New Jersey State Library Newsletter

John DeWitt (left) of Midland Park, NJ, was honored at “Covering the Bases, a Night Out with the Trenton Thunder” at Waterfront Park on July 29, 2010, in recognition of his dedicated commitment to serving other individuals with disabilities for over 50 years. The 78 year old DeWitt, who has been visually impaired all his life, owns and operates De Witt & Associates, a company that trains people with vision loss or learning differences to use accessible computer-based products so they can compete successfully with their sighted peers. His greatest legacy is the lives he has enriched as a teacher and mentor. A large number of New Jersey’s employed blind citizens and seniors with vision loss owe their training and computer skills to DeWitt, including many of the customers of the NJ State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC) who learned the computer skills that enable them to download TBBC’s new digital audio books.

The event was hosted by the New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Trenton Thunder Baseball Team, to promote full community inclusion and awareness of the potential and achievements of individuals who are blind and visually impaired. DeWitt was nominated by TBBC to receive the award.

DeWitt brings an extraordinary range of interests and skills to his efforts to serve those with vision impairment, and has had an impact both in New Jersey and at the national level in fields as diverse as radio, assistive technology, and teaching. He is a Julliard graduate who was the National Program Director for CBS’s FM stations from 1966-1972; he continues to serve on the New York Public Radios’ Community Advisory Board for two stations: WNYC and WQXR. DeWitt was instrumental in the early 1990s in inventing the concept that led to the first Windows internet browser that was accessible to blind users: pwWebSpeak.

DeWitt is pictured with Sherlock Washington, a blind athlete and a member and co-founder of the New Jersey Lightning, a team of visually impaired athletes from central Jersey that compete in an adaptive form of baseball called Beep Baseball.

CHICAGO—Norma E. Blake has won election to the vice president/president-elect of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA).

Blake has served New Jersey libraries for over 30 years, and has been the New Jersey State Librarian for the last nine years. During her tenure at the State Library, Blake has played a leadership role in many significant projects that have helped libraries to evolve towards the service and technology expectations of the future. She has led libraries toward the future through the development of innovative programs that serve as national models for delivering services to all populations of library patrons. This includes creating New Jersey’s first statewide marketing campaign for libraries; implementing a highly successful interlibrary loan system; developing New Jersey’s first Web portal and virtual reference services, providing access to statewide resources; providing statewide Internet access for libraries through JerseyConnect; expanding popular statewide programs such as the Statewide Summer Reading Program for children and teens; and encouraged the implementation of innovative programs and services for the blind, deaf, and hard of hearing at the New Jersey State Library’s Talking Book and Braille Center.
This long list of accomplishments has not gone unnoticed—the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative won the Innovation award from the National Council of State Governments for helping New Jersey’s economy by providing specialized databases for small businesses, researchers, students and teachers. Numerous grants have also been awarded, including two IMLS federal grants for librarian recruitment, a federal grant for developing the New Jersey Digital Highway and Live Homework Help. Her most recent achievement was securing a $7.5 million in grants from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Programs the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for computer security, hardware and broadband.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve as vice president/president elect, ” said Blake. “There is a great diversity among the divisions of ASCLA and every one of its sections has been hard hit by tough economic times. ASCLA is one of the best vehicles for providing members with the tools to sustain and grow their institutions now and in better times to come.”
Blake serves her profession as a member of New Jersey Network’s Citizens Advisory Board; the Board of the Southern New Jersey Development Council; SCALES, the State Council of Adult Literacy Education Services and the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. She is affiliated with the New Jersey Library Association and the American Library Association. She is also liaison to the Urban Libraries Council for COSLA, the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies; secretary of Chief Officers of State Library Agencies in the Northeast; and member-at-large of the State Library Agency Section (SLAS) of ASCLA. Her professional accolades have been plentiful: she was selected as the New Jersey Library Association’s Librarian of the Year, elected President of NJLA, a member in the Leadership NJ Class of 2000, received the Distinguished Service Award 2005, by NJLA-CUS-ACRL NJ, was named a 2008 Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern NJ, and was selected by Library Journal as the 2008 Librarian of the Year.

Blake began her term at the conclusion ALA’s 2010 Annual Conference. A complete list of ASCLA election results are posted at the ASCLA blog.

ASCLA, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is a diverse organization of librarians and support staff who work in academic and public libraries, state agencies, specialized libraries and multi-type cooperatives, as well as those who are self-employed. Not an ASCLA member, but interested in discounted registration rates on conference, ASCLA preconferences and other ASCLA events? Join, renew or add ASCLA to your ALA membership at www.ala.org/membership.

At its annual conference in Washington, D.C., The American Library Association presented the New Jersey State Library with the 2010 John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award, which recognizes and honors outstanding achievement in library public relations. The award, which is sponsored by H.W. Wilson and the Library Leadership and Management Association, 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 (pictured with Gary Cooper, public relations & news media contact). “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.”

