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

Thank you to everyone who attended our Spring Membership Meeting on June 18th. In addition to approving our FY2026 Budget and a couple of changes to our bylaws, the membership voted to approve the FY2026 Executive Board Slate, which includes the following new Executive Board members:

• Mickey DiCamillo (William J. Spangler Library, Atlantic Cape Community College), Member-at-Large

• Kristin V. Hayes, Lay Representative

• James Keehbler (Hunterdon County Library), Member-at-Large

• Ann-Marie Latini (Paul Robeson Library, Rutgers University–Camden), Academic Library Representative

• Dana Nicklas (Waterford Township Public Library), Member-at-Large

We are looking forward to working with our FY2026 Executive Board in the year ahead, and extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Executive Board members who left the board at the end of June:

• Corey Fleming, Director, Paterson Free Public Library

• John Foglia, Manger, Information Commons and Library Systems, Brookdale Community College

• Allan Kleiman, Director, Edison Township Public Library

• Vickie Volyn (Lay Representative)

Our membership also approved an extension of our Strategic Plan through the end of FY2027. Throughout the past three years, our team has been hard at work on activities related to the goals and objectives in our plan. To see where we stand with progress on these activities, we encourage you to review the Activity Plan Status Reports that are available on our website.

Featured below is an update about the New Jersey Libraries Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative and the EDI-NJ Institutional EDI Assessment for NJ Libraries. I encourage you to take some time to review the assessment and make use of it and the accompanying tools at your library. You can also view the video update presented by our EDI expert consultant Ozy Aloziem at the membership meeting about the status of the EDI-NJ Strategic Roadmap Project. We are looking forward to another exciting year as we work together to advance the work of this important project.

Thank you to the LibraryLinkNJ staff, our Executive Board, and the leaders of our partner organizations for your support during the past year. I am looking forward to another great year of growth and collaboration.

Best,

Ralph

EDI-NJ Institutional EDI Assessment for NJ Libraries

On May 27, we announced the launch of the EDI-NJ Institutional EDI Assessment launch for New Jersey libraries. This comprehensive tool is designed to support your library’s journey toward creating a more equitable, inclusive, and community-centered institution. In addition to the assessment, we are excited to introduce the Learning Module Series that accompanies the tool. This series is designed to guide you through each step of the process, helping you reflect on your library’s current state, understand community needs, and identify actionable areas for growth.

Key Resources Available:

• EDI-NJ Institutional Assessment Tool: A reflective and strategic tool to assess your library’s EDI efforts across seven core operational areas. (Also available as a PDF )

• Learning Module Series: A detailed series to help guide you through completing the assessment and turning insights into actionable next steps.

• Scoring Guide : A clear framework to help you calculate your assessment results.

• Debrief Guide : A resource to help facilitate team discussions after completing the assessment, so you can identify patterns, gaps, and prioritize areas for growth.

• Feedback Form: A form for gathering insights from your library team on the assessment to help us refine and improve this tool for future use.
  
  

These resources are designed to provide clarity, structure, and actionable insights to help your library deepen its commitment to equity and inclusion. We hope these tools support your library in creating and sustaining intentional strategic change.

Want to learn more about the EDI-NJ Institutional EDI Assessment? Join us!

View the recording of our Assessment Overview any time

Brought to you by

The Strategic Roadmap for the 'EDI Framework for NJ Libraries’ Project

Now Accepting Conference Session Proposals!

What do you have to share about the power of connection in the library world? Whether it's a presentation of your academic research into the value of connection, or an opportunity to share real-life tips for building connections in your library, community, or institution - there just may be a spot for you as a presenter at our fall virtual conference! We're seeking presentations on all types of connections from all types of organizations; LLNJ membership is not required.

Fill out and submit the call for proposals form linked below no later than Friday, July 18th to be considered!

LLNJ Fall Virtual Conference 2025 - Program Proposal Form

All smiles at the recent NJASL in-person Board Meeting! Our NJASL Liaison had a great time catching up with the NJASL Board and making plans for next years' collaborations!

The LibraryLinkNJ LearningSpace is packed with fresh content made just for you. From emerging tech to critical thinking and inclusive practices, there's something for every library role. No login needed to browse—just click and learn.

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.

This presentation explores the transformative journey from physical to digital formats, using the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida as a case study. We will walk through the step-by-step digitization process, from selection and preparation to capture, metadata creation, and long-term digital access.

• From Analog to Digital: The Journey of Digitization; Virtual; Wednesday, July 2, 2pm-3pm.
  

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Mental Health First Aid from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a nationally recognized program that offers Mental Health First Aid training courses designed to help participants react confidently, competently, and appropriately when they encounter an individual suffering from a mental health crisis. From identifying risk factors and warning signs to outlining strategies for assisting someone in the midst of a crisis, a Mental Health First Aid training course prepares participants to enact an action plan and utilize appropriate interventions when they encounter a mental health emergency.

• Youth Mental Health First Aid Training; Virtual; *NEW DATE* Wednesday, July 9, 9am-1:30pm. Registration for the July 9th training has closed.
  

• Adult Mental Health First Aid Training; Virtual; Friday, July 18, 9am-2:30pm

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The CARLI Preservation Committee is delighted to showcase digitization projects at Illinois libraries as part of the Summer Digitization Webinar Series, in partnership with the Florida Virtual Campus! Join one or both Showcase events for a peek at some of the digitization success stories being shared by our colleagues across the country!

• Digitization Projects Showcase 1; Virtual; Wednesday, July 16, 2pm-3pm.
• Digitization Projects Showcase 2; Virtual; Wednesday, July 23, 2pm-3pm.

