This Month at CLC: September 2020 |
|
DIRECTOR'S CORNER
Getting Your Dues' Worth
|
|
Jennifer Keohane
Executive Director
As we all shift from the shock of COVID-19 quarantine to reimagining continued services during the pandemic, I want to remind you of CLC’s commitment to help you get the best value for your budget dollars. Our tagline, “The Power of We,” is not just words - it defines us and our programs.
CLC knows libraries. We are run by librarians for librarians. Our contracts meet state and federal purchasing requirements. We're available to any type of Connecticut library. We do extensive research in order to secure the deepest discounts we can for you. We respond to your needs, and we do everything we can to ensure that you're successful with the products you buy.
We encourage you to get the most out of your CLC membership by contacting your Member Relations Managers, Jen Van Nostrand (public & special libraries) and Julie Yulo-Medeiros (school & academic libraries), when you are looking for products and services – even those you don’t think we have a negotiated contract for. We take pride in the deep discounts we have negotiated, often the best in the region or nation. We realize we can’t have contracts for everything, but when we do, we include a clause that CLC members must receive the best prices in Connecticut. We take your membership seriously.
|
|
The Noah Webster statue (outside the West Hartford Library main branch that bears his name) sports a mask sewn from one of CLC's "I love CT libraries" bags. PC: West Hartford Library
|
|
Did you know? Unlike many consortia, CLC makes an effort to be knowledgeable about discounts from other groups that are available to libraries. We can help save you time by pointing you to other publicly bid contracts or opportunities.
As you reopen your libraries, return to school, reevaluate your subscriptions and services, and possibly seek to reallocate your funds, we hope you will help us help you. Our upcoming Library Furniture Online Expo is one way we hope to assist you plan and change your spaces to be safer. Read on to learn more about it.
If you have questions about your membership, other regional consortia or contracts, or where to find the best deal on products and services, please contact Jennifer Van Nostrand (jvannostrand@ctlibrarians.org) or Julie Yulo Medeiros (jyulo@ctlibrarians.org). You can also reach out to me any time. Thank you, as always, for your membership.
|
|
LIBRARY FURNITURE ONLINE EXPO
Redesigning Library Spaces for COVID-19 and Beyond
|
|
Wednesday, September 30
1:00 - 4:00pm
REGISTRATION OPENING SOON
We know libraries & schools are taking a critical look at their spaces, redesigning room layouts to meet social distancing requirements. For some of you, this may even be the time to invest in new furniture. This summer CLC completed a furniture bid, awarding contracts to 26 vendors of library furniture, shelving, and accessories. These vendors were carefully selected for their diverse and unique products and deep discounts that are not available on other CT contracts. Our upcoming Library Furniture Online Expo (September 30, 1-4 pm) is an easy and time-saving way to see what products they have to offer and talk to them about your specific challenges and needs. In addition to the interactive vendor expo, we’ll kick off the day with advice from an architect/space planner about how to redesign library spaces for COVID-19 and beyond. Our vendors will also be providing exciting door prizes for those who attend. Mark your calendar and plan to register and join us online on 9/30!
|
|
REFERENCE USA LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
for library staff & library users
|
|
ReferenceUSA's databases can help your users find jobs and business opportunities, conduct market research, track down addresses and phone numbers, and much more - but only if you (and they) know how! Our programs this month will give both you and your users the skill and confidence to navigate ReferenceUSA.
|
|
REFERENCE USA VIRTUAL TRAINING & OPEN FORUM
Training/Q&A for public & academic library staff
Thursday 9/10, 11:00am
Bring real business, job, and consumer questions and scenarios that you've encountered, and learn how to use the database to find answers. If you'd like to get more out of your current ReferenceUSA subscription, OR If you are looking for a tool to help your users navigate our new economic and healthcare reality, this session is for you.
|
|
UNCOVERING THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET:
A Program for Library Users
Tuesday 9/15, 11:00am
Invite your jobseekers to this free online workshop, hosted by CLC and led by ReferenceUSA's TJ Pridell. Attendees will learn how to use your library's ReferenceUSA database to research area businesses, discover and apply to available job openings, and create marketing plans. CLC runs the program and sends you registration statistics - all you need to do is publicize!
|
|
FINDING NEW MARKETS & CUSTOMERS FOR YOUR BUSINESS:
A Program for Library Users
Thursday 9/17, 12:00pm
If small business leaders in your community are searching for new markets or customer insights, point them toward this free online workshop hosted by CLC and led by ReferenceUSA's TJ Pridell. Attendees will learn to use your library's ReferenceUSA database to identify vertical markets, generate sales leads, analyze competition, conduct market research, and reach new customers. CLC runs the program and sends you registration statistics - all you need to do is publicize!
|
|
YOUR MUST-HAVE SUPPLIES & MEDIA
(inquiring minds want to know)
|
|
Jacqueline Cashin
Vendor Relations Manager
Hello librarians! This month we took a long look at all of the programs and contracts we implemented in the last few months to cope with the COVID-19 event and to answer the needs of library staff during this trying time. There are still several projects that must be completed. Among them are the re-bids for the supplies and non-print contracts.
