by Tina Keresztury, Associate State Librarian, New Jersey State Library
“The world is changing so rapidly the State Library believes it is imperative that libraries consider the future in a thoughtful, organized way in order to meet the challenges and exciting changes the future holds for us,” declared New Jersey State Librarian Norma Blake, who is also Library Journal’s “2008 Librarian of the Year.”
Blake took the bold step of creating a Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future, made up of 25 librarians from all over New Jersey who met monthly from September 2007 to March 2008 to make recommendations to the State Librarian on how libraries could meet the projected changes occurring in New Jersey, now and in the future. The Task Force also explored national trends impacting libraries from within and outside of the world of libraries.
The process of working with a Blue Ribbon Task Force was an innovative model the State Library used to continue planning for change. In May 2007, the State Library partnered with six state libraries from the mid-Atlantic region in sponsoring a Mid-Atlantic Library Futures Conference. The momentum from the conference generated a lot of excitement in New Jersey. Blake decided to build on this momentum by creating a new planning structure made up of librarians from all types of libraries who had to do some serious thinking in order to be selected for this planning group. Librarians were invited to apply to participate on the task force by submitting an essay proposing an idea for implementing a new service model for New Jersey libraries. Over 50 librarians statewide applied for the 25 seat task force.
During the monthly meetings, a series of guest presenters interacted with Task Force members on issues and trends impacting libraries. Sessions were held on Advocacy, Technology, Marketing, and Facilities, with a special emphasis on green library buildings, as well as other topics. Presenters included a state lobbyist, a nationally known library advocacy leader, a marketing director, and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified architect. A dialogue with Bob Treadway, a leading national forecaster, who shared his world view of change, was a highlight. Each meeting included time for small group discussion, discussion of individual proposals for new models of service, and consensus building. The Task Force members were avid participants, and developed exciting recommendations for the State Library.
These recommendations were presented to the State Librarian and the library community in a program held at the New Jersey Library Association Annual Spring Conference. Final report will be available at www.njstatelib.org. The Blue Ribbon Task Force continues to meet to follow-up on program design and implementation. This month includes a field trip to Overdrive’s digital bookmobile. In two months, the group will compare New Jersey initiatives to work being done by OCLC on a national scale.
State Librarian Blake has high praise for the work of the Task Force. “Several new projects are being developed from the recommendations, including several “Transformation Grants” for new regional pilots to be funded in the coming year,” states Blake.
For information on the work of the Task Force, contact Peggy Cadigan, Consultant for Innovation and Communication at pcadigan@njstatelib.org.