All posts by John

Upload more than just books to your Kindle

kindle-itunes-logo-150x148Did you know you can easily send Microsoft Word and PDF documents to your Kindle? Nate Hoffelder of Ink, Bits, and Pixels recently posted a great how-to.

The gist from Amazon:

How to send a document to your Kindle:

Supported File Types:

  • Microsoft Word (.DOC, .DOCX)
  • HTML (.HTML, .HTM)
  • RTF (.RTF)
  • JPEG (.JPEG, .JPG)
  • Kindle Format (.MOBI, .AZW)
  • GIF (.GIF)
  • PNG (.PNG)
  • BMP (.BMP)
  • PDF (.PDF)

Did you also know you can transfer files from a computer to your Kindle via a USB cable? Its as simple as working with a jump drive. Check out Amazon’s how-to to learn more!

Libraries Serving Youth Meet-up

state_mn

Please take advantage of this first-ever meetup. It looks to be a great learning opportunity. Register now!

Title: Libraries Serving Youth Meet-up

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2015

Time(s): 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location: Minnesota Department of Education, Roseville, CC-13

Description:

In this session, school librarians will network with public librarians—and each other. Participants will learn about successful public library and school collaborations, get creative ideas, and enjoy a free lunch!

Event Type: Professional Development

Target Audience: Media Specialists, Public Librarians, School Librarians, Library Outreach, Library Youth Workers

Sponsor: State Library Services

Contact: Jennifer Verbrugge

Contact Phone: 651-582-8356

Contact Email: jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us

Fee: None

Registration URLhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MDEMeetup

Registration Deadline: April 3, 2015

LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE: 55 participants maximum

Materials: None

Additional Information: This training is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [LS 00-14-0024-14] and the Minnesota Department of Education.

MN Legislative Update

Capital SunsetThe following legislative update was written by Elaine Keefe, library lobbyist for the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) and Information Technology Educators of MN (ITEM).

Recieved Tuesday, February 3, 2015 10:07 AM


Telecommunications Equity Aid (TEA) and Regional Library Telecommunications Aid (RLTA):  Our bill to increase TEA to $9.75 million per year and RLTA to $3.3 million per year will be introduced in the House on Thursday.  We have a really excellent, bi-partisan group of authors.  The chief author is Rep. Ron Kresha (R- Little Falls).  Co-authors are Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL – Hermantown), Rep. Sondra Erickson (R – Princeton), Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL – Dilworth) and Rep. Dean Urdahl (R – Grove City).

As I reported last week, Senator Chuck Wiger has agreed to amend SF 78, his bill that increases funding for TEA, to include the increase for RLTA as well.  Co-authors of SF 78 are Senator Alice Johnson (DFL – Spring Lake Park), Senator Matt Schmit (DFL – Red Wing), Senator Vicki Jensen (DFL – Owatonna) and Senator Greg Clausen (DFL – Apple Valley).

Senator Matt Schmit just yesterday introduced SF 437, a bill that provides a one-time increase to $9.75 million for TEA in FY 2016 and a one-time increase to $6.6 million for RLTA in FY 2016.  Both appropriations are available until expended.

If any of the legislators listed above represent you (or your region), please contact them to thank them for supporting TEA and RLTA.

On Wednesday morning Senate DFLers are holding a press conference to showcase their education initiatives.  Among them will be Senator Wiger’s bill to increase funding for TEA and RLTA.

RLBSS and Multi-type Funding:  Rep. Bud Nornes (R – Fergus Falls) has agreed to serve as chief author of our bill to increase funding for RLBSS and the Multi-types.  Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL – Hermantown) and Rep. Sondra Erickson (R – Princeton) have signed on as co-authors.  As I reported last week, our chief author in the Senate is Senator Tom Saxhaug (DFL – Grand Rapids). Co-authors to date are Senator LeRoy Stumpf (DFL – Plummer) and Senator Chuck Wiger (DFL – Maplewood).  I am still hoping to recruit a Republican co-author who sits on the Senate E-12 Budget Division.

School Technology Bills:  A number of bills on school technology have been introduced.  Here is a quick rundown:

SF 18, introduced by Senator Chuck Wiger, establishes special technology revenue, which can be used for the purchase or lease of telecommunications equipment, computers and related hardware and software, assistive technology and new and replacement library media resources or technology.

SF 20, also introduced by Senator Chuck Wiger, reserves future growth in the school endowment fund for school technology and telecommunications.

SF 45, also introduced by Senator Chuck Wiger, increases total operating capital revenue and reserves the increase for the same purposes listed in SF 18 (see above) as well as for the purchase of electronic textbooks.

SF 145, introduced by Senator Matt Schmitt, directs the Commissioner of Education to research existing programs to determine best practices for schools implementing 1:1 device programs and then to issue guidelines for schools.

None of the bills listed above have been introduced in the House.

Border to Border Broadband:   Senator Matt Schmit has introduced two bills on broadband. SF 438 funds the general  operations of the Office of Broadband Development and provides a separate appropriation for statewide broadband availability mapping and data collection.  SF 439 appropriates $100 million to fund broadband grants.  The House companion to SF 439, HF 556,  was introduced by Rep. Sheldon Johnson (DFL – St. Paul).

Elaine Keefe
Capitol Hill Associates
525 Park Street, Suite 310
St. Paul, MN 55103
(office)651-293-0229
(cell) 612-590-1244
elaine@capitolhillassoc.com

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/p4m2ool, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

 

CMLE Featured Service: Grants Page

MoneyDid you know the CMLE website lists a series of grants available throughout the year specifically for libraries? You can find important details about the terms and conditions of each grant along with a contact name in case you have additional questions.

Have you recently gotten a grant? We’d love to hear your story!

 

 

 

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/o4onocb, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0