Summer Symposium

Summer Symposium

The CT State Library, Division of Library Development is pleased to announce the in person Summer Symposium!

Summer library programs are often designed to cater to the needs of a community and the capacity of a library, but there are a few universal truths on town, state, and national levels.

The Summer Symposium will provide an opportunity for information gathering and communication around summer reading, summer services, and how libraries serve their community.

  • 9:30-10:00 | Coffee and Registration
  • 10:00-11:00 | Equitable Summers: Connecting to Youth with the Why and Traditions of Summer
  • 11:00-11:15 | Break
  • 11:15-12:00 | Small Table: Proud Programs!- Bring 6 printed copies of the outline of one program or service you've run over the summer that you're proud of to share with your table!
  • 12:00-1:00| Lunch break *Don't forget to bring your own lunch and snacks!*
  • 1:00-2:00 | End Hunger CT- Child hunger in Connecticut and the Summer Meals program.
  • 2:00-2:45 | Small Table: iREAD summer craft- In your small groups try some of the crafts and games shares in the 2025 iREAD resource guide. Using a different summer reading theme? Great! With a little creative thinking, the best games and crafts are easily adapted!
  • 2:45-3:45 | Building Accessible Summer Programming
  • 3:45-4:00 | Closing!

*A big thank you to Lee and Low and Disney Hyperion for sharing ARCs and final copies that will be shared at the Symposium*

Who Should Come?

Perfect for anyone who works in youth services during the summer including children and YA library staff. 

Accessibility 

All presentations will have captions turned on and there will be sections of the day that require the use of scissors and other craft items. If you require another access service to participate fully, please use the Accommodation Request Form at least 14 days prior to the event.

Related LibGuide: Summer With the Library by Kymberlee Powe

Date:
Friday, February 7, 2025
Time:
9:30am - 4:00pm
Location:
CSL Van Block Facility, 75 Van Block Ave., Hartford, CT
Categories:
DLD Workshop

Registration is required. There are 35 seats available.

Event Accessibility for Guests with Disabilities

We want to provide what you need to participate!

If you require access services to participate fully, please use the Accommodation Request Form at least 7 days prior to the event.

If you have any questions about accessibility, please contact Gail Hurley at gail.hurley@ct.gov or (860) 704-2223.

You can also see our Library and Accessibility LibGuide for more information.

Registration Eligibility

To register for a DLD workshop or webinar, you must be one of the following:

  • current library staff member
  • undergraduate or graduate library student
  • Friend or Board Member/Trustee*
  • retired or unemployed library staff

Please contact Gail Hurley at gail.hurley@ct.gov or (860) 704-2223 with registration questions.

*Unless otherwise specified that a Friend or Board Member/Trustee is not eligible for a training or workshop.

Note: paid consultants are not eligible to attend DLD workshops or webinars.

Cancellation Policy

If you cannot attend a workshop you have registered for, please remember to cancel at least 3 days in advance so we can give your spot to someone else. You can cancel via the link in your confirmation email, or by contacting Gail Hurley gail.hurley@ct.gov | (860) 704-2222.

Those who miss (without cancelling) 3 events within a 6-month period will be placed on the waiting list when registering for future events. Be sure to sign in when you arrive for any workshop.

Inclement Weather Policy

For all in-person workshops offered by the CT State Library, Division of Library Development:

If the public schools in the town where the workshop is to be held close due to weather, the workshop will be canceled. If the schools have a delay, the workshop will go on as scheduled.

For the most up-to-date information, call us at 860-704-2200.

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Continuing Education workshops and the professional development collection are funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Connecticut State Library.