MentorNJ Mega Meet-up

Event Information
Date
-
Event Category
Professional/Personal Development
Location

Monroe Township Library

Directions
4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township, NJ 08831
Target Audience

All Library Staff

Cost
Free of Charge
Descriptions

MentorNJ Mega Meet-up 2025

MentorNJ Mega Meet-up 2025
@ Monroe Township Library (Middlesex County)

Wednessday, March 26, 2025
10AM - 3:30PM

Join the MentorNJ Task Force for our annual Mega Meetup, providing library staff from around the state an opportunity to gather together for networking, support, and learning! Whether you're a veteran MentorNJ participant or will be joining us for the first time, all are welcome at this fun, full-day event. This year's Mega Meetup schedule includes: 

  • 10AM - 10:30AM: Coffee & Registration

    Join us for coffee and a chance to chat with your colleagues before our official program begins

     

  • 10:30 - 11AM: Welcome & Icebreaker

    Meet the MentorNJ Task Force and join Task Force members Doug Baldwin and Andrea Levandowski as they lead us in some fun exercises to break the ice and help us get acquainted!

     

  • 11AM-12:15PM: Featured Workshop
    Emotional Wellness for Library Workers: Strategies to Manage Anxiety, Uncertainty, and Burnout Presented by Loida Garcia-Febo 

    This class equips library workers with essential tools to protect their emotional well-being in the face of anxiety, uncertainty, and burnout. Participants will learn self-preservation techniques, build coping strategies, and explore methods for managing stress—all while fostering a healthier work-life balance. The focus is on practical, actionable strategies to support mental health and resilience during challenging times. Attendees will engage in light arm movements above the head, breathing exercises, and are encouraged to come ready to be gently present during the class.

     

  • 12:15PM - 1:15PM: Lunch

    Enjoy a delicious catered lunch and the chance to catch up with your colleagues!

     

  • 1:15PM - 1:45PM: Meet the MentorNJ Meet-up Groups!

    Learn about all the Online Meet-ups MentorNJ has to offer, including an opportunity to hear from many of our Meet-up Discussion Leaders!

     

  • 1:30 - 3:00PM: Breakout Discussion Groups

    Gather in small groups with your fellow attendees for Breakout Discussions. Topics TBD!

     

  • 3:00PM - 3:30PM: Optional Wrap-Up & Networking

    Interested participants can gather one last time for a final chance to talk and network, as well as the opportunity to share thoughts or questions with the Task Force.

 

About Loida Garcia-Febo

 Loida Garcia-Febo is an international library consultant, expert in library services to diverse populations and human rights. She served as the President of the American Library Association (ALA) from 2018 to 2019. Garcia-Febo is globally known for her passion for diversity, communities, sustainability, innovation, digital transformation, library workers, library advocacy, wellness for library workers, and support for new librarians—topics on which she has taught in 45 countries. In her work, she helps libraries, companies, and organizations strategize programs, services, and initiatives in these areas and many others. She currently serves as the Health and Wellness Ambassador at the San Jose State University School of Information. Born, raised, and educated in Puerto Rico, she holds a Bachelor's in Business Education and a Master's in Library and Information Science.
 

Garcia-Febo has researched wellness and library workers for more than 25 years. Her MLS dissertation explored the effects of the work environment on the motivation, productivity, and satisfaction of auxiliary library staff (1999). Recent book chapters include "Nurturing Social Connections and Collaboration to Combat Loneliness" in Well-being in the Library Workplace: A Handbook for Managers (2025, ALA Editions) and "Wellness for Librarians: Innovative Solutions to Foster Transformation" in Library 2035: Imagining the Next Generation of Libraries (2024, Rowman & Littlefield). A podcast featuring her discussion of this book chapter is available here: https://youtu.be/TP-NJMrOLvs?feature=shared. For information about her wellness masterclasses and podcast, visit The Wellness Hub for you. Other related work: SJSU School of Information Health and Wellness Ambassador.

Garcia-Febo has a long history of service in library associations. Currently, at IFLA, she serves as a Governing Board Member and Chair of the IFLA Management of Library Associations Section (MLAS). At ALA, she serves as Chair of the IRC United Nations Subcommittee and Chair of the Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship. She is also the past President of REFORMA. Garcia-Febo has advocated for libraries at the United Nations, the European Union Parliament, the U.S. Congress, the New York State Senate, New York City Hall, and on sidewalks and streets across various states.

 

Registration Information
Limit

80

  • Registration will close on Friday, March 14th
  • Registration is limited to 80 attendees
  • Please note, by registering for this event, you agree to abide by the LibraryLinkNJ Code of Conduct during all event discussions and activities : https://librarylinknj.org/code-of-conduct
Link to Online Registration
Click Here to Register

Contact Us

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

Darby Malvey
Darby Malvey
Programming and Outreach Manager
732-752-7720 ext. 105