Category Archives: Public

Books, Public, Resources, School Media Specialist

Looking for historical fiction picture books?

Reading about fictional characters in a historical setting can be interesting and education for young readers. If you are looking for suggestions of fiction books in a historical setting, here are a few to try:

Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan
This book was inspired by actual plantation documents that detailed the monetary value of a slave. This book examines that topic while sharing values that cannot be sold, which are each slaves’ dreams and lived experiences.

Locomotive by Brian Floca
This book takes a look at the early days of America’s transcontinental railroad. The train’s journey comes alive with the sounds, sights, passengers, and workers that all witness the changing landscape of the country.

 

Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad by Henry Cole
This story is about a farm girl that has discovered a runaway slave hiding in her family’s barn. To help the slave, she must act with courage and compassion.

Do you have a favorite historical fiction picture book? Share with us in the comments, we’d love to check it out!

Books, Public, School Media Specialist

Somali folktales added to Ebooks MN!

Are you using Ebooks MN? If not, you should definitely check it out! You can access a wide variety of reading materials for many different age groups and subjects.

Some new additions to the Ebooks MN project are four Somali folktales, available in both English and Somali. “The books help to promote and preserve heritage languages and increase English literacy skills of refugee and immigrant families in Minnesota.” These stories will be especially useful in our Central Minnesota area!

Two of the stories in the collection include:

  • Wiil Waal: ” In this clever folktale, a father reluctantly follows his daughter’s advice and has astonishing results.”
  • The Travels of Igal Shidad: “Igal walks the drought-stricken Somali landscape, searching for a better home for his family and animals, asking for Allah’s guidance along the way. As he confronts obstacles, both real and imagined, he discovers his prayers can be answered without his even realizing.”

Check out Somali Kid’s Books for videos, books, and more bilingual resources!

 

 

Academic, CMLE, Public, Visits

Group Visits to CMLE Libraries: Let’s Go!

OpenLibraryLogoIf you are reading this, you are almost certainly a library fan. And of course, you would be entirely correct to be so – libraries are fantastic!!

At CMLE, we feel we have both lovely libraries and wonderful library people. As we seem to all agree on this across our system – it would be great to visit each other and to have the chance to admire each other’s libraries!

We are organizing monthly trips to libraries across the system, so we can all have a chance to visit libraries that are new to us, different types, and approach the same challenges in maybe a new way. Plus, going as a group gives people the chance to meet up in person! (We are not restricting this to just CMLE members; if you are reading this, you are invited!) Continue reading Group Visits to CMLE Libraries: Let’s Go! →

Communication, Public

APPLY NOW: NASA@ My Library STEM initiative

NASA logo

Public libraries are invited to apply for NASA@ My Library, a STEM education initiative that will increase and enhance STEM learning opportunities for library patrons throughout the nation, including geographic areas and populations currently underserved in STEM education.

The project is offered by the National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL) at the Space Science Institute (SSI) in partnership with the ALA Public Programs Office, the Pacific Science Center, Cornerstones of Science, and the Education Development Center. Support comes from NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.

Seventy-five U.S. public libraries will be selected through a competitive application process to become NASA@ My Library Partners and participate in the 18-month project (Phase 1), with the opportunity to extend for an additional two-year period (Phase 2).

Continue reading APPLY NOW: NASA@ My Library STEM initiative →

Communication, General, Public

Behind the scenes at St. Paul Public Library

Library work is interesting!

We love to see stories about libraries in the news, especially when it highlights the important work librarians are doing! This article from the Pioneer Press is about the process at the St. Paul Public Library regarding ordering new materials for their library.

They interviewed librarian Katy Schulz and described her challenging work: “It’s her job to make sure the books are there, before people even know they want them.”

Continue reading Behind the scenes at St. Paul Public Library →