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August 2021, Issue 2
Updates From State Library Services Project Ready Continues Statewide cohorts continue to work through the online professional learning curriculum called Project Ready (Reimagining Equity and Access for Diverse Youth). We will begin Section 2 the week of September 20. If you have already completed Section 1 on your own or with another group and are interested in joining a cohort for Section 2, please contact Ashley Bieber by September 1. Reimagining School Readiness Workshops Speaking of being ready, we still have spots in the September Reimagining School Readiness workshops! The Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit is a suite of research-backed resources created for library staff to help families prepare children ages 0 to 8 for success in school and in life. Join us for these virtual workshops to learn about the research, practical implications, and resources offered in the toolkit. The toolkit is available in its entirety for free online. Workshop participants will: understand key findings from current cognitive and developmental psychology research reflect on the implications of those findings for their daily work gain practical, ready-to-implement ideas for activities, as well as resources for staff training and for parents/caregivers Register for one of these Reimagining School Readiness workshop dates: September 15, 2021, 1 – 5 p.m. September 22, 2021, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. You will benefit from this workshop if you work with children ages 0 to 8 and their families and would like to learn more about how to offer research-backed programming in your library. Educate About Climate Change at Your Library Did you know? State Library Services has partnered with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to create several traveling tabletop exhibits that are loaned for free and distributed via interlibrary loan service. There are three interactive exhibits available, highlighting different facets of climate change and actions we can take to address it. Food and Climate Change uses larger-than-life food models to illustrate the greenhouse gas emissions. When someone picks up a food model, it activates a computer monitor to share information about emissions from farm to table. The exhibit suggests food choices to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Minnesota’s Changing Climate showcases what communities and organizations are doing throughout Minnesota to address climate change. Another component of the exhibit illustrates the effects that climate change is already having on Minnesota. Climate Resilient Communities looks at actions we can take in our communities to be more resilient to extreme weather, warmer temperatures, and wetter seasons. These actions can often address more than one problem and help build stronger communities. To reserve an exhibit, send an email to Portable.Exhibit.Loans.MPCA@state.mn.us. In your email, please specify which exhibit you would like to borrow and any date preferences. Each exhibit is loaned for four weeks followed by a week for transport to another library. Updates from the State Culture is the Cure
The August entry in the Minnesota Department of Health’s monthly Mental Well-Being and Resilience Learning Community series is called “Culture is the Cure: Supporting Traditional Healers and Healing-Centered Engagement.” Speakers Kari Umanzor (St. Paul – Ramsey County Public Health), Dr. Tolulope Monisola Ola, MPH, (Restoration for All Inc.), and Elder June Blue (University of Minnesota Extension) will speak about how St. Paul – Ramsey County Public Health formed an authentic, community-engaged Mental Health and Wellness Action Team in July 2016. The team informs the work of the department in responding to the integrated health care needs of Saint Paul – Ramsey County residents and greater communities. Join us to learn about how you can expand healing-centered engagement and awareness of culturally responsive resources to strengthen mental well-being and healing in your community. When: August 31, 2021, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register to participate in “Culture is the Cure” August webinar.
Updates from Partners
Minnesota Writers Directory: August Spotlight
The Minnesota Writers Directory, a project run by the Minnesota Center for the Book, connects writers across the state with people who want to hear more about their stories and their craft. Each month, they feature a rotating list of writers from different genres who are available for virtual events. This month’s spotlight features two children’s book authors and a poet: Sean Jensen, Tracy Nelson Maurer, and Ethna McKiernan. Many Minnesota writers, including past and recent Book Award finalists and winners, are available for virtual events for classrooms, libraries, and beyond. Browse the site by author, genre, and Skype/Zoom availability to find a writer who is a good fit for your audiences.
Data for the Next Generation
Data literacy is increasingly an essential skill set for navigating everyday life. Learn how public libraries can increase awareness and understanding among young people of the pervasive role of data in their lives. The rich resources of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools are a valuable tool to advance data literacy, and many libraries are using Census data to foster civic education and community engagement among children and teens. The Public Library Association (PLA) is offering a free webinar on approaches to data literacy that reach diverse populations and address real-world issues of interest to youth. Discover how public library programs and services can help children and young adults think critically and ethically about data. When: Tuesday, August 31, 2021, 1 to 2 p.m. Where:Register for the Data Literacy for Youth webinar, or check for the archived recording 1-3 days later on PLA’s On-Demand Webinars page.
