NJLA YA Services Meeting
November 5, 2010
South Brunswick Public Library
Members present: Kate Vasilik, Pat Vasilik, Saleena Davidson, Colleen Affrime, Kathleen Gruver, Mary Ecklund, Ellie Strbo, Emily Chornomaz, Lynn Mazur, Chrissie McGovern, Camille Thompson, Sue Grotyohann, Sandi Cronce, Sophie Brookover, Christina Roest, Rose Schulman, Mary Piekarski, Samantha Marker, Sandy Hall, Michelle Petrasek, Carolyn Aversano, Jen Servello, Laura Leonard, Kimberly Paone, Ann-Marie Aymer, Fran Housten
Updated from around the state:
Sharon Rawlins reported via email:
- Author Cynthia Leitch Smith will be in NJ with her publisher promoting her newest YA book Blessed in Feb. She has a few parts of a few days that she’s available to visit libraries. She has a little time on Tues, Feb. 8th in the early morning (maybe meet in a school library) or in the later afternoon if it’s close to Somerville that day as well. She has to be at Rutgers that evening by 6 pm. She’s also available Thurs. Feb. 10for most of the day and Sat. Feb. 12th during the day if it’s in south jersey close to Cherry Hill. She will be driving down from Larchmont NY to NJ.
Her visits will be free since her appearances in NJ are being sponsored by her publisher (Random House) but she hopes that libraries can sell her books. If you are interested in having her come, contact Sharon at nd she’ll act as go between with her publisher’s rep.
- Teen Video Challenge
The Collaborative Summer Library Program Exec. Board is proposing that all states participate in the Teen Video challenge that would allow teens ages 13 – 18 to create a video to be judged to serve as the official CSLP sanctioned summer reading teen video. The purpose would be to allow teens to make the videos that encourage use of their public libraries and promote reading all summer long. There will be one winning video drawn from each CSLP member state.
The winning video selections are due by March 31, 2011. Members of the statewide summer reading committee would act as judges of the videos for our state; the video’s creator or creative team will then receive an award of $250 and an award certificate from CSLP. Additionally, the library named on the Entry Form will also receive $100 and a certificate from CSLP. Each state’s winning video will be uploaded to the CSLP “You Are Here” Teen Video Challenge 2011 Winner’s Page for member state and public libraries to access.
The video has to promote the CSLP Teen Theme for 2011 of “You Are Here” and promote reading and libraries. All entries have to have release forms and music used must be the CSLP “You Are Here” theme or in the public domain and all artwork must be created by the entrant.
Although this doesn’t sound that hard, the librarians will be responsible for making sure that the teens adhere to the rules and make sure they submit a model release form for each team member and make sure each person shown in the video is accompanied by an entry form. The deadline of March 31sth doesn’t give the teens a lot of time either.
Saleena Davidson expressed interest in submitting a video. Following the group consensus that there might only be maybe 3-5 submissions from the state, Laura Leonard suggested that the committee make the decision based on that number. Ultimately it will be theSummer Reading Committee that will have to put the work into the challenge.
Sharon Rawlins continued to report via email:
- Summer Reading Statistics
Sharon has received statistics from most of the public libraries but some libraries only answered the Survey Monkey questionnaire that only asked about programs and program attendance. Sharon asked everyone to e-mail me directly with the rest of the statistics: # registered children/teens/adults; # who actually participated of children/teens/adults; # of books (hours, mins) read by children/teens/adults.
Sharon will try to call libraries that she didn’t receive all statistics from but if anyone only remembers filling out the survey, please just e-mail her the rest at .
The deadline for Sharon to compile all the statistics is Nov. 12. FYI, we will be using Evanced again next year. Librarians from libraries that successfully implemented the program in their libraries will be offering trainings for other librariansSharon is hoping to start scheduling them early in 2011 (Feb.).
