Digital Equity in the 21st Century Public Library: Preparing Youth for Careers in Technology

By Neil Grimes
Education & Curriculum Materials Librarian, William Paterson University
Email: grimesn@wpunj.edu

Public libraries play a critical role in providing opportunities for people of all ages, but especially youth, to access the latest technologies.

These include virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and the metaverse.

New Jersey public libraries need to implement computational thinking and become “ready to code” to better prepare students for careers in computer science, technology, and STEM fields.

Read the full article.

An NJLA Internship Experience: Building Connections and Professional Growth

By Kate D. Mathe
Rutgers Graduate Student and Circulation Associate at Mendham Borough Library
Email: kdonnell@rutgers.edu

One year ago, I was finishing up my first semester of graduate school. Today I’m wrapping up my fourth semester of classes, winding down a great internship experience with the Professional Development Committee, and planning my poster for the NJLA Conference. A lot has changed over the past year, but let’s rewind.

While the library has always held a special place in my heart, I never really thought about pursuing a career in librarianship until the summer of 2021. After staying home with my young children for a few years, I applied for a part-time circulation position at my local library. Starting each day greeted by the smell of books, I quickly realized that I wanted more: more responsibility, more time spent there, more learning about all that a career in the library had to offer. So, 16 years after originally graduating from Rutgers, I applied there again to the School of Communication and Information to start my master’s journey.

I started my first semester in January 2022. Being tasked with reading research articles and writing term papers after a 16-year break is a humbling experience. It took a while to learn how to balance part-time school, part-time work, and full-time “momming.” I have a great support system that jumped right in and helped get me through the growing pains, but I definitely wasn’t looking to take on any additional responsibilities right away. I put my head down and did the work, making it through that first semester and my summer courses mostly unscathed.

Come fall 2022, I was excited to take a course with Dr. Joyce Valenza called “Search and the Information Landscape.” The class taught me so much, but most importantly I established a real connection with Dr. Valenza and began to understand the importance of making network connections. I stumbled upon the NJLA internship program a few weeks later and decided to submit my application. With a few courses under my belt, I was ready to branch out into the wide network available to me and to make connections in the field.

When my application was accepted and I was placed on the Professional Development Committee, I was both excited and nervous. Professional development? What could I possibly offer? I was just getting back into the professional landscape and had a lot of development to do myself.

In hindsight, this placement couldn’t have been more perfect to help bring me out of my comfort zone and connect me with some really great people. I was introduced to the committee co-chair, Eric Schwarz. Right from the start, he made me feel like I had been a part of the group forever. He introduced me to everyone during our first Zoom meeting and included me in all the conversations. He was quick to suggest my assistance on projects with Cassandra Collucci and Katherine Kotacska. Just like that, I was off and running.

The Professional Development Committee works to identify the professional development needs of the association, develop opportunities for growth and networking, promote the benefits of professional networking, and so much more. Working alongside Cassandra and Katherine, I helped develop a survey for the association that will aid others to better understand the leadership development needs of library workers, along with another survey to understand library advertising and marketing. I learned a lot about what goes into creating these surveys, how the results are used, and the members who put them into action. I also gained a great deal of knowledge by participating in the monthly meetings. I have a much better understanding of NJLA as a whole and how all the committees work together.

This internship opened my eyes to the vast opportunities available through NJLA and helped me start to establish my own learning network. Meeting people on the PD Committee and listening to their insightful conversations each month during our meetings has taught me so much. It has inspired me to get more involved, not only with NJLA but in the graduate community at Rutgers and beyond. I am so grateful for this experience and am excited to make more people aware of the internship opportunity when I present my poster at the NJLA Conference in June. I look forward to finally meeting some of my committee members in person and expanding my network even further. So if you see me there, please stop by to say “hi.” I’d love to connect!

Above: A family photo from November 2022, when Kate Mathe’s son Everett got his first library card at Randolph Township Free Public Library. From left: Kate’s husband, Greg Mathe, their sons Weston (3) and Everett (5), and Kate.

