This Month at CLC
AUGUST 2023
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MY LIBRARY FURNITURE STORY
Ellen Paul
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Photo: East Hampton Public Library Adult Room |
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I want to tell you a story. When I walked in to the East Hampton Public Library on my first day as director, I knew that the furniture had to go. Black tables and black chairs made the library incredibly dark. The 30 year old brown “leather” chairs were ripped at the seams. The community room chairs were stained. Gross. But I had no money. The town was never going to give me a big check. So, what did I do? Well, I called up the furniture dealer Robert H. Lord anyway. Because if I didn’t know how much money it was going to take to replace all this gross furniture, I would never know how much money I was going to need.
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It used to be that we had contracts with about 25 different furniture manufacturers and dealers. If you wanted a chair, you had to call each vendor to see what they had and how much it cost. That seemed inefficient.
Our goal in redesigning this contract was to vastly simplify it. Now, we are working with three amazing furniture dealers, all close by, who have dozens of manufacturers for you to choose from. You can just make one phone call and get lots of options to compare and choose from. Easy.
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East Hampton Public Library Adult Room |
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Plus, these dealers will come out to your facility, they’ll help you with your design. If your budget is limited and you have to do things in phases, they’ll work with you on what makes the most sense. And then they’ll come in and install everything and take away the trash. No drop-shipping, just a great experience from start to finish.
At least that was my experience in East Hampton, and I want that same great experience for all of you. And that’s why we’ve invited all of our furniture partners to join us for an in-person furniture expo on August 17 at the Wallingford Public Library. I hope you’ll be there.
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You don’t need to have a giant furniture project or even a giant budget. Come and get inspired by our vendors and by your fellow librarians. We can’t wait to see you. Learn more and sign up below.
Ellen
Ellen Paul, Executive Director
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DON'T MISS OUR IN-PERSON FURNITURE EVENT! |
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The CLC Furniture Expo
An in-person open house event to inspire new furnishing possibilities and answer your questions about all things furniture
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Thursday, August 17
10:30am - 3:00pm (drop in)
Wallingford Public Library
FREE!
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FEATURED SPEAKERS
Representatives from:
Stratford Library Association
Durham Public Library
Mitchell College Library
CLC
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This is an open house-style event. Refreshments will be served morning and afternoon. Lunch will NOT be served. Please join us for the portions of the day that interest you, allowing ample time to visit with vendors.
See the speaker schedule and get more information HERE.
We can't wait to see you!
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WHAT IF IT HAD HAPPENED?
Jacqueline Cashin
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UPS is the largest private shipping company in the country, just behind the US Postal Service (USPS). We have all been hearing lately about the Teamsters Union and their conflict with UPS as they pushed for higher pay, more full-time jobs and better workplace health and safety conditions. These issues brought both sides close to a shutdown of negotiations. This would have led to an enormous swath of the marketplace without the necessary delivery services that we all depend on. The crisis has been averted and both sides have negotiated something that they can live with. But what if it had happened? What if the Teamsters strike had occurred and UPS delivery service had ground to a halt?
You may have been thinking, “That’s OK, if it happens I’ll just use FedEx.” It’s a good idea, but it would not have worked. FedEx would not have been able to handle the 24.3 million packages UPS delivers a day in addition to their existing loads. In a statement, FedEx said that the company’s priority was protecting service for existing customers and not for any new customers that may begin using the service.
Libraries would have seen package delays, higher shipping costs, and potentially higher prices for books, supplies, and other important goods. We can look to the last strike in 1997 to see what the impact was then. But in the age of online ordering, the impact today would have been far greater. So - if the 340,000 Teamsters members had gone on strike, what would you have done? Would you have been prepared?
The best approach to any kind of service disruption is to be nimble in your shopping.
- Don’t just rely on one vendor for all of your needs. Set up accounts now with multiple book and supply vendors so that if service disruptions occur, you can easily pivot.
- Be aware of the issues. During the leadup to the potential UPS strike, many of our vendors were sending updates to their customers. Be sure you know how potential disruptions will affect your library.
- You may not have much control of how your shippers ship, but you can select USPS or FedEx occasionally so that they will prioritize your packages should the need arise.
Most importantly, have a contingency plan to help you shift and maneuver. If supplies are not available for the program you want to do, can you do a different program? Are you set up for ordering from multiple suppliers so you can quickly adjust if your preferred supplier is unable to get you what you need? These are the questions you should ask yourself to be ready for the rapid changes that are happening all around us.
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CLC is here to help. We have lots of suppliers on contract so you can be nimble in your shopping, and we are only an email or phone call away. I hope that you are all having a great summer!
Jackie
Jacqueline Cashin
Assistant Director for Operations, Bids and Contracts
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MORE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES |
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Successful Onboarding Techniques to Improve Retention
A Webinar for Library Leadership from
the Employers Association of the NorthEast
Thursday, August 10 at 8:30am
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Library Managers: If you've ever been concerned with employee retention, this is the webinar for you. During this 60-minute program by the Employers Association of the NorthEast, we'll examine onboarding procedures and identify adjustments you can make when bringing on a new hire to improve retention rates at your library.
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Accelerating Early Learning with Tonies
Thursday, August 10 at 11:00am
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What are Tonies? They're latest non-print, screen-free innovation for your children's room or elementary school library - and now they're on a CLC discount contract! Join CLC and a representative from Tonies to learn what Tonies are and how you can use them in your library. We'll also talk about the importance of limiting screen time for children. Learn more about Tonies and CLC HERE.
