Blog

July 2024

Note from the Coordinator

Greetings! I want to thank each one of you for renewing your CLC membership for 2024-2025! I trust that your membership will continue to be of benefit to your library. 

This format is our new mode of communication that will be distributed to the primary and secondary contact of your CLC record. You can come back to the CLC Update portion of our website at anytime to view these updates.

To all who were able to attend either the CLC Membership Meeting at the in-person conference or the Lunch with CLC during the virtual portion (or both), we were glad to see you! We appreciated your interaction and feedback. For those who couldn’t make it, a short recap of the information shared is below.

Looking forward to another great year together,

Beth Purtee
CLC Team Coordinator

CLC Meeting Summary

The CLC team was introduced, including Beth Purtee as the CLC Team Coordinator, along with Pam Greenlee, Rebekah Leidenfrost, and Scott Lloyd as members-at-large. The goals for 2023-2025 were discussed, with the 2023-2024 objectives focusing on recruiting an additional member-at-large, expanding consortial vendor options, and investigating the expansion of the Reciprocal Borrowing Program to include virtual libraries. For 2024-2025, the goals include recruiting another member-at-large to assist with vendor partnerships, continuing to expand vendor options, and collaborating with the ACL Home office to make changes to the CLC newsletter.

Time-sensitive offers were highlighted, including deals from Perlego (June 21), EBSCO Spring Offer (June 21), World Trade Press (July 1), and Bloomsbury (July 14). Updates on the ACL Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Reciprocal Borrowing Programs (RBP) were provided. The ACL ILL continues to support smaller schools and make unique collections available, with thanks extended to lenders. The ACL RBP is being reviewed to potentially include virtual-only libraries and to clarify policies for lenders.

Current conversations about new discounts are ongoing or forthcoming with several potential partners, including AM Digital, Docuseek, Grammarly, Loeb Digital Library, ACRL Benchmark, and Proquest. Members are encouraged to express interest in these possibilities by contacting clc@acl.org or submitting additional suggestions via the Suggestion Form.

During the Q&A session, discussions covered the timeline for new offers, with survey results indicating a bi-annual release to capture a broader audience. The CLC leadership confirmed that CLC members receive a 15% discount on CPI and reviewed details on products such as Third Iron and Perlego. Questions were raised as to whether ACRL Benchmark’s offer applies only to the US and if the offer from Demco would return; these were noted for further investigation. Suggestions included exploring consortial discounts for Bible software like Accordance and direct physical purchase offers from publishers (i.e. Baylor UP, B&H Academic, Lexham).

Below are a few pictures from the CLC Meeting and Poster at the 2024 ACL Annual Conference.

There is still time to take advantage of our Bloomsbury consortial discount, but the open enrollment period closes July 14.  In addition to the minimum 15% consortial discount available to CLC members, Bloomsbury is currently providing a special discount on some of their religion resources – deadline also July 14.

An additional 10% discount is available for the following products:

ABC-CLIO World Religions

Theology & Religion Online:

For the Bloomsbury ebook collections linked below, there is a 20-35% discount available:

Bloomsbury Collections

  • Take 20% off Frontlist Collections (2022, 2023, 2024) 
  • 35% off Backlist Collections (2021 and earlier/Archive) 

Please contact Katie Bennett, our Bloomsbury rep, for quotes/pricing information.

Did you know that CLC members get a 10% discount on a subscription to Galaxie’s Theological Journal Library (TJL)? The deadline to participate in this year’s offer is September 11. Please fill out the order form on the website. Current TJL subscribers can transition to the ACL/CLC billing cycle to take advantage of the cost savings. Please contact Hampton Keathley and fill out the order form as soon as possible if you are interested in making this switch.

Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN) provides access to over 25,000 theological thesis/dissertation titles. Our partnership with TREN offers CLC members a 10% discount (possibly higher based on participation) on an annual subscription. Those who already subscribe to TREN through the CLC offer will receive a notification of continuance. To participate as a new subscriber, please fill out the order form on the website. Deadline for participation is September 11.

Make plans to participate in the CLC EBSCO Fall 2024 eBook offer, which will run mid-September through mid-December! We will provide more details as they become available

Interested in a self-checkout option for your library?  Meescan offers CLC members a 10% discount on an annual license.  A webinar/demo of their product, including an additional equipment discount, will be coming soon. Watch for details. 

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Ruth McGuire – 6/2024

Ruth is the Library Director at University of Northwestern – St. Paul in St. Paul, MN (2415 FTE). Ruth has been a member of ACL for 25 years.

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Fruitful Work

Along the front of my house are two rows of shrubs. Some years they get trimmed a lot. Some years they do not. Recently, I was trimming some branches that had been damaged by the unusual cold we had last winter. When I took a break, I saw an open space that looked a bit awkward. Some might even say ugly. I looked at my pile of trimmings and saw a lot of dead leaves, but there were also some healthy leaves in there. They just had been growing in the wrong spot, too far from the base.

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Gary Flokstra – 5/2024

Gary is the Chief Executive Officer at 4 the World Distributors in Springfield, MO. Gary has been a member of ACL since 1969.

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May 2024

The spring season is funny in New England. We tend to have long, gray, winters that are quite dreary. Then in April, we start to see little crocuses bravely pop their heads out of the ground and hear cardinals whistling for their families and sometimes we can even have the windows open during the day to air out the house—but we can’t put away the flannel sheets because snow has happened in April before! But within one week of 50-degree weather and sunshine, the daffodils, dogwoods, and songbirds erupt into full springtime mode. It’s very sudden, and doesn’t last long, but is always worth the wait.

