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

Our big news this month is the launch of location scanning using barcodes posted at all delivery pickup/dropoff locations. All libraries/organizations that receive delivery service will be required to post a sign with a barcode at the delivery location in their building. LLNJ will provide a laminated barcode sign for each location, and TForce will ensure that each location receives the laminated barcode. TForce drivers will deliver signs to participating libraries during the week of September 11, and begin location scanning on September 18. More information about location scanning is available below in the Important Delivery Update.

Our fall program calendar is packed with many exciting opportunities including our virtual Literacy conference; the return of MentorNJ meetups; and lots of professional development opportunities. Don’t miss the details below!

We know that the start of the new school year this month brings with it both opportunities and challenges. We’re happy to remind everyone that delivery service to schools will resume the week of Monday, September 1​1​, 202​3.

On behalf of our whole team, we wish all of our members - whether you’re working as school staff or faculty, supporting the students and educators in your community, or sending a loved-one back to the classroom - a safe, healthy, and happy school year!

Best regards,

Ralph

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The next LibraryLinkNJ Executive Board Meeting will take place on Thursday, September 21st at 2:30PM online via Zoom.

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

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Congratulations to our BookBashNJ August Prize Pack Winners!

Congrats to all the winners of our August #BookBashNJ Prize Packs! 10 lucky folks won Prize Packs full of books and bookish goodies, just for attending a Book Bash event or engaging with our #BookBashNJ social media challenge questions!

This year's Book Bash is done, but you can still visit our YouTube channel to watch recordings of any of our fabulous author visits and publisher events!

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Anti-Trafficking Training This Fall

LibraryLinkNJ is pleased to announce that, in partnership with the Global Center on Human Trafficking at Montclair State University, anti-trafficking training sessions are now available for the New Jersey library community! This free, virtual training session is open to library staff of all types and will explore how human trafficking intersects with public spaces like libraries, how to identify potential victims, and how to safely respond.

Click here to register for the October 12 training!

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Experienced Library Directors and Assistant Directors are invited to join LibraryLinkNJ and the New Jersey State Library for a one-day in-person Experienced Directors Summit! This full day of training topics will explore a wide array of relevant sessions and provide time for networking and discussion. Save the date! Registration and further details are coming soon!

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Our Programming & Outreach Manager, Darby, had a great time joining the Kenilworth Public Library Paper Pals in August! Paper Pals is an ongoing project funded in part by LLNJ's Level Up Your Library mini-grant. Thanks to Kenilworth Director Lorraine Ruiz and Paper Pals leader Kathleen Czarnecki for inviting us to see the amazing work the Paper Pals are doing!

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We loved being able to stop by and drop off a Book Bash Prize Pack in-person at the Bordentown branch of BCLS! Prize winner Barbara Kotch was kind enough to pose for this photo and show off one of the many books she received. Thanks and congrats, Barbara!

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Thanks to our friends at the NJ State Library and Talking Book & Braille Center for including the LLNJ team in the fun of the "Pizza Challenge!" Team members from our organizations are having some lunch break fun gathering to taste-test local Trenton pizza restaurants and voting for our favorite slices!

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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 and ask questions!

• "Starting a Board Game Collection"; Online Discussion; Thursday, September 7th, 3:00PM-4:00PM; Moderated by Becky Boydston, Will Boer, and Stacie Riker, Mount Laurel Library

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Mental Health First Aid Training

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 25 participants!*

• Youth Mental Health First Aid; Online Training, Thursday, October 19th, 9AM-1:30PM.

Additional fall and winter dates coming soon!

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LibraryLinkNJ Literacy Conference

LibraryLinkNJ's 3rd annual one-day virtual conference! Join us for this free, online day of learning as we explore a wide variety of topics related to literacy for all library types. Sessions include:

• Navigating Information Spaces with Lateral Reading
• Get Financially Lit Through Children's Programming
• Supporting Dyslexic & Neurodivergent Patrons in Youth Services Departments
• For a Future Founded on Facts! with the News Literacy Project
• Harnessing the Power of AI Technologies to Support Literacy

And much more! All are welcome; registration closes on Wednesday, September 13th!

• LibraryLinkNJ's Literacy Conference; Virtual, Wednesday, September 27th, 9AM-4PM.

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Signing Basics: Customer Services Signs for Librarians

LibraryLinkNJ is proud to partner with Signing Basics to offer "Customer Service Signs for Librarians," which will teach library staff how to better communicate with patrons who have hearing loss. "Customer Service Signs for Librarians" consists of three 45-minute trainings taught by an experienced ASL instructor. *By registering, you are making a commitment to attend all three courses!*

• October Signing Basics; Virtual, Tuesdays October 10th, 17th, 24th —10am-10:45am
  

Registration for the October series opens Wednesday, September 6th and is limited to 15 participants!

