Sat.Mar 02, 2024 - Fri.Mar 08, 2024

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The Biggest Problem Library’s Face? Reaching New Cardholders! Here’s a 6-step Plan for Growing Your Library User Base

Super Library Marketing

Photo courtesy the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library There is nothing like the thrill of someone discovering your library for the first time. New users are often dazzled by the notion that they can check out items from your collection and use your services, without having to pay anything (except taxes, in most cases). That joy is contagious, and it’s a big thrill for library staff.

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States, feds at odds over low-cost broadband option

GCN

Virginia says it’s unlawful to set a price for how much a company receiving federal broadband grants can charge low-income households. The feds disagree. They are withholding funding until the state sets a limit.

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Artificial intelligence outperforms humans in creative thinking

Open Access Government - Technology News

Artificial intelligence has overtaken humans when it comes to creative thinking, according to research into generative AI and its untapped abilities Researchers from the University of Alberta have conducted a study that compared the creative potential of humans against GPT-4, an advanced generative language model. PhD students Kent F. Hubert and Kim N.

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The Pandemic Investment That Allowed Gig Workers to ‘Break Free’

Next City

Receiving unemployment assistance and pandemic relief funds gave some gig workers space to breathe – and rethink their careers entirely.

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The Ultimate Playground Inspection Handbook

Dive into the world of playground safety with this complimentary guide. It offers a detailed exploration of essential practices to ensure the utmost safety for children. Delve into inspection techniques, from assessing equipment conditions to evaluating surfacing materials. Gain insights into maintenance strategies to keep playgrounds in top-notch condition year-round.

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Ep 31: Exploring Camp Traditions: A Rapid Fire Discussion

Summer Camp Programming

SHOW NOTES Hosts Kelie and Shauna, after a series of serious episodes, decide to lighten the mood by introducing a fun, rapid-fire segment focused on camp traditions. Utilizing a wheel to randomize selections, they explore their experiences and thoughts on a variety of camp traditions, such as the Apache Relay, family/parent days, awards for campers […] The post Ep 31: Exploring Camp Traditions: A Rapid Fire Discussion first appeared on Summer Camp Programming.

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Latinos in Hollywood: Amplifying voices, expanding horizons

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Improving on- and off-screen representation of Latinos, their stories, and their culture could generate billions of dollars in new revenue for the industry, according to new McKinsey research.

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Africatown Is Still Trying to Breathe

Next City

Black and Hispanic communities in America's port cities are fighting an uphill battle against environmental racism and industrial expansion. Next up in Africatown, the Alabama neighborhood founded by formerly enslaved people: a new rail line.

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Silly “Survival Kits” for Summer Camp Fun

Summer Camp Programming

Long ago, I discovered a charming concept of creating playful “survival kits” to give to friends and colleagues, bringing a smile and a moment of appreciation to their day. Recently, I stumbled upon my collection of these whimsical kit ideas, and I figured they were perfect for the challenges of camp life. These kits can […] The post Silly “Survival Kits” for Summer Camp Fun first appeared on Summer Camp Programming.

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Generative AI fuels creative physical product design but is no magic wand

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Generative AI tools can shorten physical product design life cycles significantly and spark innovation, but the knowledge and discretion of design experts are necessary to mitigate potential pitfalls.

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State and Local Governments Should Embrace the Geolocation Capabilities of 5G

State Tech Magazine

Research has shown that 9 in 10 companies worldwide use location data, and that use is expected to grow in significance over the next few years. However, geolocation data from telecommunications service providers is currently heavily underused. And while other sources of geolocation data, such as smartphone application data, are harder to come by after recent privacy policy changes, 5G geolocation data is only improving as the technology advances.

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7 Signs Your Local Government ERP Is Holding You Back: A Guide for Small Municipalities

Local governments and municipalities serving populations under 200,000 face distinctive challenges in delivering efficient and effective services to their communities. To overcome these challenges, many rely on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems tailored to their specific needs. Not all ERP systems are created equal, and some may hinder progress rather than support it.

