LibraryLinkNJ News
December 2025
LibraryLinkNJ The New Jersey Library Cooperative
For more details about any of our projects, programs, or services please visit the LibraryLinkNJ website!
For questions, suggestions, or help with your account, please reach out to our CE Team: ce@librarylinknj.org
EDI-NJ Institutional Assessment Pilot Project - Extended Deadline through 12/12
EDI-NJ has extended the deadline for the EDI-NJ Institutional Assessment Pilot Program through Friday, December 12, 2025. This statewide initiative supports New Jersey libraries in strengthening their equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) practices through structured assessment, reflection, and action. We are inviting a total of 10 libraries to participate, and there are still a few remaining spots available for your library to join the project.
Participating libraries will receive individualized consulting (1-hour onboarding debrief and 4 hours of consulting) with an EDI consultant to interpret results and create actionable plans. Following the creation of their EDI action plans, participating libraries will be expected to begin making progress on their stated goals. We will check in with libraries three months and six months after the action plan is created for progress updates. EDI-NJ will not set each library’s action plan implementation timeline, as each library will progress at its own pace.
Participation is free of cost. If your library is committed to advancing equity and inclusion and to shaping this important statewide resource, we encourage you to apply. Please review the pilot overview, eligibility criteria, and timeline before submitting your application:
Questions? Contact us at edi@librarylinknj.org.
Materials Acquisitions Sessions and Recordings
LibraryLinkNJ is proud to partner with NJLA to continue to offer demo sessions from various vendors and publishers. Please feel free to join us for the following programs in early December. All library staff are welcome to attend!
Upcoming Sessions:
Thursday, December 4 at 5PM: Follett Content & Titlewave
Thursday, December 11 at 11AM: Developing the Collection: Advocacy and Alliances with Small Presses
Missed past sessions? Please visit the Materials Acquisition Resources page of LibraryLinkNJ's site, or visit the following links:
Recording: Amazon Books for Libraries Demo
Recording: Barnes & Noble Demo
Recording: Bookazine Demo
Recording: Brodart Demo
Recording: Ingram Demo
Recording: Junior Library Guild Demo
Recording: Midwest Library Service Demo
If you have any questions about demo sessions or if you are interested in additional information, please contact: Stephanie Sendaula, LLNJ Programming & Outreach Specialist, stephanie@librarylinknj.org.
Leadership Lab: Preparation & Exploration for Aspiring Leaders
LibraryLinkNJ invites all interested members of the New Jersey library community to join us for a brand-new, three-part certificated program designed to equip emerging leaders with the skills, confidence, and self-awareness needed to step into supervisory and leadership roles!
For further details, please visit the Leadership Lab webpage.
Business Insider Discount
LibraryLinkNJ is excited to offer members exclusive discounted rates on Business Insider, providing unlimited digital access to trusted journalism on business, technology, innovation, markets, and more. 2025 promotional rates are available through March 2026, with other discounts available through December 2026.
To learn more, join us for a virtual overview and Q&A session on Wednesday, December 17 at 11AM.
Questions or subscription inquiries can be directed to: Group-Subscriptions@BusinessInsider.com
or SKramp@BusinessInsider.com
More Information can be found at: https://librarylinknj.org/discounts/business-insider
CIL 2026 Group Discount Offer
LibraryLinkNJ members receive special group rates for the Computers in Libraries 2026 Conference, held March 17–19 in Arlington, VA. Enjoy discounted pricing of $399 for the 3-day conference and $699 for the Gold Pass through February 13 (higher rates apply after).
Register using the LLNJ discount link or enter code 26LLNJ at checkout.
More details can be found at: https://computersinlibraries.infotoday.com/2026/default.aspx
Library Chef
LibraryLinkNJ member Libraries can receive special member pricing.
Welcome to Library Chef! Your go-to platform for live online cooking, wellness, and nutrition classes for all ages! Accessible with your library card, Library Chef provides fun, interactive learning experiences for kids, teens, and adults, all designed to engage your community and support your library’s mission.
- Wellness & Nutrition Corner: Live sessions with professional nutritionists covering healthy living, wellness, and mindful eating.
- Cookbook Authors: Learn directly from cookbook authors in special interactive classes.
- Summer Camps for Kids & Teens (Online Live): Fun, hands-on cooking and wellness activities, included at no additional cost.
- Spice Club: A unique program designed to boost engagement and increase library card sign-ups and foot traffic.
Find more details at: https://librarylinknj.org/discounts/library-chef
ASLDeafined
LibraryLinkNJ members receive 15% off ASLDeafined annual licenses.
ASLdeafined is a comprehensive, easy to use online video based digital resource program for learning American Sign Language. Learning is organized with over 400 themed lessons with retention exercises, Illustration support to make learning easy. All signing instructions by Deaf individuals - including our one-of-a- kind ASL dictionary with 18,000+ signed video words! Please consider joining our mission to make your community a more accessible place for the Deaf community!
Find more details at: https://librarylinknj.org/discounts/asldeafined
Recently Added to the Learning Space
The LibraryLinkNJ LearningSpace offers a range of on-demand resources designed to meet the changing needs of library staff. From emerging technologies to critical thinking and inclusive service approaches, you’ll find opportunities to strengthen your skills and broaden your perspective. All highlighted courses are open to everyone—no login required—and are crafted to support continued growth for staff in every area of library work.
