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 ONE STEP
Jennifer Keohane, Executive Director
January is an ambitious month, isn't it? You start out with a shiny new calendar, lots of energy and ideas, and the delusion that the hours in the day have increased from last year. What if you decided to take just one step toward a goal instead of loading up your to do list with ALL of the steps - and a lot of disappointment when you can't do it all?
We talked to a lot of librarians about advocacy last year. Based on what we've heard, it seems we all need to take a "One Step" approach when developing our advocacy plans. That means taking one step more in becoming an advocate and developing advocates for Connecticut libraries and library programs. For some of you, this will be a first step; for others, this will be taking a step you've never taken before. It isn't easy, we know ... we are doing it too. But we're willing to help, not just to advocate for CLC (which would be nice), but more importantly to help you speak up and get the message out about why libraries are vitally important to our communities, and how libraries solve problems and change lives in ways other organizations and programs cannot. Ellen Paul, our Member Relations Manager and a former congressional aide, has some
great advice on how to work with legislators. I've created
10 Ways You Can Advocate for Your Library and CLC, a document that can help you pick your "One Step" for 2017.
Seriously, you do important work. CLC is here to support you so you can do more - often with less. Let us help you along the path to reaching your goals, one step at a time.
Happy New Year,
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NOTES FROM THE FIELD
Ellen Paul, Member Relations Manager
As Jennifer mentioned, before I became a librarian, I spent five years working for Congressman Joe Courtney as a congressional aide. I was on the other side of the table for hundreds of advocacy meetings with nonprofits, groups and organizations around the state. As we at CLC encourage you to meet with your legislators, I know it can be intimidating. You think: What if I say something wrong? What if I'm not as articulate as I want to be? What if I don't know what to ask for? What if they don't care? I hear your concerns, and I thought I'd give you a few secrets from the other side that might help ease your mind.
- You both are benefiting from this meeting. People think that they're bothering a legislator by asking for a meeting, but the truth is, every day that a legislator sits in the office not meeting with constituents is a lost opportunity. Legislators and elected officials need to get reelected. They can't do that without talking to their constituents. Your meeting is providing them with that opportunity. They want your support, they want your vote, they want to meet with you.
- Everyone will be very nice. I've never sat through a scary meeting with a legislator. You give them a tour, and they "oooh" and "ahhh" over your building, and they tell you that you're doing great work. When you start talking about funding or needs, they may not be able to promise you everything you ask for, but they'll be nice about it. No one ever got elected by being mean or rude to their constituents.
- They only know what you tell them. I've sat through meetings on the farm bill, submarine funding, homelessness, and urban planning. I don't have a degree in any of these fields, and as far as I know, not one of our state legislators has an MLS. You need to educate them. Tell them why they should support you. Tell them why you are amazing and what you need funding for. Don't assume that they know anything about a 21st century library, and don't forget to toot your own horn! If you don't tell them, they won't know!
All of this is to say that when you're thinking about meeting with your legislators or other elected officials, please know that the benefits far outweigh any apprehension that you might have. There are so many organizations out there competing for funding and resources, and there are lots of groups that aren't afraid to be vocal. If libraries don't speak up, we'll never be heard. Take that "one step" that Jennifer refers to above, and call your legislator today and set up a meeting. And if you need some extra courage or advice before you pick up that phone, you can always call me first!
Ellen
Contact Ellen at 860.344.8777 x104 or [email protected].
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SAVINGS HIGHLIGHTS
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StackMap
StackMap is a flexible indoor mapping web application that integrates with your OPAC to help patrons easily locate library resources. Search for an item, click "Map it," and get a library map with your item pinpointed. Save 30% when you order by January 31!
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Are you taking advantage of your CLC discounts? Visit ctlibrarians.org to learn more about these and many other offers!
BROWSEALOUD -
For public libraries. Coming this month!
Browsealoud integrates your library website and public access computers with easy-to-use tools to assist patrons with accessibility challenges. Intuitive tools like tap-to-speak, language translation, MP3 generator and screen masking allow your library to reach a wide diversity of people with vision impairment, attention and focus disorders, dyslexia, language barriers, and literacy challenges. Look for a Browsealoud email soon, or contact Ellen Paul at CLC for more information.