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Adult Craft Show & Share

Planning craft events at your library for an adult population can leave you struggling to find options that are achievable, affordable, and appealing. Gather with your colleagues (and your craft supplies) to spark your creativity!

• Adult Craft Show & Share, Fall 2023; In-Person at the Voorhees Branch of the Camden County Library System, Tuesday, November 28th, 9:30AM-12:30PM.

*Registration for this event closes Friday, October 13th and is limited to 50 participants!

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School is back in session and the MentorNJ Meetup schedule is back in full swing! Now is the perfect time to join us for one or more of these online discussions, where library staff from around the state gather to share successes, ask questions, seek advice, or simply take some time to network with peers! Join us for one of our tried-and-true favorites, drop in to one of our brand-new Meetups, or do both!

- All are welcome at MentorNJ Meetups! Library staff in all positions from all library types are encouraged to join us!

- No registration is required! Zoom links for each week's Meetups go out to the LibraryLinkNJ member list-serv on Monday of each week. Check your LLNJ account and make sure your email address is up-to-date in order to receive links!

- Meetups are not recorded; this is a safe space to ask questions and share experiences without judgement or record-keeping!

Check out the September MentorNJ Meetup schedule:

• *NEW* Disabled Library Staff: Hosted by Stephanie Sendaula; Tuesday, September 5th, 2pm-3pm.

• Latino Library Staff: Hosted by Lizette Melendez; Tuesday, September 12th, 10am-11am.

• Adventures in Administration: Hosted by Dave Costa & Irene Langlois; Thursday September 14th, 10:30am-11:30am.

• API: Hosted by Mimi Hui & Jennie Pu; Friday, September 15th, 10am-11am.

• Juggling Parenting & Library Work: Hosted by Kimberly Paone & Erica Krivopal; Wednesday, September 20th, 2pm-3pm.

• School Libraries: Hosted by Michelle McGrievey & Darby Malvey; Wednesday, September 20th, 4:30pm-5:30pm.

• Tech: Hosted by Doug Baldwin; Thursday, September 21st, 3pm-4pm.

• Youth Services: Hosted by Melissa Nemitz, Maryjean Riou, & Erica Krivopal; Tuesday, September 26th, 1:30pm-2:30pm.

• Leading Lean Libraries: Hosted by Mary Martin; Tuesday, September 26th, 2:30pm-3:30pm.

• Adventures in Administration: Hosted by Dave Costa & Irene Langlois; Thursday, September 28th, 10:30am-11:30am.

• *NEW* Disabled Library Staff: Hosted by Stephanie Sendaula, Tuesday, October 3rd, 2pm-3pm.

• *NEW* Wellness Wednesday: Hosted by Bonnie Lafazan, Adriana Mamay, & Cara Berg; Wednesday, October 4th, 3pm-4pm.

For more information about MentorNJ - including Meetups, the MentorLIB Directory, and how you can get involved - visit the MentorNJ Webpage!

Questions? Contact MentorNJ Task Force Chair, Darby Malvey: darby@librarylinknj.org

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LibraryLinkNJ, in conjunction with TForce Logistics, is pleased to announce the launch of location scanning starting in September, using barcodes posted at all delivery pickup/dropoff locations. All libraries/organizations that receive delivery service will be required to post a sign with a barcode at the delivery location at their library.

LLNJ and TForce will utilize the location scanning to identify the date and time that the delivery driver was at your location and the number of bins or totes they picked up. The driver will scan the barcode on the sign at pickup/dropoff. This process will replace the need for the driver to initial the paper delivery log. Please continue to use the paper log to track the number of packages sent from your location.

By implementing location scanning, LLNJ and TForce will be able monitor the delivery movement in real-time, allowing for accurate and up-to-date information regarding delivery arrival, enabling better visibility and transparency.

LLNJ will provide a laminated barcode sign for each location, and TForce will ensure that each location receives the laminated barcode. TForce drivers will deliver signs to participating libraries in September. We ask that all libraries/organizations work with the driver to properly place the laminated barcode sign at your pickup/dropoff location.

Additional Delivery Reminders:

• LibraryLinkNJ is responsible only for the physical movement of materials around the state to other participating institutions. JerseyCat–including material requests and associated actions within the JerseyCat system–is managed separately by the New Jersey State Library.

• If your library is not currently on the Delivery Service, and you would like to apply to participate, please complete this form or reach out to Jennifer Bruno at the LibraryLinkNJ Office: jennifer@librarylinknj.org or (732) 751-7720 x104.

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Did you know? The LibraryLinkNJ Executive Board is comprised of library staff and lay representatives from around the state, volunteering their time to help guide and support the work of the LLNJ team! Get to know our Board members a bit better with our Executive Board spotlights.

