This Month at CLC: April 2022 |
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MAKING YOUR LIFE EASIER
Ellen Paul
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Can I make your life easier? No, I’m not volunteering to change your cat’s litter box; I have enough of that at my own home, thankyouverymuch. But what if I could make it easier for you to find all of the CLC discounts?
Take a look at a new feature on our website. We’ve got all of our discounts organized alphabetically and by product type, and we’ve listed the companies owned by minorities, women and veterans (and we’re committed to growing this list). All of this is going to be super important as we launch our next set of discount contracts.
I think (hope!) you know by now that we’re currently accepting responses from vendors for our digital resources bid. We’re going to be evaluating products like event calendars, discovery layers, collection analysis tools, eBooks, streaming video, online learning, digital repositories and more. And for the first time, we’re evaluating small and minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses in a separate category to give them a leg up in the marketplace.
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I’m hopeful that in two months’ time all of those discount lists are going to be filled with so many more opportunities. Because that’s what CLC is here to do, right? We negotiate so you (and all 900+ other member libraries) don’t have to. And if we’re not making your life easier, we’re not doing it right.
As always, we’re stronger together.
Ellen
Ellen Paul, Executive Director
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P.S. I almost forgot. We’ve got one more way we’re going to make your life easier! How about a new programming catalog? Have you seen our old one? It’s circa 2004 and it’s pretty terrible. But what if we gave you a brand new catalog where programmers could post pictures and videos of their content? What if the filters and search bars actually worked? What if you could actually find what you’re looking for? And what if it was a resource for all library types, not just public libraries? We think that would be pretty amazing. Scroll down and read Amanda’s column for more information.
Photo: Ellen & CLA President Colleen Bailie met with vendors at the Public Library Association Conference in Portland, OR last month to discuss the upcoming CLC digital bid and CLA conference.
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The following members joined CLC in the past month. We are delighted to welcome them to the CLC family: 914 Connecticut libraries and schools working together to save, learn, and collaborate!
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With these new members, we have reached a milestone: For the first time ever (we think), CLC has over 900 member libraries! Whether your library has been a charter CLC member since our launch in 2003, or you've just joined us this year, we appreciate your trust. We can't wait to bring you new discount opportunities, new resources to help make your job easier, and so much more over the coming year. Come to our annual meeting on June 2 and see what all the excitement is about! More on that below! |
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SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR ANNUAL MEETING |
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CLC's 19th Annual Meeting
Thursday, June 2, 2022
4:00 p.m.
E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, Madison
Special Guest Speaker:
U.S. Representative Joe Courtney
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Please mark your calendars for a very special CLC event. On Thursday, June 2, join your colleagues at the recently renovated E.C. Scranton Library in Madison. We are delighted to announce that Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) will be our guest. The afternoon will feature remarks from Rep. Courtney, unveiling of CLC's new strategic plan, a brief business meeting, and time for in-person connection and networking. Look for registration in early May. We can't wait to see you there.
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WILL WE SEE YOUR SMILING FACE AT CLA?
Stop by our booth and spin to win!
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Connecticut Library Association Annual Conference
Tuesday, May 3
Wednesday, May 4
CT Convention Center, Hartford
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We've missed you all, and we're excited to see you IN PERSON at next month's CLA Conference. We are delighted to be sponsoring the event, and you won't be able to miss us in the exhibit hall - just look for the big spinny wheel! Stop by and take a spin - you could win a Scholastic Digital product for a year, cool children's furniture, books, socks, and many other awesome prizes from our vendors. Register today!
Photo: CLC's Amanda Stern models CLC's "spinny wheel" and some prizes
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FINALLY! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?
Amanda Stern
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When I joined CLC in 2018, one of the projects I most looked forward to working on was our programming catalog. You’ve probably used it at some point and had the same thoughts I did – this is a great idea. If only it had the features we needed, and the information was up to date. I’m happy to finally be able to share the news: Our new programming catalog is coming! And it’ll be here soon!