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From Library Technician to Branch Manager By Crystal Hooper North Plainfield Branch Manager at the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey Email: chooper@sclibnj.org Tell us a bit about your current position. I oversee the daily operations of library services to the North Plainfield community at the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ). This includes supervising staff, providing training, assisting patrons, monitoring programming trends, performing outreach, creating reports, and building relationships with community leaders. Additionally, I am the treasurer and conference planning co-chair of the New Jersey Association of Library Assistants (NJALA). Did you always envision yourself working in a public library? No. In fact, while managing a retail store, one of my salespeople got a degree in library studies, and I thought, “well, who the heck picks that!” However, during my undergraduate studies, I hung out in the library’s special archives. This foreshadowing went way over my head. What brought me to the field is a sweet story. I had a broken ankle and a newborn. After my recovery, we attended a library program. The staff was welcoming every week we attended. Soon there was a position open, and the staff encouraged me to apply. My professional career has blossomed ever since. SCLSNJ hired me as a part-time library technician. I performed this role at North Plainfield for two years, then was promoted to circulation supervisor for the Somerville branch. Two years later, I moved to the Bridgewater branch to oversee the delivery department as an operations supervisor. I stayed in this role for a little over a year and completed most of my MLIS degree during this time. In my last semester of studies, I tested my newfound knowledge of technology and joined the digital services team. The branch manager position at North Plainfield was open when I graduated. It feels very full circle to return to the library branch where I got my start. I hope it inspires others to know that you can go from part-time, with little knowledge about how libraries operate, to leading a branch with some determination and a plan. What sort of educational and professional background did you have coming into this position? My undergrad degree is from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, in history. Knowing how to research, and being open-minded about processing information via different viewpoints, has surely aided my library career. I also grew up in the Midwest, where service with a smile and practicing empathy are focal points of excellent customer service. Before libraries, I worked in retail as a store manager and in local television news in various production roles. Both industries were great preparation work for interacting with unique personalities. What was your motivation for pursuing additional education in the field? I am a strategic thinker by nature. Identifying gaps in performance and creating efficiencies in workflows is how my mind works. Seven years ago, when I questioned operations as a part-time library staffer, a colleague told me, “We don’t pay you to think of things like this, so don’t bother.” That comment didn’t sit right. Granted, I had a lot to learn about libraries and forever will, but the dismissiveness was misrepresentative of our field. That experience proved that to be taken seriously, I needed a master’s degree. The professional staff versus non-professionals mindset had to change, and it is changing. The true motivation for the higher degree was the respect received from my greater colleague base. Many of my mentors encouraged me to pursue the degree, and they were thrilled when I was accepted to the University of Alabama. My family took a fun road trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in December 2022, for my degree commencement. I chose the University of Alabama’s program because of its synchronous learning style, reasonable pricing, and because the classes occurred after my children’s bedtimes, so I didn’t get distracted or interrupted during presentations. The University of Alabama does a fantastic job of keeping distance-learning students (Bama by Distance) connected and has virtual mixers, commencement addresses, and programs specifically for off-site students. What are your favorite things about your job? I love empowering the staff to grow and celebrating their successes with them. We get to take calculated risks and try new ideas. Every day is different, and that excites me about the work. Library staffers make positive impressions on the guests we serve, and I hope it’s a source of pride for all who work in the field to have such interactions. What challenges have you faced that you did not anticipate? Thankfully, I haven’t had many within libraries yet. I’d say my greatest career challenge happened right after completing my undergraduate degree. It was 2008, the financial crisis was in full swing, and there were few job opportunities. I took what I could get as a full-time position. I ended up in retail, quickly becoming a manager. I was successful, but transactional customer service wasn’t fulfilling. My husband and I moved from Wisconsin to New Jersey for our careers, and we’ve never looked back.  Challenges are everywhere. So, here’s my advice: view them as opportunities. When I hear “no,” this means the present time is not appropriate for this idea, change, or new direction. These rejections fuel me to regroup my position so I can present it later with better clarity and with a plan to overcome perceived obstacles. Do you have any advice for people looking to try a new career path? Life is a series of constant changes, so it’s best to be prepared for anything. Investigate the options and undergo self-reflection. You know yourself best, so be true to yourself and adapt to become your best self. Don’t beat yourself up over setbacks. Adjust your goals while on the journey, test the waters, and if it doesn’t work out, that’s OK! There is no shame in trying something new. It’s brave and bold, and it makes you an ever-growing human. What would your ideal career in “library land” look like? The director level is one of my career goals. I want a library that operates with a great sense of trust among the staff. Everyone should feel comfortable asking questions, pitching ideas, and planning for the future. This library will be adaptable and will flourish outside its walls. The staff will engage with the community as partners, aiming toward shared goals while learning, offering support, and bettering our ever-changing communal landscapes together. Photos: Crystal Hooper after her University of Alabama graduation in December 2022, with her husband Matthew Hooper, and their sons, Gavin (then age 5, now 6), and Desmond (then age 7, now 8); Hooper at her graduation ceremony. Top of Page

Digital Literacy Forum

The New Jersey State Library’s annual Digital Literacy Forum was held May 11, with the theme “Literacy Before Digital Literacy.” Read a recap and view photos of the event.

Small Libraries Unconference

By Tina Marie Doody
Library Director, Glen Ridge Public Library
Email: doody@glenridgelibrary.org

NJLA’s Small Libraries Section held its annual “Unconference” on April 26 at the Princeton Public Library to an audience of more than 40. The day started with remarks from new NJLA Executive Director, Brett Bonfield, who encouraged attendees to think about the strengths of small libraries. New Jersey State Library staff gave presentations on current and upcoming State projects and initiatives:

• NJ Social Work Informed Library Services Project by Mimi Lee.
• Northstar and Digital Literacy by Andrea Levandowski
• Books Dives, Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) Workshops and Summer Reading by Sharon Rawlins.
• NJSL's Statewide Services by Michael Mazieken.

