May 2022 | Vol. 6 No. 5

The CT Libraries & Partners for Digital Equity Coalition is Building Toward Digital Inclusion Week

The new CT State Library effort to develop a coalition of libraries and partners to promote digital equity is well underway. On April 19, the new group, CT Libraries & Partners for Digital Equity (CTLPDE), held its fourth meeting and adopted a six-month plan to increase the awareness of libraries, community organizations, and the public regarding the need for coordinated state plans to deliver computers, low-cost broadband, and, most critically, one-on-one and ongoing mentoring for unconnected or under-connected CT residents. Together, these three elements are described as the “three legs of the digital inclusion stool.” Along with the computer and internet connectivity, "digital navigators” are mentors providing tech support, digital literacy training, and individualized assistance that can help a resident overcome their obstacles to internet use for health, job hunting, school, work, or other tasks.

One CTLPDE task, therefore, is figuring out how libraries currently see their ability to incorporate digital inclusion measures into their service. To this end, CTLPDE, has begun collecting information on community need, community assets, and library practice via a multi-question poll of public library directors. A preliminary analysis of the results reveals that most libraries surveyed agreed that fully incorporating digital inclusion into daily practice will require new community partnerships, more information about unconnected communities, more technical training, easy access to low-cost laptops or tablets, more understanding of low-cost broadband programs, and more staff hours. This data will be used to help CTLPDE argue for the development of an enriched state digital ecosystem in which libraries can flourish and realize their potential as partners in the effort to close the digital divide. 

CT Libraries & Partners is now turning its attention to planning for a public presence at Juneteenth festivals and a full range of activities with partners for the October 2022 Digital Inclusion Week. The next CTLPDE meeting is Tuesday, May 24.

Join CTLPDE

• Sign up if you are interested in joining CTLPDE and/or one of its committees (Education, Outreach, Strategic Communications, Community Information Collection, Media Presence).
• For questions about CTLPDE, contact Christine Gauvreau, christine.gauvreau@ct.gov or (860) 704-2224. 

Construction Grants Available

June 30 | Notice of Intent Due 

September 1 | Applications Due 

The Connecticut State Library will be accepting construction grant applications this year from public libraries for library expansion, new buildings, major alterations, remodeling, accessibility, code compliance, emergency preparedness, and energy conservation. Available funding is expected to be approximately $3.5 million.

New this year, grants can be used for the construction of outdoor spaces or structures that are physically attached to the library building, such as a deck or roofed patio.

Public library construction grants equal one-half of total project costs up to a maximum of $1 million. The minimum total project cost is $60,000. All interested libraries MUST submit a “Notice of Intent” form by June 30. Applications are due by September 1. The new “Notice of Intent” form and other documents explaining the grant program are available on our Construction Grants web page. 

Applicants must have attended an information session. Seats are still available in this upcoming session, which will be the final one before applications are due:  

• Thursday, May 12, 10:30-noon, online via Zoom. Register 

Contact Maria Bernier, Construction Grant Administrator, with any questions: maria.bernier@ct.gov or (860) 704-2204

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): New Resource for Librarians

Do your patrons need help signing up for low-cost broadband to the home? 

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) recently added a new dedicated Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) webpage for librarians who want to help sign up eligible individuals, housing information, updates, and resources, including a detailed Q and A section. 

The Q and A section contains topically-organized questions received from the community, including:

• What is the ACP “Navigator Pilot Program”?
• Can consumers apply their ACP discount to grandfathered or legacy internet service plans that they are currently on?
• Can applying for ACP jeopardize my ability to obtain a green card or sponsor a family member under the public charge test?

NDIA is collecting issues and questions that come up in the field so that they can update and enrich this resource.

Feel free to share your experiences with Chris Gauvreau, christine.gauvreau@ct.gov, who will forward them to the NDIA experts.  

Utilize the Federal Communications Commission ACP Consumer Outreach Toolkit with English and Spanish infographics, flyers, social media, and more.

DLD & LBPH at the 2022 CLA Conference

Tuesday, May 3 and Wednesday, May 4

Register

The 2022 CLA Annual Conference is Back to the Future!

Back in-person, this event aims to connect our CT library community with each other and the vendors that help us in the work we do.

And DLD staff will be there! The sessions are listed below and you can peruse the full CLA Conference schedule for more details.

Tuesday, May 3

Delivering Programs and Services to Veterans, Military Members, and Their Families

Speakers include DLD's Brad Bullis and Dawn La Valle

Digital Inclusion: Navigators Can Make It Happen!

