Our LSTA Five-Year Evaluation and Planning
We recently submitted the evaluation of our 2013-17 LSTA Five-Year Plan to IMLS. Please take a few minutes to read about the good work we were able to do in support of libraries across the state. Read LSTA Five-Year Evaluation Report.

We are continuing to work with Management Analysis and Development (MAD) to develop a new 2018-2022 LSTA Five-Year Plan. We will use what we learned during our 2013-2017 LSTA plan evaluation process, and seek feedback from stakeholders to guide us toward solid goals for our next five years. Please contact Jen Nelson (651-582-8791) with questions about the Five-Year Plan evaluation or the Five-Year Plan development process.

Updated Library Trustee Handbook Now Available
State Library Services has updated the Minnesota Public Library Trustee Handbook. This revised edition includes updated content from the prior handbook as well as the Library Trustee Manual template published by the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) in 2016. The handbook is meant to be a useful resource for library trustees. It informs trustees about Minnesota’s public library environment and governance structure, and helps them understand their roles and responsibilities as library stewards. Its purpose is to give trustees a broad view of their duties and responsibilities.

Special thanks to Karen Pundsack, Executive Director, Great River Regional Library, and Audrey Betcher, Director, Rochester Public Library, for their insightful editing and content contributions.

If you have questions or feedback about the handbook, please contact Joe Manion (651-582-8640).

Meet Up with Other Librarians
The Libraries Serving Youth Meetup is an annual opportunity for school librarians and public librarians to meet, network and share ideas. This year, attendees will have a chance to connect, and develop creative ideas with colleagues around the topic of makerspaces.

School and public librarians are invited to join us at SPNN in Saint Paul (550 Vandalia Street, Suite 170) for the Meetup on Saturday, April 22, 2017, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., followed by an optional stop-motion animation workshop, 2-4 p.m. Register today for the Libraries Serving Youth Meetup. Attendees should plan to bring a bag lunch. You can also register for just the stop-motion animation workshop. Please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356) with questions.

Updates from Our Partners

Register for the Spring Legal Reference Workshop
The metro county law libraries and the State Law Library are hosting a legal reference educational program for all librarians on April 21, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The training will be held at the new Shoreview branch of the Ramsey County Library, 4560 North Victoria Street, Shoreview. The cost is $15 and includes lunch.

Sessions will include:

• Review of www.mncourts.gov with special emphasis on help topics, forms, and a description of statewide self-help services.
• Overview of where to find probate and estate planning materials online, as well as a review of how to use the State Law Library’s website to find resources and legal referrals.
• Program on criminal expungement.
• Session dealing with common landlord tenant issues.
• Exercise on where to find legal forms.

Register online for Spring Legal Education Workshop by April 14. (You should receive a confirmation message from Pauline Afuso within 24 hours. If you don’t, please contact Pauline (651-430-6954) to make sure your registration went through.

Take the Survey – Connecting Children and Families to Nature
The Minnesota Children & Nature Connection (MNCNC) would like your help in connecting children and families to nature. They know many Minnesota libraries/media centers are already engaged in such activities, but need your help to get a broader picture of the work being done, and how they might better support you. Please take a few minutes to answer their short Minnesota Libraries survey. MNCNC thanks you in advance for your input.

Coming Up: Minnesota’s Afterschool Network Regional Meetings
Ignite Afterschool is heading out around the state for regional working meetings with afterschool, education, and community stakeholders in Northern Minnesota. Connect with local afterschool peers and Ignite’s staff to shape afterschool partnerships, quality, and policy – both locally and across the state. Topics will include afterschool social-emotional learning, best practices for STEM, and preparing for the upcoming 21st Century Community Learning Center federal grant opportunity. Register today for the Ignite Regional Working Meeting near you.

Northeast Regional Meeting Registration
Tuesday, April 25, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland, Dave Goldberg Family Branch (Heritage Center), 120 S 30th Ave. West, Duluth
Registration is free; view the April 25 event flier for more information

Northwest Regional Meeting Registration
Wednesday, April 26, 9 a.m.-noon
Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead
Registration cost is $15; Free to the first 100 participants with the code “IGNITE”; view the April 26 event flier for more information

Other News of Note

Online AP Courses Soon Freely Available to Minnesota Students
Students all over the state will soon be able to take online classes from Minnetonka High School. Minnetonka High School’s Assistant Principal Robb Virgin says the Tonka Online program was recently approved by the state and NCAA to offer 40 courses by fall 2017 to any interested high school student in Minnesota. Watch the Fox 9 news segment about the exciting new opportunity.

This summer, students from all over the state can choose from AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Statistics, AP Calculus and more. Summer courses are fee-based and school year courses are free. Learn more on the Tonka Online website, or contact Tonka Online.

Last Chance to Apply for Free Eclipse Glasses and Eclipse Education Kit
On August 21, 2017, the shadow of the moon will sweep across the United States in a spectacle that hasn’t occurred in 99 years. STAR_Net’s NASA@ My Library initiative with support from NASA, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Research Corporation, and Google, is distributing Eclipse Education Kits and over 2 million solar viewing glasses to public libraries. Complete an application today. Registration closes on May 1. If you’re not sure if your library has submitted its official application (and not just registered its interest in the event), please take a moment and visit the Eclipse Glasses/Education Kit application site. Visit the National Center for Interactive Learning website for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about the status of your library for this grant, please contact Anne Holland.