INFOLINK
The Eastern New Jersey
Regional Library Cooperative
44 Stelton Road Suite 330
Piscataway, NJ 08854

Staff
Cheryl O'Connor
Executive Director
Steve Garwood
Program and Services Coordinator
Nanette Cox, Business Admin
Carol Fishwick, Member Services

Phone: 732-752-7720 or 1-866-505-LINK
FAX: 732-752-7785 or 1-800-793-8007

Executive Board
Jeris Cassel, President
Alexandria Arnold, Elaine Brogan, LaDawna Harrington, Elaine Clark, Kathyrn Getzendanner, John Hurley, Mark Jackson, Ann Oster, Emily Snitow, Sharon Tucker, Ligita Rafaels, Xue-Ming Bao, JoAnn Tropiano, Kim Piot, Marianne Avery.

NEW Searchable Membership Database on the Web
Where. At www.infolink.org, click on MEMBERSHIP. From the Membership page, click MEMBER SEARCH in the left column.

What. The Searchable Membership Database is a tool that is structured to allow searches for INFOLINK libraries alphabetically, by library type, by keyword, and by Advanced Search based on information taken in a membership survey. Results show library name (set up to be a link to the library’s homepage), phone number, and a link for more detailed information if the library filled out the survey form. We are still adding selected directory information into the database. If you wish to report errant or missing information, contact the office (732-752-7720/866-505-5465) or email Steve Garwood at sgarwood@infolink.org If members wish to complete the online survey now, go to the spotlight section at www.infolink.org. One last chance: December 31, 2003.

Why. The Library Services Committee first considered the project under Executive Director Ed Dowlin. More recently, members developed an online survey form and cajoled members to respond. We thank the FY2003 and FY2004 committee members under Chairs Barbara Ketterer (Plainfield PL) and Leslie Kahn Newark PL) for assisting in the project’s planning and implementation.

How. Seventy libraries completed the original online membership survey. Rather than wait for more member responses, we took that data and created a searchable system that allows quick searches for quick results. Additionally, if a searcher wants to move beyond basic directory information, searches can be done based on criteria obtained in the membership survey. We retained American Computer Technologies (ACT), the group that provides speakers for many of our Tech Talks, to provide the ASP programming to make the database searchable. After several reviews and consultations, we believe we have the start of a good database to allow us to convey information about our members quickly and easily. Help us make it a richer database by replying to the online survey.

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CD&L Delivery Contract Renewed
The Executive Board’s of the four Regional Library Cooperatives (RLC) approved a contract renewal with CD&L effective January 1, 2004. The goal of the RLC Executive Directors is a delivery service that is cost efficient, reliable, and responsive to our member libraries’ resource sharing needs. CD&L held to the same terms and conditions of the original contract. In addition, this past spring, the delivery firm’s management responded to our requests for service improvement by shifting personnel assignments, by increasing the number of truck depots in the state and by restructuring its overnight sorting process. The sharp decrease in member reports of service problems and questions to regional offices was an indicator of positive results.

We look forward to another year of CD&L delivery service for our member libraries across New Jersey.

Holiday Delivery Schedule for Schools

The last day for CD&L deliveries to schools:
December 23rd.
CD&L delivery to schools will resume:
January 5th.

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All Day/All Robert Lackie
- Steve Garwood, Program and Services Coordinator
“The Evolving Invisible Web: Tried and True
Methods & New Developments for Locating the Web's Hidden Content” and “Our
Ever-Changing Role: Preparing for Library
Instruction in the E-Classroom” were presented by Robert Lackie on 11/20 at Clark Public Library.

I think one quote will suffice to describe just how great this day was:
“I have not been so excited about going home to browse the web since I first learned how in 1995!! This was one of the best programs I have attended…”

Robert’s great presentation skills and his mastery of the content he covers truly combines for fantastic programs.

Don’t worry too much if you had to miss this class, I’m sure Robert will be coming back for more...

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Reminder……..
INFOLINK Membership Meeting
December 10, 2003
Kenilworth Inn
Garden State Parkway (exit 138),
Boulevard & S. 31st Street
Hot and Cold Hors D’oeuvres—3:00 p.m.
Business Meeting and Program
3:30—5:00 p.m.

Celebrate INFOLINK’s
10th Anniversary
Respond to the Draft Strategic Plan

RSVP to the INFOLINK Office or email carol@infolink.org

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OPEN BORROWING @ your library: 10,000,000 choices - 1 library carde
The member libraries of The Bergen County
Cooperative Library System (BCCLS), Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium (LMxAC), Morris Automated Information Network (M.A.I.N.), and The Passaic County Library System (PALS) are participating in Open Borrowing, which is funded by a grant from the New Jersey State Library. The members of LMxAC are the newest members which brings the number of libraries participating in Open Borrowing to 151. What does this mean? It means that one library card is good at 151 libraries within Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Somerset and Union counties --- along with access to more than 10 million books, DVDs and CDs…

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INFOLINK-L (INFOLINK's Online Mailing list)
For all 600+ of you who are subscribed to INFOLINK-L, we just want to say welcome to our “new” list. During the month of November, INFOLINK switched mailing list providers to one hosted by INFOLINK’s Web hosting service, Hostway. This switch gives subscribers much more control over their accounts and the ability to view the archives of the list.

Not subscribed yet but want to now??? Just go to
http://www.infolink.org/services/list_serv/
- Fill out the form and you will be on your way.

