TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: October 16, 2015
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Thank You for Another Great MLA Conference!
State Library Services staff members Jen Nelson, Emily Kissane, Jackie Blagsvedt, Joe Manion, Jen Verbrugge, AmeriCorps VISTA member Nat Bauer and Assistant Commissioner Kevin McHenry enjoyed connecting with you at the MLA conference. Thanks to all who attended the sessions we presented and chatted with us about your libraries. Please continue the conversation — feel free to contact any State Library Services staff member by email or phone. Our contact info is in the staff directory on the Minnesota Department of Education website. We love to hear from you!

Order Early Literacy Bookmarks and Posters – Now in Six Languages
Last year, the Minnesota Department of Education, through a partnership between State Library Services and the Office of Early Learning, created bookmarks to help promote family engagement practices that support early literacy. We affectionately call them the “baby face bookmarks” because they feature the adorable faces of some of our favorite little kids. This year, we made posters to go along with the bookmarks, and we translated both into five languages. Minnesota public libraries, school libraries and early learning organizations may now request bookmarks and/or posters in English, Hmong, Karen, Ojibwe, Somali and Spanish. Please allow a little extra time for us to process your request as we iron out the kinks in our distribution plan. If you’re in the metro area, we can have your order available for pick-up here at the Minnesota Department of Education in Roseville. Contact Jen Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us with questions or to arrange to pick up bookmarks and posters for your library.

Apply for a Library Construction Grant
The construction grant program provides public libraries with funding for renovation, construction, and improvement projects that result in more accessible library facilities. An estimated $848,000 in state funding is available to award approximately three public library construction grants in this second round of 2014 funding. Questions and answers about the Library Construction Grant are available on the MDE grant opportunity website. Scroll down to the Library Construction Grant to find the Q&A document and application materials. Please remember that applications must be physically received (not postmarked) by November 10, 2015, at 3:30 p.m. Central Time to be considered for this round of grants. Contact Emily Kissane at emily.kissane@state.mn.us or 651-582-8508 for more information.

Share Storytime Lesson Plans with Librarians across Minnesota
We are excited to announce the creation of an online storytime lesson plan resource created for and by Minnesota librarians! The Minnesota Storytime Hub houses an easily accessible set of high quality resources that streamline storytime planning, increase awareness of materials used successfully in storytime practice, and allow professionals to share quality early literacy practices. A dozen children’s librarians from across Minnesota have already contributed lesson plans, and now it’s ready for you! Take a look around, and then start remixing already existing plans or adding your own. Check out our instructions to register with OER Commons and guidelines for adding lesson plans. We can’t wait to watch the Hub grow and expand with your expertise! If you have questions or comments, please contact Jen Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us.

Mark Your Calendar for the Research Institute for Public Libraries 2016
Launched in 2015, the Research Institute for Public Libraries (RIPL) brings together people from across the country (rural, suburban, and urban public libraries) for an intensive, participatory learning experience. Offered by the Colorado State Library and the Colorado Library Consortium, this year’s institute will take place September 30-October 3, 2016 in Denver, CO. Participants will learn about topics such as:
– designing outcome-based evaluation of programs and services
– assessing the needs of your community
– tracking public library data and using these data for planning, management, and proving worth to your community
– aligning research efforts with national initiatives such as Edge Benchmarks, the Impact Survey, and Project Outcome

Enrollment opens January 26, 2016 – and only 100 participants will take part in this immersive learning experience. Find out more on RIPL’s website or contact RIPL at ripl@lrs.org.

Take Your Learning Online: Upcoming Webinars

[Note: The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) requires advance notice in order to provide a requested accommodation and requires a 48-hour notice to cancel a requested accommodation.]

Hear for Yourself: Joe Makes the Public Library Annual Report Interesting!

Public library directors, survey reporters, and others interested in library data collection are invited to a 2015 Public Library Annual Report webinar hosted by our State Data Coordinator. Joe Manion will share changes to the 2015 survey approved by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). You’ll have a chance to learn about modifications to federal data elements and definitions, and suggest changes or additions to the state-level data that we collect. You’ll also be able to share any concerns about the annual report process. Please join the discussion on Wednesday, October 28, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Registration is not required. Join the WebEx meeting online or call in at 1-888-742-5095 (toll-free) or 1-619-377-3319 using conference code 289 945 0924 / meeting number 253 591 132. Please email Joe at joe.manion@state.mn.us to request a copy of the webinar slides after October 28.

Improve the Health of Your Community through Your Library

State Library Services and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation are co-hosting a webinar featuring libraries that take innovative approaches to helping people be healthier. In 2012, the Foundation initiated Public Libraries for Health, awarding grants to libraries across Minnesota to develop projects to help people reach their full health potential. The webinar will feature grant recipients Thorson Memorial Library in Elbow Lake (job readiness) and Hennepin County Library (programs to serve homeless patrons), giving practical suggestions for developing and maintaining successful programs. If you want to implement a program to address the unique needs of your community, the webinar will introduce the Public Libraries for Health toolkit, a website to take you step-by-step through the process. Please register and then join us on Tuesday, November 3, 10-11:30 a.m. On the day of the webinar, join the WebEx meeting online or call in at 1-888-742-5095 (toll-free) or 1-619-377-3319 using conference code 492 064 9083/ meeting number 595 612 857. Please email Emily Kissane at emily.kissane@state.mn.us for more information.

Know When to Hold ‘Em, Know When to Throw (Recycle) ‘Em

Records are vitally important to the operation of any organization; they serve as the organization’s memory and are evidence of past events and the basis for future actions. Join the Government Records Specialist for State Archives at the Minnesota Historical Society for the webinar, Records Retention for Public Libraries, on Wednesday, November 18 from 1-2 p.m. You’ll learn to identify records, assess their value and determine how long to keep them. No registration is necessary, just join the WebEx meeting online or call 1-888-742-5095 (toll-free) or 1-619-377-3319 using conference code 874 403 3672 / meeting number 253 118 533. Please contact Jen Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us with questions.

Make Tax Season Easier: Taxes 101 for Minnesota Libraries

Believe it or not, the 2016 tax season is right around the corner! To help libraries serve their communities during the tax season, State Library Services and Prepare + Prosper’s Claim it! campaign invite you to Taxes 101 for Minnesota Libraries on Thursday, November 19, 11 a.m.-noon. The webinar will cover topics such as who needs to file taxes, basics about tax credits for individuals and families with low to moderate income, free tax preparation sites, frequently asked questions, and community resources. Our goal is to give libraries the resources they need to make tax time a little less overwhelming. Register today and then join the WebEx meeting online or call in at 1-888-742-5095 (toll-free) or 1-619-377-3319 using conference code 874 403 3672 / meeting number 593 489 753. Please contact Emily Kissane at emily.kissane@state.mn.us with questions.