Conference Updates
Propose your programs for the 2020 New Jersey Library Association Annual Conference!Sep 4 2019 - 9:41amThis year’s theme, Know your why, will allow us remember why we do what we do. We are looking forward to knowing why you do it and also wealth knowledge and diversity that will come from our speakers and programs!The program proposal form must be filled out completely online and submitted by Saturday, November 30, 2019 to be considered for approval for the 2020 NJLA Conference:
Conference Co-Chairs Rich Loomis, Kate Angelo, Thalia Sweet
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Meet Some of Our Outside (Libraries/State) Speakers!May 10 2019 - 1:34pmEach year after our annual conference we solicit responses from our attendees on their experience. We ask them about what they liked, what they didn’t like, and what they hope to see more of in the future. The top request we receive at the end of each year: more outside speakers. And by outside speakers, we hear requests for librarians from other types of libraries, librarians from out of state, and non-librarians, people from professions that both compliment ours as well as exhibit characteristics totally unlike what we do. And to be perfectly honest, those are always my favorite presentations, too. There is no better inspiration than hearing from someone who does something totally unlike what you do. It jogs your brain to start thinking about, well, hey, why can’t I do something like that?
The problem: traditionally only people active in NJLA Sections and Committees could propose sessions, and though they often invited outside speakers, that’s a limited pool of knowledge and resources to draw from. Last year the NJLA Conference Committee made a decision to open up program submissions to everyone, regardless of membership status, involvement, or profession. And we received a really positive response! So we did it again this year, and the turn-out for outside speakers was even greater.
Take a look below as we spotlight some of those unique speakers and submissions, and we hope you’ll give them a nice warm NJLA welcome at conference!
PRECONFERENCES: Almost all of our preconferences are led by non-librarians this year!:
What Makes a Proposal Great? Beyond the Basics of Grant Writing for your Library
Exclusively Inclusive: Tips and strategies from Professionals outside Libraryland
I want to know her! How to leverage your network and your personal brand
Active Shooter Training
The All of Us Research Program and Public Libraries: New Opportunities for Health Literacy
KEYNOTES: We are excited to bring librarians back to their roots with some big-name authors this year!
BREAKOUT SESSIONS:
And many, many more! So check out the full schedule and plan your schedule because, trust me, it’s going to be FULL!
--Emily Witkowski, Conference Co-Chair, 2019 NJLA Conference Committee
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8 Reasons to go to Pre-ConferenceMay 3 2019 - 2:19pmWith the early bird registration quickly closing (ends May 15), you might be debating whether to register for NJLA’s preconference. Here are 8 reasons why you definitely should go for it! 1. Pre-conference sessions dive deeper in topics that you care about. We have a schedule packed with excellent PD and training. The longer sessions during pre-conference allow us to offer programming that wouldn’t work as well condensed. 2. It’s all about networking! It seems like “personal branding” are buzz words these days. Learn how to turn your passion into prosperity with Karen Yankovich’s workshop, I want to know her! How to leverage your network and your personal brand. This exciting session will be from 10am - 1pm on Wednesday, May 29th. 3. No one wants to think about worst case scenarios, but in today’s world it’s critical to be prepared for everything and anything During pre-conference this year, we’re offering Active Shooter Training in a powerful session that will train you how to react and survive in an active shooter situation. The session will be from 10am - 1pm on May 29th. 4. Budgets are on everyone’s mind these days, and grants are an excellent revenue source to tap into. Feel like your grant proposals could use some work? Take your grant writing to the next level with the session What makes a proposal great? Beyond the basics of grant writing for your library, from 10am - 1pm on May 29th. 5. Are you health literate? Do you frequently get asked health related reference questions? Then you should definitely check out the session The all of us research program and public libraries: New opportunities for health literacy, happening from 2pm - 5pm on May 29th. 6. Hone your management skills with the session Guiding your library in year-round learning and training. Your staff will be customer service superstars in no time! This session is from 2pm-5pm on May 29th. 7. Hear from those outside of Libraryland. Outreach and inclusion are buzzwords these days. Presenters from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will share their expertise on how to create programs accessible to children of various needs. The session Exclusively Inclusive: Tips and strategies from professionals outside Libraryland will take place from 2pm - 5pm on May 29th.
