New Jersey State Library Newsletter

The League of Women Voters of Burlington County celebrated the 90th anniversary of the founding of the League by honoring 10 Burlington County women who have made a difference. One of those honored at the reception on February 21 at the Moorestown Community House was NJ State Librarian Norma Blake in appreciation of her “exceptional and dedicated leadership and service as a woman of accomplishment.” She was joined by Diane Allen, NJ state senator; Dr. Kris Dixon, vice president of student services and dean of community enrichment at Burlington County College; Toni Garrison, who serves on the board of the Philadelphia Orchestra; Martha Esposito, managing editor of the Burlington County Times; Colonel Gina Grosso, commander of the 87th Air Base Wing at the McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Joint Base; Kasey Hall Massa, founder of Camp No Worries; Barbara Irvine, founding president of the Alice Paul Centennial Foundation; Barbara Rich, president of the Rancocas Conservancy; and Mary Wells, founder and former president/CEO of Family Service of Burlington County. The awards were presented by Kathy McIlroy and Jo Anne Kirk, co-presidents of the organization.

The American Library Association announced that the New Jersey State Library is the recipient of the 2010 John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award, which recognizes and honors outstanding achievement in library public relations. It is considered to be the most prestigious of all library awards in the field of public relations.

The State Library received the award for its “Tell Us Your Story” library campaign that motivated and mobilized staff from 240 New Jersey libraries to identify messages and cultivate customer stories. Those stories were used locally and in a statewide multi-media campaign that reached millions of people, including elected officials. The campaign provided a marketing toolkit to participating libraries and established a library communication network linking more than 500 users.

“Our ‘Tell Us Your Story’ campaign came at a critical time,” said Norma Blake, New Jersey State Librarian. “According to a NJ Library Association survey, many librarians felt that marketing was not very important. When the recession hit, that changed. Faced with a combination of funding cuts and huge increases in demand from families in financial crisis, our libraries had to adopt tactics to get support from their customers. This campaign trained librarians in marketing techniques and got their customers involved through story telling.”

The campaign was conceived as a result of the Online Computer Library Center’s study From Awareness to Funding: A Study of Library Support in America, which showed that most people have no idea how libraries are funded. Because of that, they were not aware of the growing financial pressures facing libraries that would result in service/program reductions. New Jersey libraries were facing cuts in state aid and legislation that would reduce funding at the local level, as well. Libraries needed to work with their supporters to stave off funding, service and program cuts at a time when users were demanding more services.

“This campaign received widespread support from library customers of all ages,” said Nancy Dowd, the State Library’s Director of Marketing. “Librarians learned what the business world has known all along, that marketing is important for continued success and growth. They also learned that their customers have compelling stories about the value of libraries that they are very willing to share and have a powerful voice with elected officials.”

The John Cotton Dana (JCD) honor has been awarded continuously since 1946 and is sponsored by the H.W. Wilson Company, the H.W. Wilson Foundation and the Library Leadership and Management Association, a division of the American Library Association. “In these challenging economic times effective marketing techniques are essential to communicate the many valuable services and programs provided by libraries to meet the increasing needs of their customers,” said Linda Holtslander, JCD committee chair. “The committee was impressed by the high quality of [this] public relations campaign.”

Alka Bhatnagar (center), analysis & trends specialist for the NJ State Library, accepted the Francis Keppel Award given for timely submission of public library data. The award, which was presented at the State Data Coordinators Conference, is given annually by the U.S Dept. of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Commission on Libraries and Information Science.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation committed nearly $3.4 million in grants to bolster Internet connections for libraries in five states, and announced partnerships with 14 additional states, including New Jersey, to help public libraries compete for federal broadband stimulus funds. Nationally, libraries report that patron demand for high-speed Internet access is growing faster than their ability to provide increased bandwidth. A recent American Library Association study reports that 60 percent of all libraries say their current Internet speed is insufficient.

