The New Jersey State Library, an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University, is pleased to announce the award recipients of the Library Services and Technology Act 2022 (LSTA 22) Grants for New Jersey Public Libraries and Library Consortia.
The State Library expects that just over $200,000 of available federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will be dispersed to 16 public libraries. Through a competitive grant process, awards between $2,000 and $20,000 have been offered to eligible organizations to address literacy needs across the state.
See the list below for all libraries awarded, and their planned projects.
B
Library Name: Bradley Beach Public Library
Grant Award: $14,040.00
Program: One-on-One Technology Assistance – A 2021 grant, 2021 NJSL+ Partners Digital Literacy Grant Project, provided the library with the resources to create this program by supporting costs for staff, equipment, and software. Further funding will allow the library to continue staffing the position of computer lab assistant for the remainder of 2022 and into 2023. The computer lab assistant will work with clients on a one-on-one basis to develop and grow their skills, meet their desired goals of general betterment and career development, or confidently navigate technology for their personal needs.
C
Library Name: Camden County Library
Grant Award: $19,423.00
Program: Digital Literacy Classroom – Partnering with five different community groups, this project will offer both group training and specialized, needs-based, individual help for various levels of computer skills for different ages. Some classes will be offered in Spanish. The goal is to assist residents with job seeking, social services and life skills. An after-school section will offer homework help as well as technology skills building.
Library Name: Carteret Public Library
Grant Award: $20,000.00
Program: Carteret Technical Institute (CTI) Project – Grant funding will be used to purchase new computers for this program, enabling it to continue and improve. The CTI program will provide technological, vocational, and occupational training to residents to promote the professional development of program attendees and to provide them with a certification that proves that they understand advanced computer concepts. The CTI program is held three days a week at the Carteret Public Library’s computer lab It will be administered by the library in partnership with borough staff, with support from the Carteret Business Partnership.
F
Library Name: Free Public Library of Audubon
Grant Award: $3,150.00
Program: Program laptops – The laptops will enable the library to provide numerous classes to the community. Both adults and school age children need better computer skills. By using laptops to begin short, individualized tech help appointments with a designated staff member, the library plans to help patrons who have a specific question that is not covered in a regularly offered computer classes. The laptops will allow a staff member to assist patrons without hovering over their shoulder or taking up one of the three public computers. The classes will range from basic computer skills, coding, introduction to library resources, and employment workshops to social media, sending an email, finding an online craft pattern, and more.
G
Library Name: Gloucester City Library
Grant Award: $19,832.00
Program: Labor and Literacy Lab – The Labor and Literacy Lab was initiated as part of the one-year 2021 NJSL +Partners Literacy Project. With this LSTA 2022 Literacy Grant, the Labor and Literacy Lab can continue seamlessly with the already trained staff, less than one-year-old lab computers and equipment, established community support, as well as current and new students. This funding will enable the lab to provide approximately 11 months of literacy services in digital literacy, general adult literacy including ESL, and job search and resume writing as well as two IC3 Digital Certification bootcamps starting in January 2023 and May 2023.
Library Name: Gloucester County Library System
Grant Award: $20,000.00
Program: Embracing Change Through Digital Literacy at GCLS – The demand for Digital Literacy Classes at GCLS far exceeds the number of unemployed, underemployed and senior citizens that we can serve. With funds from the LSTA Grant, GCLS would be able to increase the size of our Digital Literacy Lab from eight to twelve computers to accommodate a larger number of students including more software, and computer furniture. In-person digital literacy classes will utilize a combination of the NorthStar online curriculum and correlating PowerPoint slides for reinforcing digital concepts. All classes will be taught by dedicated computer instructors. The library will continue to partner with local employment and community groups that serve the populations they are targeting.
H
Library Name: Haddonfield Public Library
Grant Award: $3,800.00
Program: Chromebook mobile lab – The library will purchase Chromebooks and a charging trolley to use for both outreach and in-house programming. The Library plans to host fifteen to twenty workshops in the year, offered both in the Library and at various locations. Direct community partnerships with the school district and local senior center would create opportunities to enhance digital literacy skills for youth and seniors. This program will promote the library’s services, enhance opportunities for those who do not have access to devices, and build digital skills in different sections of the community.
N
Library Name: North Bergen Free Public Library
Grant Award: $20,000.00
Program: Early Literacy Program – This project will introduce early literacy classes for those in Pre-K to first grade, providing a safe and fun learning environment for children who may not have a computer or internet access at home, for children whose literacy skill acquisition has been delayed by being English-language learners, or for those simply looking for an early education boost. Funding will cover the cost to purchase four AWE digital workstations (two for the Kennedy Branch and two for the Main Branch) with bilingual support features, as well as the costs of various learning tools and the salary of a hired teacher for the classes.
