This Month at CLC: October 2020 |
|
DIRECTOR'S CORNER
Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair*
|
|
Jennifer Keohane
Executive Director
We’re heading into month seven of what most of us thought (hoped) would be a brief disruption. Like you, we made plans last spring, and most of them have been discarded. New plans have been made ... only to have to be changed again. What I can tell you is our desire to help you save money and time and to work with you to provide products, events and opportunities that help you serve your communities is unchanging.
|
|
Attendees were greeted with a colorful and inviting dashboard. They interacted with the vendor reps by video and audio (or via chat if desired). Every vendor created a different booth experience. We were so impressed by their - and your - flexibility in trying a new online platform and being so good-natured about some of the technical hiccups. Some feedback from the over 100 who attended:
- “Really neat model”
- “I appreciated having all of them in one spot to look at their different furnishings and see what might be best utilized at my library.”
- “I loved the flexibility of handling a issue at work then being able to jump into a booth. I enjoyed pre-recorded and live booths.”
|
|
|
The event kicked off with a panel of architects and interior designers sharing tips and key concepts to consider when redesigning your spaces for COVID-19 and beyond. “Privacy in public” and “high visibility sanitation” were just a few takeaways from this informative and image-dense program. If you missed it, you can watch the entire presentation right here.
As with any new technology, we learned some things to improve the experience, but we are happy that COVID-19 pushed us to try something new. Learn more about our discounts with 26 fabulous furniture suppliers at ctlibrarians.org/furniture.
Warmly,
Jennifer
|
|
HOPPING IN TO MORE VIRTUAL EVENTS |
|
Amanda Stern
Events & Special Projects Manager
860.344.8777 x104 | 860.740.3044 (after 10/6)
Thanks to all of you who came out to Redesigning Library Spaces for COVID-19 and Beyond: The CLC Furniture Online Expo. As Jennifer expressed above, this was a fantastic opportunity for us to connect vendors and members and learn about trends in library furniture. It was also a fun way for us to delve deeper into the world of virtual events.
Early on in this pandemic, CLC staff and members all worked together to became familiar with Zoom, and we utilized it to continue our roundtable program. We recognized that it was a great way to meet and see each other even though we were not able to be in the same spaces. It even made some things more convenient – we saw a huge spike in roundtable attendance. Some of you who weren’t able to get out of your buildings for roundtables before became frequent participants.
The more meetings we held over Zoom, the more we recognized what the platform was good for and what it was not. We decided if we wanted to bring you more robust virtual experiences, we needed a tool that would help us deliver. After a significant research period, we determined that Hopin was our best option.
|
|
Those of you who attended the expo saw two of Hopin’s modules – the Stage area where we delivered our keynote, and the Expo Hall where attendees visited vendor booths. Hopin has other options that we’ll likely deploy in future events. One of these is the ability to have concurrent sessions. We anticipate using this module to deliver content in a conference-style format where attendees can select from different programs. Up to 20 people can be visible on screen in this module, with many others participating as viewers. (See photo) |
|
The other module is a networking option that gives attendees the opportunity to connect with other attendees in a 1:1 format. Hopin will randomly assign attendees in networking a conversation partner for a brief, predetermined period of time. This could be a fabulous way to conduct an icebreaker activity or have touchpoint conversations with other attendees during events. (See photo)
Our questions for you: What are we missing? What kind of events would you like to see CLC deliver? What do we need to add to our virtual meetings to give you the most robust virtual experiences? Our wheels are turning, and we invite you to share your thoughts to help us shape our virtual programming. As always, my ears and inbox are open and ready for your comments! Send them along to astern@ctlibrarians.org.
|
|
Jen Van Nostrand
Member Relations Manager, Public & Special Libraries
860.344.8777 x105 | 860.740.3045 (after 10/6)
As I’ve mentioned before, one of my favorite things about working at CLC is getting the opportunity to travel for conferences and around the state for events and roundtables. While going virtual has made attending meetings much more accessible, I have to admit I am missing the in-person vibe that Zoom just cannot replace. I’m sure all of us are feeling the fatigue of living in a virtual square at our Brady Bunch-style meetings and programs. However, while the format may have changed, I’m still getting the opportunity to hear from so many of you, perhaps now more than ever before. As a result, I’ve been getting very good feedback on what we can do to make your membership more valuable.
We really appreciate the overwhelming response to the survey about our upcoming supplies bid - it’s helping us craft a robust Request for Responses from the vendors you already know and love, and perhaps some new ones too. We’ll continue to work through this challenging time to get you the best prices and discounts possible, and that process depends on continuous feedback and suggestions from you, our members. Whenever I receive a vendor solicitation email forwarded from one of you asking, "Can CLC look into a discount on this?" I can rest assured we’ve made the message "Ask CLC first!" abundantly clear - but it still bears repeating. Even if we’re not able to secure an agreement right away, it’s important for us to know what vendors you’re getting excited about so we can follow up or invite them to bid on a contract. Use your preferred communication method (phone, email, post, singing telegram) to get in touch with me anytime. I’d love to hear from you!
|
|
Tracy Monterville
Office Administrator
GIVE US A CALL!
