Conference Updates
#NJLA17 Programming Spotlight: College and University SectionMar 10 2017 - 4:55pmThe 2017 NJLA Conference is loaded with programs tailored to the needs and interests of college and university librarians. This year, the sessions sponsored and co-sponsored by the College and University Section are spread throughout the Conference, with a Preconference on Monday, four programs on Tuesday, and another seven on Wednesday for a total of 12 CUS programs! Experience the full Conference for three days of Beyond the Box professional development, networking, and camaraderie. MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
In addition to attending programs and the CUS Luncheon, join us to cheer on the winners of three NJLA CUS/ACRL-NJ awards at the NJLA Awards Reception. The recipients of the Distinguished Service Award, Research Award, and Technology Innovation Award will be announced at this free event on Tuesday evening from 6 PM to 8 PM. Refreshments will be served!
We can’t wait to see you in AC, Academics! Adriana Mamay and the 2016-2017 NJLA Conference Committee |
Join Us For Preconference!Mar 8 2017 - 4:54pmThe 2017 preconference session line-up has something for everyone this year!
Extended preconference sessions will be held on Monday, April 24, the day prior to our two-day full schedule of events. These 3.5-hour sessions are designed to allow for an in-depth look at highlighted topics, opportunity for discussion and question-and-answer, and even hands-on activity in some cases. NJLA strives to bring in speakers that offer experience beyond the NJ or library landscape, while providing relevant information to all of our constituents. Preconference sessions often provide a unique opportunity for Board of Trustee and Friends of the Library members to engage with each other, library workers and supporters, as well. With an additional charge required for attendance at these events, we hope that you agree that these sessions add specific value to the NJLA Conference experience as a whole! NJLA continues to provide additional virtual preconference sessions throughout the morning of Monday, April 24, too, using the Adobe Connect platform! These events come free-of-charge to all those who register for any part of the 2017 NJLA Conference (preconference-only, single-day or full-conference), and all three sessions are also offered to those who do not register for Conference at a single low cost of $25. (Details for registering ONLY for the virtual sessions will be available on the website soon.) All attendees will be emailed the details of accessing these sessions prior to April 24. The virtual preconferences will be recorded and distributed to paid attendees following Conference. Find complete registration costs online: http://njlaconference.info/content/attendee-registration As an added bonus, don’t forget to stick around on Monday evening for the President’s Program featuring Tammy Tibbetts of She’s the First, followed by Library Trivia sponsored by NJLA’s Member Services Committee! Register for the 2017 Conference today; early bird deadline is March 25. Preconference Sessions
One Talking Point at a Time: Library Sound Bites that Work Patrick Sweeney, well-known Political Director of EveryLibrary, will teach the basics of creating winning messages and sound bites that help promote your library and Friends groups. Employing the formula 27/9/3 (use 27 words in 9 seconds to make 3 simple points) and other communication tools, learn skills that will craft a message that resonates with your community and delivers it efficiently, effectively and as often as possible. Excellent for all library staff, Friends and Trustees. Libraries Without Limits: Serving Developmentally Challenged Patrons of All Ages Adult Social Hours, Special Needs Library Time, Inclusive Storytime, Job Skills, Life Skills . . . There is NO LIMIT to what your library can offer developmentally challenged patrons! Join us for a fun, interactive panel discussion where we will talk about programming, resources and building partnerships to help serve this very special population. This panel will feature librarians from public library systems and high schools, an ACT Program representative from Rowan College, and a representative from the Volunteer Center of South Jersey. Library Workers Today: Strong Staff Equals Strong Service Running a library is hard and no one knows this better than those doing the work! A shifting workplace, public misconception of our job, and side effects of doing more with less are among the challenges library workers face. How can we balance our dedication to our profession and our communities with our own well-being? Join librarians from public libraries and colleges/universities for these conversations about the relationship library staff has to libraries and the work we do. Virtual Preconferences 9:50-10:40am The Importance of HTTPS with Let’s Encrypt Join Let’s Encrypt and JerseyConnect in learning the value and implementation of HTTPS. This program is for both people new to the topic who want to learn and understand what HTTPS is and why it’s important, and those who are interested in learning about HTTPS implementation and validation.
