Conference Schedule

Hello from the Outside: Reorganizing Library Space for Inclusion

This session focuses on practical strategies to increase circulation and improve library effectiveness for a wide array of patrons.  Join NYU professor David Vinjamuri and NJ library director Stacey Maisch to understand how to identify your missing patron and reorganize your space for better circulation and more.

Speakers: David Vinjamuri, New York University.  Stacey Maisch, New Providence Memorial Library 

Morning Workshop

College and University, Tech Services

AI in Action: Breaking Barriers in Library Technical Services

This program will explore the transformative potential of AI in library technical services, emphasizing its role in breaking barriers to efficiency, accessibility, and innovation.

Speaker: Terry Reese

Morning Workshop

County Libraries, Reference, NJ State Library

Where's the Line?  Digital Assistance & Patron Privacy

Helping patrons with technology is a big part of library work—but balancing support with privacy and resources can be tough. This hands-on pre-conference session will cover NJ privacy laws, best practices, and tools for improving digital assistance. Through role-playing and real-world scenarios, you’ll create workflows and training plans to bring back to your library, gaining practical strategies to better assist patrons, remove barriers, and connect them with resources in a compassionate, privacy-focused way.

Speakers: 

Cynthia Lambert, Law Librarian, New Jersey State Library

Andrea Levandowski, Adult Services Specialist, New Jersey State Library

Heather Lubchansky, Systems Administrator/Head of IT, Sussex County Library System

Rosy Wagner, System Adult Services Coordinator, Burlington County Library System

Equity Scholars Summit - for scholars and speakers only

NJLA Equity Scholarship recipients are invited to join the first-ever Equity Scholars Summit, where Scholars will have the opportunity to meet key leaders from NJ's statewide library organizations and attend a panel featuring library workers of underrepresented backgrounds from across library types who will share their experiences, challenges, and career path. Scholars will also have time for networking, discussion groups, and community building!

Organizers:

Katy White, NJLA

Ashley Mitchell, Camden County Library/NJLA Equity & Mentorship Task Force Chair

Akiema Brown, Audubon Public Library

Darby Malvey, LibraryLinkNJ

Panelists:

Brett Bonfield, NJLA

Ralph Bingham, LibraryLinkNJ

Jennifer Nelson, NJ State Library

Karen Grant, NJASL

Pat Massey, NJ Library Trustees Association

Alison Cole, VALE

Lorraine Ruiz, Kenilworth Public Library

Natalie Lau, Seton Hall University *Tentative*

Reggie Blanding, Newark Public Library James P. Brown African American Room *Tentative*

Atlantic City Experience - Scavenger Hunt! (pre-registration required)

Join us for the Atlantic City Experience - Scavenger Hunt! Players will have the opportunity to tour the Atlantic City Museum (ACX) and review exhibits before the hunt begins. There will be 20 questions created from museum exhibits. Winners will be announced after the hunt ends, and receive Atlantic City Free Public Library swag! $23 and Bring your own lunch. Transportation provided.

Afternoon Workshop

Reference; County Libraries 

Stay Cool, Stay Covered: Turning Tough Patron Encounters into Positive Outcomes

Themes we will discuss are the importance of knowing your library's policies, how to document incidents properly, staff training with roleplay, preparing for First Amendment audits, and addressing issues from different age groups. There will be plenty of time for Q&A.

Speakers:

Linda Hoffman, Woodland Park Public Library

Kate Russo, South River Public Library

John Trause, Oradell Public Library

Crystal Hooper, branch manager at SCLSNJ

 Jen Sulligan, branch manager at SCLSNJ

Afternoon Workshop

Intellectual Freedom, Professional Development, Admin and Management

Libraries and the Law: An Introduction to the First Amendment, Privacy and Copyright

As library workers, we have a general understanding of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy. But what are the practical applications of the law in libraries?  How can library workers provide access and remove barriers to materials, while protecting patrons and themselves?  Learn the ins and outs of law for libraries, including the First Amendment, privacy and copyright law. Learn why these laws are important to the work we do, and how our policies and procedures can and should reflect them. 

Speakers

Amanda Eigen, Assistant Director, Maplewood Memorial Library; Amy Penwell, NJASL/NJLA Regional Response Team

From Anxiety to Action: How the Sustainable Libraries Certification Program Builds Stronger Communities

Did you know the effects of loneliness and isolation are as devastating to our health and well-being as chronic health conditions? Libraries can help their communities establish deeper social connections with the programs and services they already offer, with a renewed focus and re-branding using the Sustainable Libraries Certification Program to help your library lead the way. Learn how the public library serves as the community catalyst for systemic changes in social, financial and environmental practices in this award-winning certification program, while building stronger and more connected communities that combat loneliness and isolation.

Presenters and Sustainable Libraries Initiative Board Members:
Jen Ferriss, Assistant Director, Saratoga Springs Public Library
Lisa Kropp, Director, Lindenhurst Memorial Library

Equity Scholars Summit - for scholars and speakers only

NJLA Equity Scholarship recipients are invited to join the first-ever Equity Scholars Summit, where Scholars will have the opportunity to meet key leaders from NJ's statewide library organizations and attend a panel featuring library workers of underrepresented backgrounds from across library types who will share their experiences, challenges, and career path. Scholars will also have time for networking, discussion groups, and community building!