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QandANJ Celebrates Second Anniversary and Receives Library Service Award
Gibbsboro, NJ (Oct 31, 2003)

QandANJ celebrated its second full year of service on October 1, 2003. For the occasion, State Librarian Norma Blake presented an award to each of QandANJ’s 37 participating libraries for their excellent service to the residents of New Jersey.

During a special luncheon ceremony, Ms. Blake thanked the participating libraries and their staffing librarians for all they have done “to make QandANJ one of the most important library services in New Jersey and the best Live Reference Service in the United States.”

Photos of QandANJ library project managers accepting Library Service Award plaques are online at http://www.sjrlc.org/pictures/qandanj QandANJ raced towards its second anniversary still in the “customers served” lead. Questions answered in September 2003 were double the number in September 2002; usage in October 2003 is 40% higher than October 2002.

Two years into the service, Mount Laurel Library project manager Kelly Davenport marvels at how much she and her staff have learned and improved as virtual reference librarians — not simply in terms of technology and reference but in interpersonal skills as well. After just two months with QandANJ, UMDNJ-Smith Library project manager Peggy Dreker is impressed with how she and her staff have become smarter librarians. “Moving between a medical student with a question about women and the BRCA gene to a QandANJ customer asking how to remove an old ink stain from sneakers has made us offer better all around services. QandANJ has also made us more in touch with current issues.”

Increased customer awareness and experienced virtual librarians set the stage for QandANJ’s next year of service.

The following participating member libraries of the New Jersey Library Network provide the staff that makes QandANJ happen: (INFOLINK members in bold type)

Atlantic City Public Library, Burlington County College Library, Burlington County Library, Camden County Library, Centenary College Library, Cherry Hill Public Library, Cumberland County Library, East Brunswick Public Library, Gloucester County College Library, Gloucester County Library, Hunterdon County Library, Mercer County Library, Middlesex Community College Library, Middletown Public Library, Millburn Public Library, Monmouth County Library, Montclair Public Library, Mount Laurel Library, New Brunswick Free Public Library, New Jersey City University Guarini Library, New Jersey State Library, Newark Public Library, Ocean County Library, Old Bridge Public Library, Piscataway Public Library, Princeton Public Library, Ruth L. Rockwood Memorial Library at Livingston (starting fall 2003), Somerset County Library, South Brunswick Public Library, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey Health Sciences Library at Stratford, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey Smith Library of Health Sciences (Newark), Vineland Public Library, Wayne Public Library, West Deptford Public Library, West Orange Public Library, William Paterson University Cheng Library, and Woodbridge Public Library.
For more information, please contact Karen Hyman, Executive Director, South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, at 856-346-1222 or email hyman@sjrlc.org
See also http://www.qandanj.org/description/

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Congratulations...
...to the organizers and attendees of the New Jersey Educational Media Association's 2003 Fall Conference at the East Brunswick Hilton (Nov 15-17). The theme, Collaborate and Achieve@Your School Library, was particularly appropriate in our "cooperative" environment. We acknowledge the leadership role played by INFOLINK member, Conference Chair and President Elect, Mary Lewis (David Brearley MS/HS, Kenilworth). We also honor two of the award winners: Leslie Stern, 2003 EMAnj Volunteer of the Year, from Gould Elementary School and West Essex JHS, North Caldwell; and 2003 Outstanding Administrator of the Year, Carl L. Gregory, Principal, Morton Street Middle School, Newark.

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TipShare
If you preface a search term with a tilde, ~, Google will search for that term and its synonyms. For example "~image ~search" will retrieve results for such terms as "picture" and "find."

From Leslie Kahn, Newark Public Library

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Time to Plan (but here's a sneak peek)
Planning
Well here comes December…time for me to retrench, review the last few months of Continuing Education workshops, see what I need to offer as per INFOLINK's annual plan, and put together the January-May Training schedule (and, oh yes, Tech is IT III) .

We've had some very successful programs over the Fall…Thin Clients, Copyright, Legal Reference, XML, JavaScript, Advanced Internet Searching with Google…Some of our more traditional classes on Word

and Excel have done well; for others I'm starting to feel the need for more "intermediate" level classes. In all there are lots of potential programs looking to "make the cut" and become part of the Spring Schedule.

I just wanted to write and thank all of you who attended programs over the last few months and send special thanks to our library hosts and trainers. Many of the programs that INFOLINK offers wouldn’t come about except for the excellent suggestions and support that we receive.

Coming up:
January
EJournals: Integrated Management Solutions for Print and Electronic Serials
1/16 at Montclair University 10:00AM-4:00PM (Coffee at 9:30)
Tech Talk: Digital Photography
1/21, Millburn Public Library, 1:30PM-4:00PM
1/22, Old Bridge Public Library, 9:30AM-12:00PM

February
Mental Health Issues and Library Patrons: Identifying behaviors, creating strategies
2/11 at Westfield Memorial Library, 9:30AM-12:30PM

March
Tech Talk: Identity Theft
3/24, Location forthcoming, 1:30PM-4:00PM

Book Evaluation Meetings:
3:30PM for Refreshments and to preview new books
4:00PM-6:00PM Reviews
1/20 Cranford High School Library
3/16 Woodbridge Public Library

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Great Legal Reference Program by the New Jersey Law Librarians Association
On 11/18/2003, four proactive volunteers from NJLLA presented a first-class program entitled "How to Find the Law: Basic Legal Reference." Twenty-five INFOLINK librarians attended the all-day workshop and received a superlative workbook, a reference book for their collection, and in-depth knowledge. We acknowledge and thank our NJLLA colleagues for sharing their expertise

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