Category Archives: Communication

CMLE, Communication

Office Hours are back at CMLE!

Beginning tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 16th) we will again be holding weekly Office Hours at CMLE.
We will be available between 11am – 1pm and then from 3pm – 5pm (if you come after 3pm, ring the doorbell to come inside!) because we know it can be tricky to get away from your library, school, archive, or other place of employment! Office Hours take place at our location inside the cmERDC building at 570 1st Ave SE St. Cloud MN 56304

What are Office Hours?
It’s time for you to stop by our office, no appointment needed, to discuss any and all things library related! Maybe you are facing a particularly challenging situation at work, or maybe you have a fabulous new idea you’d like feedback on. We’re here to help!

As an added bonus we’ll try to have Official Office Dog Lady Grey make time in her busy schedule to be available as a quiet, encouraging cheerleader. (Note: if you would prefer we do not have Lady Grey in office when you’re planning to stop in, that’s no problem, just let us know and we’ll make arrangements for her to be elsewhere!)

If you’re looking ahead to next Tuesday the 23rd, we will only be available from 11am – 1pm that day.

We hold Office Hours at CMLE because we want to be easily available to our members, especially if you’d like to have a face-to-face conversation about any important (or fun!) library topics. If you can’t make it to our office, we are always available at admin@cmle.org!

Advocacy, CMLE, Communication, Programs

Tomorrow: Location change! Postcard Party held at CMLE HQ instead

While we are definitely disappointed after looking at the weather forecast for tomorrow (chilly with a side of rainy) we will not be discouraged from our library advocacy efforts! Keep in mind this is Banned Books Week, and writing to library stakeholders about the importance of libraries is a great way to celebrate the right to read!

Stop by our CMLE office tomorrow between 11am – 1pm (although we’re here all day!) to fill out postcards to send to legislators, stakeholders, school board members, principals, and anyone else that needs to learn about the value of libraries. As an additional treat, Official Office Dog Lady Grey will be in attendance to offer encouragement!

We’ll have the postcards, sample text you can use, library facts, and of course, snacks. We will mail your completed postcards too.

Hope to see you tomorrow! We are located inside the cmERDC building at 570 1st St. SE St. Cloud MN 56304. The photo is the outside of our building.

Advocacy, CMLE, Communication, Programs

Two Upcoming CMLE Social Events!

There are so many reasons September is great: back to school, pumpkin spice lattes, and TWO opportunities for you to connect with other awesome library folks! We want to meet in different places, so we can try out new things, and we can be closer to different members at different times.

On Tuesday, September 25th, we’ll be having a Postcard Party in the Park! Join us at Munsinger Gardens in St. Cloud from 11-1pm and let’s do some library advocacy! We provide postcards and postage, along with sample text, and we write to our legislators and local decision makers to urge them to support all types of libraries.

 

And on Sunday, September 30th, we’re doing something a little extra special: having tea! Join us at the Mad Hatter Restaurant, in Anoka at 10:30am. We do ask that you RSVP if you plan to join us for this event. We’ll talk libraries, hear about summer adventures, and enjoy delicious refreshments!

 

We hope to see you at one or both of our events. One of our goals as a multitype system is to connect members of the library community with each other, to network and share ideas and challenges. We can’t wait to see you!

Communication

Updates from State Library Services

We are sharing the current newsletter from the State Library Services. You can subscribe to this yourself, or for your library, so you don’t miss any of the news!


Work Confidently with Homeless Patrons

The Minnesota Department of Education is committed to supporting the state’s Heading Home Together plan, and library staff training is one of our goals. All library administrators, staff, board members, and volunteers now have free year-long access to “Practical Tips for Homeless Patrons,” an online, self-paced tutorial presented by Ryan Dowd, the author of The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness. Through the course, participants will gain insights into the mind of a person experiencing homelessness—how they communicate, likely experiences that color their worldview, and possible triggers to behavior escalation. Through an empathy lens, library staff and volunteers will also gain tips and tricks for welcoming, serving, and supporting homeless patrons.