Afternoon Workshop

Archives and History, Tech Services

Copyright Essentials: Hands-On Practice

In this session, participants will have the chance to learn about how to make copyright status determinations and choosing standardized rights statements, and will have the opportunity to work together in order to get hands-on practice doing so. The first 30-40 minutes will provide a basic intro to copyright: how the length of the copyright term has changed, what information is needed to make a copyright status determination, and what to do when the necessary information is missing. We will also go over the role that standardized rights statements play in supporting library patrons who want to use our digital collections.

Once we've covered these basics by putting them to use -- working together, participants will do copyright status determinations on a range of digital collections items (in order to introduce some of the situations that often come up in dealing with copyright for digital collections.) Our focus will be on working collaboratively: determining copyright status can be challenging, but it's often easier when you can work together. At the end of the session, participants will have a chance to reflect on their experience and think about lingering copyright questions. This session is aimed at participants without prior copyright experience, but all are welcome.

Speakers

Paige Morgan, Digital Publishing and Copyright Librarian, Head of Digital Scholarship and Publishing, University of Delaware 

On the Road:  Bookmobiles Across New Jersey

Stay tuned for hours, location on where bookmobiles will be parked, and more info!

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Diversity & Outreach Section

Zine Zone Creative Space

Conferences can be overwhelming - come have a creative break with us and decompress! Hang out for a while in a totally non-committal space to learn what zines are, read a few, make a page for the Collaborative Conference Zine, and get ideas on how to incorporate zines and zine-making into your own library programming. Plus, enter to win a free basket of zines! Crafty supplies and fun things will re-energize you for the next session.

Donation Table to Covenant House

Covenant House helps young people facing homelessness and survivors of trafficking through unconditional love, absolute respect, and relentless support. Their doors are open 24/7.. They warmly welcome young people who identify as LGBTQ+ to their programs and have since their founding in 1972.

Breakout Session

Children's Services, Reference

It's a Family Affair: Intergenerational Programming in Public Libraries

Intergenerational programs bring together library users in different life stages, helping to forge positive relationships across generations and backgrounds. These programs can encourage learning, communication, and connection within families, as well as among community members who wouldn’t necessarily cross paths otherwise. Learn how four public libraries across New Jersey have developed and incorporated a variety of intergenerational programs into their programming schedule.

Speakers:

Stephanie Smith, Head of Youth Services, GCLS

Emily MacLeod, Head of Youth Services, Union Public Library

Melody Scagnelli-Townley, Director, Bayonne Public Library

Susan Vignuolo, Piscataway Library

Breakout Session

Young Adult Services

Building Confidence Through Teen Programming

Learn about successful programming to help teens become independent, carefully consider and trust their choices, embrace responsibility, and ultimately build leadership skills. We'll also discuss strategies to encourage "soft skills" when running programs designed around "hard skills" like building, making, crafting, and more.

Speakers:

Erica Deb, Crysta Miller, Sarah Pike, Emily Mazzoni

Breakout Session

Intellectual Freedom

The Freedom to Read Act: What's Next? 

In late 2024 Governor Murphy signed into law the Freedom to Read Act, which prohibits the banning of books in school and public libraries. This sweeping legislation is one of only a few such laws in the United States. So what happens next? Join us for an overview of the law, the latest updates on its implementation, and a discussion of what this law means for public library workers in New Jersey.  Attendees may submit questions prior to the program via Google form.

Speakers:

Senator Andrew Zwicker, primary sponsor of the law and intellectual freedom advocate

Jennifer Nelson, NJ State Librarian and moderator Eileen M. Palmer 

Navigating Challenges: the Workplace Situation of Library Workers in the U.S.

Library workers in the U.S. face significant challenges, such as harassment and abusive behaviors, especially in academic settings. The 2022 Urban Libraries Unite Trauma Study emphasized the tough conditions for urban librarians and the emotional labor involved in handling distressed patrons. Serving as frontline responders, library staff navigate complex dynamics with empathy and professionalism. This session will explore the need for trauma-informed, evidence-based programs focusing on human safety, de-escalation, leadership development, and conflict resolution in libraries.

Speaker: Arlene Limas OLY, PAVE Prevention 

Breakout Session

Leadership and Education

Sensory and Sound

Libraries are no stranger to providing patrons – both children and adults – with sensory experiences. From end panels that foster curiosity to acoustically treated study rooms that   support focus and relaxation, the relationship between sensory play and sound is a constant. In this program you’ll hear from library directors and interior designers on how to assess spaces large & small for both sensory play & acoustical treatments. Learn how to create engaging sensory experiences in creative ways and how to manage noise in an effective but aesthetic manner. 

Speakers:

Allen McGinley, Director of Westfield Memorial Library

Nancy Shah, Director of Florham Park Public Library

Bridget Soyka Smith, Creative Director, Soyka Smith Design Studios

Approaches to #Inclusive Social Media Practice in the Academic Library

Speakers will present a holistic approach to accomplish inclusive social media campaigns that equitably educate, recognize diverse experiences and identities, and foster a sense of belonging in the academic library, both physically and online.  Example posts will illustrate strategic plans and frameworks for inclusive, safe, kind, and empathetic social media campaigns. A press kit of additional example posts, free to use or remix, will be available after the presentation.