11:00-11:50am Making Your Space: The Nuts and Bolts of Policy and Procedure for Makerspaces So, you know what you what to make and you have your space, but how do you make it all happen? This informative presentation will feature panelists from public, academic and museum libraries, and you'll go home with actual handouts on policy and procedure that you can modify for your own makerspace. 12:10-1:00pm Volunteering Outside the Box for Teens and New Adults Libraries are the go-to place for volunteers, particularly teens and new adults, who often need to fulfill a requirement for school or another civic organization. Join four public librarians in a panel discussion as they share their successes and failures of volunteer programs. As we strive to meet the deadlines of fulfilling volunteer requirements, this session will offer both an overview and specific tips for implementing teen volunteers in your library. Kate Jaggers and the 2016-2017 NJLA Conference Committee |
#NJLA17 Programming Spotlight: Small Libraries RoundtableMar 7 2017 - 3:20pmAt a small library, librarians wear many hats. Even if someone doesn’t think they’re in a small library, they very well could be if their job description includes “other duties as assigned.” It’s a natural fact of working in a municipal library, and the Small Libraries Section is here to help! Here’s a sneak peek of their programming at conference and another great reason to attend.
Making Your Space: the Nuts and Bolts of Policy and Procedures for Makerspaces, Monday Apr. 24 from 11:00-11:50 AM kicks off Small Libraries’ contribution to conference as a virtual preconference. This is included with your conference registration for free, and can be watched at your convenience if you’re busy on Monday. You’ll walk away from this panel with plans and procedures to ensure that access to your makerspace is fair and safe. Agree to Disagree Without Being Disagreeable, Tuesday Apr. 25 from 11:30 AM-12:20 PM It is important in all libraries that the staff gets along, and sometimes there’s no easy way to know how to foster a work environment where everyone is open to sharing their comments and suggestions while being able to amicably disagree. Coworker interactions will be the main focus of the panel, but the tools the panelists suggest will be applicable to all aspects of the library world.
Held in the Eden Lounge, this is the perfect place to network with other librarians whether they’re from small libraries or not. Networking mixers are a great way to meet other librarians from around the state and to unwind after a full day at the conference.
Small is Beautiful 3.0: The Small Libraries Quiz Show, Wednesday Apr. 26 3:40 PM-4:30 PM What better way to end conference than with audience participation? Audience members will suggest issues they struggle with, and in rapid-fire game show style the panelists will suggest their own fixes. Let your last session at conference be a fun but productive one!
The Small Libraries section has a great selection of programming spread across all three days of conference, so make sure you check out the full schedule for all that they have to offer, and don't forget to REGISTER! Stacey Shapiro and the 2016-2017 NJLA Conference Committee |
Getting to the 2017 NJLA Conference: everything you need to know (but were afraid to ask...)Mar 3 2017 - 2:39pmSo you’ve registered for the NJLA 2017 Conference...what’s next? (Haven’t registered yet? Don’t forget to register by March 25th to take advantage of Early Bird prices! Click here for more info about registration: http://njlaconference.info/) It’s time to plan how you’ll be getting to Conference and where you’ll be staying while there! We’ve made it simple for you by breaking the essentials down into one handy infographic...room rates, parking, ride & room share opportunities, and more. See below for more details on how to plan the logistics of your Conference experience so that you can focus your energies on the fun stuff: planning your Conference schedule & social events so that you can make the most of your Conference experience!
ACCOMODATIONS AT HARRAH’S
Harrah's is holding rooms for NJLA Conference attendees in the Waterfront Tower, at a guaranteed price of $157.59 per night (taxes & fees included), as long as you book by April 2, 2017 There are many super benefits to booking within the NJLA Conference block! Here are a few to spark your enthusiasm:
In addition to the $124 base rate, all rooms will be charged a discounted daily resort fee ($10.00+tax per night, reduced from $20), room tax (13.875%), state tourism fee ($2.00 per night) and a room assessment fee ($3.00 per night), which equals a grand total of $157.59 per room per night. Please note that the automated confirmation you will receive when booking online will NOT include the daily resort fee ($11.39 per night per room, including tax) or any incidentals, which will be charged upon arrival at the hotel. Make a long weekend of it...WEEKEND IN ATLANTIC CITY!!! The above-listed room rate has been extended to all Conference attendees who book in our block for up to three days prior to April 24, 2017 and three days following April 26, 2017 (subject to availability), giving you the option to extend your time at Harrah’s at the Conference rate. Book your room online: https://aws.passkey.com/go/SH04LA7 Or by phone: 1-888-516-2215 (Mention "Library Association" or code SH04LA7) PARKING AT HARRAH’S
RIDE & ROOM SHARE OPPORTUNITIES
Don't let cost hold you back from getting the most out of your conference experience!
