Early STEM Literacy in Libraries Mini Grant

Following last fall’s Early STEM Literacy training workshops presented around the state by the Science Museum of Minnesota, we set out to determine the best way to support early STEM literacy programs and activities in libraries. We identified a mini grant opportunity as the best way to do this. An estimated $50,000 is available to fund grant proposals ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to help libraries offer programs and services to increase early STEM literacy capacity and programming in libraries.

The grant period is estimated to start on November 1, 2017, and end September 30, 2018. Please note that this is slightly shorter than a year due to a delay in federal funds.

To learn more about our current LSTA grant opportunities, please attend an upcoming grant guidance webinar on Tuesday, August 8, 1-2 p.m. There is no need to pre-register; just click on the link to attend. (Call-in toll-free number: 1-888-742-5095, Conference Code: 492 064 9083). Grant applications and instructions are available on the Minnesota Department of Education’s Grants Management site. Visit the LSTA webpage or contact Leah Larson (651-582-8604) for more information.

We are looking for reviewers for both grant opportunities to read and score applications and participate in a half-day review discussion (which may not be needed for the Early STEM Literacy in Libraries Mini Grants). Please contact Leah Larson (651-582-8604) for more information if you are interested.

Library Construction Grant Applications Available

State Library Services is pleased to announce that applications for the 2017 Library Construction Grant program are now available. The program provides public libraries with funding for renovation, construction, and improvement projects that result in more accessible library facilities. Projects may:

• Remove architectural barriers from a library building or site.
• Remediate conditions hazardous to health or safety.
• Renovate or expand an existing building for use as a library.
• Construct a new library.

The 2017 Minnesota Legislature allocated a total of $2,000,000 to the program, and those funds are available for competitive grant awards.

Application forms and instructions are available on the Minnesota Department of Education’s Grants Management site. Scroll to Library Construction Grant opportunity. Completed applications are due Friday, September 29, 2017.

An informational webinar will be scheduled shortly and will be announced via the SLS listserv.

Please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508) for more information.

State Library Services and Partners to Present Upcoming ALA Webinar

Staff from State Library Services, Minitex, local school media centers, and more will team up to present about Ebooks Minnesota through a free ALA-sponsored webinar, Community Reading Platform: Transforming Libraries, Impacting the Classroom, on Wednesday, August 2 at 1 p.m. During the webinar we will showcase usage data, discuss trends, and hear stories about how the project is re-envisioning how simple public and school library collaboration can be in a model that works for everyone, including publishers. Register today to attend the ALA webinar.

Improve Findability in Your Catalog: Add Ebooks Minnesota Records

Libraries now have an additional way to give their patrons access to Ebooks Minnesota: Minitex has MARC records available for the collection. Please let Minitex know how you’d like the content by completing this brief Ebooks Minnesota survey. They’ll provide you with information about accessing the records in a way that best suits your needs. For more information about the MARC records, please contact Minitex. For more information about Ebooks Minnesota, please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508).

Updates from Our Partners

Bridges to Citizenship Summer Institute

Join staff from the USCIS Office of Citizenship for an exciting learning opportunity August 16-17 at the Baker Center at Cherokee Heights Elementary in St. Paul. Bridges to Citizenship Summer Institute is a no-cost two-day event to provide librarians and adult ESL, EL/Civics, and citizenship teachers with information on the naturalization process, free materials for the library and adult education classroom, practical ideas to enhance library and adult education services to immigrants, and more. Register for Bridges to Citizenship Summer Institute by August 8, 2017. For more information, contact Jennifer Kuylen, Community Relations Officer, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.