TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: March 5, 2015
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services
Community Literacy Initiatives and Partnerships Webinar
Minnesota Reading Corps and Minnesota Math Corps (MRC/MMC) are helping more than 30,000 students in over 700 Minnesota schools succeed in reading and math. Join Anne Demotts (MRC/MMC Outreach Coordinator), Barb McKenzie (Hennepin County Library Volunteer and Internship Coordinator), and a Minnesota Reading Corps Master Coach for a webinar on Thursday, April 2, 2015 from 1-2 pm to learn more about how connecting with MRC and MMC can benefit your library and your community. Pre-register here. Please contact Jennifer Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us with questions or to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event. Note: MDE requires a two-week advance notice in order to provide the requested accommodation and requires a 48-hour notice in order to cancel a requested accommodation.
Libraries Serving Youth Meetup
Registration is still open 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 will be 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.

90-Second Newbery Film Festival – That’s a Wrap!
The first-ever Minnesota 90-Second Newbery Film Festival screening played to a full house on February 28 at Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central’s Pohlad Hall. 90-Second Newbery founder James Kennedy and his co-host, Minneapolis author Kelly Barnhill, lit up the stage with song, dance and comedy amidst showing movies written, directed, acted, filmed and edited by kid filmmakers. Each film tells the entire story of Newbery-winning books in 90 seconds or less. Click here to watch the many creative films submitted by Minnesota K-12 students.

If you’re inspired by the movies from this year’s festival, find out how you can participate on the 90-Second Newbery website. Now’s the time to start talking with your students and community partners about entries for next year. It’s a great project to promote media and digital literacy for kids in a creative, collaborative setting. If you started a movie but missed the entry deadline for this year’s festival screening, don’t give up. Finish your masterpiece and send it in. Mr. Kennedy accepts 90-Second Newbery films all year round. For more information, please contact Jennifer Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us or 651-582-8356.

Seeking Sponsors for 2015 Summer Food Service Program
Many Minnesota families rely on the free or reduced-price meals their children get at school. When school is out, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) bridges the “nutrition gap.” The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is looking for organizations to sponsor the 2015 SFSP and provide free meals to Minnesota children 18 and under during the summer when school is out. There are many underserved areas in need of a sponsor to operate a summer feeding site, especially in greater Minnesota. Sponsors receive training, technical assistance and reimbursement for providing meals to children 18 and under in areas of economic need. Read the news release for additional information. To view a webinar about how public libraries can participate, visit MDE’s WebEx site, then click on “Recorded Sessions” to view “Libraries Can Help Feed Children This Summer.”

Library Construction Grants
An appropriation to the 2014 Library Construction Grant program provided $2,000,000 for library construction and renovation projects. One-to-one matching grants help build libraries that meet high standards of accessibility and energy efficiency. Three projects were earmarked to receive funds, with the remaining funds awarded through a competitive process. As of March 2, 2015, grant agreements have been executed for the following projects:

City of Jackson
This expansion and renovation project will add 1,500 square feet and install new windows, a new entrance, new information desk, expanded meeting space and an accessible parking, among other improvements. Grant funds appropriated: $570,000

City of Perham
An exterior wall reconstruction project will mitigate mold and restore a safe and healthy environment to the library. The work will also prevent future contamination and damage to the building. Grant funds appropriated: $257,000

Ramsey County Library (White Bear Lake)
An expanded and remodeled library will offer enhanced areas for children and teens, more public computers, an improved community room and spaces for individual and group study. Renovations to the parking lot will result in more available parking and improved traffic flow. Grant funds awarded: $200,000

City of Waseca
A redesign and renovation of the library’s layout will result in improvements to the entryway, restroom and meeting rooms to increase the accessibility, functionality and attractiveness of the building. A close working relationship with the Independent Counseling and Advocacy Network will ensure the needs of patrons with all types of disabilities are reflected in the renovation. Grant funds awarded: $75,000

Tri-state ILEAD Team Taking on E-Content Training
During last year’s Explore eBooks MN events, staff from Minnesota’s libraries identified “providing ongoing training and support” as a top priority for enhancing user experiences with e-books. Representatives from Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota will participate in Innovative Librarians Explore, Apply and Discover (ILEAD), hosted by the North Dakota State Library March-October 2015. The team’s project is Supporting Electronic Service Delivery Models, which will address the critical need of libraries to support users, patrons and customers in using e-content. Team members Daniel Burniston (University of South Dakota Libraries), Emily Kissane (State Library Services), Stephanie Langer (Kitchigami Regional Library System), and Al Peterson (North Dakota State Library) will develop strategies for professional development that improve services to library e-content users.
The ILEAD initiative receives funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through a grant administered by the Illinois State Library. The North Dakota State Library is contributing travel and additional expenses, and managing all the logistics and instruction for ILEAD USA in North Dakota. State Library Services is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this innovative program. If you have questions, please contact Emily Kissane at emily.kissane@state.mn.us or 651-582-8508.

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