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Updates from the Minnesota State Library Services

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TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: September 30, 2015
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Get Ready for Supercharged Storytimes across Minnesota

Wow! On October 5, 81 library staff members from all across the state will start supercharging their storytimes by participating in an OCLC-led project that will educate and empower them as early literacy influencers in their communities. They will engage in weekly online workshops and connect with peers across the state as they learn and try out new practices. In addition to increasing their early literacy expertise, participants will contribute to research that documents the benefits children and families gain by attending storytimes. We are excited to work with so many dedicated library staff on this project and look forward to sharing the results! Contact Jackie Blagsvedt at jacqueline.blagsvedt@state.mn.us or 651-582-8805 for more information.

Turn a Newbery Award-Winning Book into a 90-Second Film

Interested in taking a fast-paced crash course on how to make a film for the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival? Join Film Festival founder and middle-grade author James Kennedy for a whirlwind, hands-on workshop at the Minnesota Department of Education in Roseville on Saturday, October 10, 2015 from 9 a.m.-Noon. No experience is necessary, but registration is required. Register to attend by October 8, 2015. Bring along your tablet or laptop (and a kid if you’d like) for the best experience. Contact Jen Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us or 651-582-8356 for more information.

Lights on Afterschool: Celebrate at Your Library

Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool (LoA) is a nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their importance to children, families and communities. Scheduled this year to take place on October 22, it’s a great opportunity to share how your library creates a welcoming space for youth.

And while your library might not offer organized afterschool programs, you do offer “stealth” learning opportunities just by being open when kids are not in school. If you’d like to host a celebration, Ignite Afterschool, Minnesota’s afterschool network can offer support, including a toolkit. Subscribe to Ignite Afterschool’s email updates to get more information right in your inbox.

If you want to get started right away, here are some additional resources to help you plan:

Contact Jen Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us or 651-582-8356 for more information.

Stay Updated about the 2015 Public Library Annual Report

Thanks to the hard work of dozens of public library staff members, who diligently collect and enter information, Minnesota’s 2014 public library data is now available. You can find a 2014 report for each public library State Library Services’ Library Statistics web page. And in the near future, we’ll be publishing selected data that provides a statewide overview of key data.

*Pausing to take a breath* It’s now time to get ready for the 2015 survey. You’re invited to a webinar hosted by Joe Manion, Data Coordinator. Joe 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 modifications or additions to the state-level data that we collect. You’ll also be able to share any concerns about the annual report process. This webinar is for library directors, survey reporters, and anyone interested in library data collection.

Please join the discussion on Wednesday, October 28, 1:30 to 2:30 pm. 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.

(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.)

Bring the Eco Experience to Your Public Library

The Eco Experience, a project of the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, is the second largest exhibit at the State Fair. It is a place to discover sustainable options for home, garden and family; to learn about clean water, urban farming, furniture and clothing reuse, recycling, air quality, climate change, renewable energy, and eco-friendly transportation. It is one of the State Fair’s most popular attractions, even winning the People’s Choice Award in 2013, but it is only available to the public during the twelve days of the fair.

Beginning this December, you can bring a piece of the Eco Experience to your library for a month-long stay.  

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has fabricated a traveling tabletop exhibit, “Your Resilient Community: Assets to Help Your Community Weather a Changing Climate.” Consisting of two large pieces and a portable table, the interactive exhibit helps identify community assets which address three changing climate challenges affecting Minnesota communities.

Exhibit spec sheets will be available at State Library Services’ booth in the MLA conference exhibit hall, and on the State Library Services website after the conference. We’re finalizing details related to the circulation (including an online reservation form) and will share more information by November 1. In the meantime, please contact Emily Kissane at emily.kissane@state.mn.us or 651-582-8508 for more information.

Apply for a Public Library Construction Grant
The Library Construction Grant program provides public libraries with funding for renovation, construction, and improvement projects that result in more accessible 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. Projects may:

  • Remove architectural barriers from a library building or site.
  • Remediate conditions hazardous to health or safety.
  • Renovate or expand an existing building for use as a library.
  • Construct a new library.