AND FINALLY
8. You get more conference! Attending pre-conference is a great way to kick off #NJLA2019 with more opportunities for inspiration, engagement, and networking.
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Lunch options at #NJLA19Apr 26 2019 - 2:42pmThe Most Important #NJLA19 Blog Post - WHAT’S FOR LUNCH?!
You finished all the snack bars you brought during the first morning session and the mints by the water fountain just aren’t going to cut it… so what are you going to do for lunch? This is actually an important question… and one you should think about before you’re already hangry and ready to settle for the most expensive box of Cheez-Its in Atlantic City. Here are some great lunch options that you can plan ahead for. The President’s Welcome Luncheon on Thursday is a $35 seated hot lunch that honors the NJLA President-Elect Tonya Garcia. This is a luncheon that really hits everyone at the conference. If you’re looking for a sit-down on Thursday, this might be for you.
Not ready for a full luncheon? My personal favorite lunch option is Feast on This: Show & Make. This additional pre-paid luncheon option is a $22 cold buffet on Thursday hosted by the Children’s Services Section. It’s a very casual roundtable where makers, crafters, and tech lovers bring their program ideas to you. You’ll leave with some new ideas and a full belly.
The Garden State Book Award Luncheon on Friday is another great sit-down lunch with Lisa Lucas, the Executive Director of the National Book Foundation. Eat and share the enthusiasm for books.
The last sit-down lunch option is the College & University Luncheon on Friday. Not so great with small talk starters? This lunch comes with its own agenda: explore the future of library and information science education - a topic worth well more than $35.
On Thursday and Friday there are a few brown-bag lunches (BYOL) for those looking to chat while eating.
If you want a worry-free lunch, aren’t sure what to bring to a brown-bag, don’t want anything formal, or aren’t interested in the hotel restaurants, there is an option for you to pre-purchase a boxed lunch along with your registration for either or both days of the full conference. You can select your meal choice as chicken or tuna on a Kaiser roll or veggie wrap. Do be aware that there are no customized options and boxed lunches cannot be purchased on-site.
If you have already registered for Conference but would like to add a lunch ticket or a boxed lunch, please email the NJLA Office. --Kristin Crepezzi and the 2018-2019 NJLA Conference Committee |
Meet the CUS Luncheon Speaker, Joyce Valenza!Apr 24 2019 - 1:09pmMeet CUS Luncheon speaker, Joyce Valenza!
I’ve been a librarian in a variety of settings for the last 40+ years, working in special, public, and school libraries.
Regardless of type, tell us what you think are some of the challenges libraries are facing today. Any suggestions or solutions to overcome the challenges?
My friends never really understood what I did. I think we have a lot of trouble defining what it looks like/means to be a librarian and getting even our closest friends to recognize our magic. I did an informal study of my friends and family this past holiday season and discovered that of those in my relatively tech-savvy and educated little sample, not a single one recognized the power of their library cards. They were completely unaware of access to digital books, streaming video, ancestry tools,
Even more seriously, we see so many issues relating to equity--equity of access and equity of experience. I see vast gaps between the information poor and the information privileged. We are all part of a library ecosystem--school, public and academic libraries. Across the country and in our state a significant section of that ecosystem is threatened. A threat to one part of that ecosystem impacts us all. You are likely seeing this directly in differences exhibited by your own first-year students who have had the privilege of an effective K12 library program and those who have not.
What do you enjoy more, being a presenter or spectator at professional conferences? Why?
I love presenting, but I also love learning. When I present, I miss so much of the energy of an event and I miss both the formal and informal discoveries. Some of those discoveries happen in the halls, coffee shops, bar and restrooms.
Tell us about your research interests (or passions in life) and how you are able to incorporate them into your library related work.
I am interested in librarianship of all flavors, with a sweet spot for school libraries, search and community engagement--on- and offline. I love the opportunities we have to curate dynamic digital collections for our communities and to connect with them on social media. My next project, which we are calling Freshmen Meet the Frames, involves partnering with a team of academic and high school librarians across the state and NJASL to investigate the performance of first-year college students who have had what AASL would call an effective school library program and compare their performance to students with no exposure. I hope that the findings will allow us to work together to build some innovative information literacy tools to mind and fill the gaps.
