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 CORKBOARD STRATEGY
Jennifer Keohane, Executive Director
One year ago, I said that change would come to CLC - and boy did it ever. We began this year with a 47% cut to our CLC State Operating Grant. To close the gap, you approved dues increases and a transfer from our funding reserves, and we developed a new income-generating investment program for the remaining reserves. We also took a hard look at our operations and made some important changes to our staffing model and programs. Despite the challenges, CLC has remained strong and continued to deliver the core savings and programs you told us you most valued:
- Membership remains up; in fact this year we added 14 new members.
- Member savings for FY14-15 (reported in FY15-16) increased by over $100,000. We believe this figure will increase again for FY15-16.
- Bids - We worked to refine our two new statewide bids to better meet all member needs. The 2017 CLC Book contract includes key academic book suppliers. The 2017 CLC Supplies contract includes items we saw school librarians discuss on library listservs in addition those products all of our members often purchase.
- Roundtables - This year we evaluated the Roundtable program and created Roundtable Facilitator Training. Two new roundtables were added to the over 30 existing groups - the Maker Roundtable and the Gaming Roundtable.
This year our State Grant will continue to be a little more than half of what it was in 2015. Due to the measures we put in place last year, we are better able to withstand this financial challenge, but we will need to continue to look hard at our core programs and find sustainable solutions.
The corkboard above my desk has a question and a quote tacked up. I think they sum up the focus and goals for next year:
First, the question:
How can we make CLC unforgettable?
- Unforgettable to our members- so you always remember to use the benefits you are paying for by checking the expansive CLC discounted products & services list before you buy. Or by calling us for advice on where the best discounts are outside of CLC.
- Unforgettable to legislators and funders who are looking for models of regionalization, return on investment, and economies of scale. We've been modeling statewide savings and collaboration for decades.
As we develop a new strategic plan, we will be looking for you to answers to this question.
And here's the quote:
"Questioning long-held beliefs and traditional ways of doing things is a painful but necessary step if group creativity is to be ignited."
--When Sparks Fly: Igniting Creativity in Groups
I believe we can build a stronger, more sustainable, and more creative CLC and Connecticut library community if we follow this approach. We've already had some pain, but we've also achieved great progress.
As we wrap up our 13th year, we are thankful and proud of our accomplishments and are looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead. It's been a roller coaster but we couldn't have gone through it with smiles on our faces without CLC's staff, board, partners and you, our members. On behalf of the CLC board and staff, thank you for all of your support, feedback & ideas. We are looking forward to helping you strengthen your services next year and in the years to come.
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Annual Meeting Wrap-Up
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NEW BOOK & SUPPLIES CONTRACTS
CLC's current book AND supplies contracts expire June 30. Our discounts department has been hard at work preparing the new contracts for you, and we are pleased to announce the awards:
SUPPLIES: CLC's supplies contract has been awarded solely to Demco Inc. for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2021. Visit
ctlibrarians.org/page/supplies for all of the details, or go right to our
members-only discounts page with your CLC username and password to download our supplies member guide. The new contract features over 100 of the supply items you use most at an average discount of 43% off - plus savings of 7-18% off most other library, office, and archival supplies, technology and furniture.
BOOKS: For the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2019, CLC's book contracts have been awarded to the following distributors and publishers:
- Baker & Taylor
- Bound to Stay Bound Books
- Cavendish Square
- Ingram
- Mackin
- Proquest (Coutts)
- Rosen Publishing
- Scholastic
- YBP
We're putting the finishing touches on our member guide now - look for more information the week of July 5
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Mystery Summer Camp!
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Westport Library
Spend a day at "camp" learning about mysteries! Readers Advisory tips, new releases, author talk, freebies ... fun and practical for all!
- Love mysteries and want to find out what's coming out / share with other mystery lovers?
- Is Mystery Readers Advisory a mystery to you?
- Join other mystery lovers AND mystery novices for a special mystery camp just for librarians!
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SUMMERTIME, AND THE LIVING IS ... ENERGIZED!
Ellen Paul, Member Advisor
When most people think about summer, they imagine slowing down, taking it easy and relaxing through the hot weather. At CLC, however, we're thinking just the opposite! Summer is a time to get energized!
This past month, I've been busy working my way through my first-ever renewal season. It's a well-kept secret that almost all of the products that CLC offers directly renew in June or July. As I've come on board the last three months, it's made for a busy, busy time! For school libraries, we just had our big push for
Turnitin subscriptions and renewals,
EBSCO databases and CQ Researcher. At the same time, we were also signing up libraries or renewing subscriptions for
Scholastic,
circuits,
Hill Donnelly directories,
BiblioBoard,
Lynda.com and
AtoZdatabases. Plus, we're currently renewing our
Movie Licensing, and coming up soon is
JobNow! Phew!
