TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO REGISTER FOR THE TRUSTEE INSTITUTE!

Trustee are invited to join their colleagues for a reception and networking at the end of the conference from 5:00 to 6:30.

It is time to register for the sixth New Jersey State Library Trustee Institute to be held Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Marriott Princeton Hotel and Conference Center at Forrestal. Copies of the conference brochure with registration information were sent to your Board President. To see an online version of the program go to: http://www.njlibrarytrustees.org/institute.html. In this very challenging year for libraries and library funding, we urge you to discuss this information with your board members and encourage their attendance.

The New Jersey State Library is proud to present the Trustee Institute along with our partners, the New Jersey Library Trustee Association and the New Jersey Library Association. This year\x92s conference theme is "Libraries from Town Hall to Washington, DC: Have Your Message Heard", and features national advocacy expert Stephanie Vance. Trustees will attend informational workshops on library law & state aid, budgeting & finance, trustee roles & responsibilities, strategic planning, fundraising & capital campaigns, plus special workshops on advocacy. There is something for every trustee, both new and experienced, at the Trustee Institute!

According to State Librarian, Norma Blake, \x93These are the most difficult times I can remember for libraries in New Jersey. Despite record use, financial support for libraries is being challenged on every front. Library trustees have never been more important than in our current economic crisis. State officials need to know library issues and the fiscal and legislative consequences of their actions. This is why trustees are of such vital importance. They are our champions for responding to critical issues facing New Jersey libraries at this time. I believe that the advocacy training your trustees will receive during this year\x92s institute will prove valuable in the coming year. Together we can create a brighter and more secure future for libraries in New Jersey. I look forward to partnering with you as we speak with one voice about the value of libraries in our communities.\x94

The New Jersey State Library will once again pay for one trustee from every library (up to 200 individual libraries) to attend the conference. We encourage your library to send additional trustees, directors, and library commissioners at the very reasonable conference fee of $150 each. A small block of rooms has been reserved the night before the conference (May 8th) at the special rate of $129.00. Accommodations are on your own and must be made directly by calling the Marriott Princeton at 800-943-6709 or 609-452-7800.

Please note that registration for the conference takes place only online this year at: www.njstatelib.org/LDB/Events. We recommend that you register all of your trustees at the same time. We will then issue your library one group invoice.

For further information and to download more copies of the brochure visit the New Jersey State Library website at www.njstatelib.org/LDB/Trustees. Contact Michele Stricker at mstricker@PROTECTED with any questions.

We look forward to meeting you and your fellow trustees in May.

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