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

New MILE Participants and Call for Mentors

Echinacea_purpurea,_Jardín_Botánico,_Múnich,_Alemania,_2013-09-08,_DD_01Mentors Still Needed: Are you interested in helping to develop the future library leaders in the list below? The MN Institute for Leadership Excellence (MILE) is still looking for mentors. They are seeking applications from experienced librarians/library professionals who would like to contribute to the success of Minnesota libraries. Applicants are sought from all types of libraries, and with a range of professional experiences. This is a great opportunity to make a professional contribution while getting to know an enthusiastic and engaged mentee. More information about the mentorship program and the mentor application can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/mlaexcellence/mentors.

Drum roll please….here are the 24 selected individuals for 2015!

Please take a moment to congratulate the new Minnesota Institute for Leadership Excellence (MILE 2015) participants. These individuals will come together over the next two years to build their leadership skills as well as create better libraries for our Minnesota communities.  Hearty congratulations to the following individuals; please note that individuals from the CMLE Region are highlighted!

  • Carolyn Avair, East Central Regional Library System
  • Roxanne Backowski, St. Cloud State University
  • Trent Brager, Minnesota School of Business-Rochester
  • Adam Brisk, University of Minnesota-Duluth
  • Julia Carlis, Dakota County Library
  • Amelia Cohoes, Globe University
  • Allison Girres, Pioneerland Library System
  • Shelly Grace, SAMMIE
  • Sarah Hawkins, East Central Regional Library System
  • Stacey Hendren, Anoka County Library
  • Kristin Jones, Carver County Library/Pioneerland Library System
  • Richmond Kinney, Duluth Public Library
  • Kelly Kraemer, College of St. Benedict | St. John’s University
  • Stephanie Langer, Kitchigami Regional Library
  • Rachel Lockman, Minneapolis Community & Technical College
  • Sarah Lo Pinto, Washington County Library
  • Anne Lundquist, Traverse de Sioux Library Cooperative
  • Chris Magnusson. Arrowhead Library System
  • Amy Mars, St. Catherine University
  • Lisa Motschke, Scott County Library
  • Jake Odland, Douglas County Library
  • Michael Schnieder, Minnesota School of Business-Elk River
  • Christie Schultz, Dakota County Library
  • Jill Wujcik, Sanford-Brown College
  • Jessica Zillhart, Anoka County Library
Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/qa5qnvt, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Hey Central MN: You’re Invited to an Edible Book Festival!

ediblebooks_button (1)Save the Date for Some Serious Book Fun in April!

CMLE is pleased to co-sponsor this upcoming SCSU Library event and invites all library/school media staff in Central MN to join in the fun!

WHAT? Create and bring a piece of edible art related to books: it can be a pun on a title, refer to a scene or character, look like a book or somehow be inspired by a book. All materials must be edible – but may or may not taste good together; tastiness receives no points! No time to create? Come as a spectator, vote for your favorites, and take in additional entertainment, treats, and fun. (No registration required for spectators)

WHO? Whether you’re library staff, a voracious reader, professional chef, starving artist, and/or someone who just likes to play with their food, you’re eligible to join in the fun! Group entries are welcome too, so consider creating your entry with colleagues!

Get all of the details here!

Ready to help get the word out? Download the poster now!

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Infographic: What do the MN multitypes do?

multitype_infographic_p1The MN multicounty, multitype library systems play an important role in the statewide fabric of libraries, but it is sometimes hard to explain exactly how.  Why? While we all have some common focus areas, we are also tasked with responding to specific needs in our respective regions. So services can vary by region. In the case of CMLE, we respond to the needs of 320 libraries in 12 counties in Central MN. Does this sound like a tall order? Why yes it is, and the hardest part is gathering up a good picture of the regional needs. Stay tuned for a member needs assessment coming soon, where we will give you an opportunity to provide input. For now, feel free to get the big picture of multitypes by taking a look at the infographic we recently created to help legislators understand the work we do. Multitype funding has been flat for eight years, so we are making the case for a funding increase, and hope we are successful. If we are, lots of exciting possibilities are on the seven multitype wish lists!

