February 2022 | Vol. 6 No. 2

New Fiber to the Library – Internal Connections Grant Application Deadline: Monday, February 21

Don’t forget that there is a new category of the Fiber to the Library Grant Program called Fiber to the Library—Internal Connections and the deadline to apply is February 21, 2022. These grants are designed to help those of you who have already built a CEN fiber connection to leverage that construction to its fullest. This grant category will provide sequential awards for (1) network infrastructure assessments and (2) internal local area network upgrades to help improve the performance of the internal network connections and fully utilize their CEN internet connection. Forms, instructions, and a sample contract are available for download on the Fiber to the Library—Internal Connections LibGuide page.

Feel free to email Chris Gauvreau at christine.gauvreau@ct.gov to discuss how this grant will work.

Reminder! LSTA Literacy and Planning Grant

Applications deadline: Friday, April 15

The CSL-IMLS Five-Year Plan that shaped the state library’s LSTA Literacy and Planning grants for libraries is in its final year. If you have been thinking about applying for an LSTA literacy ($7500) or planning grant ($5000), this year is the time to finally do it. April 15, 2022 is the final due date for Literacy or Planning grant applications based on the current scope, amount, and instructions. The final mandatory information session for applicants will be held on February 17, 2022, from 3 pm to 4 pm - register.

Announcing the 2022 Summer Enrichment Grant

Application deadline: Tuesday, March 1

The CT State Library is pleased to announce the 2022 Summer Enrichment Grant. The purpose of the grant is to empower libraries to enrich their 2022 Summer Reading Programs (SRP) with library-led opportunities and activities that spark creativity and productivity, engage individuals, and benefit their communities. Summer reading programs for any and all age groups (Children 0-5, Children 6-11, Teen, Adult, and Families) are eligible for this grant. Libraries may apply for up to $2,000 in federal LSTA funds to support their SRP. Local matching funds are not required for this grant. See the Summer Enrichment Grant LibGuides page for the complete instructions, application, activity criteria and eligibility, and more.

If you have questions contact, Kymberlee Powe, Children and YA Consultant, at kymberlee.powe@ct.gov.  

This project is funded by the State of Connecticut and the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Connecticut State Library.

Official Statistical Profile, Chart Makers, and Flyers Released

The official version of “Connecticut’s Public Libraries: A Statistical Profile, July 2020 – June 2021” has been released. The statistics compiled in this report are based on the Annual Reports submitted by public libraries in the fall. 

Download the profile.

Also available with the Statistical Profile:

New FY2021 Chart & Report Creators – create data reports or suites of charts in just a few clicks for use in presentations and documents. Compare your library to others or see 12-year and 26-year trends for your library.

Library Fact Flyers – flyers with statistics from your library. Now with THREE versions available: 

• NEW! Canva template that you can customize with your library data from the Statistical Profile
• Multiple infographic layouts (At a Glance, Children’s and YA, and COVID-19 services) with your library data pre-filled, available as a pdf or Publisher file
• The traditional one-page layout with your library data pre-filled, available as a pdf or Publisher file

Statistical Trends – This short publication identifies and explains trends in the use and management of CT public libraries through FY2021, including Highs and Lows for the year plus a new section on Equity and Inclusion. 

Did you miss the inaugural All CT Reads Virtual Author Launch with Kat Leyh, Maika Moulite, Maritza Moulite, and Yaa Gyasi?

Watch the recordings!

Share with your classroom, patrons, or book group!

The CT State Library Division of Library Development held an extra-special virtual launch with the authors of all three 2022 All CT Reads primary selections – Kat Leyh, author of Snapdragon, our children’s pick; Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite, authors of One of the Good Ones, our teen pick; and Yaa Gyasi, author of Transcendent Kingdom, our adult pick. Each author discussed their work and answered questions from our community. You also learn about the All CT Reads program and get an overview of the resources available from the CT State Library to support All CT Reads events at your library all year long. Explore All CT Reads!

