eGO CT

eGO CT is the project that includes acquiring digital content, such as eBooks and eAudio, and making it available to users statewide primarily through the SimplyE app. SimplyE is an open source app that is currently available for Android and iOS devices. Library users can download the app and use it to easily discover, check out, and read or listen to digital content, such as eBooks and eAudio. The app includes content that is available in the statewide collection from the Connecticut State Library and content that is available in users’ local library collections.

DLD began offering eGO Information Sessions at locations around the state starting in November 2019. Public library staff members can attend a session to become familiar with SimplyE as well as Library Simplified, which is the platform that allows staffs to customize the information as it appears to their users in the SimplyE app. We anticipate that public libraries will begin rolling out SimplyE to their users starting in January 2020.

EXCITE Transformation for Libraries

EXCITE Transformation for Libraries is an intensive team-based experiential learning program that will teach collaboration and innovation skills, result in programs and services that respond to community input and demonstrated needs, lead to cultural change at libraries, and sustain project impact through extended training. 

Training is led by Jeanine Esposito from Innovation Builders (IB), an organization with experience guiding companies such as PepsiCo and United Health to innovate new products and services and transform ways of doing business.

Following a pilot and two full Cohort trainings in Connecticut and Rhode Island, 2019 kicked off a series of 3-day EXCITE Standalone Bootcamps. In the fully-immersive EXCITE Bootcamps, participants learned to adopt the character and behavior of a “Collaborative Innovator” by learning the core skills, tools and language that are essential for Library Leadership in the 21st Century. Participants left empowered to work with colleagues and partners in true collaboration, to engage their communities to understand their needs. They learned to uncover and successfully implement innovative ideas that will excite their communities and transform the culture of their libraries.

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grant. DLD was awarded additional funding from the IMLS to bring 5 additional 3-day EXCITE Bootcamps around the country from June 2019 to February 2020. The tour kicked off in June in New Jersey and continued to Vermont in September, Arkansas in October, and Minnesota in November. The final stop will be New Mexico in January 2020. 208 participants from 55 libraries in 10 states have been trained to date.

Middletown Library Service Center's New Booking System

The MLSC rolled out a new booking system in 2019. With this new, visually appealing request system, libraries are able to request:

To request items you only need your name, email, library/agency/school name, and deliverIT number.

Professional Development & Training Opportunities

DLD provides FREE workshops to library staff in Connecticut in a wide range of areas such as library management, strategic communications, cataloging, book repair, design and technology. Following a successful year presenting signature workshops such as Reality Check: Augmented and Virtual Reality in Libraries and Everyone Included Part 2: LGBTQIA+, DLD hosted 30 workshops with 460 registrations in 2019, with Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen's Mother Goose on the Loose coming this month to make a total of 31 workshops)plus 35 additional registrations (and a waiting list).

Other highlighted programs included bringing Saroj Ghoting to Connecticut to present STAR POWER:Sing Talk And Read Play On and Write for Easier Reading and Supercharging Your Storytimes.in the Spring and holding the Tech Petting Zoo & Instruction Workshop and the Media & News Literacy Fair with notables Hugo Balta of CT Latino News, Elizabeth Hamilton of the CT Mirror, Lynne DeLucia of Connecticut Health I-Team,Laura Saunders of Simmons University and Michelle Luhtala, New Canaan High School Media Specialist and co-author of News Literacy: the Keys to Combating Fake News.

Of particular note, DLD was able to partner with Kedge to bring its Futures School training with Nicole Baker Rosa to Connecticut this past May. In the Futures workshop, Trends+: Developing a Holistic Environmental Scanning System, participants were able to receive a practical introduction to Strategic Foresight.. Kedge assisted participants on understanding how diverse trends will collide and converge impacting their operations today as well as the future of libraries. Stay tuned for information on the next Futures School workshop in June 2020.

researchIT CT

In the spring of 2019, DLD coordinated a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the databases that comprise researchIT CT. After 3 years of stable pricing, the resulting proposals included some price increases which pushed the cost to maintain all of the current offerings beyond our budget. After carefully evaluating usage and costs, researchIT subscriptions to HeritageQuest and the Business Market Research Collection from ProQuest were canceled. Other ProQuest offerings remain the same. Access to EBSCO eBook collections (Public Library, High School, K-8, and Cricket collections) were ended. We were able to negotiate access to the following three additional EBSCO resources: Health Source: Consumer Edition, MagillOnLiterature Plus, and the Small Business Reference Center. Other EBSCO offerings in researchIT remain the same.

Staff Changes

Comings…

Education in July 2019.

We are happy to have them aboard!

…and Goings

We congratulate them, thank them for their service to DLD and the library community, and wish them the best in their retirement!

MLSC Hours – December 2019

Monday to Friday: 8 am to 4:30 pm

Closed Wednesday, December 25 for Christmas Day

Closed Wednesday, January 1, 2020 for New Years Day