Breaking News from DLD

Breaking News from DLD
Clicks and Mortar
October 24th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?

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.
Breaking News from DLD, CT Library Community
Excellence in Public Library Service Awards
October 13th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?
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)
Breaking News from DLD, Children and Youth Services
2011 Summer Reading Survey is Open!
October 5th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?

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”.
Breaking News from DLD, CT Library Community
Upcoming Webinar on Public Access Computing and Advocacy
September 22nd, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?
Early registration is now available to Connecticut librarians for this webinar on using this survey in your advocacy efforts for improved public access computing infrastructure. Attend this webinar. Fill out the survey. Do both! Here is the information from WebJunction:

2011 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study: Results, Trends, and Resources

November 1, 2:00 pm Eastern

Early Free Registration

Over 8,400 urban, suburban, and rural libraries participated in the 2011 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, the largest and longest-running study of Internet connectivity in U.S. public libraries. Key findings include:
- 70% of libraries report increased use of public access computers, while at the same time, over 76% report an insufficient number of public computers to meet demand.
- 65% of libraries report that they are the only source of free public access to computers and the Internet in their communities.
- 67% of libraries offer access to e-books.
- 72% of libraries report that staff help patrons complete online job applications.
- 16% of libraries report decreased hours of operation. This translates to lost hours at more than 2,600 branches.
In this webinar co-sponsored by ALA TechSource, the ALA Office for Research & Statistics, and WebJunction, you will learn how to interpret the data and emerging trends; access new advocacy and marketing tools including state profiles, issue briefs, and PR templates; and use the data to make the case for your library with elected officials and community stakeholders. Take the new survey now!

Presented by: John Bertot, Co-Director, Information Policy & Access Center, University of Maryland; Judy Hoffman, Project Manager, American Library Association, Office for Research and Statistics; and Peggy Rudd, Director, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Breaking News from DLD, Children and Youth Services

Destination College Savings winners announced at the State Library

September 12th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?

Charlotte Minnick made the East Hampton Library her reading destination this summer and arrived at a $1,000.00 college savings account as well. She was one of four Connecticut children to do so, as part of the “Destination College Savings” promotion sponsored by The Connecticut Higher Education Trust, Connecticut State Treasurer’s Office, TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., and the Connecticut State Library. The goal was to motivate children to visit their local libraries and read over the summer, and to educate families about the CHET college savings plan. Over 1,500 entries were received; eight children were awarded $50.00 Barnes & Noble gift cards while the four grand prize winners received a $1,000.00 donation to a CHET 529 plan. Libraries were winners as well; receiving either $50.00 or $500.00 checks for being a winning child’s home library.

The award ceremony was held at the Connecticut State Library in Hartford on Saturday September 10th. The children and their families received presentation checks and were congratulated for their efforts by Deputy State Treasurer Jonathan Harris.

2011 Destination College Saving Winners

Child’s Name	Library	Prize
Lorenzo Garcia	Noah Webster Library	$50 Barnes & Noble gift card
Michael McDevitt	Babcock Library	$50 Barnes & Noble gift card
Marcus Adams	Wallingford Public Library	$50 Barnes & Noble gift card
Matthew Harasimowitz	Cragin Memorial Library	$50 Barnes & Noble gift card
Arden Kuchta	New Hartford Elementary School Library	$50 Barnes & Noble gift card
Lauren Galeota	Warehouse Point Library	$50 Barnes & Noble gift card
Sophia Andrews	Milford Public Library	$50 Barnes & Noble gift card
Orleans Oduro	Russell Library	$50 Barnes & Noble gift card
Elena Cooper	Welles-Turner Memorial Library	$1,000 contribution to a CHET 529 plan
Matthew Fleischman	Somers Public Library	$1,000 contribution to a CHET 529 plan
Dylan Andriulaitis	Silas Bronson Library	$1,000 contribution to a CHET 529 plan
Charlotte Minnick	East Hampton Public Library	$1,000 contribution to a CHET 529 plan

Breaking News from DLD, CT Library Community, Library Management
Are You Ready for Irene?
August 24th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?

Hurricane Irene may be visiting Connecticut this weekend. Are you wondering what your library can do to prepare? Check out Jane Cullinane’s Conntech post on Hurricane Preparedness and Disaster Recovery. There are many useful links on what to do before and after this kind of event.
Breaking News from DLD, CT Library Community
Budget News
July 15th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?
Statement posted to Conntech, July 15, 2011

Connecticut Libraries:

The Governor has submitted his Budget Balancing Plan to the legislature. It includes substantial cuts to the State Library’s budget. We will be cut by approximately one quarter or $2,760,034.

