NJLA Action Alert

Please immediately visit the updated NJLA Capwiz site. You and your library customers can send a message to the Governor and your State Senate and Assembly representatives asking them to restore library funding and oppose A2555.

Go to: http://capwiz.com/ala/nj/home/

Share this link with fellow employees, patrons, family and friends!

NJLA Advocacy Response

Make no mistake, if the current proposals affecting state and local library funding pass, NJ libraries will have to close their doors.

Gov. Christie’s budget calls for a 74% decrease in funding for statewide library services. This cut includes the elimination of all statewide library programs and services.

• 250 of the state's 302 libraries will lose access to the Internet on July 1st
• 130 libraries will lose email service July 1st
• 124 libraries will lose their websites or access to them July 1st
• Statewide interlibrary loan and delivery of library materials will cease on July 1st
• The Talking Book and Braille Center (known as the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped) will close on July 1st
• NJ resident’s access to electronic databases such as RefUSA and EBSCO will cease on July 1st
• Group contracts which bring down the cost of other electronic resources purchased by libraries will cease on July 1st
• In addition, libraries will lose $3 million in state aid

At the same time the state is eliminating funding for library programs. Assemblyman John DiMaio has introduced A2555 which eliminates the minimum local funding requirement for municipal public libraries.

This assault on libraries must be stopped! Here is what you need to know:

• 170,000 people enter a NJ library every day
• The library programs eliminated from the Governor's budget represent little more than $1 per capita in state funds. And since library programs have been flat funded for 20 years it is hard to believe these programs have caused the state’s current fiscal crisis.
• Local library funding targeted in A2555 typically represents less than 3% of local property taxes.

What can you do?

• Become a Library Champion at http://www.ilovenjlibraries.org/
• Join the Facebook group Save NJ Libraries: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=379646862196&ref=mf

Watch Capwiz for our call to send a message to your Senator and Assembly representatives opposing the elimination of statewide library programs and A2555. http://capwiz.com/ala/nj/home/

Get Trustee Boards, Town Councils, County Library Commissioners, Friends groups, community organizations and School Boards to pass resolutions in opposition to these cuts (schools rely on these databases too - and the cuts to school libraries are already going to be bad).

NOTE: Apologies - it seems we were premature with this posting and some details are wrong. We hope to have it updated soon!

We Need Your Help Gathering Stories

Help us as we build our case! We need stories from your patrons about how they use libraries and how much they mean to them. Particularly we are looking for stories that document in human terms how patrons are using the library to search for jobs, interact with government and/or support small businesses. Please encourage patrons to tell their stories NOW at http://web.mac.com/ndowd/iWeb/solvinglifesproblems/Tell%20Us%20Your%20Story.html

Thank you!

Eileen M. Palmer
Executive Director
Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium
1030 St. Georges Ave., Ste. 203
Avenel, NJ 07001
(732) 750-2525
empalmer@lmxac.org

Get the Word Out

As NJLA prepares its response to the drastic cuts to statewide library programs proposed by Gov. Christie, and a renewed attack on the minimum library funding represented by A2555, please take a moment to join one or both of the following initiatives:

1. Save NJ Libraries Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=379646862196&ref=mf

2. NJ Library Champions: http://www.ilovenjlibraries.org/

Please reach out to Friends, Boards and patrons to become part of these initiatives so that we can get the word out as quickly as possible in the coming days.

Library Cuts in 2011 Budget - Important!

Yesterday we became aware through Treasury budget documents that it is proposed that Thomas Edison State College and the New Jersey State Library will be merged with the New Jersey State Museum and governed by Rutgers University starting July 1, 2010.

In addition:

• Libraries lost $1.449 million (all) of NJKI (databases including RefUSA, Business Source Premiere, and Academic Search Premiere).
• $4.299 million (all) in Network Aid (including Regions and Statewide Services, such as delivery, databases, interlibrary loan and continuing education.
• $1.170 million (all) in virtual aid (databases and the public library JerseyConnect Technology System.)
• $3.5 million in Per Capita State Aid (leaving $3.676 million)
• Libraries have lost 74% in library program funding from the FY 2010 appropriation which is unprecedented and disproportionate to other Departments’ losses.

If these cuts remain once the budget is passed in June, an unintended consequence would be the loss of $4.5 million in federal funds. Also, if the cut to JerseyConnect is maintained, the State Library cannot accept the $7.5 million Broadband funds if awarded by NJIA.

