SJRLC Connections

What's New and Exciting in ReferenceUSA?

2008-07-23T09:55:18-04:00

Bill Loges, from ReferenceUSA, will be in New Jersey to reintroduce the basics of ReferenceUSA and to tell us about some new databases that we will find useful. Sessions will be held on the following dates and locations:

August 19 at Clarence Dillon Public Library, Bedminster

August 20 at the NJ State Library, Trenton

August 21 at Atlantic County Library, Mays Landing

All sessions will be from 10 a.m. - 12 Noon.

The new databases Bill will introduce to us are:

New Business database:

More than 50,000 new businesses added each week. Use to research hot areas of economic development. These new businesses need a wide variety of goods and services.

New Homeowner database:

100,000 new homeowners added weekly. Locate individuals that have just purchased a home. You can research information to track the financial impact of new homeowners in an area.

New Movers:

300,000 added each week. Each year, 20 % of the nation's population moves to a new address. This new tool will allow you and your patrons to research this mobile population and pinpoint growing areas for all types of business needs.

These new services provided through ReferenceUSA, have been a popular niche market for years and ReferemceUSA staff are pleased to now make it available to the Librarians and patrons of NJ.

To register for one of these important sessions, go to:

https://secure.thriva.com/Reg/Form.aspx?IDTD=1607587 &IDRPH=1659115

If you have any questions, please contact Scherelene Schatz, 609-278-2640, Ext. 158.

Novelist Plus database available statewide effective July 15, 2008

2008-07-15T11:18:41-04:00

From Norma Blake, NJ State Librarian and Kathleen Moeller-Peiffer, Associate State Librarian for Library Development-

The New Jersey State Library is pleased to announce that effective July 15, 2008 Novelist Plus and Novelist Plus K-8 will be available statewide via the Jersey Clicks search engine.

The newly released Novelist Plus products have added non-fiction readers' advisory to their already comprehensive fiction database. Novelist K-8 Plus provides access to over 17,000 nonfiction titles designed to support the curriculum and pleasure reading, while Novelist Plus has been expanded to over 200,000 fiction and non-fiction reviews. Add to that the book discussion guides, searchable award lists and recommended reading lists and you can quickly see the value of directing your customers to books they want to read quickly and with confidence.

New Jersey is pleased to be one of the first states (along with Pennsylvania and West Virginia) to license this product for our library staff and customers. Promotional materials and training will be coordinated with Ebsco by Scherelene Schatz, Jersey Clicks program manager, in partnership with our Regional Library Cooperatives-details will be available later this summer.

NOTE: N.J.A.C. 15:21-6 (b) 3 states libraries shall provide a library webpage with links to databases offered by the State and regional library cooperatives. Those libraries that wish to breakout individual databases and not use the Jersey Clicks icon may do so; however, they are still required to acknowledge that the database(s) are provided through the State Library.

Digital TV transition-help for libraries and their customers

2008-07-15T11:08:30-04:00

News from Kathleen Moeller-Peiffer, MSLS
Associate State Librarian for Library Development , New Jersey State Library

As the deadline for switching to an all digital television system comes closer (February 17, 2009), ALA and Radio Shack have partnered to educate library customers nationwide about the DTV Transition. Through this partnership, RadioShack's 4,500 company stores and many of the 1,000-plus participating franchise stores will offer knowledgeable team members to 16,000 public libraries to host educational sessions for library customers at no cost to the sponsoring library.

For information on applying to host one of these sessions at your library, as well as to access posters and discount coupons to purchase converter boxes, go to: http://www.ala.org/ala/washoff/woissues/techinttele/dtv/dtv.cfm.

New Jersey Knowledge Initative (NJKI) Update

2008-07-09T17:08:32-04:00

From Norma Blake, NJ State Librarian, and Kathleen Moeller-Peiffer, Associate State Librarian for Library Development

In the final state budget for FY2009 signed by Governor Corzine, the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative was kept at the FY2008 $2 million level. While this amount will not allow the State Library to replicate the original NJKI project, we will be able to continue our most used and valued databases (as indicated by usage statistics and customer testimonials). Effective July 15, 2008, the following databases will be resumed-

Frost and Sullivan market research reports: This database will be available via the NJKI web site ( www.njki.org) for our NJKI businesses only.