Above all, I am passionate about preparing and mentoring new librarians to work and impact the communities you currently serve. |
New Jersey State Library Programs at NJLAApr 22 2019 - 1:20pmPre-conference Workshops:
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 – 10:00am – 1:00pm What Makes a Proposal Great? Beyond the Basics of Grant Writing for Your LibraryGrants can provide valuable funds to support library community programs and services. If you’d like to hone your grant writing skills, build your confidence, and learn some tips and tricks from the field, join Brittany Campese of Vision Driven Consulting for this interactive and engaging session. We will review common jargon, discuss aspects of good (and not so good) grant proposals by reading actual applications, and practice crafting a compelling program pitch. Some prior experience with the grant writing process is recommended for attendance at this workshop. Learn more…
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 – 10:00am – 1:00pm Active Shooter TrainingHave the people in your company, group or organization been trained on how to react to survive should an active shooter or terrorist attack your business? Our course will give them skills and empowerment to step up and save lives. It has become clear with recent events that training laypersons how to recognize and react during a shooting, act of workplace violence or terrorist attack can and does save lives .Once responding police arrive, their objective is to neutralize the shooter, so they cannot stop to help the wounded. Those in the events must know steps to take to survive and be prepared to help the injured until EMS arrive. Learn more…
State Librarian’s Programs:
Friday, May 31, 2019 – 8:00am – 8:50am Annual State Librarian’s BreakfastJoin NJ State Librarian Mary Chute for coffee, breakfast and conversation about what’s new and exciting in the state of NJ libraries! The State Library will present its annual awards ceremony, honoring winning libraries in the Best Practices in Early Literacy, Multicultural Programing and Innovation categories. Learn more…
Friday, May 31, 2019 – 9:00am – 9:50am Renew Yourself: A Six Step Plan for More Meaningful WorkUnplanned careers affect everything and everyone. They can lead to frustration, negativity, and apathy at a time when we need to be focused, energized and motivated. Though your library career might have started “accidentally,” you can overcome organizational restructuring, changing job titles, and shifting responsibilities by cultivating a mindful existence in the library workplace. Building on the simple and fun approach that have made her previous books bestsellers, Hakala-Ausperk offers up a workbook-style program for revisiting personal values, understanding your options, identifying skill gaps, and creating plans for growth. Whether you’re a library veteran who’s feeling burned out, a new LIS grad just starting out, or somewhere in mid-career, this six-step plan can help anyone renew themselves, their careers, and their organizations. Learn more…
Sessions & Activities:
Thursday, May 30, 2019 (various times): 8:30am – 9:00am, 11:00am – 11:30am and 2:00pm – 2:30pm ULC Edge will be @ NJSL’s Booth #302/304Representatives from the Urban Libraries Council’s Edge Project will be at the NJSL booth describing their new program. Edge is a management tool that guides libraries of all sizes to set measurable, strategic goals for digital inclusion and to engage government and local leaders in meaningful conversations about 21st-century community needs. Edge helps public libraries establish a baseline for continuous improvement and greater community impact. Edge achieves this mission by providing libraries with standards in technology services and programming, and tools to help libraries measure and implement change. Edge is led by the Urban Libraries Council and developed by a national coalition of leading library and local government organizations with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Public libraries of all sizes are successfully using Edge to strengthen and improve their technology services.
