CLC
Connecticut Library Consortium
The Newsletter of the Connecticut Library Consortium
January 2009 VOLUME 6 y ISSUE 7
Highlights y Roundtable News page 4
y WALDO page 5
y CLC Discounts, News and Much More page 6
y Plans for $100,000 Grants page 6
y Greening Our Valley Website page 7
y CLC/OCLC Direct Meeting page 8
In Every Issue y Library Happenings & Member News pages 2 and 3
y January Calendar page 3
Contact Us 860.344.8777 (Middletown) 860.344.9199 (Middletown Fax) 860.465.5001 (Willimantic) 860.465.5004 (Willimantic Fax) 860.529.2938 (Donohue Group)
Toll-Free Numbers 800.304.5403 (Middletown) 800.260.5427 (Willimantic)
www.ctlibrarians.org
CONN text
Recipes for Lemonade Part 2
T
his month, we're featuring four more inspiring stories of how Connecticut libraries are squeezing economic lemons into library lemonade. Our thanks to Bob Gualtieri of Hamden, Kathy Leeds of Wilton, Randi Ashton-Pritting of University of Hartford and Eileen Branciforte of Cromwell for sharing their stories.
Hamden Public Library Hamden Public Library Director Bob Gualtieri went right to the top—to President-elect Obama's transition team—looking for some of that trillion dollar stimulus package for library projects. ALA Past President Leslie Burger tells us that ALA is preparing a $100 million stimulus for libraries, so we hope some of that lemonade will come our way. Wilton Library Association Director Kathy Leeds reports that Wilton Library Association has scheduled more computer classes for the months ahead, teaching skills that customers may need to retain jobs or get them. They are working on a seminar series that touches on relevant topics, such as resume writing, interviewing, career change and re-entry into the job market. A program on understanding the financial crisis is being considered, perhaps with a panel of bankers, investment advisors, and hedge fund executives from the community. Staff are taking advantage of their relationship with the local paper to write a column acknowledging the need to trim budgets to cope with the crisis, but urging the use of a scalpel rather than an axe to cut thoughtfully in a way that does not harm those most in need of support. Libraries, of course, are among the community agencies that provide a safety net. Wilton has submitted three budget scenarios that include increasingly trimmed numbers. As part of this exercise, they've had some very worthwhile conversations about priorities and various methods of belt-tightening.
Wilton has undertaken a campaign to educate donors and potential donors anew about the importance of their support in this troubled economic environment. University of Hartford University of Hartford's Randi AshtonPritting says academic libraries are going to feel the hit, so at UHart, they are in the process of making the libraries indispensible. They have opened the Mortensen Library to campus organizations after hours. The President's College (academic adult education) has an ongoing event called Fridays at the Mortensen—dinner, conversation, and a lecture. They have offered the Development and Alumni Affairs offices the use of the library for receptions, and even plan to host a few retirement parties. The music library will be starting a spring concert series to provide music students with a place to perform and the library with positive publicity. Read more about your colleagues’ library lemonade-making plans on page 7. . .
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January 2009
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Library Happenings and Member News Ridgefield Library recently introduced a special edition library card designed by local artist Jamison Odone. The full-color plastic card is offered to patrons for a modest charge of $5— "plain" cards are still available for free. Originally intended to appeal primarily to children, the card has become a status symbol for all ages and has helped to promote library use and awareness. Odone, an up-and-coming children's book author and illustrator, also created custom graphics for Ridgefield’s 2008 Summer Reading Program, which tied in to the town's 300th anniversary celebration. Kent Memorial Library hosted the WNPR radio program "Where We Live" with John Dankosky in October, entitled "Suffield, Swing Town." In the solid "blue" state of CT, Suffield is one of a few "swing" towns, where Democrats and Republicans are evenly split, and unaffiliated voters are the largest block. You can hear the show at www.cpbn.org/node/9766.