RefUSA: This resource will be available statewide via the Jersey Clicks site ( www.jerseyclicks.org) and will be expanded to include their New Business database, which offers information on companies that have just recently opened or are planning on opening, as well as the New Home Owner and New Mover database, providing information on people that have recently acquired a new home, and people or businesses that have recently moved. Promotional materials and training will be coordinated with RefUSA by Scherelene Schatz, Jersey Clicks program manager-details will be available later this summer. NOTE: N.J.A.C. 15:21-6 (b) 3 states libraries shall "provide a library webpage with links to databases offered by the State and regional library cooperative". Those libraries that wish to breakout individual databases and not use the Jersey Click icon may do so; however, they are still required to acknowledge that the database(s) are provided through the State Library and, in this case, the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative.

Academic Search Premier: This set of databases is set to be funded through NJKI for VALE libraries only. However, due to the need for further conversations with this user group, access will be delayed past the planned July 15 go-live date.

In order to address the interests of our funders, the priorities for NJKI '09 will be remote accessibility to databases most needed by small businesses. The State Library will be forming a new NJKI Task Force in the near future to assist the State Librarian and Library Development Bureau staff in determining databases that best meet these parameters.

CUSTOMER SERVICE FUNDAMENTALS

2008-07-09T13:45:36-04:00

South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative presents:
CUSTOMER SERVICE FUNDAMENTALS
led by Luisa Pasteur, Princeton University Staff Development Librarian

COMPLETE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION FORM:
http://www.sjrlc.org/spice/2008_06/customerservic e.pdf

WHEN: Wednesday, July 30, 9:30 am -3:30 pm (coffee 9:00am)
WHERE: MOUNT LAUREL LIBRARY, 100 Walt Whitman Avenue, Mount Laurel 08054
COST: $40 (Oh yes, LUNCH is INCLUDED)
Directions: http://www.mtlaurel.lib.nj.us/about/directions.htm

DESCRIPTION:

Your daily interactions with customers are are the lifeblood of the library!

In this workshop, we will discuss five key principles of communication and how they relate to staff/patron interactions, and we will define customer service and the behaviors that boost it from good to exceptional.

In a variety of fun activities, participants will practice: handling difficult situations, using four practical steps for saying "no", active listening, and overcoming defensiveness. In addition to supporting individual service skills, we will discuss how managers can promote good service throughout the library by creating an institutional service attitude and ethic.

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

Describe good customer service
Apply behaviors that ensure good service
Apply strategies for coping with difficult situations
Promote customer service to your staff
Identify good organizational customer service practices

---Earn 6 Professional Development Hours for attending this program ---

COMPLETE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION FORM: http://www.sjrlc.org/spice/2008_06/customerservic e.pdf

Basic JerseyCat Webinar Trainings

2008-07-08T15:34:09-04:00

Do you have new interlibrary loan staff members in your library?

The New Jersey State Library will offer Basic JerseyCat training webinars during the month of July. The first of these will cover searching the catalogs that are part of JerseyCat. The second of these will cover the JerseyCat interlibrary loan process.

Please use the links below to register for your sessions. It is best to attend the searching session before attending the workflow session.

July 22 - Searching via JerseyCat

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/942941287

July 24 - JerseyCat Basic Interlibrary Loan Workflow

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/476242278

July 29 - Searching via JerseyCat

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/595440809

July 31 - JerseyCat Basic Interlibrary Loan Workflow

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/144797084

If you have any questions, please contact Scherelene Schatz, 609-278-2640, Extension 158 or e-mail sschatz@njstatelib.org

Thank you.

Scherelene

Super Library Supervisor Fall Series Two Open for Registration

2008-07-08T14:27:45-04:00

Once again, the New Jersey Library Network is sponsoring the popular workshop series: "Super Supervisor - Series Two: Supervising Others"

Series Two includes five full-day workshops.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Limited to library staff who attended "Super Library Supervisors Series One: Stepping Up to Supervisor"

LOCATION: Rahway Public Library, Rahway, NJ.

COST: $250 Per Participant (includes lunch and materials for all five sessions)

DATES:

Thurs., Sept. 18, 9:30 am-3:30 pm - Working Together Effectively
Thurs., Oct. 2, 9:30 am-3:30 pm - Customer Service from Supervisor's Point of View
Thurs., Oct. 16, 9:30 am-3:30 pm - Managing in All Directions
Thurs., Oct. 30, 9:30 am-3:30 pm - Managing Diversity
Thurs., Nov. 13, 9:30 am-3:30 pm - Stress Management & Walking the Talk

Deadline for registration is August 29, 2008.

To register, first call the Highlands Regional Library Cooperative at 973-664-1776 to secure your place and then send in your registration form. Places fill quickly. Share this message with colleagues and DO NOT wait to register.