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Author Visits & Publisher Previews: LLNJ Summer Book Bash

Join us to chat with some of our favorite publishers about the upcoming books they're most excited to share, or talk with amazing authors about their works! Not only are these events a treat, but NJ library staff can attend any program for a chance to win a prize pack of books and related-swag from our sponsors, including Penguin Random House and Out of Print.

• Virtual Author Visit: Dazzling Debuts with J.B. Hwang, Lucas Schaefer & Penny Zang; Thursday, July 24, 3pm- 4pm.
• Publisher Event: Book Buzz with Chronicle, Levine Querido, & W. W. Norton; Thursday, July 31, 2pm- 3pm.
• Publisher Event: Book Buzz with Disney, Lee & Low, & Sourcebooks; Thursday, August 7, 2pm- 3pm.
• Publisher Event: Book Buzz with Abrams, Harlequin, & Hachette; Thursday, August 14, 2pm- 3pm.
• Virtual Author Visit: Summer Romance with Ronni Davis, Kaitlyn Hill, Jason June, and Jackie Khalilieh; Thursday, August 21, 3pm- 4pm.

Join us for any or all of our MentorNJ Meet-ups this month! No registration required!

Zoom links go out to our entire email list each Monday morning for that week's Meet-ups.

• Disabled & Neurodivergent Library Staff - July 1, 2pm
  

• *NEW* Indigenous American Library Staff - July 3, 10am

• API - July 3, 11am

• Latino Library Staff - July 8, 10am

• LGBTQUIA+ Library Staff, July 9, 11am

• *NEW* AI in Libraries - July 10, 2 pm

• Juggling Parenting and Library Work - July 23, 2pm

• Adventures in Administration - July 24, 10:30am

Want to know more about a meet-up? Check out our calendar!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Zine Zone at the NJLA Conference - especially those who joined in on the "Let's Talk About Zines" MentorNJ In-Person Meet-up, where attendees had the chance to chat about how they make use of - or hope to make use of - zines in their libraries. Participants also sought advice, support, and tips from folks who have had success with zines, and had the opportunity to contribute to a collaborative zine being made right there at the Zine Zone table! Want to see the results? Click the button below to access a PDF of the finished product!

Thanks and congrats to everyone who had a hand in creating this piece of collaborative artwork! And a special shout-out to Meet-up hosts Laura Poll, Christen Orbanus, and Kathy Mulholland for making this zine, and our in-person Let's Talk Zines Meet-up, a reality!

June was full of Pride celebrations across the Garden State, and many NJ libraries made sure to get in on the fun! We're happy to highlight some of the member libraries that supported Pride activities and events this year!

In Their Own Words

"Plainfield Public Library's Pride Party in the Park and our table at City Hall's Pride Flag raising event."

"The Kenilworth Public Library Staff gave a shout-out to the amazing Mychal Threets. As we all know, Mychal is a huge advocate for libraries. His message that libraries are for everyone and libraries are safe spaces are so important. We were proud to pose wearing our "Library Joy" t-shirts that were created by Mychal. The rainbow colors in his shirts make us think of joy and inclusivity."

"Pequannock Township Public Library had a table at the 4th Annual Pequannock Pridefest at Greenview Park on Sunday, June 8, 2025. We had all sorts of goodies to give away, including: Handmade Magnets, Fans, Stickers, Lollipops, Crafts, Bookmarks, and a Fabulous Basket full of Pride Merch that we raffled off. Thanks to Jess, Jenn, Christine, Julia and Kailyn for representing the library!"

In Their Own Words

"To celebrate Pride month, [Westfield Public Library patrons] chalked the walk! You don't have to be an artist to express yourself, get creative, and spread messages of inclusion...RAINBOW ICES FOR PARTICIPANTS WHILE SUPPLIES LASTED :)"

"The Somerset County Library System's Teen Task Force held the system's second annual Pride Prom for teens this June. It was a fantastic evening with dancing, music, snacks, crafts, glitter tattoos, face painting, and more. We were so happy to offer a fun event designed with LGBTQ+ teens in mind, and it was heartwarming to see them dancing, socializing, and enjoying the event."

In Their Own Words

"Roxbury Pride Day - Compassion, Kindness, Respect. We had to move inside because of the weather but we still had a wonderful turnout of just under 300 stopping by the library to celebrate Pride month with activities, connection, community organizations, and snacks!"

"Asbury Park Public Library had a table along the New Jersey Pride Parade procession route."

Our thanks to all the library staff who took the time to share their photos and stories with us!

Freedom to Read Act Policies: Feedback Request

The draft policies and procedures that the State Librarian, in consultation with the New Jersey Library Association, developed are available for public review and comment. The documents are posted on the NJSL website, your feedback is requested by July 31, 2025.

The Graduate Certificate in Maker Education program is state-approved and is offered by Rutgers Center for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education in partnership with the Rutgers Graduate School of Education.

What to expect:

• Learn to create & run a makerspace: Receive education and resources necessary to start and supervise a makerspace or projects using makerspace equipment.
• Become proficient in maker-based projects: Gain proficiency in maker-based learning activities or projects.
• Improve pedagogy: Explore how maker-centered projects can be leveraged as a vehicle for meaningful, discovery-based learning.
  
  

Application Deadline: 8/12/25
Click Here to request more information or apply!

LibraryLinkNJ's Executive Board will hold their next meeting on Thursday, July 17 at 2:30pm via Zoom.

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

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: 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