New Jersey State Library Newsletter

At a special meeting on June 23, the East Brunswick Public Library Board of Trustees voted to appoint MaryEllen Firestone to the position of Library Director effective July 1, 2009. Firestone has been serving as assistant director for the past seven years, and has been an employee since January 1990.

Firestone spent many years of her career working as a special librarian in law, advertising and banking firms. She has also served as president of the Board of Directors of Literacy Programs of New Jersey for the past four years. When announcing the appointment, Board President Elaine Lee Kessler said “The board is delighted to promote a long-term employee and talented professional to the position of Director. MaryEllen has a deep knowledge of the library’s programs and services and her leadership skills have been honed over the past few years. She brings her knowledge of the fiscal challenges that face our institution and her community roots to the role of director. The board is confident that MaryEllen will guide the institution competently and creatively at a time when we must do more with fewer resources.”

LONG BRANCH — The Long Branch Public Library has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the New Jersey State Library.

The grant was given to the library on June 9 to implement, strengthen and expand the capability of library staff in the areas of job seeking, unemployment and related services to library customers.

These services will include a model career center computer lab, a virtual career center and in-person as well as virtual training in the use of online resources.

Long Branch Library Director Ingrid Bruck said that the grant money is one of three pieces of good news the library received in June.
“We had three pieces of good news recently,” Bruck said. “We got the grant money, but we also found out that New Jersey Natural Gas [NJNG] will be purchasing some computers for $10,000 and that the state will use our virtual career center as a model on the statewide level.”

“We had three pieces of good news recently,” Bruck said. “We got the grant money, but we also found out that New Jersey Natural Gas [NJNG] will be purchasing some computers for $10,000 and that the state will use our virtual career center as a model on the statewide level.”

Bruck explained that the grant funds will help people qualify for jobs in the community.

The money will ultimately be used to fund a teacher and state-of-the-art computers to help with the training class.

“The state library funded a teacher so we can have classes for people without jobs,” Bruck said. “We got the grant so we can use it on a teacher and equipment.”

Bruck said a teacher has not been officially named yet.

The class will begin in the middle of July and run 16 weeks. There will be 12 people attending the class, according to Bruck, and the goal of the class is to get people re-employed.

“The focus of the class will be helping people getting back to work,” Bruck said. You can read the entire article in the Atlanticville Newspaper.

The New Jersey State Library sponsored the Get Help for Housing Fair to help connect people concerned about housing issues with state agencies, banks and community organizations. Click here to see photos of the event.

New Jersey State Librarian Norma Blake was one of three experts to discuss role of museums and libraries in promoting 21st century skills at the 17th meeting of the National Museum and Services Library Board. The Board program focused on the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ ( IMLS ) Museums, Libraries and 21st Century Skills initiative. The presenters were:

Norma Blake, New Jersey State Librarian
John Kenny, COO & Co-founder, e-Luminate Group
Gary Vikan, Director, The Walters Art Museum

The Museums, Libraries and 21st Century Skills initiative underscores the critical role our nation’s libraries and museums play in helping citizens build 21st century skills such as information, communications and technology literacy, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, civic literacy, and global awareness. Recognizing that every individual requires these competencies to succeed in 21st century life and work, IMLS offers the Museums, Libraries, and 21st Century Skills project to:

- Support museums and public libraries in envisioning and defining their roles as institutions of learning in the 21st century;
- Enhance understanding among policymakers and other stakeholders about the integral roles museums and libraries play in creating an engaged citizenry and competitive workforce.

Museums, Libraries, and 21st Century Skills will be released in July 2009 and includes three components:

1. A report which outlines a vision for the role of libraries and museums in the national dialogue around learning and 21st century skills and includes case studies of innovative audience engagement and 21st century skills practices from across the country
2. A self assessment tool for museums and libraries to use to determine where they fit on the continuum of 21st century skills operations and programming.
3. An online self-assessment which offers a quick survey to analyze an institution’s 21st century strategies and describes next steps for action.
Presenter Biographies

Norma E. Blake has been the New Jersey State Librarian for six years. Previously, Blake has had over 25 years experience in New Jersey libraries, including the directorship of both the Burlington County and Gloucester County Library System. Blake was selected as the New Jersey Library Association’s Librarian of the Year, elected President of the state library association, chosen as a member of Leadership NJ Class of 2000 and recipient of the Distinguished Service Award 2005, by NJLA-CUS-ARCL NJ.

Gary Vikan was named director of Baltimore’s Walters Art Museum in 1994 after serving as the museum’s assistant director for curatorial affairs and curator of medieval art since 1985. Trained as a Byzantinist, he has published and lectured extensively on topics as varied as early Christian pilgrimages, medicine and magic, icons and Elvis Presley. From 1999 to 2002, he was appointed by President Clinton to serve on the Cultural Property Advisory Committee.

