This Month at CLC: March 2019
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Jennifer Keohane
Executive Director
LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER
This month, we are highlighting some of the ways that CLC facilitates collaborative learning and building community. Of course, our roundtables are the primary example of this, and we talk about them a lot! But collaboration and peer learning are integral to just about everything we do. This month, you'll hear from our board chair, Sarah Briggs, about her experiences as a new school librarian who built professional connections across the library spectrum through her work with CLC. Amanda's column highlights the advocacy bootcamp that CLC will be bringing to the CLA Conference, and perhaps to your own library, using a train-the-trainer model to help us all identify and tell our library stories and become confident advocates. And Julie shares her epiphany about why a particular late afternoon roundtable had such a robust, energetic idea exchange. Of course, we have discounts and roundtables, and a plea for you to speak out for CLC and all Connecticut libraries during this legislative season. By continuing to reach out, collaborate, and learn from each other, we are better equipped to understand the needs we all share, and advocate for them with our unique voices. Plus - it's a lot of fun! Enjoy this issue!
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GUEST COLUMN: FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
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Sarah Briggs
Chair, CLC Board of Trustees
Library/Media Specialist, Jonathan Law High School, Milford
BUILDING COMMUNITY WITH CLC
I joined the
CLC board
in 2012, when CLC was looking to increase school library representation. I had only been a librarian for two years, but I had taught all grade levels and was cautiously optimistic that I could adequately represent my member type despite never having served on a board or even sat in on a formal meeting. It was youthful optimism for sure. I was very fortunate that CLC took a chance on me, because the experiences that followed have been so richly rewarding, professionally and personally.
I initially heard about CLC through their
roundtable offerings
. A school librarian is frequently the only librarian in the building, which can be a little isolating at times. So I joined a couple of roundtables geared towards services for young adults and education, grateful that there were several options that were both local and free. Happily united with other librarians in similar roles, I began to build a “tribe” of people I could learn from and bounce ideas off of. At the same time I missed working with public, academic, and special librarians as I had done during graduate school. One of the best parts of being on the board is knowing librarians in all different types of libraries from all over the state. We are really all connected; when my students leave me for the day, they often go to public libraries with their families for homework or to attend a program. When our students graduate, the majority of them head off to college, many of them choosing Connecticut colleges. I realized that the more I talk to and learn from librarians in other roles, the better able I am to help my students grow as learners and readers and prepare themselves for the rest of their lives. My involvement with CLC really highlighted how librarians of all different roles are united in our goal of meeting the needs of our patrons to the best of our abilities.
If I could summarize why I’ve continued my involvement with CLC in one sentence, it would be: because I believe in what we are doing. I believe that libraries are an essential good in society, and a necessity. I believe that everyone has the right to access information freely, and that our provision of free, equitable access to information and community resources via our libraries is one of our greatest accomplishments as a society. But we are stronger with strong support, and CLC has been one of the most formative and influential supports of my career. CLC is a tireless
advocate for libraries
, a constant
resource for professionals
, and a literal
saver of millions of dollars
. Seven years after responding to the call for school librarian nominations, I remain excited and grateful to be a part of CLC’s work.
If you are currently working in a library, reach out to another library, even if your libraries have different roles, different patrons, or are geographically disparate. Have a discussion about the trends you are seeing, problems you are having, and your most recent successes. Compare resources; see where you complement one another’s services and resources and where there might be room for growth. Plan a program together. It might be a one-time event, or it might be a gamechanger. More often than not, my experiences have been gamechangers. I would never have had the opportunity to build these relationships had CLC not found me.
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Amanda Stern
Events & Special Projects Manager
EVERY DAY ADVOCACY
Each year as budgets are set, our thoughts turn to
advocacy
. We reach out to our legislators to talk about the importance of library funding. But what if – instead of being isolated to budget time – we made advocacy part of our everyday lives?
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The American Library Association (ALA) has created an
Advocacy Bootcamp
program to better help all of us who work in, use, and love libraries advocate for library funding and support. This is done by empowering librarians with the skills to tell your library’s story and secure funding for technology, e-books, and other resources; teaching librarians and library advocates practical and powerful tips on how to be a respected, effective, and supported voice in our communities; and providing consistent messaging and an advocacy framework that can be used by libraries throughout Connecticut and across the country.
Julie Yulo-Medeiros and Alena Principato attended the Advocacy Bootcamp at the New England Library Association Conference this fall, and now CLC is bringing it to Connecticut. We believe in the program and how it teaches us that advocacy can be easy through the creation and sharing of stories of libraries addressing issues in our communities. Last week, Julie and I debuted the program for the CLC Board of Trustees. We'll offer it to a wider audience on Monday, 4/29 at the
Connecticut Library Association (CLA) conference
. We hope to be able to share what we've learned with all of our members so we can become a state of librarians who can – and do – advocate for our libraries.
We invite you to join us at the CLA conference (
registration is open!
) to discover how you can advocate by telling your library's story. Can't make it to CLA? We'll be taking our show on the road! Invite us to come share our program with you and your colleagues on your home turf. Reach out to me at
astern@ctlibrarians.org
or 860.344.8777 x104 for more information. Working together, we can show Connecticut just how our libraries transform communities.
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Julie Yulo-Medeiros
Member Relations Manager, Academic & School Libraries
SCHOOL LIBRARIANS - MAKING CONNECTIONS
Driving home from a recent roundtable meeting I couldn’t help but think about the lively, quick conversation that took place among the librarians. They had so much energy, interest, and passion, and it was well past 4:00pm! As I continued to drive, I pondered why this roundtable was bursting at the seams with conversation. And then it hit me: all of the attendees were school librarians who often work alone. This meeting was a rare opportunity to spend time with other like-minded adults - listening, bouncing ideas off of one another, and talking about the problems, challenges, and joys of working with school children.