The NJ State Library received a 2010 Silver Astra Award in the Out-of-Home Campaign category from the NJ Communications, Advertising abd Marketing Association for its Library Champion Billboard Campaign.

On May 28, 2010, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Mercer County, NJ, awarded the Barbara A. Brown RSVP Station Manager’s Award to Karen Carson, broadcast coordinator of the New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center. This was a newly created annual award that was presented for the first time to Karen at the annual brunch honoring RSVP volunteers. The award recognized the most exemplary performance by an RSVP Station Manager (site volunteer coordinator) to facilitate the work and impact of RSVP volunteers in the community. In photo, Karen is shown with volunteer Ken Phillips.

RSVP is a nationwide volunteer program for adults age 55 and over who are looking for ways to stay active while serving their community. RSVP is part of Senior Corps of the Corporation for National and Community Services.

As Audiovision’s broadcast coordinator, Karen recruits, trains, schedules and oversees all of TBBC’s volunteers: 213 volunteers totaling over 3,777 hours in FY2009. Karen is also responsible for tracking the hours and mileage of TBBC volunteers over 55 who choose to participate in the RSVP program.

Two New Jersey State Library partnerships were recognized for public relations excellence at the Public Relations Society of America - New Jersey Chapter’s 2010 Pyramid Awards.

In the Special Events category, the NJ State Library’s 2009 Pennies for Peace Campaign to raise funds to create libraries for schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan, received an Honorable Mention award.

In the Community Relations category, the NJ Sports & Exhibition Authority received an Honorable Mention for its program with the State Library and the NJ Library Association to boost reading statewide by offering tickets to events at the IZOD Center to readers registering their books through the Library Champions website.

Ken Hunter, PRSA-NJ president, (right in photos) presented the Pennies for Peace award to Gary Cooper, PRSA-NJ member and NJSL public relations & news media contact, and the NJSEA Reading Program award to Melissa Klein, marketing coordinator for the IZOD Center.

The New Jersey State Library was recognized for Public Relations excellence for its Tell Us Your Story public relations campaign by the NJ Library Association at its annual conference in Long Branch. Accepting the award was Nancy Dowd, NJSL director of marketing, and Gary Cooper, NJSL public relations & news media contact.

The campaign was created to collect compelling stories from library users to show how libraries transformed their lives and to show librarians how to effectively use those stories for local advocacy efforts. One element of the campaign trained librarians in the art and process of public relations and storytelling, which resulted in a change of attitude toward marketing and a better understanding of its value. An overwhelming majority of people who participated in the campaign indicated they now viewed marketing as an important service essential to the financial health and viability of their libraries. The stories provided the NJSL marketing department on how libraries were meeting their customers’ needs in the economic downturn resulted in an expansive statewide media campaign that reached millions of people through news media stories, commercials, outreach and the Web.

With over 240 NJ libraries and 800 individuals participating, the campaign established an effective communication network through the NJSL Marketing Blog and listserv, and created a foundation that strengthened the librarians’ ability to convey the transformative role that their libraries play as the needs of their communities evolve. The influence of this campaign continues to grow as libraries in Maryland, Florida, California and Vancouver adopt elements of it for their marketing and advocacy efforts.

MORE NJLA CONFERENCE PHOTOS

Rick Malwitz (center), reporter for the Home News Tribune and Courier News, received a Journalism Award at the New Jersey Library Association Annual Conference for his articles in support of libraries. Malwitz was nominated for the award by Norma Blake (left), NJ State Librarian, and Gary Cooper, public relations and news media contact.

Malwitz’s exceptional journalistic coverage and support of New Jersey libraries in his front page articles of Sunday, February 1, 2009, entitled “Current Demands outweigh resources, In Tough Economic Times, Business Booms at Libraries,” and of Monday, February 2, 2009, entitled “High volume at area libraries, as economy remains slow, usage of resources increases,” brought home to his Central New Jersey readers the important role libraries were playing in the down economy and how vital they were to the businesses, children and adults of every community. These articles gave residents a much clearer picture of the crunch libraries faced and gave their customers a much stronger voice in their communities.

At the 2010 New Jersey Library Association Annual Conference, the NJLA History & Preservation Section honored Michele Stricker, deputy director of the New Jersey State Library’s Library Development Bureau, with the Susan G. Swartzburg Preservation Award for her leadership, creativity and commitment in the field of preservation and conservation of library resources. The award has been presented since 2003 and honors the memory of Susan G. Swartzburg, a librarian and author whose leadership in New Jersey inspired and influenced many others in the areas of preservation of library materials, archives and the book arts.

According to the committee, “we have all had cause recently to reflect on the value of the work done by the State Library, and … the impact a dedicated and energetic leader can have within that institution in forwarding the mission of the History and Preservation Section. This award recognizes Michele’s activity in dealing with the big picture issues in New Jersey.”

In her five years at the State Library, Stricker has taken on the role of preservation, conservation and disaster-preparedness specialist in addition to her other duties. She has diligently brought to the attention of NJ libraries workshops, grant opportunities and program presentations, and has most recently worked with the American Library Association on programs and resources for the first ever ALA Preservation Week, May 9-15, 2010.