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

MN Library Legislative Update

Capital SunsetThe following legislative update was written by Elaine Keefe, library lobbyist for the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) and Information Technology Educators of MN (ITEM).

Received Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 3:50 pm

House Education Finance Hearing: On Thursday, February 19, the House Education Finance committee heard two bills initiated by MLA/ITEM. Both bills were well-received by the committee.

The first bill to be heard was HF 583, authored by Rep. Ron Kresha (R – Little Falls), which increases funding for Telecommunications Equity Aid (TEA) and Regional Library Telecommunications Aid (RLTA). Mary Mehsikomer of TIES (and president of ITEM) and Marc Johnson of ECMECC testified in support of the increase for TEA, and did an outstanding job. I testified in support of the increase for RLTA. Denise Dittrich, lobbyist for the Minnesota School Boards Association, also testified in favor of the bill. HF 583 was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus education finance bill.

The second bill to be heard was HF 569, authored by Rep. Bud Nornes (R – Fergus Falls), which increases funding for RLBSS and the Multi-types. I testified briefly, followed by more extensive testimony by Ann Hutton of SELCO in support of the RLBSS increase and Kathy Enger of NLLN in support of the funding increase for the Multi-types. Both did an excellent job. HF 569 was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus education finance bill.

Bill Introductions: Since my last update, the following bills of interest have been introduced:

SF 832, a bill increasing RLBSS and Multi-type funding, was introduced by Senator Tom Saxhaug (DFL – Grand Rapids). Co-authors are Senator Chuck Wiger (DFL – Maplewood), Senator Vicky Jensen (DFL Owatonna), Senator LeRoy Stumpf (DFL – Plummer) and Senator Bill Weber (R – Luverne). This bill is the companion to HF 569, referenced above.

SF 853, a bill appropriating $100,000 per year to the department of Administration so that the Information Policy and Analysis Division (IPAD) can provide training and technical assistance the local units of government on implementing data privacy laws, was introduced by Senator Kari Dziedzic (DFL – Minneapolis).

Rep. Drew Christensen (R – Burnsville) introduced the companion bills to several bills on school technology that were introduced early in the session by Senator Chuck Wiger (DFL – Maplewood). See my February 3 update for detailed descriptions. The bills introduced by Rep. Christensen include:

HF 856 (companion to SF 18) establishes special technology revenue, which can be used for the purchase or lease of telecommunications equipment, computers and related hardware and software, assistive technology and new and replacement library media resources or technology.

HF 854 (companion to SF 45) increases total operating capital and reserves the increase for the same purposes as those listed in HF 856 as well as for the purchase of electronic textbooks.

HF 838 (companion to SF 78) increases TEA funding to $9.75 million per year.

February Forecast: The next state economic forecast will be released on Friday, February 27. It is widely anticipated that the new forecast will project that the state’s budget surplus will be larger than the $1 billion surplus that was projected in December. Soon after the new forecast is released, Governor Dayton is expected to release his supplemental budget recommendations.

Elaine Keefe
Capitol Hill Associates
525 Park Street, Suite 310
St. Paul, MN 55103
(office)651-293-0229
(cell) 612-590-1244
elaine@capitolhillassoc.com

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Are you ready to start a reading revolution?

i readBlogger and Advanced Placement Literature teacher Brian Sztabnik got my attention with a blog post that included: reading revolution, and blogs. Like, who wouldn’t be interested in two of my favorite things?

Lots of people are concerned about whether students still read, do they read enough, do they understand what they read, and how we foster that love of reading? I believe Brian is right on with his approach of creating a contagious atmosphere of passionate readers with two cornerstones.

Choice (of what to read) and Blogs = Empowerment!

Flipped classrooms are often used in math and science, but why not reading?  Indeed, Brian has flipped his classroom, and his post shares how to do the flip, what the fears might be, and why he feels blogs are the way to go to capture the students thoughts and learning. This blog post is worth a read if you want to be part of the reading revolution!

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/q3p6r8n, licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0