|
|
October 2022 | Vol. 6 No.9 | |
|
Initiatives & Announcements | | |
Advancing to Digital Equity in CT
Wednesday, October 5 | 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Hartford Public Library
500 Main Street | Hartford, CT
| | |
|
|
Keynote:
Tracie D. Hall
ALA Executive Director
Followed by a panel discussion with community stakeholders.
| |
-
Juan Fonseca Tapia, Neighborhood organizer, Center for Leadership and Justice
-
Dr. Nasreen Al Omari, East Hartford Adult Ed instructor
-
Yadira Jeter, East Hartford Works Career Navigato
-
Rafael Rodriguez-Cruz, Greater Hartford Legal Aid attorney
-
Lamond Daniels, Chief of Community Services, City of Norwalk
-
Homa Naficy, Executive Director of The American Place, Hartford Public Library
-
Robert Gagne, digital navigator, Hamden Public Library
-
Elisabeth Michel, MPH, Health Equity Operations Specialist, Hartford HealthCare
| |
|
Mark Digital Inclusion Week with Tracie D. Hall, Executive Director of the American Library Association and the first African American to lead the association since its founding in 1876. Hall received BAs in law and society and African American Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara; an MA in international studies from Yale University; and a Master of Information Science from the University of Washington Information School. Hall has written and spoken widely about digital inequity, the role of libraries in disrupting the socio-economic divide, as well as the need to eradicate information redlining and information poverty.
The theme of this year’s Digital Inclusion Week is “Turn the Moment into a Movement!” Since the pandemic began, everyone has been acknowledging the importance of closing the digital divide. Millions of federal dollars are flowing into the expansion of broadband networks. There remains a funding gap, however, between the amounts going to network construction and those going to digital inclusion measures.
Following Tracie’s keynote, a panel will amplify the voices of the Connecticut residents most affected by digital discrimination and redlining. Hall will join a discussion led by experts in the fields of health, workforce development, legal aid, re-entry, adult education, and housing assistance, all of whom will discuss benefits of digital inclusion from their vantage points. Together we will address the challenge of turning this moment of awareness into a real movement for digital inclusion.
|
Free Parking Available for Registrants
For those registered to attend, a dashboard pass for free parking will be emailed to park at 141 Sheldon Street in Hartford, directly opposite of the USCIS Hartford Field Office and just south of the Hartford Public Library.
See 141 Sheldon Street, Hartford, CT in Google Maps.
| |
Introducing Northstar Digital Literacy for CT Libraries
The CT State Library is contributing to the growth of digital inclusion services by providing access this year for all public libraries in the state to the acclaimed Northstar Digital Literacy skills curriculum, assessment, and certification package.
This access will allow your library staff to use the highly acclaimed assessment tools and curriculum for patrons. It will also allow patrons to do self-assessments and self-training from anywhere through your subscription. Staff and patrons will be able to use modules in three areas necessary to reach basic computer digital literacy standards: Essential Computer Skills, Essential Software Skills, and Using Technology in Daily Life.
October 1st is the official start of the Northstar Digital Literacy subscription. The CT State Library, DLD is covering the cost of the subscription this year as well as training for library staff. If you did not previously complete the library setup form, it is not too late to join in now.
We are very excited about this new service for you and your patrons!
| |
New CT Pages!
Watch the new CT Pages and meet Jane Fisher, Library Director, and Leah Farrell, Head of Adult Programming & Community Service, at the Wallingford Public Library who share their experience forming a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force comprised of staff, board members, and members of the public. In addition to conducting several well-attended Community Conversations on Race, the DEI Task Force created a Racial Equity Resource Guide, reviewed, and improved library policies and hiring practices, and launched “Tell Me Who You Are,” a community-wide reading and art project.
CT Pages is a channel for sharing community engagement success stories by libraries with and for their communities. We partner with CT libraries to create and release short video conversations with the library staff who make things happen.
Do you have a creative program, service, activity, partnership, or project that you want to share with your library neighbors? We are always seeking submissions for consideration – Submit your idea!
| |
|
Professional Development & Continuing Education | | |
EBSCO Resources - researchIT CT
EBSCO Resources for Elementary School
Tuesday, October 4 | 3:30-4:30 pm
Join us for an overview of EBSCO resources for elementary education, including the new and improved Explora interface, designed for elementary students, and the curated databases which support their research.
EBSCO Resources for Middle School
Tuesday, October 11 | 3:30-4:30 pm
Join us for an overview of EBSCO resources for middle school, including the new and improved Explora interface, designed for middle school students, and the curated databases which support their research.
EBSCO Resources for High School
Tuesday, October 18 | 3:30-4:30 pm
Join us for an overview of EBSCO resources for high school, including the EBSCOhost, Discovery (OneSearch), and Explora interfaces, and the curated databases that support high school research.. Please note that this sessions is relevant for all public librarians and school library media specialists.
