DLD Weekly Wrap-Up | February 28, 2025 | |
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March is Upon Us:
“In March winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward. Something holds and something pulls inside of us too.”
— Jean Hersey
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Initiatives & Announcements | | |
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Join us! All CT Reads 2025 Adult Author Talk with Monica Wood
Thursday, March 27 | 2:00-2:45 pm
Register for All CT Reads 2025 Adult Author Talk
We are thrilled to welcome you to an extra-special All CT Reads Adult Author Talk with Monica Wood, author of How to Read a Book, the 2025 All CT Reads primary adult pick. Monica will be virtually joining us to share insight into her work and life as a writer and her particular experience with How to Read a Book.
Following her talk, Monica will engage in facilitated Q+A and conversation with CT librarian and All CT Reads 2025 Adult Committee member Cindy Haiken of the Wallingford Public Library.
Presenter:
Monica Wood is a novelist, memoirist, and playwright; the 2024 recipient of the Sara Josepha Hale award for excellence in New England literary arts; the 2019 recipient of the Maine Humanities Council Carlson Prize for contributions to the public humanities; and the 2016 recipient of the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance Distinguished Achievement Award for contributions to the literary arts. She lives in Portland, Maine, with her husband, Dan Abbott, and their cat, Susie.
Recording and Slides:
Recordings will be available on the All CT Reads website.
Who Should Come?
Everyone! Please share this with your patrons and student - they're invited to join the event too! You can add it to your library calendar and newsletter.
Accessibility
This webinar will be captioned. If you require another access service to participate fully, please use the Accommodation Request Form at least 14 days prior to the event.
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borrowIT CT Report Form for 2024-2025 due Friday, March 14
This is a reminder that the borrowIT CT* reporting period ends TODAY, February 28. (*borrowIT CT is the new name for Connecticard.)
Once the year is complete, please download the borrowIT CT Report Form, record non-resident loans, and email the report as an Excel attachment to Brad Bullis (for Barbara, State Data Coordinator) at Bradley.Bullis@ct.gov by Friday, March 14.
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"Non-resident loans" are loans of library materials to any non-resident who visits your library in person to borrow items that are on the shelf, showing their valid borrower card issued by their home library. Using their hometown cards, non-residents may visit any public library in person and borrow any of the materials that participating libraries lend to their local borrowers.
Libraries are required to have accurate and complete figures in place by the March 14 deadline or they will not receive a reimbursement payment. Libraries who did not submit expenditure reports by October 31, 2024 for the previous 18-month period are not eligible for payment.
Download and use the 2024-2025 borrowIT CT Report Form to report your library's non-resident loans during the March 2024 thru February 2025 reporting year.
You are required to:
- Report on monthly loans to each individual library's card holders.
- Certify the accuracy and completeness of the report as well as your library's adherence to borrowIT regulations.
- Email the completed form to the borrowIT CT administrator by the March 14 deadline.
Please submit reports to Brad Bullis at Bradley.Bullis@ct.gov. Please direct any questions regarding borrowIT CT regulations and payment requirements to Dawn La Valle at Dawn.Lavalle@ct.gov.
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New Growing Equitable Library Services (GELS) Series Beginning
in March!
Decolonize This Space: Making Antiracism Real in Public Libraries with Wee the People
Unlearning to Learn: The History of Public Libraries in the US
Tuesday, March 18 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register: Unlearning to Learn
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SURVEY: Please fill out this presurvey by March 7 to help the presenters prepare for the session and maximize learning. The survey only has to be filled out once for the series, not for each of the five sessions.
Libraries today are lauded as being spaces where everyone is welcome. Librarians are praised for their neutrality and receive vocational awe. Despite libraries' stated values of inclusivity and equal access, their actions have often contradicted these principles. This session will delve into the historical context of libraries as racialized organizations, highlighting their deep-rooted connections to white supremacist culture.
We will examine the establishment of the American Library Association, founded by individuals who perpetuated a white supremacist mindset, and discuss how contemporary concepts such as neutrality and vocational awe continue to uphold this ideology. Historical evidence from libraries in the southern United States, which denied entry and library cards to people of color, is well known; this session will also trace the largely erased history of exclusionary practices of libraries in the northern states.
As the first workshop in the Decolonize This Space: Making Antiracism Real in Public Libraries series, we will demonstrate the critical need for librarians to recognize and disrupt these historical foundations, setting the stage for the subsequent workshops.
Please note the five sessions in this series build on each other. You are not required to attend all five sessions (or watch the recordings in advance), though it is recommended.
Upcoming webinars in this series:
What Does it Mean to Decolonize (Part 1)
Tuesday, April 15 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Register: Decolonize (Part 1)
What Does it Mean to Decolonize (Part 2)
Tuesday, May 20 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Register: Decolonize (Part 2)
Equity in Action: Decolonizing Library Practices (Part 1)
Monday, June 16 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Register: Equity in Action (Part 1)
Equity in Action: Decolonizing Library Practices (Part 2)
Monday, June 23 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Register: Equity in Action (Part 2)
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Planning a Library Renovation or Expansion?