Thursday, May 30, 2019 – 11:30am – 12:20pm Diversity in Comics: Outreach to Adult Learners Using Graphic NovelsGraphic novels have become increasingly popular with librarians as their value in promoting reading fluency among adult learners becomes more apparent. Because graphic novels include both text and illustrations they are often more accessible to struggling readers, but this does not mean the contents are simplistic. For example, graphic novels often address sensitive topics and themes of social justice. In this session, the speaker will 1) review how graphic novels require a different type of reading; 2) highlight ways that graphic novels might be useful when working with adult learners (e.g., literacy and/or ESOL); and 3) present examples of some critically acclaimed graphic novels that address diversity and social justice themes. Learn more…
Thursday, May 30, 2019 – 3:10pm – 4:00pm Building Kindness and Compassion: Resources to Help Children Address Social and Emotional LearningKids model their behavior after what they see others doing and increasingly many are imitating the incivility exhibited by those around them in today’s cultural climate. How can we help them become more considerate towards others? The panel will offer books, programming and other resource suggestions to help elementary and middle school-aged kids address social and emotional learning (SEL). These resources can help them cope with bullying, provide tips on conflict resolution and encourage them to be more respectful and empathic towards their peers and others. Learn more…
Friday, May 31, 2019 – 11:30am – 12:20pm Libraries as Engines of Economic DevelopmentLibraries are continuing to embrace their role as drivers of community economic development through their services to the business and entrepreneur communities. But what are the current workforce, unemployment, and labor market trends shaping New Jersey’s economy? Further, how can this understanding of the state’s workforce development outlook shape library partnerships, programs, and services in the future? Join us to explore these issues and more while taking a broader look at how libraries can drive economic growth statewide. Learn more…
Friday, May 31, 2019 – 12:30pm –2:00pm Brown Bag Lunch: Plan to LeadIt took a lot of skill-building to get to your leadership position. You know what you’re doing! So, how come so many challenges you’re facing have come as such a surprise? Because sometimes, we’re so busy leading today, we forget to prepare for tomorrow. Things like rapid change, uncomfortable discipline, and even building your own confidence never seem to get the attention they deserve – until now. Bring your lunch, sit back, and get prepared for tomorrow. It’s time you stopped just reacting and, instead, committed to Plan to Lead. **Please purchase your brown bag lunch through the NJLA Conference, or feel free to bring your own lunch**
Friday, May 31, 2019 – 3:40pm – 4:30pm Discover ALSC’s Notable (Outstanding! Distinguished! Just Plain Great!) Children’s BooksEvery year the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) selects notable books of “especially commendable quality” which “exhibit venturesome creativity.” This list includes fiction and nonfiction titles for birth through 14. This program will describe the process of developing the list and introduce our favorites on the 2018 list. Participants will learn how the 2018 ALSC Notables list can benefit their library and school collections, with particular attention to diversity titles. Participants will learn how to promote the ALSC Notables Participants will leave with a list of curated titles for Grades K-8.
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A Spotlight on Sponsors: ExhibitsApr 12 2019 - 2:18pmA Spotlight on Sponsors: Exhibits Teaser
An integral, yet often overlooked, aspect of annual conference is the Exhibit Hall where our Sponsors and Exhibitors showcase what they have to offer, engage in meaningful dialog, forge new relationships, and distribute some great free swag.
#NJLA19 would not be the same without our sponsors and in an effort to inspire you to explore the exhibit hall, there will be extended hours on Wednesday night - with the President’s Program taking place among the exhibits.
Sponsors and Exhibitors help make the show run, so let’s take a look at who you’re sure to see around the conference.
ReferenceUSA delivers verified information on US businesses and residents directly to your patrons, making it faster and easier to find new business opportunities, research executives and companies, find news articles, conduct job searches, research papers, locate addresses and phone numbers, conduct market research and much more.
When a patron just has to write directly to the CEO of Nike about their squeaky athletic shoes, ReferenceUSA is there!
Rutgers University – New Brunswick School of Communication and Information, a founding iSchool member, offers nationally top-ranked library and information science programs with flexible online, on-campus and hybrid options. The Master of Information (MI) program is ranked #1 for School Library Media, #6 for Digital Librarianship, #8 for Information Systems, #6 for Services for Children and Youth, and #7 overall.
If you’re working at a New Jersey library you know someone who is, has, or will be connected to the Rutgers School of Communication.
Capira Technologies aims to make library service personal, to reach the patron in new and ever-changing ways, and give patrons the experience they deserve. They accomplish this by providing applications that boast a personal look and feel for patrons and staff applications that offer exactly what’s necessary to get the job done, faster, easier and more efficiently than ever.
With 35 years of combined in-library service, Caprica Technologies can offer your organization a unique perspective.
While these are our Platinum Sponsors, don’t stop here. Check out the NJLA Conference website for a full list of sponsors and exhibitors.
