TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: October 26, 2015
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Revised Q&A for Library Construction Grant Applications

The library construction grant program provides  funding for renovation, construction, and improvement projects that result in more accessible public library facilities. An estimated $848,000 in state funding is available to award approximately three public library construction grants in this second round of 2014 funding. Revised questions and answers about the Library Construction Grant are available on the MDE grant opportunity website. Scroll down to the Library Construction Grant to find the updated Q&A document and application materials. Please remember that applications must be physically received (not postmarked) by November 10, 2015, at 3:30 p.m. Central Time to be considered for this round of grants. Contact Emily Kissane at emily.kissane@state.mn.us or 651-582-8508 for more information.

Share Storytime Lesson Plans with Librarians across Minnesota

We are excited to announce the creation of an online storytime lesson plan resource created for and by Minnesota librarians! The Minnesota Storytime Hub houses an easily accessible set of high quality resources that streamline storytime planning, increase awareness of materials used successfully in storytime practice, and allow professionals to share quality early literacy practices. A dozen children’s librarians from across Minnesota have already contributed lesson plans, and now it’s ready for you! Take a look around, and then start remixing already existing plans or adding your own. Check out our instructions to register with OER Commons and guidelines for adding lesson plans. We can’t wait to watch the Hub grow and expand with your expertise! If you have questions or comments, please contact Jen Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us.

Help Us Plan the Next Libraries Serving Youth Meetup

The next Libraries Serving Youth Meetup is scheduled for Saturday, April 16, 2016—and we would like your help developing an agenda. While we know it will feature a presentation by Cathy Camper, author of the critically acclaimed graphic novel Lowriders in Space, we want to make sure we’re best using this rare time when media specialists and public librarians from across the state are in the same room. If you’re either a media specialist or a public librarian serving youth, and you’d like to help plan this really cool event, please contact Jen Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us by November 6.

Take Your Learning Online: Upcoming Webinars

Note: The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) requires advance notice in order to provide a requested accommodation and requires a 48-hour notice to cancel a requested accommodation.

Get Familiar with the Upcoming 2015 Public Library Annual Survey

Public library directors, survey reporters, and others interested in library data collection are invited to a 2015 Public Library Annual Report webinar hosted by our State Data Coordinator. Joe Manion will share changes to the 2015 survey approved by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). You’ll have a chance to learn about modifications to federal data elements and definitions, and suggest changes or additions to the state-level data that we collect. You’ll also be able to share any concerns about the annual report process. Please join the discussion on Wednesday, October 28, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Registration is not required. Join the WebEx meeting online or call in at 1-888-742-5095 (toll-free) or 1-619-377-3319 using conference code 289 945 0924 / meeting number 253 591 132. Please email Joe at joe.manion@state.mn.us to request a copy of the webinar slides after October 28.

Improve the Health of Your Community through Your Library

State Library Services and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation are co-hosting a webinar featuring libraries that take innovative approaches to helping people be healthier. In 2012, the Foundation initiated Public Libraries for Health, awarding grants to libraries across Minnesota to develop projects to help people reach their full health potential. The webinar will feature grant recipients Thorson Memorial Library in Elbow Lake (job readiness) and Hennepin County Library (programs to serve homeless patrons), giving practical suggestions for developing and maintaining successful programs. If you want to implement a program to address the unique needs of your community, the webinar will introduce the Public Libraries for Health toolkit, a website to take you step-by-step through the process. Please register and then join us on Tuesday, November 3, 10-11:30 a.m. On the day of the webinar, join the WebEx meeting online or call in at 1-888-742-5095 (toll-free) or 1-619-377-3319 using conference code 492 064 9083/ meeting number 595 612 857. Please email Emily Kissane at emily.kissane@state.mn.us for more information.

Basic Records Management for Minnesota Public Libraries

Charles Rodgers of the State Archives Department of the Minnesota Historical Society will present a brief webinar review of the state records laws, the definition of government records, basic records management issues, and the role of the State Archives on Wednesday, November 18 from 1-2 p.m. Special emphasis will be given to records created and maintained by public libraries, including retention and disposition guidance, and documents with historical value. Charles is familiar with general records retention schedules for Minnesota cities and counties, which include sections addressing public library records. There will be ample time for questions and answers. No registration is necessary, just join the WebEx meeting online or call 1-888-742-5095  (toll-free) or 1-619-377-3319 using conference code 874 403 3672 / meeting number 253 118 533. Please contact Jen Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us with questions.

Attend Taxes 101 for Minnesota Libraries

Believe it or not, the 2016 tax season is right around the corner! To help libraries serve their communities during the tax season, State Library Services and Prepare + Prosper’s Claim it! campaign invite you to Taxes 101 for Minnesota Libraries on Thursday, November 19, 11 a.m.-noon. The webinar will cover topics such as who needs to file taxes, basics about tax credits for individuals and families with low to moderate income, free tax preparation sites, frequently asked questions, and community resources. Our goal is to give libraries the resources they need to make tax time a little less overwhelming. Register today and then join the WebEx meeting online or call in at 1-888-742-5095 (toll-free) or 1-619-377-3319 using conference code 874 403 3672 / meeting number 593 489 753. Please contact Emily Kissane at emily.kissane@state.mn.us with questions.

Calling All Kid Filmmakers!

The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is an annual video contest in which kid filmmakers make movies that creatively tell the entire stories of Newbery-winning books in ninety seconds or less. Making the film is a fun, creative and multi-faceted educational exercise. Kids cooperatively write, storyboard, produce, direct, costume, act, frame and edit their films.

Public librarians, school librarians, homeschool parents, teachers, and scout leaders are encouraged to work with their kids to make movies. The deadline to submit films for the 2015-2016 film festival is January 10, 2016. Inspiration and more information can be found on the 90-Second Newbery website. Want to make a 90-Second Newbery video, but are daunted by the project? Download this handy guide of tips, tricks, and strategies. Mark your calendar for the second annual Minnesota screening of the best local entries on Saturday, February 27, 2016, from 3:00-4:30 pm at Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central. Co-hosts of the event will be James Kennedy (90-Second Newbery founder and middle grade author) and Kelly Barnhill (Minneapolis author of The Witch’s Boy). For more details, please contact Jennifer Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us or 651-582-8356.

Encourage Students to Enter the Letters About Literature National Essay Contest

Letters About Literature asks student readers to write a letter to an author describing how his or her work touched their life in a personal way. Authors can be of any genre or time period and can come from any country.

The contest focuses on reader response and reflective writing and has three competition levels: Level 1 for students in grades 4-6; Level 2 for students in grades 7 and 8; and Level 3 for students in grades 9-12. State level judges choose the top letter writers from each of the three competition levels who will advance to the National Level Judging.

Then, a panel of national judges for the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress will select one National Winner per competition level to receive a $1,000 cash award. The judges will also select one National Honor per competition level to receive a $200 cash award. For official guidelines and entry forms, please visit www.thefriends.org.

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