With the JerseyCat interlibrary loan system in flux, the JerseyCat listserv is the best way to keep informed on all developments. Please make sure your personnel are subscribed to the list. To subscribe, go the lists.njstatelib.org. Then select the JerseyCat list and enter your email to be added to the list.  If you have any questions please contact Casey Confoy at cconfoy@PROTECTED ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, We have received requests from libraries for help on developing policy around COVID-19 for library staff and patrons.  To that end we have found the following document from the Michigan State Library which seems to be very detailed and appears to use sound advice.  However, since we are not lawyers or public health officials we can’t stress enough that this document is just a jumping off point for your policy discussions.  You should review it with your attorney and your local Department ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, Please join Michele Stricker, Pat Tumulty, Cindy Czesak, and Bob Keith as we discuss current events in library land and answer your questions. Register at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_22wJeMEqShCmv5XGtSGnHw Best regards, Bob Keith Director of Library Law, State Aid, and Statistics New Jersey State Library Street Address: 185 W. State St. Trenton, NJ 08608 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 520 Trenton, NJ 08625 P: 609-278-2640x192 F: 609-278-2650 rkeith@PROTE ...Continue Reading

The NJ State Library is currently considering licensing Zoom software for all public libraries in order that they may conduct staff and patron meetings and webinars. We realize that some libraries may already be using a different platform and would not migrate to Zoom for this purpose. If you plan to continue with your current platform and would not change to Zoom please contact me at kmoellerpeiffer@PROTECTED by August 11. Thank you. Kathleen Moeller-Peiffer Deputy State Librarian for Library Support Services ...Continue Reading

*Library Design Strategies in the Age of Social Distancing* How are librarians preparing to allow people back into the library once we have all moved beyond curbside delivery? There will certainly be a lot of anxiety and wariness of internal spaces, close contact, and safety for both the staff and the public. Join Architect Jim Kovach, Senior Associate at VMDO, for a webinar on architectural strategies that librarians might consider employing to create a safe and welcoming environment in the Covid-19 era. Jim will giv ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, Please consider visiting the following website for more information about this class. https://nnlm.gov/class/creating-personal-protective-equipment-ppe-front-line-workers-one-way-libraries-can-contribute ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, The video recording of the July Trustees' Check-in webinar is available.  Please visit the following link to view it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G1JgCui5nI Best regards, Bob Keith Director of Library Law, State Aid, and Statistics New Jersey State Library Street Address: 185 W. State St. Trenton, NJ 08608 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 520 Trenton, NJ 08625 P: 609-278-2640x192 F: 609-278-2650 rkeith@PROTECTED The above information does not constitute legal advice or opinion.  ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, The video recording of the July Directors' Check-in webinar is available.  Please visit the following link to view it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqEwdZO01b4 Best regards, Bob Keith Director of Library Law, State Aid, and Statistics New Jersey State Library Street Address: 185 W. State St. Trenton, NJ 08608 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 520 Trenton, NJ 08625 P: 609-278-2640x192 F: 609-278-2650 rkeith@PROTECTED The above information does not constitute legal advice or opinion.  ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, After consultation with New Jersey library directors State Librarian Mary Chute has added the following minimum standards to those already temporarily suspended: Total Employees and Professional Employees.  Municipal libraries which serve a population of 7,500 or above are still required to employ a full time library director who holds a New Jersey Public Librarian Certificate.   Please let me know if you have any questions. Best regards, Bob Keith Director of Library Law, State A ...Continue Reading

Mea culpa! Bob Keith said that he made mistakes when he first started to publish NJ PUB LIBS emails so that is some small comfort to me. As I am sure you all have noticed I left out the URL for the Survey Monkey survey. Here it is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q2LKLT7 The State Library is interested in the number of public libraries who have purchased Zoom licenses. There are only two questions to this survey, so please answer quickly and get it out of your inbox! Kathleen Moeller-Peiffer Deputy State Lib ...Continue Reading