Speakers

Kelsey Gallagher Mambach, Middlesex College

Angelina Carney, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Breakout Session

New Jersey State Library

Unmasking Local History: A Case Study in Collaboration

In the spirit of the conference’s “Breaking Barriers” theme, Andrew Dauphinee and Regina Fitzpatrick will present on the NJ State Library’s “Get to Know Your Local Historical Society” collaborative project with historical societies throughout the state.  Through a combination of informational videos and blog posts, we strive to unmask the critical role that historical societies play as keepers of our local history and important historical and genealogical records, found nowhere else in the state. 

Speakers:

Andrew Dauphinee, New Jersey State Library; Regina Fitzpatrick, New Jersey State Library

Is Enhancing Financial Literacy in Your Library Part of Your Strategy?

Promoting financial literacy in our communities should be the concern of all of NJ's educational institutions. The state has a financial literacy graduation requirement for High School. The Treasury Department has a web site. But what about adult learners like the ones who come to libraries? The NJ Financial Planning Association Pro Bono Committee has a mission to make simple, generic, 40-minute, financial literacy presentations at libraries all over the state. Come see the presentation, ask questions about CFP presenters, and see if this type of financial literacy content would fit into your libraries educational strategy.

Speakers:

The Financial Planning Association of NJ (https://fpanj.org/), Pro Bono Committee. Chair Joe Shure, Speakers Brian Cody CFP & Timothy Knotts, CFP

Breakout Session

Diversity and Outreach

Creating Kind Spaces for Neurodivergent Librarians and Library Workers

Brianne Mintz-Hanley and Stephanie Sendaula will discuss how the creation of kind, neuroinclusive spaces for neurodivergent library staff can not only empower employees, but also improve the way we connect with our patrons. They will discuss how neurodivergent staff can strengthen the library, and how directors and managers can better support neurodivergent workers. Lastly, they will discuss how a Neurodiverse Library Workers Network could revolutionize the way library staff work in their chosen roles.

Speakers:

Brianne Mintz-Hanley, Scotch Plains Public Library

Stephanie Sendaula, LibraryLinkNJ

Breakout Session

MentorNJ - LLNJ

Hadrien Coumans - https://lenape.center/about-us

Hadrien provides guidance on healing the complex wounds of both personal and collective histories. His experience spans twenty-five years and includes currently serving as:

- Deputy Director & co-founder of Lenape Center. www.lenape.center Serving in areas of strategic partnerships, initiatives, programs and development.

- Advisor for Peace and Wellbeing: Appointed by Joe Baker, Lenape elder.

Hadrien is a Traditionally adopted member of WhiteTurkey-Fugate family.

Breakout Session

Children's Services, Diversity and Outreach

Bundles of Joy: Supporting Growing Families through Home Delivery

In July 2023, the Monroe Township Public Library launched a new delivery service, Bundles of Joy, for families welcoming a new child into their home. Through this service, residents of the Township receive library materials right to their doorstep every 3 weeks.

In this presentation, we will focus on the importance of offering outreach to families welcoming a new child into their home. With this service, we increased accessibility to the Library for growing families while also promoting reading and engaging in early literacy at home. This service has brought joy to caregivers and especially siblings at home during what can be a very isolating time.

Speakers:

Lynnette Fucci & Kelly Palombit, both from the Monroe Township Public Library.

Breakout Session

New Jersey State Library

Balancing the eBooks: Fair Licensing Terms for Libraries 

New Jersey libraries invest millions each year in eBooks/audiobooks. Yet restrictive licensing models and rising costs impinge on the library mission and jeopardize equitable access to essential digital content. What would fair pricing and licensing terms look like to better serve library users? Who can collaborate to create sustainable solutions that prioritize the needs of patrons? Librarians? Legislators? Authors? Publishers? Explore the impact of current trends, legislative efforts, and strategies to unite stakeholders, aimed at securing a future where libraries can provide robust digital collections for everyone.

Speakers

Senator Andrew Zwicker, NJ Legislative District 16, Invited Guest

Kyle Courtney, eBook Study Group, Panelist

Juliya Ziskina, eBook Study Group, Panelist

Michael Maziekien (or a representative from the) New Jersey State Library, Moderator

Rethinking Transitional Library Spaces: A UX Collaboration

This session will explore the process and impact of library renovations, focusing on user experience (UX) and temporary spaces. Presenters will share insights from student feedback and their experiences adapting library services and spaces during renovations. The session will address challenges and opportunities, highlighting how temporary spaces supported student needs while maintaining services. It will also emphasize the collaboration between library units, academic departments, architects, and students that shaped the renovation approach and service delivery.

Speakers

Jessica Martorano & Eric Jeitner, Stockton University Richard E. Bjork Library. NJAL Assessment Committee chair (Eric)

Breakout Session

History and Preservation

The Creation of an Archival Research Club and Reworking It to Fit the Community

The Atlantic City Free Public Library will describe how our archivist created an archival research club in an urban library. Starting with an idea and growing into a club for all ages, how it became a club where people from the community could find their ancestors, learn what an archive is, apply different archival procedures that they could use at home, and many other topics. She will illustrate the steps taken to achieve this goal.

Speaker:

Jacqueline Silver-Morillo - Atlantic City Free Public Library

Library Marketing Made Simple and Scalable/ Building a Sustainable Marketing and Communications Framework

In this session, you'll learn how to transform your library's marketing efforts into an accessible, effective, and sustainable strategy—whether you're a librarian or a professional from outside the library world. We’ll break down the essentials of library marketing into simple steps that anyone can implement, and show you how to scale these strategies for maximum impact.

