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January 2025 | Vol. 1 No. 9 | |
Initiatives & Announcements | | |
Applications are OPEN for the Connecticut State Library Excellence in Public Libraries Awards 2025!
The CT State Library is pleased to announce that nomination applications are now open until February 28 for the inaugural Excellence in Public Libraries Awards 2025!
The Awards are designed to honor and celebrate outstanding public libraries—those that demonstrate excellence in service and innovative programming and have a profound impact on their communities.
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The Awards aim to highlight the exceptional work of public libraries, encouraging growth and evolution in library services and acknowledging libraries’ outstanding contributions while inspiring others to strive for excellence in serving their communities.
Open to all public libraries within the state, the Awards categories are:
- Community Engagement
- Innovative Programming
- Outstanding Children's Services
- Technology Integration
- Advancement in Literacy and Education
- Civic Champion
- Cultural Amplifier and Heritage Preservation
- Accessibility and Inclusion
The Nomination Period is now open through February 28, 2025.
Nomination Form:
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A completed Nomination Form is required for each nominated library.
- The Nomination Form includes space for a detailed description of the library's achievements as it pertains to the nominating Award Category, as well as space for evidence of impact, such as statistics, testimonials, and case studies.
Nomination Form: The CT State Library Excellence in Public Libraries Awards 2025
Libraries can be nominated by local legislators, peers, patrons, or staff members, and self-nominating is encouraged. A diverse panel of reviewers, including library professionals, educators, community leaders, and representatives from the State Library, will evaluate nominations and select awards recipients.
To learn more, visit the CT State Library Public Libraries Awards Libguide.
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Announcing the All CT Reads 2025 Titles! | |
Kids - Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega. Illustrated by Rose Bousamra
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Teens - Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis
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Adult - How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
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Visit the All CT Reads website to see the shortlist titles! Explore the website for book and author wraparound resources for each title including engagement resources like discussion questions, author videos, book reviews, and more.
We now have book discussion sets of all 12 titles available for borrowing from the Middletown Library Service Center. Visit the MLSC Equipment Catalog – All CT Reads to reserve yours!
Stay in the Loop!
About All CT Reads
All CT Reads is a year-long initiative to promote lifelong reading, learning, and connection that uses a rotating community committee structure to select one main book title and three shortlist book titles, each calendar year for three age groups: children (ages 8-12), teens (ages 13-18), and adults. In addition to the books, All CT Reads provides a supported programmatic structure built around the titles with room for individuality and creativity.
Why All CT Reads?
We want a way to read together. We want continuous conversations across Connecticut. We want to offer avenues of participation for spaces big and small to talk about inclusivity, cultures, acceptance, mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors. We want adventure, mystery, and relationships, too.
Our Partners and Sponsors
All CT Reads is an initiative of the Connecticut State Library Division of Library Development and partners with the Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC) and the Connecticut Association for School Librarians (CASL).
All CT Reads is supported by a generous grant from EBSCO Information Services to the Connecticut Heritage Foundation.
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You Say Goodbye, We Say Hello!
Last month, Fox 61 News released a moving tribute to Cathy Potter, honoring the six years she spent at East Hartford Public Library as their Head of Children's and Teen Services.
DLD recently welcomed Cathy as our new Librarian I, Circulation/ Children's and Young Adult Services Librarian! Cathy will join Kym Powe and Abbey Lynch to reimagine Children’s and Young Adult services, providing circulation, programming, and special projects and initiatives to benefit the CT library community and beyond.
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Keep an eye out for engaging and transformative opportunities at MLSC!
Cathy Potter is a librarian specializing in children's and young adult services with a background in circulation. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with an MLIS, and Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in marketing. In both her personal and professional lives, she continually works to increase awareness of everything the library has to offer.
