LibraryLinkNJ News

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

Happy fall!

Autumn is a busy time in the library world. As many of us settle into the academic year, we all find ourselves managing new routines, unveiling refreshed programming, and planning ahead for the busy winter holiday season. Things here at LibraryLinkNJ have been no different, as our team has been working diligently to launch new projects and facilitate impactful programs. Highlights of our recent and future initiatives include:

• In mid-September, we launched location scanning using barcodes posted at all delivery pickup/dropoff locations.

• Our new delivery service support ticket system went live in late September. The new system using Zoho Desk will allow us to better track and respond to delivery service issues.

• We worked with the New Jersey State Library marketing team to create a packet of information about LLNJ and NJSL services and programs that were mailed in late September to library media specialists at every K-12 school in NJ. We will also be co-hosting a school libraries information session on October 24 with NJSL.

• We hosted a successful 3nd annual Fall Virtual Conference focusing on “Literacy” with nearly 300 registrants and an inspiring slate of local and nationwide presenters. Presentation slides and recordings of the sessions are available now in our LearningSpace.

• We are partnering with the New Jersey State Library to co-host the Experienced Director Summit on November 15 at the Hunterdon County Library. More information about this event can be found below.

Many thanks to our outstanding team - Carol, Darby, Jenn, Jon, Kim, Mi-Sun, and Stephanie for all that you do to serve our members!

As we look ahead toward the end of the year, we'd like to ask you to take a moment to fill out our 2023 Communication Preferences Survey. Your responses will help us be sure that we're using the best possible methods to reach our membership in the new year. Responses will be accepted through November 3, 2023.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions about our services or—especially—with suggestions for new services and partnerships. I can be reached at ralph@librarylinknj.org.

Best regards,

Ralph

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The next LibraryLinkNJ Executive Board Meeting will take place on Thursday, October 19th at 2:30PM, in person at the LibraryLinkNJ offices.

All LibraryLinkNJ members are welcome to attend Executive Board meetings. Find more information on the Executive Board page on our website!

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It's Banned Books Week, so let us know what your school or library is doing this week to celebrate the freedom to read! Submit photos or descriptions of the displays, events, activities, and more that are happening in your library - we'll feature them all in our next newsletter!

Send submissions to ce@librarylinknj.org and help inspire your colleagues around the state!

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Experienced Library Directors and Assistant Directors are invited to join LibraryLinkNJ and the New Jersey State Library for a one-day in-person Experienced Directors Summit! This full day of training topics will explore a wide array of relevant sessions and provide time for networking and discussion. Click here to find more details, including the full agenda and link to online registration!

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A LibraryLinkNJ Member discount is now available for the upcoming Computers in Libraries Conference! Information Today, Inc. has offered LibraryLinkNJ members a group discount registration price of $399 for their 3-day Computers in Libraries 2024 Conference (early registration rate is $589) until Friday, February 9, 2024. After February 9, the group discount will change to $419 ($639 without group discount). Find discount details and links to the conference registration on our website!

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Congrats on one year of virtual meetings to the MentorNJ Latino Library Staff Meetup! As of September, this fun, engaging group has been meeting for a whole year to discuss the joys and challenges of being Latino/Latina in the NJ library world.

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Our thanks to the presenters and attendees of our 3rd annual one day virtual conference! Nearly 300 library staff from around NJ and across the country registered for this engaging day of learning and sharing, focused on the topic of Literacy.

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Skill-Sharing Conversations

Share your knowledge and learn from your colleagues in these attendee-driven conversations focused on specific library skills. Come ready to share experiences and ask questions!

• "Bringing Comic Con to the Library"; Online Discussion; Tuesday, October 17th 11:00AM-12:00PM; Moderated by Marissa Lieberman (Cranford Public Library), Matthew Latham (Ramsey Free Public Library), & Lizzie Latham (Parsippany Public Library Lake Hiawatha Branch)
• "Geneology Libraries"; Online Discussion; Thursday, November 9th, 10:30AM-11:30AM; Moderated by Sarah Hull, Plainfield Public Library

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Anti-Trafficking Training for Libraries

LibraryLinkNJ and the Global Center on Human Trafficking at Montclair State University are pleased to announce a free, online anti-trafficking training event designed specifically for New Jersey library staff. Learn to identify the signs of human trafficking and explore strategies for safely responding. Library staff of all types are welcome and encouraged to attend!

