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January 2024 | Vol. 1 No. 8 | |
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The Middletown Library Service Center
will be closed on Monday, January 15
in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
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Initiatives & Announcements | | |
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All CT Reads 2024 | Virtual Author Launch
with Kelly Yang, Nick Brooks, and Daniel Black
Friday, January 19
11:00 am-12:30 pm | Register
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2024 All CT Reads – Kids
Finally Seen by
Kelly Yang
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2024 All CT Reads – Teen
Promise Boys by
Nick Brooks
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2024 All CT Reads – Adult
Don’t Cry For Me by Daniel Black
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Join us for an extra-special virtual launch with the authors of the 2024 All CT Reads primary selections. Each author will discuss their work and answer questions from our community.
Recording & Slides: Recordings will be available on the All CT Reads website.
Who should come: Everyone! Please share this with your patrons - 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 seven days prior to the event.
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It's Survey Time!
We'd love to hear from you!
The CT State Library, Division of Library Development’s 2024 Professional Development Survey is now open!
We use this survey each year to inform what trainings we offer CT librarians and staff as in-person and online workshops, self-paced tutorials, and through subscription services.
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DLD Data Workshops Survey
The DLD Data Workshops Survey asks public libraries about their experience with DLD data workshops (ex. Annual Report) and what they'd like to see in the future.
Please complete the survey by Friday, February 2.
We appreciate your feedback as we plan future offerings for 2024!
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New CT Pages!
Watch the new CT Pages and meet Leah Smith, Assistant Director and Youth Services Librarian at the Prospect Public Library, who shares the experience of growing a Community Garden with Teens with support from a CT State Library Summer Enrichment Grant. From constructing raised beds to planting vegetables and maintaining the gardens throughout the summer, teen volunteers had lots of hard work to document in their journals alongside their learnings about gardening, horticulture, and planning for community projects.
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The Prospect community had the chance to learn, too, with a four-part program series including Backyard Beekeeping by Backyard Beekeepers of Naugatuck Valley, Container Gardening by Tri Gable Lea Farm, Seed Development by White Memorial, and Chopped by Food Explorers.
CT Pages is a channel for sharing community engagement success stories by libraries with and for their communities. We partner with CT libraries to create and release short video conversations with the library staff who make things happen.
Do you have a creative program, service, activity, partnership, or project that you want to share with your library neighbors? We are always seeking submissions for consideration – Submit your idea!
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Digital Equity News
CTLPDE: Special Presentation on the CT Digital Equity Act
Tuesday, January 9, 2023 | 2:00 pm
Join the CTLPDE meeting via Zoom
Meeting ID: 849 1687 7720
Please join us for special presentations by Doug Casey and Lauren Thompson who have been leading the planning effort for Connecticut’s Digital Equity Act funds disbursement. Their talks will precede a deadline for public comment on our state’s draft plan, which needs to be submitted to the federal government in the near future. The plan outlines the expenditure of funds that center on measures to increase adoption, including device distribution, navigation, and low-cost access to the internet for all households in need.
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This presentation is a unique opportunity for librarians active in digital inclusion work to discuss their concerns directly with Doug and Lauren. They are seeking your feedback. Information about accessing a written version of the plan online can be found in the section below. | |
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“Connecticut: Everyone Connected” - The State Digital Equity Plan is Now Available for Public Comment!
The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Commission for Educational Technology is happy to announce the release of “Connecticut: Everyone Connected,” the State Digital Equity Plan for public comment.
Visit the Digital Equity Plan website to access the plan and accompanying resources:
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Digital Equity Plan (Full Draft) - English
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Digital Equity Plan Executive Summary - English
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Digital Equity Plan Executive Summary - Spanish
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Digital Equity Plan Feedback Form - English
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Digital Equity Plan Feedback Form - Spanish
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Digital Equity Plan Overview - Video
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Digital Equity Plan Overview - Video Transcript
Goals of the plan include:
- Develop and promote digital skills and technical support programs that directly serve residents.
- Ensure residents have affordable and tailored options for getting online.
- Expand digital government services at the state and local levels.
The Commission will be collecting input from members of the public at community-based events across the state over the next 30 days.
To offer your thoughts, use the feedback form linked above or call (860) 622-2032.
To invite the digital equity team to present at an upcoming event, write to [email protected].
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Professional Development & Continuing Education | | |
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New Series! Reader's Advisory with Becky Spratford of RA for All
10:00-11:30 am on the last Wednesday of each month, January through April.
Save the dates! Registration will open in mid-January on the Continuing Education Calendar.
January 31 – RA for ALL: Flip the Script and Think Like a Reader
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February 28 – Booktalk Your Way to the Friendliest Library in Town
March 27 – Demystifying Genre
April 24 – Actively Anti-Racist Service to Leisure Readers
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Getting Started with Northstar Digital Literacy
Monday, January 8 | 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. Some topics scheduled to be discussed include creating Learner Accounts, proctoring - in person and remote, running reports, accessing and using curricula, and resources.
