[CASL-L] This week in CT Libraries: 5.6.24

[Ellen Paul]

Good Morning CT Libraries, here's what's going on this week.

CLC HAPPENINGS

This afternoon at 2pm we have a Set the Stage meeting to talk about collection development.<https://www.ctlibrarians.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1830426>

Tomorrow, CLC's latest RFP for discounted contracts on promotional supplies closes.  We hope to have some new contracts for you this summer.

The program directory<https://programs.ctlibrarians.org/> surpasses 250 listings!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Session ends on Wednesday at midnight.

eBooks:

  *   On Tuesday, the House took up House Bill 5312<https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?InMyBill=True&selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05312&which_year=2024&UID=epaul@ctlibrarians.org>.
  *   Representative Blumenthal, the key proponent of the bill, called an amendment striking all enforcement measures from the bill (e.g. this would be law but there would be no penalty for breaking the law.)
  *   The House debated the bill for 3+ hours at which point leadership abruptly decided to suspend debate.  There are four articles below that explain what happened in more detail.
  *   Unless Republican Leadership backs down from debate and Democratic leadership calls it back for a vote, the bill is dead.
  *   If by some miracle, they call the bill back for a vote, it would need to be brought up and passed in the Senate before Wednesday when session ends at midnight to have a chance at this becoming law.


School Librarians:

  *   We have heard from Representative Currey, Chairman of the Education Committee, that this bill is dead.  We will try again next year.



NEWS OF NOTE

New London Library Leader Named Top in the State! <https://www.theday.com/local-news/20240503/new-london-library-leader-named-top-in-state/>  Congratulations, Madhu!  You're doing amazing things for PLNL!

CT House kills bill allowing librarians to bargain for expensive e-books after three-hour debate.<https://www.ctinsider.com/living/article/ct-mychal-threets-tik-tok-library-joy-19433437.php>

After Fierce Debate In House, Digital Books Bill is Tabled.<https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2024/05/01/after-fierce-debate-in-house-digital-books-bill-is-tabled/>

eBook Pricing Bill Stalls after GOP opposes contract limitations.<https://ctexaminer.com/2024/04/30/e-book-pricing-debate-stalls-as-gop-opposes-contract-limitations/>

Influencer Mychal Threets brings viral 'library joy' to the Connecticut Library Conference.<https://www.ctinsider.com/living/article/ct-mychal-threets-tik-tok-library-joy-19433437.php>

Stratford School Librarians Face Unemployment as Town Weighs Budget Cuts.<https://www.ctpost.com/news/education/article/stratford-school-librarians-face-unemployment-19425382.php>  And here.<https://www.ctpost.com/news/education/article/stratford-parents-teachers-call-boost-school-19433483.php>

East Hampton launches:  'MAY we see your dog?'<https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/east-hampton-public-library-accepting-photos-of-dogs-in-exchange-for-forgiven-fees/3281474/> and it is just as amazing as it sounds.

Brainerd Library in Haddam welcomes Andrew Maloney as their new library director.  Welcome (back) to Connecticut, Andrew!<https://hk-now.com/a-new-face-at-haddams-brainerd-memorial-library/>

Some Middletown residents balk at Russell Library's proposed $3.5M budget, citing high salaries.<https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/middletown-russell-library-budget-proposal-19416588.php>

In other Russell Library news, the Library Building Committee recommends site for new building. <https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/middletown-library-new-facility-19435801.php>

The future is Latinx at Hartford's Park Street Branch. <https://www.courant.com/2022/04/27/the-future-is-latinx-at-hartfords-park-street-library/>

>From Axios, this is a pretty good run down of challenges around ebooks with a brief mention of the Connecticut bill. <https://www.axios.com/2024/05/06/library-librarians-e-books-license-policies>

Republicans have slowed action at the Capitol and time is running out<https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:https://www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/article/republican-filibuster-tactics-ct-legislature-19428418.php&strip=0&vwsrc=0> (brief mention of the ebook bill)

If you or your library is in the news and I miss it, drop me a line!

Have a good week,
Ellen


Ellen Paul (she/her/hers)
Executive Director
Connecticut Library Consortium
p:
860.344.8777x3043
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860.740.3043
f:
860.344.9199
a:
234 Court Street

Middletown, CT 06457
w:
www.ctlibrarians.org<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ctlibrarians.org%2f&c=E,1,ZkdEuAO9X8kx6i2bwJdIHympEDcIOdtgnHLxwS23dihDwNI1IBrXt4iMZ3jfrSeZhqqFRGxzqL4JnGpeh9jRkwJ4KzILj8FbrUFnZ129QPOOrqc,&typo=1>  e: epaul at ctlibrarians.org<mailto:epaul at ctlibrarians.org>
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"The libraries of America are and must ever remain the homes of free, inquiring minds. To them, our citizens--of all ages and races, of all creeds and political persuasions--must ever be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unwarped by fashion and uncompromised by expediency."  Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953

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