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!
General, Public, School Media Specialist

Minnesota is part of a K-12 Curriculum Collaborative

color_pencils01Open Educational Resources (OER) are in the news and Minnesota is part of an 11-state coalition setting out to create resources to support math and English/language arts in K-12 schools. The materials will be released under a Creative Commons Attribution license version 4.0, meaning that the materials can be freely copied and redistributed in any medium without additional cost.

Interestingly, studies show that the quality of teaching and learning improves when teachers are closely engaged in developing, assessing, and continually improving their learning materials.  This Collaborative appears to be a win-win for Minnesota for two reasons: 1) It supports local control, which is monumental in Minnesota, and 2) it could provide high-quality, low-cost ways to help students meet learning standards.

Read the following blog post to read more about this effort, including the deadline and process for being considered as a content developer. Go Minnesota!

Go to this link to see how Minnesota is involved and what the other 10 states and supporting organizations have to offer too!

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/ogazd4l, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Public

We’ve Learned: ECRL Positions

Positions at East Central Regional Library (ECRL)

Apply soon – application review begins January 5, 2015

Details at: http://www.ecrlib.org/jobs.html

  1. Branch Librarian I, Hinckley (New): Oversee the operation of the small community branch library in Hinckley. Bachelor’s Degree, up to date technology skills and two years related experience is required. MLS/MLIS or similar library certification or advanced library training is preferred. Candidates must have demonstrated creativity and vision to provide modern public library service; ability and willingness to work independently; above average communication skills; excellent customer service skills; and the ability and willingness to lead a library team of staff and volunteers.
  2. Technical Services Aide II at Headquarters in Cambridge (New): Oversee day-to-day operations of the catalog data management and processing area for the region. A high school diploma or GED plus 2 years of formal education beyond high school, 2 years job-related experience, and up to date technology skills are required.
  3. Computer Technician at Headquarters in Cambridge: Install, troubleshoot, and repair PCs, peripherals, and software under the direction of the System Administrator. Execute routine procedures consistent with a large network environment (such as backups). High school degree or GED and 2 years technical training required, plus 1-2 years experience.
  4. Branch Library Aide at Chisago Lakes, 5 hours per week: Responsible for the clerical operations of the automated library circulation system. Ability to work courteously and effectively with other employees and the public; ability to read, comprehend and orally communicate English; ability to be tactful and adept in dealing with a wide variety of people; ability to interpret library policies, resources, and services to others. A High School Degree or GED is required, and Bachelor’s Degree is preferred. Customer service and computer skills essential.
  5. Branch Library Page: High School Degree or GED is required or education level completed appropriate to age. $8.29/hr starting. The Library Page is responsible primarily for shelving and maintaining library materials. Positions remain open until they are filled. Submit application to: Director, East Central Regional Library, 244 S. Birch St, Cambridge MN 55008.
Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist

Does your school spy on its students?

Wait, where am I again?How much online supervision is necessary in a high school setting? Where do good intentions cross the line?

Nathan Ringo writes: “I’m a student at Wayzata (Minn.) High School, one of my favorite places to be. I enjoy learning and find almost all my teachers to be agreeable. I’m also a programmer and an advocate of free speech. In that role, my school holds a more dubious distinction: It’s the first place where my interests in computers and my rights were questioned. Like many other school districts, Wayzata puts censorware between students and the internet. However, Wayzata chose to implement an unsavory policy of blocking not just porn, but anything they feel is inappropriate in a school setting. Worse, I could not find out who makes the judgments about what is considered inappropriate.”…

Read Nathan’s well written blog post at Boing Boing, Dec. 3

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/mm5huga, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Filter Google results by reading level

Everyone can Google, but do you know enough of the cool tips and tricks to set you apart? I know my fair share, but was unaware that you can  filter Google results by reading level! It is pretty easy, just  search your  term, then on your results page, press Search Tools. Then, click on All Results,  and then on Reading level. From there, you can choose your reading level, either basic, intermediate, or advanced. Tip: Refrain from searching for “turtle cookies”, as the images are so wildly distracting, that it is hard to focus on reading level!

Don’t be shy about demonstrating tips and tricks that “show” what sets you (librarian) apart from the average Google searcher.

Want to read 20 Fascinating, Little Known Facts about Google?

Google logo render - Mark KnolImage credit: http://tinyurl.com/k9sv3la, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
General, Public, School Media Specialist

Grants and Free Book Opportunity

217/365 August 5 - Found MoneyApply Now for the 2015 Bookapalooza Program

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is now accepting applications for this popular program, a way to infuse free books into your collection. You may remember our blog post from last year, highlighting the 2014 Bookapalooza award to Talahi Community School in St. Cloud! The award is a collection of books for kids from birth through 14 and includes newly published books, videos, audio books and recording from children’s trade publishers. Last year, this amounted to over 1,350 books valued at $24,000. Applicants must be personal members of ALSC, as well as American Library Association (ALA) members. Deadline for submissions is Feb. 1, 2015. Read the press release which contains needed links.

Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is accepting applications for Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries. These grants are  small ($10,000 to $25,000) and  encourage libraries and archives to prototype and evaluate innovations that result in new tools, products, services, or organizational practices. They enable grantees to undertake activities that involve risk and require them to share project results–whether they succeed or fail–to provide valuable information to the library field and help improve the ways libraries serve their communities. Of special interest is that there are no matching requirements. Projects must begin on October 1, November 1, or December 1, 2015. The application deadline is February 2, 2015. For more details, start with the press release!

Adobe Software Grants

Educators at Title 1 schools are encouraged to apply for software and teacher development grants from Adobe. The program is designed to increase access to Adobe creative tools through the White House’s ConnectED initiative. In addition to software, educators also receive access to on-demand professional development, including webinars, workshops and collaborative courses to learn more about utilizing Adobe creative programs in the classroom. Prize: Schools receive access to a variety of Adobe tools, including Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Premiere Elements. Educators also receive access to online PD courses. Deadline: Rolling. For more information.

Summer Reading Grants

Applications for the 2015 round of summer reading grants are due January 1, 2015. There are two types of grants, the Summer Reading Resources and the Summer Reading Teen Intern grant. Twenty of each grant are available for $1000 each.

To determine if you are eligible, you must answer yes to the following questions:

Learn more at the Summer Reading and Learning Site!

Did you know that CMLE has a grants page?

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/k8cbqwd, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0