Many of you indicated in the Continuing Education survey this year that a library renovation or expansion was one of the major projects coming up in the future for your library.
The first of the Construction Grant Information Sessions kicked off in February. If you missed it, there are more sessions coming up over the next few months, including a session on Wednesday, March 12 from 10:00-11:30 am!
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For more information about upcoming sessions in April and May, please see details in the Workshops & Programs section below.
For those of you who want to travel, Library Journal’s Design Institute will be held this year on Thursday, May 8 at the Winter Park Library in Winter Park, FL. For more information, please visit the Library Journal Design Institute’s webpage.
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In 2024, CT received $2,164,184 through the LSTA Grants to States program.
Federal funds do not directly support public libraries who are funded locally by their municipalities.
LSTA Grants to States funding allows for the following:
Accessibility
- Adult Services | Accessibility
- Connecticut Library for Accessible Books (CTLAB)
- Veterans and Military Families
Digital Connectivity
- E-Rate and Internet Connectivity
- Regional Digital Navigation
Division of Library Development Resources
- Early Literacy
- Middletown Library Service Center (MLSC)
- Professional Consultants
- Professional Development
- Summer Reading and Enrichment
- Visiting, Collections and Equipment
Statewide Digital Resources
- State Archives | National Digital Newspaper Program
- Statewide Databases
- Statewide Digital Library
- Statewide eBook and eAudio Platform
- Statewide Resource Sharing
- Workforce Development
For more information, including details on all projects and services mentioned above, please visit the Federal Library Funding in CT Libguide.
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UCONN TAB Program Spring Webinar Series
The University of Connecticut's Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) program is hosting a spring webinar series on Wednesdays from 12:00-12:30 pm (unless otherwise noted).
Upcoming TAB programs:
Tuesday, March 11 - Community Engagement in Aging Communities
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Wednesday, April 16 - Using Brownfield Funding for Local Planning (A Planner's Perspective)
Wednesday, May 14 - Planning for a Successful Fall EPA Brownfield Grant Application - Don't Wait Until September!
For more information and to register, please visit the UCONN TAB webinar registration page.
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This Week's Notable Articles...
Please feel free to pass them along to colleagues and patrons!
Celebrating Black History Month:
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Books, Bookstores and Authors:
For the Love of Learning:
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Digital Equity News
ALA Needs Your Help!
The American Library Association (ALA) is kicking off a round of Congressional meetings to discuss Wi-Fi hotspots, the Universal Service Fund (E-Rate) legal case, and the FCC Commissioner nomination.
ALA is requesting stories from libraries, especially related to the E-Rate hotspots program, which is currently under threat.
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Digital Equity Updates and Information
E-Rate: USF at the Supreme Court
The Constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund (E-Rate) Goes to the Supreme Court | POTs n PANs, January 24, 2025
CBAN | Broadband Glossary
The Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN) has just published a comprehensive broadband glossary of over 140 terms encompassing everything from digital equity to infrastructure, government agencies and their intersections with broadband and digital equity, emerging cybersecurity terms, and more. It's a living document, so please contact CBAN through their website with any changes, additions, inaccuracies, or broken links you see. General feedback is also very much appreciated.
Digital Policy re: Hotspot Program
On January 27, 2025, Senator Cruz, Chairman of the Commerce Committee, announced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would nullify the hotspot rule issued by the Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC voted to adopt the rule in July 2024 under then-Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, saying it was needed to help kids without reliable Internet access complete their homework.
Federal Funding Updates Resource
To follow updates and interpretations of federal funding changes to broadband and digital inclusion funding, please refer to this resource posted by Broadband.io.
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E-Rate News
Funding Year (FY) 2025 FCC Form 471 Application Filing Window Closes on March 26
The Funding Year (FY) 2025 FCC Form 471 application filing window will close on Wednesday, March 26 at 11:59 p.m. E.T.
If you need assistance, schedule a Zoom screen share meeting with E-Rate Coordinator Christine Gauvreau, or contact Chris at Christine.Gauvreau@ct.gov or (860) 704-2224.
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Professional Development & Continuing Education | | |
Just a reminder that our workshops and programs are always FREE and open to all library workers throughout the state. Please join us! | |
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Coming in March!
How to Stop Burnout and Re-energize Your Work for Your Best Year Ever
Tuesday, March 4 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Register for How to Stop Burnout
Burnout is real and affects all industries and employees at every level from CEOs to administrative assistants. In some professions, like medicine, it's rampant and has damaging consequences.
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Learn what burnout is and isn't, why it's dangerous, and strategies and tools for addressing it. In this interactive Zoom workshop, you'll explore how to: recognize the signs of burnout, identify the causes - both internal and external, own it (you're the boss of your own life), explore alternatives, and decide what you want as there are never no choices.
