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NJLA Organizational Update: November 2024

NJLA Organizational Update: November 2024

NJLA’s Executive Board met on Tuesday, November 19. Here are some of the highlights:

At the New Jersey State Capitol after the Senate approved Freedom to Read

  • The New Jersey Senate passed the Freedom to Read Act with bipartisan sponsorship and support. Senator Andrew Zwicker, NJLA’s partner throughout the process, invited retired school librarian, Martha Hickson, to press the “yea” button on his behalf. It awaits Governor Murphy’s signature. For more information, see Spotlight Review: NJ moves to defend against book bans.

  • President Jeff Cupo

    • Attended the Diversity & Outreach /Library Workers of Color Unconference, where he presented, and also led a pay equity discussion group. 

    • Attended the Adult Services Forum.

    • Visited the fourth, fifth, and sixth Unsung Libraries: Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library in Ho-Ho-Kus, Collingswood, and Long Hill.

    • Joined NJLA Executive Director, Brett Bonfield, for the first meeting of the renewed Federation of Library Organizations. The second meeting took place on November 18.

  • Ralph Bingham, LibraryLinkNJ (LLNJ) Executive Director, organized a meeting with Kyle Courntney. In 2025, LLNJ and NJLA will partner to create a Copyright First Responders cohort in New Jersey.

  • NJLA Associate Director, Katy White, helped three new Sections with leadership:

Section

President

Vice President

Secretary

Marketing and PR

James Fahey, Plainsboro

Joshua Melissari, Linden

Kristin Bilson, Collingswood

Social Work

David Perez, Long Branch

Emily Dalton, Hoboken

Morris Balacco, Fort Lee

Circulation and Access Services

Jenna Ingham, Verona

Jaclyn Harmon, Cherry Hill

Jacquelyn Oshman, New Brunswick

 

  • NJLA had a test preview of its partnership with Amazon Prime for Business on November 15, and introduced the service on November 25. All NJLA Enhanced Institutional Members receive free membership in Amazon Prime for Business. For more information contact Associate Director Katy White at [email protected].

NJLA Executive Director, Brett Bonfield, collaborated with Tiffany McClary (NJ State Library) to develop the Media Training 101 Guidebook.