Dear Library Directors, The New Jersey State Library is collecting information about libraries with wifi access outside of the building in order to better serve patrons without internet access at home. Please complete the following form to indicate whether wifi is available outside of your library in a way that promotes social distancing among those accessing it (such as in the library parking lot): https://www.njstatelib.org/nj-libraries-with-public-wifi-accessibility-survey/  You are asked in the form to in ...Continue Reading

Please visit the following link for more information about this grant opportunity: https://www.njstatelib.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-19-Public-Assistance-Orientation-Sessions-5_22_20835.pdf ...Continue Reading

“Dewey” Need Some Care? Weekly Series to “categorize” concerns and “organize” coping strategies for New Jersey Librarians “Check us out” on Tuesdays and Fridays at 4 Session 1 on May 26 and May 29: Creating a Work/Life Balance: Practicing Self-Care Session 2 on June 2 and June 5: Stress Management and Coping: Dealing with Uncertainties Session 3 on June 9 and June 12: Reducing Anxiety and Promoting Resilience: Preparing to Return to Work Meeting ID: 969 4477 9979 Password: 025835 https://zoom.us/j/9694477997 ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, On May 18th Governor Murphy revealed his road map for reopening New Jersey.  The reopening will happen in stages and we are currently in Stage 1 of 3.  Libraries are mentioned as being reopened in Stage 2.  Governor Murphy did not mention what criteria he would use to advance or retract stages.  More information from the news conference can be found here: https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/05/nj-reveals-multi-stage-coronavirus-reopening-plan-were-in-stage-1-murphy-says.html  ...Continue Reading

In order to assist with the difficult decisions public libraries must make prior to reopening, the New Jersey State Library has assembled a number of resources to help guide your decision making and process.  There are many recommendations to consider, and much preparation and work to do before reopening your library during the  current pandemic. All libraries should have a written plan in place for a staged reopening that has been approved by your Board of Trustees and vetted by your local municipality and ...Continue Reading

The New Jersey State Library’s JerseyConnect team is surveying libraries in an effort to prepare for and be ready to respond to funding opportunities that may arise.  As part of the CARES Act and possible future stimulus funding opportunities we are requesting information that falls within two categories.  The first being broadband infrastructure upgrades or expansion for your library.  The second category is providing tools to support remote library services to patrons.  This survey requires a quic ...Continue Reading

Dear Members of the New Jersey library community, As the State Library begins our eighth week of working from home, I wanted to let you know that you can still count on us for the services that we have always provided. Although they may take different forms, we are still offering continuing education classes virtually. For example, this week, the week of May 11 we will be hosting Ask the Expert with the New Jersey State Archives, the Financial Side of College Graduation, Resume Tips and Tricks, and Thursdays with MyHe ...Continue Reading

Hello all, Thank you to everyone who completed the New Jersey Libraries Staffing during COVID-19 survey. The form is still available here for libraries with updates or that did not already complete it. The results are summarized below: There are *108 libraries* reporting. Have any of your library's employees been *furloughed* since libraries have been closed by Executive Order 107? *14 yes; 94 no* Number of full time employees furloughed: *41* Number of part time employees furloughed: *179* Have any o ...Continue Reading

New Jersey Council for the Humanities has announced the availability of guidelines for their COVID-19 Response Grants. This emergency funding will support local historic and cultural sites, libraries, museums, and other humanities institutions across New Jersey. General Operating Support grants are available to 501c3 nonprofit organizations that have a mission rooted in the public humanities and an organizational budget greater than $50,000. Program Support Grants are available for organizations who undertake humanities ...Continue Reading

Dear Colleagues, On April 27th, 2020 Attorney Michael A. Cerone, Jr., Esq. and Robert Keith, Director of Library Law, State Aid, and Statistics from the New Jersey State Library, lead a discussion followed by a question and answer period on employment law and the COVID-19 crisis. With great appreciation, this program was sponsored by the New Jersey Library Trustee Association. An archive of this webinar is available here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LwKxs1S_lsNWtzWeX-Azcz0QGh0U5Rtn/view?usp=sharing_eil& ...Continue Reading