This workshop will give you your own personalized plan for ensuring that burnout doesn't stop you from having your best year ever.
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Participants will be able to develop their own plan based on their staffing model and to problem solve possible obstacles to ongoing outreach efforts. This workshop includes a working session for participants to draft their library outreach plan.
This session is the last of the Reimagining Library Outreach and Access series providing library staff with strategies, tools, and frameworks to expand their reach and impact within their communities. Using their own library and local data, participants have the opportunity to evaluate barriers to access within their own communities and to reconsider their approach to outreach utilizing their existing assets and structures.
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Hands-On Legal Reference for Public Librarians
Monday, March 10 | 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Register for Hands-On Legal Reference for Public Librarians
Does the thought of handling a patron’s legal question cause you to feel uneasy? Wouldn’t it be great to have someone coaching you on what to do? Then sign up for this interactive class with law librarian Chris Roy (Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries) and law librarian Anne Rajotte (UConn Law Library).
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In this small class, you will gain confidence and insight by actively researching legal problems with partners or small groups using free legal resources on the Internet. Along the way you will get great tips from experienced law librarians that will get you on track to providing legal information and help you avoid giving legal advice.
There are no prerequisites for this session, but since this is a small group workshop, participants will need a computer with a camera and microphone so that they can research questions provided to them, share their results, and ask questions throughout the class.
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CT State Library Construction Grant Information Session
Wednesday, March 12 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register for March 12 Construction Grant Session
If your library is thinking of applying for a construction grant from the CT State Library, this webinar will walk you through the process. You'll learn what you need to do before applying as well as what's required after you receive the grant.
In this session, we'll cover funding categories, application process, grant application evaluation, timeline, grant contract, starting and managing the project, state requirements, and advice.
Prospective library applicants should attend the mandatory construction grant session for the grant cycle they intend on applying for. Attendance at a construction grant information session is a requirement for all applicants.
Additional Construction Grant Information Sessions coming up this spring:
Wednesday, April 16 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register for April 16 Construction Grant Session
Wednesday, April 30 | 1:00-2:30 pm
Register for April 30 Construction Grant Session
Wednesday, May 14 | 1:00-2:30 pm
Register for May 14 Construction Grant Session
For more information about the CT State Library's Construction Grant Program, please visit the Construction Grant Libguide.
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We Are Adding to Our Nonfiction Collection with a Focus on Music!
This week we purchased over 100 items titles about music and musicians. Many of your patrons love to read about the artists that produce the music they love to listen to. Whether it’s classical, jazz, folk, country, or rock – we have it!
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We also continue to add mysteries, thrillers, and backlist bestsellers. The collection provided by the Connecticut State Library in eGO CT’s Palace Project app now exceeds 50,000 items and continues to grow!
There are now 180 academic and public libraries that are live in the app, and 178 K12 sites that are participating in the eGO Community Sharing Program. Visit the eGO CT Libguide to view the complete list libraries of that are taking advantage of this amazing FREE resource.
We are also offering a Baker & Taylor Boundless option for non-Destiny school sites for free access to the Connecticut State Library eBook collection.
If your library is not listed, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t live in the app.
If you have questions about the status of your public library or school, or want to learn more about eGO CT, the eGO CT Community Share program for K12 schools or the Palace Project App, contact Brad Bullis at Bradley.Bullis@ct.gov.
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MLSC March Madness: Puppet Edition
The competition is ON! Our puppets are in a “Battle for the Best” here at MLSC. Which puppet will prevail? That’s up to YOU!
Starting today, use our March Madness Puppet Voting Form to decide your favorite puppets throughout the month of March!
The puppets with the most votes each week will advance to the next round, until a winner is proclaimed on March 28. Happy voting and may the best puppet win!
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Dyslexia Support Kits
We recently added 15 Dyslexia Support Kits to our collection! Each kit contains these seven titles to share with your patrons:
- Molly's Great Discovery - Krista Weltner
- Molly Tells the World - Krista Weltner
- Molly Finds a Way - Krista Weltner
- Doctor Dyslexia Dude! - Dr. Shawn and Inshirah Robinson
- Doctor Dyslexia Dude! Cracking the Code - Dr. Shawn and Inshirah Robinson
- Doctor Dyslexia Dude! and the Battle for Resilience - Dr. Shawn and Inshirah Robinson
- Dyslexia Advocate: How to Advocate for a Child with Dyslexia Within the Public Education System - Kelli Sandman-Hurley
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Middletown Library Service Center
Open Hours:
Monday-Friday | 8:00 am-4:30 pm
MLSC staff, whether in the office or telecommuting, are responding to voicemail and e-mail during business hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, except for state holidays.
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Connecticut State Library | Division of Library Development
Middletown Library Service Center
786 South Main Street | Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 704-2200 | libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld
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