Cathy enjoys using her skills to connect people of all ages with resources, materials, and each other to help them grow and learn more about themselves. She most recently accepted CLA's Faith Hektoen Award for lifetime achievement in children's services with the understanding that she's too young to retire! Cathy lives in Amston, CT, and enjoys spending time in the woods or along the shoreline, needle crafting, and relaxing with her husband, family, and two cats, Henry and Sophie.
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Annual DLD Professional Development Survey
In 2024, DLD offered approximately 100 workshops, including those in our signature programs such as GELS, Libraries Without Borders, The GIANT Room, and Leading from the Future.
We also provided access to PCI Webinars, Library 2.0, Niche Academy, Learn with NoveList and Northstar Digital Literacy.
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Help us plan this year’s training lineup with the annual DLD Professional Development Survey, which will allow us to identify your professional development needs and interests for the coming year.
DLD is supported by funds from the state of Connecticut and federally from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) specifically to provide free professional development training and resources to all CT librarians and staff.
Please complete the survey by Friday, January 17. We appreciate your feedback!
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TIAL: New Series Starting This Month!
Welcoming Deaf Patrons to the Library with Kathy MacMillan
We are thrilled to welcome Kathy MacMillan – writer, nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, librarian, editor, and signing storyteller – for a new series beginning this month! Kathy will share her expertise about the experiences and needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals to help make your library accessible to and inclusive of all members of your community.
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Welcoming Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patrons to Your Library
Wednesday, January 22 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register for Welcoming Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patrons to Your Library
In this interactive overview, you’ll learn communication tips for interacting with deaf patrons, information about American Sign Language and Deaf Culture, and even some basic ASL vocabulary to introduce yourself and help patrons navigate the library.
Upcoming in the Series:
Providing Accommodations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patrons at Your Library
Wednesday, February 26 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register for Providing Accommodations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patrons
This session unpacks the legal requirements for communication access under the Americans with Disabilities Act and provides a guide to effective use of accommodations such as interpreters, captioning, technology solutions, and more. We’ll also cover easy and inexpensive solutions that can be used by library staff at all levels.
Working with Sign Language Interpreters at Your Library
Wednesday, March 26 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register for Working with Sign Language Interpreters
Communicating through a third party can be stressful for everyone involved – but it doesn’t have to be that way! In this workshop, you will find out about best practices for hiring interpreters, develop an understanding of the interpreter’s role, and learn how to effectively communicate through an interpreter.
Welcoming Deaf Kids and Families at Your Library
Wednesday, April 23 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register for Welcoming Deaf Kids and Families
In this interactive overview, you’ll learn communication tips for interacting with deaf kids, teens, and parents, information about American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Culture, best practices for program access, and even some basic ASL vocabulary to introduce yourself and help families navigate the library.
Little Hands Signing in Storytime
Wednesday, May 21 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register for Little Hands Signing in Storytime
This presentation will cover the benefits of using basic American Sign Language with all children and offer a variety of simple techniques for making your programs more fun, educational, and participative through the use of signs with audiences of all ages. Participants will leave armed with a vocabulary of very basic signs to start using right away.
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Save the Date: Summer Symposium!
The CT State Library, Division of Library Development is pleased to announce the in-person Summer Symposium!
Summer library programs are often designed to cater to the needs of a community and the capacity of a library, but there are a few universal truths on town, state, and national levels.
The Summer Symposium will provide an opportunity for information gathering and communication around summer reading, summer services, and how libraries serve their community.
Please save the date for:
Friday, February 7
(Snow day: February 14)
75 Van Block Ave., Hartford, CT
More details will follow soon!
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News of Note
This month, we are observing Alzheimer's Awareness Month with articles and resources about Alzheimer's Disease.
Please feel free to pass this information along to colleagues and patrons.
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Have Questions? We’ve Got Answers!
All information, programs, resources, and services related to CT libraries have been curated and organized and are only a click away! The information you need can be found on DLD's LibGuides, which offers the most comprehensive overview of library information in CT, including:
Bookmark our homepage and add it to your desktop!
And remember, your DLD Library Liaison is also your go-to resource for answers to all your questions.