- Summer Reading Manuals
They were shipped to the State Library but I need assistance in packing them to go out so they won’t go out until at least Nov. 15th. The first incentives order from Upstart is due Dec. 1 for Mar. 1 delivery. The catalogs from Upstart will be sent to all libraries with the manuals. If you want to order incentives before receiving the print catalog you can go to the CSLP website ( and order them by clicking on the order link. To access that page you do have to join the website by selecting a name and a password.
- Summer Reading Committee
The summer reading committee did meet last Friday, Oct. 29. The committee is very small this year. If you are interested in volunteering to join us, please do! We discussed having less summer reading workshops in larger libraries that can accommodate more people and incorporating ideas from the manuals in the workshops to get people to use the manuals.
- Youth Services Forum
There were 92 attendees at the ½ day Forum. The preschool programming on a budget program had to be cancelled due to a death in the presenter’s family but Liz Burns was kind enough to step in and fill in with a program on children’s blogs. All the programs were well received. Evaluations were split about 50 -50 about whether to continue to have a ½ session or go back to a full day session.
- Sharon still hasn’t finalized the application for libraries to apply for books weeded from the State Library’s Book Selection Room. It is being worked on and should be sent out soon.
- The Books for Kids committee met to pack up the posters and instructions for collecting books. They send out packets to all libraries. If you want an extra one Sharon has more as does Carol Levine at Somerset County Library. The materials will also be posted on the NJLA website soon.
CSS (Children’s Services Section)
Jen Servello reported that the last CSS meeting was focused mainly on program proposals for the NJLA conference. She is not certain exactly what proposals CSS has submitted.
NJ State Library Talking Book and Braille Center
Jen Servello reported that the center has a new phone number: 1-800-792-8232.
The Gala for Library Champions is November 19 and will be held at Hamilton Manor.
The Outspoken Library kiosk program is doing very well. There are still kiosks available. Email Assistant Director Maria Baratta at if you are interested. There are about 300 books on a kiosk. There are several YA and Children’s books available, but not too many readers and other short stories are available on cartridge. There is a flash drive to be loaned if users cannot download materials themselves. The application for membership to the Talking Book and Braille Center is on their website. Magazines are also available on the special device. Magazines are archived for up to two years.
Samantha Marker reported that the kiosk installed in Mount Laurel is up and running and they love it. The kiosk, which consists for now of simply a computer, is a big success.
NJLA Executive Board
Pat Vasilik reported that NJLA Executive Board had a meeting the 3rd week of October. There is talk of restructuring and creating 2 new sections: The Reader’s Advisory Section and the Diversity Section. The RA Section would merge One Book New Jersey, the Reader’s Advisory Roundtable, and the National Reading Group Month Task Force. The Diversity Section would focus on bookmobiles, LGBTQ and special populations.
The Exec Board requested that procedure be followed and a petition be filed with at least 25 signatures supporting the restructuring.
Peter Pearson will be doing a free fundraising plan for NJLA.
The Intellectual Freedom Committee prepared a statement in responses to Revolutionary Voices being taken off the shelf in Burlington County Public Library and in the high school. It was sent back to the Committee to edit. The High School had followed a procedure before removing the book, but the Public Library did not. The Executive Board felt the lack of a procedure was an entirely different issue. They are requesting two statements: one on general policy and one that specifically addresses libraries who don’t follow their own rules.
Pat Vasilik also reported that Rutgers University hired three new LIS Professors, including author Marc Aronson.
Member Updates
Saleena Davidson congratulated five New Jersey “Star” libraries according to Library Journal. The libraries awarded this honor are Ocean County, Somerset County, Princeton, Bernardsville, Avalon, and Mercer County.
Carolyn Aversano reported that the Publications SubComittee is reviewing what’s on the NJLA wiki versus the NJLA website. They are developing guidelines.