Application forms and instructions are available on the Minnesota Department of Education’s Grants Management site. Scroll to Library Construction Grant opportunity. Completed applications are due November 10, 2015. Please contact Emily Kissane at emily.kissane@state.mn.us or 651-582-8508 for more information.

Academic, General, School Media Specialist

Grants and Resources from Edutopia and Mackin

273/365: 09/30/2013. Money, Money, Money!Do you need grant information? Besides the CMLE Grant Page, another resource for grant seekers is the Grants and Resources page on Edutopia.

From Target Field Trip Grants to the Global Teacher Prize 2015 where one teacher is awarded a $1 million grand prize, Edutopia’s list has a great variety. From Edutopia about the listing:

“Get a roundup of educational grants, contests, awards, free toolkits, and classroom guides aimed at helping students, classrooms, schools, and communities. Check this page weekly to get the latest updates!”

Need even more grants!? Check out Mackin’s Grant channel for the latest funding opportunities for your school or library. They even have a newsletter you can sign-up for if you would like grant news straight in your inbox. They even offer grant writing tips. Check out this months 9 tips for writing effective grant proposals.

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/kr5ka35, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Academic, General, School Media Specialist

Turning Web Design Into a Small Business

photo-1429051883746-afd9d56fbdafTo both educate and prepare students for the “real-world” is sometimes a tricky balancing act. Mark Suter, a computer tech teacher from Ohio, found a way to combine after school programming with real-world business. He took his entrepreneurial tech club and turned it into “Rockettech,” a company that is grossing more than $14,000 in donations for its work — money that is reinvested into the club. From web design to video production the kids are busy getting hand’s on experiences. They use content management systems to build the products, but then work with the companies to train them to maintain those products through personal meetings and/or customized video tutorials.

“I think there is a great opportunity right now for schools to add a real-world component to computer science and STEM classes. The lesson to be learned from what we have done is that yes, when you try something new and messy it’s going to flop sometimes, but when it is successful, it’s unbelievably satisfying not just for the student but for the teacher.” – Mark Suter

Check out the interview with Mr. Suter about the club and the experience.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist

We Need Diverse Books – booktalk kit

By now, many of us have heard of the “We Need Diverse Books” movement. Driven by an effort to promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people, the message is and has always been about diversity. But what can you do? Here are some quick tips from the We Need Diverse Books website:

  • Diversify our classrooms
  • Support diverse authors
  • Promote diverse programming
  • Develop educational kits

Need immediate resources? Check out the We Need Diverse Booktalking kit. Just sign-up for their newsletter and you’ll get an email with a link to the kit. In it, among other things, you’ll find:

  • Three book lists containing: 10 picture books, 10 middle grade, and 10 YA titles with quick “pitches.”
  • Shelftalker cards to place on your bookshelves to draw attention to each listed diverse book.
  • “If you like___, then try___” shelftalker cards for the comparative titles.
Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

GRRL Educator Request Form and Book a Librarian service

GRRLAre you a busy educator in need of a collection of learning resources for study at your school? Great River Regional Library (GRRL) is here to help you out!

“Using the Educator Request Form on the GRRL website, educators can request subject-specific library materials by specifying the grade level they are teaching, the information they need, how the information will be used, and the sources already checked. On receiving the request, library staff will pull together a selection of books from across the region that are suitable for the specified classroom use. The educator can then pick up the materials at whichever of the library’s 32 locations he or she selects.” Just remember to allow at least 1 week for GRRL staff to compile the materials for your request. But if you need the information sooner, you can always call or visit your local library.

And if that’s not awesome enough, you can also Book a librarian for a personalized face-to-face session! Sessions typically last 30-60 minutes. After submitting your request, you will be contacted by a librarian to schedule an appointment at the library location of your choice.

Among other reference and research services, the Educator Request Form and Book a Librarian service can be found under the Ask A Librarian link on the library’s home page. Take advantage of them now!