We’re working with a developer to get the platform customized. Soon performers, authors, speakers, and others who offer library programs (we call them "programmers") will be able to create their profiles. We’re starting from scratch with this one to make sure all the information in the catalog is updated and relevant to you.
What can you expect?
- A robust, searchable catalog with profiles of programmers who are currently offering library programs – and are excited about it!
- Comprehensive programmer profiles featuring descriptions of programs and services, photos, video clips, and more.
- Real keyword searching - not just a few pre-selected categories (though we’ll have those too).
- Results that can be filtered, sorted, and bookmarked.
- The ability to leave feedback for programmers with a star rating system and open comments.
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We’re so excited to finally be offering an updated product that will meet your needs and make your life easier. When performers and speakers call you to pitch their programs, you can easily direct them to the Programming Catalog!
We’re expecting you’ll be able to use this new catalog this summer. We hope you’ll use it enthusiastically and share your feedback so we can make sure it meets your needs.
Amanda Stern, Events & Special Projects Manager
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MAKER SPOTLIGHT
GET TO KNOW OUR MAKER & STEAM VENDORS
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Did you know that you can save on Maker and STEAM equipment and supplies with your CLC discounts? We have 6 approved vendors ready to help you save - check out two of them below, and explore them all at ctlibrarians.org/supplies. |
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Eduporium
Over 1,200 maker and STEAM supplies and equipment items, curated by experts
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Eduporium, a certified Black Owned Minority Business Enterprise, serves schools, colleges, and libraries with the highest quality STEM and STEAM products. Their partners include Makerbot, Lulzbot, Glowforge, Sphero, Ozobot, Wonderwork, HP, Google and many more. CLC's Eduporium contract features discounts on over 1,200 maker & STEAM supplies and equipment items. You'll find 3-D printers, video production equipment, robotics kits, papercraft and textiles, and virtually everything else you could need for making - and it's easy to order online via their custom CLC portal.
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TEC
Real-world industrial production and manufacturing equipment & supplies
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If you're looking for the big things - 3D printers, laser engravers, vinyl cutters, milling machines and more - TEC will help you choose the right product and teach you how to be successful with it. They work with leading manufacturers including Ultimaker, Roland DGA, and LaserPro, as well as the CoderZ virtual robotics platform. They offer supplies, on-site training and technical support for all of their products. Schools, be sure to let your Career & Technical Education department know about your TEC discount - when your library is a member, your entire organization is too!
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JUST FOR SCHOOLS - UPCOMING ROUNDTABLES |
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If you're feeling isolated or disconnected from your peers, or you're excited to swap ideas and ask questions, why not come to a CLC roundtable and connect with your fellow school librarians from around the state? We have 3 virtual meetings coming up in early May. Click on any of them to learn more and register. |
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High School Librarians Roundtable
Tuesday 5/10
3:00pm
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Middle School Librarians Roundtable
Wednesday 5/11
4:00pm
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Elementary School Librarians Roundtable
Thursday 5/12
4:00pm
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ROUNDTABLE ROUNDUP
These are virtual meetings unless otherwise noted.
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Readers' Advisory Roundtable
Tuesday 4/12 at 2:00pm
INCLUSIVE COLLECTIONS
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Business Librarians Roundtable
Wednesday 4/13 at 1:00pm
MARKETING, PUBLIC RELATIONS & YOU
Information is a commodity and competition is fierce. How do we, as Business Librarians, fit into the equation? Do business people put us on their radar screen? Are we showcasing the right product, in the right place, at the right time?
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Genealogy Roundtable
Thursday 4/21 at 10:00am
THE 1950 CENSUS RELEASE
Let's collaborate as we learn about the recent 1950 census release. Follow the link to our shared Google Slides and add a slide to share something you've learned. We'll come away from the meeting with a better understanding of how to navigate the information and help our researchers. |
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Academic Library Roundtable
Friday 4/22 at 2:00pm
OPEN DISCUSSION
This meeting will be an open discussion of anything related to academic libraries. It will be a great opportunity to bring some questions and thoughts for your fellow academic library colleagues.
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