The New Jersey State Library, in partnership with PSEG Foundation and Praxair Foundation, reminds students, parents and teachers that free homework help is available to them at 109 public libraries through the popular Homework Help NJ program. 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 is available through NJ libraries in Belvidere, Bridgeton, Camden, Deptford, Elizabeth, Elmer, Franklin Township, Gloucester City, the Gloucester County library, Harrison, Jersey City, Monroe Township, Newark, New Brunswick, Paterson, Paulsboro, Penns Grove, Pennsville, Pitman, Princeton, Salem, Washington Township, Wenonah, West Deptford, Westville, Willingboro, Woodbridge, Woodbury, Woodstown, and all the public libraries in Burlington, Essex, Hudson, Morris and Passaic counties. The assistance was made possible by a $250,000 grant from PSEG Foundation, with additional grant funding from Praxair Foundation..

Homework Help NJ is designed to provide the highest quality of one-on-one instruction. Tutors are available online and on demand, 7 days a week from 2 to 10 p.m. Whether students need just a few minutes of help or a significant amount of time to better understand a complex concept, certified Tutor.com tutors work with students to help them build their confidence and do well in school.

A new service called Adult Career Center is also available, which provides adult customers with tutors to help them study for standardized tests, such as the GED; review and proof-read resumes and cover letters; and have access to a resource center containing test preparation materials, job search tips and ways to help their children with homework. The Resource Center materials are available 24/7.

The State Library established Homework Help NJ in select libraries under a Cornerstone Grant of $265,000 from PSEG Foundation in 2007. It was also made available to all students enrolled in NJ After 3 after school programs. Over 90 percent of those who used the service said that it had helped them complete homework assignments, improved their grades and made them more confident about their school work.

“The New Jersey State Library, through the NJ Library Network, has long been committed to the education of young people and adults through a variety of programs we have funded and encouraged local public libraries to offer,” said Norma Blake, New Jersey State Librarian. “The extra assistance available to students from Homework Help tutors has the potential to instill a sense of success and accomplishment that will carry forward into the school day.”

Students who live in one of the 110 designated municipalities can connect to a Homework Help NJ tutor through their local libraries, or from their home PC or Mac with their library card number. The program Web site is www.homeworkhelpnj.org. In addition, students enrolled in NJ After 3 can access Homework Help NJ at local program sites. NJ After 3 nonprofit partner sites include Boys & Girls Clubs, faith-based groups, museums, universities, community development corporations, YW/YMCAs, and others.

Tutor.com has been delivering its Homework Help® service to students in the U.S. through libraries since 2001. More than 5 million homework help sessions have been delivered to date–with an average of 5,000 sessions each evening.

Photo: Julie Weintraub, director of client services for Tutor.com, shows Carrie Stafford and her sister Grace how to use the Homework Help NJ program available through many New Jersey libraries.

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.

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On Tuesday, September 21, from noon to 1 p.m., the New Jersey State Library will present a free lunch-time program, From Every End of this Earth, with New York Times best-selling author, Steven V. Roberts. In his book, Roberts follows thirteen immigrant families and tells the story about why they came to this country and how they transitioned into a culture different from their own. The program will be held in the State Library’s 2nd floor Reading Room, 185 West State St., Trenton.

Roberts, a journalist for 40 years, grew up in Bayonne, NJ. He has covered some of the major events of his time, from the antiwar movement and student revolts of the 60s and 70s to President Reagan’s historic trip to Moscow in 1988 and eleven presidential campaigns. He is a well-known commentator on many Washington-based TV shows, and, with his wife, journalist Cokie Roberts, writes a nationally-syndicated newspaper column..

From Every End of this Earth is his third book. From this Day Forward, written with his wife, spent seven weeks on the New York Times best-seller list; and his second book, My Fathers’ Houses, is a childhood memoir which was featured at the National Book Festival in Washington.

To attend this free program, contact cwarrick@njstatelib.org or 609-278-2640 ext. 172.

The series will continue on Oct. 20 with Dr. Mark Lender discussing his book This Honorable Court, and on Nov. 16, Arthur Lefkowitz will present “New Jersey in the American Revolution.”

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.

* FY2011 Budget
* Future of statewide services
* Statewide cooperative
* Broadband Technology Opportunity Grant (BTOP) award

Please join us and bring your questions for Norma Blake, New Jersey State Librarian; New Jersey State Library Staff: Victoria Rosch, Peggy Cadigan, Kathleen Peiffer, Sheri Shafer, CFO, Mike Rasimowicz, Director of IT and Bob Keith, Technologist; Cheryl O’Connor, INFOLINK Executive Director.

The meetings will be held at six locations throughout the state.

UPCOMING MEETINGS:
* Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Giovatto Library in Teaneck (August 12 from 9:30-11:30)
* East Brunswick Public Library (August 12 from 2:00-4:00)
* and the Gloucester County Public Library, Mullica Hill Branch (August 13 from 9:30-11:30)

PAST MEETINGS:
* Middletown Public Library (July 26 from 9:30-11:30)
* Hamilton Public Library (July 26 from 2:00-4:00)
* Wharton Public Library, Wharton, NJ in Morris County (July 28 from 10:00-12:00).

