Leadership Report Fall 2021

NJLA SECTION & COMMITTEE HAPPENINGS -- FALL 2021

Starting in 2021, liaisons from the Executive Board were assigned to NJLA “parent” committees (see the Code for Committees) and most NJLA Sections (we have a few vacancies, but are working to get 100%). Liaisons report to the Exec Board each month, and these reports are compiled . . . and now being shared with you on a quarterly basis. We are working toward better communication, not just to-and-from, but among. We are very open to your feedback and suggestions as we move forward together.

COMMITTEES

• Finance Committee

The Finance Committee has been very active so far this fiscal year, working on projects in-line with NJLA’s Strategic Plan, including Enhanced Institutional Membership, Strategic Partnerships, Fundraising & Development, and Scholarships. They have distributed letters to Past Presidents to begin an effort to develop NJLA’s planned giving opportunities; to that end, we have created the “Learned T. Bulman Legacy Society.” A working group, including members from Finance and Scholarship, is moving forward with strategies for sustainable scholarship offerings. NJLA was recently able to hire Abby Lundy to perform bookkeeping services. 

The Investments Subcommittee has been working with NJLA’s new representative at Lakeland Bank, and are developing recommendations regarding unrestricted funds. The Fundraising Subcommittee has strategized an online and print effort to support this year’s Annual Appeal, and letters have been distributed (www.njla.org/supportus). They are also working with Alicia Gough in the NJLA Office to revamp the content on the “Support Us” page of the website. The Committee intends to resume its raffle table at the NJLA Conference in 2022 and would like to ask for help in filling that table -- if you have a talent for creating physical items or connections to businesses (or artists, etc.), they are looking for donated items to raffle! (Reach out to bcackowski@chpl.org.) The NJLA Store held its first in-person sale since the shutdown on October 2 at the Collingswood Book Festival, bringing in $3,124.75 (the last time NJLA attended this event, we made about $1,700) and over $650 in sales on November 6 at the Liberty States Writers Conference. The NJLA Store will be at the NJASL Conference on December 5-7 in Atlantic City, and will host a public store at Monroe Township Public Library on December 10. (Thanks Cheryl & Jeff McBride & Committee!)

• Member Services Committee

MSC is actively working to gain support for and to promote the Sponsor-a-Member Program as well as spread the word about NJLA’s hardship member rate. To date, enough donations have been received in the Membership Fund to support a minimum of 66 new/returning members. MSC is working on developing new print/digital assets to promote individual memberships, as well as developing a Member Outreach Working Group. Ally Blumenfeld, Committee Chair, joined NJLA President Kate Jaggers on September 22 at a “Chat & Chill” program with LISSA, Rutgers University’s student group, to talk about benefits of NJLA involvement. Member Services is looking to the NJLA Office to set up a method for running monthly reports showing membership numbers (comparing month to month and YTD) for individual, institutional, etc. membership to address projections and areas of weakness. A free “NJLA in a Nutshell” webinar is being planned for December 2 at 2:00pm, and they are also organizing the first in an exciting series of virtual NJLA Town Hall events to start in early February 2022.

The Member Communications Subcommittee has been having active discussions of improving overall NJLA communications, working in coordination with Member Services, the NJLA Newsletter, the NJLA Office and others. NJLA was recently able to hire a new part-time staff member, Alicia Gough, to update the NJLA website and improve both our social media presence and our guidelines. In addition to short term improvements, Member Communications is working toward strategic, long-term goals over the next couple of years. The NJLA Newsletter has seen a positive resurgence in 2021 under the leadership of Editor Kate-Lynn Brown. Regular issues are being published, highlighting the work of libraries and library workers throughout the state, as well as sharing the work of NJLA and the activities of our membership.

Personnel & Administration Subcommittee put forth a tremendous effort in updating the 2020 NJLA Salary Guide Recommendations to be available for 2022. After a lot of discussion among the committee and the Executive Board, the recommendations were accepted, along with the decision to remove the tiered display of job postings on the NJLA Job Hotline webpage (therefore, no longer distinguish between postings that meet or do not meet recommended salary minimums). The document is to be posted on the NJLA website along with the information detailing how the numbers were calculated, as well as inclusion of language regarding the cost of living index and how that affects salaries regionally even within NJ.

The Scholarship Subcommittee is revamping guidelines for applicants of NJLA Scholarships, and working toward improving communication with past awardees. They are also working closely with the Finance and Investments Committees on strategies for sustainable scholarship offerings, including supporting the new NJLA Spectrum Scholarships.