New Jersey will participate in the foundation’s new Opportunity Online broadband grant program, which will help libraries develop proposals for federal broadband stimulus funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) established through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The grant received by the New Jersey State Library will be used to assist in writing a grant proposal for submission to the BTOP for “last mile” connectivity, making public libraries community anchor institutions for broadband. The “last mile” is the final leg of delivering connectivity from a communications provider to a customer. It is typically seen as an expensive challenge because “fanning out” wires and cables is a considerable physical undertaking.

Currently, many NJ libraries are unable to offer adequate broadband connectivity for customers due to last mile limitations. This includes many underserved urban areas, as well as more rural and remote parts of the state.

The Gates Foundation grant provides a consultant who will work out of the State Library for 14 weeks compiling the grant proposal. If BTOP funding is awarded to the NJ State Library, the Gates Foundation will pay the 20 percent matching funding required by the BTOP.

“Improving connectivity to our libraries will allow for better access for the many New Jersey families who do not have computers or access to the Internet at home,” said Norma Blake, NJ State Librarian. “Our libraries have seen a dramatic increase in computer demand due to the recession’s impact on their communities. Their customers need this access for job searching, research, filing government documents and for homework assistance. Bolstering these last mile connections will allow our libraries to keep up with the increased demand for wireless internet connectivity; network applications and services; and offer expanded training programs and services.”

As a national leader in the direct delivery of technology services to public libraries, the NJ State Library is uniquely positioned to deliver enhanced, efficient and successful last mile connectivity to the state’s libraries. Through the JerseyConnect program, New Jersey libraries already benefit from an effective, stable and scalable statewide middle mile network infrastructure. With this network and support structure in place, the NJ State Library will be able to focus solely on the crucial last mile connection from the library to the statewide network.

“Federal, state and local government investments in connecting libraries to broadband are important steps toward realizing the vision of universal broadband access,” said Jill Nishi, deputy director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s U.S. Libraries program. “When libraries have access to broadband, they can effectively deliver critical educational, employment, and government services for residents who lack Internet access elsewhere. As community anchor institutions, libraries can also help drive local broadband adoption.”

Nearly 40 percent of Americans, often those with lower incomes and lower levels of education, still do not have high-speed Internet access at home. In most communities (70 percent), the public library is the only provider of free Internet access available to residents.

The BTOP is expected to award federal stimulus grants to private and public sector applicants starting in early 2010 to expand broadband infrastructure to more communities across the country and to help new Internet users benefit from broadband access.

States participating in the foundation’s Opportunity Online broadband grant program will receive technical and consulting assistance to develop competitive funding proposals for BTOP, and will receive federally-required matching funds from the Gates Foundation, contingent on a successful BTOP award. Participating states will also receive assistance to help secure additional federal E-rate funding to sustain broadband connection costs in the future.

The foundation solicited letters of interest for the Opportunity Online broadband program from state libraries seeking to acquire significant additional broadband access for libraries in their respective states. The foundation chose to support states that articulated the most compelling and feasible projects aligned with the objectives of the BTOP program. The foundation also considered a state’s need for assistance in developing a competitive BTOP proposal.

The foundation has invested $350 million in grants and support to install and sustain computers in libraries and train thousands of library staff in all 50 states and U.S. territories. The foundation continues to support libraries through investments in programs, research, advocacy training, and public awareness efforts that will help libraries sustain high-quality online access for patrons in partnership with their communities. For more information, visit: www.gatesfoundation.org/libraries.

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At the 35th Annual JSPRAA Awards presentation on Friday, October 9, 2009, the NJ State Library received two awards for excellence in communications.

The statewide "Tell Us Your Story Marketing Campaign" received the Gold Award in Public Relations for an Integrated Communications Campaign.

Receiving the Silver Award in Television/Video for TV Campaign with 2 or more commercials was the "Libraries Value in a Down Economy" commercials aired on NJN.

Accepting the awards were Nancy Dowd, Director of Marketing, and Gary Cooper, Public Relations & News Media Contact. Cooper also received a Gold Award in speechwriting.