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Coming Soon – Connecticut Public Libraries’ Statistical Profile for FY2024!
Barbara Ghilardi, CT State Data Coordinator, is putting the finishing touches on the CT’s Public Libraries: A Statistical Profile, 2023-2024 and expects to send the final version out the week of January 6th. Keep your eyes on your inbox!
Please contact Barbara at Barbara.Ghilardi@ct.gov for more information.
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DEEP Survey to Assess Multi-Family Units Without Internet
On December 12, 2024, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Office of Telecommunications and Broadband rolled out a survey to help them determine which multi-family dwelling units in CT are not meaningfully connected to the internet.
If you know of units in your town, or community groups with residents likely living in such units, and you believe that they might not yet have been contacted about the opportunity to improve internet access via the federally-funded BEAD program, please visit: ConneCTed Communities Grant Program: MDU Information Intake Form.
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More than 50,000 pregnancies face severe complications every year. The crisis disproportionately impacts non-Hispanic, Black, and American Indian/Alaska Native pregnant women at almost two to three times the rate of non-Hispanic white pregnant women.
Research from Maternal Mortality Review Committees suggests that 80% of maternal deaths in the US are preventable. In 2019, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote an article in Time magazine about how technology could help address the maternal health crisis in the US. She noted that “lack of access to nearby care and missed or delayed diagnoses are significant factors in pregnancy-related deaths.”
Access to telehealth could eliminate barriers to care for the millions of women who live in maternal care deserts, and allow for better care, mental health support, and more timely medical interventions.
To learn more, please visit: Connectivity and Maternal Health | Benton Institute for Broadband & Society
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Video on the (Possible) Future of Digital Equity
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance recently streamed “Building for Digital Equity, Reflect, Recharge, and Reach Forward.” Click the link to watch national digital equity advocates muse about the possible changes to BEAD, DEA,
E-Rate and other services that might, or might not, occur under the new presidential administration.
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E-Rate News
Action Required: Updated E-Rate Procedures
Since 2016, the CT State Library has been pleased to administer the Connecticut Libraries Fiber Consortium (CLFC), which distributed $3.6 million in state bond funds to help libraries get high-speed fiber connections to their libraries.
With the final dispersal of funds for the Fiber to the Library grant program, the Consortium is ending. With this discontinuation, the CT State Library will no longer be conducting the consortium competitive bidding for internet for public libraries who currently have a dark fiber IRU connection.
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In an effort to ease the transition, the CT State Library will be offering transition assistance. Please note that there is extensive training for Form 470 available on the Universal Services Administrative Company’s (USAC) website.
New Requirements
Beginning this fall, each affected library must do the following:
File a Form 470.
- Libraries who need to file a Form 470 should make time to upload this outreach to vendors during September, October, or November.
Evaluate vendor responses according to a Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)-model rubric.
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Libraries must set aside hours to evaluate internet provider bids before February 26.
Select their vendor before they can file for a discount during the January-March application window.
Transition Assistance
Have questions? Need help? Email Chris at Christine.Gauvreau@ct.gov. Chris is remaining State E-Rate Coordinator and will continue to consult with public libraries and give instructions to public libraries on E-Rate.
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Funding Year (FY) 2025 FCC Form 471 Application Filing Window Opens January 15, 2025
All applicants can now review their E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) profiles and make additional updates for changes that occurred after the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)'s review of their FY2024 FCC Forms 471.
Please note the following dates and times below:
January 9 – The EPC Administrative Window closes (and the applicant profiles will be locked until January 15)
January 15 – The 2025 FCC Form 471 application filing window opens at 12:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST)
February 26 – The last date that you can submit and certify a FY2025 FCC Form 470 and still wait the required minimum 28-day period before submitting and certifying your FY2025 FCC Form 471
March 26 – The 2025 FCC Form 471 application filing window closes at 11:59 pm EST
Chris Gauvreau, State E-Rate Coordinator, will be available to assist with Form 471 filings after February 1, 2025, via Zoom screen shares. Please use this scheduling tool to set up those appointments.
