LibraryLinkNJ News

For more details about any of our projects, programs, or services please visit the LibraryLinkNJ website!

For questions, suggestions, or help with your account, please reach out to our CE Team: ce@librarylinknj.org

Hey New Jersey library folks! 👋

Can you believe we're already diving into November? Autumn is my favorite season and even though it has been muted this year, I have been enjoying the changing colors and the (sort of) cooler temperatures. I hope you have been able to take some time to pause and enjoy the change of seasons.

Our November newsletter is packed with exciting opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. From virtual workshops on AI tools to hands-on craft sharing sessions, there's something for everyone this month. We're especially excited about our lineup of professional development sessions – whether you're interested in beefing up your cybersecurity knowledge, exploring genre-specific readers' advisory, or connecting with fellow library professionals in our MentorNJ Meetups. Looking to get out of the library? Don't miss our in-person Show & Share event at Hunterdon County Library, where you can swap craft ideas (and materials!) with colleagues from around the state.

We're also excited to share some glimpses into what we've been up to this past month, including a special dedication ceremony at Bayonne Public Library with none other than George R.R. Martin himself, and our first ever "Making History" event in partnership with the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey, New Jersey Makers Day, and the Piscataway Public Library.

Dive in to discover all the ways LibraryLinkNJ is working to keep our library community connected and thriving!

Best regards,

Ralph

We invited NJ library workers to help shape the future of EDI training for NJ library leaders by participating in the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Training Needs Survey for Library Leaders during August 2024. The survey was conducted as part of our Strategic Roadmap for the "EDI Framework for NJ Libraries" Project, and we now have a summary report of the survey findings to share with everyone.

Check out the photos below of NJ library staff showing off their Halloween best in their libraries. Then use the poll beneath to vote for your favorite! Voting will remain open until Wednesday, November 13th!

*Please note that if multiple photos of the same staff members were submitted, we selected only one to include in the contest.

Thanks to the Ocean County Library Youth Services department for inviting us to join their October meeting, where we were able to speak to the team about our MentorNJ Meetups, Directory, and Task Force! We had a great time meeting all of the incredible OCL Youth Services team members and sharing info about the MentorNJ initiative!

Congratulations to Bayonne Public Library Director Melody Scagnelli-Townley and the entire Bayonne team for the recent dedication of their Popular Fiction room to Bayonne native George R.R. Martin, and for hosting an evening with Mr. Martin himself to make the dedication official! CE Team members Darby Malvey and Stephanie Sendaula were thrilled to be able to represent LLNJ at the event!

Succession Planning for Strategic Success

Brought to you by our colleagues at the Florida Virtual Library Campus, this one hour overview with Dr. Suzanne Morrison-Williams will explore 4 key concepts related to successful succession planning.

• Succession Planning for Strategic Success, Virtual, Wednesday, November 6th, 2024; 1pm-2pm. Made available to you via the Professional Development Alliance of Library Consortia.

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Learning with LOUIS: Creating AI-Powered Widgets with Pickaxe Project

Join Olivia Peltier, Instruction Librarian at UL Lafayette, for a gentle introduction to creating custom coded widgets and other tools that utilize AI to help automate tasks for our patrons and ourselves. Participants will learn some basics of reading code, how to adapt existing code to suit a new task, and how to use tools like Pickaxe Project to generate custom tools code-free.

• Creating AI-Powered Widgets with Pickaxe Project, Virtual, Thursday, November 7th, 2pm-3pm. Made available to you via the Professional Development Alliance of Library Consortia.

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Consumer Health Information Series: Rural Health Resources

Evidence shows that there are marked health disparities between those living in rural areas versus their urban counterparts. This class will describe hallmarks of rural America, identify access challenges of living in rural communities, and equip participants with tools to service the health information needs of those living in rural communities. This course is Courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and qualifies for one credit towards Consumer Health Information Specialization.

