Category Archives: Public

If You Enjoy Local Music, Check Out MNSpin!

Minnesota libraries are always doing such amazing work, and the Hennepin County Library system is no exception! They recently added over 90 new albums to their FREE online streaming platform MNSpin. That means if you’re looking for local music to keep you company while wrapping gifts, cooking, or just enjoying the holidays, MNSpin has you covered! Below is an excerpt from the article and you can read the whole thing and watch the video here.

“MNspin, the online music service with the Hennepin County Library, has released it’s 2020 collection. That means there are 92 additional albums by local artists and also means the platform now has more than 300 albums. Local artists include Nur-DThe Bad ManKiss the TigerMary Bue and more.”

Visit their site to find out more!

Why do Publishers Not Like Libraries???

Amazon Kindle 3

Okay, that’s a strong headline.

I don’t KNOW that all publishers don’t like libraries. It’s possible they like libraries just fine, in their private lives. Probably people who run big publishing houses took their kids to storytimes, visit the programs at their local public libraries, and enjoy being part of the community. They probably used academic libraries when they were in school. Maybe they even support funding for sufficient staff in the school libraries in their areas.

So, I guess we can’t just make a blanket statement.

But…we don’t have a bunch of extra money. We’re actually kind of known for that. So this kind of made me want to sob a bit when I read it; read an excerpt below:

Major publishers are sabotaging the public library

By Michael Kozlowski

Penguin Random House comprises the vast majority of ebooks published on a yearly basis and Macmillan and Hachette almost comprise of the rest. These companies have recently revised their contracts with the public library. Libraries will now have to purchase ebooks that are only good for two year contracts and then will have to devote the resources to see what books they want to buy again and which ones they do not. This is a far cry from the old policy which only had the library make a one time purchase for every ebook they wanted and could loan it out with abandon. Major publishers are now deliberately sabotaging the library system and their rational is they don’t want to devalue their front-list books and want people to buy them, instead of borrow them.

Hachette announced their library terms last week and in a statement, Hachette officials said the switch will mean lower prices for the “vast majority” of Hachette library e-books. That qualifies as a measure of good news for librarians, who have long complained that Hachette’s library e-book prices were unreasonably high. A Hachette spokesperson told PW that most HBG titles will likely be priced under $65, and there will be no limit on the number of lends within that two-year period, on a one-copy/one-user basis.

The same sort of sentiment was echoed by Penguin Random House last year. “We have heard–loud and clear–that while libraries appreciate the concept of ‘perpetual access,’ the reality is that circs for many titles drop off dramatically six to eight months after the initial release. This is true especially for fiction bestsellers,” Dye wrote. “Most librarians are telling us they would rather pay lower prices across our front lists and backlists, in exchange for a copy that expires after a given time period. In response to this feedback, we are happy to tell you that we will be lowering our prices on our entire catalogue of adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction titles. Under our new terms, e-books will expire after two years from original purchase date with the aligned pricing lowered for our e-books.”

Click on this link to get the rest of this article!

Great River Regional Library Goes Fine-Free for Kids and Expands Read Down Your Fines!

Exciting news from one of our public library members! There are no more overdue fines for children or young adult materials AND the Read Down Your Fines program is now available for all ages!

Read the full announcement here, or check out an excerpt below:

“Yes, you read that correctly! Effective immediately, Great River Regional Library will not collect overdue fines on materials for children and young adults.

  • Overdue children’s and young adult materials (including books, DVDs, CDs and more) will no longer accrue daily late fees.
  • We still want you to bring items back, so overdue notices will still be sent after 10 days as a reminder. Items can be renewed twice … as long as nobody else is waiting.
  • Read Down Your Fines for both children and adults is available any time at your local library!”

Find more information on their website!

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.

History Day Hullabaloo at the St. Cloud Library on Dec. 8th!

Do you know some students participating in History Day? Then you should absolutely let them know about this upcoming free event at the St. Cloud Public Library!

On Saturday, December 8th from 11am – 3pm, kids in any grade can get help planning their projects with MN Historical Society History Day staff and work with librarians to research and find excellent primary sources for their projects. No registration required!

“Get research help from the experts; find primary and secondary sources, view sample projects, and learn more about History Day at a mini-lesson. Free prints, free copies, free help. For teens. This is a Legacy Event.”