Seeking Judges for the Minnesota Book Awards
Every year, the Minnesota Book Awards recruits a diverse group of 54 teachers, editors, publicists, writers, librarians etc., to read and evaluate submitted materials. Judges are selected from across the state to include a diversity of professional experience, educational background, ethnicity, age, and gender. Evaluation takes place across nine genre categories: Poetry, Memoir & Creative Nonfiction, Genre Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade Literature, Children’s Literature, Novel & Short Story, General Nonfiction, and Minnesota Nonfiction. For each category, adjudication takes place in two rounds, preliminary and final. Judging in either round comes with a $375 stipend. Preliminary Round: October 2021 through January 29, 2022 Final Round: January 29, 2022 through March 12, 2022 Apply to be a judge by September 10, 2021!
About State Library Services State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), partners with libraries to achieve equity and excellence in our collective work for Minnesotans. Division staff are consultants who help libraries plan, develop and implement high-quality services that address community needs. State Library Services administers federal grant, state aid, and state grant programs that benefit all types of libraries.
Project Ready Continues Statewide cohorts continue to work through the online professional learning curriculum called Project Ready (Reimagining Equity and Access for Diverse Youth). We will begin Section 2 the week of September 20. If you have already completed Section 1 on your own or with another group and are interested in joining a cohort for Section 2, please contact Ashley Bieber by
Speaking of being ready, we still have spots in the September Reimagining School Readiness workshops! The Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit is a suite of research-backed resources created for library staff to help families prepare children ages 0 to 8 for success in school and in life. Join us for these virtual workshops to learn about the research, practical implications, and resources offered in the toolkit. The toolkit is available in its entirety for free online. Workshop participants will: understand key findings from current cognitive and developmental psychology research reflect on the implications of those findings for their daily work gain practical, ready-to-implement ideas for activities, as well as resources for staff training and for parents/caregivers Register for one of these Reimagining School Readiness workshop dates: September 15, 2021, 1 – 5 p.m. September 22, 2021, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. You will benefit from this workshop if you work with children ages 0 to 8 and their families and would like to learn more about how to offer research-backed programming in your library. Educate About Climate Change at Your Library Did you know? State Library Services has partnered with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to create several traveling tabletop exhibits that are loaned for free and distributed via interlibrary loan service. There are three interactive exhibits available, highlighting different facets of climate change and actions we can take to address it. 
Food and Climate Change uses larger-than-life food models to illustrate the greenhouse gas emissions. When someone picks up a food model, it activates a computer monitor to share information about emissions from farm to table. The exhibit suggests food choices to lower greenhouse gas emissions. 
Minnesota’s Changing Climate showcases what communities and organizations are doing throughout Minnesota to address climate change. Another component of the exhibit illustrates the effects that climate change is already having on Minnesota. 
Climate Resilient Communities looks at actions we can take in our communities to be more resilient to extreme weather, warmer temperatures, and wetter seasons. These actions can often address more than one problem and help build stronger communities. To reserve an exhibit, send an email to Portable.Exhibit.Loans.MPCA@state.mn.us. In your email, please specify which exhibit you would like to borrow and any date preferences. Each exhibit is loaned for four weeks followed by a week for transport to another library. Updates from the State Culture is the Cure 
The Minnesota Writers Directory, a project run by the Minnesota Center for the Book, connects writers across the state with people who want to hear more about their stories and their craft. Each month, they feature a rotating list of writers from different genres who are available for virtual events. This month’s spotlight features two children’s book authors and a poet: Sean Jensen, Tracy Nelson Maurer, and Ethna McKiernan. Many Minnesota writers, including past and recent Book Award finalists and winners, are available for virtual events for classrooms, libraries, and beyond. Browse the site by author, genre, and Skype/Zoom availability to find a writer who is a good fit for your audiences.
