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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How Breckenridge, CO Ensures Tax & Licensing Compliance

Breckenridge’s short-term rental boom—over 4,200 licenses —put intense pressure on the town’s small staff and manual processes. Facing compliance and efficiency challenges, the town teamed up with GovOS to automate its STR licensing. The new system: Cut admin time Reduced errors Improved the experience for property owners and town staff Discover the full impact of automation on Breckenridge’s STR management—download the case study.

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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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Overcoming Operational Challenges in Parks & Recreation

Speaker: Noratek

Maintaining parks and recreation facilities efficiently is no easy task, especially when faced with scheduling issues, aging infrastructure, and inconsistent inspections. Join us for this insightful webinar where we explore the most common challenges departments like yours are facing and how digital tools like CityReporter can help you streamline operations, ensure safety, and make better use of your resources.

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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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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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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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School vouchers continue momentum in state legislatures

GCN

2023 was considered a landmark year for school choice. It’s a trend that is showing no sign of slowing down, as lawmakers push proposals with fewer restrictions and costly price tags.

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Empower Digital Government: Strategic Workbook for Modern Transformation

Digital transformation is reshaping government interactions, bringing agencies closer to the communities they serve. However, while many have adopted new digital tools, few have implemented comprehensive strategies to maximize their benefits. Our Strategic Workbook for Modern Government offers a step-by-step guide to developing a sustainable digital strategy.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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The McKinsey Crossword: CEO Priorities | No. 170

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

Sharpen your problem-solving skills the McKinsey way, with our weekly crossword. Each puzzle is created with the McKinsey audience in mind, and includes a subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) business theme for you to find. Answers that are directionally correct may not cut it if you’re looking for a quick win.

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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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Boost Revenue With Simple Short-Term Rental Registration and Tax Collections

Government agencies that rely on tax revenue to fund critical services and infrastructure are finding it more urgent than ever to bridge the gap between under-reported tax revenue and taxpayers’ understanding of the processes. This is especially true as things like short-term rentals (STRs) have grown in popularity and become new sources of income for residents.

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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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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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Seizing the core connectivity opportunity in B2B telecom

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

To grow B2B revenues, telcos have increasingly focused on noncore services like cloud, IT, and security. But core connectivity remains the largest opportunity for B2B growth.

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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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Maximizing Municipal Budgets: Cutting Costs Without Cutting Corners

Speaker: Noratek

Join this insightful webinar on how local governments can reduce costs and optimize resources. Discover how municipalities like yours are leveraging technology to enhance service delivery, reduce operational costs, and generate lasting ROI. Key Takeaways: Learn actionable steps to reduce operational costs and increase community engagement Explore how digital tools can streamline inspections and reporting Understand the financial and operational benefits of digital management solutions Hear real-

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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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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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Leading through uncertainty: An interview with Neeti Bhalla Johnson

McKinsey Public & Social Sector Insights

A future expected to be volatile means that leaders need to prepare their organizations to expect the unexpected, the Liberty Mutual Insurance executive says.

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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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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.