Courses on the LearningSpace are specifically designed to support the professional development of library staff. Please note that these courses are not intended for use or access by the public.
Materials Acquisition - Follett Content & Titlewave Demo
Think you know Follett Content? Think again. With 3.7 million in-stock books, fast fulfillment, and access to the widest publisher network, Follett makes it easy to get the titles patrons want. Most public libraries recognize the Follett Content name, but many don't realize they're a powerful partner ready to help libraries thrive in today's turbulent times.
Join this free webinar to learn how Follett Content and Titlewave®—their powerful online collection development and ordering site—help libraries deliver better books faster and support youth literacy solutions that keep patrons engaged.
- Materials Acquisition - Follett Content & Titlewave Demo; Virtual; Thursday, December 4, 5pm-6pm.
- This program is co-sponsored by NJLA & LibraryLinkNJ.
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Developing the Collection: Advocacy and Alliances with Small Presses
Join us as Levine Querido, Kensington, and Princeton University Press share how librarians and independent publishers can work together to advocate for a more inclusive and sustainable information ecosystem as well as diverse library collections.
- Developing the Collection: Advocacy and Alliances with Small Presses; Virtual; Thursday, December 11, 11am-12am.
- This program is co-sponsored by NJLA & LibraryLinkNJ.
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Business Insider: An Overview for LLNJ Members
Join Business Insider for a short virtual session introducing Business Insider's new LibraryLinkNJ member program. We’ll cover how libraries can provide patrons, students, and professionals with unlimited digital access to trusted reporting across business, technology, and innovation. The session will include a walkthrough of content features and website and time for Q&A.
- Business Insider: An Overview for LLNJ Members; Virtual; Wednesday, December 17, 11am-11:45am.
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AI Aware & Patron Ready
In a world where patrons are increasingly relying on AI tools for resumes, financial assistance, medical advice and every daily aspect of life, library staff must at least understand what these technologies are, what they do, and how to support patrons who choose to use them. This session explores the latest developments in AI and why every library team needs to be prepared regardless of personal adoption. We'll discuss the importance of safety, ethics, service expectations, having guidelines, and how to stay confident and informed without sacrificing personal comfort or values.
- AI Aware & Patron Ready; Virtual; Tuesday, January 6, 2pm-3pm.
- This webinar is hosted by L-TAG.
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Do you have any blue bins?
If you are holding any extra Blue Bins that your library is not utilizing please leave them for your TForce Driver and they will take them. TForce is running low on LLNJ bins that we supply to libraries.
If you are no longer enrolled in the statewide delivery service and you are holding any LLNJ delivery supplies (Blue Bins, Plastic Bags), please contact Jennifer Bruno at jennifer@librarylinknj.org and we will arrange pickup of the supplies.
NJLA's Honors & Awards Nominations Are Open!
NJLA Honors and Awards nominations are open, and run through Sunday, December 7, 2025.
Awards are chosen from a selection of nominations as recognized by the NJLA membership (you!) and are presented by NJLA at an Awards Reception at the Annual Conference. Other awards presented by NJLA are those chosen directly by specific Sections and Committees, including awards given by the NJ Academic Librarians Section, the Garden State Children's and Teen Book Awards, and the History & Preservation Section's Susan Swartzburg Award, and the super-secret President's Award.
For more information and for the nomination forms and descriptions for each award, click here!
Questions? Contact conference@njla.org
NJ Makers Day Registration
Registration is now open for New Jersey Makers Day 2026! Please register your sites here. New Jersey Makers Day 2026 will take place March 20-22nd. As always, we strongly encourage sites to pick dates that work best for your community.
While our mini-grant program is not available this year, we highly encourage you to check out the STEM Month Mini-Grants program from New Jersey STEM Pathways Network! This fantastic opportunity is open now through January 9th, 2026.
Schedule a Meeting with the Rapid Response Team!
The NJASL/NJLA Rapid Response Team is here to help! Serving libraries of all types state-wide, RRT can provide guidance, support, and response tactics to staff and institutions facing book challenges, censorship issues, and similar concerns. Whether you're dealing with a loud and formal challenge, trying to be prepared for a rumored event, or just aren't sure if what you're dealing with is acceptable, RRT can help. And now, you can quickly and easily schedule an appointment to chat, using the Rapid Response Team Calendly link below!
About LibraryLinkNJ
LibraryLinkNJ: Every New Jersey Library - Connected and Thriving
LibraryLinkNJ (formerly known as INFOLINK) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Its members are multi-type libraries and library-related agencies located in the twenty-one counties of New Jersey. This area includes 8.79 million people. The population of the state is highly diverse and includes some of the largest communities of Spanish speaking and Asian Indian persons in the U.S.
LibraryLinkNJ – The New Jersey Library Cooperative has over 1100 voting representatives from over 2,500 public and private school, public, academic, institutional, corporate, health sciences and special libraries and library-related agencies. A member-elected Executive Board meets regularly to oversee the programs and services of the organization.
LibraryLinkNJ 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. Members join at no charge and pay no dues.
Email: info@librarylinknj.org
Website: www.librarylinknj.org
Location: 2300 Stuyvesant Avenue, Ewing Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 732-752-7720
Facebook: facebook.com/librarylinknj
Instagram: @librarylinknj