Due to COVID-19, and the concern for everyone’s safety, the NJ State Library and the NJ Library Trustee Association have decided to cancel the in-person Trustee Institute on October 17, 2020. We are currently working on providing trustees with alternative continuing education training, and will send out more information soon.   Michele Stricker ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, While the following program is not strictly library related, you may want to somehow notify your patrons about this program. Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) DCA is pleased to announce the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which will provide temporary rental assistance to selected low and moderate income households who have experienced unemployment or reduced income due to the pandemic. For more information on the program and how to apply, visit https://www.nj.gov/dca/div ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, the State Director of Emergency Management, signed Administrative Order No. 2020-15 on June 13, 2020.  The Administrative Order is attached to this email.  Paragraph 2 on page 5 specifically concerns libraries and is copied below: Libraries 2. It is hereby clarified that libraries are permitted to reopen their outdoor spaces to the public pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 153 (2020). In addition, all municipal, county, and State ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, The recording of the June Directors' Q&A can be found here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/xZQydYrf-0NJXJWK0RvvCvEeO5vVX6a8h3cc8vNcnUvXzUOoNMJKFw1deA_1oq6E We will post the registration information for next month's Q&A session shortly.  Please let me know if you have any questions. 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: ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, Please excuse the very short notice on the following webinar.  We will record it and send a link to the recording to you when it is available.   Dear Library Directors, We hope you are all well and safe during this challenging time. The New Jersey State Library has started a monthly Zoom meeting to give you an opportunity to discuss your issues and questions with us. Prior to attending the webinar please review the following basic presentations, as perhaps some of your question m ...Continue Reading

https://www.njstatelib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-19-Public-Assistance-Orientation-Sessions-5_22_20835.pdf The following message pertains to grant funding available from FEMA to libraries for the purchase of PPE, such as masks, gloves, cleaning, disinfecting facilities, and potentially acrylic shields. See the grant application is attached, and attend one of the orientation sessions listed below. These Emergency Protective Measures grants will be offered as long as we are still in a public health emergency, ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, Yesterday, on June 1st, Governor Murphy started the conversation about a phased in launch of Stage 2. This next stage begins June 15th with outdoor restaurant dining, outdoor fitness and camps. He then alluded to barbershops and hair salons starting to open June 22nd. The Governor’s next statement spoke to gyms and health clubs saying that those would follow closely after the June 22nd date. Libraries were not specifically mentioned in any of these categories. However these types of activities are the ...Continue Reading

https://www.njstatelib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-19-Public-Assistance-Orientation-Sessions-5_22_20835.pdf The following message pertains to grant funding available from FEMA to libraries for the purchase of PPE, such as masks, gloves, cleaning, disinfecting facilities, and potentially acrylic shields. See the grant application is attached, and attend one of the orientation sessions listed below. These Emergency Protective Measures grants will be offered as long as we are still in a public health emergency, ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, Shortly after my message yesterday we received the following information from the Office of the Attorney General: "Until we get any further guidance, we agree that libraries remain closed under EO107(9)(h), which includes no curbside pickup.  The only change from EO142 as it relates to allowing curbside pickup is for non-essential retail businesses, which does not include libraries." Please let me know if you have any questions. Best regards, Bob Keith Director of Library Law, S ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, We continue to receive reports of libraries which are conducting business not in accordance with Governor Murphy’s Executive Order 107.  EO 107 designates libraries as closed to the public and only allows very limited staff in the building to perform functions essential to the continued existence of the library (such as bill payment or inspection and maintenance of the physical plant).  Any other functions performed in the library building (including curbside pick-up of library materials) may ...Continue Reading