Have you registered for the 2015 NJLA Annual Conference yet? Don’t forget about the luncheons! On Tuesday, from 12:30-2:00pm, the NJLA President’s Inaugural luncheon will take place in Atlantic I and II. Come and hear what plans incoming president James Keehbler has for the 2015-16 NJLA year while dining on grilled chicken with roasted baby potatoes and green beans or vegetable medley pasta with marinara sauce. (You won’t leave hungry – there’s also salad, bread and dessert!) Sit with old friends to catch up, or choose a table where you can meet someone new!

 

On Wednesday, there are two wonderful choices for lunch: the Garden State Book Awards luncheon honors authors chosen by New Jersey children and teens as their favorites, and this year, our own Sandy Hall, author of A Little Something Different (Swoon Reads/Macmillan, 2014) will be the keynote speaker. The GSBA luncheon will also be welcoming authors Tedd Arnold and Alethea Kontis, both of whom are accepting awards. This luncheon will be held in the Seaview Restaurant overlooking the beach! The College and University luncheon, which will be held in Oceanport South, will feature Edward Tenner, and his talk Information: From Scarcity to Abundance sounds fascinating! Both luncheons will take place from 12:30-2:20pm and you can choose from pan-seared chicken breast in a Chardonnay sauce with risotto cake, asparagus and baby carrots, or vegetable lasagna. The hard choice, of course, will be deciding which luncheon to attend!

 

For those who are attending either the Garden State Book Awards luncheon or the College and University luncheon, prepare to be compelled to stick around for some book signings! The NJLA Store will have some copies of the authors' titles for sale, but you can also be sure to have your books already in-hand by shopping through this Amazon link, which allows a percentage of sales to be donated straight back to NJLA. It's a win-win! (Full listing of authors who will be at Conference is coming soon!)

 

Also, early birds, don't forget that the State Librarian hosts a breakfast each year. All are welcome to join NJ State Librarian Mary Chute for a coffee, breakfast, and conversation about what's new and exciting in the state of NJ libraries right now! The State Library will also present its annual awards ceremony, honor winning libraries in the Best Practices in Early Literacy, Multicultural Program, and Innovation award categories. This will be held on Wednesday, April 22 at 8:00 a.m. in Oceanport.

 

Keep in mind that there is also an ice cream break on Tuesday from 2:30-3:00pm and there is a coffee break on Wednesday from 11-11:30am – both in the exhibit hall, both well-loved traditions! Those of you with a sweet tooth and caffeine fiends welcome!

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