FYI,

 

Forwarding this in case you’re not a member of NJLA.

~Sharon

 

All the best,

 

Sharon Rawlins, MLS, she/her/hers

Youth Services Specialist for Lifelong Learning

NJ State Library

185 West State St.

P.O. Box 520

Trenton, NJ 08625-0520

...@njstatelib.org" style="color: #2199e8; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">sraw...@njstatelib.org

609-278-2640 ext. 116

609-278-2650 – fax

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce that we have received advisory from the Governor’s office that majority of library workers are likely to be classified under 1C in New Jersey’s vaccine rollout. At present, school library personnel and library workers 65 years and above, are eligible to be vaccinated beginning March 15, 2021, under the 1B category.  Other library workers are likely to be classified under 1C, beginning in April, 2021.

Thank you for your patience over the last two months as we advocated diligently to prioritize library workers for the COVID-19 vaccine. We pushed aggressively to be considered collectively under the 1B category and we are happy that our colleagues in the K-12 arena were included in 1B.  

On March 10, 2021, Governor Murphy announced an increase to 50% capacity for indoor facilities. The announcement includes libraries who meet the previously established thresholds for safely providing indoor services. 

Our message has been consistent that library workers thrive on being able to provide access to information to the communities we serve. Delaying our priority ranking in the vaccine rollout further delays our ability to support our customers who are desperate to find that next job; or the seniors needing to sign up for their vaccines; or the parents and students who rely on us to make sense out of digital learning. 

New Jersey’s library workers are true champions. I consistently carry the message that we are ready, willing and able to serve our communities. But we want to do it as safely as possible. 

Thank you to many of you who have been strong advocates for the vaccine prioritization of library workers. Our friend at the Governor’s office, Dr. Cornavaca, observed that: “it is not a matter of the advocacy but a matter of supply.  We are forced to make many hard decisions moving through this. But as soon as the supply increases we will move as fast as we can to include as many as we can.” 

The good news is that April is right around the corner, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine hopefully, expands the vaccine supply. 

Please continue to stay safe and well.

 

Juliet Machie, Ed.D.

Executive Director, NJLA