The leaders of CT's library networks at their quarterly meeting, clockwise from top left: LEAP's Diana Sellers, Bibliomation's Mike Simonds, LION's Andy Gardner, Bibliomation's Amy Terlaga (who is also on the CLC board), LCI's George Christian and Ken Sutton, and LION's Alan Hagyard. Bill Memorial Library in Groton recently hosted “Sing-Along with Santa,” its annual holiday family event. A record number of participants enjoyed caroling with live music, cookies, hot cocoa, and a guest appearance by Santa Claus himself.
The holiday spirit shone brightly at Southington Library as generous patrons decorated a Mitten Tree with many handmade scarves, mittens, hats and other children's items along with bringing non-perishable food for under the tree. The library accepted donations in lieu of fines through the month of December. Total donations were estimated at over 5000 pounds of usable items.
Some happy campers at Farmington Public Library's first ever library camp, where the freewheeling discussion covered topics as diverse as reference databases and open source ILS. L to R: Janet Flewelling (Wallingford PL), Stasia Motuzick (Harwinton PL), Jay Johnston (Farmington Libraries), James Miller (Simsbury PL), Laurie Iffland (New Canaan PL), Cindy Muhlbach (Brainerd Memorial Library, Haddam), Hal Bright (the camp organizer of Farmington Libraries), Deb Barberi (Simmons Graduate), and Sandra Rampertab (Silas Bronson Library, Waterbury).
Stratford Library celebrated the conclusion of its popular "Monday Night Shakespeare" series after almost 6 years with a special evening honoring author Bob Smith, the leader of the weekly program. Smith began the series with the goal of exploring all 37 of William Shakespeare’s plays. It recently concluded with the final play in the series, "Richard III." Local developer and series regular Robert Scinto presented a check for $5000 towards Smith's new Shakespeare series beginning January 12. Photo: Library Director Barbara Blosveren and Bob Smith cut the cake at the celebration of the Monday Night Shakespeare program.
After three periods of closure to complete renovations, Durham Public Library is fully operational. The library closed for a week to complete the final phase of the renovation project, which started in September. Photo: Young Adult Librarian Christine Tkaczyk talks about the phases of renovation at the Durham Library which included a 12-computer center and new circulation desk. Photo and article excerpt reprinted from Middletown Press.
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January 2009
Happenings and Member News Harwinton Public Library's annual Holiday Craft Sale & Open House took place on December 6. This event is sponsored by
the Harwinton Library Friends with proceeds paying for library programs. Craft donations from community members included jewelry, purses, candles, hand knit slippers and mittens, greeting cards and homemade candy. Kathy Rieger and the James Blackstone Memorial Library Board of Trustees at
Capital Community College in Hartford is offering its Library Technical Assistant Program for the Spring 2009 semester. Classes begin on January 21. Returning students can register online. Walk-in registration is on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9 am-5 pm, Tuesday, 9 am-6 pm and Friday, 9 am-3 pm. View the college catalog at www.ccc.commnet.edu/docs/catalog.pdf. For additional registration information call the Registrar's office at 860.906.5140. More than 122 children and adults came to Oliver Wolcott Library for Family Day on December 13. The activities included a magic show by Full Effect Productions, face painting and gingerbread decorating.
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January 2009 Calendar of Events FRIDAY, JANUARY 9 Trendspotting IV: Searching for the Best Search Tools, University of Hartford, 8:30-4:00 Young Adult Librarians’ Roundtable: East, Booth & Dimock ML Coventry, 10:00
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13 Children's Librarians' Roundtable: Southeast, Mystic Aquarium & Center for Marine Exploration, 2:30
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14 CLC/OCLC Direct Webinar: Dewey Decimal Classification 9:30-3:30 CLC/OCLC Direct Libraries Meeting Bridgeport PL, 1:00-3:30 Young Adult Librarians' Roundtable: Capitol Region , East Hartford PL, 9:30
MONDAY, JANUARY 19
the Wine and Cheese "Thank You" reception prior to the "Lights of Branford" holiday homes tour library fundraiser.
Comings and Goings . . . Carol Mahoney, Director of Neighborhood Services for the Boston Public Library's 27 branches, will become the new Director of the Greenwich Library on February 19.
