The New Jersey State Library and the New Jersey Library Association have coordinated a “Snapshot Day.” Libraries will provide statistics for a set day (February 19, 2009) to show the business of a typical day in the life of New Jersey’s libraries.

The point? It will give a nice quick look as to what valuable services are provided on a daily basis that may go “unrecognized and unappreciated.” According to the wiki site, “[The Snapshot Committee Members] will collate all the information we receive and package it so that you will have powerful statistics available, i.e., “If all of New Jersey’s libraries had been closed on February 19, 2009, 1,356 people would not have been able to apply for jobs online” “If all of New Jersey’s libraries had been closed on February 19, 2009, 3,200 people would not have been able to apply for unemployment benefits.” “If all of New Jersey’s libraries had been closed on February 19, 2009, 70,000 items would not be circulating among our customers.””

Additionally, in the photo snapshot sense, New Jersey libraries are able to upload photos to an NJLA flikr set.

I look forward to seeing the compiled numbers for February 19, 2009, as well as the pictures that are submitted. It may provide an insightful state-wide “snapshot.”