CILA has been in a similar pattern—there have been seeds planted and germinating and now sprouting and coming to fruition. You’ll see in this update that a new CILA team has solidified their roles, an interest group has formed for international librarians and allies, and the Global Library Investment Grant continues to support work around the world. The seasonal nature of our work has never been more evident to me, and I am grateful for the prayers of the ACL members, an active group of global librarians who are eager to connect, and the support of the Home Office in managing the unique issues that arise with the variety of inquiries we receive. I hope you are encouraged as you read a summary of our global activities.

Peace and blessings to you all,
Erin McCoy
CILA Coordinator

New! International Librarians Special Interest Group

The goal of this new interest group is to try to meet every other month on Zoom, alternating times and hosts to accommodate all the time zones represented. We will discuss the issues unique to overseas libraries as well as ways to share our expertise and resources with each other. If you have a heart for international libraries or live in a country outside the US please join our group.

Koha is a fully featured, scalable open source library management system. Development is sponsored by libraries of varying types and sizes, volunteers, and support companies worldwide. You can find several SQL reports wiki, Jquery wiki, HTML & CSS wiki, and XSLT Library wiki which as code you can copy to make improvements you can add to your installation.

Koha-US promotes the ongoing communication, collaboration, and education of Koha users in the United States and beyond, partnering with the global community and supporting organizations. They have monthly Special Interest Group meetings as well as several resources to help you learn more about Koha. Reach out to Lauren Denny if you have questions or visit the KohaUS Learn Page for more Koha tools: https://koha-us.org/learn/.

Meet the CILA Team!

NameTeam RoleDescription
Robert Danielson, Asbury Theological SeminaryResource Promoterreaches out to new international members who receive the International Membership Scholarship and connects them with all the benefits ACL membership and CILA provides
Daniel Baek, Vancouver School of TheologyResource DeveloperPrimarily manages the CILA Libguide, which is currently under construction. If you have resources that would help our global members, please send them Daniel’s way!
Lauren Denny, Teamwork Library ConsortiumACL Member LiaisonPrimarily the author of the bi-annual CILA updates and convener of the new International Librarian’s Interest Group
Gary Flokstra, 4 the World Resource DistributorsGrant DeveloperAssists with managing grant paperwork, applications, and assessment of projects
Erin McCoy, Massasoit Community CollegeCILA CoordinatorManages CILA’s team goals, keeps the team on track with deadlines, and investigates new opportunities for overseas involvement.

There will be another volunteer opportunity with the CILA Team posted soon. Be on the lookout for information!

2023 Global Library Investment Grant Recipients

  1. Saint Andrew’s Theological Seminary – Charlotte S. Tad-awan
    Quezon City, Philippines
    Technology support: Upgrading of Library Management System to Cloud-Based
  2. Institute of Bible and Theology – Le Hoang Anh Vu and Tran Thanh Trang
    Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
    Library Training Workshop (pictured below) Note: This is the first-ever theological library training workshop in Vietnam, and it will help the development of theological education in the country immensely. Facilitated by ACL member Katherina Penner.
  3. Mortenson Center for International Library Programs (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)  – Peggy Nzomo
    Matching grant for international librarians to attend a unique professional development opportunity offered through the center.
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When the Hits Keep Coming

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)

I was driving to work the other day, thinking about all of the trials I’ve been through in the last 4 years. It’s been a very difficult season of life. Just as the thought, “How did I get here? How am I still standing?” went through my mind, Cory Asbury’s Song “Egypt” came on the radio. As I listened to this familiar song, God gently reminded me of who is in control. We know that we face troubles in this world.

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Ania Fournier – 4/2024

Ania is the Director of the Librarian/Textbook Coordinator at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools in San Juan Capistrano, CA (600 FTE).  Ania has been a member of ACL since 2019.

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Life Fails, God Doesn’t

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 148:8 NIV

Life can take unexpected twists and turns. We work hard only to be led away from work we enjoy and love. Our family life does not come to the fruition we expect. Friendships waver; a relationship to a church we love dissipates; we grieve those we have lost in this life. It can feel as if we are drowning in the problems of this world. Our hope, though, is in the trust we can place in Jesus. We can trust that when the mountains seem tall or the journey long that He can and will direct our steps.

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Lowell Walters – 3/2024

Lowell is the Director at Mississippi County Library System – Blytheville Public Library (Main Branch) in Blytheville, Arkansas (42,000 Population Served). Lowell has been a member of ACL for 12  years and is the convenor for the ACL Public Librarians Interest Group.

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Insightful Workshops & Presentations Tailored for Librarians

We are excited about the schedule of workshops for this year’s annual conference. The line-up is wide-ranging and strong. We are pleased to offer 20 in-person workshops and 8 virtual workshops. (All virtual content is available for viewing through September 26, 2024. )

The conference planning team has chosen presentations covering a variety of library topics, including:

  • Faith Integration
  • Library Spaces & Makerspaces
  • Leadership & Management
  • Open Education
  • Services, including Reference, Cataloging, Archives, & Systems

Check out the Speakers page to meet this year’s presenters and read workshop descriptions. Notice the presentation tracks too. There’s something for everyone!

We hope you are as excited as we are about the 2024 Conference and these great presentations. Be sure to register soon (early bird registration ends March 19th). Remember to invite a colleague! And, we eagerly anticipate all who can come and join us in embodying ‘The Great ACL Get Together’ theme, as we connect people and ideas for a transformative learning experience.

Hope to see you there!

Ruth McGuire

Ruth is the ACL Conference Presentations Coordinator as well as the Host Librarian for the 2024 ACL Annual Conference. She is the Director of Library Services at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and has been an ACL member since 1999.

Miriam Liethen

Miriam joined the ACL Conference Coordinating Team this year as the Assistant Presentations Coordinator. She is the Electronic Services Librarian at Grace College & Theological Seminary and has been an ACL member since 2020.

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