We Want Your Happenings & News! Send your library’s news, ideas, photos, etc. to CONNtext editor Kathy Charbonneau at kcharbonneau@ctlibrarians.org The deadline is the 20th of each month.
Former UConn Husky Mel Thomas spoke about her career and new book, The Heart of a Husky , at the Waterford Public Library. New Britain Public Library adult programming coordinator (and origami expert) Linda McNair shows a patron how to make an origami wreath at this recent drop-in program right before the holidays. FLAG (Fairfield Library Administrators’ Group) met in December at New Canaan Public Library to hear author Jan Yager discuss her book, Work Less, Do More.
CLC offices closed for Martin Luther King Day
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 Northeast DVD Swap Willimantic Service Center, 9:30
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 Northwest DVD Swap Harwinton Town Hall, 9:00 CLC Board of Directors Meeting Russell Library, Middletown, 2:00
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 Southwest DVD Swap Southbury PL, 9:30
MONDAY, JANUARY 26 Children's Librarians' Roundtable:: South, Cheshire Public Library, 9:00
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 Southeast DVD, Playaway/ Shoreline Swap, East Lyme PL, 9:00 Young Adult Librarians' Roundtable: West, Wilton Library, 9:30 Public Library Directors' Roundtable: Northwest, Thomaston PL, 9:30
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January 2009
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January Roundtable Highlights CLC's roundtables are a wonderful opportunity for people from different libraries but with similar responsibilities and interests to come together to share knowledge and ideas about a variety of professional topics. These roundtables are open to all member library staff regardless of geographic location or job title. Be sure to register online in advance at www.ctlibrarians.org.
Young Adult Librarians' Roundtable: East Chair: vacant. Would you like to chair this roundtable? Contact Linda Williams at lwilliams@cslib.org.
The next meeting of the YALR-East is on Friday, January 9 from 10:00 am-noon at the Booth & Dimock Memorial Library in Coventry. The topic is library gaming programs. Lauri Moreno of Coventry received a LSTA Grant for her gaming program which she will show and tell with you. Linda Williams will bring any relevant professional materials that are available. Contact Linda with any questions. For the latest info on the roundtable, or to contribute your YA-related musings, visit the ECYA blog at http://ecya.wordpress.com.
Children's Librarians' Roundtable: Southeast Chair: Nadine Lipman (Waterford Public Library)
Don't miss the next meeting of the CLR-SE on Tuesday, January 13 when they meet at 2:30 pm at the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration! You will meet with the education/outreach department and learn all about the programming available year-round and for the summer. Please register online by January 10 if you are able to attend, as a list of attendees must be provided in order to get free admission.
Young Adult Librarians' Roundtable: Capitol Region Chairs: Ann Marie Naples (West Hartford Public Library) and Chris Angeli (Scranton Memorial Library, Madison)
Got some Teen Tech Week ideas to share with colleagues? Join the discussion on Wednesday, January 14 when YALR-CR meets next at the East Hartford Public Library. The roundtable meeting begins promptly at 9:30 am.
Children's Librarians' Program Showcase January 26 at Cheshire Public Library Coffee and Networking 9:00 - 9:30 am Showcase 9:30 - 12:30 pm
Be Creative @ Your Library! This showcase will have performers and programs that complement the Be Creative @ Your Library summer reading theme. Be sure to bring your calendar and take this opportunity to block book with neighboring libraries. Back by popular demand…Bryan Flint of Showtime Fun Productions (CT) will be our entertaining emcee.
Scheduled Performers: y The Connecticut Saxaphone Quartet (CT) y Mitali Perkins, author (MA) y Marilyn Price, “Wonderful Whirl of Puppets and Stories” (all the way from Chicago) y Award winning storyteller Diane Edgecomb (MA) y Michael Caduto's P-E-A-C-E: Programs for Environmental Awareness & Cultural Exchange y The Magic of Dan Bowen y Alex, King of Jesters
Young Adult Librarians' Roundtable: West
y Yale New Haven Chinese Community Dance Troupe
Chairs: Margaret Walsh (Greenwich Library) and Geri Diorio (Ridgefield Library)
y Danny Magic
YALR-W meets next on Wednesday, January 28 at the Wilton Library to discuss homework help services and services for special populations. Coffee and networking starts at 9:30 am, meeting runs from 10-12 pm. The snow date is February 4.
y Anthony DeQuattro, Rhythm Magic (drumming) y And more…
Register online at www.ctlibrarians.org
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January 2009
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Specials from WALDO CQ Press Honors 2008 Pricing through February 2009
ABC-CLIO Academic Resources for CLC/WALDO Members
CQ Press has extended the 2008 pricing for all new subscriptions through February 28, 2009. After that, 2009 pricing will be in effect at a general 5% increase for most products.
