DLD WEEKLY WRAP-UP | March 15, 2024 | |
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In honor of National Women’s History Month…
Hear me as a woman
Have me as your sister
On purpled battlefield breaking day,
So I might say our victory is just beginning,…
See me as change,
Say I am movement,
That I am the year
And I am the era
Of the women.
- Amanda Gorman,
Won’t You Be My Sister?
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Initiatives & Announcements | | |
Digital Equity News
E-Rate
Reminder: You can now file for a discount for fiber internet to go with your already existing dark fiber IRU.
The deadline for filing for fiber operations and maintenance discounts and for fiber internet discounts is March 27.
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For your fiber maintenance discount: please use the number of the Form 470 used for your original dark fiber IRU connection.
For your fiber internet: if you submitted a Letter of Agency to Chris Gauvreau at the State Library, use Form 470 240013514. There were two bidders for the latter.
If you would like to file while screen sharing with the E-Rate coordinator, Chris Gauvreau, please set up an appointment by emailing her at Christine.Gauvreau@ct.gov. If you need to reach Chris by phone, please call her cell: (860) 478-5300.
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CT Libraries & Partners for Digital Equity (CTLPDE)
Do you need practical advice on how to help those in your community losing the Affordable Connectivity Plan access to low-cost internet?
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East Hartford Public Library's Digital Navigation Team presented best practices on how to transition ACP-enrolled households to other low-cost internet plans at the February CT Libraries & Partners for Digital Equity meeting. Please click this link to view the presentation slides. | |
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Important Changes to the Military Saves Program
As part of their ongoing commitment to support our transitioning military personnel, veterans, and their families in achieving financial well-being, Military Saves is transitioning to Veteran Saves.
This move is a focused effort to enhance the support and resources provided to financially empower veterans as they transition from military service or as they continue their journey as a veteran.
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Veteran Saves is dedicated to addressing the unique financial challenges and opportunities faced by veterans, transitioning service members, caregivers, and their families. The initiative is built around the essential pillars of Financial Stress, Housing, Banking, and Employment, offering practical tips and resources to support your financial journey.
The Military Saves website and resources will remain accessible during this transition, with announcements on when content will move to VeteranSaves.org.
Please send any questions about these changes to info@militarysaves.org.
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Professional Development & Continuing Education | | |
New Series Starting This Month!
Lead Your Library | Practical Management of Public Libraries
Join us for a collection of introductory workshops for public library administrators and the “hands on” issues they face every day.
This is a Wednesday afternoon virtual series running from March through June. Attend all if possible, or as many as you can!
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Administration Basics: Being a Library Director 101 with CT State Library, Division of Library Development (DLD) Staff
March 27 | 1:00-2:30 pm
Register for Administration Basics
Whether you are a new director or a seasoned director, this session will provide an overview of the Handbook for CT Public Library Directors covering:
- Connecticut Laws Affecting Public Libraries
- Quick Guide to Governance, Laws, and Eligibility
- Best Practices for CT Public Libraries
- Policies
- DLD Resources
- Consultants and Training
- Partner Organizations
DLD consultants will be on hand to answer your specific project and program questions.
The Toilet is Backed Up! Hands on Facility Management with Jerry Nichols
April 10 | 1:00-2:30 pm
Register for Facility Management
Review the basics of managing your building and creating a healthy, safe, and inviting environment for staff and patrons. Topics will include a discussion of facility evaluation, maintenance, safety, and security, as well as working with contractors. This workshop provides a practical perspective for living with your library building, regardless of its age or condition. Note: This session will be recorded.
Keeping Staff Happy and Motivated: Supervision and HR Basics with Jerry Nichols
May 1 | 1:00-2:30 pm
Register for Supervision and HR Basics
Knowing the fundamentals of staff supervision as well as the cycle of Recruitment: Orientation & Training; Evaluation and Discipline is critical to your success as an administrator. This overview of Human Resources will introduce you to the basics and provide you with guidance to expand your understanding of this essential field. Note: This session will be recorded.
It’s Not About Math: Understanding Budgeting and Financial Reporting with Jerry Nichols
May 22 | 1:00-2:30 pm
Register for Budgeting and Financial Reporting
Though finance and budgeting are often the least favorite tasks library administrators face, they are skills that are essential to understand in order to assure the viability of your organization. We will review the tools and tasks that must be mastered including accounting standards, internal controls, the budgeting process, audits, and insurance. Note: This session will be recorded.
Save the Date!
June 12 from 10 am-3 pm as a possible in-person workshop to conclude this series.
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Related to the Lead Your Library series, we are offering Construction Grant Information Sessions* and Capital Projects Workshops in April and May!
*Please note: There will only be TWO mandatory construction grant information sessions for the upcoming construction grant cycle. If your library is planning to submit a Notice of Intent, you MUST ATTEND one session along with designated officials (indicated below).
Who should come?
Anyone considering a public library renovation or construction project, including library directors/administrators, library board chair and members, municipal leaders, procurement officers, and building committee members.
Who must attend?
Association Libraries: Library Director and Building Committee Chair
Municipal Libraries: Library Director, Town Manager or chief executive (Mayor, First Selectman).