John Kenny, COO & Co-Founder, e-Luminate Group, is an education and technology expert with more than 30 years of hands-on, tactical entrepreneurial and management experience, John Kenny specializes in the integration of information technology into education, business and government. He has established a solid reputation as an insightful business, marketing and management strategist and advisor to startup, emerging and established companies.

The National Museum and Library Services Board ( NMLSB ) is a twenty-four member advisory body that includes the director and deputy directors of IMLS, the chair of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, and twenty presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed members of the general public who have demonstrated expertise in, or commitment to, library or museum services. Informed by its collective experience and knowledge, the NMLSB advises the IMLS director on general policy and practices, and on selections for the National Awards for Museum and Library Services. For more information about the National Museum and Library Services Board visit the Institute’s Web site.

After years of hoping and dreaming, the Swedesboro Council at its May meeting thrilled the customers and staff of the Swedesboro Library Branch of the Gloucester County Library System by approving a bond to fund an addition to the branch. Behind this effort was years of persistent advocacy by the previous Association Board members, customers and staff for the need of additional space. The Gloucester County Library Commission and Bob Wetherall, the GCLS director, worked with the council on this effort.

The plans call for an additional 3,000 square feet to be added to the existing 2,500 square foot building, and include adding a meeting room, a larger children’s area, a staff lounge, a quiet study room, bathroom, more comfortable surroundings for library users and space for more public-access computers.

The Fanwood Memorial Library hosted United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, Governor Jon Corzine, and NJ State Librarian Norma Blake on Monday, June 22. The Secretary read a couple of books to children and had a meet-and-greet to celebrate libraries’ support of the “Summer of Service” — the national volunteer initiative that will run from June 22 to September 11, 2009. He also joined Norma Blake and Dan Weiss, director of the Fanwood Memorial Library, in kicking-off the Summer Reading Clubs registration drive.

NJ State Librarian Norma Blake (second from left) with the IMLS scholars who attended the NJLA Annual Conference. If not for the grant, they would not have been able to afford to attend. With Blake are, from left: Janice Peoples from Plainfield Public Library, and Aurelia Rodriguez, Shileen Shaw and Lolata Greggs, all from the Newark Public Llibrary.

From the Warren Reporter…
WASHINGTON — Just as seasons change, the hours at the Washington Public Library must change as well. Due to the current recession, the library will be trying to do more with fewer people as a result of municipal budget cuts.

Despite the reduction, the library will still be open more than the minimum number of hours for the borough’s size library, according to the New Jersey State Library.

The summer schedule will be Mondays and Thursdays, 12:30 to 8 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The library will be closed on Saturdays through Sept. 12, at which time the fall and winter hours will be announced. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE.

From an article in the Burlington County Times
MOORESTOWN - With such names as Gooey Decimal System and Li-Berry Pie in the running, it’s hard to imagine how Ben & Jerry’s could pass up a library-themed ice cream flavor.

At least that’s the hope of Andy Woodworth, a librarian at the Bordentown City branch of the Burlington County Library System who has launched a campaign to lobby the ice cream giant for a library flavor.

“I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from all over the country,” Woodworth said.

The 32-year-old Moorestown resident launched his campaign with a Web page on the popular social networking site Facebook on June 7. Within 10 days the group “People for a Library-Themed Ben & Jerry’s Flavor” had 2,000 supporters and an array of flavor suggestions. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

The libraries in Monroe, Bernardsville, Princeton and Rocky Hill each received a $500 award from the New Jersey State Library for excelling at early learning programming and making a difference for the future of New Jersey. On June 18, those libraries, as well as the State Library, were presented with resolutions from the NJ Senate in recognition of their outstanding programs.

“We sponsored this contest because we wanted to have solid proof that New Jersey public libraries have a tremendous impact on so many young lives by providing innovative and successful literacy programs in place for children from birth to three years, their families and caregivers.,” said Norma Blake, NJ State Librarian.

Monroe Public Library in Middlesex County was selected for its Mother Goose Time program that develops multi-lingual early literacy skills in children ages 18-36 months through songs, rhymes and reading activities emphasizing repetition. It uses English and Spanish “color words” and “environmental reading” in its sessions. For “environmental reading,” the children guess what logos say that are found around their community. The program reaches across many different populations and is an effective and inexpensive program that could be adopted in any library.

Bernardsville Public Library was selected for its Early Literacy on the Go Kits that contain books, toys, sound recordings and information on how to practice early literacy. The library offers Babies Book Time (6 months-17 months) and Nursery Time (ages 17 months-2½ yrs.). During eight-week story-time sessions, children and parents/caregivers are introduced to the six literacy skills, also called Smart Start Skills, that are based on the six necessary skills identified in the Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) program: print motivation, print awareness, letter knowledge, phonological awareness, vocabulary and narrative skills. Each week, one of the skills is highlighted and demonstrated, and follow-up suggestions are given to the parents/caregivers. During each session, parents receive a bibliography of more books on the featured topic so they can read and practice the skill that was presented at that session.