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Get Serious About Serials with WT Cox
Wednesday, August 30 at 11:00am
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WT Cox is CLC's exclusive partner for managing your periodical subscriptions. At this webinar, WT Cox staff will showcase some of the features of their CoxNet account management system, and will introduce eviSENSE, their new evidence-based collection development tool. This webinar is for all library types, and is suitable for current WT Cox customers as well as anyone who'd like to learn more.
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Book Doctor Workshops from Demco
Friday, October 6
IN PERSON: Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill
FREE
11:15am: Visual Merchandising (45 minutes) - Register
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CLC is thrilled to welcome Demco's Book Doctor to the Cora J. Belden Library in Rocky Hill on Friday, October 6 for hands-on training in basic and advanced book care and repair techniques, as well as a book merchandising class to help you showcase your materials like the bookstores do! All workshops are free, but space is limited. For the book repair workshops, you must register by September 5.
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SAVE THE DATE
School Librarian
Professional Development Day
Building Relationships with Your Learning Community
Tuesday, November 7 (Election Day)
9:00am - 3:00pm
IN PERSON at Manchester Community College
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:
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Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Director, American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom: First Amendment Court Cases that Affirm Intellectual Freedom in School Libraries
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Pat Scales, Retired School Librarian, Author, Former Chair of ALA's Intellectual Freedom Committee: The Importance of Strong Policies and Communication with Your School Administrators
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Paul Freeman, Superintendent of Schools, Guilford Public Schools: Protecting Intellectual Freedom at Guilford Public Schools
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SAVE THE DATE
The CLC Vendor Expo
Tuesday, November 14
9:00am - 4:00pm
IN PERSON at Southern Connecticut State University
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CLC's purchasing options for libraries get better and better as we now offer more than 90 discount contracts. Join us for this full-day expo to learn about how to get the most from your spending dollars, and about amazing products and services to better serve your communities. Twenty of our book, digital, equipment, and supplies vendors will be on hand to exhibit AND offer presentations about their products, giving you ample opportunity to ask all of your questions. Enjoy a buffet breakfast and lunch buffet, swag bags, prize drawings, and more! |
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LIBRARY EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT |
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Luxer One
Smart lockers for every library, made in the USA
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Luxer One designs and manufactures smart lockers and the software that powers them. They have locker systems in libraries across the US, including several right here in CT. Here's one at the Cora J. Belden Library in Rocky Hill:
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About Luxer One lockers:
- Designed and manufactured in the USA.
- Choose indoor or outdoor. Outdoor lockers are rated from -4 to 113 degrees and feature lighted roof, wind-resistant bolted system, temperature regulation, water intrusion protection, and camera.
- Luxer One can customize and retrofit lockers into existing spaces (L-shaped, cross room. etc.)
- ILS integration, in-locker item return, and custom colors and wraps are available options.
CLC members save on both hardware AND software from Luxer One. Existing customers can be added to the CLC contract to save on annual software fees - contact Luxer One for details.
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D-Tech
Featuring a full line of innovative library self-service solutions
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D-Tech International was founded in 2002 in the U.K. to provide the worldwide library market with state-of-the-art self-service library equipment solutions. They expanded to the U.S. in 2011, and manufacture their products at their headquarters in New Jersey. CLC's Ellen Paul (right) stopped by the D-Tech booth at ALA in June, where D-Tech representative Anne Lawlor showed off their innovative new SMART locker: |
Here are just a few of the ways that D-Tech can help you:
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Their returnIT automated materials system comes standard with a 5-bin internal sorter; myriad other options can be customized.
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The lendIT kiosk provides 24/7 browseable access to books, CDs, DVDs and other physical media.
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The computeIT kiosk can safely store, charge, and issue laptops and other similar devices.
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secureIT security gates cater to the security requirements of every library, and are designed for simple set-up and maintenance.
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D-Tech's self-check solutions include their serveIT line of self-check stations as well as their appIT mobile app.
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ORDER/RENEWAL ALERT!
Brainfuse JobNow, VetNow & HelpNow
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HURRY!
ORDER DEADLINE: August 9
MORE INFO:
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If you've been waiting to try any of Brainfuse's resources - JobNow, HelpNow, or VetNow - NOW is the time. CLC is taking orders for subscriptions beginning 9/1. We have exceptional pricing on these premier resources for live, online help with job searching, homework, and veteran services. Current subscribers, check your email for your renewal quote. |
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We are delighted to welcome CLC's newest member:
Thank you for joining CLC and over 975 libraries across Connecticut in saving, learning, and collaborating. We're stronger together!
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CLC PEOPLE & LIBRARY NEWS
Celebrating Connecticut library staff
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As we all know, there's a lot happening in Connecticut libraries. Thanks for sharing your new hires, promotions, grants, awards, and other celebrations with us! This month on our website, you'll find news about ...
- Bentley Memorial Library, Bolton
- Bill Memorial Library, Groton
- The Brookfield Library
- Burnham Library, Bridgewater
- CLC
- Durham Public Library
- Easton Public Library
- Hotchkiss Library of Sharon
- Oxford Public Library
- South Windsor Public Library
- Stratford Library
- UConn Stamford Library
- West Haven Public Library
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Want to be included next month? Submit your news to Amanda Stern at [email protected] by August 25.
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You have received this newsletter because your library is a CLC member, or you signed up for our mailing list. To adjust your CLC email settings, log into your CLC account.
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