Roundtables are an opportunity to meet, network, problem-solve, and learn. CLC has
33 active roundtables
. Many might interest school librarians, including children’s librarians, young adult librarians, and a few unique ones such as gaming, graphic novels, maker, and LGBTQ.
But what we want to know is, what do you need specifically to help you learn, feel connected, and advocate for your programs? Is it more unique roundtables for elementary, middle school, and high school? More regional roundtables so you don’t have to travel so far? Roundtables that start earlier or later in the day? Roundtables that are scheduled on professional development days? How can we support you? It’s time to think out of the box and let CLC develop roundtables that are unique to your needs. If you are ready to talk to more than just the books in your library, please contact me at
jyulo@ctlibrarians.org
or 860.344.8777 x102 with your ideas, thoughts, and interests, and we will get some school librarian roundtables rolling.
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BookExpo
May 29-31, Javits Center, NYC
BookExpo gives you access to the latest titles, favorite and new authors and librarian-focused conferences to help you track the trends. There is no better place for librarians to see and learn what’s new and next in publishing to help build your library!
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BOOK EXPO FEES DECREASE FOR 2019:
BookExpo has listened to librarians and DECREASED their registration rates for 2019. Everyone who chooses the librarian badge category will pay just $75.00, regardless of the number of days you attend! Consequently, there will NOT be a CLC discount on registration for 2019. Instead, exclusive CLC member benefits will be extended to those who choose to ride the CLC bus. Bus details coming soon.
BOOK EXPO REGISTRATION:
Registration is now OPEN
- register early if you plan to attend any special events with limited attendance!
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BookCon
June 1-2, Javits Center, NYC
BookCon
, held June 1-2, 2019 in New York City, is a unique conference created for book lovers of all ages. While
BookExpo
is for book professionals (booksellers, publishers, librarians, etc.), BookCon is for the public - anyone who loves books. This weekend-long event combines family programs, author autographing, stage talks with literary heroes, the joy of meeting like-minded readers, and a huge celebration of the importance of reading.
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SAVE $5 OFF ADMISSION:
CLC members save $5 off each BookCon ticket with our exclusive discount code. You are welcome to extend the discount code to your library users. Why? They will
experience a huge event focused on the love of books and reading- and they'll have your library to thank for their discount! Registration is open now - head to our website for the registration link and discount code.
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Monday, March 11, 10:00am
Harry Bennett Library, Stamford
TOPIC: CONTROVERSIAL BOOKS
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We all have experience with or have heard the stories about community members concerned about particular titles on our library shelves. Join us for a candid conversation about these controversial books and how to defend keeping them in the collection.
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Tuesday, March 12, 10:00am
Canton Public Library
TOPIC: RELUCTANT READERS
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The Readers' Advisory Roundtable North has participants that
work in reference, lending, cataloging, etc. This inclusive group can help you no matter what department you work for. This month we'll talk about reluctant readers. How do we engage them? What can we suggest that might make them inclined to read?
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Tuesday, March 19, 10:00am (9:30 coffee)
Simsbury Public Library
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If you're involved with adult programming, event planning, or outreach at your library, please join us on March 19 at Simsbury Public Library for great tips, ideas, and strategies you can use in your library programs and outreach. This group serves as a forum to discuss successful and not-so-successful event ideas, marketing and publication tips, and partnership/networking opportunities.
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Tuesday, March 26, 2:00pm
Wallingford Public Library
TOPIC: PRIDE MONTH PLANNING
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Join other Librarians to discuss LGBTQ+ programming and events for Pride Month in June and beyond. Together, we will explore community connections, partnerships, and outreach to maximize the impact of programming. Please come with ideas, success stories, and suggestions!
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These meetings are just a sample of upcoming roundtables -
13 meetings are happening in March!
Please explore and register for your favorites. Everyone is welcome at a CLC roundtable.
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ADVOCACY - WE NEED YOUR VOICE
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The legislature is in session, we have a new Governor, and it is once again time for libraries to speak up. On February 20
, Governor Lamont released his FY2020 - FY2021 Biennium Budget. You can
view the CT State Library summary page HERE
.
CLC ("Support Cooperating Library Service Units") is flat-funded at $124,402 for both FY2020 and FY2021, the same as FY2019. Most other State Library programs are also level-funded.
IMPACT ON CLC.
While CLC is working on key initiatives to help replace our eroding state budget line, continued funding at the $124K level reduces our ability to expand services. Every year that we’ve seen cuts to our budget since 2015, we’ve offered fewer new discounted products. This year, we are budgeted to pull $157K from our reserves. Expanding and changing fee structures to replace state funding takes time. Without more state funding for the next 5 years, membership dues increases will be inevitable.
WHAT YOU CAN DO.
We need your help once again! Please speak up for CLC and all the issues on the
CLA Legislative Agenda
. There are so many ways to help:
WHERE TO GET HELP.
Tips, tools, talking points, data, background, and more are available via the updated and expanded advocacy section of our website:
ctlibrarians.org/advocacy
. Thank you, as always, for your support.
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"CLC gets $124,000 per year from the State of Connecticut and they save CT libraries over $7.4M per year. At a time when the State is asking towns and school systems to work together to find economies of scale and regional approaches to purchasing, libraries are already there. Libraries are way ahead of the curve when it comes to cooperation and regionalization. To cut this funding would be a step backwards and ultimately cost us money and resources."
--Ellen Paul, Director, East Hampton Public Library
(written testimony)
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