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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!

Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year is announced…

face-crying-with-laughter-744x744Well, this is interesting! For the first time ever, the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year is a pictograph, officially called the ‘Face with Tears of Joy’ emoji. And, did you know that emoji’s have been around since the late 1990’s?

What is always interesting is to also consider what else was in the running for Word of the Year. See the shortlist here….

Watch for sheep facing downhill!

sheep2Just for fun….our friends at the Farmers Almanac impart some interesting folklore tidbits for us to ponder….ppssstttt, we recently experienced thunder in November!

Weather Folklore

  • If the geese on St. Martin’s Day (November 11) stand on ice, they will walk in mud at Christmas.
  • If the first snow sticks to the trees, it foretells a bountiful harvest.
  • If sheep feed facing downhill, watch for a snowstorm.
  • If on All Saints Day the beech acorn is dry we will stick behind the stove in winter, but if it is wet and not light the winter will not be dry, but wet.
  • Thunder in November indicates a fertile year to come.
  • If there be ice in November that will bear a duck, there will be nothing thereafter but sleet and muck.
  • As November 21st, so the winter.
  • When the winter is early, it will not be late.
This piece is part of a much larger post by Farmers Almanac.
Image credit: https://unsplash.com, (Ariana Prestes), licensed under CCO 1.0.

Weekly Review: 11/19/2015

CMLE Updates: State and Regional News
  • Going to the TIES Conference?  More
  • Will you do an Hour of Code event this year? More
  • Great Rivers genealogy rock star! More
  • CMLE assistance with professional development expenses More
Upcoming Events and Registration Information
  • MN Libraries Continuing Education Calendar More
  • Minitex Webinars and Trainings More
  • Assorted online webinars More
Tech Bits and Ideas

  •  Kids are using technology earlier! More
  • Artificially intelligent software in education More
Resources You Can Use
  • Tools for verifying the validity of social media More
  • ICYMI: Teen services;10 questions to ask yourself! More
  • Recommended App: Amazing World Atlas More

Food for Thought

  • Did you know? Underground archives at the U of M More
Just for Fun
  •  Turkey trivia and the great yam scam! More

St. Cloud library worker thrives on genealogy hunts

graveRecently, Great River Regional Library associate Wendy Sykes made the front page of the St. Cloud Times for her subject expertise in genealogy. Sykes perceives peoples pasts as treasure hunts, and indeed admits with the tricky ones she digs, and digs, and digs, and digs some more! St. Cloud Public Library is lucky to have Wendy’s expertise in house, and it sounds like it is well-used. Sykes leads twice-a-year genealogy classes to teach people the basics of getting started. Library staffers also take the course on the road to different GRRL branches. Did you know that GRRL has a genealogy club that meets the first Thursday of the month? Stearns History Museum has its own club too.

What I found most fascinating was Sykes’ hobby as a volunteer to wander graveyards and take photos of gravestones for the Find a Grave website. Who knew?  The full article is well worth your time…

Image credit: https://unsplash.com/ (Simeon Muller), licensed under CC0 1.0

Need financial help with the TIES Conference?

photo-1431036101494-66a36de47defAre you tasked with providing leadership or support for educational technology in your work setting?

Over 3,100 teachers, technology coordinators, school and district administrators, technology experts, and exhibitors are expected to attend the upcoming  TIES Education Technology Conference on December 12-15 in Minneapolis. Register today to collaboratively learn, teach, share and network.

Need more general information? Interested in keynotes and featured speakers?

Don’t forget the possibility of attending via Virtual Conference. For $160, access both keynote presentations and ten breakout sessions! Includes live and archived access too.

Short of financial support? If you work in a library or school media center in Central MN, CMLE will support your learning with financial assistance up to $200. The application is easy and we are more than happy to help!

Image credit: https://unsplash.com/ (Aaron Wilson), licensed under CC0 1.0