The State Library is talking to the New Jersey Library Association about our concerns regarding the loss of federal money and services to libraries like delivery, databases, interlibrary loan, Per Capita State Aid and JerseyConnect.

We will communicate again with you as soon as we know what action is needed.

Heritage Quest Update for Public Libraries

FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES - News from Kathi Peiffer regarding Heritage Quest discount for public libraries

In collaboration with the RLC directors, the NJ State Library staff has negotiated the following offering for those public libraries that wish to subscribe to Heritage Quest:

In consideration of financial support from NJSL, Heritage Quest will be available to all NJ public libraries, regardless of the size of the population served, at 25% off list price. This applies to all public libraries that have subscribed since Jan. 1, 2010, as well as any that subscribe prior to March 31, 2010. In addition, the one year subscription price will cover service through June 30, 2011.

For libraries with a population served under 50,000, the 25% discount will be based upon Heritage Quest's list price of $753. For libraries serving a population over 50,000 there is no stock list price; the price will vary based upon the population served, but will still be discounted by 25%.

ProQuest contact information for this special offer is:

Mike Chmelewski; (610) 696-2404; mike.chmelewski@proquest.com

Ari Shanok; (800) 521-0600, ext. 7216; ari.shanok@proquest.com

The State Library appreciates the willingness of ProQuest to adjust their price structure during this difficult economic period, and we hope that this discount level will allow many more public libraries to re-establish this service for their members.

Kathi Peiffer,Associate State Librarian for Library Development New Jersey State Library

NJ Center for the Book Program & Registration for June 10, 2010 Symposium

Posted on behalf of NJ Center for the Book:

Registration is open for the Third New Jersey Center for the Book Symposium - June 10, 2010!

The New Jersey Center for the Book and the Princeton University Library present The Fluid Dynamic of Information Literacy: Harnessing the Challenge. This full-day symposium will be held at the Peter B. Lewis Library, Princeton University, Washington Road and Ivy Lane, Princeton, NJ.

Complete program with details of the workshops and online registration available at: http://www.njcenterforthebook.org/

Cost: $55.00 - All inclusive: Day's Registration, Continental Breakfast, Lunch Buffet, Parking and Tours of the Lewis, Mudd and Cotsen Libraries.

All registrants eligible for a drawing to win a Kindle, a laptop computer and other door prizes.

Register early to assure attendance as seating is limited.

4 Professional Development Hours awarded at the conclusion of day

NEH Preservation Assistance Grants

The U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities and the Division of Preservation and Access announce the 2010 deadline for Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions. These grants help small and mid-sized institutions, such as libraries, museums, historical societies, archival repositories, town and county records offices, and colleges and universities, improve their ability to preserve and care for their humanities collections. Awards of up to $6000 support preservation related collection assessments, consultations, training and workshops, and institutional and collaborative disaster and emergency planning. Grants cover consultant fees, workshop registration fees, related travel and per diem expenses, and the costs of purchasing and shipping preservation supplies and equipment.

U.S. nonprofit organizations are eligible, as are U.S. state and local governmental agencies and tribal governments. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

All applications to the NEH must be submitted through Grants.gov.
See the application guidelines for details.

The 2010 guidelines for Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions are available at

URL: http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/pag.html

You will also find sample project descriptions, sample narratives, and a list of frequently asked questions. The deadline for applications is May 18, 2010.

Small and mid-sized institutions that have never received an NEH grant are especially encouraged to apply.

Michele Stricker, Deputy Director
Library Development Bureau
New Jersey State Library
PO Box 520
Trenton, NJ 08625-0520
609-278-2640 Ext.164
609-278-2650 Fax
mstricker@njstatelib.org

HRLC 800 Phone Number Service Ended

The HRLC toll free 800 phone service ended Feb. 1st. Please notify all library staff members that 1-800-638-4752 is no longer available and all calls should be made to the regular number at 973-664-1776.

This is one of a number of cost cutting measures taking place due to budget cuts.

Updating Your E-mail Address for the HRLC Listserv and Reading Archived Messages

Did you know you have the ability to update your email address for the HRLC listserv?

If your email address has changed, then go to http://email.sparklist.com/scripts/lyris.pl?enter=hrlc-listserv to update your settings for the HRLC Listserv.

Screen One: Enter the email address you are currently subscribed with and the password you created when you signed up (or leave the password field blank if you did not create one).

Screen Two: Press the "Your Settings" button to update your email address and/or password.

You can also read archives of past messages and even do a search. On Screen Two (above), instead of pressing "Your Settings", press "Read Messages"

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Regional Office.