Volume 1, No.4 | May 2017
Your monthly news & updates

Service Spotlight
EXCITE Transformation for Libraries
EXCITE Transformation for Libraries Pilot Program Video

Seven Connecticut library teams embarked on a journey of transformation, not knowing what to expect, apprehensive of an unfamiliar process. What transpired through the three sessions over 4 months was nothing short of inspirational. We invite you along to witness the process of true transformation:

EXCITE Transformation Video

Please join Jeanine Esposito, Innovation Builders; Dawn La Valle, CSL/Division of Library Development;  Karen Jensen, Blackstone Library, Branford; Chris Angeli, Milford Public Library; and Elizabeth Joseph, Ferguson Library, Stamford at the CSL EXCITE Transformation for Libraries CLA Conference Session Friday May 5th 2-3pm to hear more about this project and future plans for CT librarians.

For more information please contact Dawn La Valle.

 
Event Spotlight

Come Visit Us at CLA - Booth B8

In addition, right next to us will be representatives from EDGE at B9

Some program highlights:

Thursday, May 4, 10:00 a.m. - Access to Justice (ATJ) panel session which will talk about the ATJ Working Group on Public Libraries' activities, initiatives and priorities going forward.

Friday, May 5 2:00 p.m. EXCITE Transformation for Libraries panel as mentioned above.

We'd love to see you at the booth and at these great programs!

Service Update

Public Library Construction Grants Available, 2017-2018 

The State Library will be accepting library construction grant applications again this year.  We are expecting funding to be available for the awarding of grants in November, though the exact amount of available funds is contingent on legislative action later in the spring.  Should the program receive the additional funding requested, we will be accepting grant applications from public libraries for library expansion, new buildings, major alterations, remodeling, accessibility, code compliance, emergency preparedness, and energy conservation.  If no additional funding is forthcoming, there may be limits on the type of applications accepted and the eligibility of libraries applying. 

Library construction grants fund one-half of total project costs up to a maximum of $1 million.  Minimum total project cost must be $50,000.  All interested libraries MUST submit a “Notice of Intent” form by June 30.  The new “Notice of Intent” form and “Timetable and Guidelines” document explaining the grant program for 2017-2018 are available on our Construction Grants web page here:

http://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/construction/constructiongrants 

Please contact Tom Newman, Construction Grants, at 860-757-6573, [email protected] for more information.  

Service Update

USAC Awards $957,485 in E-rate Funding to 46 Connecticut Libraries for New High-Speed Fiber Connections 

On April 13, forty-six public libraries in CT received notice that their E-rate funding applications for new high-speed fiber connections to CEN were approved by USAC, the federal agency that administers E-rate funding to schools and libraries nationwide. These libraries also received grants from the CT State Library to pay for any project costs not covered by E-rate. The grants from CSL were made possible by the authorization of $3.6 million in bond funding for the project. A handful of libraries have already received their new fiber, and installation work will continue through the fall.  

E-rate Application Deadline is May 11 

Public libraries (principal and non-principal) can apply for federal E-rate discounts on their internet service from CEN through Thursday, May 11. In Connecticut, E-rate discounts usually range from 40% to 90%. Libraries that accept E-rate funding for internet service must be CIPA compliant or working to achieve CIPA compliance. If your library would like to participate in this initiative and hasn’t yet contacted E-rate Coordinator Maria Bernier, please do so immediately: [email protected], 860-704-2204. More information is available online at http://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/erate/isp

Service Update

Middletown Library Service Center News

As you may know, the Service Centers moved to a new ILS in January. We are just getting our online catalog so that libraries may look up and reserve materials through “Primo.” Please watch the listservs for information on how to do this.

Email [email protected] or [email protected] .

Service Update

EBSCO training webinars from the first quarter of 2017 are now available in recorded form for your convenience. 

Topics include:

  • Databases and Interfaces for Public Libraries

  • Databases and Interfaces for Secondary School Libraries

  • Using researchIT CT OneSearch

  • Searching EBSCOhost databases

  • EBSCO Explora


Links to the sessions are in a spreadsheet named “researchIT CT-Specific EBSCO Training Archive” from this web page:

http://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/researchIT_CT/about-researchIT_CT/EBSCO-training

Service Update
findIT CT Logo

requestIT CT Pilot Update 

We put out a call on March 27 asking for 12 libraries to volunteer to pilot the requestIT basic ILL system. Within 24 hours about 30 libraries had volunteered. Instead of offering one half-day training session for 12 libraries, we offered 2 half-day training sessions for 24 libraries who are now piloting the basic requestIT CT ILL system. We anticipate that requestIT CT will be in pilot status for 6 weeks. The Division of Library Development and our partner Bibliomation would like to thank all of the libraries that volunteered and especially the staff members of the 24 libraries participating in the pilot.  

Service Update

Children’s Services News

The Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge kicks off on May 19 at the State Library. The annual theme-based summer reading lists compiled by Linda Williams will be available at the challenge site (http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2683&q=320322) after that date. For advance notice of what is on the lists, check the Goodnightmoon archive, or email [email protected] .

Supercharged Storytimes is a research based approach to storytimes based on Washington state’s Project VIEWS2 (http://views2.ischool.uw.edu/ ). Caitlin Augusta will be presenting a workshop on this approach sometime in October. Watch the listservs for an announcement of the date! 

Upcoming events

Connecticut Library Association Annual Conference
Mystic Marriott
Thursday - Friday, May 4 & 5, 2017
Visit us at booth B8 and attend our programs as highlighted above

The Accidental Copy Cataloger
In person workshop
Tuesday, May 16; 9 am – noon
Middletown Library Service Center, 786 South Main St., Middletown, CT 06457
Cost: Free
For details and to register, visit https://cslib.libcal.com/event/3228202

Number, Please! Dewey Decimal Classification
In person workshop
Tuesday, May 16; 1 pm – 4 pm
Middletown Library Service Center, 786 South Main St., Middletown, CT 06457
Cost: Free
For details and to register, visit https://cslib.libcal.com/event/3228206

The Governor's Summer Reading Challenge
Connecticut State Library, 231 Capital Ave., Hartford
Friday, May 19, 2017
More details above

Human Resources (Library Management Series)
In person workshop
Monday, May 22; 9 am – noon
Middletown Library Service Center, 786 South Main St., Middletown, CT 06457
Cost: Free
For details and to register, visit https://cslib.libcal.com/event/3287949

Escape Rooms! : Games at the Library
In person workshop
Wednesday, May 24; 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Middletown Library Service Center, 786 South Main St., Middletown, CT 06457
Cost: Free
For details and to register, visit https://cslib.libcal.com/event/3289623

For more professional development opportunities, visit the State Library’s Continuing Education Calendar at
https://cslib.libcal.com/

DLD | CSL |860-757-6665 |  http://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/home