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All information, programs, resources, and services related to CT libraries have been curated and organized and is only a click away! The information you need can be found on DLD's LibGuides, which offers the most comprehensive overview of library information in CT, including:

• Professional Development Workshops and Programs
• CIPA requirements
• Numbers and types of CT Library Outlets
• Legal issues pertaining to CT Libraries

Bookmark our homepage and add it to your desktop! 

And remember, your DLD Library Liaison is also your go-to resource for answers to all your questions.

From now through March 2025, the Reimagining Library Outreach and Access Series will provide library staff with strategies, tools, and frameworks to expand their reach and impact within their communities. Using their own library and local data, participants have the opportunity to evaluate barriers to access within their own communities and to reconsider their approach to outreach utilizing their existing assets and structures.

Enhancing Library Capacity & Growing Community Connections: Libraries Without Borders and the CT State Library

Wednesday, July 10 | 10-11:30 am

Register: Libraries Without Borders & CT State Library

Reimagining Library Outreach to Increase Community Access

Thursday, August 15 | 1-3 pm

Register: Reimagining Library Outreach

Assessing External Community Assets, Needs and Barriers

Thursday, September 5 | 1-4 pm

Register: Assessing External Community Assets

Assessing Internal Library Assets and Staff Capacity

Wednesday, September 25 | 1-4 pm

Register: Assessing Internal Library Assets

Assessing Library Utilization and Awareness

Wednesday, October 9 | 1-3 pm

Register: Assessing Library Utilization

Using Data to Inform Program Design and Library Services

Tuesday, October 29 | 1-4 pm    

Register: Using Data

Social Media as Effective Awareness and Promotion Strategies (Part 1)

Wednesday, November 13 | 1-4 pm

Register: Social Media (Part 1)

Social Media as Effective Awareness and Promotion Strategies (Part 2)

Thursday, November 14 | 1-4 pm

Register: Social Media (Part 2)

Community Canvassing as Effective Awareness and Promotion Strategies

Tuesday, December 10 | 1-3 pm

Register: Community Canvassing

Optimizing Community/ Library Partnerships

Wednesday, January 15 | 1-4 pm

Register: Optimizing Partnerships

Models for Expanding Access through Community Partnerships

Tuesday, February 4 | 1-3 pm

Register: Models for Expanding Access

Developing Internal Processes and Systems for Ongoing Outreach

Thursday, March 6 | 1-4 pm

Register: Developing Internal Processes

CT Pages is a channel for sharing community engagement success stories by libraries with and for their communities. We partner with CT libraries to create and release short video conversations with the library staff who make things happen.

Do you have a creative program, service, activity, partnership, or project that you want to share with your library neighbors? We are always seeking submissions for consideration – Submit your idea!

Notice of the Museum’s closure has been posted on the CT State Library and Museum of CT History’s websites, and notices are also being posted around the building.

If you encounter any patrons who have questions about the closure and museum access, please direct them to contact the Museum Team at museumofcthistory@ct.gov or (860) 757-6535.  

Join the Museum of CT History for Hiking Thru History, now through October!

We'll send you a selection of up to 25 books that you can lend to your patrons. The loan period for a book bundle is three months. Let us know in the reservation form if you have any preference of topic or genre. Request your book bundles here!

New Puppets Ready to Play!

We are thrilled to announce that our new puppets are NOW AVAILABLE in our Equipment Catalog! Whether you need a sweet alpaca, a sea-worthy Blue Whale, a sly fox, or a Scarlet Macaw, we have a puppet available to compliment your story hour or library event. Or if you're looking for something a little different, maybe try an octopus, a falcon, or even a narwhal!

Photos of all puppets can be found in the Equipment Catalog. Puppets circulate for 90 days, and you can reserve them up to 365 days in advance. Puppets and dolls make great story time sidekicks, escape room set decoration, reading buddies and more!

Browse and reserve all puppets and dolls from MLSC.

Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), CSL’s Outreach Van will be used for community engagement, programs, special events, professional development, library programming support, and pop-up exhibits for all State Library divisions and units, including the Division of Library Development, the CT Library for Accessible Books, Archives, the Museum of CT History, and more!

Why and How to Celebrate Disability Pride Month | The Arc

Have You Seen the New Disability Pride Flag? | RespectAbility

18 Best Books with Disability Representation to Read Now | MSN

Please note: This webinar will build on what was taught at "Strategic Planning: There has to be a better way" workshop on 6/17, however all are welcome to attend.