In the afternoon we learned about What Google Has to Offer to Public Libraries, presented by Luis Rodriguez, Director of Butler Public Library. Tina Marie Doody from Glen Ridge Public Library presented on Book Challenges and Collection Development.

The day ended with a roundtable discussion about common issues related to buildings and grounds. The perils of old buildings prompted a lively discussion. and the consensus was that coffee and cookies go a long way to improving the working relationship between a library and the local public works department.

NJLA’s Small Libraries (SL) Section promotes the common interests, activities, administration, and services of all small libraries.

SL defines a small library as any public or non-public library serving a population of less than 35,000, but we are happy to have any NJLA member join the group. We learn best from each other and hope that you will join us at our Unconference next year!

Photo: New Jersey State Library speakers at the Small Libraries Unconference, from left: Michael Mazieken, Andrea Levandowski, Sharon Rawlins, and Mimi Lee.

TechFest 2023

By Susan Clarkin Vignuolo
Adult Services Librarian, Piscataway Public Library
Email: svignuolo@piscatawaylibrary.org

Academic and public library staff with all levels of technological experience learned from, and networked with, peers from all over New Jersey, at TechFest 2023 events held on April 19 at the Morris County Library and on April 27 at the Cherry Hill Public Library. These events were sponsored by LibraryLinkNJ (LLNJ), LLNJ’s Tech Advisory Group (L-TAG), and NJLA, with special support from the NJLA Emerging Technology Section.

I attended the April 27 event, which featured two rounds of four table talks (20 minutes each), separated by lunch. Each snippet presented an overview of a platform currently being used in the presenter’s library. Here is a quick summary of the April 27 topics:

• Streamline Efficiency with Google Tables: Hosted by Crystal Hooper of Somerset County Library System of New Jersey, this introduction to Google Tables (in beta testing), focused on increasing project efficiency by harnessing the platform’s ability to combine existing Google Forms and Google Sheets into one interactive, shared document. To learn more, read Ben Collins’ 2020 blog post on Google Tables.
• Using the Gimlet App to Track Service Statistics: Rick Heming of Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library demonstrated how staff at his library can use the Gimlet app to quickly enter data on patron interactions and can easily identify trends and patterns at service desks. Content can be tracked using employee-created tags such as #historicalfictionbookclub and #soulcrushingnonsense. (I did not make that up!)
• Adding Virtual Reality to Programming and Pedagogy: Sharon Whitfield and Heather Dalal of Rider University's Moore Library discussed the value of virtual reality in exploring difficult topics in a classroom setting. Recent examples of VR programming offered include Anne Frank House VR and Traveling While Black.
• On the Road to Digital Literacy: Cat Janis Wishnefsky presented on Burlington County Library System’s mobile learning lab. In an effort to shrink the digital divide by meeting people where they are, staff members facilitate digital literacy classes and offer one-on-one instruction at community locations throughout the county.
• Digital and Database Cards: Hosted by Tricina Strong-Beebe, Hainesport Elementary School Library, and Diana Price, Burlington County Library System, the talk focused on the increased resources and successful outcomes for students that result from meaningful collaboration between school and public librarians.
• Padlet is your Swiss Army Knife for Curation, PD and Engagement: Skye Silverstein of Rosa International Middle School/NJASL demonstrated the creative ways she uses this platform to connect students and teachers with project and programming resources.
• Introduction to Pixton: John Gleason, Springville Elementary School Library, shared his experience with using Pixton, a website that allows students to create their own comics and graphic novels, and offers lessons and tutorials for all ages. The program is cost-effective, easy to use, and has excellent programming potential.
• Digital Citizenship: Copyright & Creativity: Kodi Sohl of High School North in Toms River spoke about her past difficulty in teaching her students about copyright, and how that task has been streamlined and simplified by Copyrightandcreativity.org.

The main presentation was Libraries & AI, an interactive webinar given via Zoom by Jim Craner, a library technologist with The Galecia Group. The session discussed AI concepts and the many ways they can be implemented to enhance the entire spectrum of library experiences for employees and patrons alike.

From beginning to end, TechFest 2023 was well-run, informative, and extremely enjoyable. I highly recommend it to all library staff interested in learning from their colleagues and keeping abreast of emerging library technology.

Handouts and other resources from both events are available on the LLNJ website.

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• Professional Development Links
• Webinars and Other Training Events: Upcoming and Archived
• PD Newsletter Archive (with links to other NJ library newsletters)

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This newsletter is published by the Professional Development Committee of the New Jersey Library Association (NJLA).

Eric Schwarz, Newsletter Editor
Co-Chair, NJLA Professional Development Committee
Research Librarian (consultant), New Jersey Department of Transportation
Reference Librarian (part-time), Clarence Dillon Public Library

Neil Grimes
Co-Chair, NJLA Professional Development Committee
Education & Curriculum Materials Librarian, William Paterson University of New Jersey

Susan Clarkin Vignuolo
Member, NJLA Professional Development Committee
Adult Services Librarian, Piscataway Public Library

Please email us (professionaldevelopment@njlamembers.org) if you have suggestions or content to contribute.

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