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Professional Development & Continuing Education | | |
Overview of Northstar Features
Tuesday, January 7 | 2:00-3:30 pm
Register for Overview of Northstar Features
This overview covers Northstar Digital Literacy standards, assessments, curriculum, self-directed learning, and reporting. You will learn how to start incorporating and implementing digital literacy into your organization using the Northstar features.
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TIAL: Developing an Accessibility Lens with Dr. Clayton Copeland
Wednesday, January 8 | 10:00 -11:30 am
Register for Developing an Accessibility Lens
This session offers an in-depth discussion of disability as a social construct and how social constructivism can – both positively and negatively – inform thinking and human responses to differences (i.e. disabilities or differing abilities) in society.
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Participants will be invited to explore (either privately or by sharing with the group) how they feel about working with people with disabilities.
They may share what they feel may be their strengths in terms of their prior knowledge and skillsets in fostering inclusive libraries, as well what they feel may be their greatest needs/areas of opportunity.
Online resources will be provided and there will be opportunities for Q&A and discussion.
Presenter
Dr. Clayton A. Copeland is the director of the Laboratory for Leadership in Equity of Access and Diversity (LLEAD) at the University of South Carolina’s School of Information Science.
NOTE: If you are not able to attend and would like to receive the recording, please register for the event or complete the waitlist.
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Creating Charts and Reports for FY2024 Public Libraries' Annual Report Data
Thursday, January 9 | 10:00-11:00 am
Register for Creating Charts and Reports
This webinar will cover how to navigate charts and reports on the new platform for the FY2024 Annual Report data. We will also discuss best practices for sharing data visualizations that will help you tell your library's story to stakeholders.
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Principles of Great Flyer Design
Tuesday, January 14 | 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Register for Principles of Great Flyer Design
Making a great flyer is both a science and an art.
In this workshop, you will learn about the visual design principles that can help your flyers convey information efficiently and effectively, and discuss how fonts can work to enhance your flyers.
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After discussing design principles, participants will look at sample flyers and use their knowledge to improve them.
Participants are asked to “bring” a flyer from their Library (a digital copy on your laptop is fine) for group discussion and design brainstorming.
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Session 8: Optimizing Community/ Library Partnerships with Libraries Without Borders
Wednesday, January 15 | 1:00-4:00 pm
Register for Optimizing Community / Library Partnerships
In this session, we will provide a framework for auditing and optimizing community partnerships. Participants will be able to apply auditing tools to current and prospective partnerships, to determine the essential types of partnerships for their library, and to evaluate the impacts of current and prospective library partnerships.
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This workshop includes a working session for participants to customize a partner tracking tool for their own usage.
This session is part of the Reimagining Library Outreach and Access series of 10 workshops taking place through March 2025 that will provide 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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Lead Your Library: Practical Management for Public Libraries Series
Lead Your Library: Effective Succession Planning for Your Organization
Wednesday, January 15 | 1:00-2:30 pm
Register for Effective Succession Planning for Your Organization
Few libraries and their Boards engage in serious succession planning - not just for the Director, but for critical staff as well.
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Is your Library prepared if your director leaves suddenly? What about your senior staff?
This online workshop will also review the process for selecting a new director who is right for your organization, including job description, search process, community/staff involvement, and interviewing.
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In this interactive class with law librarians Chris Roy (Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries), Anne Rajotte (UConn Law Library), and Cheryl Halford (Connecticut Judicial Branch), 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 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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Getting Started with Northstar Digital Literacy
Tuesday, January 21 | 2:00-3:30 pm
Register for Getting Started with Northstar
This training will cover the tasks needed to start using Northstar effectively and efficiently, how to run reports, resources available to Northstar subscribers, and first steps.
Topics to be covered include creating Learner Accounts; proctoring - In person and Remote; running reports; accessing and using curricula; and resources.