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If you're interested in technical services....Apr 8 2019 - 12:18pmThe Technical Services and Collection Development Section promotes the activities of NJLA that pertain to Technical Services and Collection Development in general. This includes, but is not limited to, administration, organization of materials, processing, authority control, serials control, collection development, and other related topics. If you are attending conference this year, some of these sessions may be of interest to you:
The Technical Services and Collection Development Section meets monthly to plan workshops and discuss topics relevant to our members. The section welcomes new members at any time throughout the year. |
Ready, Set, Network at NJLA19!Apr 4 2019 - 11:32amDoes the thought of meeting new people make you anxious? Do you dread meet and greets, the Pool Party, or mingling events? Are you worried you’ll forget something or run out of stuff to say? Whether it is your first conference or twenty-first, we have some tips and tricks to ease your anxiety, and make this year’s conference your personal best. The theme of this year is Engage and Inspire, and as librarians, that’s exactly what we’re here to do! Engagement means meeting one another, and sharing our ideas and inspirations. NJLA is one of the best opportunities we have for just that, and with these top tips, you’ll be conference ready and networking in no time!
Prepare it: If your library has a branded business card, do bring those, but if not, you can have them professionally printed by VistaPrint, or you can DIY with Canva.com and some card stock. If cards aren’t in the cards for you right now (see what I did there), bring a notebook and some pens- you can take down someone’s information, and follow up with them post conference.
Bring it: Bring a tote or a book bag, a water bottle, and a reusable coffee mug if that’s your jam- at almost every session, you can get water, and there are some coffee breaks available. Bring a portable phone charger- even if you think you won’t need one. Trust me, you probably will. And your phone is a great way to take notes, pictures, and see links during sessions. If you’re known to get hangry, remember some portable snacks so you can be on your game all conference long!
Wear it: Do you have the cutest pair of shoes, or the best button down, but they just don’t fit right? Ditch ‘em. At the conference, you want to be confident and comfortable- and sometimes that means swapping the perfect looking ballet flat for the perfect fitting pair of sneakers. You should also think about wearing something people can comment on. If you’ve got a stylin’ lanyard, a signature pair of glasses, a kitty cat cardigan, or a nerdy tote, this is the time to break it out.
Share it: Consider making yourself “that person who…” by bringing candy, snacks, or even extra pens to share when you’re in sessions or meeting people. It’ll be an easy way for new people to identify you- “I’m the person with the LifeSavers, it was great meeting you during Erin and Morgan’s awesome networking session!”
Be it: Remember-- Be YOU! We’re all here to connect, network, hang out, talk nerdy things, and generally be our awesome librarian selves. Don’t be afraid to invite yourself into a conversation- you never know who you might meet!
And remember, attend our session, You Can Sit With Us- we’re offering even more top tips and quality banter (and probably memes, if we know ourselves). Our session is on 5/30 at 9:00am in Wildwood 6/7. See you there!
-Morgan Taylor, 2018-2019 Conference Committee with Erin Hughes (Carlstadt Public Library)
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Program Highlights from the Children Services SectionMar 28 2019 - 12:00pmAll right my fellow youth librarians, brace yourselves for what you have been waiting for: a look at the fantastic CSS sponsored programs you should attend at #NJLA19!