• Professional Development Committee

PDC has shared its goals-for-the-year with the Committee, including: updating the Board-approved guidelines for funding of PD events; promoting NJLA and other events related to PD; publishing newsletter on a regular schedule; putting together programs for Conference; providing support to subcommittees (Conference, Conference Future Planning, Leadership and Education); formulating virtual keynotes and possible in-person PD events; pulling together core competencies/library job titles; and assisting NJLA Sections and Committees with Zoom meeting setups. PDC is drafting a survey for NJLA members about PD needs, and PDC and the NJLA Newsletter are further discussing coordination in communicating with NJLA members.

A successful Program Planners Orientation for all NJLA leadership was provided by the Conference Subcommittee on September 23, and a recording was sent out as well. Program proposals were accepted through November 30 (https://bit.ly/njla-conf-proposals). The NJLA Conference website has also now been updated (https://njlaconference.info), and the Conference Committee co-chairs, Juliet Machie, Kate Jaggers and Jessica Trujillo have been working closely with Kim Lyons from Conference Direct to review fine print in the contract between NJLA and Harrah’s.

The Leadership & Education Subcommittee is once again supporting the NJLA Internship Program for library school students, as well as actively planning Conference programming. They are having robust conversations about mentorship within NJLA, and will resume offering the Emerging Leaders workshops in 2022-23.

• Public Policy Committee

The committee is meeting monthly, and is in process of reviewing legislative priorities for FY22. The Public Policy Committee recommends that NJLA focus on Per Capita State Aid, with secondary support of various other priorities, including Library Network Aid, State Broadband & Digital Equity, and NJASL-supported bills. Peggy Cadigan has announced her retirement, and NJLA will continue to take the lead on statewide advocacy efforts. Many members of Public Policy joined Executive Director Juliet Machie at the League of Municipalities in mid-November. Public Policy also continues to work closely with the Access Services Task Force, NJASL, and the Intellectual Freedom Subcommittee.

The Intellectual Freedom Subcommittee has been working with ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom and alongside NJASL to advocate for the freedom to read, and to support efforts in response to a rise in book challenges in school libraries, in particular, across the nation, including NJ. They are working on compiling resources, developing toolkits and work sessions, and are updating a materials challenge report form for the NJLA website. We are working toward a coordinated effort with NJASL, the State Library, and LibraryLinkNJ to support the needs of all types of library workers who are handling materials and programming challenges across the state.

• Public Relations Committee

Press releases have been written and sent out regarding major NJLA news, including the increase in Per Capita State Aid; updates about the Access Navigators program; and the approval of the support for NJLA Spectrum Scholarships, as well as with information about timely initiatives like Library Card Sign-up Month. The PR Committee has created flyers to help promote the NJLA Store, as well as offered support to the Public Policy Committee. The PR Committee is having robust conversations about how to make NJLA more visible at large, and are looking into partnering with local news media to draw public attention to both local libraries and to NJLA (possibly hosting a “NJLA Library of the Year” with NJ Monthly or other, with that award presentation at the NJLA Conference). They have also been doing great work actively updating the I Love NJ Libraries social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

PR has been working with the Honors & Awards Subcommittee to host another virtual “PR Spotlight” event (previously well-received by the membership!), highlighting 2021 NJLA Public Relations winners.

SECTIONS

• Admin & Management

This Section meets monthly, intending for each meeting to have some time for a focused presentation or discussion, on topics like Human Resources & Personnel, Municipalities, Fundraising and Friends, Collection Development and Technology. The talk at the September meeting focused on Civil Service, with tips from Heather Andolsen, Middletown Public Library. Kate Jaggers communicated with Section President Janet Torsney with regard to the Board’s response to the request for a statement on return of funds. Laverne Mann shared information with the Section from Bob Keith about return of funds and further training from the State Library.

The Section held its first back-in-person (hybrid) meeting in October at East Brunswick Public Library, featuring an “Off the Record” with State Librarian Jen Nelson. An icebreaker introduced each attendee, where everyone shared a “fun fact” about NJ. Jen provided a brief NJSL update, including that construction grants would be announced “this fall,” Access Navigator hub & spoke libraries were almost ready to be announced, work being discussed with e-book licenses, and restructuring at the NJSL following Peggy Cadigan’s retirement.

• Children’s Services

CSS has a largely brand-new Board this year, and are working to re-engage with their members. They are updating their social media accounts, with a new look and fresh posts, as well as thinking ahead to the NJLA Annual Conference.

