Category Archives: Academic

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

32 of the world's most gorgeous libraries

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Another beautiful library, the Vancouver Public Library

In case you are looking for some travel inspiration, or just want to feast your eyes on some beautiful architecture, check out this article from the BookBub blog that highlights 32 of the world’s most beautiful libraries. The list is diverse with the libraries that are included, with designs that range from Baroque to extremely modern. It’s interesting to see the various influences that have impacted the libraries’ designs – many are theological, some have been influenced by nature, or the history of their location. In the article, each photo features a short description that discusses the uniqueness of each library. Here are some samples:

  • The very first library profiled is the Abbey Library of St. Gall in Switzerland. It’s a World Heritage site and also contains the earliest known architectural plan, written on parchment!
  • The impressive Kansas City Central Library in Missouri is number thirteen on the list. It’s easy to tell the function of the building from the outside, since one of the walls features huge paintings of the spines of 22 different books! Each book is twenty-five feet high and nine feet wide.
  • Take a look at the Tianyi Pavilion Library in China at number twenty-seven on the list. It’s the oldest private library in Asia! The tranquility of the location is very obvious. The library is next to a lake and surrounded by gardens.

It’s so hard to choose a favorite, but I think the libraries in Austria are especially breathtaking. Which one(s) would you like to visit in person?

 

 


	

	
	




	
	

				

			Academic, School Media Specialist
		

			
Use Cloudschool to create & publish multimedia lessons

		

			 		

	


		

		
 


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Make lesson planning easier!


Cloudschool is a platform that allows teachers to create and publish multimedia lessons. It is also free!


This article from the blog FreeTech4Teachers explains how both teachers and students can benefit from using Cloudschool. Instructors can choose how they want their lessons to appear, by using text, pictures, audio, and videos. They can download and print copies of their lessons, or share them online with other instructors. Students are able to access their lessons from anywhere, and can see their grades and feedback easily.


The platform also has a way for instructors to ask discussion questions, and have students answer them within Cloudschool. There are lots of special features, like visibility control and keeping up with current grade level curriculum.


Watch this short video for an introduction to Cloudschool:



 


 


 

	

	
	




	
	

				

			Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special
		

			
CMLE Featured Service: Scholarships!

		

			 		

	


		

		
273/365: 09/30/2013. Money, Money, Money!
Apply for a CMLE Scholarship


 


Did you know that CMLE offers scholarships? Since our main priority is helping libraries be successful, we know that sometimes additional money is required to make that happen! We want to help you get the professional development you need in order to bring some new ideas or skills to your library or media center.


CMLE offers scholarships of up to $200 per fiscal year per individual for staff affiliated with any type of library in Aitkin, Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright counties in Central Minnesota. The scholarships can be used to attend workshops, conferences, library meetings or task forces, and other library-related activities to promote engagement and/or professional development. We encourage you to use the scholarships even if it can’t cover all of the costs. And, if you use our scholarship to help with costs, tell your administrator that you have used our program!


Keep in mind that two great library and technology conferences are quickly approaching: the annual MLA conference from September 29 – 30th in Duluth and the ITEM conference from October 13 – 15th in Brooklyn Park!


Whether it’s a conference, workshop, a way to learn new skills or teach others, being able to interact with your peers can be a great way to increase your energy and excitement about the library world. CMLE wants to help our members and their libraries or media centers continue to learn and grow. For full details, see our Scholarships Page for our easy (really, we promise!) application.


Need ideas for professional development? See our Continuing Education Page or visit the MN Library Continuing Education Calendar.

	

	
	




	
	

				

			Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special
		

			
Notable Date to Celebrate: September 25th is Shel Silverstein's birthday

		

			 		

	


		

		
You probably already know that at CMLE, we offer a service called “Notable Dates for your Noggin” which feature special holidays and birthdays of authors, as well as publications of well-known books. In an effort to help you get more from this service, we’ve decided to select one “Notable Date” each month to feature. We will include a few fun programming and activity ideas too, all for you to use!


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September 25th is Shel Silverstein’s birthday. Silverstein is well known for his children’s literature, poetry, and music. You can listen to him read his poem Backward Bill here, and even subscribe to the Shel Silverstein YouTube channel for more content.



If you are looking for some biographical information on Silverstein, check out this article from LibraryPoint.org which talks about his life and also gives some fast facts about the writer, including that he won a Grammy award in 1969 for A Boy Named Sue performed by Johnny Cash.


Love The Giving Tree? Celebrate by making some Giving Tree apple cupcakes!


Make math more fun with these poetry inspired activities.


Get creative and pick your favorite Shel Silverstein poem to draw some accompanying illustrations! 


Want more Shel Silverstein activities or information? Check out this website for wallpapers, e-cards, and lesson plans.


 


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Looking for more fun holidays or days to celebrate? Check out our Notable Dates Page!

	

	
	




	
	

				

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

			
Making Monday awesome – CMLE Weekly Review now being released on Mondays

		

			 		

	


		

		
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Start your week with CMLE!


As part of some changes we are making at CMLE to better serve our members (that’s you!) we will now be sending out our Weekly Review newsletter each week on Monday, instead of Thursday. The Weekly Review will contain information and links to content from our blog that was published Monday – Friday the week previously.


So, starting next Monday, September 19th, check your inbox for your copy of CMLE’s Weekly Review! Make your Monday a little more enjoyable by catching up on library news, resources and technology you can use, and all the other great content that comes in the Weekly Review.


Would you like to start receiving the Weekly Review? Email us and we will add you to our contact list!