This Month at CLC: June 2020
DIRECTOR'S CORNER:
Too busy to write
It's been a long time since we put out a traditional newsletter. Frankly, we've been too busy to write. We are all okay, and we sincerely hope you are too.

Since mid-March, we've been focusing on fostering a sense of community across Connecticut libraryland. We've enjoyed seeing so many of your faces on our screens, and one small perk is when we get to see your pets too - you can see that my cat Hobo enjoys her time in the spotlight! In the two months from March 20 to May 20, we hosted:

  • 48 virtual roundtables with a combined attendance of 1,310
  • 17 "coffee talks" and virtual meetups on COVID-19 topics with a combined attendance of 1,212
  • Special meetings on summer reading and school library needs that attracted so many attendees that we needed to expand our Zoom license to accommodate everyone - a good problem to have!
  • Product information sessions, special roundtables for our roundtable chairs, and more.

We hope you've had a chance to join us for these gatherings. Meeting notes are available here - and you can see and sign up for upcoming sessions here .

Our meetings have been a great way for the CLC staff to keep up with ever-changing issues and concerns, and to try to stay ahead of your needs:

  • Public libraries told us that they needed to get the word out about all of the virtual programming they were doing, and to let the public know they're still there. So we worked with Burbio to launch virtual event calendars and promote them via Connecticut news media.
  • For libraries that wanted to add more virtual programs to their offerings, we worked with ReferenceUSA to create turnkey virtual workshops for jobseekers and small business leaders, and we marketed them statewide. Over 100 people attended these programs in May, so we're running them again in June - learn more here.
  • We surveyed you about your needs for bags and PPE, and your participation gave us the data we needed to identify existing sources and develop new ones. By the time you read this, we should be just about ready to release information.
  • We launched (forever ago) and continue to update our COVID-19 resource guide with links to resources and articles to help you navigate our ever-evolving situation.

In other news, we launched a library furniture bid in the midst of a global pandemic, and received an outstanding response from vendors - stay tuned! And because the business of the organization must continue, we'll be holding our annual meeting on Thursday, June 18 at 2:00pm. It's virtual, so there's no excuse for not attending. We'll see you there.

Thank you all for the magnificent work you are doing. Stay safe and well.
Jennifer Keohane
Executive Director
jkeohane@ctlibrarians.org | 860.344.8777 x103
OUR NEW NORMAL
JULIE
"These quilts are on my design wall near where I work. When I need to breathe and refocus, I look at them for a moment and get back to work."
JEN V.
" Meet my coworker, Abigail. She likes to join in on staff meetings, especially when I’m working on the balcony!"
AMANDA
"H ere is where I do all my Zoom meetings. My laptop goes on a $10 TV tray table that I picked up on a whim, which has proven to be the best purchase!"
TRACY
"I still work in the office most of the time, but Remi keeps me company on work-from-home days."
JACKIE
"Minny loves to attend Zoom staff meetings and admire herself onscreen. Sometimes my dogs and even my chickens show up for meetings too!"
CHRISTINE
"My daughter rescued Gordina the betta fish from environmental science class on what turned out to be the last day of school. She makes a lovely work companion!"
JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL MEETING
The Connecticut Library Consortium is celebrating its 17th anniversary! Our annual business meeting will take place virtually on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 2:00pm via Zoom. Hear the progress CLC and member libraries have made over the past year and cast your vote to help shape your membership organization for the future.
COFFEE TALKS & VIRTUAL MEETUPS
Join the discussion!
This Week's Topic: Reflections on Quarantine
Coffee Talk:
Reflections on Quarantine
Tuesday, June 2 at 10:00am

Virtual Meetup:
Reflections on Quarantine
Thursday, June 4 at 3:00pm
As libraries begin restoring services and continue to plan for reopening, this is a great time to reflect on all we've done since closing our buildings. We've continued serving our users through any means possible, including digital services, and help through email and by phone. We've created new virtual programs and lesson plans, and have reached new populations and welcomed new library users. 
 
Please join us at either of this week's discussions for a conversation to share our successes, what we've learned, and what newly developed or revamped services and programs we will continue as we transition back to in-person library service. 
New topics each week. Same day & time. Join us!
DISCOUNT HIGHLIGHTS
CLC has current offers from these vendors and many others. Please visit our website to learn more!
FOR PUBLIC & ACADEMIC LIBRARIES
Free trial
June info sessions for patrons

Available 90 day free trial, or 90 days of expanded access for current subscribers. Plus - back by popular demand - 2 online programs for library users:
June 10 - Small businesses
June 17 - Jobseekers
FOR PUBLIC & SCHOOL LIBRARIES
All products free through 7/31
Order now for 8/1 start

CLC school and public libraries saved an average of 55% on Scholastic Digital products last year. Test drive Scholastic GO, BookFlix, ScienceFlix, TrueFlix, FreedomFlix, Watch & Learn Library, and Teachables through July 31. Contact us for a quote.
FOR SCHOOLS
Order by June 5
Free through June 30
It's Turnitin order/renewal time - please contact Julie ASAP at jyulo@ctlibrarians.org for your quote. Turnitin is free to try through June 30.
Hill Donnelly City Directories
Order by June 12

Order now for July-November shipment of these 2020 directories: Bridgeport/Stratford, Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford, Torrington and Waterbury.
ROUNDTABLE ROUNDUP
These are virtual meetings. Registration is required.
Login information will be sent with your registration confirmation email.
All are always welcome at CLC roundtable meetings, and that is especially true in this virtual environment! Do not let a regional designation stop you from attending a meeting that interests you. Regional groups and chairs may host and lead meetings, but attendance is not limited to people who live or work in the region. Please note that our meetings are not recorded. We look forward to seeing you on our screens soon!
Wednesday, June 3
2:00 - 3:00pm
COMMUNICATING OUR VALUE
Let's discuss how we can demonstrate and communicate our value to our school community during COVID-19 and beyond. What data and information should we be communicating? How do we communicate it? Who needs to know?
Thursday, June 4
10:00 - 11:00am
THE FUTURE OF PROGRAMMING
Please join your programming colleagues for a virtual meeting to discuss a big question: What does the future of programming look like at your library? Adult programmers from across the state are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Tuesday, June 16
1:00 - 2:00pm
GENRE STUDY: COZY MYSTERIES
Whether you're a mystery buff or not, join us for a genre study of "cozy mysteries." Please bring a title or two to discuss or recommend. All are welcome!
Wednesday, June 24
1:00 - 2:00pm
ARE WE MAKING PROGRESS?
Join us for a virtual meeting of the Office Administrators Roundtable. We'll discuss our progress on reopening, streamlining our processes in the remote environment, and addressing staff isolation.
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