm

Moderator: Emily Weisenstein, Madison Public Library

Resume Reviewers & Mock Interviewers:

  • Heather Andolsen, Assistant Director, Burlington County Library System
  • Lanora Melillo, Head of Children's Services, Scotch Plains Public Library
  • Michael Maziekien, Director, Kenilworth Public Library
  • Maria LaBadia, Director, Nutley Public Library
  • Mary Mallery, Associate Dean for Technical Services, Harry A. Sprague Library, Montclair State University
  • Kathy Schalk-Greene, Executive Director, LibraryLinkNJ

2:00-4:00 pm

Moderators: Doug Baldwin & ​Nadine Sergejeff

Resume Reviewers & Mock Interviewers:

  • Dale Spindel, Director, Springfield Free Public Library
  • Heather Andolsen, Assistant Director, Burlington County Library System
  • Nadine Sergejeff, Reference & Special Collections Librarian, Newark Public Library
  • Lindsey Meyer, Reference Librarian, Edison Public Library
  • Heather Dalal, Assistant Professor II-Librarian, Moore Library, Rider University
  • Annemarie Roscello, Interim Dean, Bergen Community College
  • Lorie Harding, Head of Instructional Services, The Bunn Library, The Lawrenceville School

Sponsoring Groups: MentorNJ, NJLA College & University Section, Leadership & Education Subcommittee, Member Services Committee, Professional Development Committee

New Librarian & Student Mixer – Meet the Mentors at Eden Lounge
Tuesday, May 17, 2016 - 5:00pm to 6:00pm @ Eden Lounge

Mix, mingle and network with friends and colleagues. Mentors from the MentorNJ initiative will be available for professional development support. A special invitation is extended to those new to our profession. All are welcome to attend. After a day of sessions this is a perfect way to start your evening. Each attendee is responsible for their own costs. Eden Lounge is located within Harrah’s Resort. 

Sponsoring Groups: MentorNJ, NJLA Administration & Management, Leadership & Education Subcommittee, Member Services Committee, Professional Development Committee

Pool Party
Tuesday, May 17, 2016 - 8:00pm to 9:30pm @ The Pool @ Harrah's
[ Flyer in PDF ]

Join NJLA for a fabulous ending to a full day of conference programming. Mix, mingle and network with friends and colleagues at The Pool at Harrah’s to cap off the evening with a cash bar, informal networking and casual socializing -- and maybe even a dip in the pool. A special invitation is extended to NJLA leadership and graduates of the Emerging Leaders program.

At The Pool at Harrah’s, it’s always 82 degrees and the water is warm 365 days a year! (Please note: 21+ only!)

Sponsoring Groups: MentorNJ, NJLA Conference Committee, Member Services Committee

Maximizing our Collective Energies: Grow, Share and Strengthen
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 - 11:30am to 12:20pm @ Wildwood 23 & 24

Have you identified your personal strengths and professional interests? Do you actively seek out opportunities to contribute to your library and professional communities? Attend this session to discover how to re-invigorate your passion for your profession! The presenters will provide examples of how to leverage librarians' personal interests, share knowledge within your library and encourage meaningful team work. These efforts contribute to your individual growth and the overall success of your library.

Moderator: Kelly Bennett

Presenters:

  • Amanda Piekart, Berkeley College
  • Bonnie Lafazan, Berkeley College

Sponsoring Groups: MentorNJ, NJLA College & University Section, Professional Development Committee

Grooming the Next Generation of Leaders: Mentoring for Management in the Library Environment 
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 - 2:30pm to 3:20pm @ Wildwood 6 & 7

Are you in a position to mentor new leaders? Learn tips and strategies that work for both professional and non-professional staff to prepare them to move up and become the leaders of tomorrow. 

Moderator: Evalina Erbe

Presenters:

  • Irene Goldberg, Director, Monroe Township Library
  • Erica Krivopal, Teen Services Librarian, Piscataway Public Library
  • Irene Langlois, YA Librarian, Maplewood Memorial Library

Sponsoring Groups: MentorNJ, NJLA Administration & Management, College & University Section, Professional Development Committee

Training Tips & Tricks: Templates and Strategies for Training New Staff
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 - 2:30pm to 3:20pm @ Wildwood 12 & 13

Would you like assurance that your new hire has the information and support they need to succeed? How can you help them feel part of the team, become motivated to serve, succeed and stay? Good training! A panel of experienced library trainers and recent hires will illustrate how to welcome new employees and provide the resources they need. Attendees will be provided with a training template that can be modified to suit their individual library.

Moderator: Zara Wilkinson

Presenters:

  • Deborah Blackwell, Ocean County Library
  • John P Irwin, Seton Hall University
  • Joan M Serpico, Rider University Libraries
  • Emily Witkowski, Maplewood Memorial Library

Sponsoring Groups: MentorNJ, NJLA College & University Section, Reference Section


ONLINE MEET-UPS

In 2015, one online networking meet-up was offered for professional networking among the library professionals and paraprofessionals in New Jersey.