2011 NJLA Conference
Saleena Davidson reported that the following proposals are wrapped up and awaiting approval:
- Diana Tixier Herald pre-con and regular program
- Teen Tales with Keri Mikulski
- Reader’s Advisory to Gamers
- Best Fiction for Young Adults
The Teen Author Panel will most likely be Wednesday double session and is pending. Potential authors are David Levithan, Eireann Corrigan, and Susane Colasanti.
The Special Needs Program is coming along. The Bordentown Library has done family programming for all ages.
The Censorship Program will be co-sponsored by the Intellectual Freedom Committee. Revolutionary Voices will be there, as will Grayson Barber to speak on legal issues. The Racocas Valley HS Librarian will speak as well. Kimberly Paone suggested that David Levithan should be the moderator, as long as the Author Panel and Censorship program are on the same day.
Bullying will be a double session. Dr Greene from njbullying.org will come and speak on cyber bullying and bullying in general. Joe Fanning will speak specifically about bullying of LGBTQ.
That makes a total of 8 programs being proposed, and two are double sessions.
Once the proposals are approved, the Conference Committee will organize moderators. Beginning with the planning for the 2012 Conference, the Section Conference Committee will be utilized to a greater extent. Thanks to Camille Thompson, Sandy Hall, and Samantha Marker for their help so far with the planning of the 2011 Conference on behalf of the Section.
GSTBA Garden State Teen Book Awards
Sandi Cronce reported that the assignments have been sent out. There is a reader feedback form online on the wiki under GSTBA if you are not able to attend deliberations. Please send it or a detailed email to a member of the Board or Section if you are a reader and cannot attend.
GSTBA FAQ (note: dates on this file are not updated for 2010-2011), Reader Feedback Form, and Book Review Code can all be found here:
If a book you are assigned to read is hard to find, use ILL or post to the listserv for a swap. Please also use the listserv to publicize a great book that you read.
There are more books and more readers. There should be a minimum of five people reading every book. Everyone can sit in on the deliberations but only assigned readers can vote.
A discussion of adjusting the Nonfiction GSTBA nominees by grade level took place over the listserv.
Kim Paone suggested to add grade level to the book blurb but not to separate books by grade level. Most people seemed to agree with this recommendation.
On-Going Business
INFOLINK
Sophie Brookover reported that INFOLINK is now the statewide library cooperative. ILL delivery will remain the same for the rest of the year.
There is a transitional board coming up with new by-laws and a strategic plan. You can find the representatives who make up the board at
The listserv will soon become a discussion board.
There are archives and slides from past programs at
GangWise-type program in collaboration with INFOLINK
Sophie Brookover reported that INFOLINK is not in the position to do a detailed area-specific program but alternatively could do a ‘train the trainer’ type of program. Representatives from the Ocean County Library System could be speakers, detailing what they did, who they contacted, and how they followed up.
Sandi Cronce asked for a prepackaged program and spoke about the State Library sponsored Gang Program that was held in May 2009.
Kim Paone suggested a general program with Police Officer Edwin Torres.
Fran Housten expressed great interest in a program on how to notice gang presence and how to respond to it.
Ellie Strbo mentioned offering Continuing Education credits might entice more people to go.
Sophie Brookover stated that she needed to deliver objectives back to INFOLINK. The objectives thus far of the program are awareness, recognizing signs of gangs, how to act, and how to share this information with the public. Members were also concerned about the legal implications of gangs in the library, including meeting room use.
Additional Member Update
Laura Leonard had a question about seeing people shop for weapons online and seeing children lie about their ages in order to create a Facebook account. Ultimately, parents are responsible for monitoring and the unattended children’s policy at her library doesn’t call for any action on her part.
The next meeting will be at the South Brunswick Public Library on January 28th. Coffee will be a 9am and the meeting will start at 9:30am sharp. It will be followed by deliberations of the GSTBA 6-8.
Snack sign-up:
Baked goods: Sandy Hall, Michelle Petrasek, & Kathleen Gruver
Beverage & cups: Sandi Cronce & Sue G.
Healthy snacks: Fran Housten