• College & University

On September 10, CUS hosted an Open Membership Meeting, an annual fall kick-off event open to all current and prospective NJLA CUS/ACRL-NJ members. The meeting described opportunities for involvement in CUS and had guest speakers, including Jessica Trujillo. On September 16, CUS hosted a webinar with tips for submitting proposals to the NJ Academic Libraries Conference (formerly the VALE Conference). The NJ Academic Libraries Conference will be held virtually on January 7, 2022, highlighting the theme “The Importance of Now: Rethink, Refocus, Recover.” CUS continues Wellness Wednesday Check-Ins via Zoom for colleagues through the state to network, check in, and relax. These sessions are now co-sponsored by the NJLA Member Services Committee. Participants share about work and/or personal matters and take part in activities such as hobby and self-care exploration, meditation and chair yoga, coloring, games, journal activities, and more.

CUS Board meetings are held monthly, and are open to all members. The October meeting was joint with the Young Adult Services Section, discussing overlap in the two areas. They have a fall outreach program planned with NJASL, and also have multiple virtual academic library panel sessions planned in October to support junior & senior high school students. Each panel will provide information on Academic Library resources, services, and how students can benefit from Academic Libraries as they prepare for post-secondary studies. 

• County Libraries

For the first year since its creation, the group is very active, and has set meeting dates for the year that each have a different focus: September’s meeting focused on DEI, with a featured presentation and active discussion of DEI work in libraries throughout NJ; October’s meeting discussed non-Director level networking; and November’s meeting highlighted staff training tools and tips. They are actively planning a networking event for the Annual Conference.

• History & Preservation

The H&P Section hosted a virtual presentation of the Life of Alice Stokes Paul in October, as well as a short business meeting. The NJLA Archives & Records Retention Task Force is slow to get to work due to unassigned leadership (the appointed Chair had to step down for personal reasons), but work will move ahead during the year. The Section plans to select a recipient of the Susan Schwartzberg Award, as they typically do, honored at the NJLA Conference. There is concern over the damage from Hurricane Ida to Special Collections & University Archives at Rutgers University Libraries. The Section continues to engage colleagues throughout the fall with listserv discussion and the newsletter, The Chronicle.

• Library Workers of Color

At the September meeting,  the President expressed interest to diversify the section by having more male representation. Collaborations with other NJLA sections are also on the table for the year ahead, specifically with the Personnel Administration Committee and D&O. One topic is of particular interest: Civil Service & Unions (possibly with funding from PDC or in coordination with LLNJ and State Library, or possibly developing an NJLA pre-conference proposal) to be available to everyone. Another idea presented by the D&O Section is to make an aggregation of small videos from library workers of color talking about their experiences. The idea would be to be positive yet honest to keep the recruitment of library workers of color in mind, which would be available on the NJLA webpage and YouTube. The idea for an NJLA Task Force on Diverse & Inclusive Recruitment of Librarians, previously discussed with the NJLA President, is currently under discussion and will be brought to the Section for further discussion.

• Readers Advisory

This Section is actively working on Conference program planning, and also spent some time co-sponsoring LibraryLink’s online discussion program earlier in the Fall.

• Reference & Adult Services

Earlier this NJLA year, the Reference Section membership voted to change its name to “Reference and Adult Services Section,” with updated bylaws reflecting changes to some of the president's/vice president's duties. Each meeting will include a mini workshop with various topics discussed. To kick-off the first two meetings, Kate Jaggers spoke about career development and Karen Vaias spoke on the topic of weeding.

• Small Libraries

The Small Libraries Section meets monthly, working on plans for an Unconference/Meeting in 2022, updates to their Bylaws, and a membership drive. Members also discussed various funding opportunities currently available to all libraries.

• Technical Services & Collection Development

TS/CD meets regularly and have been working on various ideas for Conference programming, collaborating with other NJLA Sections. They are eager to welcome new active members, highlighting their dual focus on tech services and cataloging, as well as collection development.

• Young Adult Services

YASS meets monthly on a regular schedule. One topic discussed at a recent meeting was about the potential benefits of a unified YASS logo for their social networking sites, which was developed to broaden the Section’s reach to share resources and networking. This fall, YASS and CUS hosted a joint meeting and discussed topics, such as: What are the biggest challenges you see with youth this fall in coming back to school as it relates to libraries, literacy and technology? What opportunities exist to partner between public and college libraries? And are there library and research skills that you regularly find lacking in new college students?

The Garden State Teen Book Award Committee put out an open call for readers: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HKMpSemNID9Jho92TpWbz_uKLiPoIAJs3ZoBpDDki4c/edit?usp=sharing

See something you like? Committee Choice forms are typically available in the spring; all committee appointments are made by the incoming NJLA President. And you can join an NJLA Section at any time of year! Simply click on “Member Login” at www.njla.org and refer to the MemberClicks How-To Guide (simply put: My Profile > My Features - E-lists)

Want something more? NJLA is yours. Petition for the creation of a new Section; learn more about this at njlamembers.org.