As we get updates from the State Library Services people, we share them here so everyone can get the news! Looking outside your own individual library is always good, because as a state we are doing all sorts of new and interesting things. Learning about other library activities, or ideas for programs you could offer or skills you could develop will be useful as you keep up with the demands of your community!

Jumpstart Your Library Programming with Early STEM Literacy
Play and learn with instructors from the Science Museum of Minnesota at a hands-on workshop. Discover how early literacy and early science learning are intertwined and deepen your understanding of early childhood scientific thinking, problem solving and inquiry. Come ready to explore curriculum and activities designed by the Science Museum to help Minnesota libraries offer high-quality early STEM experiences. Leave prepared to facilitate children and caregivers in playful STEM learning experiences that capture their imaginations and prepare them for kindergarten.

Register today for an upcoming free workshop near you:
– Tuesday, October 18, 12:30–4:30 p.m., Fergus Falls Public Library
– Tuesday, October 25, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Grand Rapids Area Library
– Wednesday, November 9, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Hennepin County Brooklyn Park Library (just a few spots remain)
– Thursday, November 10, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Waseca County East Annex
– Tuesday, November 15, 1:30–5:30 p.m., Dakota County Wescott Library (just a few spots remain)

Download and share a flier with colleagues. Please contact Jackie Blagsvedt (651-582-8805) for more information. This training is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [LS 00-16-0024-16] and the Minnesota Department of Education.

Work on This Cool Creative Technology Project with Kids This Fall
The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is an annual video contest in which kid filmmakers make movies that creatively tell the entire stories of Newbery-winning books in ninety seconds or less. Making a film is a fun, creative and multi-faceted educational exercise that builds 21st century skills. Entries are accepted year-round, so this is an ideal project to keep kids engaged with learning in a fun, creative way.

Make your own animated film through the upcoming From Page to Screen Workshop presented at the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN), 550 Vandalia Street Suite 170 in Saint Paul, on Thursday, October 20 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Learn creative techniques to set the scene and animate using materials such as clay, felt, shoe boxes, and more. The experts at SPNN will guide you step-by-step through the creation of a 90-second stop-motion animation. Please share this workshop flier to help spread the word to the kids and families that use your library.

Mark your calendar for the third annual Minnesota screening of the 2016-17 season’s best films! James Kennedy co-hosts the fun alongside a special literary guest on Saturday, February 25, 2017 from 3-4:30 pm at Hennepin County Library–Minneapolis Central. For more information about the 90-Second Newbery, please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356).

Provide a Shortcut to Social Security Services – Webinar Recording
It’s not too late to learn about SSA Express, a program that gives people easy access to Social Security’s most requested services, such as requesting replacement SSN cards and estimating retirement benefits. State Library Services and the Social Security Administration’s St. Paul office presented a webinar covering how to install a secure shortcut to SSA Express on public computers and also how to provide access via your library’s website. You can view the webinar here. For more information, please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508).

Help Us Plan the 2017 Libraries Serving Youth Meetup
The next Libraries Serving Youth Meetup is scheduled for Saturday, April 15, 2017—and we would like your help developing an agenda. While we have lots of ideas, we really want to meet your needs with this event. If you’re either a media specialist or a public librarian serving youth, and you’d like to help plan this really cool event, please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356) by October 14.

Participate in a Regional ESSA Meeting
You are invited to join Commissioner Brenda Cassellius and the Minnesota Department of Education regional meetings about the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). All states will be required to submit a new state plan to the U.S. Department of Education for the 2017-2018 school year. We are committed to maintaining open communication with districts, stakeholders, and the general public throughout the process of developing Minnesota’s State Plan for Implementation. Come learn about the act and share your thoughts on the vision for the Minnesota state plan at a location near you. All events will be 6-7:30 p.m. To register, please complete the online registration form.

– October 13: Marshall: Marshall M.S. Theater, 401 S. Saratoga
– October 14: Rochester: Wood Lake Meeting Center, 210 Wood Lake Drive SE
– October 26: St. Cloud: Apollo H.S. Auditorium, 1000 44th Avenue N.
– November 3: Burnsville: Diamondhead Education Center – Eagan and Savage Rooms, 200 W. Burnsville Parkway

Get Ready for M3 Evaluation – Webinar
At the MLA Conference, MDE Learning Specialist Eric Billiet and State Library Services staffer Jen Verbrugge presented a session about Making Meaning with Multiple Data Sets (M3)–a new way to collect and evaluate program data. Whether or not you attended the session, you may want to learn more about it. Please plan to attend one of two upcoming webinars presented by Ignite Afterschool about M3 from 10-11:30 a.m. on either Friday, October 7 or Thursday, October 13. Click here to register. Once you’ve attended the webinar, you’ll be equipped to attend an M3 meeting with other out-of-school time organizations in your region this December and January.

Prepare to Celebrate Lights On Afterschool
Launched in October 2000, Lights on Afterschool (LoA) is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. Ignite Afterschool, Minnesota’s statewide network dedicated to advancing high-quality out-of-school-time programs for all youth, is excited to announce the statewide theme: Hats Off to Afterschool! Plan your Lights on Afterschool 2016 event for the week of Oct 17-21. Once your plans are set, register your event online. Visit LOA’s website for more information.

Thank You for Another Great MLA Conference!
State Library Services staff members Jen Nelson, Catherine Durivage, Emily Kissane, Jackie Blagsvedt, Joe Manion, Jen Verbrugge, and Assistant Commissioner Kevin McHenry enjoyed connecting with you at the MLA conference. Thank you for attending our sessions and chatting 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!