Category Archives: Public

Academic, General, Public, Resources, School Media Specialist, Services, Special, Tech

Learn to build your own Android app

android_robot-svg
Look how cute he is! Let’s build an app!

There are many interesting apps available for library use, and we are looking at some of them this week. But what if you want something that is unique to the special needs of your library? What if you want to stretch yourself and your tech skills by trying something new? What if you just don’t want to pay for an app??

You might be the perfect audience for this (free!) Udacity class!

Android Development for Beginners How to Make an Android App gives you some training in Java and programming for Android. “This course is designed for students who are new to programming, and want to learn how to build Android apps. You don’t need any programming experience to take this course. If you’ve been using a smartphone to surf the web and chat with friends, then you’re our perfect target student!”

Your library may want to reach out to patrons in a way that works for them, and speaks to them with tools they are already using. “Android powers over 80 percent of the world’s smartphones, and represents an incredible opportunity for developers everywhere. The next billion people coming online will interact with the internet for the very first time on a mobile device. Building for Android gives you the best opportunity to reach these users and make an impact — both in your community, and on the world.”

You may not need to connect to everyone in the world – but you do want to connect with as many of your potential users as possible; and an app you create may be one tool to help make that happen!

 

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Local author and SCTCC professor gives Tedx talk

Jessica LoureyJessica Lourey is a successful local author and professor of creative writing and sociology at St. Cloud Community and Technical College. She has a new book coming out next May, titled Rewrite Your Life: Discover Your Truth Through the Healing Power of Fiction. The book is nonfiction and aimed at helping people work through difficulties in their lives by fiction writing. The book was inspired by Lourey’s discovery of the therapeutic ability of writing fiction while  working through an extremely traumatic event in her life.

She recently gave a TEDx talk about the experience, which you can watch below. TEDx “is designed to help communities, organizations and individuals to spark conversation and connection through local TED-like experiences.” Learn more by visiting their site.

Interested in learning more about Lourey? Read about her in our Author Spotlight post, or check out our review of Lourey’s first book in her Murder by Month series, Mayday. She even gave an engaging presentation during a CMLE event last year.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

32 of the world's most gorgeous libraries

Vancouver_Public_Library_Atrium
Another beautiful library, the Vancouver Public Library

In case you are looking for some travel inspiration, or just want to feast your eyes on some beautiful architecture, check out this article from the BookBub blog that highlights 32 of the world’s most beautiful libraries. The list is diverse with the libraries that are included, with designs that range from Baroque to extremely modern. It’s interesting to see the various influences that have impacted the libraries’ designs – many are theological, some have been influenced by nature, or the history of their location. In the article, each photo features a short description that discusses the uniqueness of each library. Here are some samples:

  • The very first library profiled is the Abbey Library of St. Gall in Switzerland. It’s a World Heritage site and also contains the earliest known architectural plan, written on parchment!
  • The impressive Kansas City Central Library in Missouri is number thirteen on the list. It’s easy to tell the function of the building from the outside, since one of the walls features huge paintings of the spines of 22 different books! Each book is twenty-five feet high and nine feet wide.
  • Take a look at the Tianyi Pavilion Library in China at number twenty-seven on the list. It’s the oldest private library in Asia! The tranquility of the location is very obvious. The library is next to a lake and surrounded by gardens.

It’s so hard to choose a favorite, but I think the libraries in Austria are especially breathtaking. Which one(s) would you like to visit in person?

 

 


	

	
	




	
	

				

			Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special
		

			
CMLE Featured Service: Scholarships!

		

			 		

	


		

		
273/365: 09/30/2013. Money, Money, Money!
Apply for a CMLE Scholarship


 


Did you know that CMLE offers scholarships? Since our main priority is helping libraries be successful, we know that sometimes additional money is required to make that happen! We want to help you get the professional development you need in order to bring some new ideas or skills to your library or media center.


CMLE offers scholarships of up to $200 per fiscal year per individual for staff affiliated with any type of library in Aitkin, Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright counties in Central Minnesota. The scholarships can be used to attend workshops, conferences, library meetings or task forces, and other library-related activities to promote engagement and/or professional development. We encourage you to use the scholarships even if it can’t cover all of the costs. And, if you use our scholarship to help with costs, tell your administrator that you have used our program!


Keep in mind that two great library and technology conferences are quickly approaching: the annual MLA conference from September 29 – 30th in Duluth and the ITEM conference from October 13 – 15th in Brooklyn Park!


Whether it’s a conference, workshop, a way to learn new skills or teach others, being able to interact with your peers can be a great way to increase your energy and excitement about the library world. CMLE wants to help our members and their libraries or media centers continue to learn and grow. For full details, see our Scholarships Page for our easy (really, we promise!) application.


Need ideas for professional development? See our Continuing Education Page or visit the MN Library Continuing Education Calendar.

	

	
	




	
	

				

			Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special
		

			
Notable Date to Celebrate: September 25th is Shel Silverstein's birthday

		

			 		

	


		

		
You probably already know that at CMLE, we offer a service called “Notable Dates for your Noggin” which feature special holidays and birthdays of authors, as well as publications of well-known books. In an effort to help you get more from this service, we’ve decided to select one “Notable Date” each month to feature. We will include a few fun programming and activity ideas too, all for you to use!


where-the-sidewalk-ends


September 25th is Shel Silverstein’s birthday. Silverstein is well known for his children’s literature, poetry, and music. You can listen to him read his poem Backward Bill here, and even subscribe to the Shel Silverstein YouTube channel for more content.



If you are looking for some biographical information on Silverstein, check out this article from LibraryPoint.org which talks about his life and also gives some fast facts about the writer, including that he won a Grammy award in 1969 for A Boy Named Sue performed by Johnny Cash.


Love The Giving Tree? Celebrate by making some Giving Tree apple cupcakes!


Make math more fun with these poetry inspired activities.


Get creative and pick your favorite Shel Silverstein poem to draw some accompanying illustrations! 


Want more Shel Silverstein activities or information? Check out this website for wallpapers, e-cards, and lesson plans.


 


scroll-307485_960_720


Looking for more fun holidays or days to celebrate? Check out our Notable Dates Page!