Let's Explore the New Explora Interface, ResearchIT CT!
Tuesday, October 25 | 3:30-4:30 pm
Join us to explore the new Explora, EBSCO’s engaging interface designed to support student research and classroom instruction with rich, reliable content and easy-to-use functionality. We’ll browse the improved, accessible interface and demonstrate the enhanced user experience. We'll discover journals, magazines, newspapers, and primary source documents available in EBSCO’s age-appropriate educational databases, and review important functionality like Lexile limiters, Google integrations, and COPPA-compliant accounts to organize student research.
| |
|
Intro to Canva
Thursday, October 6 | 9:30-11 am
Learn how to make logos, web images, and flyers using the online design site Canva. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn about the Canva environment and design elements. Participants will work on their own designs during the workshop and will finish the class with projects they can use at their library. Since this is a small group workshop, participants will need a computer with a camera and microphone so they can share thoughts and ask questions throughout the class. This is a beginner class for those who have little to no prior Canva experience. Participants should sign up for a free Canva account before the workshop.
| |
|
Growing Equitable Library Services (GELS)
USCIS Online Tools
Wednesday, October 12 | 10-11 am
Presented by John McCarthy, Community Relations Officer USCIS District N-11
Join us for this webinar with the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS). This session will provide an overview of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and online tools and resources.
| |
|
Library Construction Site Tour: Meriden Public Library
Thursday, October 13 | 2-4:30 pm
In person at Meriden City Hall and Meriden Public Library!
We will begin with a panel discussion at Meriden City Hall (142 E Main St, Meriden, CT 06450) at 2:00 followed by a tour of the library construction site (105 Miller Street) at 3:00.
In this rare opportunity, we’ll tour an active construction site and see a renovation in progress. The Meriden Public Library is midway through a $13 million expansion and renovation of its building, including overhauling the HVAC systems, refurbishing spaces to meet ADA compliance, expanding the collections and presentation areas in such high-priority areas as YA and children's, providing more multi-purpose community use and quiet study areas, revitalizing the public restrooms, providing an appropriate space for the library's local history collections, making upgrades to the elevators, and providing more spaces for technology training for adults.
The site visit will start with a panel discussion featuring Becky Starr, Acting Library Director; Tom Welsh, Chairman of the Building Committee; and representatives from TSKP Studio and Montagno Construction. We’ll hear about their experiences with the renovation, the reality of managing a big project and dealing with changes, and the lessons they have learned along the way.
| |
|
Beginner Book Trailers with WeVideo
Tuesday, October 18 | 9:30-11 am
Libraries need online publicity and marketing tools more than ever. Learn to make book trailers to promote your collections using the WeVideo online site with this hands-on workshop. Learn about the WeVideo environment, then mix images, music, and text to make a quick and easy booktrailer. Since this is a small group class, participants will need a computer with a camera and microphone so they can share thoughts and ask questions throughout the class. This is a beginner class for those who have little to no prior experience with WeVideo or movie making. Participants will receive info about signing up for a free WeVideo account before the workshop.
| |
|
Strategies for Budgets
Wednesday, October 19 | 10-11 am
NOTE - This is a hybrid workshop - Join in person at MLSC or online.
The pandemic is mostly behind us. What’s definitely behind us is a flow of funds from the government to help offset the costs of the pandemic—particularly ARPA money. Now, libraries need to get back to the work of showing how essential they are to their communities and work to get the funding they need from their local town boards and city councils. This workshop will give you the tools and skills you’ll need to get this important work done.
| |
|
GELS: The Healing Library: Nontraditional Lending to Empower Community Wellness
Monday, October 24 | 10 am-12 pm
In this session, you will learn about The Healing Library and how to begin lending kits of healing in your community for free. With over 20,000 downloads since launching in 2017, the kits are rooted in Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) practices, and holistic art, play, environmental and biblio therapies. With adaptable designs and contents, kits are customizable to your library's needs as well as your community's needs, ensuring the best possible fit for your wellness needs.
Megan Schadlich, MLIS, is the author of Cooking Up Library Programs Teens and Tweens Will Love, the Creator of The Healing Library, a two time winner of the YALS Writing Award, and a speaker at numerous levels.
| |
|
Getting Started with Northstar Digital Literacy
Wednesday, October 26 | 10-11:30 am
This training will cover the tasks needed to start using Northstar effectively and efficiently, how to run reports, resources available to Northstar subscribers, and first steps. The topics covered include: creating Learner Accounts; proctoring - In person and Remote; running reports; accessing and using curricula; and resources.
| |
|
Beginners Guide to Augmented Reality
Wednesday, October 26 | 3:30-5 pm
Augmented reality (AR) can be a highly effective resource, especially with a strategic plan. We will review the basics of AR, while exploring simple, yet spectacular tools.
