Pre-conference Workshops:
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 – 10:00am – 1:00pm
What Makes a Proposal Great? Beyond the Basics of Grant Writing for Your Library
Grants 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 Training
Have 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 Breakfast
Join 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 Work
Unplanned 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 #302/304
Representatives 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 Novels
Graphic 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 Learning
Kids 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 Development
Libraries 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 Lead
It 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 Books
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.
Participants will learn how to promote the ALSC Notables
Participants will leave with a list of curated titles for Grades K-8.