Monday, May 1, 2023
Session 6: Breakouts 4:00-4:55 PM
Conference Room 1
Making Progress on Climate and Equity: Our Journey at New Canaan Library
Presenter: Micaela Porta, New Canaan Library; Lisa Oldham, New Canaan Library
Demand for progress on environmental and social issues sparked a movement in the business world: Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG). ESG challenged companies to think beyond money to both tangible and intangible assets. Libraries, which have long understood the value of “intangibles”, are committed through ALA to the triple bottom line (environmentally sound, socially equitable, economically feasible). ESG can help us identify criteria, set goals, measure progress, and--given ESG’s mainstream adoption--gain support. Our tailored approach at New Canaan Library is drawing on and meeting the aptitudes and needs of employees and our community, while employing best practices from others.
CLA Member-Sponsored
Conference Room 2
So you want to start a Toy Library!
Presenters: Colleen Bailie, West Haven Library; Diana Caty, Traveling Toys, Inc.; Mary Didiuk, Traveling Toys, Inc.; Madhu Gupta, Public Library of New London; Amy Sullivan, West Haven Public Library
Through grant opportunities from the non-profit Traveling Toys Inc., four CT libraries have started successful toy libraries, bringing circulating toys for kids ages 0-17. Learn the process they went through for starting their collections, how they obtained grant funding, and the unique success of each program in different communities within the state.
CLA Member-Sponsored
Conference Room 3
Adult Programming Through a Social Justice Lens
Presenters: Sara Ray, Bloomfield Public Library; Rachel Tonucci, Bloomfield Public Library
When it comes to planning adult programming, how can we be as inclusive as possible, so that every community member feels a sense of belonging, including staff? Maybe you’ve heard comments such as “we don’t have enough: money, leadership support, knowledge about social justice, interested patrons,” and others. By using the CT State Library’s literacies and tracking a variety of awareness months, you can create a template to ensure that different skills and identities are represented in your programming. Then you can extend it to other aspects of librarianship such as policies, mission statements, service, collections, publicity, and more.
Sponsored by: CLA Conference Committee
Conference Room 5
YA Book Buzz
Presenter: Stephanie Smith, Avon Public Library
Don't miss this showcase of great new titles for your teen readers. Representatives from Disney, Scholastic and Viz will be joining virtually to give us a peek into their hottest new titles for summer and fall! There will be galley and swag giveaways! And after the publishers have presented, attendees will have a chance to share their favorite young adult book recommendations.
Sponsored by: Young Adult Services Section
Conference Room 6
Make Play Learn- Middle School Makerspace Ideas
Presenters: Lynn Erickson, Stafford Public Schools; Kate Levesque, Stafford Middle School
Ready to start your own makerspace class or afterschool program? During this session, you will be immersed in various hands-on makerspace activities that you will be encouraged to participate in as a student. Resources such as class project ideas, tutorials, rubrics and more will be shared with you. You will have everything you need to immediately start implementing these projects with your students. (Ideas shared are for a middle school program).
CLA Member-Sponsored
Conference Room 7
The Movie Connection: New Haven Documentary Film Festival
Presenters: Gorman Bechard, New Haven Documentary Film Festival; Tom Costa, New Haven Free Public Library; Katherine Kowalczyk, New Haven Documentary Film Festival
What role can a Film Festival play in building a library-connected community? The New Haven Documentary Film Festival, New Haven Free Public Library, Criterion Bowtie Cinemas and Cafe' Nine were the primary players collaborating to screen an amazing 116 documentaries over eleven days in October 2022. The host library attracted a community of diverse groups, including new library users and seniors - all coming to view this powerful art form and to learn something new from highly-rated documentaries. Arts and culture could be embraced by all - starting at no cost to attend. Come and hear our creative panel and view short clips from local films.
CLA Member-Sponsored