• Rural Health Resources, Virtual, Thursday, November 7th, 1pm-2pm. Made available to you via the Professional Development Alliance of Library Consortia.

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African American Subject Funnel Projects

In recent years, the library community has recognized the need to make our libraries more equitable and representative of the diverse groups we serve. This has inspired initiatives to reexamine library spaces, collections and systems. This presentation examines one such effort, the African American Subject Funnel Project. This cross-institutional, collaborative group works to improve catalog records by adding or amending Library of Congress Subject headings related to the African American experience.

• African American Subject Funnel Project, Virtual, Thursday, November 14th, 11am12pm. Made available to you via the Professional Development Alliance of Library Consortia.

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Advancing Joy In Your Collection & Programming Using Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table (CSKBART) Winners & Honors

What do your patrons and students see and read on a continual basis? Are their identities and experiences reflected in the books within your library? In this session, discover how you can audit your library, and develop an inclusive collection that will include Coretta Scott King Book Awards winners and honor titles.

• Advancing Joy In Your Collection & Programming Using Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table (CSKBART) Winners & Honors, Virtual, Thursday, November 14th, 2pm-3:30pm. Made available to you via the Professional Development Alliance of Library Consortia.

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Cybersecurity Basics for Library Staff

Join us for a comprehensive exploration of the diverse cyber threats facing both individuals and organizations, led by Krista Valenzuela, bureau chief of Cyber Threat Outreach & Partnerships (CTOP) at the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell.

• Cybersecurity Basics for Library Staff, Virtual, Tuesday, November 19th, 1:30pm-3pm.

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LibraryLinkNJ is proud to partner with Hackensack Meridian Hospital System to offer both Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid training to our members. Mental health can touch nearly any aspect of library service, and we invite staff in any position to register for this valuable training course. *Capacity for each training is limited to 30 participants!*

• Adult Mental Health First Aid, Virtual, Friday, November 15th, 9am-2:30pm.
• Youth Mental Health First Aid, Virtual, Friday, December 13th, 9am-1:30pm.

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Innovative Approaches to Supporting Underserved Populations: Insights from NC Libraries

As libraries continue to evolve to meet the needs of their communities, some have taken innovative steps to support underserved populations by adding social workers to their staff. In this panel discussion, representatives from four different libraries will share their experiences and insights on how they’ve integrated social work into their services. One library will also highlight the development of a literacy program aimed at supporting adult basic education needs. This discussion offers a unique opportunity to learn how libraries are getting creative in addressing the varied needs of their communities, from providing social services to fostering literacy.

• Innovative Approaches to Supporting Underserved Populations: Insights from NC Libraries, Virtual, Monday, November 18th, 2pm-3pm. Made available to you via the Professional Development Alliance of Library Consortia.

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Empowering Libraries To Connect With Aging Patrons

Join us for an insightful webinar led by Joseph Winberry, professor at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Library & Information Science and recent IMLS grant awardee, as he shares his latest research on how aging patrons interact with libraries. As the population of older adults continues to grow, libraries are uniquely positioned to provide vital resources and services to meet their needs. This session will explore resources and practical strategies for fostering an environment that supports aging patrons.

• Empowering Libraries to Connect with Aging Patrons, Virtual, Wednesday, November 20th, 2pm-3pm. Made available to you via the Professional Development Alliance of Library Consortia.
  

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Skill-Sharing Conversations

Share your knowledge and learn from your colleagues in these attendee-driven conversations focused on specific library skills. Come ready to share experiences, ask questions, and connecting with your colleagues from around the state!

• K Pop at the Library: Clubs, Programs, and More; Virtual, Wednesday, December 4, 11am-12pm.

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Cracking the Case: Mastering the Mystery/Thriller Genre

Join us for an intriguing webinar designed exclusively for library staff, focusing on the mystery and thriller genre. Led by the NC LIVE Instruction Librarian and Jennifer Stuart, Adult Services Librarian at Haywood County Public Library and leader of the Grounds For Murder book club, this session will be a deep dive into the world of suspense and intrigue.