All CT Reads is an initiative of the Connecticut State Library Division of Library Development and partners with the Connecticut Center for the Book at Connecticut Humanities, the Connecticut Association for School Librarians (CASL), and the Connecticut Library Consortium (CLC). All CT Reads is supported by a generous grant from EBSCO Information Services to the Connecticut Heritage Foundation.

Building Equitable Library Services that Empower Public Access and Community Resilience  

A recently awarded federal grant project invites a group of state library agencies and public libraries to build and celebrate ways of reaching more diverse audiences in their communities to make sure that many voices are engaged in important community issues. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through its Laura Bush 21st Century Library Program awarded a multi-year grant to Cornerstones of Science and a project team to build a STEM equity framework and training module to support state library agencies and public libraries in Connecticut, Idaho, and Maryland in this work. The grant specifically focuses on library leader training to help meet community needs and to be more inclusive in those efforts. The STEM Equity Framework will provide the basis for a cohesive and accessible professional development training series on the process and approaches specifically for library directors, community engagement, and key frontline staff.

“There is strong evidence that the issues our communities must address, such as public health, safe drinking water, food insecurity and our changing climates really affect our most vulnerable, disadvantaged populations” said Cynthia Randall, Executive Director of Cornerstones. Cornerstones is collaborating with these state and public libraries, the University of Missouri’s School of Information Science & Learning Technologies, the Institute for Learning Innovation, the National League of Cities, OCLC/WebJunction, and as well as a diverse panel of experts in equity and social justice, informal science learning, and library professions.  

The STEM Equity Framework: Building Equitable, Inclusive Library Services That Address Community Needs project (IMLS grant #RE-250085-OLS-21) was awarded to Cornerstones of Science, an informal science organization based in Brunswick, Maine. 

For more information on this project contact Gail Hurley, gail.hurley@ct.gov or (860) 704-2223.

And the results are in…

Professional Development Survey 2022

Thank you to everyone who was able to give us feedback on the Professional Development Survey 2022. We had 150 responses to help us with planning our various workshop/training offerings this year. 

Overwhelmingly the preferred learning style was still online/virtual, with in-person and self-paced very close together for second preference. The top five training topics of interest were as follows with number 5 being a tie:

1. Community Engagement  
2. Technology  
3. Collection Management  
4. Marketing / Social Media  
5. Children /Youth Services TIED with Management

You can find upcoming workshops on our Continuing Education Calendar, and access to all of the self-paced tutorials offered to all part-time and full-time library staff on our CT State Library Niche Academy. Learn something new in 2022!

As always, please reach out to Gail Hurley, Professional Development Coordinator, at gail.hurley@ct.gov if you have any particular training needs for yourself or staff. 

Hands-on Legal Reference for Public Librarians

Tuesday, February 8 | 9 am-12 pm

Register

Does the thought of handling a patron’s legal question cause you to feel uneasy? Wouldn’t it be great to have someone coaching you on what to do? Then sign up for this interactive class with law librarian Chris Roy (Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries), law librarian Anne Rajotte (UConn Law Library), and Cheryl Halford (Connecticut Judicial Branch).

In this small class, you will gain confidence and insight by actively researching legal problems with partners or small groups using free legal resources on the Internet. Along the way you will get great tips from experienced law librarians that will get you on track to providing legal information and help you avoid giving legal advice.

There are no prerequisites for this session, but since this is a small group workshop, participants will need a computer with a camera and microphone so that they can research questions provided to them, share their results, and ask questions throughout the class.

Objectives:

• Gain confidence in handling questions about the law.
• Conduct a legal reference interview efficiently.
• Identify what is a request for legal information and what is a request for legal advice.
• Know where to refer questions that are beyond your expertise or the resources available to you.