Get the inspiration to begin using augmented reality to transform lessons into interactive learning playgrounds. This session will be of interest to teachers, librarians, and district leaders. Immersive technology is available for all grade levels and subjects.
| |
|
Construction Grant Information Session
Thursday, October 27 | 10:30 am-12 pm
Wednesday, November 9 | 2-3:30 pm
If your library is thinking of applying for a construction grant from the CT State Library, this webinar 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. The Library Director, Building Committee chair, and either Library Board Chair (association libraries) or Town Manager/Elected Officials (municipal libraries) should attend. If your library is thinking of applying for a construction grant from the CT State Library in 2023, plan to attend a session this fall or one of the sessions to be offered in spring 2023.
| |
|
Access to New Series of Webinars | |
|
DLD is excited to offer library staff access for this next year to two new series of webinars through the CT State Library Niche Academy:
Library 2.0
This past year we provided access to the suite of Security/Safety webinars from Dr. Steve Albrecht to library directors. This year beginning mid-September 2022 we have opened up access to all CT library staff to these webinars through our Niche Academy platform. In addition to security and safety, there are also topics on communications, stress and burnout, coaching skills, customer service, and others.
To access these, visit the CT State Library Niche Academy and select Library 2.0 Academy from the list of tutorial categories to view the offerings.
PCI (People Connect Institute) Webinars
Starting October 1st, Andrew Sanderbeck’s PCI Webinars will provide CT library staff with approximately 48 live webinars (4 per month) as well as access to archived webinar programs through the PCI Webinars channel in Niche Academy, similar to Library 2.0 access above.
The following live webinars will be happening in October on Wednesdays 2-3pm. (Registration links will be sent through the listservs on or before October 3):
- October 5 – Meditation: a tool to balance your life.
- October 12 – Launch a digital navigator program at your library
- October 19 – Why kids should be allowed to pick their own books (and how to explain this to parents)
- October 26 – Using graveyard genealogy for frightfully good results
CT State Library Niche Academy
This is a reminder that we continue to offer hundreds of self-paced tutorials and special webinars for all CT library staff through the CT State Library Niche Academy.
Check out these new ones: Being Inclusive when celebrating your library’s history; Building resilience with bibliotherapy; Low morale in libraries: a survey of experiences.
For questions on any of these three services, please contact Gail Hurley at Gail.Hurley@ct.gov or (860) 704-2223.
| |
Annual Report of Connecticut Public Libraries due November 1
The firm DEADLINE for submission is 4 pm on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Public libraries are required by statute CGS Sec. 11-25 (a) to submit an Annual Report in order to receive borrowIT payments or other state appropriations.
On the Annual Report webpage, you can find:
This year’s report has a few new questions, which were explained in webinars in June. You can find the recordings or review the presentation slides.
If you have questions, contact Maria Bernier at maria.bernier@ct.gov.
| |
|
researchIT CT – Microlessons: Bite-sized learning for busy students and adults in Workforce Solutions
EBSCO LearningExpress has added a new resource type to its LearningExpress Library including Workforce Solutions. Microlessons are short, interactive lessons that make it easy for learners to develop their reading and math skills at their own pace, often in under 10 minutes. You can learn more about this new feature on EBSCO Connect.
If you are already linked to Workforce Solutions on your library website, there is nothing you need to do. If you have not linked to this resource yet, public libraries can find their link. If you have any questions or need information about Workforce Solutions, or any other researchIT CT resources, please contact Brad Bullis at bradley.bullis@ct.gov.
| |
|
The eGO CT Program – New Parenting Collection Titles!
During the month of September, we purchased a total of 243 items for both platforms. We focused on content that supports the school curriculum and based on feedback from participating organizations added 58 parenting titles. You can view sample of those titles on the Service Center and Collections: eGO CT Items LibGuide.
DLD will continue to work with Baker & Taylor to connect Follett Destiny schools here in Connecticut to eGO CT content purchased by the Connecticut State Library as part of the eGO CT Community Share Program.
We currently have 88 libraries that are live in the Palace app and sharing this amazing free resource with their patrons and 76 school sites that are participating in eGO CT Community Share. If you are unsure of your school or library’s status, please contact us.
For about more information about the eGO CT Program, please contact Brad Bullis at the Connecticut State Library/Division of Library Development, bradley.bullis@ct.gov.
| |
New Titles: Books on CD Collection
These new titles are now available in the Middletown Service Center’s Books on CD Collection. (These titles are also available in the Palace Project app!) Find these titles and more in our catalog.
| |
New Professional Development Titles | |
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 Hours: Monday-Friday | 8 am-4:30 pm
MLSC will be closed Monday, October 10 in observance of Columbus 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.
| | |
|
Connecticut State Library | Division of Library Development
Middletown Library Service Center
786 South Main Street | Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 704-2200 | libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld
|
| | | |
