CLC CONNtext
The Newsletter of the Connecticut Library Consortium
May 2016
group of action figures
EDGET YOUR GROUP ON
Jennifer Keohane, Executive Director

I admit it: I like to stand out, be an individual. But for the past couple of months I've been very happy and proud to be part of the library crowd. Whether I'm among hundreds of librarians at the CLA Annual Conference, dozens of librarians at a CLC roundtable, or a handful of librarians at board, committee or task force meetings, I've been soaking in the power of library groups. The inclination to collaborate, gather, work, and problem-solve together is intrinsic and unique to our profession. Groups are one of our strengths, and I'm counting on group power to help CLC meet the challenges of the future.
 
CLC, like most of you, has continuing budget challenges. For FY16-17, our State Operating Grant is 43% less than 2015 funding levels. For the second year in a row, our total net income has been reduced by 35%. Last year we made significant operating, investment and dues adjustments to address the gap. We will do the same this year - but this is not a long-term solution. In the next few months, CLC will be embarking on a critical strategic planning process to create a sustainable organization. We will be counting on you, the CLC membership, to help us with this process. I'm excited about the future and confident we can develop a plan to make CLC an even stronger and more responsive member organization.
 
But, to borrow from those 1980's sages the Sprockets, "Now is ze time at CLC vhen ve dance!" Our 13th Annual Meeting (and social event of the year!) will be held on June 9th at the appropriately themed Library Wine Bar in Wallingford. This is a chance for your voice to be heard through your voting rights as CLC members. In a time when we have a lot of serious group work to do, we hope you'll join us for a chance to celebrate the power of library groups like CLC, and the contributions of your colleagues to our community. C'mon, get your group on! See you on June 9.
 
Jennifer

Contact Jennifer at 860.344.8777 x103 or [email protected]. 

AM16CLC's 13th Annual Meeting
Thursday, June 9, 2016 
4:00 - 6:00 PM 
The Library Wine Bar & Bistro, Wallingford


 
Celebrate. Connect. Contribute.
Join your colleagues for CLC's Annual Meeting and networking event. Celebrate successes, connect over challenges, and contribute your voice to the future of YOUR library cooperative. Social hour with wine and bountiful hors d'oeuvres, followed by brief business meeting, author talk with CT author Charles Monagan, and celebrations. $30 per person. Join us! LEARN MORE & RSVP
EPLISTENING, HELPING, SAVING
Or, What I've Learned in My First 8 Weeks   
Ellen Paul, Member Advisor

Since starting at CLC two months ago, I've hit the ground running, or driving as the case may be! Over the last 8 weeks, I've been to 14 towns, had 18 site visits, driven 400 miles, and met with countless (literally, I've lost count!) public, school, academic and special librarians all over our beautiful state.
 
All of these miles on the road were more than just sightseeing. Visiting all four corners of Connecticut, I've been listening and learning. Most of all, I have been truly inspired by the work I've seen at our roundtables and in our libraries. It may be a clich�, but it's true: each one of our libraries and our communities is unique. What is perhaps more remarkable is how much every librarian I've met is willing to work together to help one another succeed.
 
Of course, this is the whole point of CLC and why I came to work here. We are stronger when we work together. The role of Member Advisor is brand new, and not only am I learning it as I go, I'm also defining it by what I hear from our member libraries. As I've traveled the state, meeting with and listening to our librarians, here's what I've heard they need:
  • Someone to listen. I'm here to listen to your ideas and your suggestions, and to be your sounding board. Do you have an idea for a new roundtable, a new way we can work together, a new vendor or service? Is there a need that CLC should be filling that we're not? Call me. I want to hear your thoughts.
  • Someone to help. It's tough going it alone sometimes. Do you need advice on a performer, a new service idea or outreach? Do you need some marketing ideas for a database you pay for but no one is using? Call me. We can work together.
  • Someone to save you money. No matter what corner of the state you're in, budgets are tight. To borrow the phrase from State Farm, call me for a discount double check and let me see if CLC can save you more money.   
If I haven't had a chance to meet you yet, give me a call, drop me an email, or invite me to visit your library. I'd be happy to hit the road again. As some of you know, I'm Connecticut home-grown, and although I've been away for the last few years I'm so glad to be back. We have so much work to do, and I love being a part of it. So, if you see me riding around the state in my silver Subaru, give me a little wave hello - chances are I'm on my way to one of our libraries. 

Ellen

Contact Ellen at 860.344.8777 x102 or [email protected].
Rachel
DiscountDeskFROM THE DISCOUNT DESK 
Rachel Gaither, CLC Discounts Manager

The CLA Conference was very eventful, with so many new products to see and new suppliers to meet. I have a lot of product choices to review in the coming months.
 
