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Monthly News & Updates

January 2022 | Vol. 6 No. 1

Initiatives & Announcements

Coming in Winter/Spring 2022:

Library Construction Webinars and Tours

Join us for one or all of these library construction case studies featuring recently completed projects:

E.C. Scranton Library (webinar)

Monday, January 10 | 1:30-3 pm

Register

Focus: working from a temporary space while managing a major renovation and expansion.

Stonington Free Library (webinar)

Wednesday, February 16 | 10-11:30 am

Register

Focus: big changes in a small footprint.

Park Street Library @ the Lyric, Hartford (webinar)

Thursday, April 28 | 9:30-11:30 am

Register

Focus: designing and building a library from scratch.

James Blackstone Memorial Library

(in-person panel & tour in Branford)

Tuesday, June 14 | 10 am-12 pm

Focus: renovating an iconic structure.

Perfect for: anyone considering a library renovation or construction project, including Library Directors/ Administrators, Library Staff, Library Board Members, and Building Committee Members.

All CT Reads 2022 Virtual Author Launch

with Kat Leyh, Maika Moulite, Maritza Moulite, and Yaa Gyasi

Thursday, January 13 | 6-7:30 pm

Register

Join us for an extra-special virtual launch with the authors of all three 2022 All CT Reads primary selections – Kat Leyh, author of Snapdragon, our children’s pick; Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite, authors of One of the Good Ones, our teen pick; and Yaa Gyasi, author of Transcendent Kingdom, our adult pick. Each author will discuss their work and answer questions from our community. You will also learn about the All CT Reads program and get an overview of the resources available from the CT State Library to support All CT Reads events at your library all year long.

Please share this with your patrons - they're invited to join the event too! You can add it to your library calendar and newsletter.

Explore more about All CT Reads!

All CT Reads Books for Borrowing

Beginning today, Monday, January 3, 2022, book discussion sets of all twelve titles are be available for reservations and borrowing by public, school, and academic libraries from the Middletown Library Service Center.

Reserve All CT Reads Discussion Sets.

Workshops & Programs

WeVideo for Instructional and Informational Videos

Making Instructional Videos with WeVideo

Thursday, January 13 | 10-11:30 am

Register

Thursday, January 20 | 10-11:30 am

Register

Thursday, January 27 | 10-11:30 am

Register

If your library has databases or apps available for patron use, chances are you’d like to make a video explaining how to access them. Learn to make instructional videos to promote your electronic resources using the WeVideo online site with this hands-on workshop. Learn about the WeVideo environment, then try two different techniques to make instructional videos. 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 - it is helpful if participants are comfortable with downloading things from the internet, and adding web browser plugins. Participants will receive info about signing up for a free WeVideo account before the workshop.

Customer Service Tune-Up: Tips to Help You Care for Yourself as You Care for Others

Tuesday & Wednesday, January 25 & 26

11 am-12:15 pm

Register

We all know how easy it is to make New Year's resolutions and how hard it is to keep them. In this two-day, interactive workshop, you'll explore critical ways to make small changes that will keep you energized as you're pulled in many directions, at work and at home. Sharing best practices with other library staff, you'll learn how to:

· take mini-breaks

· prioritize essential tasks

· focus on one project at a time

· support colleagues and get help from them

· find the resources that recharge your engine

· keep a healthy perspective

Unlike resolutions that you know you can't keep, these tips are practical and easily worked into your busy schedule.

Jean Baur is a dynamic speaker who knows how to inspire audiences to maximize their potential. Recognized for her ability to motivate and encourage busy professionals, she draws on her diverse background as an author and career coach. Learn more at JeanBaur.com.

Visit our calendar

CT Digital Library

eGO CT and The Palace Project

We are excited to launch the Palace Project as part of the eGO program in early 2022. Here are a few exciting things to look forward to as part of this initiative.

· The Connecticut State Library has purchased over 500 new items in addition to the 20,000 items already available!

· Connecticut State Library purchased RBdigital content will be returned to the collection!

· Amazon eBooks and Audible for eAudio content will be included for purchase in the Palace Marketplace!

· Penguin Random House content will be included in the Palace Marketplace!

· BiblioLabs is now part of LYRASIS, which means you have the entire BiblioLabs catalog available for purchase including Indie Author!

Palace is a new e-reading app that will be replacing your SimplyE app. SimplyE was developed by librarians at The New York Public Library, and Palace is built on the same code, but is designed for the needs of libraries beyond NYC. If your library still needs to get configured, let us know. LYRASIS will work with you on an individual basis and the process is quick and easy.

If you are interested in getting your library configured or have any other questions, please contact Brad Bullis at bradley.bullis@ct.gov.

requestIT CT

Bibliomation libraries that participate in the requestIT CT program with fulfILLment can take advantage of connectors. Connectors allow fulfILLment to make updates to your ILS in real-time. This new functionality eliminates the need to enter ILLs in twice - once in FulfILLment and once in Evergreen and helps to streamline your workflow.

Interested Bibliomation libraries should reach out to Amy Terlaga at terlaga@biblio.org or Brad Bullis at bradley.bullis@ct.gov with any questions.

Collections

New Titles: Books on CD Collection

Welcoming some new titles into the Middletown Library Service Center’s books on CD collection including two All CT Reads Titles!

Find these titles and more in our catalog.

Find Us

Stay Connected!

Our many discussion listservs for the library community help you connect with your peers, whether you're in the office or working from home. 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.

Join our listservs!

Middletown Library Service Center

Open by appointment only for the foreseeable future

Monday - Friday | 9 am - 4 pm

MLSC will be closed Monday, January 17 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. 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.