The awards were presented by the Jersey Shore Public Relations & Advertising Association at the Robert Meyner Reception Center, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel.

Seven libraries from around New Jersey were recognized for excellence in digital storytelling by the New Jersey State Library at an Academy Award-like ceremony at the NJ State Museum Auditorium, Trenton, on September 15.

Receiving awards for their outstanding participation in the State Library’s Tell Us Your Story Video Competition were:
1st Place - Cape May County Library for their video “Get Your Game On at your Library”

2nd Place - West Deptford Public Library for their video “Hector Zapian”

3rd Place –Cranbury Public Library for their video “Finding Love at the Library”

3rd Place - Ocean County Library for their video “Ocean County Library’s Sparks BFF”

3rd Place - South Orange Public Library for their video “South Orange Photo Story”

Honorable Mention – Mount Laurel Library for their video “Bret’s Story”

Honorable Mention - West Orange Library for their video “Bright Ideas.”

As the 1st place winner, the Cape May County Library will receive a door-to-door session from StoryCorps. StoryCorps’ team of professional sound technicians will record interviews of community members selected by the library. One of those stories will be chosen and professionally edited into an audio soundtrack such as those heard on National Public Radio. Other winners received digital video cameras.

The statewide storytelling campaign was launched by the State Library and the NJ Library Association in October 2008 to interest and inspire libraries to collect stories from their customers about their library experiences, and create compelling digital stories that portrayed libraries as transformative. The contest ended in June. Over 250 school and public libraries from across New Jersey participated in the “Tell Us Your Story” campaign. These award winning videos demonstrated excellence in digital storytelling. They superbly captured how these libraries are transforming the lives of the residents of their communities. The videos were screened at the event for everyone to enjoy.

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WATCH THE VIDEOS

Phase one of the New Jersey State Library’s “Tell Us Your Story” marketing program came to a close with the winners of the statewide video contest selected. Placing first with their video “Get Your Game On at your Library” was the Cape May County Library. A reception announcing the winning entry took place Monday, August 17 at 2:30 p.m. at the Cape May County Library, 4 Moore Rd., Cape May Court House. New Jersey’s State Librarian, Norma Blake, Library Journal’s 2008 National Librarian of the Year, presented the library with a certificate of achievement in making the announcement. A gala event recognizing all winners will be held September 15 in the NJ State Museum auditorium, Trenton.

Participating in the ceremony were (from left): Deborah Poillon, director of the Cape May County Library, Ralph Bakley, freeholder, Lisa Alderfer, systems librarian, Mike Trout, technician assistant, Norma Blake, NJ State Librarian, and Daniel Boyd, freeholder director. Alderfer and Trout created the award winning video.

As the winner, the Cape May County Library will receive a door-to-door session from StoryCorps. StoryCorps’ team of professional sound technicians will record interviews of community members selected by the library. One of those stories will be chosen and professionally edited into an audio soundtrack such as those heard on National Public Radio.

The statewide storytelling campaign was launched by the State Library and the NJ Library Association in October 2008 to interest and inspire libraries to collect stories from their customers about their library experiences, and create compelling digital stories that portrayed libraries as transformative. The contest ended in June. Over 250 school and public libraries from across New Jersey participated in the “Tell Us Your Story” campaign. Placing second was West Deptford Public Library; third place winners were Cranbury Public Library, Ocean County Library and South Orange Public Library.

Check out the story on NBC 40.
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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.

The New Jersey State Library was recognized for excellence in public relations by the New Jersey Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America at its annual Pyramid Awards reception. The library placed second in the Special Programs category for its statewide marketing campaign “Tell Us Your Story.” The award was presented to Nancy Dowd, State Library director of marketing, and Gary Cooper, public relations and media contact, at the Basking Ridge County Club on June 3.

The campaign, which was launched in October 2008, enlisted over 240 libraries from across the state to participate in a marketing campaign to show the value of their libraries to their communities and elected officials by collecting compelling stories from their customers. Those stories would then be made into videos and entered into a contest to choose the best.

