New Jersey State Library

At its annual state conference, the New Jersey Library Association recognized the contributions and achievements of librarians and community members who had made a difference in 2008 – including two Librarians of the Year.

The Honors and Awards Reception began with a tribute to New Jersey State Librarian Norma Blake in recognition of her selection by Library Journal as National Librarian of the Year. As a legacy to Blake’s outstanding commitment to libraries, the association created a scholarship in her name. The scholarship will be awarded at next year’s NJLA Conference to a student pursuing a Masters of Library and Information Science degree. Those wishing to donate to the scholarship fund may send a check made out to NJLA to: Norma Blake Scholarship, NJLA, PO Box 1534, Trenton, NJ 08607.

As State Librarian, Blake was among the first to recognize the need to recruit new librarians. It was under her direction that over $1.5 million in scholarship funds were received from the federal government through the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program.

Complete list of awards and recipients
Photos
Home page

On April 25, Governor Jon Corzine presented State Librarian Norma Blake with a proclamation in recognition of being named National Librarian of the Year by Library Journal magazine.

Links:
Photos
NJSL Home Page
NJSL Newsletter

Robert Zangara, director of technology at the NJ State Library, has been named one of the top non-profit Chief Information Officers by the New Jersey Technology Council. The presentation took place during the group’s annual CIO Conference at the Hyatt Regency Princeton on April 18. Zangara was recognized for being an outstanding example of a “CIO as Innovator, Marketer and Business Leader,” which was the theme of the conference. Full Story

Links:
Photos from Event

Pictured: Beth Cackowski, QandANJ.org Project Coordinator

QandANJ.org has been awarded the 2008 InfoTubey Award for their delightful commercial, Now Your Library is Open Late Night, Too!. The award was given during the 2008 Computers in Libraries Conference hosted by Information Today, Inc. Beth Cackowski, QandANJ.org Project Coordinator, accepted the award for South Jersey Library Cooperative. The commercial has been highly successful this year having also won a 2008 ASTRA Best of Show Award from the New Jersey Communications Advertising and Marketing Association. The commercial is part of a statewide marketing campaign promoting QandANJ.org that was funded by a grant from the New Jersey State Library.

Click here to view the list of the 2008 InfoTubey Awards winners and videos.

“There must be something in the air in New Jersey… library excellence that is!” - First Lady Laura Bush

Ocean County Library produced this video.

On Nov. 6, the Ocean County Library received the 2007 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. The National Medal, which includes a prize of $10,000, honors outstanding institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Selected institutions demonstrate extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service, exceeding levels of community outreach and core programs generally associated with its services.

Home

Congratulations to Peter Bromberg, Assistant Director, South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative and Elisabeth Jacobsen Marrapodi, Director, Library Services, Trinitas Hospital, Elizabeth who have been named 2008 Movers and Shakers by Library Journal. They have been selected by the editors of Library Journal as emerging leaders from across the United States and Canada who are innovative, creative, and making a difference.

Links:
Pete’s Full Write Up in Library Journal
Elisabeth ’s Full Write Up in Library Journal
List of all winners and their blogs
Library Journal
Home

State Librarian Norma Blake was honored by the Girl Scouts of Central & Southern NJ, Inc., (GSCSNJ) as one of eight outstanding female leaders at the 2008 Women of Distinction Program. The women are leaders in their fields, innovators of unique programs and services, and prime examples of lifelong commitments to promoting equity for women and girls everywhere. The Women of Distinction program pays tribute to women leaders who have made extraordinary accomplishments in their professions or their communities. This year, GSCSNJ hosted two awards dinners; the first in central New Jersey at The Heldrich in New Brunswick on March 11, 2008 and the second in South Jersey at Tavistock Country Club in Haddonfield on March 12, 2008.

Links:
GSCSNJ
Photos from March 12 event
Home

Connie Paul, executive director, Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, Freehold (N.J.), is the 2008 co-recipient of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) Leadership and Professional Achievement Award. The award is a citation presented to one or more ASCLA members in recognition of leadership and achievement in the following areas of activity: consulting, multi-type library cooperation, networking, statewide service and programs and state library development. Full Story