A Growing Equitable Library Services (GELS) Program:

Racial Equity Institute (REI) Groundwater Presentation*

Thursday, February 10 | 1-4 pm

Register

In this 3-hour virtual introduction to racial equity, Racial Equity Institute (REI) organizers will use stories and data to present a perspective that racism is fundamentally structural in nature. By examining characteristics of modern-day racial inequity, the presentation introduces participants to an analysis that most find immediately helpful and relevant. The Groundwater metaphor is designed to help practitioners at all levels internalize the reality that we live in a racially structured society, and that that is what causes racial inequity. The metaphor is based on three observations:

1. racial inequity looks the same across systems,
2. socio-economic difference does not explain the racial inequity; and,
3. inequities are caused by systems, regardless of people’s culture or behavior.

Embracing these truths helps leaders confront the reality that all our systems, institutions, and outcomes emanate from the racial hierarchy, on which the United States was built. In other words, we have a “groundwater” problem, and we need “groundwater” solutions. Starting from there, we begin to unlock transformative change.

A GELS Postscript Conversation on Racial Equity Institute (REI) Groundwater Presentation

Monday, February 14 | 10-11 am

Register

Monday, February 14 | 2-3 pm

Register

Growing Equitable Library Services Postscript sessions create a space for processing, discussion, engagement, and determining action after a GELS program. These are braves spaces to speak, ask, and make mistakes. They are participatory and facilitated.

Please note, as these small group virtual sessions are participatory, we ask that you be prepared with camera and audio capabilities.

Library Construction Case Study: Stonington Free Library

Wednesday, February 16 | 10-11:30 am 

Register

The Stonington Free Library recently completed a two-phase addition and renovation to its building, providing an ADA-accessible entrance, elevator, and bathrooms, while also increasing floor space and refurbishing and upgrading the interior. The project was both modest in scope and high impact in its effect: while the addition comprises only 725sf of new space, its completion freed up an additional 525sf of floor space within the existing building, for a total of 1250sf of new usable space.

In this case study, hear from Micayla Hall, Library Director, and Denise Easton, Library Board Co-President and Chair of the Building Committee, about their experiences with the renovation and the lessons they learned along the way. They will also speak about the process of re-imagining spaces, ways they included community and staff input, and how they paid for the project.

Perfect for: anyone considering a library renovation or construction project, including Library Directors/ Administrators, Library Staff, Library Board Members, and Building Committee Members.

Going to the Dogs: Ways to Enhance Library Services with a Therapy Dog

Tuesday, February 15 &

Wednesday, February 16

11 am-12:15 pm

Register

Dogs are amazing! They live in the present, are almost always willing to listen, and simply make us feel good. But beyond that, scientific studies have found that reading to dogs is a powerful tool for improving reading comprehension and retention, and that dogs have a profound physical effect on us: lowering our blood pressure and pulse, increasing the feel good hormone serotonin, and even connecting with people who are isolated by cognitive disabilities. Jean Baur, the instructor for this class, has seen this first-hand for the past ten years as she has volunteered with her therapy dogs in many settings including schools, libraries, nursing homes, hospitals and the courthouse. Join us for a fun session as we explore how you can enhance your library's services with a therapy dog. Possibilities include:

• having children read to a dog
• bringing a dog to your staff meetings
• having a therapy on hand to greet and spend time with older patrons
• inviting a therapy dog to your professional development sessions

With plenty of time for Q&A and sharing of best practices, this is an upbeat way to start off the New Year.

Making the (Two!) New Fact Flyers All Yours

Wednesday, February 16 | 2-3 pm

Register

Thursday February 24 | 10-11 am

Register

Tuesday, March 8 | 2-3 pm

Register

As we all know, 2021 brought about more change, and so much of it was captured in your 2021 Annual Report. Together let’s look at our suite of new fact flyers for wrapping up some of your data highlights. This year, we are offering THREE choices: the traditional fact flyer, the new designs launched last year, and a new Canva template you can fill in yourself. You can choose to use one or all! Join Ashley Sklar, Adult Services and Community Engagement Consultant, for some simple tips and tricks for personalizing the Publisher and Canva flyers as you think about your various uses, contexts, and audiences.

