VISION OF THE FUTURE
Vision of Libraries:
- Libraries throughout the state are responsive to user needs and expectations.
- Libraries are active promoters of the lifelong habit and love of reading.
- Libraries are key centers for lifelong learning and focal points of community
life.
- Libraries are partners with others to assure access to electronic information.
Vision of NJLA:
- NJLA is recognized as the voice on library issues in New Jersey.
- The collective vision of NJLA members effectively leads the libraries of
NJ to filling a vital role into the 21st century.
- Libraries and librarians see membership in NJLA as essential and and vital
to their success and growth.
MISSION STATEMENT
The New Jersey Library Association provides vision and leadership for the
library community and serves as the voice of New Jersey libraries and librarians.
Through the commitment and action of our members, we:
- Provide a forum to address
issues of importance;
- Serve as an advocate for quality library service;
- Support members in professional
growth and development;
- Promote the importance of libraries in the state.
GOALS
Goal 1: Advocacy
NJLA, in partnership with others in the library community,
will be an effective voice with funding sources and governmental officials
on issues which
impact library services.
Goal 2: Vision and Leadership
NJLA will enable members to develop a collective
vision of the future direction of libraries in the state and support them in
their efforts
to attain that vision.
Goal 3: Partnerships/Alliances
Important issues and goals of the library community
will be addressed through effective organizational alliances.
Goal 4: Public Opinion and Support
The public and communities of New Jersey
will strongly support their libraries.
Goal 5: Member Service
Libraries and librarians throughout New Jersey will
find value and benefit in NJLA membership.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Goal 1: NJLA, in partnership with others in the library community, will be
an effective voice with funding sources and governmental officials on issues
which impact library services.
Objectives:
1.1 Develop a yearly legislative platform which clearly communicates a vision
of library services for the residents of New Jersey. (Public Policy Committee)
Activities:
- Revisit, revise or reaffirm the NJLA legislative platform each year.
- Seek,
when appropriate, the introduction of legislation which supports hte advancement
of library service.
- Develop and disseminate position papers and fact sheets
to further NJLA's legislative initiatives
- Use the NJLA webpage as a primary
source for information regarding NJLA's legislative positions and action.
- Seek
endorsement of NJLA's legislative positions from other organizations which
could assist in advancing this agenda.
1.2 Monitor state and federal legislative activity regarding issues of importance
to the library community. (Public Policy Committe, Intellectual Freedom Committee,
NJLA Director)
Activities:
- Use rapid methods of communications including fax networks and e-mail
to inform the library community when immediate legislative action is needed.
- Develop
an action plan to deal with political issues.
- Provide legal assistance to
libraries in developing responses to complex issues.
1.3 Secure increased funding for libraries. (Public Policy Committe, Public
relations Committee)
Activities:
- Identify and pursue public/private partnerships that will result in increased
funding for libraries.
- Increase the amount of state funding available to support
library service.
1.4 Train NJLA members to be library advocates. (Public Policy committee,
Professional Development Committee)
Activities:
- Design programs and presentations for the library community to use with
their elected officials and community organizations.
- Institute an annual lobbying
day/legislative activity .
1.5 Increase understanding of NJLA's legislative positions through pro-active
contacts with elected officials and their staffs. (NJLA Director, Public Policy
Committee)
Activities:
- Develop a network of members who can discuss library issues with legislators
and other key government officials.
Goal 2: NJLA will enable members to develop a collective
vision of the future direction of libraries in the state and support them in
their efforts to attain
that vision.
Objectives:
2.1 Provide representation and give input to the development and implementation
of ongoing initiatives in cooperation with the State Library, the library
community and other appropriate groups. (NJLA Director, President, Committee
Chairs)
2.2 Develop a collective vision of the future direciton of
libraries in the state and outline realistic strategies to achieve it.(NJLA
Executive Board,
Planning Committee, Professional Development Committee)
Activities:
- Revisit, revise or reaffirm the NJLA vision for libraries each year
- Conduct
continuing education on the "Core Standards for Libraries"
- Publish
the technical competencies for librarians and continue the work on the
other core competencies.
2.3 Identify and develop future leaders. (Professional Development Committee)
Activites:
- Develop a listserv and/or section for people who participated in the Emerging
Leaders program and the Leadership Academy.
- Offer more continuing education
programs on managemnt skills.
- Establish a mentoring program
- Using Karma Foundation or other grant funding,
promote the leadership program to develop new leaders for the profession.
Goal 3: Important issues and goals of the libarary community will be addressed
through effective organizational alliances
Objectives:
3.1 Develop new partnerships and increase and strenghten existing partnerships
with others in the libary community. (NJLA Director and President)
Activities:
- Encourage participation in the statewide recruiting campaign, including
linking to www.becomealibrarian.com.