• Cracking the Case: Mastering the Mystery/Thriller Genre; Virtual, Wednesday, December 4, 2pm-3:15pm. Made available to you via the Professional Development Alliance of Library Consortia.

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Romance Unraveled: Exploring the Heart of the Genre

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of romance with our comprehensive webinar designed for library staff. Led by the NC LIVE Instruction Librarian and AlTonya Washington, Head of Reference at Winston-Salem State University and an acclaimed romance author, this session will delve into the heart of this beloved genre.

• Romance Unraveled; Virtual, Thursday, December 5th, 2pm-3:15pm. Made available to you via the Professional Development Alliance of Library Consortia.

Mark your calendar and register now for this upcoming in-person event. Join us for the chance to connect, learn, and grow with an exciting lineup of in-person opportunities!

Programming library staff who serve adult patrons are invited to join us for a Show & Share event! Show off your successful adult crafting ideas, get inspired by your colleagues from around the state, and even share or swap your leftover craft materials at this in-person event brought to you by LibraryLinkNJ and the Hunterdon County Library System! Registration is limited to 50 participants.

In-person Event, November 14th, 10am-1pm

Hunterdon County Library

Click here for more info and to register!

*Please note that due to November holidays, your favorite Meetups may have moved to a different day or time this month!

• Disabled & Neurodivergent Library Staff - November 6th, 2pm-3pm

• Maker Meetup - November 7th, 3pm-4pm

• Latino Library Staff - November 12th, 10am-11am

• Leading Lean Libraries - November 12th, 2:30pm-3:30pm

• LGBTQUIA+ Library Staff - November 13th, 11am-12pm

• Wellness Wednesday - November 13th, 3pm-4pm

• Adventures in Administration - November 14th, 10:30am-11:30am

• API - November 18th, 10am-11am

• African American Library Staff - November 20th, 1pm-2pm

• Juggling Parenting & Library Work - November 20th, 2pm-3pm

• Tech - November 21st, 3pm-4pm

On October 22nd, LibraryLinkNJ was pleased to host our first ever "Making History" event in partnership with the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey, New Jersey Makers Day, and the Piscataway Public Library!

"Making History: A History Focused Maker Event" brought together staff from libraries and historical sites, as well as members of local history organizations, to explore ways that maker culture can help inform and expand history education, especially for young people. Participants came equipped with samples of crafts, makerspace products, and other hands-on activities they've used in library programs or classrooms to help history comes to life for learners.

Following the demos, attendees formed groups and got creative with a challenge that asked them to use craft supplies provided by the Piscataway team to create an on-the-spot craft related to a history lesson. All teams rose to the challenge, managing to create a host of impressive items in just a twenty minute time window! Products included paper buildings, a functioning puppet, a feather quill and ink pot, and even a model historic site. The event then finished up with networking time and tours of the Piscataway Public Library Makerspace.

Missed the fun? No worries! The Resource Guide below contains photos, instructions, links, and more for many of the projects that were shared during the event. Feel free to download and use the Guide to help expand your own history-related programming, or pass it along to colleagues or partners who might find it helpful!

The LibraryLinkNJ team would like to thank our friends at the New Jersey League of Historical Societies, New Jersey Makers Day, and the Piscataway Public Library for all of their help and support in bringing this event to life!

This training series for new and novice supervisors is designed to help prepare the next generation of library mangers and leaders as they work to become exemplary supervisors.