Speakers:

Ranjna Das, Burlington County Library System
Maro Twal, Jersey City Public Library

Breakout Session

MentorNJ - LLNJ

NJLA Presidents Leadership Lunch

All are welcome to register for this event.

Breakout Session

Children's Services

Bitty Babies, Big Fun: Interactive Storytime for Little Ones

Ever wondered how to transform a simple storytime into a captivating adventure for little listeners? This panel discussion will share insight and tips on crafting engaging and interactive baby storytimes. Topics will include favorite books, rhymes, songs, props, and various other tools. This session is ideal for youth services programming staff seeking to enhance their existing baby storytimes or for those new to the practice.

Speakers:

Allia Nisa, Edison Public Library; Justine Ferrara, Union Public Library; Kristen Churchill, Caldwell Public Library

Breakout Session

Young Adult Services

Communication Glow Up 

How do we vibe with today’s teens in authentic, welcoming ways? This session explores how curiosity, kindness, and communication techniques can make every interaction meaningful. From using humor effectively to creating an inclusive, safe space, you’ll learn strategies for remembering teens’ names and pronouns, avoiding conversation pitfalls, and fostering positive engagement. Leave with practical tools to help teens feel seen, respected, and hyped to connect with your library.

Speakers: 

Jenna Ingham, Head of Youth Services, Verona Public Library

Hannah Lee, MLIS, Intern Social Worker at CFCE

Melaina Squicciarini, Youth Services Librarian, Highland Park Public Library

Breakout Session

Intellectual Freedom

First Amendment audits

The First Amendment protects the right to speak and receive information.  But what are the practical applications of the law in libraries?  How can library workers provide access to resources and  protect patrons and themselves, while also respecting auditors' rights? Learn about the First Amendment, how it applies to libraries, First Amendment Audits and how to navigate them, and the policies and practices libraries should have in place to prepare for and respond to them effectively and lawfully. 

Speakers:

Amanda Eigen - Asst Director, Maplewood, Bonnie Lafazan - Director, Springfield, Douglas Zucker - Attorney, Weiner Law Group

Breakout Session

Sustainability and Resilience Section

You too can work in a Sustainable Library

Please join in on a discussion about what libraries in New Jersey are doing as part of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative.  Leaders from libraries that are currently participating in the Sustainable Libraries Certification process will share their experiences and provide insights into how libraries can integrate sustainability and resiliency into their operations, programs and other patron experiences. 

Speakers:

 Kathryn Cannarozzi - Director of the Cranford Public Library,  Sarah Lester - Director of the Maplewood Memorial Library, 

Representative from Union Public Library

Moderator - Mary Catherine Sudiak- Reference Librarian, Cranford Public Library and current President of the Sustainability and Resilience Section of NJLA

Inclusive Practices: Welcoming and Supporting Trans Staff and Patrons 

This presentation will explore the challenges faced by trans and nonbinary individuals in libraries and offer practical strategies for fostering inclusivity. Key topics include understanding gender identity, common terminology, navigating medical and social transitions, and addressing discriminatory practices. The session will cover gendered language in library policies, name/pronoun usage, the importance of gender-neutral bathrooms, and creating inclusive policies to prevent harassment, ensuring libraries are respectful and accessible for all patrons and staff.

Speakers:

Devon Allan- Emerging Technologies Librarian, Jersey City Free Public Library

Breakout Session

New Jersey State Library

Supporting First Year Student Success

We’ll explore our recent initiative to enhance information literacy instruction within our university’s First-Year Seminar (FYS) program. We developed a suite of resources, including audiobook access for the common reading, a topic guide, a gamified survey of students’ behaviors and attitudes toward college-level research, and a LibWizard-based information literacy assessment tool. We will share the development process behind our resources, the outcomes of our assessments, and reflect on key takeaways from our experience.

Speakers:

Joyce DeStasio, Outreach Librarian, Stockton University 

Cheyenne Riehl, Student Success Librarian, Stockton University

Trials and Tribulations

Court documents are more than the record of a trial, they are primary sources for genealogical research and for understanding the State’s relationship with its citizens. By studying historic collections, we see how legal interpretation and social attitudes change over time regarding the rights of marginalized people and powerful institutions. Join us as we discuss the State Library’s plan to digitize 2 million pages of appellate court content and make them freely accessible to all.

Speakers

Caitlyn Cook (New Jersey State Library) and Leigh Clark (New Jersey State Library)

Breakout Session

New Jersey State Library

Why and How to be a Labor Literacy Library

The Labor & Literacy Library Program builds off the success of the NJSL Partner+ Literacy project to provide support to NJ Libraries as they work to improve the lives of their clients seeking digital literacy skills, ABE and ESL gains, and job search assistance​.  The goal being to establish first-line digital and adult literacy as a core library service both internally and in the public's perception.

Speakers:

Andrea Levandowski/NJSL; Scott Kuchinsky/PPL; Sarah Antonelli/PPL; Colleen Connell; PPL

LIbrary Homebound Services

Ocean County Library's Coordinator of Volunteers, Kelly Nichols, and Senior Services System Coordinator, Erin DeLucia, would like to present about the Ocean County Library's Homebound Services: Books by Mail, Home Borrowers and Mobile Library. We will also be discussing our applications and manuals for these services.