• Anti-Trafficking Training for Libraries; Virtual, Thursday, October 12th, 2PM-3:30PM.

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NJ State Library & LLNJ School Libraries Info Session

School Library staff are invited to learn more about what the New Jersey State Library and LibraryLinkNJ have to offer - including further details about the Talking Book and Braille Center, information about statewide databases and e-resources, and instructions for accessing professional development and mentoring services! You’ll have the chance to hear more from our staff and ask questions of our teams. All are welcome!

• School Libraries Info Session; Virtual, Tuesday, October 24th @ 4pm.

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Adult Craft Show & Share

Planning craft events at your library for an adult population can leave you struggling to find options that are achievable, affordable, and appealing. Gather with your colleagues (and your craft supplies) to spark your creativity!

• Adult Craft Show & Share, Fall 2023; In-Person at the Voorhees Branch of the Camden County Library System, Tuesday, November 28th, 9:30AM-12:30PM.

*Registration for this event closes Friday, October 13th and is limited to 50 participants!

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Mental Health First Aid Training

LibraryLinkNJ is proud to partner with Hackensack Meridian Hospital System to offer both Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid training to our members. Mental health can touch nearly any aspect of library service, and we invite staff in any position to register for this valuable training course. *Capacity for each training is limited to 25 participants!*

Additional fall and winter dates coming soon!

• Adult Mental Health First Aid Training; Virtual, Thursday, December 21st, 9AM-2:30PM.
• Youth Mental Health First Aid Training; Virtual, Friday, January 12th, 9AM-1:30PM.

*Save the dates! Registration will open soon!

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MentorNJ Online Meetups

Now is the perfect time to join us for one or more of these online discussions, where library staff from around the state gather to share successes, ask questions, seek advice, or simply take some time to network with peers! Join us for one of our tried-and-true favorites, drop in to one of our brand-new Meetups, or do both! October Meetups include:

• *NEW* Disabled Library Staff Meetup: Tuesday, October 3rd @ 2pm
• *NEW* Wellness Wednesday: Wednesday, October 4th @ 3pm
• Latino Library Staff Meetup: Tuesday, October 10th @ 10am
• Adventures in Administration: Thursday, October 12th @ 10:30am
• Juggling Parenting & Library Work: Wednesday, October 18th @ 2pm
• School Libraries; Wednesday, October 18th @ 4:30pm
• API Meetup: Friday, October 20th @ 10am
• Tech!: Friday, October 20th @ 3pm
• Youth Services: Tuesday, October 24th @ 1:30pm
• Adventures in Administration: Thursday, October 26th @ 10:30am

*Find more information about all of our Meetups on the LLNJ Events Calendar

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LibraryLinkNJ and the LibraryLinkNJ Technology Advisory Group (L-TAG) would like to express our gratitude for your interest in our AI (artificial intelligence) programs this fall and winter!

1. AI Ambassadors Series: October-November 2023

2. AI Webinars:

3. Introduction to AI Concepts & Examples: October 24, 2023

4. CHATGPT for Library Staff: November 3, 2023

5. Creating AI Images for Your Library: January 25, 2024

6. AI Integration with Library Data and Operations: February 8, 2024

Registrations for all of the programs have quickly reached capacity, but we are committed to providing more AI programs in the future as the field constantly evolves.

LibraryLinkNJ extends our great appreciation to L-TAG, led by Chair Doug Baldwin (Associate Director, Piscataway Public Library), for their dedication in creating opportunities for learning and knowledge sharing in AI and other technology-related programs and events. Stay tuned for more updates from the group, including technology webinars and the Tech Summit in Spring 2024!