COMPUTERS IN LIBRARIES CONFERENCE - CLC is offering discounted online registration for the 2017
Computers in Libraries Conference, to be held March 28-30 in Arlington, VA. Save up to $220 off full price admission! Register by
February 24 for best savings.
LEARN MORE
NON-PRINT CONTRACTS EXTENDED - CLC's current non-print media contracts have been extended until February 28. New contracts will go into effect March 1. If you need to place an order with any of our current suppliers, we encourage you to do so by February 28.
LEARN MORE
BOOK EXPO - We know that many of you are looking forward to
BookExpo, which will be back in New York this year on May 31 - June 2. We are working with BookExpo staff on some new partnership opportunities that will bring special value to CLC members; however, we do not yet have a discount to announce. If you want to attend a special event that you know will sell out quickly, you may want to go ahead and register and forego any forthcoming discount (there will be no refunds). But if you can wait, we hope you will. Look for an announcement by the end of the month. Questions? Contact Jennifer Keohane at CLC.
LEARN MORE
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EXPLORING HUMAN ORIGINS:
What does it mean to be human?
A Smithsonian traveling exhibit at the Otis Library
Exclusive private tour and Q&A for CT library staff
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
9:00 - 11:00 AM
Otis Library, Norwich
"Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean To Be Human?" is a thought-provoking Smithsonian Institution exhibit that is traveling to only 19 libraries across the country. The Otis Library in Norwich is the only stop in CT.
Otis Library has partnered with CLC to offer Connecticut library staff an extraordinary opportunity: An exclusive private tour of the exhibit led by the Smithsonian scientists who curated it, followed by a Q&A session.
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ROUNDTABLES
Mark your calendars & head to a roundtable! Linked programs have more details & registration available now. Remaining programs will be online soon - visit ctlibrarians.org/events!
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1/9
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Readers Advisory South,
10:00am, Darien Library. Planning for 2017. (We know it's too late to attend, but if you're a reader advisor in southern/western CT, please take their planning survey! Thanks!)
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1/9
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1/10
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1/10
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New Directors
, 10:00am, Easton Public Library. Leading with GRIT!
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1/10
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1/11
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1/12
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1/18
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Eastern CT Library Directors, 10:00am, Mansfield Public Library. Budgeting: A Success Story, with Suzanne Maryeski.
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1/25
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Maker Roundtable - 2:00pm, Wallingford Public Library. Tour the new WPL Collaboratory. (Registration coming soon)
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1/26
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1/26
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2/2
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Middlesex County School Librarians
, 3:00pm, Russell Library, Middletown. New group! Current challenges in the LMC environment.
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Attention Programmers!
CT Recreation & Parks Association presents their
27th Annual Entertainment Showcase
42 live performances
plus - network with over 75 entertainers in the exhibit hall
CLC members receive CRPA member price - just $25!
Thursday, February 16, 2017
East Hartford Community Cultural Center
Registration 9am, Performances 9:30 - 3:30
Fee includes lunch & detailed program guide
If you've been missing our annual Programming Showcase, here is a solution for you! CLC is partnering with CRPA to bring you an incredible day of entertainment previews for a very reasonable price.
contact CLC for your promo code
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MORE NEWS YOU CAN USE
CT Librarians Hali Keeler and Marie Shaw are the proud authors of a new series of books designed for library support staff. The
"Library Support Staff Handbook" series includes four titles:
Foundations of Library Services, Library Technology and Digital Resources, Working with Collections, and
Cataloging Library Resources. The series, published by Rowman and Littlefield, is designed for students in a library technology program as they are aligned to the Library Support Staff Certification Program of the ALA (ALA-LSSC). Additional titles are forthcoming.
The Connecticut Book Awards are Back -
Connecticut Center for the Book is now accepting submissions for the 2017 Connecticut Book Awards. These awards recognize the best books of 2016 either written by authors who reside in Connecticut or for books substantially set in Connecticut. Guidelines and the application are located
here. Submissions are due April 21.
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DID YOU FORGET SOMETHING?
CLC memberships expired December 31. 90% of our members have renewed - thank you!! If you're in that remaining 10%, it's not too late. Renew by January 31 to avoid losing membership benefits.
Contact Ellen at 860.344.8777 x104 or
[email protected] for your invoice, or to ask questions about CLC and your membership. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you throughout 2017!
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