Speakers include DLD's Christine Gauvreau

eGO CT and the new Palace Project App

Speakers include DLD's Brad Bullis

Free Services from the State for Your Patrons

Speakers include LPBH's Matt Geeza

Wednesday, May 4

Reading for Accessibility and Inclusion: Exploring educational pathways for library workers in order to better serve those with print disabilities and increase equity and access to digital reading materials.

Speakers include DLD's Maria Bernier

Well-being of My Community: Aligning Library Capacity to Meet Community Needs

Speakers include DLD's Gail Hurley

The Road to Decode Leads to the Library!

Monday, May 9 | 2-3 pm

Register

The CT State Library and the State Education Resource Center (SERC) are partnering for this introduction to Teach My Kid to Read.

Libraries offer tremendous opportunities to provide early and struggling readers with access to tools and resources that lead to skilled reading. This webinar presents the following topics:

1. The current literacy challenges, how we learn to read, and ways to support those competencies through library activities.
2. The different resources that help children learn to read, what decodable books are, and how decodable books support and supplement reading instruction.
3. Implementing a collection of decodable books and what that involves from a librarian perspective.

Construction Grant Information Session

Thursday, May 12 | 10:30 am-12 pm

Register

If your library is thinking of applying for a construction grant from the CT State Library, this session will walk you through the process. You'll learn what you need to do before applying as well as what's required after you receive the grant. Don't get tripped up -- just plan ahead and be prepared.

We'll cover funding categories, application process, grant application evaluation, timeline, grant contract, starting and managing the project, state requirements, and advice.

Attendance at a construction grant information session is a requirement for all applicants.

MarcEdit 101

Friday, May 13 | 10-11 am

Register

In this session, attendees will learn the basics of MarcEdit. This includes how to download and install MarcEdit, the primary features of MarcEdit and the MarcEditor, and introduce how to manipulate MARC metadata for your projects. Manipulations will cover how to add and delete fields and subfields, changing indicators, profiling your MARC metadata, and some common MarcEdit features to edit your MARC records that just make work life easier. Attendees will be asked to participate by following along with the exercises.

GELS: Approaching Patrons Who Have Experienced Trauma

Monday, May 16 | 2-3:30 pm

Register

Presented by Patrick Lloyd: Library Social Worker at the Texas State Library Archives and Commission

Even before the events of 2020 and 2021, most of us had experienced trauma. Today, we are only beginning to understand the impact of recent events on the mental and emotional health of our communities.

However, research is indicating widespread trauma responses in our society including increased cigarette sales, rising opioid overdoses, and other societal ills. How can libraries continue to meet the needs of our communities given these escalating challenges?

This session will provide a brief overview of trauma and its subsequent behavioral responses in the library. We will focus on physically approaching patrons in a compassionate, trauma-informed manner with the goals of increasing felt safety in our libraries and mitigating confrontation.

Grant Writing Workshop

Tuesday, May 17 | 1-2:30 pm

Register

Grant writing is a skill required of many library practitioners in public, academic, school and special libraries. The goal of this workshop is to provide practical guidance on how to find available grants and how to write fundable proposals based upon library outcomes.

By the end of the session participants will be able to:

• Identify opportunities for grant-writing
• Develop skills to be able to write a grant proposal aligned with program outcomes
• Increase confidence in writing a grant proposal
• Brainstorm a project for grant funding
• Investigate the steps in the grant-writing process
• Review successful examples of funded grants

Instructor is Dr. Laura L. Summers. Dr. Summers is an Assistant Clinical Professor and Program Leader for Learning Design & Technology at University of Colorado Denver.

Reimagining School Readiness Workshop

Part 1: Wednesday, May 18 | 2-4 pm

Part 2: Wednesday, May 25 | 2-4 pm

Register*

*By registering for the program, you are confirming that you can attend Part 1 and Part 2.

The Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit is a suite of research-backed activities, this training will introduce library staff to help families prepare children ages 0 to 8 for success in school and in life. Through an interactive presentation with hands-on activities, this training will introduce library staff to the research, practical implications, and resources offered in the toolkit, which is available in its entirety for free online.

Participants will understand key findings from current cognitive and developmental psychology research, reflect on the implications of those findings for their daily work, and gain practical ready-to-implement ideas for activities, as well as resources for staff trainings and for parents/caregivers.

Meet Creative Startups’ Libraries as Launchpads Program

Thursday, May 19 | 2-3 pm

Register

Come meet Ginny Sterpka, Program Manager for Creative Placemaking Programs at Creatives Startups to learn about Libraries as Launchpads. Libraries as Launchpads offers cohort-based training and project development planning for libraries to get involved in contributing to and strengthening the local support system for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

We want to hear from you! Our aim for this session is to share Libraries as Launchpads and begin to understand the interests and capacities of CT libraries to participate in this initiative. Together we want to build a program to empower your library staff to further engage and grow your communities.

