MentorNJ Mega Meetup 2023

Join us for the Spring 2023 MentorNJ Mega Meetup

The MentorNJ Task Force is pleased to invite all members of the NJ library community to the 2023 Mentor Mega Meetup! This in-person opportunity for networking, professional education, and support provides a great chance to meet with your colleagues from around the state and attend informational programs and panels. All are welcome! 

Wednesday, March 15, 2023; 10AM - 3:30PM
Monroe Township Public Library
4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township, NJ 08831

Event Schedule

10 - 10:35AM: Sign-In, Breakfast, & Networking

• Join us for breakfast and a chance to chat with your colleagues from around the state!

10:35-10:50AM: Welcome & Introductions

• Meet the MentorNJ Task Force, learn a bit more about MentorNJ, and hear about the details of our day.

10:50-11:30AM: Icebreaker Program

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

11:30AM-12:30PM: Featured Presentation

• Real Self Care for Those Who Care: Join licensed professional counselor Alexis Kilduff, MA, LPC, for an exploration of self care that takes a comprehensive view of what it means to care for ourselves and our mental health. We'll discuss how to actually care for ourselves long term, instead of looking for momentary escapes from reality to keep us going. In this presentation, we'll cover the various types of self care, how to explore and create a plan for engaging in self care, and practical application. We'll explore how self care can positively impact other aspects of our lives, including why addressing our own needs can actually be of value to the institutions and communities we serve.  We'll tackle how utilizing these skills can combat things like compassion fatigue, guilt, and shame about self advocacy, and build self esteem and resilience. 

12:30-1:30PM: Lunch & Networking

• Join us for a delicious lunch and a chance to catch up with your colleagues! Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options will be provided.

1:30-3:30PM: Free Professional Headshots

• Professional photographer Jeff Gross of the Photo Center will join us to provide free headshots for up to 40 participants. A first-come, first-served sign up sheet will be emailed to all participants following the close of event registration. Headshots will be provided via email following the event date.

1:30-2:15PM: Breakout Session, Panels A & B

• Panel A: Leading From Any Position: You don't have to be the boss to be a leader! We can sometimes believe that only managers or directors are the leaders in our field, but leadership can come from any position. Join us to hear from 3 of your colleagues about how they're taking on leadership roles within their institutions, around the state, and in the profession at large.
  Panelists: Jenny Lichtenwalner, Piscataway Public Library; Dean Klimek, Cranbury Public Library; Alicia Roma, Elizabeth Public Library

• Panel B: Professional Development Is Organizational Development: Short staffing, small budgets, and busy schedules can sometimes leave managers wondering whether providing time or funds for staff PD is really the best use of those resources, but the reality is that growing staff is an important part of growing your organization. Whether you're a manager looking to learn about how staff PD can support your institution's development or a staff member looking for talking points to bring back to your supervisors, this panel about the value of developing staff will have something for you!
  Panelists: Kimberly Paone, Matawan Aberdeen Public Library; Cassie Collucci, Somerset County Library System; Ralph Bingham, LibraryLinkNJ

2:30 - 3:15PM: Breakout Session, Panels C & D

• Panel C: Combatting Imposter Syndrome: Applying for a new role, running for an important position, or even just tackling an important work project can all be tasks that leave us second-guessing whether we're qualified, prepared, or "good enough." If you've found yourself second-guessing whether you should tackle that new goal or wondering "why me" when someone seeks your input or advice, join our panelists to find out how they've overcome those feelings of being an imposter!
  Panelists: Carina Gonzalez, Piscataway Public Library; Andrea Levandowski, New Jersey State Library; Gabrielle Graziul, Burlington County Library System
   
• Panel D: Thoughts From New(ish) Library Staff: What do our newest library staff members need and want from their colleagues, workplaces, and profession? Join this panel of new(ish) library staff members to hear what you can do to support your new colleagues and help support the future of NJ libraries!
  Panelists: Susan Vignuolo, Piscataway Public Library; Connie Bermudez, Rahway Public Library; Diana Price, Burlington County Library System

3:15-3:30PM: Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts

• Gather for a wrap-up and a chance to share your feedback about the days' events!

More details are coming soon but registration is open now and limited to only 80 participants. Don't miss this full day of fun, networking, and education!