MEET-UP 2015

  • Date: Thursday, May 21, 2015
  • Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
  • Meeting platform: AdobeConnect
  • Program Title: Library Bootcamp, led by a moderator and a group of panelists.
  • The project team conducted an online survey to pick a theme for the meet-up.
  • Go to the program page for the program materials!

IN-PERSON NETWORKING EVENT

A day that was dedicated exclusively to networking and celebrating the profession!

MentorNJ In-Person Networking Event
[Photo by Lindsey Meyer, Edison Public Library]

The MentorNJ In-Person Networking Event at the Monroe Township Library on Friday, October 2, was a great success. In spite of the uncooperative weather conditions (influenced by Hurricane Joaquin), 59 passionate library colleagues from around the state gathered together to network with each other to celebrate the profession, as promised!

MentorNJ In-Person Networking Event
[Photo by Lindsey Meyer, Edison Public Library]

The Opening Talk, The Importance of Joining Professional Organizations and Attending Conferences and Webinars and the Panel Discussion, What Do Libraries Look for in Their Next Hire were both practical and lively. Participants then enjoyed collegial networking opportunities, mock interviews and resume reviews. Many attendees also sat for updated headshots with a professional photographer. As the final program of the day, everyone played a team-based Trivia Game, and the competition was funny and fierce! Julie Walsh was the wonderful emcee for the game, and all participants played to win (but fairly)!

The proud winning team members of the Trivia Game, defeating all the smart competitors, were:

  • Rebecca Crawford, Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, Somerset County Library System
  • Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library
  • Elizabeth Ferry, Princeton Public Library
  • Scott P. Muir, Rowan University Libraries, Campbell Library
  • Michael Maziekien, Kenilworth Public Library
  • Michael Smith, Waterford Township Public Library
  • Cheryl Erenberg

Eighteen lucky attendees won a prize, which included a Chromebook, a Polaroid Socialmatic, 5 Fitbit sets and 10 Chromecasts, and everyone received a MentorNJ promo pack with a lunch bag, lanyard, pen and a flyer!

The participants shared their feedback, and here are some excerpts of the positive feedback from the event:

  • Location, time, pleasant environment, nice dedicated people, good selection of panelists, game playing! It makes me feel good, strong, proud of our profession.
  • The ability and opportunity to meet new librarians. The panel about what libraries look for in their next hire was really helpful.
  • Networking & pretty much everything!
  • I'm new to NJ, so it was a nice way to get to know my new colleagues.
  • Great advice from panelists, helpful resume advice, mock-interviews!
  • I liked the networking options. The trivia game was great for getting to know new people.
  • Happy to get a headshot.
  • All of it!

The MentorNJ Project Team would like to thank everyone who participated in the event and made it so much fun and valuable! We also thank you for sharing your feedback with us, and we'll make sure to take all your suggestions into consideration when we plan our future programs. Check out more information about MentorNJ

We would also like to give our special thanks to the NJ State Library and the LibraryLinkNJ staff for their help with event material preparation and to the speakers, panels and volunteers who shared practical advice and thoughts with all participants at the event.

Opening Talk Speakers:

  • Mary Chute (State Librarian)
  • Chris Carbone (Incoming NJLA President)
  • Cheryl O'Connor (LibraryLinkNJ Executive Director)

What Do Libraries Look for in Their Next Hire Panelists:

  • Ralph Bingham, Gloucester County Library System
  • LaDawna Harrington, Librarian at Millburn High School, Past president of NJASL
  • Michael Maziekien, Kenilworth Public Library
  • Kimberly Paone, Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library
  • Annemarie Roscello, Bergen Community College
  • Dale Spindel, Springfield Free Public Library

Mock Interviewers:

  • Dale Spindel, Springfield Free Public Library
  • Michael Maziekien, Kenilworth Public Library
  • Kimberly Paone, Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library
  • Heather Andolsen, Burlington County Library System

Resume reviewers:

  • Lindsey Meyer, Edison Public Library
  • Ralph Bingham, Gloucester County Library System
  • Nadine Sergejeff, Newark Public Library
  • Heather Dalal, Moore Library, Rider University

This networking event is also produced in collaboration with the NJLA Member Services Committee.


REGISTRATION

  • Registrations for MentorNJ Programs/Events are open to anyone who works at NJ libraries or Library School students who are currently enrolled in coursework for MLIS or Certified School Library Media Specialist in an accredited academic program in New Jersey. Anyone in the New Jersey Library Community is welcome to participate. 
  • MentorNJ online program recordings and materials are available on each program page for everyone!
  • Online registration through LibraryLinkNJ website (user log-in required). If you need help with registration, please contact us at Email