Check out the latest updates from our colleagues at the State Library Services! If you have cool news to share, we would love to pass it on!

Updates From State Library Services Join the SLS BIPOC Advisory Committee What if you could… meet regularly with a dedicated group of BIPOC library leaders, increase your knowledge of Minnesota library systems, and have a hand in shaping statewide initiatives that affect BIPOC library workers? Intrigued? Please fill out the BIPOC Advisory Committee interest form to join the BIPOC Advisory Committee for State Library Services, or pass this on to someone you know. On this BIPOC Advisory Committee information sheet, we’ve put together answers to questions you might have, including a draft of the group’s bylaws. If you have questions, please contact Tami Lee.   Updates from the State Back to Nature Just in time for stomping on fall leaves, the Minnesota Department of Education is sponsoring a free fall workshop series on Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood. Participants will hear fun, hands-on ideas on how to connect children ages 3 to 7 with nature. Experiences are set up to allow children to freely interact with nature while being introduced to letters, shapes, reading, writing, math & manipulatives, music & movement, group activities, play, and art. Sep. 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.| Northland Arboretum, Brainerd| REGISTER for Brainerd Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.| Hartley Nature Center, Duluth| REGISTER for Duluth Oct. 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.| Quarry Hill Nature Center, Rochester| REGISTER for Rochester Participants will receive: Materials that are Parent Aware-approved and correlated to NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and Head Start standards Three Continuing Education Units Educational resources from the Department of Natural Resources

Updates From Our Partners Ideas on Service to Print Disabled Readers? The Libraries Serving Persons with Print Disabilities Standing Committee of IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) is working to develop guidelines for libraries to assist in serving persons with print disabilities. To ensure the guidelines they create are useful and meaningful, they’re looking for feedback from public library staff. Please help them out by taking the short IFLA  LPD survey, open for the month of September 2022. Shoua and the Northern Lights Dragon, Set to Music Join the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) for a brand-new musical performance by the Chione Quintet based on Twin Cities author Ka Vang’s Shoua and the Northern Lights Dragon. In addition to the Chione Quintet’s performance, we will hear from Sia Her, executive director of the Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, and author Ka Vang. Shoua and the Northern Lights Dragon: Musical Performance and Discussion Sunday, September 25, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Minnesota Humanities Center Children of all ages are welcome! There is no cost to attend, but registration for Sept. 25 is required. Refreshments from a local Asian market will be served. Apply for Travel Grant to Attend ALA 2023 The newly announced Jason Reynolds/Simon & Schuster Travel Grant will cover the expenses of five (5) Black/African American youth or teen services librarians or school librarians/media specialists who work in either public or school libraries to attend the American Library Association’s annual conference (next year in Chicago!). Recipients will receive up to $3,000 (and not less than $1,500) to pay for expenses related to attending the conference, including travel, housing, registration, and a ticket to the Coretta Scott King Award Breakfast. Applications are open now and due by December 1, 2022. To apply, visit the Jason Reynolds / Simon & Schuster Travel Grant page. Data on Library Staffing The Public Library Association (PLA) has released the results of their 2021 Public Library Staff and Diversity Survey. The report is freely and publicly accessible on the PLA website. It includes a summary of trends nationwide and by library locale. A new focus of the report this year is also to provide some suggested opportunities for taking action with the data. PLA will host a free webinar on Tuesday, October 4, at 1 p.m. Central to provide an overview of the results of the 2021 annual survey and discuss how the data suggests both opportunities and challenges for the future of public libraries. Registration for this PLA webinar is required. Back to Top Photo/illustration credits: Nastuh Abootalebi

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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