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Each element of the pathway connects to internal library displays, highlighting resources that support additional learning opportunities in relation to pathway topics and themes. This experience further anchors the Hunt Library as a place that brings people together for connection, learning, and discussion. 

The launch event was a beautiful celebration of some of the rich, personal stories of the Falls Village community, and attendees noted being moved by the opportunity to learn with and from one another in this way. One referenced the "beautiful, stirring exhibit" and shared that she was "amazed at how relevant past history becomes when shared by and about one's community." Read the coverage in the Lakeville Journal.

To view photo albums of what each community created, please click on the library name below:



Ansonia Public Library

Bristol Public Library

Granby Public Library

In addition, the GIANT Room has set up a “Remix Station” at Killingly Public Library, providing families in that community with the opportunity to design their own collectible trading cards in collaboration with AI. Families can submit design ideas for their cards, which will be printed by the GIANT Room and delivered to the Library by Easter.

For more information about our collaboration with the GIANT Room, please contact Gail Hurley at Gail.Hurley@ct.gov. 

Participants completed improv workshops with Hartford-based Sea Tea Improv Comedy Theater and created collaborative mixed media art pieces inspired by their comedic experiences. ImprovAbility! was featured as the Library’s November 2023 Artist of the Month, showcasing to the community that arts participation can and should be accessible and enjoyable for all.

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!

Please visit the CT Public Libraries page to read the report and look at the FY2023 Statistical Profile. 

Libraries should complete the report form (an Excel file) for their March 2023-February 2024 non-resident loans. Please remember to certify the form.

For more information on this process, visit our borrowIT CT page.

As a reminder, 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 in Connecticut. Using their hometown cards, non-residents may visit any public library and borrow any of the materials that participating libraries lend to their local borrowers. Click this link for complete program regulations.

Please send the completed form as an Excel attachment to Barbara at the email address below by March 15, 2024, and she will confirm receipt. There are no extensions. Figures must be accurate and complete to receive a reimbursement payment. The 2024 funding for the borrowIT program is $703,638.

If you have any difficulty with the form or have questions, please reach out to Barbara at Barbara.Ghilardi@ct.gov. Thank you for your participation in this important program!

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.  

Congress originally appropriated $14.2 billion for the ACP, but over time that amount has been spent down to the point where the ACP is on course to run out of funding this Spring. Congress may yet appropriate additional funds, but, since that is not certain, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must proceed as if the program will end.

In January, the FCC released guidance for the wind-down of the program.

The guidance aims to inform interested parties about:



• The process for notifying enrolled ACP households about the impact of program termination on their broadband service and bills
• Freezing of new enrollments in the program
• Advertising, awareness, and outreach requirements for providers and outreach partners
• The timing of claims submissions
• Participation during a possible partially funded month of ACP

Last month, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) released information about the ACP wind-down. 

For more information, please visit the Federal Communications Commission's ACP website.

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.

Curious to learn more? Explore all the book bundles we offer at the Middletown Library Service Center.

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.

The Critical Partnership: Trustees and Library Directors with Jerry Nichols

March 13 | 1:00-2:30 pm

Register for The Critical Partnership

The most critical partnership in a public library is that between the library director and the public library trustee. Join Jerry Nichols for an interactive session that will address public librarianship core values; duties and responsibilities of public library trustees; duties and responsibilities of the public library director; how to make the partnership work and the value of effective meetings. Note: This session will be recorded.

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.

Related to the Lead Your Library series, we are offering Construction Grant Information Sessions and Capital Projects Workshops in April and May!

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 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.

For any questions, please contact Gail Hurley at gail.hurley@ct.gov or 

(860) 704-2223.

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. 

Upcoming Workshops in the GELS: Trauma-Informed Services Webinar Series:

Tuesday, April 2 - GELS: Unlocking the Principles of Trauma Informed Services in the Library (Part I)

Tuesday, April 16 - GELS: Unlocking the Principles of Trauma-Informed Services in the Library (Part II)

Tuesday, April 30 - GELS: Creating a Trauma-Informed Library Environment

Tuesday, May 14 - GELS: Becoming and Planning for Trauma-Informed Services

Tuesday, May 28 - GELS: Navigating Trauma: Insights for LGBTQ, Children, and Immigrant Populations

Join Children and YA Consultant Kym Powe in this online workshop to learn about the six skills of Early Literacy, the five practices of Every Child Ready to Read and how they can be intentionally implemented into storytimes and shared with caregivers.

Who should come? This workshop is perfect for anyone who works with children or wants to learn more about early literacy.

Let's get CT Ready to Read!

Note: This workshop will have breakout rooms and group sharing, so please make sure you have a working microphone for that portion of the workshop.

It is not, especially if you focus less on tallying transactions and move toward an environment of cultivating conversations.

Join experienced Readers’ Advisory Becky Spratford as she shares the secret behind deepening patron engagement, creating relationships, and increasing circulation, all by simply rediscovering the power and joy that comes from sharing a good read.

*Note: This workshop does not require you to attend the first RA for All workshop January 31st, but it does build off it. If you are unable to make the first workshop, feel free to view the recording in the DLD Professional Development LibGuide.

It’s never too late to start looking at who your friends (organizationally and individually) are, how to get them engaged in your efforts, and how you can bring this all together to get the funding you need.

In this two-hour Zoom workshop, the goal is for you to make small, sustainable changes that will keep you focused and energized. You’ll share best practices, experiment with a range of strategies for resolving conflict, learn why investing in yourself is critical, and you’ll have fun as you help each other!

At the end of the session, you’ll have a personalized plan to help you maintain the essential balance of providing excellent customer service while caring for yourself.

Who should come? Perfect for anyone interested in or working in youth services.

Presenter: She/Her - Ashley (ah-shlee) Waring (wear-ing) Ashley is a Children's Librarian at the Reading Public Library in Reading, MA. She is also the Family Engagement Manager for Operation House Call, a health equity program at The Arc of Massachusetts. Ashley has been offering adaptive programs at Reading Public Library since 2011 and has presented workshops throughout New England about inclusive library services.

Recording & Slides: This presentation and the slides will only be shared with program registrants.

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. 

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.

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.

Visit our calendar

Ideas Roadshow Titles Available in the Palace Project App!

We continue to add additional content to the Palace Project app to support the 163 sites that have now moved into production and are actively sharing content with their patrons.

Our collection aims to support both leisure reading and lifelong learning. Did you know that we have 100 simultaneous use titles from Ideas Roadshow available? These titles present conversations with experts in the fields of Science and Social Science, and go a long way to enrich our collection for both students and lifelong learners. 

Don’t forget, you can read or listen this year’s All CT Reads titles in the Palace app!

Have questions about EBSCO, researchIT CT, or eGO CT? Please reach out to Brad Bullis at Brad.Bullis@ct.gov.

New eAudio Titles Now Available in the Palace Project app!