Library News

On September 29, Jessica Martorano, Assistant Director of Library Learning & Engagement, served as one of seven panelists at the Designing Libraries Conference hosted by the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY.

Her presentation, “What is a Library When You Imagine It?—Building a 21st-Century Commons with Our Campus,” highlighted Stockton’s ongoing library renovation and the collaborative, community-driven approach shaping its design. Drawing on a Student Advisory Board, a faculty–staff Renovation Committee, and open workshops where we literally drew our own versions of the future library—what departments belong where, and why. She discussed how site visits to peer libraries shaped the 21st-century model: immersive three-wall displays, VR/AR, and digitally supported Special Collections.

She emphasized that the process itself has become a model for engagement: as the campus reimagines the Library & Learning Commons, the work reflects not just new architecture, but a new way of thinking about how libraries evolve alongside their communities.

Stay tuned for more updates as Stockton’s library continues to grow and transform through innovation and collaboration! 

Congratulations to our User Experience Librarian, Eric Jeitner, and Outreach Librarian, Joyce DeStasio on the publication of their article, "Adjust the Process: Developing and Implementing an Academic Library Assessment Cycle." Suggest: "This article, outlining Bjork Library's assessment cycle, was also written with Alaina Walton, Stockton's Director of Academic Assessment, and Dana Jackson, our former Library Assistant (currently an MLIS student at Simmons University). The article discusses the history and conceptual process of the cycle, which is a practical model for assessing academic library services, specifically: website usability; library space; library instruction; library resources; public services and staffing; and outreach. The article also describes the standing library committee that designed the cycle and explains the methods and findings of the first cycle. Limitations and advantages of this model, as well as best practices derived from the experiences, are also discussed.

If you are interested in learning more, please email Eric or Joyce for access to the article or to ask any questions you may have.

Bjork Library is excited to announce we have joined PALCI (Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium, Inc.), which offers new ways to access books and research materials with no cost to you. With over 80 member institutions across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and West Virginia, PALCI dramatically expands the resources available to you.

There are now two ways to borrow beyond our shelves:

1. EZBorrow – Fast, Easy Delivery

• Search EZBorrow with your GoStockton login.
• Request books directly from 80+ academic libraries.
• Receive items in 3–5 business days, typically.
• Pick up items at the Library Services Desk.

2. Faculty On-Site Borrowing – Visit in Person

• Faculty can visit participating PALCI libraries and borrow materials on-site. View the list of participating libraries and their policies.
• Complete an Authorization Form at our Library Services Desk before your visit.
• Take the form (and your Stockton ID) with you to the host library.
• Check out materials under that library’s policies and due dates.

Together, EZBorrow and On-Site Borrowing open the door to a world of research materials and academic collaboration across the region. Whether you need a book delivered quickly or want to explore another campus library in person, PALCI makes it possible.

Learn more and start borrowing today!
 

Jessica Martorano was recently promoted from Access and Engagement Coordinator to Assistant Director of Library Learning and Engagement. In this new position, she continues to lead student engagement initiatives, including supervision of the Library Student Advisory Board and coordination of library outreach and events. She now also oversees six full-time staff, including the Access Services department, which staffs the main library services desk.

Jess will continue to coordinate library orientations, tours, and partnerships with campus programs and departments. She also serves on the library renovation planning team, contributing to the design of inclusive, flexible, and student-centered spaces, as well as the integration of 21st-century technology.

In addition, Jess will maintain her role as a teaching faculty member in General Studies and will partner with the CTLD to work with faculty across disciplines to integrate library tools, technology, and spaces into their teaching.

Jess is currently pursuing her EdD (Doctor of Education) degree at Drexel University, where her research focuses on library space design, student engagement, and access. She can be contacted at Jessica.Martorano@stockton.edu.

Congratulations to our Metadata Librarian, Stephanie Sussmeier and her co-author Joshua A. Henry on the publication of their article "Mind the Gap!: How Do we Ethically Bridge the Divide Between the Cataloging/Metadata Community and the World of AI?" in Journal of Library Metadata. The article discusses generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and cataloging/metadata creation in academic libraries, focusing on recent research and recommendations. It also explores the following questions: How can cataloging/metadata professionals at academic institutions incorporate general frameworks and standards about ethical AI implementation into policies for AI use in their workflows? How can technical services/cataloging departments promote their skills to provide accurate and culturally sensitive metadata? More importantly, how do cataloging/metadata professionals ethically fill the gap between the cataloging/metadata profession and the new world of AI without sacrificing job security?

