NJ State Library

At the New Jersey State Library, we’re celebrating our achievements from 2024 while laying the groundwork for some really interesting projects in 2025. If 2024 was the year of applications and planning, 2025 is the year to start implementation of multi-year projects.

• We’re grateful to the six libraries that have agreed to host an Americorps member to work on digital literacy as a pilot this year, and hopeful it will be successful for all involved.
• Teaching Information Literacy, an IMLS grant that is developing instructional activities and training related to New Jersey’s emerging information literacy standards, is poised to move forward in significant ways – look for trainings to be announced in late spring 2025.
• New Jersey has a robust Digital Equity Plan and the New Jersey State Library is looking forward to working with the Office of Broadband Connectivity to implement key programs that will support residents in accessing devices, and the internet, and building digital literacy skills.
• Finally, we’re about to launch Rev 250, a grant opportunity aimed at helping public libraries develop materials, resources, programs and tools for celebrating America’s semiquincentennial and New Jersey’s essential role in founding American democracy.

Wishing all of you the best as your new year gets underway; please don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know what you’re up to. We’re always happy to hear from libraries about the great work happening around the state and showcase your work to a statewide audience.

The post State Librarian’s Update – January 2025 appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

Building upon the goodwill and partnerships started with our statewide Telehealth program three years ago, please join the New Jersey State Library for this virtual summit to introduce the new NJHealthConnect@YourLibrary Digital Toolkit and website, generously funded by a grant from the National Network Libraries of Medicine Region 2. The summit will introduce the topic of Telehealth in libraries, review resources for health and mental health literacy from specialists in the field, and demonstrate how to use the toolkit to create a scalable Telehealth program in your library.

9:00-9:10        Welcome, Michele Stricker, Deputy State Librarian, New Jersey State Library

9:10-9:45        Intro to Telehealth in Libraries, Alta Porterfield, DE Division of  Library

9:45-10:05      NJSL Health Resources, Martha Sullivan, Reference Librarian, New Jersey State Library

10:05-10:35     Mental Health Resources, Robert Kley, Exec. Director, Mental Health Association of NJ

10:35-10:45     BREAK

10:45-11:10     Telehealth and other NNLM Resources, National Network Libraries of Medicine

11:10-11:30     Health Literacy: Connecting with your Community, Karen Parry, Dir., East Brunswick PL

11:30-11:50     NJHealthConnect@YourLibrary Virtual Toolkit, Michele Stricker, NJSL

11:50-12:30     Apps/Modules, Kathy Schwarting, Palmetto Care Connections; Andrea Levandowski, NJSL

The post Register for Telehealth in Libraries Virtual Summit appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

The United States Semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, will be celebrated on July 4, 2026 and will be marked by a variety of events around the country. Many of the American Revolution’s singular events took place in New Jersey, including more battles than in any other colony. Additionally, New Jersey’s first State Constitution predates the U.S. Constitution, and was used as a model for it. Because libraries are revolutionary places and instrumental in safeguarding community history, they are uniquely positioned to highlight and share information about the semiquincentennial.

We are excited to announce an opportunity for public libraries across New Jersey to mark the United States Semiquincentennial. As we celebrate New Jersey’s pivotal role in our nation’s history, we encourage your library to apply for a REV 250: Examining the Semiquincentennial through a Jersey Lens grant.

This funding initiative, administered by the New Jersey State Library, will allow public libraries to celebrate and share the rich history of New Jersey. Your library can design projects that highlight the people, places, and events that shaped our state.

We encourage all public libraries to apply for one of the available grants, with awards ranging from $2,500 to $25,000. Grant applications will open February 5, 2025 and close on March 21, 2025. The grant options include:

• Digitization Projects to safeguard and provide access to local historic materials.
• Public Programming to celebrate and educate through events and community engagement.
• Special Collections to build or enhance library collections related to New Jersey’s rich history.

The full grant guidelines will be released by the end of this month. An informational webinar will be held on January 31, 2025, to review the guidelines and answer any questions. If you are interested in this grant opportunity, we highly encourage your participation in this session.

The post New Grant Opportunity for REV 250 appeared first on New Jersey State Library.

Our annual New Directors Orientation will be offered as a virtual event this February. As a new director, NJSL is here to support you in your role by offering basic training on a number of topics that are considered core knowledge for any leader of a public library in the state. Please register below and join us on the following dates.

• Library Law
• Budgeting
• Purchasing
• Strategic Planning
• Working with Trustees & Elected Officials
• Managing Library Staff and more!

Stay tuned for the full agenda and please note that while this training is geared toward new library directors, ALL LIBRARY DIRECTORS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND!

The post Register Now for the 2025 Annual Virtual New Directors Orientation appeared first on New Jersey State Library.