- Continue to explore joint conference
opportunities with EMAnj.
- Continue to provide representation at VALE, EMAnj,
and Academic Deans and Directors meetings as appropriate.
- Explore alliances
with other library-related associations for programs of mutual interest
and benefit.
- Explore administrative service partnerships with other library-related
associations.
- Develop and implement an efficient and effective office
workplan that includes introducing new technology, improved electronic
communication and appropriate
training.
3.2 Establish Coordinatation of governmental relation's efforts for common
goals. (NJLA Director, Public Policy Committee)
Activities:
- Include all library groups in legislative agendas, by providing information,
requesting input and support
Goal 4: The public and communities of New Jersey will strongly
support their libraries.
Objectives:
4.1 Actively participate in the annual comprehensive statewide library public
relations campaign. (President, NJLA Director and Public Relations Committee)
Activities:
- Implement the American Library Association's @your library marketing campaign
in partnership with the New Jersey State Library.
- Participate in and give
input to the New Jersey State Library's marketing taskforce.
- Develop a marketing
toolkit for libraries to adapt for local use.
- Initiate a marketing training
program to help library staff use the marketing toolkit.
- Use Verizon funds
and seek additional grant resources to support, promote and implement the
@your library marketing campaign.
4.2 Enhance the image of libraries and librarians as providers of professional
services vital to survival in the information age. (President, NJLA Director,
Public Relations Committee)
Activities:
- Disseminate practical information on how to deal effectively with mediaunder
various conditions.
- Prepare library staffs for increased demand in new areas
of service and initiation of new services fostered by technological advances.
- Show
legislators how money spent on information technology in libraries improves
service to the people of New Jersey.
- Develop some new awards that mean something
- best library of the year.
Goal 5: The libraries and librarians throughtout New Jersey will find value
and benefit in NJLA membership.
Objectives:
5.1 Increase net membership in NJLA by 5% annually.(Membership Promotion Committee)
Activities:
- Develop a list of member and library benefits
- Communicate the benefits
of membership to librarians, library school students andlibraries through
effective marketing techniques such as targeted mailings
to prosepctive members, a new membership brouchure, and the NJLA website.
- Recruit
specific categories of members: academic librarians, board members/friends,
minorities, recent library school graduates, LTA's, etc.
- Examine the current
dues structure to keep it attractive to students and newly retired librarians
- Develop
additional membership benefits that come only with institutional membership
- Develop
a mentoring program in which each new library school graduate is assigned
NJLA member to serve as their mentor for one year
- Develop a "students
to NJLA program" which offers free conference
registration in return for student volunteer hours at the registration desk,
work with a committee, etc.
- Hold focus groups with library directors to determine
their reasons for joining NJLA
- Develop orientation and organizational development
training for committee and section leadership
5.2 Increase by 10% the number of members who actively participate in NJLA
committees and sections annually. (Professional Development Committee, Membership
Promotion Committee)
Activities:
- Evaluate the NJLA's current program and conference offerings to determine
topics and presentation formats that will attract more members
- Offer incentives
to libraries that send more than one staff member to an NJLA event
- Offer
incentives to encourage attendance at the annual conference
- Offer a pre-conference
on topics of interest to members
- Promote and provide more opportunities
for members to get involved in committee activities
- Develop orientation
and organizational development training for committee and section leadership
5.3 Improve library salaries. (NJLA Executive Board, Personnel Administration
subcommittee)
Activities:
- Obtain funding to support a study of comparable worth between library
salaries and those in other professions with equivalent education and training
- Develop
a "salary toolkit" with information that can be used
by local library boards and staff to advocate for improved salaries
- Collect
and distribute salary and classification schedules from libraries of all
types
- Continue to update and publicize a recommended entry level salary
level each year
- Develop and promote core competencies for librarians of
all types
- Develop a group of NJLA members who can be available to talk to
trustees and other local officials about the need for improved salaries
and benefits
5.4 Sponsor continuing education activities of professional interest (Professional
Development Committee)
Activities:
- Identify non-traditional methods of providing professional development
such as teleconferencing and distance learining, onlin courses, etc.
- Coordinate
conference planning and section program planning to ensure that there is
a cohesive continuing education program offered each year
- Develop themes
for programming each year
- Develop a leadership training institute for middle
and upper level managers
5.5 Continually look for new services that are beneficial to members (Membership
Promotion Committee)
Activities:
- * Review current service offerings and adjust to meet changing need and availability
5.6 Increase communication channels to our members.(Publications Subcommittee)
Activities:
- Continue the discussion and implement the Communications Taskforce recommendations
for improved communication with members
- Offer an introduction program to the
New Jersey Library Association at the annual conference
- Implement a listserve
for Executive Board, committee and section leadership