For more detailed information about the logistics of getting to Conference, please visit the HOTEL & TRAVEL page of the Conference website: http://njlaconference.info/content/hotel-information As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns regarding the logistics of planning your Conference experience. Send us an email at njlaconference@njlamembers.org and we will do our best to help out! Jenny Zbrizher and the 2016-2017 Conference Committee |
Speaking of Speakers: Valerie GrossMar 2 2017 - 4:16pm
A great keynote speaker has the ability to inform, engage, and inspire. We are fortunate to welcome a nationally renowned library leader and speaker to New Jersey to give the keynote address on Wednesday, April 26. Valerie Gross, president & CEO of Howard County Library System and a LJ Mover & Shaker, will provide attendees with a common language for advocacy, planning, and marketing. Regardless of the setting, "Libraries = Education". Providing educational services for all members of our communities is a crucial service that deserves funding and support. This is true for public libraries, academic libraries, school libraries, and special libraries. An educator and attorney for 30 years, Valerie J. Gross holds a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, a Master of Gross has delivered 80+ keynotes, workshops, seminars, and webinars on "Libraries = Education," drawing the participation and input of thousands of library professionals from 46 states and more than a dozen countries around the world. Combining these experiences, she authored Transforming Our Image, Building Our Brand: The Education Advantage (ABC-CLIO, 2013). For living this game-changing vision, HCLS received Library Journal's prestigious Library of the Year award from among North America's 21,000 public and academic libraries. The publication hailed the “Libraries = Education” equation “a 21st-century model worthy of study and consideration by every library in America, if not the world.” (Library Journal, June 2013) In addition to leading HCLS to Library of the Year, Gross was honored by the Daily Record as a 2015 Innovator or the Year, and by the Baltimore Sun as one of “50 Women to Watch: The most intriguing, powerful, and memorable personalities making an impact on the Baltimore region.” She received the Public Libraries Best Feature Article Award in 2012 and 2010, and was honored as a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2004. Valerie Gross successfully uses the principle, "Libraries = Education" to strengthen and grow library support, create partnerships, improve visibility, and increase funding. In 2013 the HCLS was recognized as the Gale/Library Journal Library of the Year and has been awarded a 5 star rating by LJ for five consecutive years. How will you utilize this approach to better communicate the essential role of your library?
Along with the NJLA President’s theme, the keynote speakers at the NJLA Conference often set the tone for our three-day experience, and we are thrilled that this year, we’re going beyond -- and truly breaking out of -- the box of stereotypes that exist within our profession and our communities of users. We look forward to continuing to celebrate all the big and little things that bring us together year after year! (Registration is now open(link is external), and Early Bird prices run through March 25.) Laura Leonard and the 2016-2017 Conference Committee |
Speaking of Speakers: Janet MockFeb 28 2017 - 12:47pm
On Tuesday, April 25 at 10:10-11:00am in the Wildwood 1 Ballroom, we hope that you can all join us to hear and interact with our first keynote speaker. NJLA President Chris Carbone will be leading a conversational keynote with Janet Mock, as well as moderating a question-and-answer session with the audience. A book signing will immediately follow the keynote. Redefining Realness will be available for sale in the NJLA Book Store throughout the Conference, but be sure to secure your copy early. (If you’d like to purchase your own copy in advance to have it shipped directly to you, please use this Amazon link so that NJLA can benefit from the sale!) Janet Mock is a writer, TV host and advocate whose memoir, Redefining Realness, debuted on the New York Times bestsellers list in 2014. She is a sought-after speaker, an advocate for trans women’s rights, and the founder of #GirlsLikeUs, a social media project that empowers trans women. A millennial media powerhouse, Janet began her career as a Staff Editor for People.com and has since worked as a correspondent for Entertainment Tonight and host of MSNBC's "So POPular!," a weekly series about popular culture, politics, identity and representation. She also serves as Contributing Editor for Marie Claire, the magazine where she first stepped forward publicly as a young trans woman. Her writing, work and media advocacy has been recognized by the Ms. Foundation, Planned Parenthood, ADCOLOR, TIME, which dubbed her “one of the 30 most influential people on the internet," and Fast Company, which named her "one of the most creative people in business." Hailing from Honolulu, Hawaii, Janet attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa and earned her MA in journalism from New York University. She currently lives and writes in New York City. And if all of that isn't proof enough that she is going to be a real treat to hear from, check out her recent New York Times Opinion piece, as well as a speech she gave at an event last year. Along with the NJLA President’s theme, the keynote speakers at the NJLA Conference often set the tone for our three-day experience, and we are thrilled that this year, we’re going beyond -- and truly breaking out of -- the box of stereotypes that exist within our profession and our communities of users. We look forward to continuing to celebrate all the big and little things that bring us together year after year! (Registration is now open, and Early Bird prices run through March 25.) Kate Jaggers and the 2016-2017 Conference Committee |
UPDATE: A Change in Our President's Program SpeakerFeb 27 2017 - 11:06am
NJLA President Chris Carbone is pleased to announce that we have a change in our speaker for the President’s Program at Conference – Monday evening April 24th at 6pm. While we regret that we are unable to present SmallBizLady Melinda Emerson, we are very proud to host New Jersey’s own (and a former library employee) Tammy Tibbets, Founder and CEO of the education non-profit She’s the First. We believe her mission and her values align strongly with our membership and her story makes a great prelude to the Libraries=Education message that will be presented by our Wednesday speaker Valerie Gross.
