Faculty, students, and alumni from SC&I’s Library and Information Science (LIS) Department will attend the 2025 New Jersey Library Association (NJLA) Conference, taking place May 28–30 at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City. This annual event is the premier professional development conference for New Jersey’s library community.

With this year’s conference theme, “Breaking Barriers, Simple Kindness,” NJLA invites attendees to reflect on the powerful role libraries play in promoting equity, compassion, and access for all. The theme resonates strongly with SC&I’s commitment to inclusive education, community engagement, and preparing library professionals who serve diverse populations.

As a proud Platinum Sponsor, SC&I is honored to support a conference that brings together librarians, educators, and advocates from across the state for three days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. The program includes keynote presentations, vendor meetings, poster sessions, and networking opportunities designed to foster meaningful connections and lasting impact.

This year’s keynote speakers include two notable voices from the worlds of culture and literature:

On Thursday, May 29, Hadrien Coumans, co-founder and deputy director of the Lenape Center, will share insights on healing from personal and collective histories. Coumans, who has more than 25 years of experience, also serves as an advisor for peace and wellbeing, appointed by Lenape elder Joe Baker. He is a traditionally adopted member of the WhiteTurkey-Fugate family. Learn more about Hadrien Coumans.

On Friday, May 30, George Abraham, a Palestinian American poet, essayist, and critic, will deliver the closing keynote. Abraham is the author of “When the Arab Apocalypse Comes to America” (Haymarket, 2026) and “Birthright” (Button Poetry, 2020), which received the Arab American Book Award and was a Lambda Literary Award finalist. They are currently writer-in-residence at Amherst College and editor at large and editor of Mizna Online. Learn more about George Abraham.

Founded in 1890, NJLA is the state’s oldest and largest library organization, advocating for the advancement of library services, offering continuing education and networking opportunities, and upholding the principles of intellectual freedom and equitable access to information.

For more information about the 2025 NJLA Conference, including registration and the full program schedule, visit NJLA.