June 2022 | Vol. 6 No. 6

Juneteenth is an Opportunity to Promote Digital Equity

Ten years ago, Congressman John Lewis famously said “Access to the internet … is the civil rights issue of the 21st century.” Since Lewis delivered these words, the nation has been forced to acknowledge a mountain of inequities based on racialization and economic injustice, but his attention to the digital divide remains germane.

A 2020 report on information inequity in Connecticut found the following statistics:

• 34% of African Americans do not have wireline broadband.
• 31% of African Americans do not have a working computer at home.

Studies of the racialized impact of COVID-19 show that deaths from the virus and lack of internet access strongly correlate. Information access is a social justice and public health issue. 

Complementing the efforts of CT Libraries and Partners for Digital Equity (CTLPDE), around a dozen Connecticut public libraries will be participating in Juneteenth festivals and distributing materials to educate about the discrimination and inequity plaguing internet access. 

If your library staff will be tabling at events on this important holiday and you would like to collaborate in this effort, please contact the CT State Library Project CT Libraries & Partners by emailing christine.gauvreau@ct.gov. 

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 CT 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.

Public library construction grants fund one-half of total project costs up to a maximum of $1 million. The minimum projected project cost must be $60,000. All interested libraries MUST submit a “Notice of Intent” form by June 30. Applications will be due by September 1. The Notice of Intent form, Timetable and Guidelines, and other explanatory documents are available on our Construction Grants page.

Applicants must have attended an information session, held annually in the spring and late fall. 

Service to Veterans & Military Families

The Division of Library Development (DLD) continues to add information and resources to our Service to Veterans & Military Families LibGuide including books, eAudio, and eBooks in support of veterans and military families that live in your community. We have purchased over 50 titles for our eGO CT Collection, and we also have 20 print titles and more on the way that can be borrowed and shared with your patrons for 90-day loan periods.

The Service to Veterans and Military Families LibGuide contains lots of useful information along with a link to the Libraries and Veterans National Forum Toolkit that was created with librarians from across the country including DLD staff. The goal of the Toolkit is to help ease the way for organizations that are just getting started in this work - and to make it easier for those already engaged to find new ideas and new strategies to increase the success of their programs.

Join Our Partnership with Girls Who Code!

Monday, June 6 | 11 am-12:15 pm

Register

The CT State Library has partnered with Girls Who Code to bring free computer science opportunities to girls and nonbinary students across our communities and would love for your school or library to host a Club! 

Join the CT State Library and our Girls Who Code Community Partner Manager Michaela Burger to learn more about the program and resources available to partners (like a facilitator toolkit and meeting guides) in this deep dive demonstration.

Girls Who Code Clubs are free, flexible programs for 3rd-12th grade students to learn how to make a positive impact on the world through computer science. When you sign up to start an in-person or virtual Club, you’ll gain access to loads of free resources and training, plus, NO coding experience required.

And there are extra benefits for Clubs affiliated with Community Partners, like the CT State Library! If you already have a Club, it’s not too late to affiliate with the CT State Library!

Learn more about Girls Who Code with the CT State Library.

GELS: The Connected Library: Vetting and Partnering with Social Service Providers

Tuesday, June 7 | 11 am-12:30 pm

Register

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

As we have witnessed the social, financial, and mental health challenges of our patrons escalate during the covid-19 pandemic, libraries must connect and build relationships with local providers focused on these needs so that we may serve our communities as effectively as possible.

This session will explore why it is imperative that libraries connect with social service providers in their communities, how to cultivate these connections, and tips to make sure the agencies you work with are effective, ethical partners.

Make the Most of Your Social Media

Wednesday, June 8 | 10-11 am

Register

Is your library on Facebook or Pinterest or Instagram? Do you post and wonder if you are getting the most out of your social media? Is your library not on social media - or not on all the ones you want to be on - and need some guidance? Then this workshop is for you.

This workshop is presented by Libby Post, President / CEO of Communications Services, and a frequent CSL workshop facilitator. Post uses social media to enhance the multi-faceted campaigns of her clients.

Library Construction case study: James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford

Tuesday, June 14 | 10 am-12 pm

Register

In person in Branford!

The James Blackstone Memorial Library recently completed a $5.745 million expansion and renovation of its iconic, historic building with a focus on adapting and improving the nineteenth century building to accommodate twenty-first century technology and community needs, including expanded children’s and teen areas on the first floor, additional meeting rooms, new computer lab, relocated administrative offices, and a small addition to accommodate a lobby, circulation desk, and terrace. While the building was under construction in phases, departments relocated temporarily to other spaces within the building, allowing the library collections, staff, and services to remain in place.

In this site visit, hear from Karen Jensen, Library Director, and a representative from Downes Construction about their experiences with the renovation and the lessons they learned along the way. Hear about the pluses, minuses, and logistics of renovating a historically significant structure as well as the ways staff continued to provide library services during a renovation and pandemic. They will also share the timeline of the project, discussing the challenges and ultimately the re-opening of a beautiful library.

The panel discussion will be followed by a tour of the renovated spaces.

Changes to FY2022 and FY2023 State Annual Report Questions

Thursday, June 16 | 2-3 pm

Register

Tuesday, June 21 | 11 am-12 pm

Register

Wednesday, June 29 | 10-11 am

Register

There are new questions, clarifications, and deletions coming in the FY2022 State Annual Report, plus a new question in the FY2023 report that should be counted starting July 1. Maria Bernier, State Data Coordinator, will explain the changes and review how to enter data in the report form. This webinar complements the info sessions on "How to Complete the 2022 Public Library Annual Report" which will be offered over the summer.

LYRASIS Palace Informal Office Hours

Tuesday, June 21 | 12-1 pm

Register

Join us for our regular monthly Informal Office Hours. This is a chance for you to pop in and say hi, ask a question or have a discussion about a topic you're interested in. You can ask questions you might have about setups, marketing, or anything else. We'll be available from 12-1 so drop in anytime during the hour.

The eGO CT Program – Free eBooks for Public Libraries and Schools! 

The eGO CT Program is extending its reach to public libraries and school libraries. The Palace Project is aimed at public libraries, and we currently have 35 libraries that are live in the Palace app and a total of 166 libraries that are configured in the app.

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 including over 14,500 items from the Connecticut State Library.

DLD is also working with Baker & Taylor to connect Follett Destiny schools here in Connecticut to eGO CT content purchased by the Connecticut State Library that is specifically selected for a K-12 audience as part of the eGO CT Community Share Program. To date, we have connected 10 schools with this content which includes items that support the school curriculum, summer reading titles and lots of options for leisure reading.

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

New Professional Development Titles

These are just some highlights! We've got lots more professional development titles in our collection - browse more new titles and search 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, July 4 in observance of Independence 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.