CLC team
The CLC staff getting their savings on!
L-R: Rachel, Lisa, Jennifer, Ellen, Christine

A fun highlight of the conference was the CLC photo booth. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to take a photo, all decked out in money boas, piggy banks, and cash to show how much your library saves with CLC. See all the photos on Facebook! Now the fun can continue at your library. CLC's friend at New England Photo Booth, Ben Conway, is offering a 15% discount off all packages and is throwing in a digital archive of all photos on a flash drive free to all CLC members - a $100 value. Learn more at ctlibrarians.org/page/NEPhotoBooth.
 
Media Circuits East is getting a new coordinator. Please welcome aboard Katherine Bengtson. She has already joined forces with Jennifer Rummel to get up to speed on the inner workings and processes that make a great Media Circuit Coordinator. We are so grateful for all the wonderful work that Jennifer R. has done for CLC's media circuits, and wish her the very best in her new role as Children's and Young Adult Librarian at Cragin Memorial Library. (If your library is planning to join or continue with circuits this year, don't miss out - sign-up ends May 30! Details at ctlibrarians.org/page/circuits.)

Most recently....my life has been all about BIDS, BIDS, BIDS. I am currently receiving proposal submissions for both CLC's Supplies Bid and the Book Bid. The new contracts will go into effect July 1, 2016. Be on the lookout for more information to come.
 
And, you know I'm not going to leave you without saying ... remember to make CLC your first stop for discounts!

Rachel

Contact Rachel at [email protected] or 860.344.8777 x104.
SaveSAVINGS HIGHLIGHTS
 
acrylic frame
LAST CHANCE AT THIS PRICE!
Top quality 11"x17" acrylic frames
ORDER BY 6/30 - PRICE GOES UP 7/1
CLC has partnered with Library Display Design Systems on a special group purchase offer for these hard-to-find 11x17 acrylic sign holders. Slatwall and countertop designs available in both landscape and portrait. Save up to 53%!
Learn more and order today: 
ctlibrarians.org/page/acrylicsignholders 

Are you taking advantage of your CLC discounts? Visit ctlibrarians.org to learn more about these and many other offers!

TURNITIN - For K-12 schools. CLC has the best price in secondary education - anywhere - on Turnitin�, the leader in originality checking and plagiarism prevention. Your savings on this product alone could pay for your school's CLC membership! Deadline: 6/8 LEARN MORE

AtoZdatabases
- For publics & academics. Your new favorite database! Users will turn to AtoZ for sales leads, mailing lists, market research, employment opportunities, finding friends and relatives, and much more. Includes stats, marketing, training, & more at a great price. Deadline: 6/15 LEARN MORE

CIRCUITS
- Did you know you can offer a continuously-changing supply of DVDs and books on CD to your patrons who aren't interested in downloadables and streaming - without making a big investment? Now is the time to join a CLC media circuit - and keep all of your users happy at minimal expense! Deadline: 5/30 LEARN MORE

SCOLA - This non-profit language resource web subscription service provides authentic language and cultural resources in more than 175 languages. CLC has become a SCOLA affiliate so your library can subscribe at a fantastic price! LEARN MORE

USI - Savings up to 20%, free hardware installation & training on MakerBot 3D printers and accessories, laminators, sign kits, and more, including a mobile makerspace package designed just for us! LEARN MORE

AWE - For public libraries & schools. AWE is offering 15% off their ever-popular Early Literacy Station and AfterSchool Edge all-in-one touchscreen learning stations and tablets. Save up to $502! Deadline: 6/15 LEARN MORE
 
roundtablesROUNDTABLES

Visit the CLC Calendar of Events for an up-to-the-minute list of CLC-sponsored meetings and programs - and grab "This Month at CLC" for for a handy printable guide to current CLC programs and discounts!
 
2 videogame players
Monday 6/6, Booth & Dimock Memorial Library, Coventry
First Meeting!
space opera
Monday 6/13, C.H. Booth Library, Newtown
Genre Study: Science Opera
Chester Human Library logo
Tuesday 6/14, Chester Public Library
The Human Library
Tuesday 6/14, Slater Library, Griswold
Caught in the Middle!
staff with mixed generations
Wednesday 6/15, Windsor Public Library
Intergenerational Staffing
You have received this newsletter because your library/school is a CLC member or partner, or because you have subscribed to the CLC mailing list.  
To adjust your email settings, please log in to your CLC account.