State Library Services 2018-2022 Goal Plan Approved

We are pleased to make available our recently approved LSTA 2018-2022 Five-Year Plan. An overarching focus of the plan is to connect Minnesotans with information and resources through libraries, and we’re looking forward to working with libraries and other partners to achieve our goals. The plan identifies areas for competitive grant-making as well as statewide initiatives. Please don’t hesitate to contact Jen Nelson (651-582-8791) if you’d like more information about the new plan.

Bring a Part of the State Fair to Your Library

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency created a tabletop version of “Your Resilient Community,” a part of their popular Eco Experience State Fair exhibit, and they are partnering with State Library Services to lend the exhibit to libraries.

The interactive exhibit comes with a portable table, eco-themed booklist, and button maker with templates for a fun, hands-on activity. We’re working with Minitex to deliver the exhibit, so all you need to do is set it up – instructions are provided.

Libraries may have the exhibit for four to six weeks, and we’ll try to work around your schedule. Please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508) if you are interested in hosting Your Resilient Community.

Summer Learning Programs Widespread at Minnesota Public Libraries

Summer learning programs help ensure that youth retain critical academic skills they acquired during the school year through reading and learning activities over the school break. State Library Services sent on online survey intended to collect information about how Minnesota’s public libraries implement and measure summer learning programs for youth to all Minnesota public libraries in September. More than half (55 percent) completed the voluntary survey. Thank you!

All but a few of the responding libraries (96 percent) offered summer learning programs for youth in 2017 and incorporated learning activities other than reading into their summer programs. Most offered programs for youth of all ages—preschoolers (91 percent), elementary school students (99 percent) and teens (81 percent). The most popular program components included incentives, collateral materials such as reading records, and public performances and events.

A significant majority of libraries (82 percent) partner with other community organizations for their summer learning programs. The most common partners include schools, childcare organizations, businesses, local government, and nonprofit organizations. Half (50 percent) of libraries developed programs and activities that addressed the needs of youth most in need of learning opportunities during the summer school break. Youth living in lower-income households and ethnic or minority youth were the most frequently targeted groups.

If you would like a copy of the survey results, please contact Joe Manion (651-582-8640).

Grants to States Program Reports Available Online

IMLS Labs, a new tool from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), allows you to search funded Grants to States projects across all states (from FY2014 and FY2015), refine your results by faceted options from within the State Program Reports, and export them in CSV or text-based formats. Visit the site to learn more about what we did here in Minnesota, and see what other states are accomplishing with their federal funding. Information and ideas abound!

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Updates from Our Partners

Webinar: Using Project Outcome Data to Improve & Support Library Programming

The Public Library Association (PLA) is partnering with the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office to present a webinar on the benefits of using outcome data to improve and support library programming. On Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, 1-2 p.m., learn how to use Project Outcome data for programming decisions and improvements, funding requests, measuring against strategic priorities, and advocating for the impact your programs and services have on the community. Participants will hear real library examples and have the opportunity to ask questions. Register for the free Project Outcome Data webinar today; space is limited.

Keep the Lights On Afterschool for Minnesota’s Youth October 26 is the 18th annual Lights On Afterschool (LoA), a day for afterschool programs across the country and Minnesota to celebrate the role afterschool programs play in the lives of youth, families, and communities. Library partnerships between afterschool programs and libraries is a major theme for LoA this year. Ignite Afterschool is partnering with the Weisman Art Museum for a special event in the Twin Cities on Thursday, October 26, 3:30-6 p.m. Register today for the Lights On Afterschool Weisman Art Museum event—or better yet, volunteer at the event. Ignite Afterschool is seeking volunteers for two shifts: 1) Shift A: 3-4:30 p.m. 2) Shift B: 4:30-6 p.m. Contact Matt Ramirez at Ignite Afterschool for more information or to volunteer. If your community is planning an LoA event, register your event today to receive 10 free posters. Visit the LoA website to get more information and learn how to get involved.

YALSA 2018 Summer Learning Grants Available

YALSA is awarding twenty $1,000 grants to support libraries’ efforts to reach underserved teens over the summer months, as well as another twenty $1,000 grants to support hiring teen interns over the summer. Visit YALSA’s summer learning webpage to learn more and apply.

Becoming American Grant Opportunity

Your library can apply to participate in Becoming American: A Documentary Film and Discussion Series on Our Immigration Experience, a six-week public program featuring documentary film screenings and scholar-led discussions designed to encourage an informed discussion of immigration issues against the backdrop of our immigration history.

The project will provide participating organizations (libraries, museums, historical societies, and cultural centers) with DVDs of carefully selected, compelling documentary films; discussion guidelines; original essays by eminent immigration scholars; extensive resource guides; and web support including training in how to organize, promote and run the series successfully.

In addition, each of the 32 nonprofit organizations selected to implement Becoming American will receive a cash award of $1,300 for project expenses. Participating institutions are expected to offer this six-week program sometime during the period June 1, 2018, and May 31, 2019. Guidelines and applications are available on the Becoming American website. The application deadline is December 1, 2017.

Questions about the selection guidelines, process, or requirements should be directed to City Lore (212-529-1955 x13).

New Digital Exhibit from the Kerlan Collection Children’s Book Art: Techniques and Media is the newest digital asset in the Kerlan Children’s Literature Research Collections’ digital exhibits project. The exhibit showcases art from the Kerlan Collection, and provides an invaluable resource for anyone interested in exploring the world of illustration through the artistic techniques employed by the country’s most popular illustrators. The Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota Archives and Special Collections is one of the leading repositories of rare books, process art, and manuscripts of children’s literature. The collection includes rare volumes of Mother Goose from the 1800s as well as works by contemporary creators like Jane Yolen, Sharon Creech, Christopher Paul Curtis, and Melissa Sweet. The University of Minnesota Libraries’ mission is to share these riches with teachers of children, youth services librarians, teachers of teachers, students of creative writing and art, and anyone who is interested in the craft of making children’s books. Check out all of the Kerlan’s digital exhibits on the University of Minnesota website.