To take the training, follow the enrollment steps on the Niche Academy website. Contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356) if you have access issues or other questions.
Under construction

Apply for a Library Construction Grant

The Library Construction Grant program is accepting applications for competitive grants. 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 2018 Minnesota Legislature allocated a total of $1,000,000 to the program. In addition, approximately $400,000 of the allocation from the 2017 bonding bill is available to award as grants, for an estimated total of $1,400,000.

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 via email by Friday, October 26, 2018, at 3:30 p.m.

A webinar with program information and opportunities to ask questions will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2018, at 11 a.m. To attend the webinar, please follow this link. To join by phone, dial 1-888-742-5095, and enter conference code 492 064 9083 at the prompt.

For more information, please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508).
Girls Who Code

Join Girls Who Code Partnership and Launch a FREE Club

State Library Services is partnering with Girls Who Code to bring free computer science opportunities to elementary, middle, and high school girls (and boys) across Minnesota. We would love for your school or library to host a club!

Girls Who Code Clubs are no-cost afterschool programs for girls in grades 3-5 or grades 6-12 to join a fellowship of supportive peers and use computer science to change the world. The program targets girls, but no one is excluded from participating, so boys are welcome too. Clubs are led by facilitators who can be teachers, librarians, parents, or volunteers from any background or field. No prior knowledge is required; many facilitators have no technical experience and learn to code alongside their club members. Read through an overview of the curriculum for both age groups, and then attend a Girls Who Code webinar to help you learn more. You can also contact Leah Larson (651-582-8604) if you have questions about how to get started.

*Important Note: To receive partnership benefits when you register your club, it is important that you indicate that State Library Services is your partner. Please list “Minnesota State Library Services” as your partner affiliation on the application’s page titled “About Your Club” for the following question: Is your Club affiliated with a Girls Who Code Community Partner (school districts, library systems, nonprofit organization, afterschool networks, etc.)?

Updates from our Partners

Minnesota Children and Nature Connection

View the Results of the Libraries and Nature Survey

The Minnesota Children and Nature Connection (MCNC) worked with libraries statewide last year to learn more about how they are incorporating nature into their spaces and services. The intention was to gather baseline data on the breadth and depth of connection libraries help families make with nature. MCNC was also interested in identifying needs, interests, and barriers to libraries’ abilities to offer nature programming and services. There were 75 total respondents to the survey, and you can view the results through a summary infographic or informational slides on the MCNC website. Contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356) if you have questions.
Library Journal

Submit Your Library Construction Project to LJ

The 2018 Library Journal (LJ) architectural feature will be published in the November 15, 2018, issue. LJ is now collecting data for finished public and academic library projects—new builds and renovations/additions—completed between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018, only. Share the information about your public library construction project by Wednesday, September 12. Additionally, if you had or are having referenda for capital improvements, operating funds, or both between December 1, 2017, and November 30, 2018, share the results with research manager Laura Girmscheid.

News to Know

Percent of Minnesota public libraries by locale

Get to Know Rural Libraries

Most of Minnesota’s public libraries are in towns and rural areas. Rural and town libraries welcomed about a third of the state’s 3.7 million library users and hosted approximately 23.3 million visits in 2017.

Sixty-three public libraries are located in rural areas—territory that is five or more miles from an urbanized area. Most rural libraries are small serving areas with populations under 5,000.

On average, a rural public library in Minnesota employed two staff members, was open 2,164 hours and welcomed 25,100 visitors in 2017. Those visitors borrowed or downloaded 35,024 items and asked 2,352 reference questions. Each library attracted 1,788 individuals of all ages to 97 library-sponsored programs. Of course, actual performance measures vary among individual libraries.

In rural areas, public libraries are often the only place where internet access is free. People use library computers or bring their own mobile devices to the library to complete schoolwork, file taxes, bank online, and search for jobs. Minnesota’s rural libraries provide 519 internet computers and devices for public use—an average of eight computers per library. Ninety-seven percent of rural libraries offer free wireless internet service. In 2017, rural library users logged-on to computers or wireless service for nearly 356,000 internet sessions—an average of 5,680 annual sessions per library.

