ACCESS NAVIGATOR GRANT APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES IS NOW OPEN

Public Libraries in New Jersey are invited to apply to participate in the Access Navigators Program.

The Access Navigators Program is a partnership with local public libraries to leverage resources directed towards achieving the participants’ goals. Shared resources are inclusive of, but not limited to:
●      Digital and Basic Literacy Training Resources
●      Broadband access (connectivity and devices)
●      Job Search and Job Training Programs
●      Business startup resources and tools
●      Wrap around services that may inhibit a participant’s success in the program
●      Access to health information for physical and emotional well being

Please click on the attached document link to open the full Access Navigator Grant Application Document.

The Grant deadline is September 17, 2021

A Q & A Session is scheduled for Friday, August 20, 2021, at 1 p.m.
Click here to register for the August 20 Q & A

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Contact us if you have any questions.

NJLA in the News

Per Capita State Aid Increased by $1million in New Jersey’s FY22 Budget

The Executive Board of the New Jersey Library Association is pleased to announce that a $1 million increase in Per Capita State Aid (PCSA), is included in the State of New Jersey’s FY22 Budget, signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy on June 29, 2021. This is the first time that the PCSA has received a positive adjustment in over 10 years!

Click here for the full article in the South Jersey Observer

The New Jersey Library Association Dedicates Funding for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in New Jersey Librarianship

On July 20, 2021, the New Jersey Library Association (NJLA) Executive Board approved $20,000 in funding to provide two American Library Association (ALA) Spectrum Scholarships for New Jersey residents and to support equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) recruitment and retention training. Beginning in FY24, NJLA will include $8,500 in its Operating Budget to support an annual New Jersey ALA Spectrum Scholarship.

Please click here to read the full press release

Announcing – NJLA’s Access Navigator’s Program

NJLA is pleased to announce the receipt of a $250,000 grant from the New Jersey State Library (NJSL), to implement an Access Navigators Program. The Access Navigators Program is funded through the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds, received by NJSL, through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The Access Navigators program is one of two adult literacy and opportunity focused pilot programs, enabled through the IMLS ARPA funds received by the New Jersey State Library.

The Access Navigators Program will establish a cohort of skilled trainers, who will rotate around New Jersey’s public libraries, to provide individualized assistance and group training to library customers, to mitigate identified gaps in their life skills. Applications for libraries who are interested in participating in the Access Navigators Program will be published on August 16, 2021. Please click here to read the press release about the Access Navigators Program.

Digital Equity For All Residents

The New Jersey Library Alliance is proposing that a $21 million grant program administered by the NJ State Library be established to support the development of a digitally inclusive state.  This program will give public libraries in every county of New Jersey the opportunity to receive funding to help their residents bridge the digital divide.

Learn more:

The New Jersey Library Alliance Statement: Digital Equity Final.pdf

Digital Equity For All New Jersey Residents Infographic: LLNJ TOPCATS Digital Divide Infographic.pdf

Bridging the Divide - Why Libraries: Bridging the Divide.pdf

WIFI Locator Map (Libraries): Wi-Fi Locator Map.pdf