Speakers:

Ocean County Library, Coordinator of Volunteers, Kelly Nichols, and Ocean County Library, Senior Services System Coordinator, Erin DeLucia

Breakout Session

LLNJ

Breakout Session

NJ State Library

State Librarian's Program: Why Social Capital and Social Infrastructure are Critical in Shocks

Much of our policy process focuses on the role of physical infrastructure, that is, structures that hope to mitigate the impact of shocks and disasters such as floods and fires. But a growing body of evidence suggests that social infrastructure - the places and spaces that build and maintain connections, such as libraries, parks, and pubs - hold greater potential to blunt the impact of such events. Using qualitative and quantitative evidence from cases around the world, Aldrich pushes us to appreciate how the modest and often underappreciated field of social infrastructure should be front and center as we confront wicked problems.

An award winning author, Aldrich has published five books including Building Resilience and Black Wave, more than 110 peer-reviewed articles, and written op-eds for the New York Times, CNN, HuffPost, and many other media outlets. He has spent more than 5 years in India, Japan, and Africa carrying out fieldwork and his work has been funded by the Fulbright Foundation, the National Science Foundation, the Abe Foundation, the Rasmussen Foundation, and the Japan Foundation, among other institutions. In 2021 he was Klein Lecturer at Northeastern University and in 2024 won the college teaching award.

Speaker

Daniel Aldrich

Breakout Session

Children's Services, Young Adult Services

Let Them Cook!: Transform Your Library with Teen-Led Programming  

By encouraging teens to implement their own library programs, librarians engage with students in a special way, offer unique teen volunteering opportunities, and empower youth leadership. We will address how to create a programming structure that allows teens to demonstrate their talents and develop lifelong skills, while meeting your library's goals. By putting teens in charge, your library becomes a vibrant third space for the next generation!

Speakers

Valerie Coughlin (Hoboken Public Library), Vanessa Soto (Hoboken Public Library),  Jasmine Riel (Cherry Hill Public Library), Brenda Ramos (Hoboken Public Library)

Breakout Session

NJLA Personnel Administration Committee

Patron-Friendly Policies

Are your policies and procedures truly patron service friendly? Is enforcement of your policies causing stress and friction for your library staff? From study rooms to damaged books, from story time age limits to computer restrictions, libraries have policies and procedures that are there to create order and structure for our staff and patrons.

Speakers

Amy Babcock-Livingston Public Library, Emily Weisenstein-Livingston Public Library Kate Dinneny-Florham Park Public Library

Breakout Session

New Jersey State Library

Media Literacy and Civic Engagement

Analyzing the news is a difficult task – major changes to New Jersey's media ecosystem, the proliferation of misinformation, and the ever-present digital divide present challenges for all who want to stay informed. Libraries, alongside agencies dedicated to enhancing media literacy and access, can work together to amplify community-based journalism projects, help people develop critical evaluation skills, and boost civic engagement. Nonprofit, journalism and library professionals will discuss current, successful initiatives in communities across NJ.

Speakers

Ayinde Merrill, New Jersey Civic Information Consortium, Panelist

Amanda Richardson, Corporation for New Jersey Local Media, Panelist

Laura Bishop, Princeton Public Library, Panelist

Michael Maziekien, New Jersey State Library, Moderator

Breakout Session

Admin and Management

Breaking barriers: Between Your Library and Your Local Government Officials

The relationship between a library and the municipal government is one of the most important for any library.  Over the past several years, we have seen those relationships become strained, often over money.  This program will explore the challenges of those relationships and ways your library might work to overcome them, including a discussion of the legal and practice aspects of shared services agreements between a library and the local government entity.

Speakers

Douglas S. Zucker, Esq., Weiner Law Group and Susan Burke, President, Cranford Public Library Board of Trustees

Breakout Session

Tech Services

ILS Migration: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly 

Migrating to a new Integrated Library System (ILS) is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning and preparation. From selecting a system that aligns with the library’s needs to training staff and managing the implementation process. In this session, panelists will share their experiences at different stages of the migration journey, offering insights and lessons learned along the way.

Speakers

Rebecca Sandoval - Manager of Operations, Somerset County Library System of New Jersey

David Frank - Access Services Librarian, Seton Hall University

Eric Lozauskas - Executive Director,  STELLA

Breakout Session

County Libraries

Sustainable Engagement and Fostering Kindness through Houseplant Libraries 

The Houseplant Library initiative engages library patrons in a unique way. This program allows users to take home rooted cuttings of various houseplants to pot and nurture while also encouraging them to share their own plant cuttings with the community. The symbiotic relationship between the library and its patrons fosters a sense of community, sustainability, and appreciation for nature. And, as a bonus, research has shown that houseplants improve mood and reduce stress, which can translate into a calmer library environment.

Speakers

Jen Sulligan, Somerville branch manager, Somerset County Library System of NJ

Crystal Hooper, North Plainfield branch manager, Somerset County Library System of NJ

Jessie Best, Morristown and Morris Township Library 

Connecting Communities: How Libraries and Partners Create Impactful Outreach 

Community partners are a vital piece of library work. Libraries are increasingly recognized as community hubs, but our true impact is maximized when we partner with organizations, nonprofits, schools, and other community organizations. Highland Park, Elizabeth, Hoboken, and Bound Brook Libraries will share their experiences working with community partners.

