C J R L C  UPDATE

    Twenty-six libraries in New Jersey have been busy since October 1st, 2001. If you were fortunate enough to enjoy a leisurely walk through any of these libraries on a given day, life would appear comfortable and normal for a typical, busy reference department. You would see patient, knowledgeable librarians, adept in searching specialized in-house databases, as they assist students in finding the exact article to support a thesis for their school topic. This is Reference, as usual, as it happens in these 26 libraries in New Jersey.

    But if you took a closer look, you’d see librarians staring intently at computers, away from the traditional reference desk, quietly typing and deep in thought. Introducing QandAnj Live Online Reference Project: a new and exciting way of delivering real-time reference services through the Web. Twenty-six libraries in New Jersey are showing us that librarians are changing with the times and that reference services, one of the most humble and traditional of library services, is rapidly gaining momentum in redefining itself for the next generation of web-based users.

    QandAnj is a proactive step forward by New Jersey libraries to move to the Internet, alongside our customers, in providing reference services. Using state-of-the-art software, QandAnj successfully blends old fashion print resources and dedicated customer service with technical mastery, electronic databases, and the Internet.

    Here’s how the QandAnj Live Reference Project works: New Jersey residents go to www.QandAnj.org and are connected, within seconds, to an experienced librarian using sophisticated software developed by LSSI. All librarians receive specialized class training in using LSSI software prior to actually serving on the virtual reference desk. To become a participating QandAnj library is technically easy, requiring only a browser plug-in - and within minutes, you’re on your way to a new and exciting way of doing reference! On the customer’s end, the interface is friendly and intuitive with no special software requirements.

    Once a query is received, the librarian acts as both information expert and consultant. Web pages can be sent directly to the customer’s computer, with the librarian “escorting” the customer, evaluating the best sites, and exchanging information through Internet “chat.”

    QandAnj is working to redefine the librarian’s longstanding image in the public’s eye by transcending traditional librarianship within the confined walls of a typical reference department. Librarians are being seen to perform a more complex, consultative role by assessing, reviewing, and recommending the best websites pertaining to a query. Here in New Jersey we’re no longer waiting for customers to stop by and visit with their questions. We’re on the Web, online accessible 24/7, and true information professionals on our own with QandAnj.

    QandAnj is administered by the South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, a state tax-funded service of the New Jersey Library Network and supported by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds administered by the New Jersey State Library.

    Two hours of books, books, books especially designed for middle school! This program is designed for reading/language arts teachers, middle school librarians and youth services librarians.

    Suzanne Manczuk will review the best fiction from late 2001 and early 2002 for middle school collections.

    She will feature an overview of nonfiction, poetry, folklore, reference books, and professional titles.

    Attendees will also get a handout listing all the best choices, January through April 2002, from Booklist, Horn Book, School Library Journal, The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, and Publishers Weekly.

    There will be an additional handout of all the best lists and starred reviews of 2001 from the above journals, designating which titles are appropriate for middle school libraries and classrooms.

    There will also be an opportunity to examine the fiction books and a selection of the nonfiction, poetry, folklore, reference, and professional titles and a chance to ask Suzanne about titles you've heard about.

    Refreshments will be served. The cost is $10/person or $15 for a team of librarian and teacher. The program is sponsored by the SchoolGroup of CJRLC. Call CJRLC at (732) 409-6484 to register. CJRLC is a NJDOE Continuing Education provider and certificates for two hours will be ready for all pre-registrants who require them.

    The State Library, under the direction of State Librarian, Norma Blake, and Library Development Bureau Head, Carol Nersinger, has negotiated a contract with Auto-Graphics, Inc. for a new Statewide Interlibrary Loan System. Each of the four Regional Library Cooperative Executive Boards has approved the cost-sharing funding from regional budgets to complement state funding.

    Input from librarians in the field impacted this change from epixtech’s Resource Sharing System to an ILL system that enables a large set of school, public and academic libraries as borrowers and lenders. The new Auto-Graphics ILL Systems has the capability to search Z39.50 compliant catalogs and a statewide union catalog for libraries that are not Z39.50 compliant. The new Auto-Graphics AGent allows broadcast searching of library catalogs by patrons and library staff via the World Wide Web and incorporates these features with the familiar Impact/Online ILL system.

    The new system will be introduced at Statewide Interlibrary Loan User Group sessions. These sessions will be held from 10 am – 1 pm in the following locations:

• March 18: Clark Public Library, Clark

• March 19: Monroe Township Public Library, Monroe Township

• March 25: Burlington County Library, Westampton

    Libraries that are using the RSS system presently, and libraries that were part of the Regional Library Union Catalogs in the past will receive a mailing about these sessions. If you would like more information about these sessions, please contact Scherelene Schatz, NJ State Library Project Manager, at sschatz@njstatelib.org, or call (609) 777-2059.

    The tentative timeline, after the User Group sessions, includes training sessions with practice exercises to be completed and returned to the State Library by May 10, 2002.

The last teleconference will again be offered at Georgian Court College and subsidized by CJRLC. It will run from 12 noon to 2 pm and will include lunch for the cost of $15.
On Friday, March 22, the topic is Whatever Happened to Carbon Paper? A Look Toward the Future for Librarians, Library Assistants and the Printed Word by Bill Erbes and a Panel of Library Staff.
Registration is through CJRLC at $15 each.

It’s easy to join the CJRLC listserv. There isn’t a lot of email, and you don’t miss out on limited time opportunities! Easy directions are on the Breaking News page of the CJRLC web site.