Founder & CEO She’s the First “A girl with an education is unstoppable.” Tammy oversees business strategy, communications, development, and brand partnerships for the education nonprofit She's the First, which she founded in 2009. She is a sought-after TEDx and public speaker who keynotes events for corporations, students, and philanthropists. In 2015 and 2016, Tammy led She's the First to million-dollar revenue years. She has attracted support from Glamour’s The Girl Project, NoVo Foundation, Andrew & Ann Tisch Foundation, Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, American Express Foundation, and Unilever, among others. At age 23, Tammy had an idea for a social media-driven campaign that would inspire Millennials to fundraise for girls’ education in low-income countries. She shared her idea for She’s the First with a Facebook friend, Christen Brandt. On November 1, 2009, they launched it in the form of a YouTube video. That one video became a movement that now reaches millions and has changed life outcomes for more than 800 STF Scholars in 11 countries. Previously, Tammy worked for Hearst Magazines, where she founded three profitable digital properties for Seventeen.com and became Seventeen’s first social media editor, a position in which she earned top industry honors. Tammy is a first-generation college graduate who attended The College of New Jersey, earning a B.A. in journalism, summa cum laude and recipient of the first-ever Young Alumni Award. Voted “Most Shy” in her high school yearbook, Tammy is anything but shy today. She is an outspoken, contagiously passionate leader who has earned a spot on the following lists:
Tammy is the 2013 recipient of Diane von Furstenberg’s People’s Voice Award and a 2016 Women's eNews 21 Leaders Award. One of her personal triumphs was finishing the NYC Marathon in 2014 and sponsoring nine STF Scholars in the process. Tammy is from South Brunswick, NJ and, get this, a former employee of the South Brunswick Public Library! We are beyond proud and excited to have Tammy Tibbetts with us at this year's conference, and we hope you're excited, too! The 2016-2017 NJLA Conference Committee |
Feast on This: Re-Energize with Your PeersFeb 24 2017 - 12:31pm
Does the idea of a 1.5 hour lunch break make you relieved? Anxious? A combination of both? We completely understand – figuring out what to do during a long lunch break in a new place with new people can be hard.
The lines for restaurants are long and the seating situation isn’t always optimal. That’s why the Conference Committee is pleased to offer a brand new lunch experience this year: Feast on This: Re-Energize with Your Peers. Enjoy a casual, catered lunch with fellow Conference attendees on Tuesday, April 25th. For $22, you’ll receive a three course meal including salad, sandwich, and dessert! While eating, take some time to de-stress with coloring, legos, puzzles, and other low-effort but super-fun activities. The lunch will feature videos highlighting NJ libraries and the screening of a short movie, Librarians on Film: Miss Bula Banerjee. Enjoy the company of your colleagues and delicious food in a relaxed, congenial setting.
Look forward to lunch this year – we've figured it all out, so you don't have to!
