Category Archives: Academic

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

CMLE has found a new Executive Director!

Mary JordanWe are pleased to announce that Dr. Mary Wilkins-Jordan will soon be joining CMLE. She looks forward to working with CMLE members, the other six MN Multitype Library Directors, and the MN library community. She is also thrilled to return to the Midwest.

I want to personally thank the Search Committee for their careful attention to detail and process, and for including me as an ex-officio member of the Committee. Our overall goal from the beginning was focused on our CMLE members. We want to ensure that this change in CMLE leadership doesn’t disrupt the services you have come to rely on! Mary will begin on August 15th. She will work with me for two weeks to transition accounts and get the high points of being a multitype director. My last day at CMLE is August 26th.

Mary’s most recent experience has been as a library and information science professor at Simmons College in Boston. Although Mary has been an academic, her heart is in helping people in the library field. She was most attracted to this job because it will allow her to do just that! Mary also has experience as a public library director and exhibited a great sense of humor, which certainly helps in challenging times. Don’t let that doctorate worry you. Mary is knowledgeable yet grounded, and sincere in identifying herself as a librarian, first and foremost!

As some of our “seasoned” CMLE members have witnessed over the years, our services are dynamic and sometimes change based on member needs. There are always plenty of things that can be done differently and with a new perspective. Take every opportunity you get to weigh in on services that are important to you. I believe CMLE is in capable hands going forward and wish Mary and all of you the very best!

Patricia Post
Outgoing CMLE Executive Director

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

State Library Updates: 6/28/16

MDELogoTO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: June 28, 2016
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Get Supercharged with Storytime Colleagues Nationwide
OCLC recently announced that the Supercharged Storytimes orientation archive is available for free to all public library staff. Now in addition to connecting with fellow Minnesota storytimers, you can learn from and share with storytime presenters across the country.

Public library staff are invited to create a free account and enroll to:
• Learn how to incorporate research-based early literacy concepts into storytimes;
• Recognize the role early literacy plays in early childhood development;
• Gain insight for articulating the relevance of storytimes to parents, caregivers, and other library stakeholders;
• Learn more about the Supercharged Storytimes online orientation pilot, originally offered to more than 500 library staff members in six states (including Minnesota) in 2015; and
• Access archived webinars and resources, and share thoughts with other enrollees in discussion forums.

If you’re simply looking for fresh ways to amp up your storytimes, visit the Supercharged Library, a compilation of resources generated by public library storytime providers from around the country. Contact Jackie Blagsvedt (651-582-8805) for more information about Supercharged Storytimes.

Measuring What Matters
We all have an interest in promoting increased awareness of the value of public libraries in the United States. In order to do this, effective data is indispensable. Concerns about the explosion of surveys in recent years have led directors of state library agencies across the country to think more deeply about what data really is essential to collect. Through a proposed cooperative agreement with IMLS, COSLA (Chief Officers of State Library Agencies) has outlined a process for creating a National Public Library Data and Outcomes Action Plan. Measures that Matter seeks to develop a plan that will allow for the timely collection of reliable, comparable and meaningful data on public libraries while reducing the burden of data collection on local libraries. Read more about the project or contact Jen Nelson (651-582-8791) for more information.

Reintroduce Your Library to Your Community
Outside the Lines is a week-long celebration, September 11-17, 2016, that demonstrates the creativity and innovation happening in today’s libraries. Libraries from 41 states participated in 2015. Whether your library is large or small—school, academic, special or public—you can participate in this international celebration by hosting an event that:
• Gets people thinking and talking about libraries in a different way.
• Showcases your library in the community.
• Represents your local community.
• Highlights how your library is relevant to people’s lives.
• Is active and gets people engaged.
• Is fun!

