SJRLC Connections

Department of Education $10 million for planning grants

Forwarded on behalf of Emily Sheketoff, ALA-Washington Office:

The Department of Education has $10 million for planning grants for the Promise Neighborhoods program as part of the Fund for the Improvement of Education. These planning grants for $400,000 to $500,000 each are for the planning purpose of what will be a program to improve significantly the education and development outcomes of children in distressed communities.

This is a heads up for school, community college and public librarians to REACH OUT NOW to eligible entities which could be non-profit organizations or institutions of higher learning who might be applying because they operate a school; partner with a school or Local Education Agency; currently provide a solution to cradle-through-college-to-career in a distressed neighborhood or represent a neighborhood being proposed for service.

Best is being part of a group's application from the planning stage, but GET INTO THE GROUP AND PARTICIPATE IN THEIR PLANNING.

KEY INFORMATION

• U.S. Department of Education: Promise Neighborhoods application: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/promiseneighborhoods/index.html 
• Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: May 21, 2010 
• Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: June 25, 2010

American Association of Grant Professionals Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference West Jersey Reading Council Workshop

Thanks to Patricia Bruder, GPC, Director, Research and Grant Development, Educational Information & Resource Center for this information

American Association of Grant Professionals Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference West Jersey Reading Council Workshop

Dates: May 17, 2010
Time: 8:00 a.m - 5:15 p.m.
Location: FEA Conference Center, 12 Centre Drive, Monroe Township, NJ 08831

Join the New Jersey Chapter of the American Association of Grant Professionals for their Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. This year's workshop topics include:

• Storytelling for Grant Professionals, the Why & How of Social Media for Grant Professionals,
• Writing Tight, Capital Campaign Nuts & Bolts
• Building Better Boards
• Speaking Skills for Grant Professionals
• Logic Models, and Grant Consulting.

Conference keynote speakers are Douglas W. Schoenberger, Vice President Corporate Responsibility & Public Policy, Verizon Foundation and Bonnie Friedman, author of Writing Past Dark: Envy, Fear Distraction and Other Dilemmas of the Writer's Life.

Registration costs:

• $50 for AAGP members
• $75 for non-members

For more information and to register:  http://www.njaagp.org

Congratulations to the Vineland Public Library on receiving the $10,000 Libraries and Families Award

Congratulations to the Vineland Public Library!

 

Congrats to the Vineland Public library on receiving the $10,000 Libraries and Families Award from the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) and Better World Books (BWB), in recognition of their work in promoting literacy awareness. 

See the complete story in Library Journal:  

http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6727315.html 

Library Advocacy: April 6th Update: New webstite; May 6 Rally in Trenton

THREATS TO NEW JERSEY LIBRARIES

4/5/10 Update:  New Website, and Rally in Trenton on May 6

1. Videos available to show the value of libraries: http://tinyurl.com/njslvideos
   
   
2. A new website has been created http://www.savemynjlibrary.org

This website will be our primary communication tool to both the public and to libraries on how to advocate during this critical time. Link this site to your library computers so people can send messages from the library.

On the front of the website is a “Call to Action” section. This links directly to our capwiz site so people can send messages to their local legislators. There are additional links with sample letters to legislators and the newspapers along with links to the NJ Library Champions page and the facebook page.

2.  The website has a specific section for “resources for libraries.” Under this section you will find instructions for our postcard campaign. We are planning to collect postcards ( starting today) until the NJLA conference at the end of April.  Please get your public involved.  The postcards will be distributed to your local state legislators.

The “resources for libraries” section contains other useful information such as sample resolutions, sample bookmarks and talking points.

3. Save My NJ Library Rally in Trenton on May 6^th. Hold the date. Make plans to come and add your voice in Trenton.  Plans are being finalized now.  This will be big.

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As many of you know, Governor's Christie's budget proposes cuts to the following budget lines: Library Network Aid (eliminated), Per Capita Library Aid (cut in half), Virtual Library (eliminated).  Additionally, the budget proposes moving the State Library under the auspices of Rutgers University, and there is a bill pending (A2555) to eliminate the 1/3 of a mil minimum funding for municipal libraries. For more details on these threats see NJLA's Legislative Alert.

We are working with the library community to develop an advocacy plan to address these threats. As our advocacy efforts develop we will be in touch with CJRLC  members through our listserv, webpage, blog, and all channels at our disposal.

We are asking for the restoration of 10.4 million dollars to local libraries. These funds provide libraries with Internet connections, website and email hosting, interlibrary loan, delivery of library materials, electronic resources, as well a library for the blind and handicapped.

Here are things you can do:

1. See resources collected by NJLA at: http://njla.pbworks.com/Save-New-Jersey-Libraries
    
   
2. Use the talking points from Norma Blake. Also see thee  "Facts for Advocacy"
    
   
3. Encourage your friends, family, and customers who support library service to Become a Library Champion at http://www.ilovenjlibraries.org/ so we can continue building our base of support and bring them into the capwiz system.
   
   (direct links to capwiz are: http://capwiz.com/ala/nj/home/ and http://capwiz.com/ala/nj/lmx/u/?jobid=145361623&queueid=4898333736. Note: NJLA prefers you point everyone to: http://www.ilovenjlibraries.org/)

   

4. Bookmarks for you to print and distribute! http://njla.pbworks.com/Library-Champions-Bookmarks (thanks to Heidi Cramer for providing)
    
   

5. Bookmarks to put in items sent via the Velocity Delivery Service. 
   | PDF | WORD |
   Let's let people who use delivery know that this service will end without action!