Who Should Come?

Perfect for library administrators, or other library staff, who develop surveys to gage feedback from their community whether that is small scale, such as programs, or large scale, for strategic planning. 

Each of the six libraries had the opportunity to use local community and library assessment data to design and implement creative, relevant outreach solutions. From a refreshed delivery van turned bookmobile to satellite library stations to community-driven storytelling pathways, these projects worked to build trust and grow habits that deepen library connections for new and existing users.

Pilot CT Public Libraries:

• David M. Hunt Library (Falls Village)
• East Hartford Public Library
• Willimantic Public Library (Windham)
• Norwalk Public Library
• West Haven Public Library
• Otis Library (Norwich)

Presenters:

Libraries Without Borders US (LWB)

LWB revolutionizes the reach of the library, expanding community access to critical information, education, and resources. Using local assessment and community engagement strategies, LWB partners with library systems to sustainably expand reach and utilization. 

Nina Safane (she/her)

Nina is a community-based leader and educator with a background in organizational development. For the last 15 years, she has built and led systems, teams, and organizations that increase access to education and public health services. She previously led COVIDCheck Colorado, a social benefit enterprise, and co-founded the Girls Athletic Leadership Schools, an innovative school model. Nina has a BA in Education Studies from Brown University and an MA in Education from Columbia University.

Vanesha McGee (she/her)

Vanesha is a community advocate with ten years of experience as an educator, building communities within classrooms. Her expertise as a professional writer focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion across industries. Vanesha holds a Bachelor of Arts from Temple University and a Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Would you like to keep that out-of-print book in circulation to meet your library patron's needs?

Would you like to quickly repair simple problems rather than purchasing a replacement?

Many repairs that can extend the life of your library collection are fast and simple and can be done with easy-to-obtain, inexpensive materials.

This hands-on workshop is appropriate for a library staff member or volunteer who will be doing book repair. Emphasis will be on simple repairs for the everyday public or school library collection, rather than on archival or long-term preservation techniques.

Since this is a small group workshop, 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 for those who have little to no prior Canva experience. Participants should sign up for a free Canva account before the workshop.

This workshop aims to examine considerations involved in selecting AR/VR devices that are aligned with libraries' present and future needs. We'll explore the common pitfalls to avoid in choosing these technologies, practical tips on using specific AR/VR devices effectively, and strategic advice on making sustainable choices that will benefit your community for years.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to upgrade your existing tools, this session will equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions that enhance engagement.

Have you already done all the easy repairs and have a shelf left over of difficult broken spines on hardcover books?

Do you have staff time to do repair work, rather than budget money to replace or rebind books?

This workshop is appropriate for a library staff member or volunteer who has done basic book repair or taken a basic book repair workshop and is ready to try some advanced repair techniques. Emphasis will be on spine repairs for hardcover books, where professional rebinding is not an option due to brittle paper, or lack of access to a bindery or the funds to pay for rebinding.

The purpose is on getting books back into circulation, rather than on archival or long-term preservation techniques, although conservation-friendly reversible repair techniques will be the focus.

This information session is designed to help librarians effectively determine the specific community for whom they will be creating programs, services, strategies and much more. 

Organized around a case study, this session will allow library directors and all library staff to engage in hands-on experience with exercises built from EXCITE Transformation for Libraries workshops that help a library learn to do empathy mapping, and how to script community conversations and Strategic Foresight tools such as Causal Layered Analysis, that can reveal what patrons really want.

Librarians in all staff positions are encouraged to attend.

Visit our calendar

Get Ready for Summer Reading with Palace!

DLD purchases content that supports Summer Reading Programs. We aim to provide titles in eBook and eAudio formats, and in Spanish language when available.

We also purchase multiple copies of titles, and many classics are available without loan restrictions. We have purchased titles for the 2025 Nutmegs, the 2024 Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge, and many other titles from various summer reading lists. 

During the month of June, DLD purchased a total of 225 items for both platforms of eGO CT, including titles from the Summer Reading Lists provided by ALSC. There are now over 38,500 items provided for free to public libraries. This includes 23,000 open access titles provided by Lyrasis in the Palace Bookshelf.

We are also offering a Baker & Taylor Boundless option for non-Destiny K12 sites for access to the Connecticut State Library eBook collection.

If you have questions about the eGO CT program, eGO CT Community Sharing Program, or the Palace Project app, please contact Brad Bullis at bradley.bullis@ct.gov.

New eAudio Titles Now Available in the Palace Project app!