Princeton Public Library was selected for its Wee Reads Early Literacy Summer Reading Program for Preschool Children to help them develop their literacy skills also using the ECRR model. When children register for the summer reading program they receive a very colorful “game board” designed with 50 colorful blocks that list a variety of activities that adults and preschoolers can complete together. They also receive a handout that lists age appropriate early literacy activities and instructions as to how to play the game. Age appropriate incentives such as board books are given for the completion of the program. This program, now in its fourth year, continues to grow in popularity. Similar programs have been developed at other libraries in NJ using Princeton Public Library’s example.

The Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill was selected for their Animal Tales Reading Club held during March for children from birth – pre-kindergarten. Children sign up anytime during March and receive a Reading Log to take home. Each day when a child is read to or looks at books he or she colors in an animal. The child receives a prize when 5 animals are colored. The club is unique in that it does not involve scheduled library programming but instead encourages shared reading experiences for families with young children. It creates a positive library experience for both the youngest patrons and their caregivers. The first time it was offered, there was an immediate and enthusiastic response from patrons. Twice as many children participated as expected.

The contest was held in conjunction with May’s Get Caught Reading Month, sponsored by the Association of American Publishers.
MORE PHOTOS

Scholars working on their degrees under the IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program were among the attendees at “Recruiting and Mentoring a Diverse Workforce for New Jersey’s Libraries” held at the Monroe Township Public Library.

Featured speakers included Nicole Cooke, president of the NJ Black Caucus of ALA; Maria Baratta, assistant director of the New Jersey State Library Braille and Talking Book Center; and Mario Gonzalez, director of Passaic Public Library and Executive Board Member of the ALA.

Fifty participants learned about the State Library’s model for securing a diverse library workforce and various recruitment and mentoring methods.

Pictured above are IMLS grant scholars from both the 2003 and 2006 Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.

Erin MacCord, development officer for the Library for the Blind & Handicapped, discussed services offered to visually impaired and handicapped veterans with William “Billy” Mack, national executive committeeman, and Betty Baranowski, rehabilitation - hospital chairwoman, at the 2009 American Legion Department of NJ Convention in Wildwood.

Are you or anyone you know:
* Concerned about Housing Issues?
* Unsure about Refinancing Regulations?
* Facing Foreclosure?

Get answers to those questions and more at the Get Help with Housing Information Fair, hosted by the New Jersey State Library.

When: Thursday, June 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: The Capitol Complex Plaza between the State Library and the
State House Annex, West State St., Trenton

Why: This is a perfect opportunity to meet representatives from government agencies and not-for-profit organizations specializing in housing issues to get your concerns and questions addressed.

Come Out, Bring Lunch and Get Help ! with your Housing Questions

Exhibitors include:
Bach Foundation
Citibank
Consumer Credit Counseling Services of the Delaware Valley
FannieMae
Housing & Urban Development (reps from Newark & Camden offices)
Isles, Inc
JPMorgan Chase Bank – Chase Homeownership Center
Legal Services of New Jersey
Mercer County Housing & Community Development Office
NeighborWorks America
New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts – Foreclosure Mediation Program
New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance
New Jersey Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency
New Ways to Serve Communities
Novadebt
PNC Bank
TD Bank

The Long Branch Public Library has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the New Jersey State Library to implement, strengthen and expand the capability of library staff in the areas of job seeking, unemployment and related services to library customers, to include a model career center computer lab, a virtual career center and in-person as well as virtual training in the use of online resources.

The initiatives under this program will serve as a model for other libraries to replicate in their efforts to increase their ability to serve their communities during difficult economic times.

“In response to these harsh economic times, New Jersey’s libraries are not just maintaining services, but adding programs to help their community members who have lost their jobs to learn new skills, to cope with new challenges and to ease their fears,” emphasized Norma E. Blake, New Jersey State Librarian. “Long Branch Public Library’s Virtual Career Center was one of those forward-looking initiatives which we wholeheartedly support and endorse.”

The Long Branch Public Library’s Virtual Career Center is supported the New Jersey State Library, which is responsible for the coordination, promotion and funding of the New Jersey Library Network.

INFOLINK, the Eastern New Jersey Regional Library Cooperative based in Piscataway, has been awarded a $25,000 Diversity Grant from the New Jersey State Library to fund the initiation, implementation, strengthening and expansion of diversity initiatives.

As a source of information on diversity issues, the project will enable libraries to share successful diversity programs and services. Libraries throughout the region will be able to search for and contribute information to develop local diversity programs, outreach events and staff training sessions using the experience, knowledge and best practices from other libraries.

This program is funded in whole or in part by the New Jersey State Library and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent federal agency whose mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.