Most rural public library locations have Internet speeds over 20 megabits per second (Mbps). The largest number of libraries have speeds ranging from 50 to 100 Mbps. Benchmarks set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for U.S. home access is 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds. 100 Mbps is the FCC goal for all libraries serving 50,000 people or less.

The public library has become a hub with a mission to help solve community problems. Fifty-nine percent of Minnesota’s rural public libraries partner with other organizations in their communities to address social issues.

Rural public libraries contribute significantly to the cultural, educational and digital lives of the populations they serve. For information about public libraries by locale, contact Joe Manion (651-582-8640).

Number of rural public libraries by internet speed

Number of rural public libraries by internet speed; Source: Minnesota Public Library Report, 2017

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About State Library Services

State Library Services staff cropped

State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), partners with libraries to achieve equity and excellence in our collective work for Minnesotans. Division staff are consultants who help libraries plan, develop and implement high-quality services that address community needs. State Library Services administers federal grant, state aid, and state grant programs that benefit all types of libraries.
Communication

Updates from State Library Services

Updates from State Library Services

library

Crunch the Data

Data rules because taxpayers and purse-string holders have always demanded accountability, and public libraries have always employed data analysis to help make their case. As quality control and continuous improvement guru William Edwards Deming said, “Without data you’re just another person with an opinion.”

Public libraries are mandated by statute to submit annual reports to the Department of Education each year. A portion of the annual data is also submitted to the Institute of Museums and Library Services for the Public Libraries in the United States Survey. Thanks to all the library directors and filers who submitted their 2017 Public Library Reports. State Library Services greatly appreciates your time and expertise.

Seventy percent or nearly seven out of every 10 Minnesotans has a public library card. In 2017, library users made over 23 million visits to Minnesota’s 355 public library locations. They borrowed or downloaded 49 million library materials, asked 3.4 million reference questions and connected to the Internet during 10.9 million sessions. Over 1.6 million visitors attended library programs. Reports include other data for services, staffing, facilities, and community engagement as well as detailed financial information.

Individual reports for each of Minnesota’s 141 libraries are available from Public Library Reports on the Minnesota Department of Education website. Select the first letter of the library’s name to view an alphabetical list of libraries. The directory includes annual reports from 2010 to 2017. For historical or custom reports, please contact Joe Manion (651-582-8640).
Services used by library customers in millions in 2017
Source: Minnesota Public Library Report, 2017
2018 90-Second Newbery Film Festival Minneapolis screening


Work on this Cool, Creative Technology Project with Kids

The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is an annual video contest in which kid filmmakers make movies that creatively tell the entire stories of Newbery-winning books in 90 seconds or less. Making a film is a fun, creative and multi-faceted educational exercise that builds 21st century skills. Entries are accepted year-round, so this is an ideal project to keep kids engaged with learning in a fun, creative way.

Mark your calendar for the Minnesota screening of the 2018-19 season’s best films. 90-Second Newbery founder and curator James Kennedy co-hosts the fun alongside a special literary guest on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at Hennepin County Library–Minneapolis Central. For more information about the 90-Second Newbery, please contact Leah Larson (651-582-8604).

Updates from our Partners

Lifetime Arts

Engage the Growing 55+ Population with Arts Education Workshops

There are many active Americans aged 55+ who are in search of enriching, fulfilling, and social experiences. Research has shown that arts education for older adults improves health and well-being, combats isolation, and reconnects people to each other and their communities.

A webinar will be presented by Lifetime Arts on Thursday, August 16, at noon. Register for Engaging the Growing 55+ Population with Arts Education Workshops, a one-hour discussion of your library’s goals for this population and how professional development, consultation, and online learning offerings from Lifetime Arts could help you move forward.
Minnesota Book Awards

Be a Minnesota Book Awards Judge

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is now accepting applications to serve as a judge for the 31st Annual Minnesota Book Awards. Apply today and play an important role in the state’s literary community. Qualified individuals—both experienced in judging and those new to the judging process—are encouraged to apply.

  • Preliminary Round: Finalist selection beginning in mid-September and culminating with a panel meeting on January 26, 2019.
  • Final Round: Category winner selection beginning in early February and culminating with a panel meeting on March 9, 2019.