A copy of the flyer with the registration form can be found at: http://www.hrlc.org/sls/sls2-fall08.pdf

General information on the program can be found at: http://www.hrlc.org/sls/sls.htm

Salvage Techniques for Water-Damaged Collections

2008-07-03T13:13:44-04:00

Thanks to Michele, Stricker, New Jersey State Library, Library Development Bureau for this information:

Did you know that the most common disaster in New Jersey is flooding? Hurricanes, tropical storms, nor-easters, as well as winter snow melt and ice blockages lead to a major disaster in New Jersey at least once a year.

In response to the flooding in the Midwest, Heritage Preservation, the leading national, nonprofit advocate for the proper care of historical objects and sites, has released a free, online video guide to coping with water damage.

This 10-minute streaming video segment from the award-winning Field Guide to Emergency Response provides professional advice to help libraries, museums, and archives salvage damaged collections. You will find straightforward advice and practical tips on safety, simple equipment, and salvage priorities to help get you started on the rescue of photographs, books, documents, and other valued items.

Watch the video at: www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/WaterSegmentFG.HTM

To learn more about Heritage Preservation visit: www.heritagepreservation.org

Status of the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative

2008-06-25T10:44:31-04:00

Update on the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative from:

Norma Blake, State Librarian and Kathleen Moeller-Peiffer, Associate State Librarian for Library Development

The New Jersey State Library has been closely following the progress of the FY09 State budget, as we are sure many of you have been as well. We were hopeful that a budget would be passed and signed by the Governor in mid-June. However, as of today (June 25) the Governor has not signed the budget, so our ability to proceed with NJKI vendor contracts for the budget year beginning July 1, 2008 is hampered.

State Library staff have received assurances from Ebsco and InfoUSA representatives that those libraries who subscribed to their products (Academic Search Premier and RefUSA) for the four month interim period of March 1-June 30 will have those subscription periods extended for an additional two weeks, ending now on July 15, 2008. We are hopeful that this will allow us the time that we need to negotiate new contracts and return to a more comprehensive access to the information available through these databases.

We look forward to resuming the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative program and working with our partners to make it as useful and valuable as possible to New Jersey businesses.

Grants available

2008-06-24T16:20:03-04:00

Posted on behalf of Norma Blake, State Librarian. Reply to Kathleen Moeller-Peiffer, Associate State Librarian for Library Development

1. Literacy grants-

Thanks to the generosity of Verizon customers who participated in the company's Check Into Literacy program, nonprofit literacy organizations in New Jersey are now eligible to receive a total of $325,000 in grants.

The Check Into Literacy initiative allows Verizon landline phone customers to make a convenient $1-a-month, tax-deductible donation to support literacy programs when customers pay their Verizon bill. Grant awards will range from $1,000 to $25,000. Since the program began in New Jersey in 2000, nearly $1 million has been collected for the Check Into Literacy program.

Eligible nonprofit organizations in the state can submit proposals via e-mail. More information about the grants, including application instructions and forms, can be found at www.verizonnj.com.

Questions? Contact Kathi at kpeiffer@njstatelib.org. 2. Youth garden grants-

National Gardening Association is delighted to announce that The Home Depot will return as our Youth Garden Grants sponsor for 2009. During its long history, the Youth Garden Grants program has helped more than 1.3 million youngsters reap rewards and vital life lessons from working in gardens and habitats. Thanks to the generosity of The Home Depot, we can reach many more eager young learners.

Program Criteria -

NGA awards Youth Garden Grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. In evaluating grant applications, priority will be given to programs that emphasize one or more of these elements:

educational focus or curricular/program integration nutrition or plant-to-food connections environmental awareness/education entrepreneurship social aspects of gardening such as leadership development, team building, community support, or service-learning.

Who should apply: Schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities, and intergenerational groups throughout the United States are eligible. Applicants must plan to garden with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18 years.

Application deadline (postmark date): November 1, 2008.

For more information: http://www.kidsgardening.org/YGG.asp.

3. Health literacy grants-

The Middle Atlantic Region (MAR) of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) announces the availability of awards that support access to health information for libraries, consumers, health professionals and in particular reaching underserved populations; enhance the capacity of libraries to share resources, strengthen network member librarians' skills in the use of NLM databases and increase the visibility of the NN/LM and NLM products and services.

Awards are for network members to conduct or obtain training, host conferences, purchase or upgrade technology and conduct outreach that raises the awareness of health information resources available to health professionals, consumers and librarians.

Details on their newest program on health literacy for health sciences and public libraries is available at: http://nnlm.gov/mar/funding/healthlitnew.html. The application deadline is September 1, 2008.