All posts by Angie

General, Public, School Media Specialist

Pokeman Go and Libraries

Gameplay_of_Pokemon_Go
By Sadie Hernandez [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The odds are pretty good that this past summer you witnessed (or participated in!) the craze of Pokemon Go. The free app took off with incredible popularity, and had people of all ages wandering their communities in search of Pokemon. (Personally, I’ve never played, but while visiting a friend, I heard all about Pokestops, the frustration of running out of Pokeballs, and the excitement of catching a water Pokemon). Luckily, while people were out and about in search of Pokemon, their quest often brought them to their local library!

In this blog post from ALSC, librarian Sarah Bean Thompson does a great job of explaining the logical partnership of libraries with Pokemon Go. The author shares how libraries can use the popularity of the game to get more people to come to the library, especially since so many libraries are already Pokestops. Her library offered a “life size game day” and featured activities like decorating Pokeballs and having players share on wall displays what Pokemons they have caught at the library. Library staff also used that time to promote their summer reading program.

Thompson has written another article that mentions several other libraries that have incorporated programs like “Pokemon Go Safaris” and activities like Pokemon trail walks, all taking place under adult supervision. Within this same article, she describes an additional advantage of the collaboration between Pokemon Go and libraries, which is the opportunity it offers to  families to learn about digital citizenship and online safety.

 

 

General, School Media Specialist

Back-to-school programming from across the country

NCPD packs school supplies
Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/m9zdxj9, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Can you believe it’s that time again? School is back! With all the planning and preparation that goes into a school year, you may be looking for some additional inspiration for activities.

This article from the School Library Journal features 26 ideas from innovative library folk all over the country, preparing to start the school year off right. The topics featured are Reading, Tech, Passive and Participatory Programming, ELL Environments, and Research Support. See below for a few of the ideas featured in the article:

  • In order to get his students engaged in election season, media specialist Travis Jonker in Michigan will have his students read a children’s book and then vote to elect their favorite character.
  • School Librarian IdaMae Craddock in Virginia wants to take her Makerspace activities to the next step, by allowing her students to figure out ways to create and experiment without use of the kits’ instructions.
  •  To help teens cope with stress and learn different ways to relax, Texas librarian Maggie Knapp will feature activities that are not technology based, like coloring books and puzzles.
  • The reading buddies program started by librarian Alla Umanskaya in New York gives ELL students an opportunity to develop their English skills while keeping their native language abilities. Middle school and elementary students read together in both English and their families’ native languages.
  • A new program that Oregon School Corps librarian Jacqui Partch helped introduce is aimed at helping middle and high school educators teach their students about digital citizenship, cyberbullying, and password safety.

Even if you don’t incorporate any of the ideas from the article, it’s fun to hear about what is happening in school libraries and media centers around the country!

 

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

State Library Updates: 6/28/16

MDELogoTO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: June 28, 2016
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Get Supercharged with Storytime Colleagues Nationwide
OCLC recently announced that the Supercharged Storytimes orientation archive is available for free to all public library staff. Now in addition to connecting with fellow Minnesota storytimers, you can learn from and share with storytime presenters across the country.

Public library staff are invited to create a free account and enroll to:
• Learn how to incorporate research-based early literacy concepts into storytimes;
• Recognize the role early literacy plays in early childhood development;
• Gain insight for articulating the relevance of storytimes to parents, caregivers, and other library stakeholders;
• Learn more about the Supercharged Storytimes online orientation pilot, originally offered to more than 500 library staff members in six states (including Minnesota) in 2015; and
• Access archived webinars and resources, and share thoughts with other enrollees in discussion forums.

If you’re simply looking for fresh ways to amp up your storytimes, visit the Supercharged Library, a compilation of resources generated by public library storytime providers from around the country. Contact Jackie Blagsvedt (651-582-8805) for more information about Supercharged Storytimes.

Measuring What Matters
We all have an interest in promoting increased awareness of the value of public libraries in the United States. In order to do this, effective data is indispensable. Concerns about the explosion of surveys in recent years have led directors of state library agencies across the country to think more deeply about what data really is essential to collect. Through a proposed cooperative agreement with IMLS, COSLA (Chief Officers of State Library Agencies) has outlined a process for creating a National Public Library Data and Outcomes Action Plan. Measures that Matter seeks to develop a plan that will allow for the timely collection of reliable, comparable and meaningful data on public libraries while reducing the burden of data collection on local libraries. Read more about the project or contact Jen Nelson (651-582-8791) for more information.

Reintroduce Your Library to Your Community
Outside the Lines is a week-long celebration, September 11-17, 2016, that demonstrates the creativity and innovation happening in today’s libraries. Libraries from 41 states participated in 2015. Whether your library is large or small—school, academic, special or public—you can participate in this international celebration by hosting an event that:
• Gets people thinking and talking about libraries in a different way.
• Showcases your library in the community.
• Represents your local community.
• Highlights how your library is relevant to people’s lives.
• Is active and gets people engaged.
• Is fun!

Learn more about Outside the Lines and how to participate through an informational webinar on Thursday, June 30 from11:00 a.m. to noon. No registration is necessary, but virtual space may be limited. Discover more about Outside the Lines and register as a participating location on the campaign’s website.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

We've Learned: Job opening

LightbulbWe’ve Learned… is designed to keep our readers informed about news concerning personnel in CMLE libraries/media centers. Please keep us informed of any “happenings” regarding staff members in your area so that we can include them in the next write-up! Happenings can include: changes in staffing, job openings, awards, honors… you get the idea! Updates can be sent to admin@cmle.org

Holdingford Public Schools
Independent School District #738
P.O. Box 250
Holdingford, MN 56340
Personnel Vacancy
June 13, 2016

POSTING: Technology Integration—Media Specialist—Gifted & Talented Instructor
1.0 FTE beginning the 2016-2017 school year.

