NJLA Organizational Update, July 2024

NJLA Organizational Update: July 2024

Dear NJLA Members,

NJLA’s Executive Board met on Tuesday, July 16. Here are some of the highlights.

This was Jeff Cupo’s first meeting as President, John Wallace’s first meeting as Vice President/President-elect, and Heather Kristian’s first meeting as Second Vice President. Carina Gonzalez is Immediate Past President, and Allan Kleiman was re-elected as Treasurer and Rosy Wagner was re-elected as Secretary. The new Executive Board members are Tanya Finney Estrada, Eleni Glykis, and Maryjean Riou, and Corey Fleming was re-elected. Congratulations and thank you to all new, returning, and immediate past NJLA Executive Board members.
NJLA's 2024-28 Strategic Plan was approved by the Executive Board, culminating a nine-month process NJLA’s new mission statement is, “Developing library workers, uniting the library community,” and NJLA’s new Core Values are:

Professional Development
Transparency
Member Engagement and Collaboration
Sustainability
Advocacy
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
Unite All Library Workers and Advocates
Joy and Community

The New Jersey legislative session ended on a positive note for the two initiatives that NJLA championed. In a difficult budget year, Library Network Aid, which was originally budgeted for a 20% cut, was restored to last year's level and allocated an additional $200,000 for 2024-25. Everyone in New Jersey benefits from a strong State Library and LibraryLinkNJ. Our thanks to Senator Greenstein and Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson for sponsoring these budget amendments.
On June 28, the New Jersey Assembly passed A3446, the Freedom to Read Act, sponsored by Mitchelle Drulis, Shavonda E. Sumter, and Herb Conaway, Jr., with 15 co-sponsors. We expect the Senate to pass its version of the bill, S2421, when it reconvenes in the fall.
These legislative successes would not have happened without a strong NJLA membership, library advocates and partners across New Jersey, and strong leadership from NJLA's Executive Board and its Public Policy and Intellectual Freedom Committees, along with expertise and dedication from our colleagues at Porzio Governmental Affairs. Thank you!
Jeff Cupo launched the Unsung Libraries Initiative in mid-June and the response has been overwhelming. Many New Jersey libraries have overcome huge challenges, and continue to provide great service to their communities. Jeff's first visit is with Atlantic Cape Community College, and will visit Bound Brook Memorial Library’s Digital Van in August.
The NJLA Task Forces for 2024-25 are Apprenticeship and Certifications, Equity and Mentorship, Mini-Grants, Performance Measurement, Permanent Construction, and Statistics and Data. NJLA Committees and Sections are posted on the NJLA website.
NJLA’s Executive Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with LibraryLinkNJ for NJLA’s share of the fees for consultant Ozy Aloziem, who is leading the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Framework for New Jersey Libraries Project. The consultant will lead assessments, review the current project framework, develop training modules, and analyze statewide assessment surveys.