Meet the Candidates

This is the most important time period in the history of librarianship. NJLA has demonstrated its vital leadership role, most recently, in being integral to the formation and passage of The Freedom to Read Act - establishing statewide protections for students, the general public and library workers alike. NJLA members are constantly supporting and improving the lives of patrons and each other across the state - through our daily work, passions and projects - driving all of us forward.My vision for NJLA is one of vitality and engagement throughout New Jersey as well as at the Federal level. The time has come to harness our great energy to increase awareness and funding for libraries here at home and to be an active presence at the Federal level - whether supporting continued IMLS funding, promoting the Freedom to Read, increasing budgets for library capital improvements and beyond. Meanwhile, we need to continue focusing on engaging and supporting our communities through difficult and trying times, while preparing our libraries for the future.It has been an honor to serve NJLA as a member and, then, chair of the Intellectual Freedom Subcommittee, a continuing member of the Public Policy Committee and, now, as a Member-at-Large on the Executive Board. Likewise, working with the ALA has been a meaningful way to serve librarianship at the national level including being a member of the Publishing Committee, Chair of the Information Technology Advisory Committee and, now, Co-Chair of the Artificial Intelligence Policy Working Group - crafting the first national policy on Artificial Intelligence from the American Library Association.  New Jersey is a leader in librarianship and NJLA is the shining flagship of our efforts. I, humbly, ask for your consideration and your vote for Vice President/President-Elect of the New Jersey Library Association. Thank you.

I am running for NJLA Vice President/President-Elect because I believe deeply in the power of New Jersey libraries to transform lives, strengthen communities, and lead with innovation. My career across multiple service sectors—restaurant, retail, television, and nearly a decade in libraries—has taught me that the most resilient organizations are those that empower people, embrace change, and invest in equity.
As Branch Manager for the Manville Branch of the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey, I have led teams through change management, special projects, and community-centered initiatives. Beyond my daily work, I am committed to developing library staff and emerging professionals. I serve as an active mentor through LibraryLinkNJ and the University of Alabama SLIS Mentor Program, helping to cultivate the next generation of library leaders. My statewide leadership experience includes serving in the 2024 Leadership Somerset cohort and co-leading a countywide project to install personal care pantries to support veterans, the working poor, and unhoused individuals. This work reflects my core belief that libraries are essential partners in building dignity, access, and well-being.
If elected, my priorities will include:

Strengthening the pipeline of library leadership and mentorship so that all library workers—regardless of role or pathway—feel supported and prepared to grow.

Advocating for sustainable funding and smart resource stewardship, ensuring that libraries can continue to innovate even under increasing budget pressures.

Championing statewide collaboration and shared services to reduce duplication, increase impact, and amplify local successes.

Advancing equity and community responsiveness, recognizing that New Jersey’s diverse populations deserve services shaped with them, not just for them.

NJLA is at a critical moment, balancing the need to protect intellectual freedom, support staff safety and well-being, and advocate fiercely for libraries amid growing challenges. I believe my experience in transformative management, coalition-building, and strategic problem-solving will help NJLA move forward with clarity, courage, and collective purpose.
Thank you for your consideration. I would be honored to serve and to help carry our association into its next chapter of growth and impact.

