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G2S Project Code: 2020-NJ-84967
State: New Jersey
Fiscal Year: 2020

Grantee
New Jersey State Library, an affiliate of Thomas Edison State University

Project Director
Director Name: Mike Rasimowicz
Director Phone: 609-278-2640, x199
Director Email: mrasimowicz@njstatelib.org

General Information
Title: JerseyConnect Statewide Technology Program
State Project Code:
Start Date: 07/01/2020
End Date: 06/30/2021
Abstract: JerseyConnect is the statewide technology services organization and network infrastructure delivered through the New Jersey State Library. JerseyConnect helps to bridge the digital divide by providing low cost internet access and related services to public libraries in New Jersey. The JerseyConnect infrastructure and service model is designed for maximum flexibility, scalability and redundancy. Through JerseyConnect, public libraries in the State of New Jersey are positioned to take advantage of new and emerging technologies while enjoying reliable core internet connectivity and related services. Jersey Connect offers a variety of services to New Jersey public libraries. Most services do not depend on a direct connection to the network.

Free services available to all New Jersey libraries include: web hosting services with statistics, full service email hosting and management,email spam and virus filtering regardless of email host, cloud storage, domain name hosting, wifi management and consultation on technology projects. Services available to connected libraries: high speed internet access via fully redundant and scalable statewide network infrastructure, router management and replacement service, real-time and historical bandwidth reporting, full service Cisco firewall management, virtual server hosting for ILS (proprietary or Open Source), device and circuit monitoring with notification, and QoS guarantees for services hosted by JerseyConnect.

State Goal: Information Access

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$686,056.00

$867,607.00

$0.00

$1,553,663.00

Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity
Systems & Technologies

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Technology Support
Narrative:

Provided technology services for public libraries throughout New Jersey; 363 libraries utilize at least one service of JerseyConnect.

SERVICE NUMBER OF LIBRARIES

Bandwidth reporting 67

Disaster Recovery/Cloud Storage 47

DNS hosting 163

Domain Registration 16

Email Archiving 52

ILS hosting 15

Internet Access 67

Managed WiFi 78

Network/Device Management 55

Network Monitoring 67

Quality of Service policies 8

Remote Assistance 149

Spam/Antivirus filtering 160

SSL certificates 63

virtual meetings 56

website hosting 113

Web statistics 55

Email hosting 143

Internet 67

The New Jersey State Library covers the cost of full e-rate consulting for the 28 libraries that take advantage of all Jersey Connect services, using Funds for Learning.

Finally, routers that were deemed end of life were replaced by four new Cisco routers in order to keep the Jersey Connect network functional.

Intent: Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: Virtual

Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 750
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 62

Partner Information

Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No

Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 297
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Every 18-24 months JerseyConnect sends out a survey to all NJ libraries asking not only about the current services being offered but also what services libraries would like to see offered. This allows service offerings to be investigated and updated on a regular basis.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The most recent survey is attached to this report.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:

Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
Yes
Explain:
Activities to some extent dictated by demand from the NJ public library community.
Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:

Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative

Project Tags: