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 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
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| 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 from Fobazi Ettarh, breakout sessions, and unstructured times for getting to know fellow BIPOC library workers. Jessica Bratt – A place to be heard Loriene Roy – Tools for survival and resilience Karina Kelton – Using WhatsApp to connect marginalized communities Authors Panel – Bao Phi, Marci Rendon, Linda Grover, and Shannon Gibney Register now for BIPOC Library Workers Summit! 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. |
Updates From Our Partners Keeping On Making On  Are limited staff, space or budget preventing you from creating a makerspace in your library? Did your maker programming pause due to the pandemic, and you are not sure how to get it up and running again? Are you wondering how to develop maker programming that can be flexible and responsive to the unexpected? The webinar series Developing and Sustaining a Community-Centered Makerspace will showcase steps for building and sustaining a maker program in any library and introduces an ongoing process that incorporates, shares and values insights of the community. It is based on the Makers in the Library Toolkit, a practical guide created over three years in collaboration with a group of diverse libraries throughout California. Register for Makers in the Library webinar series. This is a five-part series, with one session every week from April 6 to May 4. While we recommend taking part in the whole series, we have set it up so participants can sign up for individual weeks if that works best for their schedule. Standing Against Censorship  In 2021, there were more censorship attempts than at any time since the American Library Association (ALA) began tracking more than two decades ago. In light of this, ALA is organizing a national initiative to unite the voices of Americans who oppose book bans. Unite Against Book Bans collects stories and videos from readers about the power of reading challenging books. 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: Nadežda Mustafaeva Back 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. |
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