Press Release: February 9, 2022
LibraryLinkNJ, Trenton, NJ
Phone: 732-752-7720
For more information, contact Darby Malvey, Programming & Outreach Coordinator, at Email
Libraries Across NJ Get “Ready for Anything” Thanks to Project Awards
Recently awarded funds are helping NJ libraries prepare their communities for new challenges, local emergencies, and more.
Trenton—LibraryLinkNJ—the New Jersey Library Cooperative, awarded more than $50,000 in contract awards to 12 New Jersey public and school libraries last fall as part of the “New Jersey Libraries: Ready For Anything” program. The program, which was made possible by a generous donation from EBSCO Information Services, asked applicant institutions to anticipate their next great challenge or crisis and propose projects designed to address those concerns. Each organization could request up to $5,000 for its proposal. 29 proposals were submitted, totalling $118,868 in requested funds. The 12 contract award winners have now reached the mid-point of their project periods, and many are making impressive progress.
Emergency preparedness is the focus of several projects already underway―including at Princeton Public Library, where lendable emergency preparedness kits are being readied, and West Milford Township Library where staff are in the process of developing disaster planning classes to be taught in their soon-to-debut “Computer Lab on the Go.”
Some libraries are awaiting the customization and delivery of larger scale purchases, with the goal of installation this coming spring. Hunterdon County Library is looking forward to the fabrication and installation of a customized solar canopy that will provide 24/7 access to a power supply for device charging―even during power outages. Red Bank Public Library, meanwhile, is eagerly awaiting the delivery of a Telehealth Booth that will provide a private, well-equipped space where patrons can safely engage in telehealth appointments and other confidential virtual meetings.
Still other libraries are building programs that address specific, unmet needs in their communities. The Gloucester County Library System’s Swedesboro Branch, for example, is collaborating with LiteracyNJ to design and offer hybrid (in-person/virtual) ESL classes. The Parsippany Troy Hills’ Lake Hiawatha Branch has prepared lendable Chromebooks―and is awaiting the arrival of backordered WiFi hotspots―to address the ongoing issue of limited digital access for its community in an increasingly virtual world. Rosa International Middle School Library (Cherry Hill School District) has begun creating their “Mindful Library” space, where staff and students can practice mindfulness and seek social-emotional support.
Information about all 12 contract award winners and their projects is available at https://librarylinknj.org/projects/grants/ready-for-anything.
Learn more about LibraryLinkNJ at https://librarylinknj.org.