Speakers

Rebecca Ward (Somerset County Library System), Ally Blumenfeld ( Hoboken Library), Jeff Cupo (Elizabeth Library), and Melaina Squicciarini (Highland Park Library)

Breakout Session

MentorNJ - LLNJ

Evening Mixer @ the Pool

Sponsored by Direct Flooring

Exhibit Hall Open

Donation Table to Covenant House 

Breakout Session

Children's Services, Diversity and Outreach, Young Adult Services

Crowd Control to Major Wins 

Interested in hosting those bigger programs, but not really sure where to start? Join us as three experienced librarians share their strategies and best practices for managing successful large-scale programs. Learn about Edison’s after-hours events, Piscataway’s Preschool Night at the Library, Verona’s annual Fall-o-ween Fest, and all the other fun things they do! Discover innovative ideas, practical tips, and valuable resources to enhance your own library's community engagement and impact.

Speakers:

Allia Nisa, Edison Public Library; Jenna Ingham, Verona Public Library; Erica Krivopal, Piscataway Public Library

Community Supports for Children and Families

The NJ Department of Children and Families is advancing a prevention focus in its programming throughout the state. Join representatives from DCF to learn more about a range of supports and services available in communities throughout the state of NJ designed to keep families safe, healthy and connected!

Speakers:

Katherine Stoehr, First Deputy Commissioner; Sandy Starr, Assistant Commissioner; Lauren Korczakowski, public policy specialist

From Policy to Practice: A Guide to the Library Board for Front-Line Staff

Attendees will gain a practical understanding of the library board’s role and how board decisions influence everything from budgeting to collections. By connecting the board’s strategic goals to front-line work, this session will empower staff to see the “big picture” impact of their roles. By demystifying the board’s responsibilities, this session aims to enhance collaboration, improve morale, and empower front-line staff to support the library’s mission more confidently. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and an appreciation for how strategic decisions shape the library’s direction and impact the community.

Speakers:

Pat Massey,  President, NJ Library Trustee Association; and Board President Edison Public Library

Maura Deedy, Board Member, Haddonfield Public Library; and Founding Principal Local Librarian Consulting

Breakout Session

Admin and Management

Procurement & Purchasing

Did you know that when looking for services for your library you can avoid going to bid by utilizing a state contract? From lawn care to lighting, flooring to furniture – learn how Livingston Library Director, Amy Babcock, and Soyka Smith Design Studios’ President, Bridget Soyka-Smith, have accessed approved state contract vendors and services through the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey (ESCNJ) and other national contracts. From accessing the website, to contacting vendors – Amy & Bridget will show you how purchasing can be made easy!  

Speakers:

Amy Babcock (Livingston Public Library Director), Bridget Soyka-Smith (President of Soyka Smith Design Studios, who co-wrote the furniture contract for the ESCNJ)Additional panelists may be added.

Breakout Session

Young Adult Services Section

Manga Madness

Manga is one of the fastest growing mediums in libraries today and can be daunting for both new and seasoned library staff to tackle. From learning the terms, choosing good starter series, and finding advanced readers before purchasing, join us for a rundown of manga collection development.

Speakers

Brigitte Carroll, Ramsey Free Public Library; 

Sarah Pike, Hunterdon County Library 

Breakout Session

College and University

Moving Mountains: Using Different Kinds of Reflective Practice in Library Work

By reflecting on our interpersonal behaviors, we learn how to be kinder and more empathetic. By teaching students to reflect, we show them how to assess their work without judgment.  Attendees will learn reflective practice strategies and why they are beneficial to navigating the world’s challenges in professional, instructional, or personal ways. 

Presenters currently work as Reference & Instruction Librarians at Middlesex College and have prior experience in Public and School Libraries.

Speakers:

Sara Imranyi, Middlesex College Library; Dylan Vetter, Middlesex College Library

Breakout Session

County Libraries, History and Preservation, Tech Services

Making Local History Accessible to All at the Somerset County Library System of NJ

Join SCLSNJ staff as they share their journey to uncover and showcase local history materials at their branches. Beginning with a mission to explore and make accessible branch collections that explore the rich local history of their unique communities—Hear how several branches worked with their staff, volunteers, and Technical services to digitize, or make accessible various Local History collections and ultimately connect patrons with the stories of their communities. 

Speakers:

Somerset County Library System of NJ staff

A Senior Services Department at your Library

Ocean County Library's Senior Services System Coordinator, Erin DeLucia, and Librarian 3 Senior Services, Laura Beth (LB) Davis will  present about the Ocean County Library's Senior Services Department. 

Speakers

Ocean County Library, Senior Services System Coordinator, Erin DeLucia, and Ocean County Library, Librarian 3 Senior Services, Laura Beth (LB) Davis

Opening Doors for the LGBTQIA+ Community

This session reviews the successes and challenges throughout creating and running Ocean County Library’s Ocean Pride Committee (employee resource group) through the lens of fostering communication. Focuses include the committee’s facilitation of a staff-wide survey and results presentation to administration, purposeful attendance at community outreach events, and the culmination of an inaugural LGBTQIA+ Resource Fair. These actions developed an open dialogue about inclusion and community needs between patrons, staff, and administration.