I believe deeply in the mission of the New Jersey Library Association to promote libraries, support everyone who works in them, advance library science through scholarships and professional development, and defend intellectual freedom. My career in librarianship has been guided by a belief that access to information is essential to equity, civic engagement, and strong communities.
I have spent more than three decades working in public libraries, building experience at institutions ranging from large urban systems to community-centered suburban libraries. My professional path has taken me from the New York Public Library to the San Francisco Public Library, and ultimately back to New Jersey, where I have had the privilege of serving the Maplewood community—twice. These experiences have shaped my understanding of how libraries can adapt, innovate, and lead during times of change.
As Library Director in Maplewood, I led a long-term, collaborative effort to transform an aging facility into a modern, inclusive, and sustainable library that serves as a true community hub. That work was strengthened by statewide advocacy efforts led by NJLA; as a direct result of that advocacy, the Maplewood Library received an $8.3 million state construction grant. This funding was instrumental in realizing the project and reinforced my belief in the power of collective advocacy and strong professional associations.
My commitment to NJLA is longstanding and active. I have served as Co-President of the NJLA Public Policy Committee, where I worked to advance legislative advocacy and amplify the collective voice of New Jersey’s libraries. I am also currently serving on the NJLA Sustainability Section, reflecting my belief that libraries must model environmental responsibility while planning for long-term community resilience.I have been deeply influenced by the role libraries play in moments of crisis and renewal, and by the responsibility library leaders have to protect intellectual freedom, welcome diverse perspectives, and ensure that all people feel seen and supported in our spaces.
As Vice President/President-Elect of NJLA, I would bring a collaborative leadership style, a strong advocacy voice, and a commitment to mentoring and supporting library workers at every stage of their careers. I believe NJLA is essential to the strength of New Jersey’s libraries, and I am eager to help advance its mission so that our libraries—and the people who power them—continue to thrive.

I started my journey as a patron who received life-changing resources during a trip to the library.  Since then I have worked for NJ libraries for 14 years in many different positions, from a temporary part time library assistant to an Adult Services Supervisor Librarian.

I am running for NJLA Vice President Elect because I love our libraries, believe in what we do and dedicate myself to championing libraries whenever possible.  I know libraries change lives and the people that work in them strengthen the impact we make.

My vision for NJLA focuses on representing and uplifting library staff in all positions from the various types of libraries in our great state. NJLA can help champion library staff to clarify and improve the image of libraries on a whole, which is especially important during a time when our staff and organizations are being portrayed in a negative light. Library staff are the backbone of our organizations, bringing our missions to life every day and deserve the support needed to continue this important work. The impact of this is two-fold – one, we bring awareness to the diversity of the work we do and two, we improve the day-to-day lives of library workers. 

Currently, I perceive one of our greatest challenges to be raising public awareness about the tremendous amount our libraries have to offer our communities. The resources and services available across the state’s libraries could be integral to our communities as the cost of living continues to increase, but we can only achieve this if they are properly informed.  We are also experiencing an increased number of patrons who come to the library fighting their own personal battles and library staff are on the front lines doing their best to assist every individual that comes through our doors, oftentimes without the proper support in place. Finally, due to negative media attention libraries have been receiving, the burden is put on library staff to combat this misinformation, especially when it comes to censorship and book banning.

I think my candidacy can make a positive difference because my strength lies in making connections. Through these connections we can bring NJLA together to celebrate the diversity of our work and staff to continue to move us forward into the future as a united front.

I am new to Bayonne. I have been a Librarian in Bayonne since February 2025 and am interested in professional development opportunities. I have been a Librarian for five years and have held a position in scheduling programs and in outreach. I enjoy interacting with the public and learning the best ways to help them.

I am an Adult Services and Reference Librarian at the Garfield Public Library and a recent graduate of the Rutgers Master of Information program, where I concentrated in archives and preservation. Following my career as an emergency first responder, I chose to pursue librarianship after the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to continue serving my community in a sustainable, meaningful way grounded in education, access, and care.I am a proud member of ALA and NJLA and currently serve on the NJLA Intellectual Freedom Committee. My professional values center on empathy, accessibility, intellectual freedom, diversity and representation, and the belief that libraries are essential spaces for community building and social justice.I am running for Secretary because I believe strong, transparent governance and clear communication are foundational to NJLA’s mission. As Secretary, I would prioritize accurate recordkeeping, accessibility of organizational information, and stewardship of NJLA’s institutional memory in support of informed decision-making and member engagement. My background in archives and preservation uniquely positions me to approach this role with care, organization, and a long-term perspective.NJLA faces ongoing challenges related to intellectual freedom, equity of access, and sustaining strong professional standards across all library types. I am committed to supporting the Association’s work in advancing librarianship statewide and ensuring that NJLA remains responsive, inclusive, and member-driven. I would be honored to contribute my skills, experience, and dedication to the Executive Board as Secretary.

