LINKS OF INTEREST

The Association for Library Trustees and Advocates, a division of the American Library Association, promotes outstanding library service through educational programs that develop excellence in trusteeship and actions that advocate access to information for all.

New Jersey State Library
The New Jersey State Library was established in 1796 and is the second oldest State Library in the country. The mission of the State Library is to provide leadership to the state’s library community in the provision of excellent library and information services state government and to all the people of New Jersey. The State Library is located in Trenton and has three major service units functioning under the leadership of the State Librarian.

1. The Library Blind and Handicapped serves as the State’s public library for the visually impaired and print handicapped.
2. State Library Information Center functions as the research library for the three branches of state government.
3. Library Development Bureau is the State Library’s point of contact with libraries throughout the State with an emphasis on improving public library services to all residents. The Library Development Bureau administers state and federal grant programs in addition to managing the statewide New Jersey Library Network. The Bureau provides technical assistance to local libraries, working with professional librarians, members of library Boards of trustees, and local government officials in a wide variety of areas.

New Jersey Library Network was established by the legislation in 1984 permitting the State Library to establish regions to promote the cooperative use of services and materials among libraries. It is a multi-type system with library members from all types of libraries (public, academic, school, and special.) Currently, there are four regional library cooperatives geographically distrusted throughout NJ. Each regional library cooperative offers a wide-range of continuing education opportunities which may be of interest to trustees. Visit the website of your regional library cooperative. The Regional Library Cooperatives are:

Highlands Regional Library Cooperative ( serves Bergen, Passaic, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset Counties)
Infolink Regional Library Cooperative (serves Essex, Hudson, Union and Middlesex Counties)
Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative ( serves Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties
South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative (serves Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Counties)

Library Laws of New Jersey – complete collection of laws affecting public libraries in New Jersey:

New Jersey Public Libraries: A Manual For Trustees
This publication is currently being revised. Anticipated date of new revision is fall 2005. Copies will be available for purchase after that date.

New Jersey Library Association
The New Jersey Library Association is the state's professional association for all libraries and provides support, information and training for New Jersey's library staff members.