Speakers:

Valerie Losa, Lexi Majeski, Diane Musella, Kaitlin Warwick

MentorNJ

LibraryLinkNJ

George Abraham - https://www.gabrahampoet.com/

George Abraham (they/هو) is a Palestinian American poet, essayist, critic, performance artist. They are the author of When the Arab Apocalypse Comes to America (Haymarket, 2026) and Birthright (Button Poetry, 2020), which won the Arab American Book Award and was a Lambda Literary Award finalist. They are the executive editor of Mizna, and co-editor of HEAVEN LOOKS LIKE US: Palestinian Poetry (Haymarket, 2025). They are a graduate of Northwestern’s Litowitz MFA+MA program, and teach at Amherst College as a Writer-in-Residence. 

Breakout Session

Young Adult Service Section

Keep Track of Your Teens: Volunteer Management and Organization

Follow the volunteer management process from application, job sign ups, and most importantly data management. Learn tips and tricks to save you time doing monthly reports and letters of recommendation.

Speakers:

Jason Weissmann (he/him) - Young Adult Librarian, Livingston Public Library  / Young Adult Services Section Vice President

Becca Levin (they/them) - Teen Library Associate and Teen Volunteer Coordinator, East Brunswick Public Library / Young Adult Services Section Secretary

Ann-Marie Aymer (she/her) - Head of Youth Services, Summit Free Public Library

Breakout Session

Admin and Management

Unique Fundraisers for Your Library

Laverne Mann and Meredith Meyer of the Cherry Hill Free Public Library and Adele Puccio of the Maurice M. Pine Free Public Library will share their unique and successful fundraisers, such as Murder Mystery events, Mom Proms, jewelry sales, and even a vintage wedding dress show, and show you how you can host such events at your library!

Speakers:

Laverne Mann, Cherry Hill Free Public Library

Meredith Meyer, Cherry Hill Free Public Library

Adele Puccio, Maurice M. Pine Free Public Library

Leading from the Stacks: Leadership for Librarians

This is a call to librarians to think deeply on leadership and how they can add lead from their current roles and look towards their future growth. 

Speaker:

Sharrese Castillo from DC Public Library

Breakout Session

New Jersey State Library

Be Prepared: Getting Your Library Ready for Upcoming Info Lit Standards

Join panelists from the Local Working Group of the IMLS-funded “Teaching Information Literacy” project as we explore how you and your library staff can get prepared for the upcoming Information Literacy New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS). We’ll discuss what NJSLS are, how Info Lit factors into current requirements, and what libraries can do to be sure they’re ready to support students and educators once the standards take effect.

Speakers:

Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library

Ewa Elliott, TCNJ Libraries

Darby Malvey, LibraryLinkNJ

Beth Raff, New Jersey Association of School Librarians

Countdown to the 250th: Opportunities for Libraries

Learn about programs and opportunities available for libraries interested in taking part in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. Attendees will hear from representatives of RevolutionNJ and the State Library.

Speakers:

Andrew Dauphinee (NJ State Library) and Marc Lorenc (New Jersey Historical Commission/ RevolutionNJ)

Virtual Programming for Libraries

Learn how to create different types of virtual programming for your library that fits your budget and matches your needs.  Virtual programs bring the library to those who cannot visit in person and are a great way to cross promote additional resources that customers are not aware of.

Speakers: 

Christine Maloney, Ocean County Library

Karen Klapperstuck of Monroe Township Public Library

Get Your Head Start with the Library

Find out how the Jersey City Free Public Library Outreach Coordinator collaborated with the Head Start Parent Activities Coordinator to establish a flourishing partnership supporting early childhood learning which now includes: ensuring all parents and students of Head Start have library cards, utilize library programs, receive free ESL classes, host and visit the library, and have a JCFPL staff member on the Advisory Board. This partnership is now the model for New Jersey Head Start. 

Speakers:

Stephanie Latasa, Parent Coordinator for Jersey City Head Start & Mandy Decker, Outreach Coordinator for Jersey City Free Public Library

Donor Reception

Invite Only

Lunch, Exhibits, or NJLA Store

Children's Services, Young Adult Services 

Garden State Book Awards Luncheon and Author Talk 

Join youth services workers from around the state in celebration of the 47th annual Garden State Book Awards. Winners for teen and children's categories will be announced in addition to a talk by special guest author Ryan La Sala!

Lunch, Exhibits, or NJLA Store

College & University Section 

College & University Section Luncheon

Luncheon for the College & University Section, including announcements of section award winners. 

Lunch, Exhibits, or NJLA Store

County Libraries Section 

County Libraries Awards Luncheon

The County Libraries Awards Luncheon is an opportunity for county library staff to network and discuss challenges and successes from the past year. Awards will be given to showcase a great employee, team, and project from each library system.

Lunch, Exhibits, or NJLA Store

Readers’ Advisory Section

What are You Reading? - Bring Your Own Lunch

Bring your lunch and join fellow book lovers for an informal chat about what you're reading. 

Breakout Session

Children's Services, Small Libraries, Young Adult Services

Big Policies, Big Programs and Big Collections in Small Spaces

This conference session will provide members with practical advice, reliable solutions, and valuable tips on how to build a stronger connection within a smaller community. Drawing from their own background knowledge and work experiences, the presenters' goal is to demonstrate new and exciting ways for smaller libraries to engage with their community through effective policies, creative programs, and well curated collections.

