Hello all,

I’m forwarding this message on behalf of Dawn LaValle. The weekly wrap-up below includes lots of useful information for you and your library, including our new service allowing you to schedule a curbside drop-off or pickup of materials at the Middletown Library Service Center. Please stay well and safe, everyone!

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From: Conntech [mailto:CSL-CONNTECH@LIST.CT.GOV] On Behalf Of LaValle, Dawn
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 1:05 PM
To: CSL-CONNTECH@LIST.CT.GOV
Subject: [CSL-Conntech] Connecticut State Library, Division of Library Development's Weekly Wrap-up

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DLD Weekly Wrap-up May 29th, 2020

"Assuring access to public information is an essential service.

It’s what libraries do. And do best." Don Means, GigLibraries.net

Over these past weeks, our Connecticut community along with our neighboring states have experienced disruption not seen since World War II. But Connecticut's libraries have risen to the challenge adapting, enhancing, and designing new services to meet the needs of their communities PEOPLE virtually through digital PLACE using a variety of service PLATFORMS.

The DLD Team has been working hard to ensure you have up to date and vetted information as well as the necessary resources to continue to serve your communities through these difficult times. Although a significant portion of our services are already digital - findIT CT, researchIT CT, eGO and a vast trove of information on:

https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/home

We have taken steps to quickly adapt our other services including professional development, grant training and information sessions as well as enhancing our consulting platforms to better serve you. To that end we encourage you to reach out and take advantage of our diverse offerings, expert staff and growing digital resources.

PLACE:

Starting on June 1, the Middletown Library Service Center is open for curbside service by appointment only, Monday through Friday between 9:00 and and 4:00 pm. Patrons who would like to drop off or pick up materials should book an appointment time in advance.

To request items for pickup, patrons may:

place holds on items such as book props, story time kits, book discussion sets, STEM kits, via the equipment catalog
make a request in the appointment reservation form
email a request to judy.crooks@ct.gov
call 860-704-2200

Preparing to Reopen Your Library in the "New Normal"

PEOPLE, PLACE and PLATFORM

MARKETING and STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS DURING COVID19: June 18th 10am via ZOOM Meeting

How do you market to your community when you can’t be face to face? How do you get your library’s message out when folks are focused on the pandemic and staying safe. How can the library re-establish itself as an essential service after being closed to the public for so long?

These are the types of questions that will be answered in our upcoming Marketing and Strategic Communications During COVID19 workshop presented by Libby Post, President/CEO of Communication Services. Register at:

https://cslib.libcal.com/event/6765777

Recovery - Skills Up Connecticut:

CSL/DLD will be working with the recently launched SkillUp CT to position CT's libraries as a partner for this new initiative. Procurement of EBSCO's Learning Express Jobs and Career Accelerator resource will ideally be a key element of the program.

"Governor Lamont Announces Statewide Launch of Free Online Job Training Program for Unemployment Claimants

During COVID-19 Emergency, SkillUp CT Allows Jobseekers to Upgrade Skills From Their Own Homes"

Connecticut Libraries Road Map to Re-Opening and Recovery

Connecticut’s Libraries have been closed to the public since Covid-19 impacted Connecticut and Governor Lamont issued the “Stay Safe, Stay Home” Executive Order. Most libraries have posted, “Closed until further notice.” We all need to think strategically and plan accordingly about how to return to full service in a safe and healthy manner and in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders and local government directives.

We know that Covid-19 will continue to be a serious public health concern in Connecticut and nationwide.

The following is a recommended phased road map for reopening Connecticut’s libraries in four stages. These recommendations are preliminary and are subject to further review, updates and guidance from the Governor's Office.

https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/COVID-19

Place and Platform:

Reopening Plans

As of May 20th, 72 libraries have submitted information about their plans for reopening, with the results posted in a spreadsheet at https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/COVID-19/reopening. We invite libraries to fill out the form at https://tinyurl.com/y988mz6p, selecting the options that currently apply to your situation. If/when your circumstances change, you can resubmit the new conditions.

CT Libraries Should Consider the Future:

From the KEDGE TFS Natural Foresight Framework Core Beliefs:

The Future is about people.
We have an ethical obligation to think and act with a long-term perspective.
Everyone can (and should) think like a futurist.
We cannot predict the future, but we can map it.
We are all creating the future every day with actions we take.
Foresight should fuel our organizations, institutions and social structures.
Foresight is a discipline but it is best viewed as a philosophy.
Increasing complexity is not our enemy. It is a sign of growth and maturity.

DLD has operationalized Strategic Foresight and is now working with Nicole Baker Rosa and the KEDGE Futures School team to bring Natural Foresight to CT librarians and librarians across the country through our IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Programming Grant "Transformation for Libraries - the Futures School.

PEOPLE, PLACE and PLATFORM - Professional Development:

Urban Libraries Professional Development Symposium being held on Friday June 5. The lineup includes topics on

the State's Mobile Crisis Response, Economic Outlook and Job Opportunities, Social Work in Libraries, Summer Literacy Initiative, the All of Us program, and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion). To register for all or some of these workshops, please visit our Continuing Education Calendar at https://cslib.libcal.com/.

DIGITAL RESOURCES

· In a recent survey on eAudio and eBooks, we asked librarians which areas of the collection they would like to see improved. The top two answers were Biography and Mystery. In response to your feedback, we have added 40 biographies and 80 mysteries to the Connecticut State Library collection available in SimplyE.

· DLD has purchased a total 2,912 new items so far this year to coincide with libraries going live in the SimplyE app and rolling it out to their patrons.

· The increased interest in eGO program and the SimplyE app continues to grow. There are now 36 libraries that have gone live in the SimplyE app. Of the 192 public libraries in Connecticut, 141 are configured in the SimplyE app. Interested libraries can join upon request by contacting Brad Bullis at bradley.bullis@ct.gov.

SUMMER READING:

This week DLD offered a well- received presentation “Summer Programming During COVID” with 70 librarians attending. The presentation addressed summer anxiety assurances, inclusive engagement ideas while so many are on the negative side of the digital divide, and more.

During the time that many of us began to telework, DLD hosted and recorded many virtual workshops and presentations. Going forward all workshops including the “Summer Programming During COVID19” geared toward Youth Librarians can be access at any time on the Children’s Recordings page which can be accessed here https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/children/recordings.

Positive feedback from the program evaluations included quotes such as:

“What works for families without internet work for ALL families’”

“It acted as a checklist for what I need to finish doing. I was happy to learn how my patrons can access the state library digital books.”

“Expanding the list of partners/sites to share information about the library this summer-and in the future”

“I loved the ideas for still having some non-virtual summer reading plans, such as by having information/supplies/trackers available at essential services venues. Also the ideas for people with limited internet access, such as using radio or local access TV!”

PEOPLE, PLACE and PLATFORM - Data:

Recordings available: Changes to 2020 Annual Report Questions

If you weren't able to attend either of the webinars this week on Changes to the 2020 Annual Report, you can find the recordings and presentation slides online, along with a list of the new, clarified, and deleted Annual Report questions.

Contact Maria Bernier at maria.bernier@ct.gov for more information.

ENGAGE your community:

Engage your business community to partner on a "Back to Business for Small Businesses" plan include local lawmakers; Chamber of Commerce and use your online business development tools.
Complete the Best Practices for CT Libraries Checklist
- https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/bestpractices

Your DLD team is here for you!

Stay Safe!

CT State Library is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

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