LLNJ TechFest 2025

Event Information
Date
-
Event Type
LibraryLinkNJ Event
Event Category
Technology/Digital/Web
Location

Monroe Township Library (Middlesex County)

Target Audience

Open to all LibraryLinkNJ Member Library staff

Cost
$20 (including morning refreshments & lunch)

Invoices will be emailed to all registrants following the close of the registration period. If you require additional billing information, please contact Jennifer Bruno at 732-752-7720 ext. 104.

LibraryLinkNJ subsidizes the cost of each class to make high-quality, low-cost training available to staff of member libraries. Please pay registration fees promptly to complete your registration. Also, this is a popular event with limited registration. Please let us know in advance of the event if your plan to attend changes, so that we can offer space to your colleagues on the waiting list!

Cancellation policy:

  • You may cancel up to ten (10) business days before a scheduled class/event without penalty and receive a credit for another class or a full refund. If you cancel less than ten days before, you are responsible for payment, except in cases where LibraryLinkNJ cancels the class/event.
  • LibraryLinkNJ reserves the right to cancel the program in the event of a technical issue or any emergency situation involving the speaker. If LibraryLinkNJ cancels a class, you will receive a credit toward another class or a full refund.
  • In the event of a class cancellation, we will make every effort to notify you in advance.
Descriptions

TechFest 2025

LibraryLinkNJ Tech Advisory Group (L-TAG), LibraryLinkNJ, and NJLA with special support from the NJLA Emerging Technology Section, invites everyone working in libraries - School Media Specialists, Public Library Staff, College and University Staff, and more! - to mix and mingle with newbies and techies alike.

Join colleagues from around the state at the Monroe Township Library for a uniquely New Jersey learning experience at TechFest 2025! We are hosting a variety of hot tech topics for our 20-minute Table Talks and hands-on demonstrations, plus an afternoon special presentation! TechFest is designed for everyone working in libraries - no matter what type of library, level of knowledge, familiarity or comfort with tech. It will be a full day of interesting conversations with expert colleagues where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of technology topics. 

9:30am-10:00am
Sign-in and Refreshments

10:00am-11:30am
4 Table Talks (20 minutes/Talk)

Accessible Listening: Turning the page on audiobook tech from the NJSL Talking Book and Braille Center

  • Join TBBC for a hands-on look at the latest innovations in audiobook technology for individuals with visual or print disabilities. Featured technology will include the My Talking Books skill for the Amazon Alexa; the new wi-fi and Bluetooth enabled audiobook player from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS); and the latest software from NLS that allows audiobooks to be played on windows-based computers
  • Presenters:
    Elizabeth Burns is the Associate Director of the New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center in Trenton. She holds an MLIS from Rutgers. Liz has worked at TBBC for over 16 years.
    Jen Apgar is the Youth Services Librarian at the Talking Book and Braille Center. She earned her MILS from San Jose State University and has worked at TBBC for over 16 years.
    Liz Kelly is the Adult Services Librarian at the Talking Book and Braille Center. She earned her MLIS from the University of Alabama and her undergraduate degree from Rutgers. Liz K. has worked for TBBC for over 6 years.

Best Practices For Cyber Security

  • The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework can be overwhelming and difficult to implement. But in breaking it down into smaller steps and sections, you can secure your environment while setting goals every step of the way.
  • Presenter: Sam Michael, Information Technology Supervisor, East Brunswick Public Library

Integrating Music and Art in STEAM

  • Presenter: Andrew Eason, Plainfield Public Library

Tools to Support Information Literacy: AI and Beyond

  • A presentation on various tools employed in the instruction of Information Literacy, encompassing both artificial intelligence and traditional methods. This presentation will include an overview of various teaching resources that are available, both with and without a subscription, along with their fundamental applications. Additionally, the presenter will address the existing Information Literacy standards set forth by the New Jersey Department of Education and their relevance across different curricula.
  • Presenter: Ms. Lindsey Hintelmann is a certified school library media specialist (SLMS) at the Woodbridge Academy Magnet School in Woodbridge, New Jersey, where she has served for 18 years. Two years ago, Ms. Hintelmann took the initiative to establish an Information Literacy course for freshmen at her institution. Prior to her current role, she was the SLMS at Clifton School #9 for two years and worked as a history teacher at Long Branch High School for two years. Ms. Hintelmann holds a Bachelor's degree in History with a Minor in American Studies from Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, a Master of Education from Wesley College in Dover, Delaware, and a Master's degree in Educational Media Specialty from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.
11:30am-12:30pm
Lunch Break

12:30pm-2:00pm
4 Table Talks (20 minutes/Talk)

No Cheat Code Required: Bringing Creative Gamification to the Library

  • Gamification enhances the learning experience, and the opportunities to introduce it in your library span from the simple to the complex. This presentation will explore the “why”s of gamification and will offer a variety of resources for librarians to consider in their own gamification goals. We will also give a demonstration of the video game we are working on for our library’s New Student Orientation event in the Fall.
  • Presenters:
    Caitlin Connelly, Collection Services and Electronic Resources Librarian, Georgian Court University’s SMJC Library.
    Adele Conway, Systems, Metadata, and Emerging Technology Librarian, Georgian Court University’s SMJC Library.
    Christine Stevenson, Outreach & User Engagement Librarian, Georgian Court University’s SMJC Library.

Livestreaming/Video Production In The Library

  • Presenter: Mike Huston, Ocean Township Intermediate School Library

Smart Queries, Smarter Results: Mastering the Art of Prompting AI

  • In a world where AI can answer almost anything, the real secret to using it well is asking the right questions. This talk is about how to get the best results from AI by learning how to create good prompts. You will see how asking the right questions can turn simple answers into creative and useful ideas. The session will cover practical techniques for generating accurate data, brainstorming innovative ideas, and avoiding common pitfalls. By the end, you will learn how to make your AI queries smarter and get better results.
  • Presenter: Mei Ling Lo works as the Science Research Librarian at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She helps researchers find the right sources for their projects and teaches them how to conduct comprehensive literature reviews. Mei Ling has also created and led workshops to teach students and professors about AI tools for research, showing them how to use these new technologies in a responsible way. She is also passionate about helping researchers use citation metrics to build their profiles as authors and show how their work makes an impact. In today’s fast-changing world of information, Mei Ling advocates for embracing advanced technologies to avoid mishaps and ensure research integrity.

Web Accessibility with Userway: Less Talk, More Action

  • A hands-on, practical experience putting you into the shoes of your users who require a little extra help. Don't turn off your phones for this presentation; be sure they are charged and ready!
  • Presenter: Kevin Handeli, Web Services and Systems Specialist at University Libraries, has worked at Montclair State University for 2 years working in website content management, systems administration, communications, and social media marketing. He previously worked as a Web Developer in private industry building brand new websites and making websites accessible.

2:00pm-3:00pm
Main Program

The program title and description will be posted soon!

3:00pm-3:30pm
Closing

 

This webinar is brought to you by
LibraryLinkNJ & LibraryLinkNJ Tech Advisory Group (L-TAG)
in collaboration with NJLA Emerging Technology Section

 

Registration Information
  • Registration is limited to 70 people.
  • Registration for TechFest 2025 is now full, but we encourage you to join the waitlist. We’ll notify you if a spot becomes available!

Contact Us

If you have any questions or need assistance regarding this program,  please contact our staff:

Jon Braun
Jon Braun
Online Learning & Digital Content Specialist
732-752-7720 ext. 108
Mi-Sun Lyu
Mi-Sun Lyu
Director of Special Projects, PMP
732-752-7720 ext. 107