We will be expanding the categories in both of these contracts to include much-needed items for our new environment and beyond. For the supplies contract, these include makerspace items and more archival products. For non-print, there are many suggestions about what to include. If you have requests for product categories, or non-print vendors that you love, please contact your Member Relations Manager (Jen V. or Julie) soon so that we can consider any categories of products that we may have missed. You can also reach out to me directly. We will have these two contracts in place this winter, so now is the time!
As always, we are here working for you and we value every suggestion that comes to us. As we all struggle with pandemic-related issues, CLC is looking into products and services that will make it easier to operate your library safely and economically. We know that every librarian is an expert at using their dollars wisely, but this year, budgets are challenged more than usual. CLC can help by advocating for the library community, providing purchasing options for libraries big and small, and making wise decisions about contract options that go hand-in-hand with savings for our community. Stay safe and well, everyone.
|
|
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOVEMBER 3? |
|
Julie Yulo-Medeiros
Member Relations Manager, School & Academic Libraries
What will you be doing this November 3? Well, it's Election Day, so we hope you'll be voting. And if you're an educator, you'll probably have a professional development day. Why not spend it with CLC? As promised, we are having a school librarian online professional development day on Election Day, November 3, 2020. CLC is bringing in a nationally-known presenter, EdTech consultant Dr. Monica Burns of classtechtips.com. This will be an opportunity for you to learn new technology to enhance your teaching and programs, connect with school librarians from around the state, and work with peers at one of three levels (elementary, middle, high).
|
|
You’ll learn strategies for curating content, supporting student creators, and building partnerships with families. You’ll learn how to gather information in real time to make sure the needs of all students are being met. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at popular creation tools, and tips for using them with students of all grade levels in any subject area. You’ll work with your peers to create a readers’ advisory list, and you'll leave with an action plan. The strategies, tools, and skills you will learn during the day are appropriate for both traditional, face-to-face classrooms, as well as hybrid and distance learning models.
So circle the date on your calendar - Tuesday, November 3, 2020 - for voting of course, and for some relevant, timely, and memorable PD! More information and registration will be coming soon. Wishing you the very best as you start the new school year in this time of unprecedented challenges.
|
|
Jen Van Nostrand
Member Relations Manager, Public & Special Libraries
Last year at this time, I was writing to you all about that wonderful “back to school” feeling we get in September. For our colleagues at public schools and academic libraries, this year will be anything but business as usual. Meanwhile, public libraries are continuing to be as nimble as possible to serve our communities while keeping our staff and patrons safe and healthy.
|
|
One of the things I’ve seen in the past few months is that many of you have taken a closer look at your digital resources so you can serve a wider range of patrons remotely. Before “pandemic” was a word that exited my mouth daily, I had begun a conversation with Gale about a program to support our small and mid-sized public libraries. Gale resources are respected and well-loved throughout the information sciences, but the price point can be prohibitive to many of our members who serve smaller populations and have smaller budgets. Making traditionally expensive resources available to all was the original goal of the partnership - none of us could have predicted how drastically things would change by the time the deal was finalized, and yet it seems to have come together at a more vital time than ever. We worked to create a suite of products that would best serve the Connecticut library community, based on usage, content, and relevance.
Now we are so excited to be able to offer nine great resources at a discount to public libraries that serve up to 50,000 residents and purchase two or more databases. A couple of these that I think are especially relevant right now:
-
Miss Humblebee’s Academy, an interactive learning program for developing early literacy skills, is a great resource to help harried parents of preschool age children as they embark on another year of at least partial distance learning.
-
Testing and Education Reference Center, an online resource that offers full-length, timed practice exams and guided courses, covers the full range of vocational and educational standardized testing, plus more information for job seekers and college-ready students.
Most importantly, Gale takes pride in their excellent customer service model, and they assign each library a dedicated success manager to make sure the resources are being effectively promoted and utilized.
If you’re interested in learning more, I’m happy to answer any questions you have about CLC’s partnership with Gale, and our dedicated sales representative, Sidney Coleman, is available to provide free trials, quotes, and other information: sidney.coleman@cengage.com; Office: 800-877-4253 ext. 18313; Cell: 248-842-1139.