“We are so honored to receive this award,” said Dowd. “For us to be recognized by PRSA/NJ when most of the other winners were large agencies, validates all the effort we put into bringing marketing concepts to our libraries and in engaging our customers.”

Photo, from left: Joseph Cohen, president PRSA NJ; Gary Cooper State Library public relations and media contact; Nancy Dowd, State Library director of marketing; and Eric Bolling, FOX Business News.

On Friday, April 17, at 10 a.m., at the New Jersey State Library, Norma Blake, NJ State Librarian, was joined by librarians and school children from around New Jersey, to present a check for $13,400 to Christiane Leitinger, director, Pennies for Peace, Central Asia Institute.

Throughout February and March 2009, the New Jersey State Library, the New Jersey Library Association and libraries throughout New Jersey honored the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, as part of the national Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commemoration, by collecting pennies in support of Greg Mortenson’s Central Asia Institute. Over 75 public and school libraries joined the State Library and the Library for the Blind and Handicapped in the campaign.

After the check presentation, the school and public libraries that raised the most money were recognized. Students from the New Providence School District, who raised $3,036.43, were on hand to accept the award in the school library category. Accepting the public library award for the Glen Ridge Library, which collected $1,169.84, was its director John Sitnick. Also participating in the program were Joyce Powell, president of the New Jersey Education Association, and Pat Tumulty, executive director of the New Jersey Library Association.

“The one thing I heard from libraries all over the state was just how much fun this was,” said Blake. “We are committed to doing this again next year and to getting even more of our libraries involved. I will also be attending a meeting of all state library directors and I hope to get other states adopting this project to raise money for this worthwhile cause.”

According to Leitinger, The New Jersey State Library and NJLA conducted the first and to this date only state-wide campaign for Pennies for Peace. “Libraries have a special place in Greg’s heart,” she said. “When he first started this project, it was a librarian who showed him how to do the research so he could find contacts to ask for donations. Pennies for Peace has now constructed 78 schools, is helping 100 other schools pay for teachers and has impacted the lives of 28,000 students including over 14,000 girls. On behalf of those children, thank you.”

Leitinger also announced that Mortenson had been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

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ASLCA/KLAS/NOD AWARD GOES TO “LIBRARIES AND AUTISM: WE’RE CONNECTED”
A Cooperative Project of Two New Jersey Libraries

April is both National Library Month and Autism Awareness Month; and with picture perfect timing, the Association of Cooperative and Specialized Agencies (ASCLA), a division of the American Library Association, announced the 2009 winner of the ASCLA/KLAS/NOD award: “Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected,” a remarkable project developed by Margaret Kolaya, director of the Scotch Plains Public Library, and Daniel Weiss, director of the Fanwood Memorial Library, both in New Jersey. The success of the video and web-based project is the result of the cooperative partnership the libraries have embraced over the past 4 years, and the contributions of many partners and participants. The award, sponsored by ASCLA, Keystone Systems, and the National Organization on Disability, recognizes a library for “an innovative and well-organized project which has successfully developed or expanded services for people with disabilities.”

This extraordinary initiative employs a sophisticated, yet user-friendly website, www.thejointlibrary.org/autism , to impart information on the autism spectrum disorder through text and electronic media and, most notably, to train librarians to reach out to, and serve, people with autism. Citations to print and non-print materials, websites, and organizations concerned with the autism spectrum abound. Special features include an Autism Overview PowerPoint presentation and a 19-minute customer service training video, both of which are downloadable. The video demonstrates some behavioral patterns exhibited by people with autism and shows effective techniques that librarians can use to respond positively, making these patrons feel welcome in the library. Norma Blake, New Jersey State Librarian said that, “the project exemplifies the best work that libraries can do to help people – to be a valuable resource for parents and families, making their lives easier and better”

Supportive materials include: a list of workshop consultants; publicity logos; sample publicity release; a non-verbal communication tool; customer service tips; and a unique storybook template, “This is My Library,” which can be customized by the individual library to provide a visual pre-visit tour of the library for the child with autism. A “Libraries and Autism: We’re Connected” decal for the library door or window is available on request.

