State Librarian’s Update – December 2025

December 5, 2025

I always find that Thanksgiving is more a time of reflection than the New Year is. Gratitude is important to me, not just on Thanksgiving, but as a daily practice. I’ve found that finding something to express gratitude for each day – no matter how insignificant – keeps me in a positive and hopeful mindset. And yes, on some days it feels almost impossible to find anything, yet I always manage to. Whether it is a brief glimpse of the sun on an otherwise gloomy day, the kindness of strangers, or the daily efforts that NJSL staff make to best serve our patrons, the opportunity for gratitude is there. As you think about moving into the New Year, reflecting on 2025 and looking ahead to 2026, I encourage you to look for something to be grateful for every day. It makes a difference.

It has been a year full of ups and downs at the NJ State Library – primarily, in everyone’s mind has been the uncertainty around federal funding. With the way that we budget our federal funds, we are fully funded through September 2026. We are actively planning for a variety of contingencies and feel confident we will weather whatever happens.

My best to you and yours in this holiday season and well into the New Year.

Jen Nelson
State Librarian

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The full State Librarian’s update is available below, in PDF format, to read at your convenience.

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