All posts by Angie

Check this out:, General

Tiny homes of famous authors

reading-chair
Write and read in a cozy place!

Tiny Homes is a trend that’s gaining popularity, but it seems that famous authors have been on top of this idea for years!

This article from Book Riot explores the cozy living and writing spaces of a few famous authors. I love Philip Pullman’s magical-looking retreat!

I did a little more looking around online, and writers in tiny homes is actually a pretty popular phenomenon! Here’s an article from Tiny House for Us with a few more homes profiled, and another from Apartment Therapy. (Sorry for some duplicates!)

If you are a writer, or reader (of course you are!) do you have a favorite small space that you like to inhabit while enjoying books? Personally, I usually just like to be outside! Preferably by a campfire or in a boat! 🙂

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, Resources, School Media Specialist, Special, Tech

Library Vending machines

books-1614215_1280
More access to library materials!

Libraries are places of information and technology, so it makes sense to use technology to connect patrons with information! That’s exactly what library vending machines aim to do. The idea may sound a little silly, but the machines may be an answer to some libraries that lack the necessary staff numbers to distribute books and laptops.

Across the country, communities are giving this a try! Read about how Ohio’s Worthington Community Center has a vending machine where library patrons can check out books, music, and movies. The library wanted to be able to bring their materials out into the community to better serve patrons.

Closer to home, we have a few locations that feature library vending! Check out these lockers at the Hugo Library Express. And the Anoka County Library on the Go has a vending machine! Watch their video below:

For more information, you can visit this site about laptop vending, or this one about book vending. And this site gets more in-depth about the value of library material lockers!

Do any of our CMLE member libraries have machines similar to these? Send us a picture, we would love to see them!

 

Check this out:, General, School Media Specialist

AASL Recommended App: Humanities & Arts: MoMA Art Lab

moma_art_labIn June 2016, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) announced their 25 Best Apps for Teaching and Learning. The apps encourage qualities such as innovation and active participation, and are user-friendly.

The app MoMa Art Lab introduces young students to modern art and allows them to create their own art in a variety of ways. Some of the activities include experimenting with paint, making a sound composition or line design, and creating a chance collage. Famous artists and their work that are featured in the app include Henry Matisse, Elizabeth Murray, Brice Marden, and more. To help with literacy skills, try the Create a Shape Poem activity which uses adjectives to identify parts of a free form drawing. The app does include parental controls, and also allows users to store and share their artwork.

Cost: Free!
Level: Elementary and up
Platforms: iOS

Check out some reviews from teachers via Common Sense Education, then read about this teacher’s experience with using the app in her classroom.

Watch the trailer now:

Academic, Check this out:, CMLE, General, Public, Resources, School Media Specialist, Special

Strategies to Simplify: Tip 9: Delegate Sucessfully

“Work simply. Live fully.”  This week CMLE focuses on the following work productivity tip from Work Simply, Carson Tate’s popular book.  At CMLE, we’ve boiled down Tate’s wealth of knowledge from Work Simply to a few key points; please see the book for more detail and resources. At the bottom, see links to earlier tips in the series! Let’s all be our best selves….

This week’s activity: 

Carson Tate states in her book Work Simply that “Delegating is a powerful skill that can boost productivity and build cohesive teams. Yet many of us resist it or do it poorly.” We need to fight the urge to “do it all” and look beyond past experiences of failed delegating where the work was incorrect or late. With clear communication and goals in mind, delegating can result in increased productivity and a more fulfilling work environment.

Continue reading Strategies to Simplify: Tip 9: Delegate Sucessfully →

Check this out:, General, Resources, School Media Specialist

AASL Recommended App: Content Creation: Comic Life 3

In June 2016, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) announced their 25 Best Apps for Teaching and Learning. The apps encourage qualities such as innovation and active participation, and are user-friendly.

comic_lifeThe app Comic Life 3 allows users to turn their pictures into comics. The app features templates, balloons, captions, photo filters, and lettering art. All that is required to create a comic is some photos and text! The app works well for making fliers, storyboards, and school projects. The app includes Script Editor, which recognizes keywords and allows users to drag them into their comic. This app is a helpful addition not only to Language Arts, but also Social Studies and Science. Check out their blog for ways to incorporate the app into your classroom.

Cost: $4.99
Level: Upper Elementary, Middle and High School
Platforms: iOS

For more information on the usefulness of comics in the classroom, read this article from Scottish Book Trust that includes links to other similar resources. Watch this video that highlights some of the features of the app (it looks so fun!):