WALDO members can now order two award-winning ABC-CLIO databases at discounted rates.
H.W. Wilson Retrospective Files H.W. Wilson's 15 Retrospective Databases are available as a one-time purchase or as an annual subscription. Multi-year payment plans are available upon request. Additional discounts are available for multiple retrospective database purchases. Special pricing is available through March 27, 2009.
What's New! Currently Available from Alexander Street Press Images of the American Civil War: Photographs, Posters, and Ephemera presents 50,000 contemporaneous photographs, including nearly 30,000 wartime recruiting posters, envelopes, and ephemera. Most are rare and previously unpublished. Deeply indexed and carefully represented in high resolution, and cross-searchable for the first time.
y Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society helps students develop an in-depth understanding of how society shapes, and, is shaped by controversy. This resource provides historical context, expert opinions and carefully selected primary and secondary sources on the issues of the day. For more information including a list of awards and reviews see www.abc-clio.com/products/. y United States at War: Understanding Conflict and Society is an authoritative and appealing online resource providing comprehensive information on 14 conflict periods that have defined our nation from its beginnings to today. For more information including a list of awards and reviews see www.abc-clio.com/products/ Both ABC-CLIO resources give your library over 18,000 entries, feature stories, videos, custom research lists and a common cross-searchable interface. Bundle pricing is available on these two resources in addition to your WALDO discounts. Please contact WALDO for a free trial or price quote.
New Packages: y Alexander Street Drama y Alexander Street Literature y American Civil War Online These three new packages include collections of individual databases currently available from Alexander Street Press. For more details on the contents of each, please visit the ASP website at www.alexanderstreetpress.com.
Get More Information on WALDO Offers For discounted pricing and order information on products, contact Joanne Montgomery, Senior Electronic Resources Specialist, at 800.326.6495, ext. 2,
Oxford University Press
or email joanne@waldolib.org. Send faxes to 617.327.5516.
Who's Who 2009 & Who Was Who—The 161st edition of the renowned reference includes more than 1,000 new entries. Find out who's new, which entries are the most popular, and other fun facts at www.ukwhoswho.com.
Visit www.waldolib.org
January 2009
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CLC Discounts, News and More Considering Self Check? More and more libraries are looking toward self service solutions to improve the traditional library service model. CLC is partnering with 3M Library Systems to help you decide if self service is right for your library. To learn more about the benefits of self service and the discounted 3M SelfCheck pricing for CLC members in 2009, visit www.ctlibrarians.org to download the 3M SelfCheck promotional flyer, or contact 3M sales consultant Donald Jannazzo directly at 347.453.3721 or djannazzo@mmm.com. For more information visit www.3M.com/us/library.
2009 Pricing Information for Hill Donnelly Directories For the complete list of directories, visit www.ctlibrarians.org/ services/discounts/specials.html and select "Hill-Donnelly." Hill Donnelly Directory Meriden New Haven Ansonia-Derby-Shelton
Issue Month January February March
CLC Price (+ $15 s&h) $159 $261 $183
Email Pattie Noren at pnoren@ctlibrarians.org to place an order.
