Getting to YES! Sustainable Funding with a Johnson Act Referendum

Mahwah and Phillipsburg are two communities that rallied behind their public libraries to increase funding through a “Johnson Act” referendum. Will your community be next? This session provides the tips and tricks needed to successfully rally friends, energize advocates, and lead a campaign that will mobilize your community to vote for sustainable library funding. The presenters will discuss setting the stage, timetables, marketing, advocacy, stakeholder roles, and everything you need to get to YES!

Creating Visibility & Belonging: AAPI Collaborations with Libraries & Authors

WeAsian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) comprise 11% of NJ’s population and are fast-growing, yet it is a vastly under-served community. Author Marina Budhos will highlight a reader’s theater program at local schools. Amber Reed (AAPI Montclair) and Ariel Zeitlin (Montclair Public Library) will discuss their collaborations, and the vital role of the library. These are inspiring models for NJ libraries and organizations seeking to create greater visibility, inclusion and belonging for the AAPI community and beyond.

Opening Doors for Vulnerable Patrons: Implementing a Library Locker Program

Join us to learn about Elizabeth Public Library’s initiative to provide lockers to its homeless and housing-insecure patrons, not only as a practical resource but as a stepping stone toward their long-term stability. In this session, we will explore how secure storage fosters a sense of empowerment and autonomy to the most vulnerable members of our community, and creates positive relationships with library staff, allowing us to connect them with the information, resources, and services they need.

Connecting Minds, Breaking Barriers: Forum for the Research and Technology Innovation Award Winners

Join your academic library colleagues and learn about award-winning entries from the Research and Technology Innovation Awards at this session. It will offer an opportunity to establish connections and engage in discourse with New Jersey librarians breaking barriers with their innovative research and technology pursuits. Come find out how you can apply similar strategies at your library and network with professionals with similar interests. You might form a collaboration that is next year’s award winner!

Empowering Hygiene Initiatives around the Garden State

Libraries across New Jersey are integrating health and wellness stations and menstruation kits into their library’s services to make sure young patrons have what they need to maintain proper hygiene and keep their dignity. Join librarians from Bound Brook, Hoboken, Cherry Hill and Elizabeth to learn about each public library’s hygiene initiatives and find out how to get services like these off the ground and implemented into your library.

Revolutionizing Museum Pass Programs: A Fresh Perspective for Libraries

Museum Passes offer patrons an opportunity to visit various museums, exhibits and educational experiences. In 2023, the Roxbury Public Library changed museum passes to include multiple museums, hotels, and nearby attractions. Attend to learn what went into envisioning and executing this endeavor. Through our successes and failures, we hope to provide new opportunities to change what libraries offer their patrons, and the way they are perceived moving forward.

An Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation

Join us as we sit in meditation, and learn to engage with wisdom and compassion, also known as the two wings of mindfulness, to heal and liberate our hearts and mind from divisive thought patterns, and unwholesome feelings. Practice with mindfulness tools, so we can act, speak, and hold space, with awareness that’s rooted in loving presence. Open to novice and experienced practitioners. Hosted by: Burlington County Library System, IDEA Advisory Committee.

Library Marketing in a Changing World

It is vital that our patrons know the services and resources available with their library card. Learn how to integrate basic marketing methods available to libraries, including mail, print, local newspapers, email and social media, as well as non-traditional means, to enhance your message to your community. Create a marketing culture in your library with practices you can implement to improve your communication with your patrons, often at little or no cost.

Speaking Your Piece: Keys to Impactful Public Statements

The need for effective library advocates has never been greater, but the call for action often comes last-minute, and would-be supporters aren’t sure what to say. Be ready for the call by creating your own statement addressing a realistic situation and rehearse with a partner. Learn practical ways to use body language and techniques to create confidence when speaking.

Climate Action in Libraries

Learn how libraries across the United States have dealt with the effects of recent climate events in their communities and how their long-term commitment to climate action helped in a time of immediate need. You will leave this workshop with a framework to provide accurate information through programs and services while building relationships, trust and credibility in your community. Through group work you will be able to justify and advocate that library work is climate work.

NJ Library Association Conference

Wildwood 12 & 13