State librarian Norma Blake, a Moorestown resident, announced she plans to retire in July, closing the book on a distinguished career that has served New Jersey libraries for more than 36 years, including 10 years as the New Jersey State Librarian.
“Norma has played a critical role in helping New Jersey libraries meet service and technology expectations of the future,” said Dr. George A. Pruitt, president of Thomas Edison State College. “She has been a tremendous state librarian and leaves big shoes for us to fill.”
Prior to becoming state librarian in February 2001, Blake served as library director of the Burlington and Gloucester county library systems.
During her tenure as state librarian, Blake launched many projects that helped New Jersey libraries serve as national models for delivering services to all populations of library patrons.
In 2010, she played a critical role in securing $7.5 million in grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for computer security, hardware and broadband to help state libraries assist job seekers, small business owners and entrepreneurs state-wide.
Blake has served her profession as president of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), and president of the New Jersey Library Association.
She has also held office and membership in various New Jersey library networks, councils, advisory boards and associations.
Her professional accolades have been many, including a New Jersey Library Association’s Librarian of the Year Award in 1999, a Distinguished Service Award in 2005, being named 2008 Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey and being selected by Library Journal as the 2008 Librarian of the Year.
