The seven Minnesota Multicounty Multitype Library Systems (Multitypes) have created a new 23 Things on a Stick concept in collaboration with Minitex, Media Landscapes: 23 Things. The self-paced curriculum will be available online at levelupmn.org.

Designed to pair with Minitex’s Media Landscapes campaign, this new series of mini-courses meets the needs of Minnesota library staff by helping them understand how their users navigate the present media and information landscape, and how forces within that landscape influence their navigation. It is designed to help library staff engage more deeply with the issues and concepts addressed in the Media Landscapes Campaign. By working together through these Things, we will all have a greater understanding of disinformation, information/digital literacy, and how to address these issues in various ways and in various library settings.

Each of the 23 Things features readings or videos focusing on key concepts, such as propaganda and fake news, as well as activities meant to encourage deeper thinking on the topics. Participants will be directed to tools that may help assist them in combating misinformation. Each module takes no more than 45-60 minutes to complete, and participants can select to engage with as many modules as they would like. Continuing education credit will be offered for the completed Things. The Things will remain up indefinitely as Minnesota library staff and others complete the series.

On the Media Landscapes: 23 Things page at levelupmn.org, you can find more information about the project, browse topics you wish to learn more about, and register to receive updates and continuing education credit for completed modules.

The Minnesota Multitypes respond to the needs of librarians by providing them with library support services and also connect library staff in all types of libraries to professional and staff development opportunities. They believe that knowledgeable library staff are better able to meet the needs of their library users.

Learn more at mnlibs.org.

Contact Ann Walker Smalley ann@metronet.lib.mn.u