This month's Executive Board spotlight features board member and LLNJ Executive Board President Ranjna Das, Director of the Burlington County Library System! Read on to learn more about Ranjna!

How long have you been part of the LibraryLinkNJ Board, and what roles have you held as a Board member?

I am currently on my second round on the Board and serving after a break of a few years from a previous term. My previous term was quite a learning experience, especially during the year I was Board President, while LLNJ was experiencing a major financial challenge. We made some very difficult decisions but eventually set the organization on a sustainable path forward. My time on the Board, this round, has been largely as co-chair of the Resource Sharing Committee with PALS Plus Executive Director Luca Manna. Both Luca and I have been examining the statewide delivery of interlibrary loan materials and attempting to re-imagine the role of delivery as one part of a larger look at statewide resource-sharing.

What’s been the best thing about being part of the LLNJ Board?

I’ve really enjoyed meeting library leaders from across the state, and because LLNJ represents multitype libraries, connecting with people from all types of NJ libraries! I’ve made so many friends over these years and had so many opportunities to see how other libraries operate to meet their individual community needs.

What would you say to someone considering joining the LLNJ Board? Any advice or words of encouragement?

Serving on the Board is definitely a time commitment but so worth it. If you can set aside time to volunteer, you are helping an organization committed to helping all of you. It’s a growth opportunity that gets us out of our work silos while making the library community richer and stronger.

How do you like to spend your time when you’re not working or tackling Board projects?

Aside from reading, I’m all about family, food and travel. I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes and cuisines. My husband and I enjoy ethnic restaurants and, with our two daughters living and working in NYC, our options for trying new foods are vast. Add to that mix, travel, especially to places that have a rich culinary heritage! Celebrations around food are a big part of my Indian heritage and I often host gatherings with friends and family. When I’m not exploring and enjoying food, I like to garden and will soon embark on a project to document my family history and genealogy!

Tell us what you’ve enjoyed lately! What’s your favorite:

• Book you’ve read recently: I am reading Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard. I came across this book after reading Richard Powers’ The Overstory. Powers’ novel is about environmental activism and also touches upon forest ecologist Suzanne Simard’s work demonstrating how the plants around us are more than greenery or valued for their utility. They communicate, cooperate and are “intelligent” communities with protective instincts and defensive mechanisms.

• TV show or movie you watched recently: Oppenheimer but I need to see Barbie!

• Restaurant you think everyone should try: Nan Xiang Xiao Long-Bao (locations in both Cherry Hill and NYC). This dim sum place is so worth visiting for the variety and scope, including options for vegetarians. It’s Michelin recommended but without the price-point.

What else would you like to share?

One of my favorite things as BCLS Director has been paying special attention to marketing, visibility and communication efforts for libraries. This includes marketing to bring in more customers, community outreach for visibility, analytics tools to understand the people we serve and push communications to get in front of them. Despite budgetary challenges, we’ve built a team of seven who work together to ensure our community is aware of and engaging with all their library has to offer. We’ve been strategic about this by connecting to residents based on their interests, the communities they live in or books and movies they prefer.

Thank you to Ranjna for taking the time to share with us!

You can reach her via email at rdas@bcls.lib.nj.us.

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Summer Scares Reading Lists & Resources

If you're looking for some Spooky Season guidance on collection development, readers advisory, and library programs, look no further than the Summer Scares reading lists and programming guides! Though they're labeled "Summer" these guides are available and applicable all year long! Check them out for free resources to help you bulk up your horror collection, brush up on your book recommendations, and get planning for spooky fall fun!

Visit the RA for All: Summer Scares Resources Page to learn more and access these fabulous, free resources!

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The Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ is hosting a Cultural Festival & Craft Fair

Date: Saturday, December 9th
Time: 11 am – 3pm
Place: Burlington County Library: 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton, NJ 08060

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet librarians and library staff joining hands to share their creative spirit. Join us in a fun filled day and network with other crafters as you showcase and sell handmade and diverse arts & crafts, enjoy live music, and sample food for purchase.

If you are a crafter and would like to participate, and sell your handmade craft, please fill out this online form for Vendors.

After reviewing your application, you will be contacted to confirm your table.

Fee to book a table: $25

Please note: If you are selling food, you’ll need an updated Burlington County Food License or a NJ State Cottage Food Operator Permit.

This event is sponsored by the BCLS Inclusion Diversity Equity Accessibility (IDEA) Advisory Committee & BCLS Events Department

Contact: Please call 609-267-9660 x3018 or Email: szaman@bcls.lib.nj.us

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Survey: Movement Programming for Youth in Libraries

Movement based interventions have proven to have positive outcomes for both physical and mental health for youth. As part of a Collaboration Project Award from the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, Emily Witkowski of the Hunterdon County Library is interested in what you think about movement and exercise in libraries! If you are a youth-serving library staffer from a library of any type, please take a moment to help inform Emily's project by completing the following brief survey: https://forms.gle/bfptVUnrxcqSQD3Z6

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We are excited to bring you a new newsletter section from our friends and partners at the NJLA Professional Development Committee! Join NJLA PD here in the LLNJ Newsletter each month for interesting articles and valuable updates!

