Category Archives: CMLE

CMLE, Podcast, Resources

We need your Reader’s Advisory thoughts for the Podcast!

CMLE is always looking for new ways to share ideas and information with you; and we have added a podcast to our information streams! If you have not subscribed yet, here are instructions on subscribing to our weekly podcast, weekly newsletter, two online book groups, and assorted social media!

Next week, we are podcasting about Reader’s Advisory, and we want to be able to include your thoughts and ideas. We have a few questions below; and if you have other ideas or suggestions please add them in the comments or email them to us at admin@cme.org! (If you want your ideas to be anonymous, just mention that.)

Our Monthly Topic for March was Reader’s Advisory; so we have a collection of materials here for you to check out if you want some ideas, tools, and training opportunities in this arae.

How often do you do any RA work in your library?

Have you ever had any formal training in RA?

Books, Children's services, CMLE

Stumper: book about an African Gray Parrot

Book sale loot (4552277923)
CMLE people – I found another library person asking for help identifying a book a patron is seeking. As you guys have collectively been good at finding these books in the past, I’m posting this here for you. If you know it, you can post it to the comments, or send me an email!

“I hope it’s OK to post stumpers to this listserv – if there’s a better place, please let me know!

Patron is trying to track down a children’s book they read to their kids in the ’80s.
The title is [Boy’s Name] Gray, where [Boy’s name] is a two-syllable name and Gray refers to his African Gray Parrot.
It’s ringing zero bells in my head, and searches in Books in Print & Amazon didn’t pull anything up. Thought I’d see if one of you clever people may recall the book or have A Level sleuthing skills and can track it down.
Thanks in advance!”
Advocacy, CMLE, Communication

Get excited: CMLE Library Snapshot Day is next week!

Next Thursday, April 27th is CMLE Library Snapshot Day! CMLE is excited to share pictures of our members and the work they are doing in their libraries!

Wondering what Library Snapshot Day is all about? From ALA:
“Holding a library snapshot day is a simple way to prove that libraries provide invaluable services to our communities.”

On this day, we want all our libraries (and anyone else – we love all libraries!) to take a few photos during the day, to show the work you do. It does not need to be anything especially exciting, or fancy-looking; just show the work that library people are doing.

Then, we will upload all the photos to our web page for easy access and sharing with stakeholders, library fans, or anyone that needs a reminder how important libraries are to their communities! (We also have a YouTube channel and would love to post your videos!)

Use the hashtag #CMLEPhotos on your social media accounts, to share them around with everyone!

We will be in contact with some of you to set up a few minutes for us to pop in and visit your library so we can get a few more photos!

Read more about Library Snapshot Day on ALA’s site.

Advocacy, CMLE

We’re Having a Postcard Party in the Gardens!

Clemens Gardens

We love libraries! (You know that already)

And we want everyone else to hear about all the great things libraries do!

Advocacy for your library is more than just emailing legislators when budget time comes around (though, it is also that – so please email your legislators to tell them libraries are important!). It means making connections with stakeholders, and letting people know on a regular basis about the great things you are doing. (Check out the Minnesota Loves Libraries site for some great ideas!)

We are here to support our members, so we are holding a postcard party! (Okay, and we are getting spring fever and want to go spend some time in a beautiful, riverside garden!)

We will meet as a group in the Munsinger Clemens Garden (exact location will be decided as we get closer to the big day), chat, have lunch/snacks, and enjoy the scenery. And we will provide postcards for you to use to address to your legislators, your stakeholders, and any other people who need to hear some news from your library!

This fun event will be scheduled for the week of May 15; and we want you to vote on the date that will work out best for you. This will be a drop-in/drop-out event, with people coming and going as fits into your schedule. CMLE staff will be there from 11:00 to 1:00 on the designated day. (If there is a crowd, we will stay to be sure everyone gets a chance to get your postcards!)

Right now we are thinking about this as a lunchtime event; but if an evening event (in addition to this) would work better for your schedule, please let us know.

Come out, join us in having fun, enjoying the sunshine, flowers, and river, and making some good connections with people in your community!

What day will work best for you? (required)

 

Advocacy, CMLE, Communication, Resources, Services

Reminder: CMLE Library Snapshot Day Will Be April 27

“Snapshot Day Library Snapshot Day provides a way for libraries of all types across a state, region, system or community to show what happens in a single day in their libraries. How many books are checked out? How many people receive help finding a job? Doing their taxes? Doing their homework? This initiative provides an easy means to collect statistics, photos and stories that will enable library advocates to prove the value of their libraries to decision-makers and increase public awareness.”

On this day, we want all our libraries (and anyone else – we love all libraries!) to take a few photos during the day, to show the work you do. It does not need to be anything especially exciting, or fancy-looking; just show the work that library people are doing.
Continue reading Reminder: CMLE Library Snapshot Day Will Be April 27 →