NJLA Organizational Update: December 2024

Happy Holidays! NJLA’s Executive Board met on Tuesday, December 17. Here are some of the highlights:

New Jersey State Librarian, Jen Nelson, NJLA President, Jeff Cupo, NJLA Executive Director, Brett Bonfield, New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy, and NJLA Public Policy Co-Chair Jennie Pu, at Princeton Public Library, where Governor Murphy signed Freedom to Read into law. 

• On December 9, Governor Murphy signed A3446/S2421, preventing arbitrary censorship of library collections, and ensuring that New Jersey residents have access to a broad range of books, movies, music, and other materials in public and school libraries. The law was developed by, and received bipartisan support from, New Jersey legislators, led by State Senator Andrew Zwicker, along with State Senator Teresa Ruiz and Assemblywoman Michelle Drulis, in collaboration with NJLA, New Jersey Association of School Librarians, and many other New Jersey-based and national organizations. This landmark legislation has received statewide, regional, and national coverage, including on NJ.com, NJ Spotlight News AP News, and WHYY in Philadelphia. We used OneClickPolitics to ask New Jersey library advocates to thank the legislators who supported the bill. Our next steps include working with the New Jersey State Library to create model policies.
• NJLA auditors, Suplee, Clooney, presented a “clean” Fiscal Year 2023–24 audit, which the Executive Board voted to approve.
• The Executive Board approved a Dag Bulman Bequest Task Force, which will explore additional ways to support NJLA members.

• President Jeff Cupo

  • Gave the keynote speech at the Youth Services Forum on November 20. 

  • Is working with NJLA Executive Board Secretary, Rosy Wagner, and NJLA Event Planner, Melissa Johnson, to coordinate the Committee Consolidation Convention. Their goal is to review NJLA committee structures and charges to improve efficiency and make member participation easier and more rewarding. 

  • Attended the second meeting of the Federation of Library Organizations (New Jersey-based, statewide, library organizations), the new NJLA Store Task Force, Diversity and Outreach (including a meeting on its Reference by Mail project), the Equity and Justice Task Force, and, Member Services, which is chaired by NJLA Second Vice President, Heather Kristian. 

• NJLA’s partnership with Amazon Prime for Business launched on November 25. As of December 12, there are 39 Enhanced Institutional Member (EIM) libraries that have enrolled. All EIM libraries receive free membership in Amazon Prime for Business. For more information, contact NJLA Associate Director, Katy White.
• NJLA Office Manager, Alicia Gough, is leading NJLA’s transition to its new website and member area. Novi and Higher Logic will replace MemberClicks before we open enrollment in the 2025 NJLA Annual Conference.
• NJLA Executive Director, Brett Bonfield, and John Wallace, NJLA’s First Vice President and President-Elect, attended the second annual ALA Advocacy Workshop in Chicago. They each presented or coordinated discussions on working with lobbyists and NJLA’s legislative success over the past year. 
• Brett is vetting attorneys to recommend to the committee that will choose NJLA’s next New Jersey Library Law and next First Amendment attorneys, as well as attorneys that New Jersey libraries may wish to consider for their needs.
• The Fundraising Committee completed NJLA’s annual appeal, and it was mailed on December 5. Thanks to Chair, Samantha McCoy and Immediate Past Chair, Kathleen DiGiulio, and to Jeff Cupo for drafting the letter.

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