Take a peek at the career path of one of your colleagues in the "Well, How Did I Get Here?" feature! This month, we'll hear from Juber Ayala, an archivist at the NJ Hispanic Research and Information Center. Read on to learn a bit about Juber and how he got here!

Can you tell us a bit about your current position?

I am the archivist at the NJ Hispanic Research and Information Center at The Newark Public Library, where I oversee the Puerto Rican Community Archives. I also work at the reference desk at the Sala Hispanoamericana, aiding patrons seeking library reference services in Spanish.

It is never a dull day at the library. One’s time can be easily spent at the reference desk, curating exhibits, meeting archival researchers, uploading materials to the digital collections, deaccessioning dusty books, creating presentations, and many other fascinating projects. I get by with much help from my colleagues.

Did you always envision yourself working in a public library?

As an undergraduate student, I was not sure which major or career path I wanted to pursue. I knew my favorite subject was history, so I spoke with one of my professors about majoring in it. She was enthusiastic and encouraged me to do so. She assured me that the major would strengthen my writing and critical thinking skills, which apply to any career path.

After our conversation, I declared my major at once. But I still wasn’t sure where it would lead me career-wise. Following my sophomore year, I applied for a summer internship through the Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development. I was placed at the NJHRIC because of my history background. The internship coordinators followed up with me to make sure I was happy with my placement. I assured them they made the best possible choice for me. That is evident since I'm still here 12 years later. During my internship, I learned archival processing, arrangement, and description from my supervisor Yesenia López. I had the opportunity to stay as an assistant, which I did throughout the rest of my undergraduate studies. I gained much archival experience before even graduating college.

As a young child, I would always visit my branch library, borrowing as many books as I could carry home. I was diligent about not incurring any late fees. The younger me never envisioned I would have the privilege to work at the Newark Public Library and help preserve the history of Latinos and Puerto Ricans in New Jersey.

What’s your educational and professional background?
I graduated with a Master of Information degree with a concentration in Archives and Preservation from Rutgers School of Communication and Information. My favorite memory was attending the Society of American Archivists annual conference in Washington, DC. With the encouragement of Professor Marija Dalbello, I applied for the Harold T. Pinkett Minority Student Award. The award provides financial support for minority students to attend the annual conference. It was an amazing opportunity to network with other archivists and attend many panel sessions. I even ran into a few classmates. My positive experience attending the conference confirmed that this career field was for me.

What are your favorite things about your job?

My favorite thing about my job is having the opportunity to work at the NJHRIC. As a Latino and history enthusiast, it is a unique opportunity to work at a Center where we keep and tell the story of Latinos in New Jersey. Researchers and students want to see themselves and their communities reflected in the archives. When patrons ask for reference assistance, I try to look under every rock to find any source of information possible. It can be quite frustrating not finding any information, but it is extremely rewarding finding the smallest leads that can lead to larger discoveries.

Just last year, I was asked if we had images of the Puerto Rican Parade in Paterson. At the time, we did not have any in the repository. A few months later, we received a donation of photonegatives of the parade. It was gratifying to let the researcher know that now we were able to fulfill her research request with the recent acquisition.

What challenges have you faced that you did not anticipate?

A challenge I did not anticipate is the fast-paced environment of working at a library and archives. One must juggle many responsibilities and at times it can be overwhelming. We host interns at the archive to expose more Latinos to the profession. After interns finish their programs, most of them mention how they did not realize how busy one can be working in a library. I must admit myself; I didn’t know either.

However, a positive that I did not expect was how welcoming and helpful librarians and archivists are to each other. We sympathize with each other’s plights, and we also celebrate our victories together. I recently joined the History and Preservation Section of NJLA, and it has been an amazing opportunity to get to know other professionals in the field. Everyone is willing to help and collaborate, especially for the annual conference. I look forward to continuing working with the H&P section.

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• NJLA Events Calendar

• NJLA Diversity & Outreach Section's Professional Development Opportunities Calendar: Both free and paid continuing education offerings in New Jersey (or online) that focus on the topics of diversity, outreach, equity, inclusion, LGBTQIAAP+, and access.

• Webinars and Other Training Events: Upcoming and Archived

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• Professional Development Links

• Webinars and Other Training Events: Upcoming and Archived

• PD Newsletter Archive (with links to other NJ library newsletters)

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We want to hear what you've got to say.

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

LibraryLinkNJ: Moving Forward Together

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
Twitter: @librarylinknj