Adriana Mamay and the 2016-2017 NJLA Conference Committee |
#NJLA17 Programming Spotlight: Reference SectionFeb 23 2017 - 12:51pmAs those of us on the frontlines of reference work already know : you have to be ready for everything, anything and something.. all at the same time! It truly represents library work that is all encompassing, reaches across all work types in our field, and still yet provides a core element to the services we provide to our patrons. As the Reference section works to put together its slate of conference offerings each year, it is with that spirit of variety but within a core service model, that the section always comes through with a wide diversity of programs ready for the taking! So I got in touch with Reference section co-president Cassidy Charles (before her final flight outta here to sunny California for her new library adventure!) to get the skinny on her session highlights: Groundbreakers and Trailblazers: Directors, Presidents, and Library Luminaries (Wednesday, April 26 2:30-3:20pm in Wildwood 25 & 26)
George Anastasia, New Jersey Crime Writer (Tuesday, April 25 11:30am-12:20pm in Wildwood 23 &2 4) They've even started doing some killer promotion of their own, like this flyer for another one of their events:
 And this is just scratching the surface of the many other programs sponsored or co-sponsored by the Reference section (and there are many!). However, the only way to experience all they have in store is to make sure to register and join us at #NJLA17!
Doug Baldwin and the 2016-2017 NJLA Conference Committee |
#NJLA17 Programming Spotlight: Reader’s Advisory RoundtableFeb 21 2017 - 12:23pmConference Committee’s Karen Klapperstuck spoke with Melissa Nemitz of the Reader’s Advisory Roundtable about upcoming Conference programs. Find out what you should be looking for to be in the know on the new releases! Conference is sometimes one of the only times that we can freshen up our RA skills . . . and as librarians, who doesn't like to talk about books? This year we are offering some traditional RA programs, but some programs will have us stepping outside our comfort zones, so be prepared to challenge the norm.
Converting to Non-Dewey (NO-D) Cataloging (Tuesday, 4/25, 11:30am-12:20pm) Presented by: Susan Meeske, Old Tappan Public Library; Stephany Bellucci, Cliffside Park; and Jamie Feuer, Edgewater Public Library Learn how Susan Meeske and her staff at the Old Tappan Public Library converted their collection to a non-Dewey or NO-D system. Susan will discuss why her library switched, how they did it, and the pros of utilizing non-Dewey. Brown Bag Lunch: Under the Radar Reads (Tuesday, 4/25, 12:30-2:00pm) Presented by: Theresa Agostinelli Learn about current, “Under the Radar” reads while enjoying lunch with colleagues in an informal setting. We will kick off the lunch with book trivia on a variety of topics. Interested attendees will then present 1-2 minute lightning book talks on fiction and nonfiction titles, preferably lesser-known gems, using slides that they have added to our Google Slides file. Participants are encouraged to bring copies of book lists to share. Readers' Advisory for Paraprofessionals (Wednesday, 4/26, 2:30-3:20pm) Presented by: Ilene Lefkowitz, Denville Public Library; C.L. Quillen, Spotswood Public Library; and Cynthia Lamber, Mary Jacobs Branch of the Somerset County Library System Readers' advisory is an essential service that libraries and librarians provide to its community. However, paraprofessionals rarely receive this type of training. This session will train the trainer, equipping you, the professional, with tips on how you can help train your paraprofessional staff, both formally and informally, in readers' advisory services. Best Graphic Novels of 2016 (Wednesday, 4/26, 3:40-4:30pm) Presented by: David Lisa, Camden County Library System; Laverne Mann, Cherry Hill Public Library; Lanora Melillo, Scotch Plains Public Library; and Tyler Rousseau, Monroe Township Library Update your library’s graphic novel collection with suggestions from librarians around the state. Hear about the best graphic novels published during 2016 in adult, young adult, and children’s categories. So while we may feel like this about books:
We know sometimes our patrons feel like this:
So keep yourself in the know by learning about the best new titles and the best ways to "sell" books to your patrons from the Reader's Advisory Roundtable pros at #NJLA17! Karen Klapperstuck and the 2016-2017 NJLA Conference Committee |
Introverted Leadership: How Introversion Leads to Success
Monday, April 24, 1:00-4:30pm
(Or what you’re for)
Emerging Technologies and Small Libraries Networking Mixer, Tuesday Apr. 25 5:00 PM-6:00 PM
Library Science from San Jose State University, and a law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law. She is a member of the ALA, PLA, MLA, and the California Bar Association. Developing a new vision for libraries, Gross worked with the Howard County Library System Board and staff members, local government, and the community to implement the “Libraries = Education" approach. She led the transformation of HCLS to its current prominence as a renowned educational institution, alongside the region’s schools, colleges, and universities.
How excited are we that JANET MOCK is joining us at the 
Often life is full of changes – which can be a good thing! With a beyond the box approach just about any challenge can be overcome. 
TAMMY TIBBETTS 
Successful Business Outreach (Tuesday, April 25 4:10-5:00pm in Wildwood 25 & 26)
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