O
Library Name: The Ocean County Library
Grant Award: $7,900.00
Program: Milestones in Neurodiversity & Literacy to Grow – Technology, training and education will aim to enhance capacity and skills, and improve practices and behaviors, while teaching age-appropriate child development skills and literacy-related milestones. Their goal is to supply parents and caregivers with support to develop early literacy skills as a family, foster understanding of literacy related milestones typically achieved from birth to age five, and encourage lifelong learning through family literacy. The Ocean County Library will offer eight learning opportunities from October 2022 through June 2023 plus events to review and reinforce training, hands-on skills practice, and material manipulation. They are also partnering with the health department, a children’s hospital, and POAC Autism Services.
P
Library Name: Paramus Public Library
Grant Award: $12,329.00
Program: Hybrid ESL classroom and summer session – This program implements hybrid ESL classes that will give students the opportunity to attend classes virtually when we reach capacity in our physical space or when they are unable to come to the library. Owl Labs and Zoom technology in our meeting room allow the teacher to freely roam the classroom without worrying about the virtual students losing track of their movements. Zoom integration in the classroom will give students the opportunity to participate in class – asking questions and providing answers – through a monitor mounted on the meeting room wall. Finally, Whiteboard Owl will make it easier for virtual students to follow written instructions and notes that can often be hard to see through standard cameras.
Library Name: Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library
Grant Award: $4,893.00
Program: Early Literacy iPads – The library will purchase and install iPads in the children’s areas at two branches. The iPads will be preloaded with apps appropriate for digital literacy for this age group. iPads will give our community’s children the best device for building literacy skills. Both children and their caregivers will be able to learn by using these devices. They will also alleviate the near-constant use of other library devices by many residents who do not have Internet or computer access elsewhere. This is a high-need and underserved community in need of access to early education and literacy.
Library Name: Passaic Public Library
Grant Award: $5,000.00
Program: ESOL classes – Working with various community groups that support education and job placement, this program will teach English, support employment and further education as wrap around services for students enrolled in the program. They will offer a wide range of methods and strategies in order to meet the diverse learning needs of students. The program will also help foster the soft-skills that are increasingly required in the workplace. Classes will be dedicated to integrating work and life skills. This includes the ability to clearly communicate with supervisors, peers and subordinates in verbal and written form. They will use a multi-media approach to supplement in-class learning, cooperative learning, and oral presentations.
S
Library Name: Sussex County Library System
Grant Award: $19,448.00
Program: Children Autism Literacy Programs at Sussex County Library System – Creating a welcoming and accessible library for children with ASD will help fill the gap in services and programming they are lacking and will in tum help them to become life-long learners. Designing inclusive programs for children with ASD and/or other special needs in mind is critical. As an example, SCLS will offer sensory storytimes with sensory tools, books, flannel boards, music, play and songs adapted to serve their diverse needs. The library will use funding for devices, materials, and software to offer these services. Providing literacy-focused programming enriched with socialization is vital to lifelong success for children with ASD.
T
Library Name: Trenton Free Public Library
Grant Award: $20,000.00
Program: Digital Literacy Education Project – The proposed project aims to continue to bridge the digital divide by providing residents with the skills needed to find, use, and create information online in a productive and useful way. With funding awarded through this grant program, the library will hire a staff member to assist in the Labor and Literacy Lab in the Adult Services Department and provide residents with digital literacy and GED/Pre-GED instruction. This staff member will also take part in outreach to educate the community as to what resources the library offers in terms of digital literacy education. They also anticipate working cooperatively with local community groups that serve the same targeted population. They also hope to double the number served currently.
U
Library Name: Union City Public Library
Grant Award: $20,000.00
Program: Multigenerational Literacy Center – The library plans to use funding to create an early literacy play area, expand the VOX audiobook collection in English and Spanish, enhance the Spanish-language book section, provide Easy English News monthly newspapers, and subscribe to the Mango Languages online learning resource. The library plans to offer a multigenerational approach to literacy, it is necessary to provide residents with a better collection of reading materials in their home language. Providing Spanish language resources will improve literacy and promote language acquisition in English as well. The library will also schedule a weekly Play Day program where young patrons can socialize and develop early literacy skills together within the play space as a group. The VOX books already have documented success, and more variety in the collection will help the success to continue. These books are beneficial for developing literacy skills for all ages.
W
Library Name: West Deptford Free Public Library
Program: Grant Award: $3,000.00
Financial literacy: Understanding your money – This project aims to provide programs where patrons can gain free and personalized financial literacy. The library will invite speakers to discuss the topics of financial literacy in personal finance, investing, and business. a series of event programs, in six workshops, that each address a different financial literacy topic. The topics that will be covered are Personal Budgeting, Securing Loans, Graduate/Postgraduate Planning, Investing in Stocks/Funds, Starting a Business and Retirement. The goal of this program will be for every attendee to leave with a greater, applicable understanding of the respective topics.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS award number LS-252474-OLS-22). The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this website do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