Kathleen Hegarty, Chair of the ASCLA Awards Committee, commented on the choice of “Libraries and Autism” for the award: “This outstanding project has launched a virtual campaign to make libraries aware of people on the autism spectrum and, most notably, to train librarians to serve this growing, underserved population. Its accessible website offers valuable background information, a superb customer service training film, and supportive materials and graphics, all of which can be downloaded. State sponsorship, able project leadership, the involvement of the autism community, and highly effective promotion have contributed to the success of an initiative that has had national impact.”

The video is intended to form the basis for workshops such as those held by the project for its own library staff, local school media specialists, and selected libraries in New Jersey. It has been the springboard for workshops presented by Ms. Kolaya and Mr. Weiss in NJ and other states, among them, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The basic customer services skills and techniques provided can serve as universal models for best-practices library service to all members of the pubic. Information and contacts for providing in-depth workshops for libraries and other organizations is available through the website.

As a component of the project, the training video has been distributed to every public library in New Jersey as well as to many schools, special and academic libraries. The Pennsylvania State Library has also replicated 1000 copies. Other promotional efforts—a comprehensive release sent by PR NewsWire and MultiVU to thousands of local and national media outlets as their pro bono site of the month - have evoked enthusiastic responses from libraries nationally and internationally as well as from individuals in the autism community.

The project is a part of the “Welcoming Library Spaces for the Autism Community and Their Families” incubator project which was made possible by a contract with INFOLINK: The Eastern New Jersey Regional Library Cooperative. The Cooperative 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. Cheryl O’Connor, Executive Director of INFOLINK stated; “We are thrilled by the enthusiasm this project has generated within both the library and autism communities. The need is now for libraries to serve the autism community, and this professionally produced staff training film empowers them to do so effectively. ”

The ASCLA Awards Committee chose this project for the ASCLA/KLAS/NOD Award because of its national significance. Its focus on people with autism has highlighted for libraries everywhere the need for service to this growing and underserved population. The staff training media and supportive materials of its website offer the means by which libraries can undertake this task. The project can be easily, successfully and inexpensively replicated on a local basis. In addition, its website with its valuable array of informational and staff training resources suggests a possible model for preparing librarians to work with people with other disabilities who may also be underserved by libraries. The award will be presented to Mr. Weiss and Ms. Kolaya at the ASCLA President’s Program on Sunday, July 12 at the Annual American Library Association Conference in Chicago.

For more information, please contact either Ms. Kolaya at 908 322-5007 X 202 or Mr. Weiss at 908 322-6700 or send a message to autism@thejointlibrary.org.

On December 9, 2008, the NJ State Library/Thomas Edison College Brightest Light selection committee surprised Ruth Pallante (at the copier), administrative assistant, naming her the NJ State Library’s Brightest Lights Award recipient. Ruth was recognized for “continually creating a pleasant environment for co-workers and all who encounter her. Her pleasant attitude and willingness to go above and beyond the duties of her job make her a Bright Light at The New Jersey State Library.”

Congratulations, Ruth!

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On October 23, the New Jersey Senate recognized NJ State Librarian Norma Blake on her achievement of being named the 2008 National Librarian of the Year by Library Journal. From left: State Senator Diane Allen, State Senator Philip Haines, Norma Blake, New Jersey State Librarian, and State Senator Richard Codey, in the Senate Chambers presenting Norma Blake with the Senate Resolution.
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The State Library’s management of its U.S. documents collection garnered recognition for several notable achievements during a recently completed review by the Government Printing Office (GPO). The State Library is among the first group of member libraries of the Federal Depository Library Program to have a Public Access Assessment review.

“The New Jersey State Library participates very effectively in the New Jersey region,�? the report stated. “The library communicates with their nearby depositories to conduct referrals and interlibrary loan and to participate in regional meetings and initiatives.�? FULL STORY

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