BlogJunction Connecticut » Breaking News from DLD

Important Changes to WebJunction Connecticut

Tom Newman — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:58:04 +0000

The State Library continues its partnership with OCLC’s WebJunction project as it makes some important enhancements in the coming months. In mid-March WebJunction Connecticut will disappear as a standalone domain (ct.webjunction.org) and will become one of the partner sections on a new www.webjunction.org. This means all our current content will be moved to a new section of the main WebJunction website. Navigation, organization, and functionality should improve with this new Connecticut section of WebJunction. All the web content of the State Library’s Division of Library Development will continue to appear on WebJunction rather than in the State Library’s main web site. And those who have book-marked specific web pages on our current ct.webjunction.org site will be re-directed to the appropriate page on the new web site.

As part of the upgrade, online self-paced courses will be made available in a separate system so that WebJunction members can plan and manage their course-taking more easily. As a consequence of this change, however, you will lose a record of all incomplete courses that you are still enrolled in on February 29. You should complete those courses before the 29^th, if you can.

Also, all WebJunction Connecticut members who have logged into WebJunction since July 2010 will automatically have their membership account transferred to the new WebJunction website. If you have not signed in since then, however, you will want to do so before February 29 or lose your account.

The State Library looks forward to its continued partnership with WebJunction in providing professional development and continuing education opportunities for Connecticut’s library staff.

Connecticard Report Reminder

Tom Newman — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:33:02 +0000

Libraries are reminded that the Connecticard reporting year ends with the FEBRUARY report. The “Connecticard 2011” report form has columns that start with March 2011 and end with February 2012. Therefore the January and February columns of the report should have 2012 figures and not 2011 figures. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

State Aid Payments for Public Libraries

Tom Newman — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:00:55 +0000

Annual State Aid Payments to Connecticut public libraries will go out within the next few weeks. The payment amounts will be smaller this year (between $1,200 and $1,700) due to a funding cut. Go to 2012 State Aid Payments to find out how much your library can expect. State Aid money must be spent within the next two years and it must be spent on the library. It cannot go to the general fund of the town.

Thanks go out to all those who filled out the Annual Report and Application for State Aid this year.

Official Statistical Profile Released, Customized Charts Available

Tom Newman — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:13:43 +0000

The official version of the Connecticut Public Libraries : Statistical Profile July 2010 – June 2011 is now available. The only significant change from the preliminary version released in early December is an update to municipal tax revenue figures.

Also, as was done last year, the State Library is offering a suite of Excel charts customized for your particular library. These charts

show your library’s 2011 statistics and compare them to state averages and averages of towns with a similar population,
show your library’s statistical trends since 1996 (based on figures provided in annual reports each year),
may be copied and pasted into any document or presentation.

To ask for your library’s charts email Tom Newman, tom.newman@ct.gov .

Go to Automatic Chart-Makers to see an example of the charts, or to create charts yourself (including one that compares your library to 4 other libraries of your choice).

Questions? Contact me.

Library Use and Budgets Decline for Many Connecticut Public Libraries

Tom Newman — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:05:21 +0000

Preliminary findings from Annual Reports submitted recently by Connecticut public libraries for FY 2010-2011 indicate that library use has fallen from last year’s record highs. An early draft of the “Statistical Profile of Connecticut Public Libraries” shows circulation, library visits, and program attendance modestly lower than in FY2010. The chart section of the Profile illustrates statewide declines in library use statistics, as well as the clear erosion in financial support for libraries.

Possible reasons for this decline in statewide library use include:

The 2011 winter was particularly harsh.
The popularity of e-books and e-book readers. For reasons beyond the library community’s control, publishers and distributors have been very slow to sell e-books to libraries. There is pent-up demand there which most libraries have not been able to meet.
The recession is over. Many libraries receive a bounce in library use during recessions. Library use statistics usually flatten out during the rebound from a recession.
Libraries have reduced their hours in response to budget cuts.
Budget cuts have forced libraries to reduce library materials expenditures. This trend has gone on for several years. Normally it takes a couple years for this sort of reduction to effect circulation.
Budget cuts have also reduced expenditures on programs, which reduces program attendance and library visits.

A preliminary version of the Statistical Profile of Connecticut Public Libraries is now available for those who would like to refer to this resource during the early budget season. Please report errors/problems to Tom Newman. The official version of the Profile will be available on January 1.

Construction Grants Awarded

Tom Newman — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:33:39 +0000

Congratulations go out to the Meriden Public Library and the New Haven Free Public Library for receiving approval of their recent construction grant applications. The State Library Board approved these grants with funding earmarked for distressed municipalities. New Haven Free Public Library will receive $318,524 towards a project to renovate their performance and exhibit area, as well as expand programming space. Meriden Public Library will receive $62,667 towards replacement lighting and other renovation work. Construction grants for distressed municipalities pay for 1/3^rd of total project costs up to $1 million.

ETLA: Measuring the Outcome and Value of Libraries

Kris — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:00:30 +0000

Libraries provide many types of value to their constituents, but measuring that value is a challenge. The IMLS LibValue project, led by Carol Tenopir, brings together a national team of academic librarians and researchers to study multiple measures for multiple services and collections in academic libraries. In this webinar, Carol will describe the LibValue academic libraries project and discuss methods for measuring outcomes and value in all types of libraries.

Presented by Carol Tenopir, Chancellor’s Professor, School of Information Sciences, Director of Research and Director of the Center for Information and Communication Studies, College of Communication and Information,Univ. of Tennessee

Wednesday, November 9, 2011
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Online

For additional details and registration information visit: Measuring the Outcome and Value of Libraries

Clicks and Mortar

Sharon Brettschneider — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:20:58 +0000

The Sunday Hartford Courant carried a great article about libraries coping with demand for digital content.
“Libraries Adapt To Demands From Online Users As Well As Visitors Coming Through The Doors”
http://www.courant.com/community/wethersfield/hc-wethersfield-library-classes-1023-20111022,0,4105354.story
Congratulations to Wethersfield, Westport, West Hartford, Torrington and Andover.

Excellence in Public Library Service Awards

Tom Newman — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:49:03 +0000

We know that your budget is shrinking and that you are busier than ever. But we also know that public libraries are offering outstanding, creative and vital programs and services for their communities. This is a challenging time for the library community so why not give your staff something to cheer about and your colleagues something to inspire them by nominating your library for the 2012 Excellence in Public Library Service Awards.

These awards will honor public libraries that have provided outstanding service to their communities. They will be given in 2 population groups (under 15,000 and over 15,000) for the entire range of services that your library provides to your community.

Nominations will be judged on:

Creativity and innovation
Service to their community
Leadership in creating model programs
Programs which will affect the future of the library and its community

If you’ve been nominated in the past and haven’t won, submit another nomination. The competition is different each year.

Winners will receive a:

Feature story in Connecticut Libraries
Gala reception at the CLA Annual Conference
Modest cash award

Nominations due by Noon, November 7, 2011

(from Conntech posting by Mary Engels, October 14, 2011)

2011 Summer Reading Survey is Open!

Susan Cormier — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:17:22 +0000

The 2011 summer reading survey is open and waiting for your data. It should take only 5 – 10 minutes to complete, if you have your summer reading facts and figures (circulation, number of participants etc.) readily available. You can view the questions before you go to the survey site, or just go directly to the survey and start filling it in.

The first 110 libraries to complete a survey will receive a free copy of the 2012 Collaborative Summer Library Program summer reading manual. The 2012 themes are “Dream Big – Read!”, “Own the Night” and for adults, “Between the Covers”.