Updates from State Library Services

Libraries Serving Youth Meetup
Registration begins February 14, 2015 for State Library Services’ first ever Libraries Serving Youth Meetup. It’s a chance for school and public library staff to meet, network and share ideas. Learn about successful public library and school collaborations, get creative ideas and enjoy a free working lunch. Scheduled presenters from across the state include Brianna Belanger, Mike Evavold, Chad Lubbers, Ellen Morehouse, Donna Ohlgren, Nina Shimmin, and Erin Smith.

The Meetup is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Minnesota Department of Education in Roseville. Space is limited, so register early. There is no charge for the event. A certificate of attendance for CEUs will be available. For more information, please contact Jennifer Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us or 651-582-8356.

Summer and At-Risk Food Programs for Kids – Archived Webinar
Learn more about how your public library can help make sure kids have access to nutritious food when school is not in session by participating in summer and/or afterschool food programs. A recorded webinar presented by Jenny Butcher, USDA Summer Food Service Program Coordinator at MDE is available now. Go to the WebEx, then the “Recorded Sessions” link to view “Libraries Can Help Feed Children This Summer.” Please contact Jenny Butcher at jenny.butcher@state.mn.us for more information or to learn about becoming a food site.

90-Second Newbery Film Festival News
We’re excited that Minnesota movie-makers submitted 35 entries to this year’s 90-Second Newbery Film Festival. Festival host James Kennedy is now selecting the Minnesota-made videos to be shown at the first-ever Minnesota screening on February 28, 2015, from 3-4:30 p.m. at Hennepin County – Minneapolis Central. Although pre-registration isn’t required, you can RSVP to attend the event, which will be co-hosted by madcap authors James Kennedy (The Order of Odd-Fish) and Kelly Barnhill (The Witch’s Boy). For more details, please contact Jennifer Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us or 651-582-8356.

MN eLearning Summit
The MN eLearning Summit, coordinated by Minnesota Learning Commons, is a gathering place for educators and innovators in the Midwest who are committed to effective online and blended learning. You are invited to submit a presentation, panel, and/or poster presentation proposal by Friday, March 13, 2015 for the 2015 MN eLearning Summit, July 29-30, 2015 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. For more information including submission requirements and topics, visit the MN eLearning Summit website or contact Julie Schmitz at 612-624-4754 or cceconf2@umn.edu.

MDH Video Challenge
The Minnesota Department of Health is holding a web-based video competition for middle and high school students to create a 30-second video on the dangers of tanning and the new Minnesota law prohibiting minors from indoor tanning. The UVideo Challenge awards cash prizes, split between the student filmmaker and his/her school. The deadline to submit entries is April 1, 2015. Find more information on the UVideo Challenge website.

Powering Learning. Expanding Possibilities.
Registration is open for “Powering Learning. Expanding Possibilities,” a statewide out-of-school time learning and STEM conference co-organized by Ignite and the Minnesota STEM Network that will be held at the University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center on April 14-15, 2015. This two-day conference aims to ensure every Minnesota young person has opportunities to build 21st century skills and access to STEM education. Attendees will learn about high quality practices, building partnerships, and advancing policy to increase student engagement. For more information, please contact Matthew Ramirez, Conference Coordinator, at Matt@igniteafterschool.org.

Public Library Annual Reports
The 2014 Public Library Annual Report process is now open. We were alerted to a technical issue with the vendor’s email service, which may have prevented you from receiving information about the process. If you have not received information about this year’s report, please contact Emily Kissane at emily.kissane@state.mn.us or Jennifer Nelson at jennifer.r.nelson@state.mn.us.

Historic Minneapolis Tribune Update
Last year, State Library Services transferred ownership of the digitized Minneapolis Tribune (1867-1922) to the Minnesota Historical Society for integration into the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub. The Minnesota Historical Society created a new technical standard to guide the conversion of almost 300,000 historic Minneapolis Tribune digital newspaper pages. This is a long, complex project, but we anticipate access to be restored in 2015. For more information, contact Jane Wong at jane.wong@mnhs.org.