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We’re happy to announce that recordings of the sessions from LibraryLinkNJ’s Virtual Conference on Literacy have been added to our LearningSpace! Now available to view through December 2023, this one-day event features sessions highlighting a range of topics related to literacy in library spaces, services, collections, and programs.

Whether you were able to attend the virtual conference or not, we invite you to explore these informative sessions that take a look at what information literacy really means in our schools and communities. You’ll find video recordings of each presentation alongside downloadable resources and slides that you can reference afterwards. Thanks again to all of the presenters and attendees for making this event possible!

Visit the LearningSpace to view all available recordings and access all available conference materials!

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National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 - October 15, and libraries around the state are engaging in exciting programs and activities that honor and celebrate their Latino patrons and students! But in many libraries, staff are also important members of our Latino communities - so what can we do to support our Latino colleagues and coworkers?

Our friends from the MentorNJ Latino Library Staff Meetup have put together suggestions for 11 things you can do - this month and every month - to support your Latino colleagues!

Read on to see what they suggest!

1. Learn 5 to 10 common library phrases in Spanish that you can use to help assist patrons. Things like, “Do you have a library card?” and “Do you need to use the computer?” may be all you need to get a patron on the right path without having to pull a Spanish-speaking staffer from another task!

2. Join a Latinx affinity group or program, even if you are not Hispanic or Latino.

3.Translation work is time-consuming and difficult. Don’t ask your staff or co-workers to translate documents if they aren’t getting compensated for that task.

4. Google Translate is nice, but it’s not always accurate - make sure you use those research skills, double-check your work, and make connections where you can!

5. Don’t make decisions about Latino communities without having any Latino feedback. Reach out to ALA-REFORMA or the MentorNJ Latino Library Staff Meet-Up Group if you need to seek input.

6. Examine your thoughts and actions, and identify the microaggressions you project. (Microaggressions are subtle, indirect forms of discrimination against a marginalized group). There are indeed microaggressions that can be harmful and promote barriers against psychological safety in and out of the workplace, and you may be projecting them without even realizing it.

7. Latino foods are more than tacos, nachos, and burritos - each Latin American culture and country has its own unique cuisine! Try out something new as a way to start exploring them.

8. Celebrate Latino cultures throughout the year, not just during Hispanic Heritage month.

9. Remember there’s a history and meaning behind celebrations that have become popular in the US. Cinco de Mayo is not just a day to support the beer/tequila industry, and Dia de los Muertos is not “Mexican Halloween.” Understand what these holidays and celebrations are about before hosting programming around them.

10. When thinking about decorating your “Spanish Language” section, remember to think about all the Latin countries - flags are a great way to be inclusive and show pride!

11. Make an effort to understand basic “hispanic” history. Did you know that not everyone is comfortable being called Hispanic, and that Latinx and Latine are becoming more popular terms? That that most Latin American countries have indigenous cultures and languages that were around long before they were conquered? Or that much of Latin American history is tied closely to African history? Some basic knowledge about the background of the people you work with can go a long way in helping to make connections!

To hear more about the amazing work your Latino colleagues are doing in libraries across the state, join us at the MentorNJ Latino Library Staff meetup on the second Tuesday of each month at 10AM. All are welcome!

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LibraryLinkNJ is pleased to announce the launch of our new delivery service support ticket system via Zoho Desk. We anticipate this new system will enable us to respond to our member libraries on the statewide delivery service more efficiently and in a timely and organized manner.

Find the Delivery Support Form at:

https://librarylinknj.zohodesk.com/portal/en/newticket?departmentId=797677000000360029

• Please use this new online form for any issues and requests related to delivery services, such as problems, questions, requests for library closures, and delivery bins and bags.
• On the form, please note that 'DELIVERY' is selected by default in the 'Department' field. Please do not change the department selection and proceed to complete the rest of the form before submitting it.
• For delivery statistics reports, please continue to use the Stats Report Form.

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McNaughton, the leading book leasing provider for libraries since 1950, provides a turnkey solution for popular title management, with proven selection options, shelf ready processing and cataloging, and seamless returns.