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The Music Industry Chooses Winners and Losers. Cities Can, Too.

Next City

By creating a robust music ecosystem policy, cities can incubate talent and launch new stars, Shain Shapiro argues in his new book.

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Can student debt relief attract workers to state and local government jobs?

GCN

More than 46% of state and local employees reported being “extremely or very worried” about paying back their student loans. A new report suggests addressing that concern could entice more people into the public sector.

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February 2024 - Microsoft 365 US Public Sector Roadmap Newsletter

Microsoft Public Sector

Release News Teams Meeting organizers can now see time-zone information of participants while scheduling a meeting Share contact information of people in Microsoft Teams chat Integrate Chat notification with Meeting RSVP status – GCC February, GCCH & DoD March Mute On Air External call routing settings - GCC & GCCH Ability to block users from joining externally hosted Teams meetings Privacy link in Teams meeting join flow changing to organization's privacy statement Meeting invite improv

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Using ARPA Funds to Invest in Workers and Businesses to Build New Pathways to Economic Competitiveness

NLC (National League of Cities)

The State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), allowed local governments to maintain operations and deliver critical services during the pandemic. These funds supported essential staff, including first responders and emergency personnel, ensuring the continued delivery of municipal services.

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ASPA TIMES Magazine: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

PA TIMES Magazine is a publication of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), a not-for-profit corporation. This edition focused on diversity, equity and inclusion in public administration, including guest columns, insights for the field and interviews with city government DEI officers about their work at the local level.

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The Philippine economy in 2024: Stronger for longer?

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

The Philippine economy was more resilient than expected in 2023—current projections indicate that it could again achieve healthy growth in 2024.

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States get some help to recruit caregivers for an aging population

GCN

With a projected 9.3 million direct care jobs needing to be filled by 2031, states must find ways to fill that gap. That’s why a new program is helping states build a direct care workforce.

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Early Bird Agencies Have Begun Deploying Windows 11

FedTech Magazine

Better to be an early adopter than one scrambling to do everything at the last minute. That’s how Joe Powers sees it. As associate CIO for enterprise infrastructure solutions at the Office of Personnel Management, Powers is leading the agency’s rollout of Microsoft Windows 11. The new operating system replaces Windows 10, which will reach end of life in October 2025.

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Maximizing Underused Hospital-Owned Land for Affordable Housing

The Stoop (NYU Furman Center)

As New York City faces its worst housing crisis in over 50 years, policymakers are looking to connect affordable housing developers with a range of institutional stakeholders from hospitals to faith-based organizations to find ways to increase the supply of homes. To assist city and state policymakers, planners, housing developers, community development organizations, and other stakeholders, the NYU Furman Center released an interactive map analyzing healthcare facility and hospital-owned (HHO)

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Sustainable Facility Maintenance Management for Small Local Governments

Unlock the potential of sustainable facility management! This guide empowers small local governments to lead with climate-resilient infrastructure, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and more. Elevate your community's resilience, reduce costs, and embrace eco-friendly practices. Discover the role of facility maintenance teams in green cleaning, sustainability analyses, and infrastructure upgrades.

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The journey toward AI-enabled railway companies

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Railway companies could use opportunities created by rapidly evolving artificial intelligence technologies as a catalyst to improve the way they plan and deliver operations.

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AI tools lack ‘expertise’ for site selection

GCN

A recent project found that three generative AI chatbots did not produce results that agree with human consultants for locating offices and a factory. Experts said AI isn’t ready to take the place of humanity in this area.

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ARPA 3-Year Anniversary: Documenting the Success of Direct Federal Aid to Cities and Towns

NLC (National League of Cities)

Three years after its passage, the impact of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) on America’s cities, towns and villages cannot be overstated. APRA’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) provided integral relief for local governments to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure stability for communities moving forward.

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AWS convenes public sector and industry leaders on future of AI in federal financial services

AWS Public Sector Blog

On February 22, 2024, Amazon Web Services (AWS) hosted its first Federal Financial Services Artificial Intelligence (AI) Forum at Amazon HQ2 in Arlington, Virginia, convening leaders from the public sector and financial services industry. AI has the potential to revolutionize the financial services sector by leveraging data to enhance customer experiences, reduce risks, mitigate counterintelligence, and streamline operations.

