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

Question from the Field: Public Performance Rights

FilmReels.popturfdotcomAn area media specialist/tech integrationist asked:  Our District Grad Party Committee wants to show a Shrek movie as part of the all night graduation party.  We know they likely have to pay licensing/royalties to do so. What I’m working to find out is why do we pay?  And how much is it?

Solutions to this question:

  1. It is wise to ask administration if they already have some sort of performance rights they’ve paid for OR whether they have a procedure in place for doing this. Knowing the internal procedure could help a great deal when working with the business office for payment too. Schools often have information about this because of performance rights that are needed for drama and music. IF there is nothing in place, move on to option 2!
  2. A search was done  using the terms “public performance rights” to produce a very helpful page on the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, one of the oldest public libraries in the nation.  You will want to bookmark this site, as it includes:
  • Frequently Asked Questions about Public Performance Rights,
  • Vendors that Sell Movies with Public Performance Rights,
  • How to Get Permission to Show Copyrighted Movies,
  • Vendors that Grant Public Performance Rights for Copyrighted Movies.

In reading the information, our media person then moved on to Criterion Pictures and got all of the information needed to legally show this movie.  According to her, “After talking via phone with someone there today–it will cost $75 for the group to show Shrek for the grad party.  The amount is based on the number of people, indoors at an school, not charging admission, not using it as a fundraiser.  (The cost could have ranged up to about $200). Criterion does movies from two of the big production companies.  Other companies do others.  They get movies to license when they come out on DVD.”

Wisdom from the Field? Do these two solutions match what you do in your setting? Do you have pearls of wisdom to add to this topic? Please share in the comments field what you know to enrich our toolkit around  public performance rights. Thanks!

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

Only 10 Days Left to Register for 23 Mobile Things!

The clock is ticking, and we would really like to see you register by February 15th for this fun, self-paced program. Do you vaguely remember something about this program, but forgot the details? Read our recent blog post with everything you need to know to get started!

Do 23 apps or  June 15th as a program end point just sounds like too much commitment? No worries, register for the program and do as much or as little as makes sense for you. After all, even if you learn about one new app that makes your personal or professional life better, you are still ahead of the game! And, who knows, you may be having so much fun, that you go ahead and try another, and another, and win prizes too!  See you all online!

23 Mobile Things Logo
23 Mobile Things Logo
Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

February's Productivity Tip

According to the folks at  MakeUseOf, “The time has come where we all make promises to ourselves that we’ll be better, harder, faster, and stronger by the end of 2014. Twelve months is a long time, though, and it can be easy to lose steam over such a long period. What can you do about it?Our approach: break the year down into months and dedicate each month to a particular change. This method lets you internalize one change at a time before moving onto the next one. Front loading all of your resolutions together is just a recipe for being overwhelmed.A common resolution for most working people is to be more productive. If you do it right, by the end of the year you’ll be doing more work in less time!”

February’s Bad Habit: Sleeping Too Little

Common knowledge says that the human body needs 8 hours of sleep to get a good rest during the night. The truth is that each person is different — some people do need 8 hours, but others may only need 6 or 10 hours. You probably know how much sleep your own body needs — the trick is to make sure you get it.

People tend to stay up until they feel sleepy, then go to sleep. The “proper way” to sleep is recognize how much sleep you need, then go to bed for that many hours before you need to wake up. Don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s rest. You’ll feel better and your mind will be sharper.

Solution: Go to sleep before you feel tired. Adhere to a regular sleep schedule and stick to it no matter how badly you may want to deviate. SleepyTime is great for finding the right time to fall asleep and wake up to maximize your rest. There are also apps to help you sleep better. TrackThisForMe is good for tracking and visualizing your sleep — the results may surprise you.

This excerpt is from 12 Productivity Habits To Finally Hack Your Life In The New Year by Joel Lee, MakeUseOf, Jan.1, 2014

productivity-habit-sleep
From MakeUseOf, Jan. 1, 2014

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

Spotlight on the Newbery and Caldecott Winners

DiCamilloFlocaThe Newbery and Caldecott Medals honor outstanding writing and illustration of works published in the United States during the previous year and are the most prestigious awards in children’s literature. By now, most folks know that Kate DiCamillo, author of Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures (Candlewick), and Brian Floca, illustrator of Locomotive (Atheneum), are the 2014 winners of the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott Medals.

DiCamillo, a resident of Minneapolis, has previously received Newbery recognition for “The Tale of Despereaux,” the 2004 Medal winner, and Floca“Because of Winn-Dixie,” a 2001 Honor Book. DiCamillo was recently named 2014-2015 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature too, so it is simply satisfying to have a Minnesotan doing so well this year!

The full press release includes details about the authors and these books, along with lists of books that got honorable mentions.

Read the full ALA press release now….

School Media Specialist

We've Learned: Job Posting

Job Posting for Chisago Lakes Area Schools

CLOSING DATE: February 21, 2014

The following position is  available: Library Media Specialist
Location: District Wide
Licensure needed:  K-12 Media Specialist License
Position starting the 2014-2015 School Year
Full Time  

Note:  If interested; Internal candidates, please send your letter of interest and resume. External candidates, please also submit your certified application, a copy of your teaching license and three reference letters to Sarah Schmidt, Director of Curriculum/Communications.

If you have questions, please contact Sarah Schmidt, 651-213-2005 or sschmidt@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us .

Additional Information

Thanks so much,
Mark

Mark F. Johnson

Technology Integration Specialist

Chisago Lakes Area Schools

mjohnson@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us

651.213.2424 (office)

651.796.8669 (cell)