988, Youth and Adult Mobile Crisis Service

Monday, May 23 | 1-2 pm

Register

When you have an emotional or mental health crisis, which number do you call? Starting July 2022 all you’ll need to do is call 988 anywhere in the United States. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is moving to a direct three-digit call/text and chat service that will help millions of Americans of all ages access support and services when experiencing any emotional and mental health crisis, not only thoughts of suicide. This 988 service will help end stigma toward those seeking or accessing mental healthcare, and will ensure that someone experiencing an emotional or mental health crisis has someone to talk to, someone to respond, and somewhere to go. It will also reduce the use of law enforcement and other safety resources for these types of crises, and reduce healthcare spending with more cost-effective early intervention. The CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) will provide an overview of youth and adult mobile emergency crisis services available to CT residents.

GELS: Building Diverse Classroom Collections and Facilitating New Conversations

Tuesday, May 24 | 3-4 pm

Register

Join Kymberlee Powe, Children and YA Consultant as she guides educators and librarians on building diverse classrooms. You will learn how to identify the difference between a diverse collection and an inclusive one, how to perform a diversity audit, and where to find resources and book recommendations for increasing diversity and inclusion. Kym will offer ways to incorporate new books and topics into your classroom collection, and some tips for guiding conversations with students and parents about the new books.

Marketing and Strategic Communications

Thursday, May 26 | 10-11 am

Register

Are we passed COVID? Do we go back to normal marketing? Is there a hybrid approach? How do we get people back in the door?

These are the types of questions that will be answered in this upcoming workshop provided by Libby Post, President/CEO of Communications Services, and a frequent CSL workshop facilitator.

Seeking input on potential changes to CT-specific questions in the Public Library Annual Report for FY2022

Survey: https://forms.office.com/g/LeNUn4J6vS

Closing Friday, May 6 at 5 pm

The Division of Library Development is seeking input on the potential removal and addition of some Connecticut-specific questions in the state's Public Library Annual Report (sometimes known as the State Report). Responses to these Connecticut-specific questions are included in the state Statistical Profile each year but are not submitted to IMLS for inclusion in the Public Libraries Survey. The CT Public Library Annual Report and Statistical Profile are available on the Statistics for Connecticut Public Libraries webpage.

We welcome input on this survey from any public library worker who uses the Statistical Profile data.

If you have questions about the survey, contact Maria Bernier, State Data Coordinator, at maria.bernier@ct.gov. 

Is your school a Follett Destiny library?

Do you want to add hundreds of titles to your collection for free?

The Connecticut State Library Division of Library Development is partnering with Baker & Taylor to bring you the eGO CT Community Share Program. This program will enable us to deliver eBook and eAudio content, including Summer Reading and All CT Reads titles from the eGO CT Palace Project app directly to schools in Connecticut. 

This program provides immense benefits to your school at no cost to you:

• MORE BOOKS FOR STUDENTS!
• No separate platform fee
• The State collection will supplement your own investment in eBooks 
• Read in your Destiny Platform, authenticating with the student I.D 
• Security guaranteed through COPPA & FIRPA compliant reading tool – Tested for accessibility with JAWS/NVDA and VOICEOVER  
• Set up is easy and will not impact your existing technology  

For more information about this amazing opportunity or to sign up, please contact Brad Bullis at the Connecticut State Library Division of Library Development, bradley.bullis@ct.gov.

eGO and The Palace Project

Public libraries are now going into production in the Palace app! We have twenty public libraries that are live in the app and utilizing the CT State Library’s eGO CT ebook collection which provides access to over 14,000 items at no cost to public libraries. View a sampling of our collection.

If your library is interested in going live in the Palace Project app now, you can join upon request by contacting Brad Bullis at bradley.bullis@ct.gov. We will immediately provide access to all the amazing FREE content from the CT State Library. 

Lyrasis is still waiting on OverDrive to allow us to add their content to the app, but several libraries have expressed interest in moving forward with the understanding that their OverDrive content will be added at a later date. 

So far,145 public libraries have been configured and tested in the app. Look for updates on the eGO listserv and in the Palace Project Community Hub.

If you are interested in getting your library configured or have any other questions, 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! Join our Email Lists

Our many email discussion lists 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.

Scout the full list and subscription information.

Middletown Library Service Center

Open by appointment only for the foreseeable future

Monday-Friday | 9 am-4 pm

MLSC will be closed Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day.

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.