Space is limited; please click here to promptly register online.
For technical assistance with registration, please contact John Cooper, New Jersey State Library jcooper@njstatelib.org
For questions about the meetings, please contact Peggy Cadigan, New Jersey State Library pcadigan@njstatelib.org or 609-278-2640, X113

The New Jersey State Library and local libraries from across the state have partnered with the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority to encourage readers to “Read Like a Library Champion” during their local library’s Summer Reading Program by giving them the opportunity to win tickets to IZOD Center events by logging in the books they read at at www.njlibrarychampions.org. Discount tickets for select IZOD Center family shows are also available at www.IZODcenter.com, by using the code LIBRARY.

Congratulations to the 25 summer readers who won a family four-pack of tickets to see The Wiggles on Aug. 17 by participating in their local library’s program:
Demetrick Family – Clark Library
Bertinato Family – Clifton Library
Schwartz Family – Clifton Library Allwood
Bartram Family – East Brunswick Library
Fiumaro Family – North Edison Library
Mauer Family – Fanwood Library
Kusznier Family – High Bridge
Quinn Family – Howell Library
Krempasky Family – Hunterdon County Library
Sammet Family – Kenilworth Library
Klesitz Family – Kinnelon Library
Johnson Family – Roxbury Library
Goriscak Family – Sussex County Library
Pennino Family – Jefferson Library
Lincoln Family – Old Bridge Library
Catania Family – Oradell Library
Dharia Family – Princeton Library
Silva Family – West Windsor
Steinfeld Family – South Plainfield Library
Fritton Family – Warren County Library Franklin Branch
Hart Family – Waldwick Library
North Family - Warren County Library Franklin Branch
Siuffe Family – Wayne Library
Hecht Family – Wayne Township Library
Abdelfattah Family - Alfred Baumann Library West Paterson

The contest for free tickets to see Sesame Street Live from Sep. 30 to Oct. 3 started August 1. To enter go to www.njlibrarychampions.org. Contests to win tickets to see Disney Live! On Nov 12-13; and Disney on Ice Nov. 23-28 will start soon.

For the past eight years, The State Library has supported the NJ Library Association’s Summer Reading Program with a $50,000 grant. This worthwhile initiative attracts thousands of children and teens each year. In 2009, over 145,000 children and teens across New Jersey participated, reading over two million books. Since its inception, the Summer Reading Program has inspired and motivated children to read purely for fun, without the pressure of taking tests or writing book reports, keeping their minds sharp, improving their reading skills and expanding their imaginations.

Library Champions is a community based public awareness campaign featuring role models from the sports, entertainment and literary fields designed to encourage reading and educate the public about the important role New Jersey libraries have in transforming the lives of their customers. Celebrity Library Champions include Yankee’s pitcher A.J. Burnett, Devil’s forward Zach Parise, Giant’s defensive end Justin Tuck, Net’s guard Devin Harris and best-selling author and New Jersey native, Judy Blume.

For more information on winning tickets to great shows at the Izod Center, check with your local library and sign up for their Summer Reading Program.

Ralph Wilson, New Jersey State Library staff member, packs up books donated to Marines and sailors serving on the USS Peleliu, an aircraft carrier with the Seventh Fleet in the Pacific. Libraries, individuals and friends of library associations throughout the state contributed the books. They will be used for the professional reading program, which encourages Marines and sailors to increase their knowledge of U.S. military history.

Visit the USS Peleliu’s website.

The New Jersey State Library, in conjunction with the Atlantic Highlands Public Library and Hudson Mermaid Productions, will host a free outdoor screening of the award-winning movie Greetings from the Shore on Thursday, August 12, at 8:30 p.m. at the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor Gazebo, 2 Simon Lake Dr., Atlantic Highlands.

Greetings from the Shore is a coming-of-age romance starring Paul Sorvino, David Fumero and Kim Shaw. It was filmed entirely on the Jersey shore, primarily in Lavallette. The story is about a young girl who, after her father dies, spends one last summer at the Jersey Shore before heading off to college. When her plans fall apart, the girl stumbles into a mysterious world of Russian sailors, high-stakes gambling and unexpected love. Director Greg Chwerchak calls the film “a semi-autobiographical tale. It’s a bit like Dirty Dancing at the Jersey Shore.”

Those attending should bring lawn chairs or blankets and the screening is weather permitting. Following the screening, Chwerchak and writer Gabrielle Berberich will answer questions from the audience and sign DVDs of the movie. “Gabrielle and I both benefitted tremendously from public libraries growing up,” Chwerchak said. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the State Library for this free event.”

For more information contact the Atlantic Highlands Library at 732-291-1956 or go http://greetingsfromtheshore.com.

The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired partnered with the School of Education at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) to create an innovative new summer program for high school students with visual impairments. Participants in the Work Skills Prep Program @ TCNJ are blind or visually impaired and have added challenges to gaining employment upon graduation, such as limited work experience or other disabilities. The program’s goal was to give the students the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to be competitive in the job market.

The students, aged 16 to 21, lived in a dormitory and attended classes on campus. The classes were geared to teach practical skills such as interviewing for a job, team work and effective communication. The students also learned how to perform activities of daily living by using assistive technology devices; learning skills to compensate for low or no vision; travel skills in order to safely navigate in their environment; and ways to advocate for themselves in order to gain independence.

The students, like Melissa Rivera of West Long Branch, worked at a variety of jobs every weekday at various locations including the NJ State Library Talking Book & Braille Center. At the library, they performed tasks such as rewinding cassettes to assure quality control when the cassettes circulate to the next blind customer. The students liked working at the library, because they themselves were customers and they love listening to books on tape.