Participants from across the state joined us this October for four days of training sessions, tackling the following topics:

• The Leader's Toolkit: Starting with Empathy

• Strategic Planning for Libraries: The Basics & Beyond

• Open & Honest Communication in the Workplace

• Building Relationships & Resolving Staff Conflict

• HR Basics Every Supervisor Should Know

• Personnel Documentation & Evaluation

• Giving & Receiving Feedback

• Knowing Your Strengths

We want to commend all of this fall's participants on their hard work and commitment, and we're happy to acknowledge the Super Library Supervisor Class of Fall 2024:

• Shagufta BiBi, Atlantic County Library System

• Michele Bond, Warren County Library

• Christine Brandenburg, Springfield Free Public Library

• HelenMarie Cannone, Ocean County Library

• Lori Caterson, Hamilton Township Public Library

• Michelle Cromwell, Mercer County Library System

• Susan Fichtelberg, Woodbridge Public Library

• Victoria Gallo, East Orange Public Library

• Anthony Genna, Woodbridge Public Library

• Lauren Gormley, Tinton Falls Public Library

• Jacqueline Hertz, Leonia Public Library

• Mary Kovacs, Edison Public Library

• Kena Kyqykaliu, Norwood Public Library

• Jennifer Lennon, Ocean County Library

• Lettice Lewis-Bryant, Burlington County Library System

• Tracy McConney, Camden County Library System

• Kassandra Penn, Ocean County Library

• Joan Sabo, Hunterdon County Library System

• Tara Schaberg, Sussex County Library System

• Kristen Szymanski, Asbury Park Public Library

• Cathy Tobin, Red Bank Public Library

• Nicholas Troike, Margaret Dombrosky Swedesboro Public Library

• Tyara Tucker, Jersey City Free Public Library

• Marissa Warren, Princeton Public Library

Our thanks to Monroe Township Library for providing the space for this fall's trainings!

Special Libraries Association Academic & Education Community and ACRL's EBSS Education Committee

Free Webinar, 12:30pm EST on Friday, November 8th.

The webinar features Arthur Harper (Duquesne University), who will talk about TikTok as an information source. Arthur Harper (he/they) is the Online Learning and STEM Librarian at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. He is a trans, disabled, early career librarian whose work revolves around teaching first year college students the essential research skills they need for a successful academic career. They also serve as the library's liaison for the School of Science and Engineering and for the open education initiatives on campus.

TikTok as an Information Source:

People are receiving information through short videos at increasing rates between TikTok, Instagram’s Reels, Facebook’s Reels, and Snapchat Stories. This webinar will focus primarily on TikTok since it is becoming one of the top social media apps in the United States with TikTok reporting 150 million US users in March of 2023. We will discuss how the shift from text and photos to videos is changing our students and our own expectations for learning, how TikTok is designed as a platform, why you might consider utilizing these apps in the classroom, and the ongoing legislation and legal precedents around TikTok.

To access the Zoom site, please register now for this meeting:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvceqtpzwsHtDYWS_rchrX5m7G3s7BG3DS

Save the Date: New Jersey Civic Information Consortium

First Annual All-day Conference: February 12, 2025

The College of New Jersey

We’ll bring together supporters and advocates of quality local news and information for an impactful gathering. The event will convene a diverse coalition of stakeholders—grantees, funders, partners, residents, universities, journalists, lawmakers, community groups, and other leaders—to discuss how we can continue building and sustaining New Jersey’s media ecosystem. We’ll review progress, share learnings, and workshop fresh ideas to strengthen an inclusive, resilient information landscape for all Garden State residents, both online and in person.

Interested in sharing your expertise? We’re accepting proposals for panels, workshops, and sessions until November 8, 2024.

Complete the form below, and we’ll be in touch by the end of the year about selected ideas!

https://njcivicinfo.org/event/for-the-love-of-local-news/

New Jersey Cultural Alliance for Response Virtual Summit

• Registration is now open for the New Jersey Cultural Alliance for Response Virtual Summit: Cultural Institutions and Climate Resiliency. The Summit's schedule includes:

Keynote: Adapting Facilities for Climate Resilience

Program: Collections Climate Resiliency Cohort for Coastal New Jersey and Delaware

Program: Jumpstart Your Arts Readiness Plan with dplan/ArtsReady

• This program will be held on Tuesday, November 12th from 9:00AM - 12:00PM
  
• Click Here for further details and to register!

