LibraryLinkNJ Spring Membership Meeting 2016

Where: New for this year, we’ll all be together at one fabulous location! We’ve booked the beautiful Forsgate Country Club for this event.

Some enticing details:

• Forsgate Country Club is centrally located in Monroe Township in Middlesex County
• Location, location, location! The country club is conveniently located right off the NJ Turnpike Exit 8A. If you've been to a meeting at the Monroe Township Library, you've probably driven right past the entrance.
• We’ll be in the stunning Highlands North Ballroom, which features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the gardens and fairways.
• We’ve selected a delicious buffet lunch for you to enjoy.
• The Country Club offers ample and convenient parking lots on both sides of the Club House.
   

Who: Everyone! Please come out to network and participate with your colleagues!

Space is limited, so don’t delay — register today!

Who: VOTING REPRESENTATIVES - Your vote is essential. We should have you listed as the Voting Representative for your library. You can double check by going to the Voting Representative List. Contact lyu [at] librarylinknj.org (Mi-Sun Lyu, )if the information there is incorrect.

If you are unable to attend, we encourage you to designate a proxy by filling out the Proxy Designation Online Form.

Why: Meet our new Executive Director, Kathy Schalk-Greene, plus: 

Networking, Voting, and Learning! We have a great program arranged.

While change is inevitable and threats to libraries are real, what may need to change the most is how we think and talk about why libraries, of all types, are critical to the success of our civilization. Many outsiders question the viability of today's libraries in light of rapid technological advances. The Pew Research Center has reported that 30% of Americans are not sure what libraries do and, more recently, reported that visits to public libraries are down by 9% since 2012. The Koch Brothers recently invested in anti-library robo-calls to help defeat a library referendum in Illinois. These are facts that cannot be ignored or taken lightly. It’s not time to get mad, it’s time to get savvy! Those we serve – throughout the communities, schools and campuses of New Jersey - are depending on us to lead the way! The attitude we have about the existing situation will help us see opportunities to move our libraries forward, secure operating funds, and breed intense loyalty among those we serve.

After participating in this program, you'll be able to:

• Embrace the importance of the mantra "Community First"
• Articulate the "why" behind the "what"
• Advance with confidence into the unknown

About the Presenter: Rebekkah Smith Aldrich is a passionate advocate for public libraries because she knows that libraries can change the world. Rebekkah currently serves as the Coordinator for Library Sustainability at the Mid-Hudson Library System (NY) where she daily assists 66 public libraries in the areas of leadership, funding and facilities. Read more about Rebekkah!