What does the future of libraries look like? How will libraries be impacted by technology? How will they communicate and what tools will be available to help libraries adapt in order to best suit their customers’ needs?

Join librarians from across the country in beginning a discussion on how libraries need to change in order to thrive in the next decade. We imagine a morphing of imagination, inspiration, and information that will transform the way libraries look at the future. Hear speakers share their vision, engage in small group discussions and be a part of a conference where EVERYONE walks away with a plan to navigate the future through newly envisioned possibilities.

Presenters include:

Kevin Mitnick - World's most famous hacker

David Pescovitz - Institute for the Future

Dr. James Hughes - Dean of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

The Futures School - Offering hands-on training in forecasting the future

Anthony Iovino  - Arcari + Iovino Architects

Registration:

Tickets cost $395. Library staff located in states that are Sponsoring Partners (listed below) can purchase tickets for $195 using a specifically provided ACCESS CODE. To obtain your Access Code please contact Dawn La Valle, Director, Division of Library Development, at  [email protected]  or          (860) 757-6665.   Click here to register.

Hotel Accommodations:

A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the Borgata at the rate of $114 (plus 14% Occupancy Tax and $5 Atlantic City Occupancy Fee) per night.

For reservations register online or contact the Borgata Hotel Reservations Department at 609-317-1000 and identify yourself as an attendee of the Futures Conference using Group Code: GBNJL17.

Sponsoring Partners:

State Libraries:

• Connecticut                            
  
• Delaware
  
• Maine
  
• Maryland
  
• New Hampshire
  
• New Jersey
  
• Pennsylvania
  
• Rhode Island
  
• Vermont
  
• West Virginia
  
  

  Additional Sponsoring Partners:

• COSLINE
  
• LibraryLinkNJ

Dear Colleagues,

This is a challenging time for all libraries in Connecticut, both on the State and Municipal levels.  We are facing budgets reductions for many of our long standing and well used services.
Below is a message from Ken Wiggin regarding the decision made at the June 19 State Library Board meeting:

June 20, 2017
Message regarding deliverIT CT from Ken Wiggin, State Librarian:

“At yesterday's State Library Board Meeting the Board voted to suspend the guidelines for deliverIT CT that had been put in place July 1, 2016 and tabled the remainder of the recommendations of the deliverIT Task Force , but authorized the State Library to move forward with piloting the goal of providing statewide delivery service of up to 5 days a week and picking up no more than 3 bins per stop to all Connecticut libraries currently participating in deliverIT CT. The State Library will again consider taking final action on the recommendations at its September meeting.

In preparation for the July 3rd – July 14th suspension of service for re-tooling for the deliverIT CT Pilot, the Task Force made the following recommendations:

• Libraries are encouraged to suspend their own deliverIT loans during the rest of this week and next week in order to prepare items that are waiting to be returned to other libraries. Individual libraries or the consortia may opt to temporarily suspend holds as well. That is up to each individual library or the consortia of which they may be a member.
• All libraries are encouraged to communicate these changes with their staff to use state-owned bins for items to be returned to other libraries.
  
  

During the July 3rd – July 14th suspension of service, deliverIT CT operations will be as follows:

• deliverIT CT drivers will visit each of the route stops once to pickup items “to be returned” to other libraries. Libraries that have a considerable number of items to return will receive additional pickups.
• deliverIT CT drivers will deliver “returned” items in consolidated deliveries.
  
• deliverIT CT drivers will be collecting the 3000+ state owned bins currently in the system leaving each library with 3-6 bins in each library
  
• deliverIT CT drivers will be conducting dry runs of reconfigured routes and assessing findings from those dry runs to make route adjustments if deemed necessary.
  
• deliverIT CT drivers will be trained on the pilot plan and will receive other training as needed.
  
  

Beginning the week of July 17th:

• Each library will receive up to 5 day a week service, picking a maximum of 3 bins per day and delivering a maximum of 3 bins per day.
  
• The driver will pick up a maximum of 3 bins per day and deliver a maximum of 3 bins per day.
  
• As this is a pilot, deliverIT CT staff will be continuously monitoring, evaluating and making adjustments to the pilot service as needed.
  
• DLD will supply weekly reporting to the State Librarian and address other issues as they come up 
  
• The State Librarian will provide weekly updates to the library community.
  
  

LSTA Five-Year Plan (2013-2017) Evaluation

As required by IMLS, CSL hired an independent evaluator to assess the state library’s progress in meeting the goals set forth in its LSTA Five-Year Plan for fiscal years 2013-2017. This plan describes the goals and activities funded through the state’s LSTA allotment, about $2 million per year, complemented by matching funds from the state. The evaluation, conducted by QualityMetrics, was submitted to IMLS in March.

Excerpt from the Evaluation Summary: 

“DLD has made all the right choices in a very difficult environment. The closing of one of their facilities was a key strategic decision that would allow them to transform and continue to thrive in the future. Similarly, some of the objectives that were not pursued were guided by the principle of focusing resources on institutional capacity building and access to resources. If there is a phrase to characterize their strategy that phrase is ”building on our strengths.” From supporting statewide services like the databases, the shared catalog, and delivery system to supporting sub‐grants, an ambitious program of professional development and a network of partnerships, DLD is strengthening the capacity of libraries in CT to create a better future for them. Elements of distinction are noteworthy in the superb work the consultants provide through training, workshops, and reference questions and consultations. A systematic effort is taking place so sub‐grants highlight outcomes and emphasize impact captured in the agencies reporting documents.”

QualityMetrics conducted evaluations for 23 states, giving them a unique nationwide perspective on the Grants to States program. Their full evaluation report is available online.

More information about the IMLS Grants to States program and LSTA funding is available online. 

Basic Book Repair: Tools and Techniques
In person workshop
Thursday, July 13, 10 am to 1 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/3324599
 

Book Trailers for Advanced Beginners
In person workshop
Thursday, July 20, 9 am to 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/3337623
 

Advanced Book Repair: Hardcover Techniques
In person workshop
Thursday, July 27, 10 am to 1 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/3324636 
 

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