Highlights of Libraries’ Plans for $100,000 Grants In the October CONNtext, we reported on the good fortune of "The Thirteen" libraries in southeastern CT who received grants of $100,000 each from the Southeastern CT Community Foundation. Their grant proposals are due in February, but below is a report of their progress to date: “The Thirteen” have agreed to contribute no more than $1000 each (for a total of $13,000) to host a "One Book for Every Young Child" program in the eleven towns. Groton Public Library's Beth Crowley will chair this effort to promote early literacy by choosing one book by a CT author that every child in the Southeastern CT Community Foundation's area would read. They envision author visits, book giveaways, a tie in to the Community Foundation's Let's Read program, etc. Here is a synopsis of how each of "The Thirteen" plan to spend their remaining grant funds:
Lyme PL, Theresa Conley: The Foundation has agreed to hold Lyme PL's funds until they are ready for a new building. Waterford PL, Roz Rubinstein: Convert small meeting room into a computer laptop lab for the public; renovate and upgrade technology in large meeting room. PG Noyes Library, Old Lyme, Mary Fiorelli: Baby boomer/50+ programming; a teen gaming project; new website design; renovations to the community room for use by all ages; leaving a portion in the endowment. Public Library of New London, Peter Ciparelli: Match a state construction grant for renovating library furnishings; expand Project Aspire, an after school program for teens. Wheeler Library, North Stonington, Amy Kennedy: Remodel top floor into a living room atmosphere with popular materials and comfy furniture; website development; and a short-term PR person. Stonington Free Library, Margaret Victoria: Add a literacy workstation, upgrade catalog access, and upgrade library's website. Will leave about $50,000 with the Foundation; annual income will be used to upgrade computers. East Lyme PL, Lisa Timothy: Leave the money with the Foundation's endowment; conduct a community survey to best assess how to use the annual income. Raymond Library, Montville, Joanne Westkamper: Collaborate with Salem Library to provide a book cart and all new books for Senior Center; send librarians to preschools to read and distribute new books 1-2 times/year. Mystic Noank Library, Lois Hiller: Interior renovations to serve those less familiar with the library, including teens. Salem PL, Jackie Hemond: Join Bibliomation; develop a library website separate from the town's; start an endowment fund with the Foundation; serve day care centers to supplement an early reading grant from Target; cooperate with the Raymond Library on service to seniors. Bill Memorial, Groton, Hali Keeler: Work with architects to expand meeting space in response to a recent survey indicating desire for programs. Ledyard Libraries, Gale Bradbury: Reconfigure the library to create a teen space. Remaining money will go to the endowment. Groton PL, Betty Anne Reiter: Renovate and expand teen area to double its size; glass-in the area to help with noise level. Survey the high school and middle school students to see what they want for services.
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January 2009
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Recipes for Lemonade Part 2 cont. University of Hartford cont.
Cromwell Belden Public Library
Mortensen Library's Dorothy Goodwin Café was built with donor monies; some of that profit will be coming to the library. A donor was so excited about the café that he is giving the library his baby grand piano.
Cromwell Belden PL Director Eileen Branciforte reports that while they haven't had the big crunch come down to Cromwell yet, they have put out a "lemon" box (literally a soap box with lemons on it) to ask staff for ideas on how they can make some "lemonade" and do things at the library greener and leaner.
Mortensen also has a small gift shop in which they sell greeting cards, notepaper, etc., all of which is made in-house incorporating details from some of the library's rare items. The profits are used by the library's webmaster/graphic artist to maintain a supply of toner and fancy papers, reducing the burden on the materials budget. One of the greeting card lines even supports one of the library's endowment funds.
Last, how do you open your library earlier without affecting the salary line? UHart managed it by adjusting one staff member's time by 15 minutes. This was the best lemonade of all—the library's gate counts exploded last fall.
Inspired by the story Stone Soup, staff collected canned goods for fines, displaying the donations in a large picnic basket. But when the food-for-fines period ended and the donations kept on coming, the staff created a Stone Soup display to encourage patrons to continue bringing in food to share—even without having their fines erased. Since Cromwell's larder is now full, Eileen reports the library may be asking neighboring towns what they need. "I thought this sharing idea would at least make us all feel that we're in this economy together and inspire a bit of community spirit," Eileen says. "It makes our patrons smile, anyway!"