Managing bestsellers can be challenging for libraries. McNaughton simplifies the process to get hot titles into the hands of your patrons quickly and easily, enabling libraries to provide their patrons with access to current and forthcoming bestsellers, large print titles, and travel guides.

Plan types:

• Adult - High-Demand Hardcover Selections:
  Featuring bestsellers, debut authors, large print, and travel guides
  
• Young Adult Plan: Hot Titles for Teens:
  includes bestsellers, graphic novels, and large print
  
• Hardcover Graphic Novels Plan:
  Featuring titles for children, teens, and adults, this plan offers an easy and seamless way to expand your graphic novel collection. Individual series tend to become hot very quickly and then fade almost as fast. This subscription plan enables you to ride the waves of popularity as they ebb and flow.
  
• Universal Plan:
  For libraries that want a simple process with the broadest range of titles by audience and format – includes adult, young adult, and children’s hardcover, paperback, graphic novels, and Spanish titles. Perfect for bookmobiles and other library outreach initiatives.

LibraryLinkNJ is pleased to be able to offer our member libraries discounted pricing on McNaughton Subscription Services plans, now through 6/30/2024. Visit our website for further details and contact information to get started!

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MentorNJ Online Meetups provide library staff across the state with a casual space for conversation, support, advice, and more. Take a peek below to get a closer look at just one of the many Meetups on our calendar!

Meetup: Adventures in Administration

Discussion Leaders: Dave Costa and Irene Langlois

The Adventures in Administration Meetup focuses on Administrative issues of all types, from policy, staffing, and library services to buildings, budgets, and vendor issues. Discussion can be about anything that an administrator would like other opinions on, and attendees get a chance to understand how other libraries tackle these topics. All are welcome, including aspiring administrators, but Directors, Assistant Directors, and Branch Managers may find that they in particular will benefit from joining the conversation. Attendees typically include a mix of new and veteran library admin, so there's always a wide range of perspectives!

If you're thinking of joining the Meetup for the first time, you can expect a friendly environment where questions can come from anywhere on a wide variety of topics. There is a wide difference in libraries throughout the state so it's a good way to get different perspectives on how to handle a specific situation. If you don't have topics or questions of your own, you can still join the call to listen and learn. And no matter how new or experienced you are, you never know if you'll be the one who has the solution or recommendation a colleague is looking for!

Discussion host Dave Costa says his favorite thing about the Adventures in Administration meetup is the open atmosphere and the ability to bounce ideas off of other administrators. "It can be difficult to come to answers for some issues that arrive and this is a good way to brainstorm with other librarians," Costa sys. "This group formed during COVID when handling a new situation was difficult. Talking to others and getting new ideas was helpful then, as it is now."

Adventures in Administration usually meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 10:30am. This month, they'll meet on October 12th and 26th. If you'd like to join this or any meetup, simply keep an eye on your LibraryLinkNJ email for that week's Zoom links each Monday morning! Everyone is welcome!

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The Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ is hosting a Cultural Festival & Craft Fair

Date: Saturday, December 9th
Time: 11 am – 3pm
Place: Burlington County Library: 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton, NJ 08060

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet librarians and library staff joining hands to share their creative spirit. Join us in a fun filled day and network with other crafters as you showcase and sell handmade and diverse arts & crafts, enjoy live music, and sample food for purchase.

If you are a crafter and would like to participate, and sell your handmade craft, please fill out this online form for Vendors.

After reviewing your application, you will be contacted to confirm your table.

Fee to book a table: $25

Please note: If you are selling food, you’ll need an updated Burlington County Food License or a NJ State Cottage Food Operator Permit.

This event is sponsored by the BCLS Inclusion Diversity Equity Accessibility (IDEA) Advisory Committee & BCLS Events Department

Contact: Please call 609-267-9660 x3018 or Email: szaman@bcls.lib.nj.us

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We are excited to bring you a new newsletter section from our friends and partners at the NJLA Professional Development Committee! Join NJLA PD here in the LLNJ Newsletter each month for interesting articles and valuable updates!