I am running for NJLA Treasurer because I value strong, transparent finances, and I enjoy working with numbers. I have served as BCCLS Treasurer, Chair of NJLA Fundraising, and as NJLA Treasurer during the COVID pandemic, an experience that gave me a deep understanding of NJLA’s finances and operations.My vision for NJLA  is to be fiscally sound, forward thinking, and responsive to our members' needs. My priority is to make NJLA’s financials clear, transparent, and easy to understand for everyone. 

The last year and a half in my position as Ramapo College's first Digital Scholarship Librarian has proved to be a pivotal moment in the relationship between higher education and digital tools. At the onset of common Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage by students and faculty, I felt driven to include AI in all of our Information Literacy sessions. Most faculty have been supportive of this addition, as our segments are more about understanding how AI works to give users responses and less about how to use specific AI tools. I view AI though a pragmatic lens. I acknowledge it is simultaneously a powerful productivity engine, a source of unreliable, potentially dangerous information, and a questionable insertion into our current environmental issues. I truly believe AI is going to continue to be a hurdle libraries at all levels will need to work with and around, and I think that my position as a techno-realist will benefit any discussions I am a part of. Thank you for your consideration of my nomination.

I am running for Member-at-Large because I believe NJLA is essential to advancing strong, equitable libraries across New Jersey, and I want to contribute to that work at a statewide level. My priorities align with NJLA’s strategic focus on advocacy, professional development, and ensuring libraries remain trusted, well-resourced community institutions.

As libraries face challenges related to funding stability, workforce sustainability, intellectual freedom, and rapidly evolving community needs, NJLA’s role as a unified voice is more important than ever. I bring experience in public library leadership, operations, and community engagement, along with a collaborative and practical approach to problem-solving.

As a Board member, I would work to support NJLA’s mission, listen to members across library types, and help strengthen the association’s impact and relevance for the future.

Ceciley Binegar is an Adult Services Librarian with the Burlington County Library System (BCLS), based at the headquarters library in Westampton, New Jersey. She brings a multidisciplinary background in communications, law, publishing, and librarianship to her work, with a strong focus on equity, access, and community-centered programming. Ceciley earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Rowan University, later obtained a paralegal certificate, and worked in Philadelphia law offices and in academic publishing with W. B. Saunders Company (now Elsevier). She received her Juris Doctor from West Virginia University College of Law in 2001 and served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Robert L. Holland, Jr., followed by work as a paralegal and as Director of the Harrison County Child Advocacy Center.

Her passion for libraries emerged during seven years as a part-time Library Assistant at the Moorestown Library, inspiring her to pursue a Master of Library Science from Drexel University, from which she graduated in 2022. Prior to joining BCLS full time, Ceciley gained experience in adult services and academic reference, further strengthening her commitment to lifelong learning and information access for diverse audiences.

At BCLS, Ceciley has revitalized adult craft programming, contributed to adult summer reading and solar eclipse planning committees, and developed a Special Needs Enrichment Hour serving developmentally delayed adults. Her outreach work includes partnerships with the Burlington County Parks System and the Rutgers Extension Office, featuring stargazing programs, plant and seed swaps, and composting workshops. She is deeply engaged in professional service, currently serving as President of the New Jersey Library Association’s Library Workers of Color Section and as Vice President of the Diversity and Outreach Section. Her work is guided by a commitment to meeting people where they are—both inside and beyond library walls—with goals for 2026 that include expanding access to technology, supporting literacy initiatives, and connecting community members to vital resources related to food security, housing, and workforce development.