The deadline to apply is September 7, 2018. Learn more about the Minnesota Book Awards on the Friends of SPPL website.
America's ToothFairy

Team Up with American’s ToothFairy

Childhood tooth decay is the #1 chronic childhood illness in the United States. One in five U.S. children go without dental care, and more than 40 percent of children have dental cavities by the time they begin kindergarten. Your library can help raise awareness of this extremely preventable disease with support from the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation. Download, print, and reproduce educational materials such as teeth brushing charts, coloring pages, and other activity sheets. Your library could be eligible for a ToothFairy 101 Community Education Kit you can use in storytimes and other programming to educate children and their caregivers about the importance of good oral home care. Contact Minnesota’s Oral Health Zone Manager, Mary Vanderwert, to request a community education kit and/or informational brochures you can make available at your library.
Lights on Afterschool

Participate in Lights on Afterschool – October 25

Lights On Afterschool (LOA) is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities. This year, afterschool-library partnerships are celebrated as an official theme for LOA 2018, which takes place on October 25. This is a great opportunity to showcase an afterschool or summer program that you run out of your library, highlight a partnership you already have, or embark on a new partnership with an afterschool program in your community. The Space Science Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL) provides interactive STEM exhibits, programming, and training to public libraries nationwide through its Science‐Technology Activities and Resources Library Network (STAR Net), and is a sponsor of LOA this year. Register and join them for an LOA webinar on Thursday, August 16, at 2 p.m., to learn more about LOA, and how your library can participate.
Lilead

Learn to Implement Transformational Change through Lilead Leaders Courses

Register now for the first of four Lilead Leaders courses for school library professionals at any level. The first course, beginning August 15, focuses on preparing for transformational change to benefit your students, school, district, and community. Whether starting with the first course in August 2018 or with a later course, the first course a student takes is $349; subsequent courses come at a reduced price of $279. Visit the Lilead Project’s website for more information.
Ignite Afterschool

Mark Your Calendars for Afterschool Advocacy

Ignite Afterschool, Minnesota’s afterschool network, is planning an advocacy kick-off event, Afterschool for All MN, for Thursday, November 29, 2018. All are welcome to attend. They will release more information about the event soon. In the meantime, sign up for Ignite event announcements and be among the first to know.
Library Journal, School Library Journal

Attend LJ and SLJ National Events Held Locally

The Library Journal Design Institute on Friday, September 21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. is a hands-on, small group library design event at Minneapolis Central Library, hosted by LJ and Hennepin County Library Director Lois Langer Thompson. This think tank provides expert panel discussions with architects and librarians, as well as hands-on, architect-led breakout sessions dealing with real-life design challenges. Speed-sessions with architects will address your own library-specific questions. Register soon for the LJ Design Institute using the promotional code MIN30 for a special rate. Register before August 10 for the opportunity to have your library’s design challenges (such as one-room fixes, building-wide renovation, or new construction) workshopped by participating architects.

The School Library Journal Day of Dialog event in Minneapolis on Saturday, September 22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.  at Elmer L. Andersen Library is packed with author talks, editor panels, ARC giveaways, and other topics about the latest trends in school librarianship and children’s and young adult nonfiction literature. Tickets are $69 each. Learn more and register on the SLJ website.
Association for Library Service to Children

Share Feedback about Children and Technology

The Association for Library Service to Children, University of Washington, and Kent State University are conducting a survey, “Young Children, New Media and Libraries, 2018.” They are seeking information about the changing landscape of technology work with children and families in libraries. The survey will take about 30 minutes to complete, and will remain open until August 31. If you have any questions about this survey, please contact Alena Rivers, Deputy Director, ALSC. For more information, visit the Young Children, New Media, and Libraries, 2018 project webpage.

About State Library Services

State Library Services staff cropped

State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), partners with libraries to achieve equity and excellence in our collective work for Minnesotans. Division staff are consultants who help libraries plan, develop and implement high-quality services that address community needs. State Library Services administers federal grant, state aid, and state grant programs that benefit all types of libraries.