New Jersey State Library Newsletter

On August 28, the staff of the New Jersey State Library Information Center, at the request of Sharon Price-Cates, deputy chief counsel to Governor Corzine, gave a presentation at the State House explaining the Information Center’s resources and services. Over 30 people attended, including members of the Governor’s and Chief Counsel’s staff, and Treasury researchers in the Divisions of Taxation, OMB, Pension & Benefits, Property Management and Legislative Analysis. Everyone said on their evaluation forms that the information was useful and that the presentation was a good use of their time.

Deputy Chief Counsel Sharon Price-Cates is a frequent user of the State Library. She issued the invitation in order to get the word out to Executive Branch staff who might be unaware of the valuable research help and information at the State Library.

SLIC staff members pictured with Deputy Chief Counsel Sharon Price-Cates (right) are, from left, Shaaron Warne, Leslie Witko, Colleen Dazé and Teri Taylor. Cindy Warrick prepared the presentation slides, handouts, logistics and took photos at the event.

The New Jersey State Library, the New Jersey Library Association and the Ramapo College of New Jersey Library are bringing Seth Godin to speak to New Jersey librarians and others!

Seth Godin is one of the most innovative marketing gurus in the world. As one of today’s hottest speakers, leaders from Google, Disney, TED* and Universal have all hired him for his unique insights and ideas about the newest marketing trends.

Now he is coming to talk to New Jersey Librarians!

A best selling author of ten books that have been best sellers around the world, Godin rarely does such intimate public events, but New Jersey libraries will have the “once in a lifetime” opportunity to hear him speak on October 28 at 11 a.m., at Ramapo College.

He’ll be telling us about the ideas in his newest book, Tribes (launching around 10/23) and taking questions from the audience.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity, save the date!

Cost: NJLA members $15, nonmembers $25
Questions? Email Nancy Dowd, NJSL Director of Marketing
ndowd@njstatelib.org
609-278-2640 x 122

* TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is an invitation-only event where
the world’s leading thinkers and doers gather to find inspiration

NEW YORK — Carnegie Corporation of New York has awarded the American Library Association $489,000 to support a new Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award.

Administered by the ALA’s Public Information Office and Campaign for America’s Libraries, the award will launch this year and will continue annually through 2013. The award encourages library users to recognize the accomplishments of librarians for their efforts to improve the lives of people in their community.

“In our democratic society, the library stands for hope, for learning, for progress, for literacy, for self-improvement and for civic engagement. The library is a symbol of opportunity, citizenship, equality, freedom of speech and freedom of thought, and hence, is a symbol for democracy itself,� said Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York. Full Story

Associate State Librarian for Library Development Kathleen Moeller-Peiffer is pleased to announce two new project specialists in the Library Development Bureau: David (Dave) Lisa (left photo) will be the Adult Services and Urban Libraries Specialist, and Robert (Bob) Keith, who has been selected to be the Technologist Specialist.

Lisa joins the State Library from the West Long Branch Public Library (NJ) where he has been the director since 2002 and where, among other accomplishments, he instituted networked public Internet access and wireless connectivity for library customers as well as created the library’s website. Prior to working in West Long Branch, Lisa worked for the Wayne Public Library (NJ), Mercyhurst College’s Hammermill Library (PA) and was a visiting lecturer at Rutgers SCILS.

In his new role, Lisa will focus on issues facing urban libraries in New Jersey as well as the growing population of active older adults by serving as the State Library’s liaison to the New Jersey Library Association’s (NJLA) Urban Libraries Section, participating in activities of the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) and Libraries for the Future’s (LFF) Lifelong Access Libraries Initiative, as well as being involved in grant opportunites available in either of these fields for public libraries.

Since 2004, Keith has worked at the Princeton Public Library (NJ), most recently as the Technology Integration Librarian. Previous to that position, he worked at the Ocean County Library in Toms River (NJ).

Keith has experience with a variety of computer operating systems, software programs and computer languages. He has presented programs on technology topics at the Computers in Libraries Conference, NJLA annual conference, the Princeton Chapter of the Special Libraries Association as well as the Princeton Public Library’s Technology Talk series.

As Technologist for the State Library and Library Development Bureau, he will work jointly with the Directors of LDB and IT to develop and present programs on technology topics and trends at state, regional and national conferences, provide information and advice to libraries on technology issues and the Jersey Connect statewide technology system. He will also assume the role of state e-rate coordinator.

Elizabeth Burns, the Youth Services Consultant for the New Jersey State Library’s Library for the Blind and Handicapped, has co-authored a new book, titled Pop Goes the Library: Using Pop Culture to Connect With Your Whole Community. In this new book, blogger-librarians Burns and Sophie Brookover, Library Media Specialist at Eastern Regional Senior High School in Voorhees, demonstrate how libraries can use pop culture images, events and programming to engage users and increase public support.

The authors offer practical strategies for uncovering and incorporating the pop culture passions of library patrons into collections, programs and services. They offer tips on marketing and outreach, and recommend useful technology tools and ready-to-go programs. In addition to their own advice, they present insights, techniques and success stories gleaned from interviews with library professionals in various settings.

FULL STORY

One of the activities during Glen Rock Library’s 2008 Summer Reading Program was the opportunity for children to “Meet the Real D.W.,� author Marc Brown’s sister, Kim, the inspiration for his character D.W. Kim (left in photo) read a story and showed how her brother illustrates his books. Each child received an autographed sticker.

The 2008 Summer Reading Program was sponsored by the Friends of the Glen Rock Library, the New Jersey Library Association and the New Jersey State Library, and had a number of great activities to get the children to “Catch the Reading Bug.�

The New Jersey State Library is pleased to announce it is awarding a total of $195,686 in literacy grants to 13 public libraries in the state. The literacy grants are awarded on a competitive basis to help local libraries develop and sustain programs that address literacy needs in New Jersey communities. FULL STORY