All posts by admincmle

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!
Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

CMLE welcomes new Office Administrator!

Sheri Olson, CMLE Office Administrator
Sheri Olson, CMLE Office Administrator

Hi, Patricia Post here! As John Meyerhofer left CMLE to begin his stint at Macalaster College, we needed a top notch office manager. They had to understand our members and their world, be able to write, while also being a whiz with logistics and details around events and our CMLE office! A tall order, but we think we have found her! Sheri Olson is her name and I have asked her to write a bit about herself….won’t you join me in welcoming Sheri?

I am so excited to be a part of CMLE!  I have been involved with books in many ways through the years.  As a child, while other kids were playing with dolls and trucks, I created my own library in my room! As an adult, I carried my love of books into the real world when I became the owner of two bookstores in the Zimmerman/Elk River area – Reading Frenzy BookShop and Reading Frenzy Corner.  As the owner and manager of these stores, I had hands-on contact with authors, publishers, libraries, and book readers of all ages. This gave me a great background in the book industry on many levels.

I also have a passion for event planning. Over the years I have organized hundreds of events – large and small for both non-profits and businesses. Some of my most recent endeavors include organizing author events at Scout & Morgan Books in Cambridge and ArtSoup Community Festival in Elk River.  I am very excited to assist CMLE with future events.

I also have over 25 years of experience working with and for non-profits.  The non-profit world is unique, challenging, and exciting all at the same time!  My experience has been quite extensive from assisting with simple office tasks, fundraising, event planning, leadership, and being a board member.

On a personal level, I have lived in the Zimmerman/Elk River area for 18 years.  I have been happily married to my husband, Mike, for over 31 years and we share our home with two rescued senior cats, Stormi and Sherlock.  I love reading!  My favorite genres are mysteries and memoirs.  And finally, I love to volunteer and I am active with several excellent non-profits.

I look forward to working with each of you and I hope that I have the opportunity to meet you at an event in the future.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Public librarians declare 2015 favorites booklist

library_reads_logo_websiteAre you familiar with Library Reads? Quite simply, LibraryReads is a process to involve public librarians in recommending adult books. Then, each month the top ten most loved published adult books are shared in a list for book lovers.

Hot off the press, this month LibraryReads shares the 2015 favorites of favorites!

If you are interested in participating in the LibraryReads process of nominating titles, getting advanced copies of books, or voting,  see their FAQ page.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist

Need education grants?

GetEdGetEdFunding is a free website sponsored by CDW•G to help educators and institutions find the funds they need in order to supplement their already stretched budgets. Thousands of grants and other funding opportunities culled from federal, state, regional, and community sources available to public and private, preK–12 educators, schools and districts, higher education institutions, and nonprofit organizations that work with them. GetEdFunding is created by educational professionals, for educational professionals. It’s designed to be an easy-to-use, relevant, and reliable database to which grant seekers will return again and again. After registering on the site, you can save the grant opportunities of greatest interest and then return to them at any time. This rich resource of funding opportunities is expanded, updated, and monitored daily.

Click Here to Search for Funding Opportunities

Don’t forget that CMLE also maintains a webpage with grant opportunities to help your fill the gaps.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Future libraries report available for download

3a8bd6d2Fast Company recently brought our attention to a new report  done by Arup University, a well renowned research institution. As others have said, as we find ourselves in a time of great technological upheaval, libraries can survive, but they’re going to have to change, and fast! Can they change fast enough? are we headed in the right direction? and what kind of change is needed? Do words like collaborative, robotic, and participatory pique your interest?

The full report is free for download, is 44 pages in length, and contains many graphics and pictures. More than reading a sound bite, this report is worth a thoughtful read. If you want the Fast Company cliff notes version, click here.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Snippets and Sneak Peeks Event: Winter Edition

QoR8Bv1S2SEqH6UcSJCA_TeaCalling all book lovers!On January 12th, prepare to surround yourself with yummy books and a cozy cup of coffee with colleagues. Free event. Hosted by CMLE, ITEM, and staff of Barnes & Noble.

Join us for one hour of solid gold book talks (snippets and sneak peeks of new titles).  Selections will cover a variety of genres including pre-k thru grade 12, and adult books that would be age appropriate for teens too. Please send your email reservation.  Trouble with embedded link? Send to admin@cmle.org. All are welcome, but a headcount is needed to ensure enough materials and refreshments.

Location:     St. Cloud Barnes and Noble store, (3940 Division St, St Cloud, MN 56301)
Date:             Tuesday, January 12, 2016

3:30 – 4:00      Social time, light refreshments, and meet the authors
4:00 – 5:00      Book Talks (includes short previews by authors Jackie Lea Sommers (Truest),     Kristin D. Van Risseghem (The Guardian, a Sword & Stilettos), and Aimee Bissonette (Northwoods Girl)
5:00 –            Social time with colleagues and authors and shopping

Tip: Check with your employer to see if they have already set up a B&N Institutional Account or a B&N Educator Discount Card. No? During this event, educators from Pre-K through grade 12 can sign up for a free Educator Card and receive 25% off their personal and school purchases. Why? Our event falls within Educator Appreciation Week!

Did you know that B & N does book fairs? This may be especially helpful to area high schools.

Note: Some of you may already have B & N Educator Discount Cards and may receive a B & N  invitation to another similar event at 6 pm. Because B & N usually hosts its own separate “educator” event during  Educator Appreciation Week, the authors mentioned above for our book talk event will stay for slightly longer presentations at a B & N event from 6:00 – 7:00 pm which will include an audience beyond library personnel. This event will include the same book talks covered in our earlier event.

Image credit: https://unsplash.com/ (Carli Jean), licensed under CC0 1.0