Perhaps most exciting of all is our incredible deal on
hotspots. With FREE hotspot devices and unlimited 4G/3G data for $22.99 a month, we're confident that you won't find a better deal anywhere. Don't be fooled by other offers - although some may appear to be cheaper, they're only offering a 4G signal. Without the ability to seamlessly switch to 3G, in many parts of Connecticut you'd get spotty service or no service at all, leaving your patrons in the lurch. Call or email me if you have questions. I'd love to talk you through the offer.
Lastly, this summer we're looking forward to going to camp -
Mystery Camp that is! In partnership with the Westport Library, we're offering a fun and educational day of mystery reader's advisory and collection development programming on July 13. We'll start with a publisher and librarian panel discussing the newest mystery releases as well as core genre titles - a summer primer to answer all of those tricky reader's advisory questions. Then we'll have a group discussion on reader's advisory stumpers, followed by author Con Lehane on his newest book, Murder at the 42nd Street Library. Plus, did I mention that there will be lunch and giveaways? Sign up for the event here:
http://bit.ly/MysteryCamp
As always, feel free to call or email me with questions, suggestions or comments. I'd love to hear from you!
Ellen
Contact Ellen at 860.344.8777 x102 or [email protected].
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SAVINGS HIGHLIGHTS
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HOTSPOTS - Check out the Internet!
NEW & AWESOME DEAL!
We are confident that we are bringing you the best possible offer on mobile hotspots available to CT libraries and schools:
FREE hotspot device
$22.99/month UNLIMITED data
4G/3G service
WOW!!
ctlibrarians.org/page/hotspots
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Are you taking advantage of your CLC discounts? Visit ctlibrarians.org to learn more about these and many other offers!
ACRYLIC SIGN HOLDERS -
Last chance at this price! CLC has partnered with Library Display Design Systems on a special group purchase offer for these hard-to-find 11x17" acrylic sign holders. Slatwall and countertop designs available in both landscape and portrait. Save up to 53% if you order now - prices go up 7/1!
Deadline: 6/30
LEARN MORE
MOVIE LICENSING - For public libraries. Protect your library and save 50% off the standard price of a public performance site license from Movie Licensing USA. You'll be able to legally show unlimited movies from top studios, including Disney, Warner Bros., Sony, NBC/Universal and more. Imagine showing
Finding Dory when it comes out on DVD this fall!
Deadline: 7/8
LEARN MORE
SCHOLASTIC FLIX & GO - For publics & schools. With Scholastic's acclaimed digital resources - BookFlix, ScienceFlix, TrueFlix, FreedomFlix, and GO! (featuring 8 resources) - you'll have engaging online resources for your entire community. Order, renew, add products for subscriptions beginning 8/1.
Deadline: 7/15
LEARN MORE
CATALOGING FROM DGI - Donohue Group Inc. (DGI), located in Windsor, is proud to serve CLC members with high-quality cataloging solutions that fit your schedule and budget. Save on cataloging projects big and small - DGI even makes "house calls" so you can get those tricky items cataloged right at your library and onto your shelves fast! Special savings for CLC members.
LEARN MORE
NEW ENGLAND PHOTO BOOTH - Now here's an out-of-the-box discount opportunity! Photo booths are all the rage - why not have one at your next big event and save with your CLC discount? New England Photo Booth offers CLC members a 15% discount off all packages plus a free flash drive of all photos (normally $100). We used NEPB at the CLA Conference and were very happy with our experience - give them a call.
LEARN MORE
SCOLA - This non-profit language resource web subscription service provides authentic language and cultural resources in more than 175 languages. CLC has become a SCOLA affiliate so your library can subscribe at a fantastic price!
LEARN MORE
USI - Savings up to 20%, free hardware installation & training on MakerBot 3D printers and accessories, laminators, sign kits, and more, including a mobile makerspace package designed just for us!
LEARN MORE
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MEET THE 2016-2017 CLC BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Elections were held at the CLC Annual Meeting in June 9, and the new Board of Trustees met for the first time on June 23. Learn more about our current board members at
ctlibrarians.org/page/board.
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L-R: Mary Hogan (Immediate Past President), Priscilla Ubysz, Randi Ashton-Pritting, Marie Shaw (Chair), Janice Wilson, Sarah Briggs, Lynn Barker Steinmayer (Treasurer), Jane Fisher (Vice Chair/Chair Elect), Margaret Borchers, Marian Amodeo, Jessica Kilham. Not pictured: Carol Ansel (Secretary), Mary Billings, Joan Overfield, Sue Prince.
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You have received this newsletter because your library/school is a CLC member or partner, or because you have subscribed to the CLC mailing list.
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