LLNJ's Response to COVID-19

 

 

LLNJ's Message to the Membership 
[April 3, 2020, also in PDF ]

Checking In, Hope Everyone is Staying Safe 

Dear Colleagues,

Greetings. We hope that you and your families are all doing well and staying safe. We wanted to reach out to you, to encourage you, and to let you know that we are here for you.

The emergent Covid-19 situation has disrupted our lives. We are equally anxious, confused, overwhelmed and uncertain about tomorrow. Yet we remain hopeful that the life we once knew will return quickly. We are resilient, individually and collectively and we will get through this.

LibraryLinkNJ will continue to share resources to assist you in navigating these uncharted waters. We encourage you to reach out to us, to share information on what we can do to help lighten the load on you.

This week, the MentorNJ Task Force rolled out an online engagement portal, designed to keep the New Jersey library community connected, rejuvenating and renewed. Please check out this resource at https://librarylinknj.org/MentorNJ/meetup/online and share with your colleagues. MentorNJ is co-sponsored by LLNJ and NJSL, in partnership with NJLA.

You may have heard that the State of New Jersey has shifted its fiscal year end from June to September. In addition, last week, a budget advisory was issued to LLNJ by the New Jersey State Library, informing us that our funding for FY20 will be significantly reduced due to a spending freeze enacted by the State.

There are still multiple unknowns in the information we currently have, but we are bracing for impact. The LLNJ Board is working actively behind the scenes, through its committees and Interim Executive Director to make adjustments. Our goal is to ensure that we are ready to serve you 100%, when things return to “normal.” We will keep you informed and updated.

Our delivery services will remain suspended until current governmental restrictions are lifted and library agencies begin to reopen. In the interim, we are collating resources on the safe handling of library materials, and we will continue to share such information through our website.

Your safety, health and wellbeing are of utmost importance to us. We encourage you to continue to take safety precautions. Please be well. This too, shall pass.

Juliet Machie, Ed. D.
Interim Executive Director
juliet [at] librarylinknj.org

Chris Carbone
President
ccarbone [at] sbpl.info

 

LLNJ's Response to COVID-19 
[Updated, March 16, 2020, also in PDF ]

The health and safety of the LLNJ community is our highest priority. We are monitoring evolving information about the spread of COVID-19 across New Jersey, the country and the world.

The following changes have been implemented to LLNJ’s programs and services:

  • Delivery to all libraries will be suspended effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, until further notice.
  • LLNJ’s Executive Board Meeting scheduled for March 19, 2020 will be a virtual meeting.
  • Board Training, scheduled for March 24, 2020, will be a virtual meeting.
  • The Super Library Supervisor series, scheduled to begin on March 25, 2020, has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.

SELF CARE & SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

  • We encourage all LLNJ members to take responsibility for their own health and the health of others by adopting habits to prevent and slow the spread of viruses.
  • Self-monitoring for symptoms of flu, social distancing and self-isolation are essential to disrupt the transmission of flu, including COVID-19. Please take note of the following:
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay away from work when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • If you have not already done so, please get a flu shot.

 

Statewide Delivery Service Suspended
[March 16, 2020, also in PDF ]

In light of the extremely dynamic Covid-19 circumstances and the unprecedented number of library closures, LLNJ will suspend all deliveries effective March 17, until further notice.

Please take necessary precautions to preserve your health and wellbeing.

Always remember that "this too, shall pass."