Her other accomplishments include creating workshops for NJ librarians on “How to Survey your Public Library’s Preservation Needs;” “A Matter of When, Not If: Preventing and Preparing for Library Disasters;” and “Fund-raising for Preservation;” and the creation of a Preservation Resources Web page on the New Jersey State Library Web site that has information on state, regional and national preservation programs, institutions, organizations and funding sources. She has partnered with the Newark Museum, Rutgers University Libraries, the New Jersey State Museum and the New Jersey State Archives on an Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Connecting to Collections grant for the purpose of developing a statewide conservation plan. She was responsible for the selection, purchase and dissemination of eighty-five disaster response kits to NJ libraries that attended the 2008 disaster preparedness workshops, as well as the grant posting for the Library Regional Response Network Initiative grant that funded the contents of one emergency response locker with $10,000 of emergency supplies to be used in the case of a large-scale disaster.

The Burlington resident holds a bachelor’s degree from Tyler School of Art of Temple University, a master of fine arts in Museum Studies from Syracuse University, a master of arts in Art History from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s in Library & Information Science from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.

The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program was established to support the development of library leaders, to recruit and educate the next generation of librarians, to attract high school and college students to consider careers in libraries, and to assist in the professional development of librarians and library staff. Through a grant received under this program in 2006, the New Jersey State Library and its partners, the NJ Library Association, Thomas Edison State College, the School of Communication and Information at Rutgers University and the Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, recruited individuals to become librarians or further their education with the idea of creating a “Multicultural, Multilingual Library Staff.” Those recruited to obtain an undergraduate degree attended Thomas Edison State College; those pursuing an advanced degree attended Rutgers University.

At the NJ Library Association Annual Conference in Long Branch, the 28 scholars whose educational goals were supported by this grant were recognized for their accomplishments.

AA Degree
Terri Carpenter, Bridgeton Library
Shileen Shaw, Newark Public Library
Elias Vazquez, Ocean County, Lakewood branch

BA Degree
Aurelia Rodriguez, Newark Public Library
Violet Valentin, Gill Memorial Library
Audrey May Samuels, Plainfield Public Library
Ellen Rice, Jersey City Public Library
Lisa Morris, originally from Trenton Public Library

MLIS Degree
Sharon Shrieves-Ward, Trenton Public Library
Thomas Michael Eck, Mt. Holly Library
Michele Dupey, Jersey City Public Library
Paulette Doe-Williams, Willingboro Public Library
Alice Caffrey, Cumberland County Library
Tonya Badillo, Long Branch Public Library
Rosary Van Ingen, Hoboken Public Library
Nicole Gardner, Vineland Public Library
Christal Blue, East Orange Public Library
Janice People, Plainfield Public Library
Megan McCarthy, Monroe Public Library

Degrees in Progress to be finished by 11/2010:
Lolata Greggs, AA, Newark Public Library
Malakia Oglesby, BA, Asbury Park Public Library
Thalia Sweet, BA, Long Branch Public Library
Sandra Jones, BA, Atlantic City Public Library
Jamie Vigue, MLIS, Atlantic County Library, Pleasantville branch
Angelica Mullen, MLIS, Atlantic County Library, Pleasantville branch
Theresa Michelle Rausa-Campbell, MLIS
Edith Beckett, PhD, New Jersey State Library
Hannah Kwon, PhD, Rutgers University (originally from Newark Public Library)

Photo: Megan McCarthy (left) of the Monroe Public Library with Michele Stricker, deputy director of the NJ State Library’s Library Development Bureau.

MORE PHOTOS

Library Journal announced that Peggy Cadigan, Associate State Librarian for Innovation & Outreach Strategies for the New Jersey State Library, has been selected one of their 2010 Movers & Shaker as a “change agent.” Now in its ninth year, LJ’s Movers & Shakers spotlights librarians from all corners of the library world and several nations. With this year’s group of 50, the Movers cohort now numbers some 450.

Cadigan’s responsibilities at the NJ State Library include giving presentations on the future of libraries both in-state and out of state, and addressing varied audiences of library professionals and other interested parties to present information about State Library programs and projects. Cadigan explores ways to enhance the State Library’s services to the libraries and residents of the state by engaging in partnerships and seeking development opportunities.

Her most recent successful venture was the creation and implementation of “Snapshot Day,” held in 2009 in partnership with the New Jersey Library Association. The purpose of Snapshot Day was to capture the impact that New Jersey libraries have on their communities on a typical day. A survey captured the daily activities of libraries across the state, and revealed that, in just one day, more than 160,000 people walk through the doors of New Jersey’s libraries. The American Library Association is promoting Snapshot Day as a national event.

Cadigan graduated magna cum laude from Hobart & William Smith College, Geneva, N.Y., and received her Master’s degree in Library Science from Rutgers University.

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.