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New Jersey Virtual Trustee Institute 2024

• Registration is now open for the 2024 New Jersey Virtual Trustee Institute.
• This program will be held on Saturday, November 16th from 9:00AM to 3:30PM.
• Click Here for further details and to register!

Interested in learning more about the many ways New Jersey school and public librarians lead innovative practice? It’s time for a road trip!

In the spirit of traditional garden or art tours, for six years, the popular NJ school library bus tour allowed pre-service LIS students, library colleagues, and school administrators to drive around the state and explore elementary, middle, and high school libraries hosted by exemplary professionals.

We plan to host two tours this year—one in the fall (November 19-21, 2024) and the second in the spring (April 1-3, 2025). Our visits will include both school and public libraries.

Use this form to let the practitioners know to plan for your visit: NJOLT Sign Up Form

The Global Center on Human Trafficking at Montclair State University (GCHT) endeavors to survey libraries across the State of New Jersey to increase our understanding of how libraries can become a resource for anti-trafficking advocacy and education. The anonymous online survey will ask questions about your library and your personal experience with the topic of human trafficking, which will take about 10 minutes of your time. Every employee at a library 18 years and older is eligible to participate.

SURVEY LINK: https://montclair.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8lkYC09TcIqzRJA

• We kindly ask you and your library staff to complete this survey no later than the end of day on November 20, 2024.

• If you have any questions about this study, please contact Dr. Daniela Peterka-Benton, at peterkabentd@montclair.edu.

• Thank you for considering participation in this study. This study has been approved by the Montclair State University Institutional Review Board, Study no. IRB-FY23-24-3790.

We invite you and the young readers in your libraries to Meet the Jersey Trackers!

Please join the New Jersey Center for the Book, in collaboration with Rutgers University SC&I, the New Jersey State Library, and the New Jersey Association of School Librarians for a free, virtual event celebrating six renowned New Jersey children’s authors and illustrators. Funding has been made possible in part by the Library of Congress.

On December 5, 2024, from 9:30 am – 11:30 am, six of the creators of the Jersey Trackers e-Serial will virtually visit with middle-grade students (grades 4 through 6) across New Jersey. We hope the event will connect young people with authors in a live (or recorded) experience and contribute to fostering their joy in reading.

****Register for the livestream event here.***

Find more information including access to the books and audiobooks, links for printable materials, the opportunity to receive professionally printed posters and bookmarks, and suggestions for ways to prepare your students for the visit, check out the Smore event flyer (continuously updated!):

Meet the Trackers Flyer and Resources

LibraryLinkNJ's Executive Board will hold their next meeting on Thursday, November 21st hybrid via Zoom or in-person at the LibraryLinkNJ offices.

All LibraryLinkNJ members are welcome to attend Executive Board meetings. Find more information on the Executive Board page on our website!

Please email suggestionbox@librarylinknj.org with feedback about our services and programs. Suggestions for new services and programs are welcome, too.

LibraryLinkNJ: Every New Jersey Library - Connected and Thriving

LibraryLinkNJ (formerly known as INFOLINK) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Its members are multi-type libraries and library-related agencies located in the twenty-one counties of New Jersey. This area includes 8.79 million people. The population of the state is highly diverse and includes some of the largest communities of Spanish speaking and Asian Indian persons in the U.S.

LibraryLinkNJ – The New Jersey Library Cooperative has over 1100 voting representatives from over 2,500 public and private school, public, academic, institutional, corporate, health sciences and special libraries and library-related agencies. A member-elected Executive Board meets regularly to oversee the programs and services of the organization.

LibraryLinkNJ and its services are funded by the New Jersey State Library, which is responsible for the coordination, promotion and funding of the New Jersey Library Network. Members join at no charge and pay no dues.

Email: info@librarylinknj.org
Website: www.librarylinknj.org
Location: 2300 Stuyvesant Avenue, Ewing Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 732-752-7720
Facebook: facebook.com/librarylinknj
Instagram: @librarylinknj