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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

We've Learned: Three Job Postings

We’ve Learned… is designed to keep our readers informed about news concerning personnel in Central MN libraries/media centers. Please keep CMLE informed of any “happenings” regarding staff members in your area so that we can include them in the next write-up! Happenings can include: changes in staffing, job postings, awards, honors, accomplishments… you get the idea!

ECRLVacancies- Branch Librarians- ECRL

East Central Regional Library has two vacancies for the position of Branch Librarian II. Each position oversees the operation of a community branch library.  ECRL is a consolidated regional library system with 14 branches.  A Bachelor’s Degree, up to date technology skills and three years related experience is required.  MLS/MLIS or similar library certification is preferred.  Candidates must have demonstrated creativity and vision to provide modern public library service; above average communication skills; excellent customer service skills; and the ability and willingness to lead a library team of staff and volunteers.  Starting salary is $15.07 per hour.  Review of applications begins April 11, 2014 and continues until filled.  Submit ECRL application to:  Barbara Misselt, Director, East Central Regional Library, 244 S. Birch St, Cambridge MN 55008. Application information and form is on the website at: http://www.ecrlib.org/jobs.html

Current vacancies are at the Chisago Lakes Area Library (Chisago City, MN) and Giese Memorial Library (Wyoming, MN)

Chisago Lakes Area Library is located in Chisago City,MN just 35 miles north of St. Paul along Highway 8. In 2013, the library saw 50,511visitors (2nd in the region) and circulated 76,216 physical items (3rd in the region). The Branch Librarian supervises 4 part-time staff that work a combined 35hrs/week.The Chisago Lakes Area Library was built in 2006 and receives excellent community support through an active Friends of the Library group. The library has a very active children’s program including story times and summer reading.The library is open 42 hours per week (Mon-Sat). This vacancy is due to an internal promotion.

The Giese Memorial Library is located in Wyoming, MN just 30 miles north of St. Paul on Highway 35. In 2013, the library saw 23,790visitors (8th in the region) and circulated 43,904 physical items (8th in the region). The Branch Librarian supervises 3 part-time staff that work a combined 34hrs/week. The Giese Memorial Library was built in 2006 and receives excellent community support from its foundation, the Wyoming Area Library Society, and Friends of the Library group.The library is open 40 hours per week (Tues-Sun). This vacancy is due to a retirement.

Application information and form is on the website at: http://www.ecrlib.org/jobs.html

High School Library/Media Position Open in Willmar for 2014-2015

FYI – There is a high school media specialist/integrationist opening for 2014-2015 at Willmar Senior High School in Willmar, MN.  WHS is a 9-12 high school of about 1,200 students.  This is the first year of a 1:1 iPad initiative so it is a great opportunity for an integrationist to help staff use iPads in their classroom.  We teach and use the ELM databases for research.  There is a strong Somali & Hispanic student population in school and in town.  The principal is outstanding and supportive of this position.  Willmar is a town of 19,500 residents located 100 miles west of the metro on highway 12.  Lots of lakes, Ridgewater College & a regional medical facility.

View the high school eLibrary page here: http://www.willmar.k12.mn.us/Page/1071

If you are interested in applying go here: http://www.applitrack.com/willmar/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=High+School+Teaching

Contact me for more info:  Joel Brenckman, Online Research

Willmar High School, Willmar, MN

320-231-8341 or brenckmanj@willmar.k12.mn.us

 

 

 

 

 

 

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Wisconsin School Libraries Receive $30 Million

dollarsRecently, the 426 school districts  in Wisconsin received an infusion of money specifically for school media centers. If my math is correct, if split equally, the $30,200,000  means each district will receive about $71,000! It all happened through the Common School Fund, and needless to say, there is great excitement in this news. To find out more about this story, go to http://tinyurl.com/l5xbjdn

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

State Library Services Updates

MDE logo retrieved online 12/17/13..
MDE logo retrieved online 12/17/13..

TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: March 31, 2014
SUBJECT: State Library Services Update

New State Library Program Specialist, Edge Initiative

New Staff at State Library Services

I’m delighted to announce that Emily Kissane has accepted the position of State Library Program Specialist at State Library Services beginning April 16, 2014. Emily has a wealth of experience that will make a decided contribution to State Library Services. After a six-year stint as a reference and information technology librarian at Gustavus Adolphus College, she moved into the area of educational policy.

In addition to other roles, she served as a policy analyst at the Minnesota Office of Higher Education from 1999-2009, administering statewide technology and library programs, including Minitex, MnLINK and the Learning Network of Minnesota. She developed a depth of knowledge about the needs of greater Minnesota through an assignment as the interim executive director of Minnesota Rural Partners and as a policy analyst for rural school districts.

More recently, her work has focused on higher education policy with an emphasis on research, writing and communications. In addition to an MLS from the University of Iowa, Emily earned an MA in Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute where her thesis dealt with market structure and state funding of K-12 education in Minnesota.

In her role at State Library Services, Emily will administer regional public and multicounty multitype library aid programs, the Public Library Accessibility and Improvement Grant program and will serve as e-rate coordinator for public libraries.

The Edge Initiative

The Edge is a new initiative that offers public libraries an opportunity to assess public access technology services and the tools to make improvements to better serve communities. Read more about The Edge. The initiative launched in January with a randomly selected group of libraries from each state; randomly selected Minnesota libraries were notified of their selection in mid-January. In addition to the randomly selected libraries, State Library Services can offer free access to an additional 15 libraries in 2014, with assessment activities taking place between May and  August. Please let me know if you would like to be considered for participation and I will send you more detailed information.

For more information about State Library Services or this information, contact Jennifer Nelson at 651-582-8791 or jennifer.r.nelson@state.mn.us.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

63 Free Library Webinars in April

Some rights reserved by kodomut
Some rights reserved by kodomut

OK, 63 is a lot, but take a moment to consider the best course of action! First consider your most pressing topical needs….

Strategy:

  • Before you begin perusing the list of possibilities, you need a plan….start a Word doc to help you stay organized.
  • If you have lots and lots of questions on those pressing topics, you may want to attend those webinars live, so you have an opportunity to ask questions that still might not be answered during  the presentation.
  • Put the most pressing ones first (the question ones) in a April Live Webinars  category in your doc
  • See if  the dates for live work for you, register or check whether you need to register, and put them in your calendar.
  • If you have a conflict and cannot attend live, move them to the next category in your doc, perhaps Learning When I Have Time!
  • Hopefully, all of the links will transfer into your Word doc, so in a moments notice, you can click on the link and go!

The beauty of webinars is that almost all of them allow you to view the content when you have time to focus and learn, which is important! I often have to clear my desk, or turn papers upside down, so I do not get distracted and just do other work while the webinar is happening.

Huge thanks to Open Education Database (OEDB) for their continued work in offering this compilation of high quality learning opportunities each month, which is simply priceless.

Tip: If attending live, pay careful attention to the time zone listed!

And, the precious  link to this month’s delectable list is http://tinyurl.com/mmauljw

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

April is School Library Month!

SLM2014_banner_emailThis month, we honor the essential role that strong school library programs play in a student’s educational career. I wish CMLE had a little traveling task force to go into each Central MN school to toot the horn loud and long for all of our media specialists and paras, and highlight the important programming and support they provide. Lacking that, I can offer you the tools to do so for yourself, and I hope you consider trying at least one of the ideas provided below by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).

They have tried to make it easy for you to make a splash!

  • Decorate your library or library website with the 2014 School Library Month poster
  • Customize and print your own posters, bookmarks and mini-posters
  • Download two PSA videos featuring Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
  • Information for a student video contest where students record how their school library changes their life! Prizes for the best submissions!!
  • Complimentary webinar series (pre-recorded and available on-demand)
  • Check out other materials too to make you look like the rock star that you are!

Click here now for your treasure trove of  2014 School Library Month goodies!