Visit Statistics for Connecticut Public Libraries: Flyers & Resources for Advocacy to see fact flyer examples and information on how to request your flyers. It is strongly encouraged that you request your library’s fact flyer(s) at least a week ahead of the program.

LSTA Grant Information Session

Thursday, February 17 | 3-4 pm

Register

The CSL-IMLS Five-Year Plan that shaped the state library’s LSTA Literacy and Planning grants for libraries is in its final year. If you have been thinking about applying for an LSTA literacy ($7500) or planning grant ($5000), this year is the time to finally do it. April 15, 2022 is the final due date for Literacy or Planning grant applications based on the current scope, amount, and instructions. Attendance at one of the LSTA Grant Information Sessions is mandatory for applicants. It is designed for potential project managers who will be filling out the application, developing the budget, and making sure that the project meets its goals. 

How to Use Your State Annual Report Data During Budget Season (and Year-Round)

Friday, February 18 | 10-11 am

Register

Wednesday, March 2 | 10-11 am

Register

Join Maria Bernier, State Data Coordinator, for an informative demonstration of how to sift through the mountains of Connecticut public library data in order to tell your library's story and answer common data questions. Learn how to use pre-made Excel charts to illustrate your budget presentations and documents. Let the data work for you.

The same content will be repeated in each session. Register for the date that’s most convenient for you. Each session will be recorded, with the recordings posted to the Statistics for Connecticut Public Libraries: Flyers & Resources for Advocacy page.

eGO and The Palace Project

We are getting closer to the launch of the Palace Project as part of the eGO program in early 2022. So far, 131 libraries have been configured and tested in the app and once we move into production, we will begin to deploy libraries in phases. Each week we will activate 20-25 libraries in the app. Once we have an exact date to start this process, libraries will be notified, and announcements will be made on the eGO listserv. 

Also, Lyrasis has been busy creating training resources like Palace Pocket lessons that can be found on their YouTube Playlist. They have also created a flyer highlighting the Palace Project's Accessibility Features that can be downloaded and printed or added to your library’s website.

The Connecticut State Library continues to purchase new content to coincide with the launch of the Palace app. To date, we have added 700 new items. Focus areas include Connecticut authors and Connecticut as subject, children and YA including simultaneous use titles, backlist bestsellers, biography and memoir, professional development titles for librarians, and self-help titles.

Palace is a new e-reading app that will replace your SimplyE app. SimplyE was developed by librarians at The New York Public Library, and Palace is built on the same code, but is designed for the needs of libraries beyond NYC. If your library still needs to get configured, let us know. Lyrasis will work with you on an individual basis and the process is quick and easy.

If you are interested in getting your library configured or have any other questions, please contact Brad Bullis at bradley.bullis@ct.gov.

requestIT CT

Use of the fulfILLment platform continues to grow. We had 5,858 lends from Jul-Dec 2021 which is nearly double compared with what we had for the same period last year - 3,026! Refresher trainings are available and can be scheduled at your convenience. These Zoom sessions usually run for about an hour and can be tailored to your specific needs.

If you have questions about the requestIT CT's fulfILLment platform or you are interested in scheduling a refresher training, please contact Brad Bullis at bradley.bullis@ct.gov.

New Titles: Books on CD Collection

Welcoming some new titles into the Middletown Library Service Center’s books on CD collection. Find these titles and more in our catalog.

Stay Connected!

Our many discussion listservs for the library community help you connect with your peers. Conntech has the greatest reach across the state, and both Goodnightmoon for children's services and Speak for YA services have lively discussions and professional interchange.

Join our listservs!

Middletown Library Service Center

Open by appointment only for the foreseeable future

Monday - Friday | 9 am - 4 pm

MLSC will be closed Friday, February 11 in observance of Lincoln's Birthday and Monday, February 21 in observance of Washington's Birthday.

MLSC staff, whether in the office or telecommuting, are responding to voicemail and e-mail during business hours of 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, except for state holidays.