Wishing you all a safe, healthy, and successful fall!
|
|
DISCOUNT HIGHLIGHTS
CLC has current offers on these products & services and many others. Please visit our website to learn more!
|
|
FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES
NEW Gale Small Library Support Program
A hand-picked suite of Gale's most-purchased, most-used, and most-loved digital resources is now available at special pricing for CLC's public libraries that serve up to 50,000 residents. Same quality as any Gale resource - up to 78% off list prices! Choose any two or more resources to qualify for pricing.
|
|
FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Special offer on public performance site licenses - outdoor movies included for first time ever!
Deadline extended! Purchase or renew your public performance site license from Movie Licensing/SWANK, and receive up to 4 free months of coverage AND the ability to show outdoor movies this fall! Purchase by 10/23 - after this date, there will be no discounts available until 2022!
|
|
|
FOR EVERYONE
Anti-Harrassment Training
Anti-Harassment Policy
Almost all CT employers must require employees to complete state-mandated anti-harassment training by October 1. Don't panic! CLC has a recommended training program, discounted pricing, and also a free anti-harassment policy template for members to use free of charge.
|
|
FOR EVERYONE
NEW Furniture, Shelving & Accessories Contracts!
If you need to purchase furniture, shelving and related accessories for your library, CLC has you covered! Our publicly-bid contracts with 26 outstanding furniture suppliers are ready for CLC members to begin shopping and saving. Visit ctlibrarians.org/furniture for the latest updates. And please join us on September 30 from 1-4 for our library furniture online expo. Save the date!
|
|
|
ROUNDTABLE ROUNDUP
These are virtual meetings. Registration is required.
Login information will be sent with your registration confirmation email.
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, September 9
10:00 - 11:30am
PROGRAMMING SINCE COVID-19
|
How has your programming and event planning changed? What's worked, what hasn't, and what have you learned about your audience? Have you had time to try to create stronger relationships with community partners, or is communication now more difficult due to closures, work-from-home, etc.? Share with your colleagues at our meeting on September 9. |
|
|
|
Tuesday, September 15
1:00 - 2:00pm
BOOKS THAT WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH!
|
Join us on Tuesday, September 15 as we take a look at humorous books! Please bring a title to discuss or recommend. This group has participants that work in reference, lending, cataloging, etc. Join us for book recommendations and discussion no matter where in the library you work!
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, September 23
10:00 - 11:30am
|
The coronavirus is continuing. How is it impacting your programming and reference activities? Are you emphasizing job-seeking activities as a result of the economy? Do you have any innovative ideas for helping small businesses? Join us on Wednesday, September 23 for a discussion. |
|
|
|
Tuesday, September 29
11:00am - 12:00pm
|
Let's chat about virtual programs and connecting Millennials to them! What programs have worked well for you? Which programs are you looking forward to this fall? Have Millennials been attending your programs? How can we further reach this age group? Please prepare one program you want to recommend or ask for advice about. Note: You do not have to be a Millennial to attend! |
|
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! |
|
FROM THE CLC COCKTAIL KITCHEN |
|
What's this? Drink recipes? Well, you never know what you'll find when you read to the end of a CLC newsletter ... here's your reward! On August 27, we held an end-of-summer, just-for-fun virtual member meetup – a cocktail class with bartender/author Jack Terry leading us through the art and science of mixology. Attendees learned to make two drinks: the daiquiri and the mojito. These were so delicious, we can’t keep the recipes to ourselves! Try them and let us know which one you like best! |
|
|
|
DAIQUIRI: Combine two parts white rum, one part fresh-squeezed lime juice, and one part simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until mixed – the bigger your ice cubes, the longer you shake! Strain into a cocktail glass, drink, and enjoy! You can make this cocktail as large or as small as you’d like. For our meetup, we used 1 ½ oz rum, ¾ oz lime juice, and ¾ oz simple syrup. For a larger cocktail, simply increase the amounts, keeping the 2 parts – 1 part – 1 part ratio.
|
|
MOJITO: You'll need fresh mint, a lime, simple syrup, white rum, and club soda. Prepare your mint by giving it a slap, then tear leaves in half and place in glass. Cut lime into quarters, squeeze each section into the glass, and add the rind as well. Add both rum and simple syrup – 2 parts rum to 1 part simple syrup works well here, but you can adjust amounts to taste. Add some ice cubes and give the glass a big stir. Top off with club soda. Best when served with a straw. Enjoy!
|
|
|
You have received this newsletter because your library is a CLC member or partner, or you signed up for our mailing list. To adjust your CLC email settings, log into your CLC account.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