JOB DUTIES:
Works cooperatively and collaboratively with Building Administrators, District Technology Director, IT staff, media staff, clerical staff, and others to provide outstanding technology integration support to staff and students.

1. Inspire and participate in the development and implementation of a shared vision for the comprehensive integration of technology to promote excellence and support transformational change throughout the instructional environment.
2. Assist teachers in embedding technology into instruction for assessing student learning, differentiating instruction, and providing rigorous, relevant, and engaging learning experiences for all students.
3. Create and support effective digital age learning environments to maximize the learning of all students.
4. Conduct needs assessments, develop technology-related professional learning programs, and evaluate the impact on instructional practice and student learning.
5. Model and promote digital citizenship.
6. Support and promote literacy.
7. Manage media center budget.
8. Supervise media center staff, volunteers and student workers.
9. Provide Instruction in Elementary Gifted & Talented Program.
10. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must hold a valid Minnesota teaching license.
• Demonstrated experience supporting teachers and students in effective use of instructional technology.
• Experience managing a School Media Center preferred.
• Experience working with gifted students preferred.

Application Deadline: June 29
Submit letter of application and resume to:
Chris Swenson
Holdingford Public School
PO Box 250
Holdingford, MN 56340
FMLA regulations require all employers to post the updated FMLA notice.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Committed to Workforce Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Holdingford Public Schools, District 738 does not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to youth group

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

State Library Updates: 6/9/16

MDE logo retrieved online 12/17/13..TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: June 9, 2016
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Engaging the Community through Public Libraries
State Library Services was a capstone client for the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota this spring. Staff worked with graduate student Pamela Foster to complete her Master’s professional paper. Public Libraries and Community Outreach: Program Assessment for Serving Homeless Patrons examines how libraries across the U.S. and Canada, including Hennepin County Library, are using public outreach to engage staff, the community, and homeless patrons. The paper also discusses tools and methods libraries could use to measure the impact of their community engagement efforts. You can request a copy of the paper from Joe Manion (651-582-8640).

Make Ebooks Minnesota Part of Your Summer Reading Program
As you gear up for summer programs to keep kids engaged in learning while school’s out for the long break, remember Ebooks Minnesota offers another way to make reading part of the summer fun.

Ebooks Minnesota features Minnesota’s independent publishers and books about Minnesota. With an array of fiction and nonfiction titles, the collection has something for everyone. Check out some of the series for young readers:

The collection is free to use, there is no limit to the number of titles that can be checked out at any time, and readers can keep titles as long as they wish. Visit the website or download an app for your device via the App Store, Google Play, or Kindle Fire HD.

Ebooks Minnesota is a two-year pilot project brought to you by Minitex and the Minnesota Department of Education, made possible in part by funding from through a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information, please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508).

Turn Around, Bright Eyes: Library Programming for the Total Eclipse of 2017
Too busy with summer reading to even THINK about attending a webinar? The Space Science Institute has got you covered. Take a 20-minute breather from summer reading madness on Wednesday, June 15 at 2:00 pm to attend a 20-minute “mini webinar.” You’ll get great information about the 2017 total solar eclipse, and be able to ask questions about promoting the event in your library. Here are a couple fun facts to get you started: 1) On August 21, 2017, a total eclipse of the sun will be visible in the continental U.S. for the first time in almost 40 years; 2) The total eclipse will ONLY be visible in the U.S. and no other country. Download an eclipse FAQ sheet.

Register for the mini webinar. Password is “star1”. This webinar will be VoiP only, so you will need to use a laptop, or a desktop computer with a microphone and headset (there will be no call-in option.) If you have any problems with your registration, please contact Anne Holland for assistance.

Celebrate Summer Learning Day Every Day This Summer
The nation may celebrate 2016 Summer Learning Day on July 14, but public libraries celebrate learning all summer long. Across the state this summer, we know that hundreds of educational and entertaining events will take place in Minnesota’s public libraries. Share what you’re doing with the rest of the state—and the country—by posting events on the National Summer Learning Association’s website.

Bring Financial Empowerment to Your Community
Interested in learning more about promoting financial well-being in your community? The University of Minnesota Extension service will host Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Your Money, Your Goals workshops throughout the state for community organizations and agencies. Participants will become well-versed in using a toolkit designed to increase people’s financial literacy and skills.

The sessions cover key financial literacy topics, many of which are important for teens—emotions, values, culture, and money decisions; savings for emergencies, bills, and goals; and credit and debt, just to name a few.

Learn more about the program. Trainings begin in June and run through August, so register today for the session nearest you. Please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508) for more information.

Reintroduce Your Library to Your Community
Outside the Lines is a week-long celebration, September 11-17, 2016, that demonstrates the creativity and innovation happening in today’s libraries. Whether your library is large or small—school, academic, special or public—you can participate in this international celebration by hosting an event that:

– Gets people thinking and talking about libraries in a different way.
– Showcases your library in the community. 
– Represents your local community.
– Highlights how your library is relevant to people’s lives.
– Is active and gets people engaged.
– Is fun!

Learn more about Outside the Lines and how to participate through an informational webinar on Thursday, June 30 from11:00 a.m. to noon. No registration is necessary, but virtual space may be limited. Learn more about Outside the Lines and register as a participating location on the campaign’s website.