News & Events

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.

Access and Engagement Coordinator, Jess Martorano, and Student Engagement Aid, Luke O’Connor, presented a program titled Rethinking Transitional Library Spaces: A UX Collaboration, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the New Jersey Library Association Conference. Their session explored the process and impact of library renovations, focusing on user experience (UX) and temporary spaces. They shared insights from student feedback and their experiences adapting library services and spaces during renovations. The session will address challenges and opportunities, highlighting how temporary spaces supported student needs while maintaining services. They also emphasized the collaboration between library units, academic departments, architects, and students that shaped the renovation approach and service delivery.

On Friday, May 2, our Metadata Librarian, Stephanie Sussmeier, led a Book Mending Workshop at Georgian Court University. The two-hour, in-person session, hosted by LibraryLinkNJ and VALE New Jersey, drew attendees from across the region. During the workshop, Stephanie demonstrated a variety of essential book repair techniques, including page tipping, page and corner repair, spine repair and replacement, hinge reinforcement, and cover restoration.

In addition to the practical demonstrations, she shared insights on selecting the right materials for different types of books—such as hardcovers versus paperbacks—and offered budget-friendly tips using everyday items. She also addressed the pros and cons of various treatment methods, explained how to choose the most appropriate repair strategy, and discussed the expected lifespan of different mending approaches. The workshop provided valuable skills and knowledge for anyone working to preserve and extend the life of their library’s (or personal) book collections.

If you are interested in learning more about book repair or hosting Stephanie for a book mending workshop, feel free to email her at Stephanie.Sussmeier@stockton.edu.

On Wednesday, April 30, Stockton’s Alliance Heritage Center invited our Access and Engagement Coordinator, Jess Martorano, and our Student Engagement Aid, Luke O’Connor, to present “Future-Proofing the Library” as part of their Mellon lecture series. This engaging talk offered the campus community a closer look at the evolving role of academic libraries and how Stockton is preparing to meet future needs. Jess and Luke shared key insights from their research following more than 20 visits to university libraries across the region. Their goal: to help shape Stockton’s vision of a “Library of the Future.” Through photos, anecdotes, and comparative examples, they highlighted trends in library design and services that prioritize adaptability, student-centered learning, and innovation. Topics included the integration of emerging technologies to support research and creativity, the reimagining of traditional study areas into flexible, multi-use learning environments, and the growing role of Special Collections in preserving institutional identity and supporting unique learning opportunities. 

To explore their findings in more detail and see examples from their visits, click here to view the presentation slides and discover what the future of Bjork Library could look like. 

On Tuesday, April 8, the Library hosted the Stockton Works Reception at the Upper Coffeehouse Overlook Lounge, as part of Stockton’s STARS celebration. This year’s event celebrated Hidden Among the Stacks: Treasures of a Library, published by our own South Jersey Culture and History Center. The event featured a keynote on the book’s journey by Professor Tom Kinsella, who oversaw the writing and production of this title, a special publication honoring our library’s history and envisioning its future. Dr. Kinsella also invited student contributors to share insights on their portion on the book. These students from the Literature Senior Seminar conducted interviews with library staff, faculty, and supporters, capturing their stories and reflections to document the library’s history and its evolving role in our academic community. The night was capped off by a preview of the new library plans with Dan Sernotti, Facilities Planning & Construction Project Manager & Architect, and Jess Martorano, the library’s Access & Engagement Coordinator. The evening was a meaningful tribute to the library’s past, present, and future—honoring the voices that shaped its story and offering a glimpse into what’s to come.

If you'd like to read it, borrow Hidden Among the Stacks: Treasures of a Library from our library here.

Bjork Library received the 2025 Library Excellence in Access and Diversity (LEAD) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The LEAD Award honors academic libraries’ programs and initiatives that encourage and support inclusive excellence and belonging across their campus. These include, but are not limited to research, technology, accessibility, exhibitions, and community outreach. Stockton University will be featured, along with 33 other recipients, in the March 2025 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine.

Insight Into Diversity magazine selected Bjork Library for this national recognition because of the impactful work done across all library departments, much of which takes place behind the scenes to ensure equity and inclusivity are ingrained in our daily practices.

One highlight was the incredible efforts of our library's outreach team, particularly their monthly cultural and heritage celebration displays. These thoughtfully curated exhibits, presented both physically and digitally, shine a spotlight on underrepresented authors, works, and topics, further promoting awareness and diversity within our collections and programming.

We are proud to receive this recognition and remain committed to enhancing access, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do. This award reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire library team and our shared vision of serving as a resource and advocate for all members of the Stockton community.

At Friday's NJ Academic Libraries Conference, our Special Collections Librarian Heather Perez presented on a panel with two other members of the Archives and Special Collections section of the NJ Academic Librarians. In their panel, "Teaching with Primary Sources: Flexible and Fun Ways to Share Special Collections and Archives," the speakers discussed the art of teaching students to use special collections as it can sometimes be a challenge to keep them engaged while helping them to navigate the intricacies of working with documents. Heather shared one of her favorite lesson plans, "Speed Dating with Documents" which introduces a class to our Special Collections by allowing students to quickly explore and engage with different pieces.

Click here to learn more about Special Collections at Bjork Library.

At the NJ Academic Libraries Conference on Friday, January 10, Outreach Librarian Joyce DeStasio participated in a panel of four librarians from across New Jersey as part of the Marketing & Outreach section of the NJ Academic Librarians. In their panel, "Adapting to our Communities’ Needs through Marketing and Outreach," speakers each shared their library's current approach to communications and outreach, identifying that "meeting our users where they are" requires flexibility and dynamic marketing strategies. Joyce discussed the variety of work we've done to communicate and market the library renovations to the Stockton Community. This includes digital initiatives, such as website updates, presentation slides,  newsletters, and social media posts, as well as printed pieces such as flyers and signage both in the library and across campus.

To learn more about the library renovation, visit our renovation updates page.