6. Join (and encourage your friends, family, customers and colleagues) the Facebook Group Save NJ Libraries!

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For more detailed news from the NJLA President

and a Sample Resolution for Library Boards and Commissions, CLICK HERE

NJ Libraries Advocacy Update 3/26

THREATS TO NEW JERSEY LIBRARIES

As many of you know, Governor's Christie's budget proposes cuts to the following budget lines: Library Network Aid (eliminated), Per Capita Library Aid (cut in half), Virtual Library (eliminated).  Additionally, the budget proposes moving the State Library under the auspices of Rutgers University, and there is a bill pending (A2555) to eliminate the 1/3 of a mil minimum funding for municipal libraries. For more details on these threats see NJLA's Legislative Alert.

We are working with the library community to develop an advocacy plan to address these threats. As our advocacy efforts develop we will be in touch with CJRLC  members through our listserv, webpage, blog, and all channels at our disposal.

We are asking for the restoration of 10.4 million dollars to local libraries. These funds provide libraries with Internet connections, website and email hosting, interlibrary loan, delivery of library materials, electronic resources, as well a library for the blind and handicapped.

Here are things you can do:

1. See resources collected by NJLA at: http://njla.pbworks.com/Save-New-Jersey-Libraries
    
   
2. Use the talking points from Norma Blake. Also see thee  "Facts for Advocacy"
    
   
3. Encourage your friends, family, and customers who support library service to Become a Library Champion at http://www.ilovenjlibraries.org/ so we can continue building our base of support and bring them into the capwiz system.
   
   (direct links to capwiz are: http://capwiz.com/ala/nj/home/ and http://capwiz.com/ala/nj/lmx/u/?jobid=145361623&queueid=4898333736. Note: NJLA prefers you point everyone to: http://www.ilovenjlibraries.org/)

   

4. Bookmarks for you to print and distribute! http://njla.pbworks.com/Library-Champions-Bookmarks (thanks to Heidi Cramer for providing)
    
   

5. Bookmarks to put in items sent via the Velocity Delivery Service. 
   | PDF | WORD |
   Let's let people who use delivery know that this service will end without action!

6. Join (and encourage your friends, family, customers and colleagues) the Facebook Group Save NJ Libraries!

---

For more detailed news from the NJLA President

and a Sample Resolution for Library Boards and Commissions, CLICK HERE

NJLA Action Alert-- Please share this with library supporters

Please visit the NJLA Capwiz site and send a message to the Governor and your State Senate and Assembly representatives asking them to restore library funding and oppose A2555 (which threatens 1/3 mil minimum funding for municipals.)

1. Capwiz Action Item:  http://capwiz.com/ala/nj/home/

2. Sign up for Capwiz Legislative Alerts: http://capwiz.com/ala/nj/utr/1/IXPMMGCLZR/BYABMGCMAX/4898333736/

We need your voices to be heard in Trenton!  Thank you,

Pat Tumulty
NJLA Executive Director

THREATS TO NEW JERSEY LIBRARIES - UPDATED 3/23

As many of you know, Governor's Christie's budget proposes cuts to the following budget lines: Library Network Aid, Per Capita Library Aid, Virtual Library.  Additionally, the budget proposes moving the State Library under the auspices of Rutgers University, and there is a bill pending (A2555) to eliminate the 1/3 of a mil minimum funding for municipal libraries. For more details on these threats see NJLA's Legislative Alert.

We are working with the library community to develop an advocacy plan to address these threats. As our advocacy efforts develop we will be in touch with SJRLC members through our listserv, webpage, blog, and all channels at our disposal.

UPDATED! For now, here are three things you can do:

1. Point supporters to this Capwiz Link: http://capwiz.com/ala/nj/home/ and ask them to contact their state reps and the Governor to fight for funding.  Capwiz makes it EASY!!  Also, you can sign up for legislative alerts (and encourage other to do so too) here:
   http://capwiz.com/ala/nj/lmx/u/?jobid=145361623&queueid=4898333736
    
2. Encourage your friends, family, and customers who support library service to http://www.ilovenjlibraries.org/ so we can continue building our base of support.
    
3. Bookmarks! http://njla.pbworks.com/Library-Champions-Bookmarks and www.bccls.org/buckles/advocacy (tthanks to Heidi Cramer for providing)

Federal Funds for Rural Public Libraries

Posted on behalf of NJ State Library:

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US Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director Howard Henderson has announced that funds may be available for the construction or renovation of a library in rural communities.  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has set a goal providing $100 million of USDA’s Community Facilities American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding including grants for public libraries. 

 

This program can help New Jersey create and save jobs in construction and library service fields.  “By improving rural library facilities we will only enhance educational opportunities and improve economic conditions in America’s rural communities for both adults and children,” said Henderson.  A new or renovated library facility in a rural community can even be a catalyst for renewing that community’s downtown area.

 

Norma E. Blake, New Jersey State Librarian, and Patricia A. Tumulty, Executive Director of the New Jersey Library Association, will be assisting the Rural Development Office in identifying communities which fit the guidelines of the program.

 

"The State Library is most appreciative of both Secretary Vilsack's and State Director Henderson's support for public library service in rural communities," said Blake. "My staff and I look forward to supporting the Rural Development Office in any way possible." 

 

"This is a tremendous opportunity for libraries serving our rural communities," added Tumulty.  "Funding to renovate or construct new facilities is needed by many communities to meet the growing demands for increased access to library services."

 

Municipalities, counties and special-purpose districts as well as non-profit corporations are encouraged to apply for these special ARRA funds as soon as possible.  Funds will remain through September 30, 2010, or until all dollars have been awarded.  For information call Rural Development Business & Community Director Kenneth Drewes at (856) 787-7753 or visit their website at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/nj.   

Help US Collect NJ Library Stories

Help us as we build our case about the value of libraries!

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 Solving Life's Problems

Thank you!

Save New Jersey Libraries

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

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.