Hello CLC members! We have some very exciting news - at least it is exciting to us! After much research and consideration, we have invested in a new VoIP phone system. We have been looking at this upgrade for several years. With staff primarily working remotely during the pandemic, we felt it was time to take the plunge.
What does this mean to you? Once installation is complete on October 6, each CLC staff member will have their own direct-dial number for you to reach them whether they are in the office or working remotely. As always, you can still reach us at our main number, 860-344-8777. Please check our website for the updated contact information of staff direct-dial numbers. We continue to make every effort to support our members and provide the best possible customer service to all of you! If you're looking into phone systems and are interested in our research and decision-making, please reach out to me at accounting@ctlibrarians.org.
|
|
IT'S (almost) MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME
Late October/early November is our annual membership dues renewal drive. In order to be sure everyone receives their renewal information, we will be sending it via email as well as snail mail. I will be here to help in any way possible with questions or concerns. If your library/school does not receive your renewal package, please reach out by calling 860-344-8777 or emailing accounting@ctlibrarians.org and we'll get it to you one way or another! All of us here at CLC cannot thank our members enough for their support and involvement in making our consortium a success.
|
|
TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE LIBRARY DAY NATIONAL MEETUP |
|
Wednesday, October 21
1:00 - 2:00pm
Meet the TYCLD team.
Learn how TYCLD came to be.
Meet other TYCLD participants.
Share your most successful TYCLD ideas.
Brainstorm with us easy and safe ways to celebrate!
|
|
The 10th anniversary of Take Your Child to the Library Day is just around the corner. You may be curious if TYCLD is still on for this year and if celebrations will be possible. The answer is YES! We invite you to join us at this special virtual kickoff meeting for TYCLD participants across the country. You’ll get to hear from the founders about how this international, grass-roots event began, and meet the TYCLD CT team. You’ll have a chance to share what’s worked, exchange programming ideas, make suggestions for tools and marketing that could improve the event, and discuss how to hold a Take Your Child to the Library Day celebration during COVID-19. Please join us and your colleagues from around the country! LEARN MORE
|
|
DISCOUNT HIGHLIGHTS
CLC has current offers on these products & services and many others. Please visit our website to learn more!
|
|
FOR PUBLIC & ACADEMIC LIBRARIES
Reference Solutions
(formerly Reference USA)
Reference USA is now Reference Solutions - but it's still the premier business & consumer database! Our next subscription group starts November 15, so now is the time to request your quote from CLC. Order deadline: 10/26
|
|
FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES & SCHOOLS
Scholastic Digital
featuring FLIX, GO! and more
Scholastic Digital provides premier online nonfiction solutions for learners of all ages. CLC is proud to partner with Scholastic to bring our members deeply discounted CLC pricing on these popular resources. Order now for subscriptions beginning November 15. Deadlines: Schools 10/16, Public libs 10/26
|
|
|
FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES
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
Library Supplies from DEMCO
CLC's contract with Demco for library supplies runs through December 31. If there are items on the "top 100" list in our current supplies contract (average discount 43% - many items up to 70% off!) that you know you will need, we encourage you to shop now, as the same items may not be included in the new contract coming in January 2021.
|
|
FOR EVERYONE
NEW Furniture, Shelving & Accessories Contracts!
If you need to purchase furniture, shelving and related accessories, CLC has you covered! Our contracts with 26 outstanding furniture suppliers are ready for CLC members to begin shopping and saving. Visit ctlibrarians.org/furniture for your complete member guide plus information pages for each of our suppliers.
|
|
|
ROUNDTABLE ROUNDUP
These are virtual meetings. Registration is required.
Login information will be sent with your registration confirmation email.
|
|
LGBTQ+ Roundtable
LGBTQ+ Titles, Programs & News
Thursday 10/15, 1:00pm
Join the LGBTQ+ Roundtable on Thursday, October 15 at 1pm to discuss new LGBTQ+ titles, programs, news, and brainstorm ideas for transition of leadership. REGISTER
|
|
YA Roundtable Fairfield County
Volunteer Opportunities & TABS
Friday 10/16, 12:30pm
Libraries have become known as places teens can count on to earn community service hours for school and civic organizations. So what happens to volunteer hours when buildings are closed or only open for limited hours? Are you finding a way to offer volunteer hours? Are you looking for suggestions on how to continue to offer meaningful community service projects? Have you found a way to engage your Teen Advisory Board in a virtual format, or are you considering starting a virtual TAB? Everyone is invited to join us to share ideas on teen volunteer opportunities and TABS in the age of virtual programming. REGISTER
|
|
Academic Library Roundtable
LibChat & Virtual Reference
Friday 10/23, 2:00pm
Due to the pandemic, many academic libraries had to quickly shift their methods of providing reference service. In May, Parker Fruehan and Diana Hellyar from Southern CT State University (SCSU) implemented a few changes that caused chat numbers to almost triple. Hear what they did and lessons learned along the way to increase chat traffic and develop some LibChat best practices for the library. General discussion about chat and other virtual reference services at academic libraries will follow. REGISTER
|
|
Children's Roundtable Fairfield County
Take & Make Programming
Wednesday 10/28, 1:00pm
Join in on October 28 and share your success stories from the summer. We will also discuss more ideas for the winter season. Let's get crafty and STEM-Y!
|
|
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! |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