I am running for NJLA leadership because I believe our association plays a vital role in advocating for strong, well-resourced libraries and supporting library workers across New Jersey. With more than thirty years of experience and currently serving as Library Director of a three-branch public library system, I bring a practical, collaborative perspective grounded in administration, budgeting, strategic planning, and community engagement. My priorities for NJLA include sustainable funding advocacy, meaningful support for library staff navigating censorship challenges and rapid change, and a continued commitment to equity, access, and innovation. As our state libraries face fiscal pressures, staffing challenges, and evolving community expectations, I believe NJLA must remain both a strong statewide advocate and a responsive professional home for members at every career stage. Through my leadership within NJLA and my work guiding libraries through growth and reinvention, I am committed to thoughtful, transparent leadership and to helping NJLA remain inclusive, forward-looking, and impactful for the communities we serve.

I have been a member of NJLA and the New Jersey library community for over 20 years.  I want to give back to the organization and the people who support our professional development, provide advocacy resources, and most importantly, work to make the NJ library community an inclusive and collaborative place.  I hope to use my experience from public, school and academic libraries to strengthen ties between groups and to help NJLA to continue to successfully engage and support all library professionals.

I am seeking election as NJLA Member-at-Large to continue my commitment to service, collaboration, and advocacy within the New Jersey library community. I previously served as President of the New Jersey Academic Librarians (formerly College & University Section), and previously served as CUS Legislative Representative, Chair of the Marketing & Outreach Committee, and as a member of the NJLA Public Policy Committee. I currently serve as Chair of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Chapters Council and previously served as Vice-Chair, and on the Executive Board of the ACRL Public Policy & International Relations Section (PPIRS). I have led and supported collaborative initiatives across New Jersey, including Teaching Thursdays and the CUS/NJASL Librarian Panel Initiative during COVID. As Member-at-Large, I would bring a strong understanding of member needs, cross-organizational collaboration, and a commitment to strengthening engagement and communication across the organization.

Wen Gu is the Director of Gloucester City Library. She earned her MLIS from Rutgers University in 2007 and has since built a career in New Jersey libraries. In 2023 Wen served as President and Past President of NJLA Small Libraries Section. She has also served on the Board of SAIL (South Jersey Alliance of Independent Libraries) since 2022.

I have been a librarian and NJLA member for 19 years. I have worked with children and teens at the Nutley Public Library and later became director of the Clark Public Library. I have served on the Conference Committee, Member Services Committee, and Public Policy Committee, and am currently serving as Second VP on the NJLA Executive Board. The core of my belief in being a librarian is helping others. Service is at the heart of who I am, and I'm convinced that small actions can spark larger positive change when we work together as a library community. I would love to serve as your member-at-large on the Executive Board. I am a big proponent of transparency and democratic leadership. Thank you for considering my candidacy

Dr. Muhammad Hassan is a visionary leader with over 15 years of experience in higher education, dedicated to advancing equity, accessibility, and academic success. As the Associate Vice President and Chief Librarian at Kean University, Dr. Hassan has spearheaded innovative initiatives, including the adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER), enhanced accessibility services, and the integration of cutting-edge technology resources. These advancements include the establishment of a Visualization and Immersive Studio for research and education, providing transformative opportunities for the Kean community. Additionally, under his leadership, the number of physical books has significantly increased, and faculty support services have been expanded to enhance teaching and research.

Under Dr. Hassan’s leadership and through the dedicated efforts of the entire team, we have achieved national recognition, earning the Insight Into Diversity magazine 2025 Library Excellence in Access and Diversity (LEAD) Award, a testament to our commitment to fostering inclusive education and reducing equity gaps.

An advocate for lifelong learning and collaboration, Dr. Hassan with his team has transformed traditional library services into a 21st-century learning environment. Dr. Hassan is passionate about fostering partnerships and engaging communities to drive meaningful change.