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Stop Burnout: Five Steps to
Re-Energize Your Work for Your
Best Year Ever
Tuesday, January 9 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Register for 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 burnout and share best practices and you'll examine eight customer service tools: Patience, Empathy, Negotiation Skills, Listening/Communications, Self-Control, Depersonalization, Humor, and Flexibility.
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Create an Immersive 3D Museum
Thursday, January 11 | 1:00-2:30 pm
Register for Create a 3D Museum
Creating an immersive 3D museum is an innovative project that stamps augmented reality assets into the physical world. Participants will learn to add artifacts using a mobile device or tablet to transform their library into a virtual museum.
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Whether you are a seasoned 3D designer or a beginner, this session will prepare you to build an unforgettable, immersive 3D museum experience! | |
Basic Book Repair: Tools & Techniques
Note: This is an IN-PERSON workshop at Eastern CT State University Library
Friday, January 12 | 10:00 am-1:00 pm
Register for Basic Book Repair
Would you like to save money by getting more uses per book?
Would you like to keep that out-of-print book in circulation to meet your library patron's needs?
Would you like to quickly repair simple problems rather than purchasing a replacement?
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Many repairs that can extend the life of your library collection are fast and simple and can be done with easy-to-obtain, inexpensive materials. This hands-on workshop is appropriate for a library staff member or volunteer who will be doing book repair.
Emphasis will be on simple repairs for the everyday public or school library collection, rather than on archival or long-term preservation techniques.
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Making Instructional Videos with WeVideo
Tuesday, January 23 | 1:00-3:00 pm
Register for Making Videos with WeVideo
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.
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In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn to make instructional videos to promote your electronic resources using the WeVideo online site and then try two different techniques to make instructional videos.
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 from the internet, and adding web browser plugins.
Participants will receive info about signing up for a free WeVideo account before the workshop.
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Lt. Governor’s Computing Challenge Information Session
Wednesday, January 24 | 10:00-11:00 am
Register for the Lt. Governor's Computing Challenge Info Session
The CT State Department of Education will provide an overview of the LT. Governor's Computing Challenge, explain alignment to library standards, share resources that librarians can utilize, and engage participants with coding, as time allows.
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Introducing Learners to Northstar Digital Literacy
Monday, January 29 | 1:00-3:00 pm
Register for Introducing Learners to Northstar
This workshop covers how to present assessments and self-directed online learning to students and will discuss 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, how to use Northstar self-directed Online Learning from a learner perspective, and an example of using the instructor-led curricula remotely. | |
Intro to Canva
Tuesday, January 30 | 9:30-11:30 am
Register for Intro to Canva
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn about the Canva environment and design elements to make logos, social media images, and flyers. Participants will work on their own designs during the workshop and will finish the class with projects they can use at their library.
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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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Take advantage of Workforce Solutions from EBSCO for Free!
With the coming of the new year, your patrons will be looking to upgrade their skills and perhaps look for that new job! You can deliver this amazing resource to your patrons for free from the Connecticut State Library, and it’s as easy as adding your custom link to your website.
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With funding provided to the Connecticut State Library through the Library Services and Technology Act, we have extended free access to Workforce Solutions from EBSCO to public libraries through June 2025.
Public libraries can find a link to Workforce Solutions by clicking here.
Targeted Learning Centers Include:
· Job and Career Accelerator
· Occupational Test Preparation
· Workplace Success Skills
· Computer Skills
· High School Equivalency
· Spanish-Language Resources
You can view the Workforce Solutions informative webinar from EBSCO here.
Learn more about Workforce Solutions and the researchIT CT Program by contacting Brad Bullis at [email protected].
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It’s New Year and a Great Time to Promote the Palace App to your Patrons!
How do your patrons know that they have access to Palace? Promoting Palace on your website is one of the most vital ways you can reach patrons and the greater library community. The Palace Project website provides training materials, documentation, recorded training sessions, sample text for your website, and much more.
You can also "share" posts from Palace's social media accounts:
Palace on X (formerly Twitter) (@Palacelib)
Palace on Instagram (@the_palace_project)
Palace on Facebook
You can also find Palace promotional materials on the eGO CT website.
Do you know that your library is probably live in the Palace Project App? We have 142 public libraries and 18 academic libraries that are actively sharing content through the app with their patrons and students. We now have over 32,000 items available as part of the eGO CT Program. Last month alone we purchased 419 new items for you and your patrons!
If you have questions about the status of your library in the app or want to learn more about eGO CT and the Palace Project App, contact Brad Bullis at [email protected].
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New eAudio Titles Now Available in the Palace Project app! | |
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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