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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, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

CMLE’s New Employee

photoThe CMLE office is excited to welcome John Meyerhofer as our new Information Specialist. Some of you might recognize John’s name from his time as a CMLE board member. More recently, he has been assisting in the 23 Mobile Things program as a Coach.

John is originally from Zumbrota MN and is a graduate of St. John’s University. He has previous work experience in computer programming and web development. Besides working for CMLE, John is currently pursuing his Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree from the UW Milwaukee.

Please join me in welcoming John to CMLE.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

A Mindful Moment: Tool 6: Let Go of Expectations

Image by bibigeek. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by bibigeek. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

From now until the end of the school year, each week we will be including a post called A Mindful Moment.  Mindfulness is an emerging topic in libraries as it relates to our own personal wellness, but also as it affects good customer service. If you are at all like me, if you get a list of 12 things to consider at one time, it is just too overwhelming. Therefore, in these weekly posts, we will be providing small bits of information to assist you in moving toward  a more mindful life. All credit for the content goes to Leo Babauta at Fast Company, who believes “a mindful life is worth the effort.” I really, really love the introduction Leo gave to his 12 piece tool set and his explanation of a mindful life. This week, we feature this tool …..

Tool 6: Let Go of Expectations

“This is really the same thing as the previous two items, but I’ve found it useful nonetheless. It’s useful to watch your expectations with an upcoming situation, with a new project or business, and see that it’s not real and that it’s causing you stress and disappointment. We cause our own pain, and we can relieve it by letting go of the expectations that are causing it. Toss your expectations into the ocean.”

What is this business about a mindful life? Read Leo’s introduction, it will take like one minute and is well worth your time to frame this subject!

Interested in other posts CMLE has done on mindfulness recently?

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Upcoming MN eBook Events

TO:  Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: April 7, 2014
SUBJECT: Explore eBooks MN Webinar Series and Summit

Save the Date(s): Explore eBooks MN

Join fellow public, academic, school and special librarians in a statewide effort to explore the integration of eBooks into libraries, grow an understanding of how eBooks and digital content impact libraries, and engage in conversation around the future of eBooks in Minnesota. The Explore eBooks MN series of events will combine the internal expertise of Minnesotans with perspectives from national eBook innovators to further our professional understanding and build consensus. Improve your library’s capacity to embrace a digital future by participating in each Explore eBooks MN event.

Live Webinars*

1. eBook Basics, Wednesday, April 30, 2014, 1–2 p.m.
2. Access to eBooks: Challenges Facing Libraries and Publishers, Wednesday, May 21, 2014, 1–2 p.m.
3. eBooks in Libraries: Consortial Models, Thursday, June 19, 2014, 1–2 p.m.
4. eBooks in Libraries: A Business Models Overview, Wednesday, June 25, 2014, 1–2:15 p.m.
5. eContent Creation in Libraries, Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 1–2 p.m.

*Webinars will be recorded and archived by Minitex.

Explore eBooks MN Summit

Wednesday, August 13, 2014, 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN

More details and registration information to follow. Visit the Explore eBooks MN website, or contact Jennifer Nelson at jennifer.r.nelson@state.mn.us or Jennifer Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

GRRL Offers Read Down Your Fines Week

Please pass this information along to the young people in your life who may have fines at one of the Great River Regional public libraries. Let’s help each and every child take full advantage of their local public library through this special one-week offer! 

 GRRLSubject: Library Brings Back Read Down Fines Week April 14 to 19

St. Cloud, MN, April 2014: Following the success of Read Down Your Fines weeks in 2013, Great River Regional Library (GRRL) will repeat the effort April 14-19 in recognition of National Library Week.

During Read Down Your Fines week, teens and juveniles who have accumulated fines on their library accounts may read at the library to reduce the amount they owe. Fifteen minutes of reading wipes out $1 in fines. The first Read Down Your Fines week took place in June 2013, when 173 minor cardholders took part. Another 145 took part during a second Read Down Your Fines week in October.

Library staff like to see a busy children’s area and teen space. They believe it is in the best interest of all young people that they be able to take full advantage of library services. Read Down Your Fines provides a measure of compromise and forgiveness for those who have not always been able to return materials promptly for the use of others.

“Young people aren’t always to blame when items are returned late,” said Beth Ringsmuth Stolpman, Patron Services Specialist. “Sometimes another family member checks out materials on their card, and sometimes they don’t have transportation available to get to the library. Even if they have been forgetful or irresponsible, they’re kids and we need to remember that.” Read Down Your Fines is only available to those 16 and younger, and it only applies to fines accumulated for late returns, not to charges for lost or damaged materials.

Individuals who want to take advantage of Read Down Your Fines can speak to staff at their library. In the case of very young children with fines on their cards, parents may read down the child’s fines by reading to them in the library. The program is supported by public donations and will be available at all 32 GRRL locations. Young people who want to take part should speak with library staff as local procedures may vary. Individuals who wish to donate to Read Down Your Fines may do so through the library’s website, www.griver.org/support-library.

GRRL provides library services at 32 public libraries in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. It provides Central Minnesota residents with nearly 1 million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, programming and information services.

Contact: Beth Ringsmuth Stolpman

Patron Services Specialist, GRRL, 320-650-2510