Learn more about Outside the Lines and how to participate through an informational webinar on Thursday, June 30 from11:00 a.m. to noon. No registration is necessary, but virtual space may be limited. Discover more about Outside the Lines and register as a participating location on the campaign’s website.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

We've Learned: Job opening

LightbulbWe’ve Learned… is designed to keep our readers informed about news concerning personnel in CMLE libraries/media centers. Please keep us informed of any “happenings” regarding staff members in your area so that we can include them in the next write-up! Happenings can include: changes in staffing, job openings, awards, honors… you get the idea! Updates can be sent to admin@cmle.org

Holdingford Public Schools
Independent School District #738
P.O. Box 250
Holdingford, MN 56340
Personnel Vacancy
June 13, 2016

POSTING: Technology Integration—Media Specialist—Gifted & Talented Instructor
1.0 FTE beginning the 2016-2017 school year.

JOB DUTIES:
Works cooperatively and collaboratively with Building Administrators, District Technology Director, IT staff, media staff, clerical staff, and others to provide outstanding technology integration support to staff and students.

1. Inspire and participate in the development and implementation of a shared vision for the comprehensive integration of technology to promote excellence and support transformational change throughout the instructional environment.
2. Assist teachers in embedding technology into instruction for assessing student learning, differentiating instruction, and providing rigorous, relevant, and engaging learning experiences for all students.
3. Create and support effective digital age learning environments to maximize the learning of all students.
4. Conduct needs assessments, develop technology-related professional learning programs, and evaluate the impact on instructional practice and student learning.
5. Model and promote digital citizenship.
6. Support and promote literacy.
7. Manage media center budget.
8. Supervise media center staff, volunteers and student workers.
9. Provide Instruction in Elementary Gifted & Talented Program.
10. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must hold a valid Minnesota teaching license.
• Demonstrated experience supporting teachers and students in effective use of instructional technology.
• Experience managing a School Media Center preferred.
• Experience working with gifted students preferred.

Application Deadline: June 29
Submit letter of application and resume to:
Chris Swenson
Holdingford Public School
PO Box 250
Holdingford, MN 56340
FMLA regulations require all employers to post the updated FMLA notice.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Committed to Workforce Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Holdingford Public Schools, District 738 does not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to youth group

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

State Library Updates: 6/9/16

MDE logo retrieved online 12/17/13..TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: June 9, 2016
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Engaging the Community through Public Libraries
State Library Services was a capstone client for the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota this spring. Staff worked with graduate student Pamela Foster to complete her Master’s professional paper. Public Libraries and Community Outreach: Program Assessment for Serving Homeless Patrons examines how libraries across the U.S. and Canada, including Hennepin County Library, are using public outreach to engage staff, the community, and homeless patrons. The paper also discusses tools and methods libraries could use to measure the impact of their community engagement efforts. You can request a copy of the paper from Joe Manion (651-582-8640).

Make Ebooks Minnesota Part of Your Summer Reading Program
As you gear up for summer programs to keep kids engaged in learning while school’s out for the long break, remember Ebooks Minnesota offers another way to make reading part of the summer fun.

Ebooks Minnesota features Minnesota’s independent publishers and books about Minnesota. With an array of fiction and nonfiction titles, the collection has something for everyone. Check out some of the series for young readers:

The collection is free to use, there is no limit to the number of titles that can be checked out at any time, and readers can keep titles as long as they wish. Visit the website or download an app for your device via the App Store, Google Play, or Kindle Fire HD.

Ebooks Minnesota is a two-year pilot project brought to you by Minitex and the Minnesota Department of Education, made possible in part by funding from through a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information, please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508).

Turn Around, Bright Eyes: Library Programming for the Total Eclipse of 2017
Too busy with summer reading to even THINK about attending a webinar? The Space Science Institute has got you covered. Take a 20-minute breather from summer reading madness on Wednesday, June 15 at 2:00 pm to attend a 20-minute “mini webinar.” You’ll get great information about the 2017 total solar eclipse, and be able to ask questions about promoting the event in your library. Here are a couple fun facts to get you started: 1) On August 21, 2017, a total eclipse of the sun will be visible in the continental U.S. for the first time in almost 40 years; 2) The total eclipse will ONLY be visible in the U.S. and no other country. Download an eclipse FAQ sheet.

Register for the mini webinar. Password is “star1”. This webinar will be VoiP only, so you will need to use a laptop, or a desktop computer with a microphone and headset (there will be no call-in option.) If you have any problems with your registration, please contact Anne Holland for assistance.