Construction Grant Information Sessions with Dawn La Valle
Tuesday, April 16 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register for Construction Grant Session
Wednesday, May 15 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register for Construction Grant Session
Capital Projects Workshops with Libby Post
Thursday, April 25 | 10:00-11:00 am
Register for Capital Projects
Friday, May 10 | 1:00-2:00 pm
Register for Capital Projects
Workshops will have captions enabled. If you require another access service to participate fully, please use the Accommodation Request Form at least 7 days prior to the event.
For other workshops, please visit our Continuing Education Calendar.
Please contact Gail Hurley at Gail.Hurley@ct.gov or (860) 704-2223 with any questions.
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New Series Starting This Month!
Growing Equitable Library Services (GELS): Trauma-Informed Services Webinar Series with Beatriz De La Espriella, LCSW
Part 1: Decoding the Neurobiology of Trauma
Tuesday, March 19 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register for Decoding the Neurobiology of Trauma
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Delve into the neuroscience of trauma in this informative session. Understand how the brain responds to trauma and explore the implications of trauma on cognitive functions and emotional regulation. Examine the impact of childhood trauma on brain development and discuss strategies for creating trauma-sensitive library services. Finally, explore generational and historical trauma, and how libraries can contribute to healing within cultural and historical contexts.
Recording & Slides: This program will be recorded. The recording and slides will be made available on the GELS Trauma Informed Services Libguides page.
About Beatriz De La Espriella, LCSW: Beatriz De La Espriella is a licensed clinical social worker and mental health expert in anxiety, stress, and trauma. Beatriz works with individuals and libraries to improve the mental health and well-being of library staff, so they can feel empowered to serve their community and thrive personally and professionally. She provides training and coaching to libraries on trauma-informed services, mindfulness, self-care, and more.
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Upcoming Workshops in the GELS: Trauma-Informed Services Webinar Series:
Tuesday, April 30 - GELS: Creating a Trauma-Informed Library Environment
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Build VR Art in the Library
Wednesday, March 20 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register for Build VR Art in the Library
In this session, attendees will explore the intersection of technology and art by creating virtual reality artwork. We will start with a brief introduction to virtual reality art applications, followed by examples of pieces using the tools available on the Meta Quest. The wide range of virtual brushes, colors, and textures makes bringing your vision to life easy.
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Making Instructional Videos
Tuesday, March 26 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Register for Making Instructional Videos
If your library has databases or apps available for patron use, chances are you’d like to make a video explaining how to access them. Learn to make instructional videos to promote your electronic resources using video editing and recording products with this hands-on workshop.
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Since this is a small group class, participants will need a computer with a camera and microphone so they can share thoughts and ask questions throughout the class.
This is a beginner class - it is helpful if participants are comfortable with downloading things from the internet and adding web browser plugins. Participants will receive info about signing up for any needed free accounts prior to the workshop.
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Readers' Advisory Series: Demystifying Genre*
Wednesday, March 27 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register for Demystifying Genre
Nothing is scarier than trying to help a fan of a genre you don’t enjoy yourself. Never fear! In this program, Readers’ Advisory expert, Becky Spratford will teach you the basic appeals of the major genres, give you the inside track on what a fan of that genre is most drawn to, and provide you with talking points to get your genres readers to tell you what they want.
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This program focuses on providing you with a diverse and inclusive list of up-to-date authors with at least 40% of the example titles representing “own voices.” You will leave this session with the confidence and skill to help fans of every genre, regardless of whether or not you have ever read a book in that genre yourself. And that will leave a trail of happy patrons in your wake.
*This workshop does not require you to have attended the first RA for All workshop January 31st, and the Booktalk workshop on March 6, but it does build off of them. If you were unable to make those workshops, feel free to view the recordings in the DLD Professional Development LibGuide.
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Statistical Trends in Connecticut Public Libraries 2022-2023 Now Available!
Each year, Connecticut Public Libraries make an impact in their communities. The Statistical Trends report identifies and explains the important trends over fiscal year 2023.
As always, we thank all the libraries for providing their data and sharing their amazing work with us.
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Also available with the Statistical Trends Report:
CT Libraries Fact Flyer
Create a flyer specifically for your library. Visit the link above to view a sample and see instructions for requesting yours.
Attention CT Public Library Workers! Would you like to see your collective FY23 accomplishments highlighted on a flyer? Head on over to the CT Fact Flyer's page to download your copy of the CT Public Libraries Annual Report Fact Flyer FY2023.
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Nothing Beats a Great Biography or Memoir!
This week we added to our growing collection of biographies including presidential biographies. Step into someone else’s life and time!
Biographies are typically among the highest circulating categories and it’s likely that your patrons want more – in both eBook and eAudio format. Share the Palace App with your patrons to connect them with hundreds of biographies and much more!
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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 34,400 items and continues to grow!
There are now 163 academic and public libraries that are live in the app and 134 K12 sites that are participating in the eGO Community Sharing Program, you can view the complete list of libraries that are taking advantage of this amazing FREE resource.
Do you need help with marketing or are you looking for instructional guides and videos? You can find marketing and instructional materials on the Palace Project site!
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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Seasonal Book Bundles at MLSC!
Spring is almost here! Stock up on spring and upcoming holiday books for your story times and displays by reserving a seasonal picture book bundle.
Book bundles include a mix of 15-20 titles, have a 90-day loan period, and the books included can be lent to your patrons or students. If you have specific requests, you can let us know in the reservation form.
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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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