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Proactive vs Reactive Maintenance: Making the Case for Preparedness

Discover comprehensive strategies for optimizing operations and achieving cost efficiency! This document offers insights into efficient inspections, data-driven decision-making, goal alignment, and resource optimization. It empowers local governments and maintenance departments to streamline operations and ensure significant cost savings. From aligning maintenance goals with community needs to leveraging data for strategic planning, this guide provides a roadmap for smoother, more reliable opera

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Author Talks: Chris Dixon on how to reshape the digital landscape

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Tired of running into paywalls, walled-off spaces and the broken promise of an open internet? Hunch cofounder Chris Dixon shares why a return to the decentralized internet is key to protecting businesses and consumers.

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Hochul says subway crime ‘not statistically significant, but psychologically significant’

GCN

The New York governor's supporters say the specter of National Guard troops checking bags will make New Yorkers feel safer, but activists say it’s just a militarized version of stop-and-frisk.

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Optimizing Electric School Buses for Cold Weather Climates 

The City Fix

As electric school buses hit the road across the United States, it’s important for school districts and school transportation providers to prepare for how these clean-running buses will perform in different climates. The good news? Electric school buses are tested.

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Investing in Programs that Support Community Stability with ARPA Funds

NLC (National League of Cities)

Between January 2022 and June 2023, local governments across the country have allocated over $15 billion dollars in American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA’s) State and Local Fiscal Recover Funds (SLFRF) towards negative economic impacts, which often serve as means for community aid, across 10,000 projects.

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Facility Maintenance Trends for 2024: What's Changing in the Industry?

This comprehensive article delves into the transformative trends reshaping local government facility maintenance in anticipation of 2024. From embracing smart technology for efficient management, sustainability's pivotal role to data-driven decision-making, workforce upskilling, and predictive maintenance strategies, each aspect is explored. Insights into outsourcing collaborations, digital twins, safety enhancements, and the broader industry evolution highlight the critical adaptation needed.

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Generative AI and the future of New York

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

The Generative AI revolution will disrupt America’s biggest labor market, but its impact may not be what you expect.

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Estimated 2.5 million people displaced by natural disasters in 2023 tell a story of recovery in America and who is vulnerable

GCN

Residents who don’t know how to find information about disaster recovery assistance or can’t take time away from work to apply for aid can have a harder time getting quick help from federal and state agencies.

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WDSRA and Naperville Park District: A Special Partnership

ParkTalk podcast

Western DuPage Special Recreation Association Inclusion Manager, Maddy Manden, and Naperville Park District Superintendent of Recreation, Jackie Gonzalez, join the podcast to discuss the partnership between WDSRA and Naperville Park District and the agencies’ efforts to provide recreational programs to the community and create an inclusive society. Western DuPage Special Recreation Association Inclusion Manager, Maddy Manden, and Naperville Park District Superintendent of Recreation, Jackie Gonz

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Cultivating a Good Government Culture

GovLoop

“Hopefully, the government can save itself from itself, before it’s too late.” – Jason Briefel, Director of Government and Public Affairs at Shaw, Bransford, and Roth, P.C. In the latest edition of Management Minutes With Mika , Mika Cross, Workplace Transformation Strategist, sat down with Briefel to elaborate on this quote and to get his suggestions for creating a good government culture.

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Efficiency and Sustainability: Leveraging Digital Solutions in Facility Operations

Speaker: Alan Kavanaugh, BA, CRM, CCPI ​​​​​​​Director of Loss Control & Risk Management

This session is designed to unveil the transformative potential of digital solutions in reshaping conventional practices, offering a roadmap towards greener and more efficient facilities regardless of municipality size. Attendees will learn: Insights into cutting-edge trends and strategies in sustainable facility management. Practical knowledge to effectively incorporate digital solutions for operational efficiency.