The NJLA Conference is a great way to connect with fellow librarians, bring back new ideas to your library, and relax a bit before the madness of our summer reading programs begins...and perhaps also have a little fun at the slot machines #shakethemdiceandrollem PRECONFERENCE PROGRAM: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - 2:00pm to 5:00pm Exclusively Inclusive: Tips and strategies from Professionals outside LibrarylandDo you struggle with knowing how to develop inclusive youth services programming? In this presentation, you will hear from experts from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, including a physical therapist, occupational therapist, pediatrician, and audiologist. You will learn tips and strategies for ensuring your programs are accessible to ALL children with various needs. Join your colleagues for a highly interactive panel discussion on this important topic! Thursday, May 30, 2019 COUNTDOWN: From sketch to (illustration) space launch!9:00am to 9:50am Strap on your jet packs and join illustrator-author Leeza Hernandez as she takes you on a behind-the-scenes tour of how the artwork for the 2019 Summer Reading Program campaign—A Universe of Stories!—came to life. In this interactive session she’ll help you blast ideas out of your own imagination and onto paper, and chat about what it means to have a visual voice. Plus, Leeza will discuss ways to overcome creative block, guide audience participants through a character-building activity and share tips on how to incorporate it into lesson plans. Session concludes with a brief Q&A. Follow Leeza on Instagram: @leezaworks
Feast on This: Show and Make12:30pm to 2:00pm Calling all makers, crafters and tech lovers! Enjoy a casual, catered buffet lunch with fellow Conference attendees. Avoid restaurant lines and the anxiety of figuring out how to spend the 1.5 hour break. Throughout this lunch, you will have a chance to meet with your peers as presenters travel from table to table informally leading discussions about a variety of programming ideas. Have a program you want to share? Now is time! Each participant will walk away with new ideas to execute at their libraries. Look forward to lunch this year – we’ve figured it all out, so you don’t have to! Tickets for this lunch can be purchased from the Conference Registration Building Kindness and Compassion: Resources to Help Children Address Social and Emotional Learning3:10pm to 4:00pmKids model their behavior after what they see others doing and increasingly many are imitating the incivility exhibited by those around them in today’s cultural climate. How can we help them become more considerate towards others? The panel will offer books, programming and other resource suggestions to help elementary and middle school-aged kids address social and emotional learning (SEL). These resources can help them cope with bullying, provide tips on conflict resolution and encourage them to be more respectful and empathic towards their peers and others. Curriculum Standards 101 for Public Librarians - The Roadmap to Collaboration4:10pm to 5:00pm Collaboration between schools and public libraries can sometimes hit a roadblock as school year timelines get tighter and buzzwords like "Common Core", "State Learning", and "Next Gen" get more cloudy. This session will demystify the curriculum standards in NJ public schools and provide a roadmap for collaboration. Hear from real teachers and School Librarians and learn how to speak the same language so that your library can better communicate with and support your public schools. Friday, May 31, 2019 Wa[i]ve Goodbye to Fines!11:30am to 12:20pm Instead of waiving fines, is it possible to wave goodbye to fines for good? Different-sized libraries tell their stories about how they have eliminated fines for children and teens (and more?) at their libraries and why you should too. Libraries for All: Inclusive Library Services for children with disabilities and their families11:30am to 12:20pm NJ libraries are committed to providing quality programming and services to all members of our communities, but are you reaching the special needs populations? In this presentation, participants will learn: After school with Middle School2:30pm to 3:20pm From management tips to programming, hear firsthand from youth services librarians across the state as they address the increased need for after school programming with middle school children. Librarians will offer tips on collaborating with schools, across departments, and more.
Ready, Set, School! Joyful Early Childhood Programming2:30pm to 3:20pm Explore the public library’s role in school readiness by learning about preschool programming that builds excitement around reading and learning early on—building a foundation for library support and educational success. We’ll share ideas to engage your community’s families in the joy of open play, with hands-on examples of literacy-inspired S.T.E.A.M. activities that you can recreate. With books, songs, and activities, children and caregivers practice motor and social skills while having lots of fun! In Be(Tween): program planning for tweens3:40pm to 4:30pm Do you have fabulous attendance at your children’s programs but not at your teen programs? Why not add tween programs to your library’s calendar? Wondering what a tween is and why it is good to host programs for them? Come and find out at our session, where will we present multiple program ideas and touch on collection development for tweens, with a focus on graphic novels.
Discover ALSC’s Notable (Outstanding! Distinguished! Just Plain Great!) Children’s Books3:40pm to 4:30pm Every year the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) selects notable books of “especially commendable quality” which “exhibit venturesome creativity.” This list includes fiction and nonfiction titles for birth through 14. This program will describe the process of developing the list and introduce our favorites on the 2018 list. Participants will learn how the 2018 ALSC Notables list can benefit their library and school collections, with particular attention to diversity titles.
Click here to see the full schedule of events co-sponsored by CSS at this year's Conference. See you in AC! PS: And don’t forget to sign up for the Garden State Book Awards Luncheon on Friday, May 31 from 12:30 – 2 PM (one of my favorite Conference events to attend)! This year’s guest speaker at the luncheon is Lisa Lucas, who is the Executive Director of the National Book Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served as the Publisher of Guernica Magazine and the Director of Education at the Tribeca Film Institute.
--Lynnette Fucci and the 2019 NJLA Conference Committee
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