Celebrate Summer Learning Day Every Day This Summer
The nation may celebrate 2016 Summer Learning Day on July 14, but public libraries celebrate learning all summer long. Across the state this summer, we know that hundreds of educational and entertaining events will take place in Minnesota’s public libraries. Share what you’re doing with the rest of the state—and the country—by posting events on the National Summer Learning Association’s website.

Bring Financial Empowerment to Your Community
Interested in learning more about promoting financial well-being in your community? The University of Minnesota Extension service will host Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Your Money, Your Goals workshops throughout the state for community organizations and agencies. Participants will become well-versed in using a toolkit designed to increase people’s financial literacy and skills.

The sessions cover key financial literacy topics, many of which are important for teens—emotions, values, culture, and money decisions; savings for emergencies, bills, and goals; and credit and debt, just to name a few.

Learn more about the program. Trainings begin in June and run through August, so register today for the session nearest you. Please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508) for more information.

Reintroduce Your Library to Your Community
Outside the Lines is a week-long celebration, September 11-17, 2016, that demonstrates the creativity and innovation happening in today’s libraries. Whether your library is large or small—school, academic, special or public—you can participate in this international celebration by hosting an event that:

– Gets people thinking and talking about libraries in a different way.
– Showcases your library in the community. 
– Represents your local community.
– Highlights how your library is relevant to people’s lives.
– Is active and gets people engaged.
– Is fun!

Learn more about Outside the Lines and how to participate through an informational webinar on Thursday, June 30 from11:00 a.m. to noon. No registration is necessary, but virtual space may be limited. Learn more about Outside the Lines and register as a participating location on the campaign’s website.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Library legislative update: 6/10/16

State CapitolThe following legislative updates were written by Elaine Keefe, library lobbyist for the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) and Information Technology Educators of MN (ITEM). CMLE helps pay this lobbyist to serve the best interests of academic, K-12, public, and special libraries in Central MN (Latest information is at the top)

Received Friday, June 10, 2016 at 7:17 p.m.

Tax Bill Veto:  On Monday of this week, Governor Dayton pocket-vetoed the omnibus tax bill by taking no action on the bill before the 14 day deadline.  His veto was due to concerns about an error in a section of the bill relating to charitable gambling taxes that would have cost the state $101 million in lost revenue over the next three years.  The main item of interest to libraries in the tax bill is an increase in aid to cities and counties.

Special Session Outlook:  On Tuesday, Governor Dayton met with three of the four legislative caucus leaders (Senator Bakk, Speaker Daudt and Rep. Thissen; Senator Hann chose not to attend) to discuss a possible special session to pass a bonding bill, a corrected tax bill and some additional budget items that the governor would like to see enacted.  The meeting was brief and nothing was resolved.  Reportedly they plan to meet again sometime in the middle of next week.

Since then Governor Dayton has been traveling across the state to drum up public support for his priorities for a special session.  High on the governor’s list is a transportation funding package that includes transit in the metro area, which is very controversial with House Republicans.

Bonding Bill:  As I have previously reported, House and Senate negotiators agreed on a $1.1 billion bonding bill on the last day of session.  The bill passed the House, but time ran out before it could pass the Senate.  Later it was discovered that there were a number of projects that appeared on the spreadsheet, but were not actually included in the bill (this was not the case for any library projects).

Governor Dayton and legislative leaders are eager to pass a bonding bill during a special session, but reaching agreement will not be easy.  Speaker Daudt has said that the House will revert to its original position of a $600 million bonding bill (even though they never actually brought a bill of that size to the House floor), while Governor Dayton has demanded the inclusion of $183 million for projects that were left out of the bill agreed to by the conference committee.

Bonding Conference Committee Hearing:  On Tuesday, June 14 the bonding bill conference committee will meet from 1-4pmin room 10 of the State Office Building.  The purpose of the hearing is to review the conference committee agreement and take public testimony.  I expect the discussion to focus on the more controversial projects and those that were included on the spreadsheet but left out of the bill.  We will keep you posted.

Elaine Keefe

Capitol Hill Associates
525 Park Street, Suite 255
St. Paul, MN 55103
(cell) 612-590-1244
elaine@capitolhillassoc.com

 

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