The reductions include:
- A substantial reduction in State Library personnel (10 positions)
- A substantial reduction in operating expenses
- Over one-half reduction in library materials
- Elimination of the remaining funding for State Grants to Public Libraries
- Elimination of funding for the Connecticut Library Consortium
- Elimination of the state-wide catalog (reQuest). If this plan is implemented reQuest will be unavailable as of September 1st. The State Library will make every effort to mitigate the impact of this reduction and to maintain access to the iCONN databases.
- iCONN databases will be maintained at the current level. No additional databases will be added as planned (CINAHL full-text and national newspapers).
- Elimination of the Computer Access Program. This has no impact on libraries.
- There is a small reduction in Connecticar which will not impact delivery services.
- There will be no further reduction in Connecticard.
Not all these reductions were at the discretion of the State Library. We were not allowed to call for reductions of any service mandated by statute – by a definition provided by OPM. This prevented some recommendations such as closing either service center.

Please remember that all of these reductions could be rescinded if the unions reconsider their rejection of the concession agreement. This will probably not be settled until the end of August.

The State Library regrets these reductions and remains committed to work with the library community to mitigate their impact.

Sharon Brettschneider
Connecticut State Library
Breaking News from DLD, Statistics
A New Fiscal Year Means a New Public Library Annual Report
July 6th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?
Information on completing the 2011 Annual Report and Application for State Aid has just gone out by e-mail to all public library directors. If you are a library director who did not receive this information, please let me know.

The Annual Report is critical for state and national data gathering on public libraries. The link above provides more information, a list of changes, an instruction sheet, and a 15-minute online tutorial.

Some reminders:
- The annual ILL report public libraries previously submitted in July is now incorporated into the Annual Report
- Don’t forget to include iCONN audio downloadable circulation in your circulation totals.
Per statute, the DEADLINE for submission is 4 P.M. on November 15, 2011. The preliminary version of the “Statistical Profile of CT Public Libraries” should be available shortly thereafter. The Statistics page on WebJunction CT has more information on the Annual Report and Statistical Profile.

Contact me with questions.
Breaking News from DLD, Statistics
iCONN Downloadable Audio Circulation Figures
July 5th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?

This is a quick reminder that public libraries should include the circulation figures for iCONN’s Ingram Digital Audio books in their annual circulation totals.

These figures are based on check-outs in FY2011 by Connecticut library-card holders.
Breaking News from DLD, Continuing Education, WebJunction Community
Now is the Time to Sign Up for Self-Paced Online Courses
May 18th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?
Many of you already know that as members of WebJunction Connecticut you may take up to three free online courses at one time. This limit of three courses has been raised to 10 courses until July 1. So now is the time to sign up for these great self-paced courses. You will then have access to the courses for a full year and may complete them as you have time. Go to WebJunction Connecticut, sign in, and click on the “Courses” tab and then browse through the course offerings. Add the free courses to your “shopping cart” and then “check out.”

Some of the courses available include:
- Microsoft Office 2010 Basics – sign up for all 8 courses!
- Microsoft Office 2010, 2007,2003 – many different tutorials available
- Library Management – advocacy, budgeting, marketing, etc.
- Library Services – children’s, YA, reader’s advisory, reference, tech services, etc.
- Technology – networks, operating systems, web design, etc.
These courses are made available to you by the Connecticut State Library.

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Breaking News from DLD

Breaking News from DLD

Clicks and Mortar

Breaking News from DLD, CT Library Community

Excellence in Public Library Service Awards

Breaking News from DLD, Children and Youth Services

2011 Summer Reading Survey is Open!

Breaking News from DLD, CT Library Community

Upcoming Webinar on Public Access Computing and Advocacy

Breaking News from DLD, Children and Youth Services

Destination College Savings winners announced at the State Library

Breaking News from DLD, CT Library Community, Library Management

Are You Ready for Irene?

Breaking News from DLD, CT Library Community

Budget News

Breaking News from DLD, Statistics

A New Fiscal Year Means a New Public Library Annual Report

Breaking News from DLD, Statistics

iCONN Downloadable Audio Circulation Figures

Breaking News from DLD, Continuing Education, WebJunction Community

Now is the Time to Sign Up for Self-Paced Online Courses