Category Archives: Programs

Programs

We’re All Ears! Library Podcasts Worth a Listen

This post is a preview of a series we’ll be starting in the Fall showcasing our favorite library podcasts. Obviously at CMLE we are fans of podcasting (pump up your library skills with Linking Our Libraries and get some great book recs on Reading With Libraries) and we’re so excited to see more libraries creating podcasts.

This week, we’ll feature a podcast that was included in American Libraries magazine. The podcast Stork Storytime Talks is created by the North Liberty Community Library in Iowa and shares tips for early literacy aimed at expecting parents and caregivers.

Personally, I found the episodes interesting and informative. The sound quality was great, which is SO important! If you work in early literacy or are a parent/caregiver yourself, definitely check this one out!

From the article:

“The podcast grew out of an actual storytime at the library for expecting parents. Experts would talk about a specific early-literacy skill, and the library would share how we support that skill via programming and our collections. For instance, we had AmyRuth McGraw, lecturer at University of Iowa, discuss print motivation and how to read aloud to children. Karla McGregor, professor emeritus at University of Iowa, spoke about enriched vocabulary and the role of play in learning and development. At the end of the storytime, there would be social time for the adults. We wanted to provide a place where expecting parents could meet, start to build relationships and a network of support, and develop a habit of coming to the library.

But, as library programmers might empathize with me, I quickly realized that it’s hard to find a time that works for this specific population to attend. Even though North Liberty is a fast-growing community with a large number of young families, expecting parents have a lot going on in their lives—and a short time frame before baby arrives. 

I knew sharing early-literacy concepts was important and wanted to see the program continued, so I decided to turn it into a podcast. This format would allow adults to listen and learn when they had the time, as well as expand the program’s reach beyond our community.”

Read the rest of the article and find the podcast on your favorite app or here on Apple Podcasts.

CMLE, Programs

Kick off your summer at Library Bootcamp!

Join us!

Get your summer off to an AWESOME start and join us at CMLE Summer Library Bootcamp!

Do you work in a library?
Do you want to learn some new skills and strategies that will help you better serve your community of users?

Great! That’s all you need to be able to attend our Bootcamp Series!

Our goal as a library multitype system is to provide training and connection opportunities for our members. We’ll be covering several different library skills and sharing strategies and experiences to help you in your own library practice.

Classes will run from 11:00 to 1:00, and light lunch will be provided. Each class will be $10.

Certificates will be issued for two hours of clock hours or CE credit after each class.

Here are the classes being offered this summer. Sign up by following the links to Eventbrite:

CMLE members can apply for a scholarship to take the entire series of all five classes. Do not register through the links below; email us at admin@cmle.org, give your name, your library, and your job there, and confirm you will attend all five classes. We will process your scholarship application with that information and get back to you.

All classes will be held at CMLE Headquarters:
570 1st Street SE
St. Cloud, MN 54304

Email admin@cmle.org with any questions! Let’s kickstart our summer!!

Programs, Public, School Media Specialist

Report from Youth Services Librarian Meetup!

This is a Guest Post from Bethany Kauffman, CMLE Board Member and Media Specialist at Rogers High School

Greater Together: Expanding Partnerships

Librarians from across the center of MN gathered in Chaska for a rare opportunity for school librarians and public librarians to meet, talk to each other about library services and learn from each other about collaborations happening between libraries and community organizations. Librarians from Hennepin, Anoka, Scott and Dakota Counties discussed how they are improving services to patrons by working together and gave specific examples of the benefits youth in MN are receiving, as a result.

We met on Tuesday, April 16 at the lovely Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and started our day with spectacular goodies provided by North Lights Library Network and Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange.  We had updates on state library services, including information about the new eLibrary portal that will be replacing ELM. After the panel discussions, there was time for one-on-one networking.

Several of us took time to visit the absolutely phenomenal Andersen Horticultural Library which contains nearly 20,000 books specific to horticulture, botany, landscape architecture and local natural history.  I had no idea that the library was home to a commissioned set of furnishings designed and built by the famous architect and woodworker George Nakashima. Simply breathtaking.

If you didn’t get to attend this Meet-up, watch for one in the future.  As a school librarian, I had a wonderful time and would definitely attend again.

CMLE, General, Programs

Report from Springtime Tea with CMLE!

2 Comments
We were so impressed that CMLE member (and frequent podcast Guest Host!) Ariel matched beautifully with the Mad Hatter’s spring color scheme!

Our members are awesome! CMLE is made up of school, public, academic, and special libraries, and we really appreciate all our members who are doing such impressive work in their libraries.

It can be hard to make connections outside of your library and we always want our members to know you are part of a larger profession! That’s why we hold member events. Plus, we like to have tea!

Take a look at the fun we had, and stay tuned to our website for several more opportunities to connect with other library people! Some upcoming events include roller derby and camping (with a day trip option). Is there an activity you think would make a fun member event? Email us at admin@cmle.org or leave a comment, let us know!

  • Polka dot teapot!
  • Pretty yellow roses and cherry rose tea!
  • Maple tea and our tea menu
  • Fancy and delicious
  • Yes, the flowers were edible!
  • Gorgeous spring day for tea
The ginger carrot soup was a hit!

Thank you again for all the members that were able to join us! If you missed this event, we hope to see you next time!

CMLE, Programs

This Sunday, May 5th! Have Tea with CMLE!

Just a friendly reminder that this Sunday, May 5th at 10:30 is our CMLE Tea and Postcard Event at the Mad Hatter Tea House! Thank you to everyone that has RSVP’d, we are going to have a great time!

Yum!
  • Our reservation is for the Queen of Hearts tea service at 10:30am on Sunday, May 5th.
  • We will be covering the cost of the tea service for members that RSVP in advance! (Make sure you RSVP by Fri. May 3rd!)
  • We will also be providing postcards for members to sign that CMLE will mail to library stakeholders across our system. Spreading the word about the value of libraries (particularly school libraries!) is something we always strive for at CMLE.
  • This is our second time having a member tea event at the Mad Hatter. Read about our first event here.
  • Please email me with any questions: ajordan@cmle.org

Since our members work in school media centers, history centers, archives, public, and academic libraries, we really appreciate hearing about the variety of tasks and challenges you handle every day. Plus, we love when our members get to meet each other and form connections across different types of libraries! 

If you have not already RSVP’d, you can do so here: