Faced with the dramatic funding losses proposed and being concerned about retaining core services for the field, the State Librarian has announced that effective May 1 she is continuing core services through one region. This is being done so that the remaining FY2010 money and regional carry forward left after meeting regional contractual obligations can be used by one region to provide core services for as long as possible. Infolink was chosen, based on location, as the one region to be supported. It will provide the ...Continue Reading

Hello, For calendar year 2010, the State Library began a subscription to a comprehensive web based data capture, reporting, and management solution from Counting Opinions (LibPAS \x96 library performance assessment system). LibPAS is available to all public libraries in NJ to input common performance data on a monthly basis and then track/peer benchmark their performance. URL: http://njsl.countingopinions.com/ Login Info: Same as PCSA /PLS form Three primary key benefits: 1) Comprehensive management tool that suppo ...Continue Reading

Chris Christie joins Eric Scott in-studio for Ask The Governor program tonight, Wednesday, April 21 at 7 p.m. You can go to http://millenniumradionj.com/AskTheGovernor/ask-gov-WKXWFM.html to submit your question for Governor Chris Christie online. Eric and the Governor will also take your calls at 1-(800) 283-1015. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following information is a reminder of your current mailing list subscription: You are subscribed to [list_name] using exam ...Continue Reading

Hello all, Attached please find the 2009 Public Library Survey (aka State Aid Report) spreadsheet with "raw data". Please check the data entries corresponding your library for accuracy. If you notice any discrepancies, please let me know by April 23rd so that I can submit this data to IMLS and also start computing the Per Capita State Aid. Thanking you all for completing the survey, Alka Bhatnagar Analysis and Trends Specialist New Jersey State Library Library Development Bureau 185 West State Street Trento ...Continue Reading

A Conversation with State Librarian Norma Blake As you probably know, the proposed budget calls for a 74% cut to library funding and will eliminate all statewide library services. There are many questions in the field about what this will mean to NJ Libraries and what libraries and the public can do to help. State Librarian Norma Blake will host a webinar on Monday, April 19 at 1 p.m. Norma will have a frank conversation about the present situation and will take questions via chat. To register for this meeting go to ...Continue Reading

Hello all, This is an important reminder that the due date for submission of Public Library Survey 2009 / PCSA Form is April 2nd. Please note that the 2009 Accuracy Certification is to be mailed after completion of the survey. The link for the Accuracy Certification is last in the Navigation Section. Important note: There will be no extensions given for survey submission. IMLS is requesting timely submission of the survey so they can prepare national reports on time. If you have any questions or concerns, please do ...Continue Reading

We will be hosting five meetings to discuss the funding implications for the JerseyConnect program. The following topics will be discussed: - Implications of the budget on JerseyConnect - Overview of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant - Future needs - Q & A The meetings will be at: - Cherry Hill Public Library on Monday, April 5 - Howell Public Library on Wednesday, April 7 - Ocean City Public Library on Wednesday, April 14 - Wayne Public Library on Thursday, April 15 - Woodbridge Pu ...Continue Reading

The State Library\x92s JerseyConnect team has responded to many questions in regards to the State\x92s FY11 budget and the proposed cuts to library service. This message is to clarify the status of your services through JerseyConnect. New Jersey State Library receives approximately $4.5 million annually in federal funds. These funds are used to support JerseyConnect and other state-wide services. Continued receipt of this funding is dependent upon the State providing a match. In the proposed FY11 State budget, all mat ...Continue Reading

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the ALA Public Programs Office have extended the deadline for public libraries to apply for a $2,000 grant to support programs that incorporate the Picturing America collection. Applications will be accepted through April 26 at www.programminglibrarian.org/picturingamerica. Additionally, the terms of the grant have been expanded so that all public libraries are considered eligible to apply. Successful applicants that have not received the Picturing America collectio ...Continue Reading

TO: Library Staff, Trustees and Friends: FROM: Norma E. Blake, State Librarian SUBJECT: Budget Talking Points DATE: March 18, 2010 Here are some talking points you could use to explain to your state representatives by email, by letter or face-to-face why the New Jersey State Library should not be governed by Rutgers University and why stripping all money from the State Library budget that allows us to serve local libraries would be removing cr ...Continue Reading