Greening Our Valley Website
Demco "Green" Tote Bags
Check out www.greeningourvalley.org! This website was developed by Miranda Creative to support the "Greening Our Valley" project of the Middlesex County Libraries, funded by a grant from the Middlesex County Community Foundation and coordinated by CLC. Through this project, 17 Middlesex County libraries are working together to provide free environmental programs for Connecticut residents.
CLC is coordinating bulk purchase of Demco's Go Green Recyclable Tote Bag. Be an earth-friendly library! With our recyclable tote you and your patrons can carry the conservation message. Strong, lightweight and 100% recyclable. Makes a great resell item— raise funds while raising environmental awareness! Reusable and hand washable. The bag measures 12"H x 16"W x 6"D. The cost of the tote is $1 per bag including shipping. Send orders to pnoren@ctlibrarians.org.
A nice feature on the home page is the Calendar of Events "feed." Participating libraries email CLC's Deb Zulick their environmental programs, Deb adds them to calendar, and the listings scroll down the homepage. Voilà—an attractive, functional, and cost-effective way to share eco-programming countywide. Want to attend a program? Visit the "Partners" page for a map of Middlesex County with links to participating libraries. "Greening Our Valley" is a great example of how libraries can cooperate with each other to better serve all of their users—an integral part of CLC's mission.
Discount pricing is available on the registration fee for the Computers in Libraries 2009 conference, March 30 April 1, 2009 in Arlington, VA. The rate is $234 for the three-day event—a 50% savings! This price is for registration only. The deadline for payment or purchase order is February 6, 2009. For a registration form, contact Pattie Noren at pnoren@ctlibrarians.org or 860.465.5001.
Randi negotiated with the University to take over administrative control of the President's College, a non-credit program offering short courses and activities for adults. In exchange, all of the President's College profits go to support UHart's libraries.
Computers in Libraries Conference
Important: To receive your registration discount, request a registration form from CLC. Do NOT use the online form.
Mark Your Calendar for this Event!
Connecticut Library Consortium CONNtext • January 2009 Board of Directors Roslyn Rubinstein, Chair Waterford Public Library rrubinstein@waterfordct.org
Meeting of Current and Potential CLC/OCLC Direct Libraries
Carl Antonucci Capital Community College CAntonucci@CCC.Commnet.edu
Randi Ashton-Pritting University of Hartford Libraries pritting@hartford.edu
Fine Arts Room, Bridgeport Public Library Wednesday, January 14, 1:00-3:30
Bernadette Baldino Easton Public Library bbaldino@optonline.net
(Free parking is located in the parking lot on Broad Street right across from the library)
If your library is a member of CLC/OCLC Direct, or if you're considering joining, don't miss this important meeting.
Anita Barney The Brookfield Library abarney@brookfieldlibrary.org
Gayle Bogel SCSU bogelgl@southernct.edu
You'll hear from the always popular George Needham of OCLC, get updates and forecasts on training, and have the opportunity to give your input and advice about the direction that CLC/OCLC Direct should take in 2009-2010.
Candice Brown New Britain Public Library cabrown@nbpl.info
Susan Burke Griswold High School sburke@griswold.k12.ct.us
Agenda: 1:00 Welcome, Introductions 1:15 Inspiration and Update from OCLC's VP for Member Services, George Needham
Charles Marlor
2:00 Training forecast from OCLC Eastern's Senior Training and Support Coordinator, Ellen Mizio
CCSU marlorc@ccsu.edu
2:30 Report from the CLC/OCLC Direct Training Team's Jim Brown
Arthur Meyers
2:45 Your feedback about CLC/OCLC Direct products and services in 2009-2010
Russell Library ameyers@russell.lioninc.org
There is a free meeting. Register online at www.ctlibrarians.org.
Amy Plympton LIMRA aplympton@limra.com
Sandra Ruoff Guilford Free Library sruoff@guilfordfreelibrary.org
Keith Stetson Fairfield University kstetson@mail.fairfield.edu
Amy Terlaga Bibliomation aterlaga@biblio.org Janet Woycik Cyrenius H. Booth Library jwoycik@biblio.org
Christine Bradley, Exec. Dir. Connecticut Library Consortium cbradley@ctlibrarians.org
CLC
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