January 28, 2016
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Our motto here at LibraryLinkNJ is Moving Forward Together. For me, it's all about connections. Connections between libraries for resource sharing through LLNJ's delivery services. Connections to new ideas for all levels of library staff through LLNJ's continuing education opportunities. Connections to up-to-date information through LLNJ's database discounts. Connections to a sustainable future through LLNJ's advocacy efforts. Help keep these connections alive by contacting any of our staff at LibraryLinkNJ. We want to connect to you and for you. |
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If your library is closed or on a delayed opening due to inclement weather conditions on a day you are scheduled to receive delivery, please let us know so we can coordinate with Dynamex. Use this handy form and we’ll receive your update as soon as you submit it. |
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The Executive Board is pleased to announce that Warren County Library Director Maureen Wilkinson, Hunterdon County Library Director Mark Titus and George F. Smith Library of the Health Sciences (Rutgers, Newark) Director Judith Cohn have been appointed to serve on the Library Network Review Board (LNRB). LibraryLinkNJ has 4 representatives on the LNRB. LNRB advises the State Librarian on matters pertaining to necessary or desirable statewide and inter-regional programs or services.
We bid a fond farewell to Margaret Shapiro who served on the LibraryLinkNJ Executive Board from 2010 - 2016 as a Lay Representative. She is moving to Upstate New York.
Margaret also helped to develop an awareness of the importance of Library Trustees as a Board member and then as President of the New Jersey Library Trustee Association.
Through her longtime statewide involvement and leadership, unfaltering commitment, exemplary service and advocacy on behalf of New Jersey libraries Margaret has been a library champion extraordinaire in the state of New Jersey.
We thank Margaret Shapiro very warmly for her dedication and outstanding service to the Board and the membership, and wish her all the best!
Each year the Executive Director is pleased to present the membership at the Fall Membership Meeting with an Annual Report covering the previous fiscal year. This year, due to Cheryl O’Connor’s retirement in October (with the permission of the Mary Chute, New Jersey State Librarian) the meeting was cancelled. However, we do have an FY15 Annual Report to share. Please take a moment to read it and review the many accomplishments and activities of LibraryLinkNJ. You may also like to read the FY15 Continuing Education report.
The Technology & Entrepreneurship Talent Network (TETN) at NJIT and LibraryLinkNJ began a partnership in FY2014 on a new project to support the growth of the New Jersey economy. The program focused on helping NJ residents with an idea for a new business to begin to seriously transform that idea into a new venture. The vision was to enhance the role of libraries as critical community hubs attracting a new set of stakeholders.
The program helped demonstrate the very vital role libraries and librarians can play today in the state’s economic growth. Three libraries participated in the program: Cherry Hill Public Library (Laverne Mann, Library Director), Somerset County Library System (Brian Auger, Library Director) and Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library (Jayne Beline, Library Director). Their final reports are now available. They have much to share about creating partnerships with the local businesses and organizations and future plans. Ideas that other public libraries in New Jersey can use and adapt as their own. We hope you will feel inspired!
This project funded and supported six New Jersey libraries in setting up their own Next Chapter Book Clubs for adults and teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Scotch Plains Public Library (using their own Club as a model) won a contract award from LibraryLinkNJ to support setup, recruitment, training and publicity of additional Clubs, which were launched in the Fall 2014. A final report with project descriptions is now available on the LLNJ website. The group is happy to share with and mentor any libraries interested in starting their own Club. Our thanks to team at the Scotch Plains Public Library for their inspiration and hard work on this project, and to the staffs of the participating member libraries:
- Camden County Library System
- Cherry Hill Public Library
- Monmouth County Library, Eastern Branch
- Middletown Public Library
- Wayne Public Library
- Woodbridge Public Library
The Executive Board has approved the renewal of the delivery contract with Dynamex East for another year. The new contract commenced on January 1, 2016. A big thank you to all the members using the delivery service who participated in the Delivery Survey. Your valuable feedback was very helpful!
Making Makerspaces More Welcoming for Girls, Women & People of Color
Presented by Casey McCoy, San Jose Public Library
Date & Time: February 9, 2016 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM
Registration is Open - reserve your space today!
Image credit: Stefano Tinti / Shutterstock.com
Description: As libraries continue to evolve into the "21st century library" model, makerspaces have been popping up in and outside libraries nationwide. While the simple definition of a makerspace is to “provide educational opportunities to the public” the maker movement suffers from the same problem as the private tech industry: a lack of girls and minorities. Fortunately, libraries are strategically placed at the center of their communities to lead a movement to diminish the maker movement’s gender and race gap. During this program, we will discuss how your library can introduce makerspaces to your community while simultaneously empowering underrepresented populations to participate in this white-and-male-dominated culture. We will share personal observations about working with minorities and technology, examples of successful maker programs and ideas for any library to implement today.
Learning Objectives: after participating in this webinar, you’ll be able to:
- Identify needs and assets of underrepresented populations in your communities
- Implement plans and policies to create a welcoming space for girls and people of color to "make"
- Initiate ongoing reflections and dialogue with staff, community leaders and participants
Join us for practical ideas and lively conversation!
Super Library Supervisor: Registration Opens February 10th
Mark your calendars now! Registration for Super Library Supervisor will open at 10 AM on Wednesday, February 10, 2016.
Target Audience: Library staff who are currently supervisors and have less than five years of supervisory experience. (More experienced supervisors are welcome, if this is their first supervisory training.)
We have booked the dates for the 2016 edition of this perennially popular series of workshops. All programs will be held at the Monroe Township Public Library in Middlesex County on the following dates:
- March 30, 2016: What it Means To Be a Supervisor
- April 13, 2016: Personnel Evaluation & Documentation
- May 4, 2016: Communications & Conflict Resolution
- May 11, 2016: Human Resources Basics and Running Successful Meetings (a two-in-one workshop)
Super Library Supervisor is extremely popular. This year, in addition to expanding the available seats from 25 to 30, we are creating an even more equitable registration process:
- Registration will open at 10 AM on Wednesday, February 10 and will remain open through Wednesday, February 24, or until 100 spots are filled.
- Once we close registration, we will place all names into a numbered spreadsheet.
- Using a random number generator, we will accept 30 lottery winners.
- We are maintaining the limit of up to two participants from one library organization.
We will notify registrants as soon as possible with the results of the lottery.
- Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 24th
- Registration will stay open until February 24, or until 100 spots are filled, whichever comes first
Registration is online only and you need a User Account with LibraryLinkNJ to register.
DO NOT WAIT TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT UNTIL THE DAY REGISTRATION OPENS!
The approval process takes time and you may run out of time to register successfully.
More workshop information and registration details are available on the main Super Library Supervisor Page.