Take a peek at the career path of one of your colleagues in the "Well, How Did I Get Here?" feature! This month, we'll hear from Katie Kotacska, a Reference Librarian at Middletown Township Public Library. Read on to learn a bit about Katie and how she got here!

Can you tell us a bit about your current position?

I am currently working as a Reference Librarian at Middletown Township Public Library. My day to day operations are to assist patrons with library reference questions, maintain the library website, create regular programming (I run a mystery book club and a film discussion group) and readers advisory. One of my main duties is also to create, plan, edit and record videos for the library YouTube Channel which includes a book recommendation series called Off the Shelf, and much more! I also maintain and purchase new items for the DVDs and video game collections at MTPL, which is one of my pride and joys. I also occasionally collaborate with my colleagues on special programs for our patrons and the next one we are doing is a murder mystery event. It’s definitely a broad variety of duties that encourages me to be creative while challenging me to think of ways to provide even more educational resources and events to our patrons & community.

Did you always envision yourself working in a public library?

I didn’t originally envision myself working in a public library. I originally wanted a career to do with the French language that didn’t involve teaching, so I decided to pursue a career in French Translation. I had a great opportunity to live in La Rochelle, France when I was 9-11 years old and I was worried about losing the French language when I moved back to the United States. At the time, this felt like the right career for myself. While pursuing my undergrad, I took a job at the Sprague Library at Montclair State University at the circulation desk. I grew to really like the profession as well as working with my colleagues, but it didn’t occur to me at the time this was a profession that I wanted to pursue, even though I had loved the job and was sad it was coming to an end since my graduation was around the corner. During my graduation for my undergrad, my father turned to me and said: “You should have gotten a library degree.” I think my father knew even then I wouldn’t always be having a career in French Translation, and now I have to begrudgingly admit that he was correct (haha).

What’s your educational and professional background?
In 2013, I applied and was accepted to Pratt Institute for their Library and Information Science Program. I thoroughly enjoyed the program and got the opportunity to intern at Columbia University, CUNY TV station and Marvel Entertainment (now Disney). What impressed me the most about the library field while pursuing my graduate degree was how varied the career could be- you could be a librarian at a company, do website editing, archiving materials either for a private institution or company, etc. While at Columbia & CUNY, I learned how to edit videos filmed by the staff for preservation and grew to love the post-production and archival process. The fact that you can be a librarian and not necessarily at a library or university made me appreciate the depth of the profession even more.

What are your favorite things about your job?

My favorite thing about my job is the ability to use a lot of my creativity, interests and skills into numerous aspects of the job - whether it is programming, the website, or creating how-to or readers advisory videos for our patrons on Youtube. I never expected to be able to utilize skills that I picked up originally just as an interest or hobby into the library profession. This has made my job more rewarding since I can use my passions and skills for day to day functions at the Middletown Township Public Library. My second favorite thing about my job is talking to the people who I began to meet on the job eight years ago. There are some patrons who met me when I started working at the library that I formed bonds with, and I still see those patrons eight years later. That saying that time moves quickly proved to be very true. I am still happy to see them at the library and talk to them about their interests or assist them with reference questions.

What challenges have you faced that you did not anticipate?

Working at a library means juggling many responsibilities and at times it can be a lot to keep track. We perform many more functions than people realize going in, and managing them all at once can present challenges when it comes scheduling and coordinating times and resources.

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• NJLA Events Calendar

• NJLA Diversity & Outreach Section's Professional Development Opportunities Calendar: Both free and paid continuing education offerings in New Jersey (or online) that focus on the topics of diversity, outreach, equity, inclusion, LGBTQIAAP+, and access.

• Webinars and Other Training Events: Upcoming and Archived

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• Professional Development Links

• Webinars and Other Training Events: Upcoming and Archived

• PD Newsletter Archive (with links to other NJ library newsletters)

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We want to hear what you've got to say.

Please email suggestionbox@librarylinknj.org with feedback about our services and programs. Suggestions for new services and programs are welcome, too.

LibraryLinkNJ: Moving Forward Together

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
Twitter: @librarylinknj