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The Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange (CMLE) is one of seven regional multitype library systems established to meet the needs of and share the resources of all types of libraries. We love libraries, and are here to support them!
General, Public

Study on digital content in public libraries

technologyThe American Library Association (ALA) and the Book Industry Study Group (BISG) have recently released the results of their first ever joint research initiative: Digital Content in Public Libraries: What Do Patrons Think?

“Library patrons were asked about preferences for print or digital formats, collection assessment, preferred devices and other issues that affect the use and distribution of published content in public libraries. The study will serve as a tool to furthering the understanding of the e-book marketplace.”

Some highlights include:

  • In the past year, 96% of respondents said they read at least one print book, while 44% read at least one e-book.
  • Borrowing print books is the most cited reason for visiting a library.
  • 23% of respondents borrow up to 10 e-books in a year.
  • Patron satisfaction in urban libraries greatly exceeds suburban and rural libraries.

An Executive Summary of results is available free if you are a member of the ALA or BISG.  The full report is available for purchase online here.

ALA & BISG announce results of study

Image credit: https://unsplash.com/ (William Iven), licensed under CC0 1.0
Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

CMLE Weekly Review: 3/24/16

This issue of the Weekly Review recaps our blog posts from March 18-23, 2016.

CMLE Updates: State & Regional News
– Promote this 24/7 “chat librarian service” to students: AskMN  More
– Recap of CMLE spring author event  More
– State Library Updates: 3/16/16 More
– Library legislative updates More

Upcoming Events and Registration Information
– “Multitype powered” library PD calendar More
– Free national online library events to build your skill sets  More

Tech Bits and Ideas
– Can Madden football game teach math and science concepts? More
– Best keyboards for 2016 More

Resources You Can Use
– News media literacy Film Festival More
– 20 project management tips for libraries More
– AASL Recommended App: Motion Math Educator Suite More

Food For Thought
– Why your digital resources go unused, and what to do about it  More

Just For Fun
– 20 reasons we love librarians More

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

MN Library Legislative Update: 3/15/16

Minnesota Capitol domeThe following legislative update was written by Elaine Keefe, library lobbyist for the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) and Information Technology Educators of MN (ITEM).  CMLE helps pay  this lobbyist to serve the best interests of academic, K-12, public, and special libraries in Central MN. You’re welcome!

Governor’s Budget:  Governor Dayton released his supplemental budget proposal today.  He is proposing to spend a total of $698 million (including $117 million for tax cuts).  Of that spending, $411 million is one-time spending and $287 million is ongoing spending.  The governor proposes to leave $200 million on the bottom line to guard against a future economic downturn.  This is consistent with his statement last week in his State of the State address that his highest priority was protecting the fiscal stability of the state.  Here are items of interest in the proposed budget:

  • $100 million for Border to Border Broadband grants.  Earlier in the year Governor Dayton had announced that he would propose $100 million for broadband, but after the February forecast projected a smaller surplus, there was speculation that this amount might go down.  Happily, this was not the case.  This is a one-time appropriation.
  • $21.5 million for a one-time increase in Local Government Aid to cities.
  • $25 million for a one-time increase in County Program Aid.
  • $25 million for a pre-kindergarten program offered through public schools.  The funding would be targeted to high-poverty areas and those with a lack of three and four star Parent Aware rated child care programs.  This funding would increase to $40 million in FY 18 and $60 million in FY 19.

A detailed description of each item in Governor Dayton’s proposal can be found here: http://mn.gov/mmb/images/16-17-supplemental-agency-item.pdf

Bills of Interest:  Since the Legislature convened one week ago, legislators have introduced 546 bills in the Senate and 747 bills in the House.  Here are some bills of interest to MLA and ITEM:

HF 2381 (Baker) Provides $35 million for border to border broadband grants.  The bill will be heard in the House Greater Minnesota Economic and Workforce Development Policy Committee this Thursday.

HF 2385 (Lesch)/ SF 2703 (Dibble)  Prohibits employers from requiring applicants or employees to divulge their username or password to any personal social media account.

HF 2386 (Lesch)/ SF 2705 (Chamberlain)  Prohibits educational institutions from requiring students or prospective students to divulge their username or password to any personal social media account.

HF 2537 (Youakim)/ SF 2510 (Kent)  Establishes the right of student journalists to determine the content of school newspapers and student-led publications, unless the content is profane, harassing or intimidating.

HF 2597 (Green)  Repeals the requirement that 47% of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund must be allocated to the State Arts Board.

HF 2645 (B. Johnson)/ SF 2296 (Nienow) Provides $2,414,000 to the city of Cambridge to build a new public library and headquarters for the East Central Regional Library.

HF 2898 (Lucero)  Protecting student data privacy on 1:1 devices issued by an educational institution.

HF 2900 (Lucero)  Protecting student privacy on personal electronic devices.

HF 2939 (C. Johnson)/ SF 2560 (Sheran) Provides funding for the Travers des Sioux Library Cooperative to hire licensed school media specialists to provide services to schools that do not have licensed school media specialists.  This was initiated by a former employee of TDS, and is not supported by the TDS Board.  I do not expect this bill to advance.

HF 3069 (Peterson) / SF 2462 (Carlson)  Exempts information systems software from the requirement that schools use a competitive bidding process for purchases.

SF 2294 (Dahms) Provides $30 million in bond proceeds for border to border broadband grants.

SF 2447 (Schmit)  Provides $100 million from the general fund for border to border broadband grants.

Elaine Keefe
Capitol Hill Associates
525 Park Street, Suite 255
St. Paul, MN 55103
(cell) 612-590-1244
elaine@capitolhillassoc.com

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/olvp485, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Promote AskMN.org to students

ASKmnLogofull3Students should always have access to a reference librarian when they need help. One school librarian cannot possibly help all students all of the time, right? A smart, strategic Rochester school librarian (Ellen Range) has done a fantastic job of putting together a post on AskMN for her teachers to learn about the service and tells them how to introduce students to this wonderful resource.

Ellen has produced a video and helpful step-by-step information about how to use this “24/7 chat with a librarian” service. Take a look to see what Ellen has shared.