In This Issue
Executive Director - Commentary
Membership Meeting
EBSCO Boot Camp
Discounts
Continuing Education
Quick Links
LibraryLinkNJ Website
Follow librarylinknj on Twitter
Find Us on Facebook
 
Invited Contribution
- Executive Director Commentary

I invited Judy Avrin to write the “Someday Melissa” piece below. Judy is a NJ academic library colleague and Rutgers library school grad whose efforts in this documentary project have resulted in a positive international response. As LibraryLinkNJ plans to launch a Diversity Task Force in FY13, expect periodic pieces on services and collection development options in a broad range of diversity areas. Regardless of the type of library in which you work, I encourage you to take two minutes and view the trailer on the Someday Melissa website. This topic may strike a personal chord. With this DVD and other resources, we have a means to help others professionally. 

Cheryl O’Connor, Executive Director

Someday Melissa

A powerful documentary on eating disorders is now available on DVD.  Three years ago, 19 year old Melissa Avrin died after a five-year battle with bulimia.  An aspiring filmmaker, Melissa dreamed of making a movie that would, in her words, “change lives.”  Inspired by her journal writings and her poem “Someday...,” her mother Judy Avrin fulfilled her dream by producing a documentary called Someday Melissa: The Story of an Eating Disorder, Loss and Hope. 

Colleges, high schools, public libraries and mental health organizations across the country have purchased the nationally recognized, one-hour documentary.  Melissa’s story is providing hope and inspiration to individuals and their families battling eating disorders across the globe as word traveled through social media.  Institutions that are subscribers to NJVid can have streaming rights for their authorized users.

Feedback from screenings held at colleges, high schools, community and mental health groups has been extraordinary:

“You have brought new life to many, saved lives and truly have given voice to many who live in secret, fear and shame.” ~ Leslie Sanders, MD

“I know this film will make a difference. Parents and society in general know so little about this kind of disorder! Discussion is much needed so we can all understand... so we can prevent and fight eating disorders.” ~ Javiera from Chile

“I am a high school Health Educator in Michigan. Having taught for over 34 years, I immediately saw the educational value of what you are striving to do to prevent eating disorders. I will commit to using your material for our Eating Disorders Curriculum.” ~ K.A., Bloomfield Hills, MI

“I am a professor who teaches mental health courses for students who will go on to become school psychologists working with youth and their families. I think that you are doing your daughter a great service by spreading the message of awareness about eating disorders.” K.R.

Judy is the coordinator for VALE, the consortium of New Jersey academic libraries and has spoken at colleges and screenings across New Jersey. For information on Someday Melissa and to purchase the DVD, visit www.somedaymelissa.com.

 

Membership Meeting

LibraryLinkNJ’s Spring Membership Meeting is coming! Once again, we’re holding the meeting in three locations, connected by videoconference using the NJEDge Network. The meetings will be held simultaneously on Tuesday, May 22, from 2-4:15 PM.

The three locations are:         

  • Rowan University, Glassboro -- Chamberlin Student Center, Eynon Ballroom
  • Rutgers University, New Brunswick -- Scholarly Communication Center, Alexander Library
  • Passaic County Community College, Wanaque -- Wanaque Academic Center

Registration is open! Network with colleagues, participate in our business meeting, and join the discussion sparked by the LibraryLinkNJ staff’s presentation of a Services Update and plans for Fiscal Year 2013. There will be time for questions. Everyone is welcome, but space is limited, so register today!

VOTING REPRESENTATIVES - Your vote is essential.  If you were the voting representative for your library in your former Regional Library Cooperative, we should have you listed as the voting representative for your library in LibraryLinkNJ, the New Jersey Library Cooperative.  You can double check by going to the Voting Representative List.  Contact Mi-Sun Lyu, if the information there is incorrect.

Voting Representatives will be voting on:

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

For complete meeting and registration information, go to http://librarylinknj.org/content/librarylinknj-spring-membership-meeting-0

 

EBSCO Boot Camp

EBSCO Boot Camp is back! The New Jersey State Library, in partnership with LibraryLinkNJ, is pleased to announce two dates and two locations for a free summer EBSCO Boot Camp for School Librarians.

The morning session (Part 1) will explore the basic features and functionality of the interfaces including lexile searching, developing an activity, and content of the databases.

The afternoon session (Part 2) will cover advanced searching techniques, including creating a personal folder, using alerts and search history.

You will be able to register for the either the morning or afternoon sessions, or both!

Registration is now open:

Discounts

Featured Discount: 
Gale Cengage eBooks and National Geographic Archive

In response to member requests, LibraryLinkNJ is very pleased to announce a new eBook discount offer with Gale Cengage. To achieve the extended timeframe for members to use FY2013 funds, the LibraryLinkNJ office will manage invoicing and payments. Many of you expressed a need to enter the eBook arena and others expressed a need to expand or update existing Gale eBook collections. Please spread the word to appropriate staff.

LibraryLinkNJ Public and School Library members are eligible for the following discounts:

  • 30% or more off eBooks from Gale Virtual Reference Library and other individual titles
  • 25% off the new National Geographic Magazine Archive, 1888-1994.

The deadline to commit to this offer is June 15, 2012.  Libraries may pay using FY2012 funds by June 30, 2012, or using FY2013 funds by November 20, 2012.

To get started, locate discount details and contact information for your Gale Cengage here.

Other Discounts:

  • CLCD - discount valid until 12/31/12 
    CLCD (Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database) is a database of reading and educational materials for children and young adults grades preK-12, with 434,000 reviews aggregated from 40 respected reviewing sources, award and notable lists, reading measurements and more.

To see all current discounts, visit the Discounts Page.

 

Continuing Education
  • Storytime...and Beyond! | Wednesday, May 2, 10-11:30 AM
    It’s your last chance to register for this free webinar all about services beyond the great storytimes you already offer. Get inspired to take your services to the Pre-K set to the next level! Registration will remain open until 2:30 PM on Tuesday, May 1.
     
  • iPads in the Children’s Room | Thursday, May 10, 10-11:30 AM
    Curious about how to share iPads with your community in a way that supports your library’s mission & values? Register today for this free webinar to learn about how to integrate emerging technology into existing programs, and about how new tech tools support literacy and learning in the 21st century!
     
  • Keeping the Vision While Keeping the Lights On: Sustainability and Funding Issues | Wednesday, May 23 -- All Day!     
    The New Jersey State Library, LibraryLinkNJ and the New Jersey Library Association invite you to attend a sustainability event on May 23, 2012, at the Sheraton Eatontown. This FREE, all-day event is open to all members of the library community. Special guests Joan Frye Williams and George Needham will lead a discussion on identifying the most pressing issues for the library community, and developing innovative, viable solutions to sustain and fund library services. Registration is now open!