If you are interested in learning more, please email Stephanie for access to the article or to ask any questions you may have.

On Sunday, June 29, at the American Library Association Conference in Philadelphia, our Assistant Supervisor Access & Information Tiffiny Gipson and Sr. Librarian Assistant Shekhania Demosthenes presented "Empower Your Digital Future: The Benefits of AI Literacy,” a poster about their innovative approach to enhancing information literacy instruction as part of an MAIT capstone project. The initiative focused on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into the educational program to equip our academic community with essential AI literacy skills. Given AI's growing influence on various aspects of life, work, and learning, it is critical to understand both the opportunities and challenges that AI presents. The curriculum focused on responsible Al usage, covering key topics such as prompt engineering, ethical considerations, and adherence to copyright laws when working with Al-generated content. Additionally, with the increasing prevalence of deepfakes and manipulated media, they raised awareness and equip the academic community to detect altered media and safeguard against misinformation.

The goal is to develop tutorials and guides that are accessible on the library site, providing users with the tools to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape. This initiative aims to empower individuals to use Al tools effectively, engage in critical thinking, and make ethical decisions by embedding Al literacy into the broader digital literacy curriculum.

On Sunday, June 29, at the American Library Association Conference in Philadelphia, our User Experience Librarian Eric Jeitner, along with Temple's English & Communication Librarian, Kristina De Voe, co-presented a poster entitled "Leveling Up Information Literacy: Library Instruction & Tabletop RPGs in Conversation." The poster explored relationships between one-shot library instruction and tabletop role-playing games (RPGs), based on a qualitative content analysis of professional literature and community-generated content (blogs, videos, podcasts, etc.) from the past ten years. Focusing on concepts of identity, agency, communication, and reflection, the presenters offered a “character sheet” of collected tips and best practices for enhancing one-shot library instruction. Foundational knowledge covering RPG definitions, critical discourses from RPG player-critics, and performance theory were included, as well as novel ideas for incorporating an RPG ethos into the library classroom.

This poster shared preliminary findings from Eric's research. He and his co-author will continue their research and draw more connections and conclusions in their upcoming article. Stay tuned!

On Friday, May 30, 2025, our Technical Library Assistant - Cataloging, Nicole Barnabei, participated on a panel with four other librarians from across New Jersey. Their panel, titled Shelf Smarts: Adjusting Collections for New Library Spaces, discussed the challenges and logistics of managing a collection during renovation. They spoke about what happens when a renovation or new building construction means relocating or reducing the size of a collection. In this session, panelists discussed how they wrangled their collections to suit their new and temporary spaces.

On Thursday, May 29, 2025, our Metadata Librarian, Stephanie Sussmeier, presented a poster titled Cataloging AI-thics in Academic Libraries at the New Jersey Library Association Conference.  The poster highlighted the recent research and recommendations on the ethics of artificial intelligence (AI) and cataloging in academic libraries. Based on a recent article submission (currently under review) for the Journal of Library Metadata Special Issue-“Metadata in Late Capitalism,” the poster will specifically cover the ethical concerns of AI, and how catalogers can ethically fill the gaps between cataloging and the new world of AI, while trying to evolve in their roles and duties without sacrificing job security.

If you are interested in learning more about the intersection of AI and cataloging, feel free to email Stephanie at Stephanie.Sussmeier@stockton.edu.

On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Student Success Librarian, Cheyenne Riehl, and Outreach Librarian, Joyce DeStasio, presented a program at the New Jersey Library Association Conference. Their presentation, Supporting First-Year Student Success, explored their recent initiative to enhance information literacy instruction within Stockton's First-Year Seminar program. They spoke about creating a suite of resources, including audiobook access for the common reading, a topic guide, a gamified survey of students’ behaviors and attitudes toward college-level research, and an quiz-like information literacy assessment tool. They shared the development process behind the resources, the outcomes of our assessments, and reflections on key takeaways from their experience.