New Jersey State Library Newsletter

The Library Journal Index of Public Library Service 2009, released last week, recognized 6 New Jersey libraries on its list of America’s Star Libraries. Those libraries are:

• Mercer County Library, Lawrenceville, NJ
• Somerset County Library, Somerset, NJ
• Avalon Free Public Library, Avalon, NJ
• Princeton Public Library, Princeton, NJ
• Bernardsville Public Library, Bernardsville, NJ
• Cranbury Public Library, Cranbury, NJ

The New Jersey State Library celebrated Black History Month with a lobby display throughout February and a special program for employees on February 26 hosted by the Diversity Committee.

SEE PHOTOS

As the New Jersey economy weakens, unemployment figures increase and family incomes shrink, the New Jersey State Library has launched a new Web site designed to make it easier for residents to connect to state programs, services and agencies that can help them during these tough economic times. “Many New Jerseyans are facing severe financial and employment challenges and the place they are turning to for assistance and resources is their local library,” said Norma Blake, New Jersey State Librarian.

“Librarians from all over New Jersey are reporting more people than ever before coming in to use computers; check out books and DVDs; and attend computer, financial and job search classes. This new Web site will link residents to a number of tools that will help save money and avoid frustration by taking them directly to the agencies that can be of assistance,” Blake added.

The site, http://gethelp.njlibraries.org, has categories listing Work Tools, Financial Tools, Housing Tools, Health Tools and Parental Tools, as well as Tools for Seniors. Users will find resources to help them pay their bills, avoid foreclosure, get job assistance or file for Medicaid.

“I encourage residents to use this site and to visit their local libraries to get forms and apply for jobs, programs and benefits on-line. While you are there, check out the other things your library has to offer, such as free recreational and educational programs, or the latest books and movies,” Blake said. “Our libraries are working hard to offer resources that help supplement the family budget and save communities money.”

It is time to register for the sixth New Jersey State Library Trustee Institute to be held Saturday, May 9, 2009, at the Marriott Princeton Hotel and Conference Center at Forrestal. Copies of the conference brochure with registration information are being sent to all Library Board Presidents and Library Directors. In this very difficult year for libraries and library funding, we urge directors to discuss this information with their board members and encourage their attendance. We know trustees will find the trip to Princeton well worth their time.

The New Jersey State Library is proud to present the Trustee Institute along with our partners, the New Jersey Library Trustee Association and the New Jersey Library Association. This year’s conference theme is Libraries from Town Hall to Washington, DC: Have Your Message Heard, and features national advocacy expert Stephanie Vance. Trustees will attend informational workshops on library law & state aid, budgeting & finance, trustee roles & responsibilities, strategic planning, fundraising & capital campaigns, plus special workshops on advocacy. There is something for every trustee, both new and experienced, at Trustee Institute!

The New Jersey State Library will once again pay for one trustee from every library (up to 200 individual libraries) to attend the conference. We encourage your library to send additional trustees, directors, and library commissioners at the very reasonable conference fee of $150 each. A small block of rooms have been reserved the night before the conference (May 8th) at the special rate of $129.00. Accommodations are on your own and must be made by April 15th by calling the Marriott Princeton directly at 800-943-6709 or 609-452-7800. Be sure to mention the Trustee Institute to qualify for the rate discount.

Please note that registration for the conference takes place only online this year at: www.njstatelib.org/LDB/Events. We encourage directors to register all of your trustees at the same time. We will then issue your library one group invoice.

For further information and to download more copies of the brochure visit the New Jersey State Library website. Contact Michele Stricker at mstricker@njstatelib.org with any questions.

We look forward to meeting you and your fellow trustees in May!

The New Jersey State Library, in partnership with PSEG, announced that free homework help would be available to the students, residents and users of 17 more public libraries in Salem and Gloucester counties through the popular Homework Help NJ program thanks to a $250,000 grant from PSEG. Students in grades kindergarten to 12, and in introductory college courses, will be able to get free help with their math, science, social studies and English assignments via the Internet. This online tutoring program, delivered by Tutor.com, allows students with library cards to chat online with tutors who can help them tackle their homework problems. Spanish-speaking tutors are available for help with math and science assignments.

Homework Help NJ will be available in Salem County through the public libraries in Elmer, Penns Grove, Pennsville, Salem and Woodstown; in Gloucester County through the Gloucester County library, and in Deptford, Franklin Township, Monroe Township, Paulsboro, Pitman, Washington Township, Wenonah, West Deptford, Westville, Woodbury and Gloucester City (Camden County).

READ MORE

Fundraising for Preservation will be a one-day workshop combining lecture, discussion, and case study explorations. On the federal level, grants to preserve special collections are available, but many libraries face difficulties in meeting the criteria required to apply. One key to moving ahead is the development of a funding strategy. Through thoughtful planning, libraries can be competitive in raising money for the preservation of special collections. In addition, this workshop will examine the components that make a preservation grant request compelling. Examples will be drawn from success stories at libraries and other cultural institutions.

The workshop will be led by Lee Price, Director of Development at the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) in Philadelphia, PA. Lee has worked as a professional fundraiser since 1988. At CCAHA, he is not only responsible for raising money for the Center but also for assisting libraries, museums, historic sites, and archives in applying for large grants. He has participated in the development of major successful grant requests for the State Library of Pennsylvania, the New Jersey State Archives, the David Library of the American Revolution, the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, the Pennsylvania State Archives, Valley Forge National Historical Park, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Delaware. He is a contributing editor of PUBLIC LIBRARIES magazine, where he writes a bi-monthly column on fund raising for libraries.

Registration is limited and takes place ONLY ONLINE.

• March 31, 2009: Atlantic County Library, Mays Landing
• April 2, 2009: Hamilton Township Free Public Library
• April 7, 2009: Morristown & Morris Township Library

Time: 9:00AM – 4:00PM (Registration 9:00-9:30)

Cost: $15.00 (nonrefundable, covers continental breakfast and lunch)

Free publication from Heritage Preservation, “Capitalize on Collections Care” for those who attend.

For more information please contact Michele Stricker.

Lincoln - In this year of President Lincoln’s Bicentennial, “Lincoln in New Jersey” is the topic of a display at the State Library this month and next. Commemorating Lincoln’s visit to Trenton in 1860, the display offers books on Lincoln, highlights the resolution given to him upon the occasion of his speech to the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly, and shows newspaper articles describing his time in the state.

Tasteful Display - A separate display, of New Jersey cookbooks, ties in with an exhibit at the State Museum sponsored in conjunction with the NJ Council for the Humanities, “Key Ingredients: America by Food.”  The museum and library displays add the flavor of Trenton as well as a broader view of NJ’s many foods. The displays run through March 15. 

Read RACHEL MISENKO’s article from the February 8 Courier-Post.

Rick Malwitz, a journalist with the Home News Tribune (Middlesex County), the Courier News (Somerset County), and mycentraljersey.com wrote the attached article that appeared on February 1, 2009, on-line. Other versions appeared in the newspapers.

Read the Article

From an article in the Inquirer this morning:
“Pennies will be collected in libraries across New Jersey next month to honor the bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth and to promote education in Pakistan and Afghanistan, state officials said yesterday.

Funds donated to the “Pennies for Peace” campaign will pay for the construction of school libraries in the two countries.” READ THE FULL STORY HERE.