READY Final Event – Open to All Join Minnesota’s first group of Project READY cohorts as they wrap up an 18-month journey through the Project READY curriculum. This culminating event is open to all library staff. When discussing and confronting “heated” racial or social justice issues within our communities, it is imperative to use practical facilitation skills that are both culturally responsive and sensitive to the needs and issues facing minority groups. In this workshop, Lee Mun Wah, master trainer at StirFry Seminars & Consulting, will make use of personal stories, vignettes, and film clip scenarios to encourage participants to authentically address a variety of social justice issues. Throughout the workshop, Lee Mun Wah will teach techniques for mindful facilitation. The group will work together to learn how to be stronger and more effective allies within their own communities and to one another. Register for Standing Up For Social Justice in Times of Fear and Hatred by April 1.What: Standing Up For Social Justice in Times of Fear and Hatred, with Lee Mun Wah When: Thursday, April 14, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. Where: Zoom link available to registrants (Session will not be recorded.) Please contact Ashley Bieber (651-582-8849) with any questions. Defending the Freedom to Read This May, public and school librarians are invited to a Saturday morning workshop focusing on nationwide and local book challenge trends, how school-public library partnerships can minimize the loss of access to books, and how to develop calm and confidence in responding to challenges in your community. Speakers include: Ashley Hope Perez, author of frequently challenged book Out of DarknessKelly Jensen, author, former librarian and blogger at Book Riot’s Weekly Censorship News Register for the 2022 Libraries Serving Youth Meetup by April 29.What: Libraries Serving Youth Meetup: Defending the Freedom to Read When: Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Where: Zoom link available to registrants (Session will not be recorded.) Please contact Ashley Bieber (651-582-8849) if there are questions. Register for the BIPOC Library Workers Summit
Join the Minnesota BIPOC Library Advisory Group for a day of virtual professional development, network-building, and professional wellness designed specifically for BIPOC library workers of Minnesota! We welcome workers from all levels and all library types. Facilitated by strategic consultant and creative connector Char Dobbs, the summit will include a keynote, breakout sessions, and unstructured times for getting to know fellow BIPOC library workers. The lineup of speakers is still growing, but you can look forward to Loriene Roy on tools for survival and resilience, Karina Kelton on using WhatsApp to connect marginalized communities, and a panel of celebrated Minnesota authors — Bao Phi, Marci Rendon, Linda Grover, and Shannon Gibney. What: Virtual BIPOC Library Workers Summit When: Friday, May 13, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Where: Online. Registration for this online event is free. Register now for BIPOC Library Workers Summit!
Updates from the State Minnesota Department of Education Relocates to Minneapolis After 23 years in Roseville, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is excited to announce its new office location in Minneapolis, effective March 1. The department’s lease in Roseville ended in February 2022. The new location will provide MDE with the space to carry out its work on behalf of Minnesota students, families, educators and school and library communities. The State of Minnesota has signed a 10-year lease for the Minneapolis location. The new location is currently under construction, and MDE staff will continue to telework. Minnesotans are encouraged to continue contacting MDE staff by phone or email at 651-582-8200 and mde.contactus@state.mn.us. Physical mail can be sent to the new address at 400 NE Stinson Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55413 effective immediately. Once construction is complete, MDE staff will welcome students, educators, families, and Minnesotans from across the state to the new location. Updates From Our Partners Shaping the Next Normal
As COVID hotspots cool and restrictions ease, what data can we look at to identify and intervene on behalf of the people most affected by the pandemic? At this upcoming event, research scientist Justin Hollis from Minnesota Compass will provide data and analysis on some of the biggest challenges caused by the pandemic. The goal is to equip Minnesota’s leaders and decision-makers with information about the pandemic’s impact on quality of life, and the people and communities most in need. This event is free, but registration is required. What: Using data to help people most impacted by COVID When: Thursday, April 28, 1:30 – 3 p.m. Where: Virtual, live/online. Registration is required. Visit the Minnesota Compass website for more information about the event: Using Data to Help People Most Impacted by COVID.Photo credits: Stir-Fry Seminars; Nadežda Mustafaeva; Mungyu KimBack to Top
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.
This May, public and school librarians are invited to a Saturday morning workshop focusing on nationwide and local book challenge trends, how school-public library partnerships can minimize the loss of access to books, and how to develop calm and confidence in responding to challenges in your community. Speakers include: Ashley Hope Perez, author of frequently challenged book Out of Darkness Kelly Jensen, author, former librarian and blogger at Book Riot’s Weekly Censorship News Register for the 2022 Libraries Serving Youth Meetup by April 29. What: Libraries Serving Youth Meetup: Defending the Freedom to Read When: Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Where: Zoom link available to registrants (Session will not be recorded.) Please contact Ashley Bieber (651-582-8849) if there are questions. Register for the BIPOC Library Workers Summit 
After 23 years in Roseville, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is excited to announce its new office location in Minneapolis, effective March 1. The department’s lease in Roseville ended in February 2022. The new location will provide MDE with the space to carry out its work on behalf of Minnesota students, families, educators and school and library communities. The State of Minnesota has signed a 10-year lease for the Minneapolis location. The new location is currently under construction, and MDE staff will continue to telework. Minnesotans are encouraged to continue contacting MDE staff by phone or email at 651-582-8200 and mde.contactus@state.mn.us. Physical mail can be sent to the new address at 400 NE Stinson Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55413 effective immediately. Once construction is complete, MDE staff will welcome students, educators, families, and Minnesotans from across the state to the new location. Updates From Our Partners Shaping the Next Normal 
