Category Archives: Academic

Academic, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Time for spring cleaning yet? Let’s weed!

Weeding the lettuce (798138529)

I follow a bunch of library-related listserves, and it’s a great way to keep up with the discussions happening all across the profession. Recently, there was an extended discussion from a newbie library person about weeding a collection in a small library.

This seemed like an issue that would apply to many of our libraries here in CMLE; so as we start to think about spring and cleaning (or “still stuck inside to escape the cold for a few more weeks” and cleaning), it seemed like a good time for us to also talk about weeding!

Continue reading Time for spring cleaning yet? Let’s weed! →

Academic, CMLE, Public, Resources, School Media Specialist, Special

We want to give you money!!

Exchange Money Conversion to Foreign CurrencyYou heard that right! Here in January, with the Monthly Topic of Grants, we want to be sure you are able to explore all your options.

We all know that working in a library is a fast-paced, ever-changing, and exciting job! It does not matter what you are doing there, libraries are there to serve their communities and patrons and that takes all kinds of service and skills that most people would not suspect.

Keeping on top of all the new services, materials, and possibilities available in a library is hard; but CMLE wants to help you in your own professional development!

We have scholarship money available to all our members, no matter where you work and what you are doing in your library. When you find a class, a seminar, a conference, or any other kind of professional opportunity – apply to us for money! We can help you defray up to $200 in costs of your event, so be sure you take advantage of this money. Continue reading We want to give you money!! →

Academic, CMLE, Communication, Public, Special

Let’s share information at a conference: Create a Poster!

Ala logo
CMLE members – we passed this information on to you earlier, but want to be sure you know the deadline is approaching!!

Do you have a program that was successful? A neat new material? A process that you started? A huge disaster that you were able to fix? Any of these would be interesting to share with your library colleagues!

If you have not done a poster before, no problem! At CMLE Headquarters, we are available to help you with your application now, and with the poster itself before the conference. Just email, call, or drop by to talk with us about

The ALA Annual Conference, where these will be presented, is in Chicago this summer. Having a poster to present is a great way to advocate with your boss for time to go! You can have a great time, meet up with all kinds of library people doing amazing things!

Just over 2 weeks left to submit your proposal for the 2017 ALA Annual Poster Session!

Continue reading Let’s share information at a conference: Create a Poster! →

Academic, Public, Resources, School Media Specialist, Special

Grant writing resources

Mcol money bagEveryone likes grant money! It’s great to have money for your neat projects, to try new things, or to bring some special services to your patrons!

But if you have not done much grant writing, just getting started can be a big challenge. Grants are not hard to write, and some basic ideas to follow can help you to get things started for your library.

Continue reading Grant writing resources →

Academic, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Try the Everyday Advocacy Challenge!

Advocacy Logo
It’s Take Action Tuesday and Week One of the Winter 2017 Everyday Advocacy Challenge!

Write an elevator speech to introduce yourself to a local elected official.

With a new presidential administration about to take office, now’s the perfect time to get to know your local elected officials.

This week, write a brief elevator speech—no more than a sentence or two—to help you introduce yourself to your library community’s alderman, the town mayor, or local government staff members. Continue reading Try the Everyday Advocacy Challenge! →