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TIAL: Welcoming Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patrons to Your Library
Wednesday, January 22 | 10:00-11:30 am
Register for Welcoming Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patrons to Your Library
In this interactive overview, you’ll learn communication tips for interacting with deaf patrons, information about American Sign Language and Deaf Culture, and even some basic ASL vocabulary to introduce yourself and help patrons navigate the library.
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Social Media Update for 2025: Enhancing Library Engagement
Friday, January 24 | 3:00-4:00 pm
Register for Social Media Update for 2025
This presentation explores the continuing evolution of social media and its ongoing influence on library outreach and engagement strategies. The latest trends and platform updates across various social media channels are explored, offering insights into effective content strategies and best practices tailored for each platform.
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Attendees will gain practical guidance on optimizing their social media presence, from crafting engaging content to implementing current best practices that resonate with diverse audiences. | |
Intro to Canva
Tuesday, January 28 | 9:30-11:30 am
Register for Intro to Canva
Friday, January 31 | 1:00-3:00 pm
Register for Intro to Canva
Learn how to make logos, social media images, and flyers using the online design site, Canva. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn about the Canva environment, design elements, and some of its newest features.
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Participants will work on their own designs during the workshop and will finish the class with projects they can use at their library.
Since this is a small group workshop, 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 for those who have little to no prior Canva experience. Participants should sign up for a free Canva account before the workshop.
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Introducing Learners to Northstar Digital Literacy
Tuesday, January 28 | 2:00-4:00 pm
Register for Introducing Learners to Northstar
This webinar covers how to present assessments and self-directed online learning to students, as well as going through the Northstar curricula with participants as learners.
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Topics to be covered include guiding learners through assessments; proctoring review; explaining the student dashboard to learners; and how to use Northstar self-directed Online Learning from a learner perspective. An example of using the instructor led curricula remotely will also be provided. | |
Counting Programs and Activities - Updates for FY26
Wednesday, January 29 | 10:00-11:00 am
Register for Counting Programs and Activities
Programs and activities are integral to library services and keeping track of programs and attendees is an important part of the CT Public Libraries' Annual Report.
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Join us for a refresh on how to count programs and activities as well as how to use the Program and Activity Counts Spreadsheet, which has been updated for FY26. | |
2025 All CT Reads Titles Added to eGO! | |
The All CT Reads titles for 2025 have been added to the Connecticut State Library’s eGO CT eBook collection! To support demand for these titles, we have purchased multiple copies of all titles in both eBook and eAudio format.
We also created an All CT Reads 2025 list that can be used as a lane by any participating library for improved discoverability in the Palace app. If you are not sure how to add a lane, reach out to us and we can add it for you.
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Last month we added over 3,000 items to the eGO CT eBook collection and made them available to 159 public libraries, 18 academic sites, and 173 K12 school sites.
For more information about these and other FREE resources, visit the eGO CT webpage, or contact Brad Bullis at Bradley.Bullis@ct.gov.
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New eAudio Titles Now Available in the Palace Project app! | |
New Middle School and YA Book Discussion Sets
We recently added a variety of new middle school and YA book discussion sets to our collection! Perfect for your book club or classroom, book sets circulate for 45 days.
Browse all available discussion sets in our Equipment Catalog.
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Winter Picture Books from MLSC
Stock up on winter picture books for upcoming story times and displays! We can send 20-25 seasonal large print books through deliverIT that will be yours to circulate for 90 days.
If you are interested, please feel free to reserve a book bundle in our Equipment catalog or email Abbey at Abbey.E.Lynch@ct.gov.
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Please let us know if there are specific topics or holidays you would like included! | |
Professional Development Titles | |
Stay Connected! Join our Email Lists
Our many email discussion lists for the library community help you connect with your peers. Conntech has the greatest reach across the state, and both Goodnightmoon for children's services and Speak for YA services have lively discussions and professional interchange.
Scout the full list and subscription information.
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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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