Speakers:

Jenise Sileo, Librarian at Parsippany & Mt. Tabor Library; Robin Rockman, Director at Caldwell Public Library 

Breakout Session

Children's Services, Readers Advisory

The Year's Best Graphic Novels 2024

Join us for the always interesting panel of librarians who will curate the best Graphic Novels from 2024 for all ages!  We will discuss pop culture trends, sales of manga, comics and more that will inform your collection development.  Our panelists will select beyond the bestsellers their selections of the best of 2024, that you may have not yet heard of.   Make your collections the most relevant and up to date for your communities. 

Speakers:

Laverne Mann, Cherry Hill Public Library

Rich Wiest, Burlington County Library System

Marissa Lieberman, Cranford Public library

Nick Van Dorn, Nutley Public Library

Breaking Barriers to Access: Promoting the Statewide Shared Ebook Collection

The statewide shared ebook collection is growing! Join representatives from NJSL and Lyrasis for an update on the statewide shared collection and how libraries are expanding access to ebooks with The Palace Project. We’ll discuss how libraries across the country are leveraging their shared collections to combat licensing issues and how you can promote this resource to your communities. Stop by to learn more about this community-driven effort to re-center the library in ebook lending.

Speakers:

Jillian Scarson (Lyrasis) and Michael Maziekien (NJSL)

Breakout Session

Intellectual Freedom, Children's Services, Readers Advisory, Young Adult Services

Navigating Reader's Advisory in the BookTok and Bookstagram Era

TikTok and Instagram are fuelling interest in books and reading for new generations of readers, often in unexpected ways. This has created new challenges to providing effective reader's advisory service in public libraries for people in all age groups, but most especially for young adults and children. Lack of demographic/audience information in book-centric social media posts, coupled with rapidly changing publishing trends has created a challenging and sometimes risky landscape for providing book recommendations for library patrons. In this presentation, librarians will discuss readers' advisory resources, trends, techniques, and collection development strategies that front line staff members can use to connect patrons with "just right" books and encourage love of reading.

Speakers:

Kate Dinneny and  Nancy Shah

Breakout Session

College and University

We Can Teach That! Information Literacy and Librarians booktalk! 

For decades academic researchers have been trying to capture the essence of information literacy, its educational, cognitive and civic value.The collection of book chapters offered in We Can Teach That is a handbook that can be used as an inspiration for teaching various types of literacy: visual, digital, multicultural, health and more. The book asks important questions: When do we start teaching information literacy? How do we teach it? How does it affect our students at their education level? How does it prepare them for their post high school adult life? Does it impact their transition to college or career?

Dziedzic-Elliott and her collaborators provide a range of best practices and concepts that inspire thinking about teaching information literacy at all levels. Although written with school librarians in mind, the book can be easily adapted by teachers, school administrators and even public librarians who are looking to incorporate information literacy elements in their daily practices.

Speakers:

Tricina Strong-Beebe (NJASL), Beth Thomas (NJASL), Neil Grimes(WPU), Gary Marks (WPU)

Breakout Session

Admin and Management, Social Work

Why Social Workers

Tonya Garcia (Long Branch Free Library), Karen Parry (East Brunswick Public Library) and Sandra Cronce (Willingboro Public Library) will discuss how to add a social worker to your library's staff, including convincing your board, determining the level of service they will provide, and more. 

Speakers:

Tanya Garcia, Long Branch Free Public Library; Karen Parry, East Brunswick Public Library; Sandra Cronce, Willingboro Public Library

Breakout Session

Tech Services

Shelf Smarts: Adjusting Collections for New Library Spaces

Weeding is a necessary part of library work but what happens when a renovation or new building construction means relocating or reducing the size of your collection? In this session, panelists will discuss how they wrangled their collections to suit their new spaces.

Speakers:

Nicole Barnabei - Technical Library Assistant, Stockton University

Linda Tripp - Collection Development Librarian, Somerset County Library System of New Jersey

Kayla Polt - Systems Librarian, Pennsauken Free Public Library

Kenneth French - Head of Collection & Materials Services, Montclair Public Library (moderator)

Addressing Barriers to Library Access for Hispanic Populations

This topic discusses obstacles that may prevent Hispanic individuals from accessing library services and offers strategies to address these issues. The goal is to foster a platform for dialogue, learning, and action, ensuring that libraries are accessible and inviting to all members of the Hispanic community.

Speaker:

Raynelda Calderon, Ed.D.

Breakout session

Diversity and Outreach, Library Workers of Color

EDI-NJ: Strategic Roadmap for the ‘EDI Framework for NJ Libraries’ Project

Join key members of the Strategic Roadmap for the "EDI Framework for NJ Libraries" project team as they share their progress, state-wide assessment results, and future plans to strategically and collectively enhance Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in New Jersey libraries and organizations. Discover how you can contribute to this important statewide initiative and ensure your voice is heard. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference in advancing EDI across the library community!

Speakers:

Selwa Shamy, Montclair Public Library, Moderator

Ralph Bingham, LibraryLinkNJ

Ali Cole, VALE

Ozy Aloziem, EDI Consultant

Mi-Sun Lyu, LibraryLinkNJ

Breakout Session

MentorNJ

LibraryLinkNJ