Category Archives: Resources

Resources, School Media Specialist

Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Mini Grants Available!

This sounds like a great opportunity for our members! Teachers and librarians from public or school libraries, check out this opportunity to get some funding for a program that “demonstrates creativity and a desire to make learning fun.” They’ll award approximately 70 grants up to $500 each! Deadline for submitting your application is March 31st 2019 so you have plenty of time. (Contact us at CMLE if you need help with yours!)

Here’s more info from their website:

“The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, dedicated to supporting arts and literacy programs in public schools and libraries across the country, is encouraging qualifying educators to apply for a 2019 Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grant. Applications are currently being accepted, and the deadline for submissions is March 31, 2019.

Approximately 70 grants, up to $500 each, will be awarded to teachers and librarians whose proposals demonstrate creativity and a desire to make learning fun. Decisions will be emailed to all applicants in May, allowing educators to plan for the 2019 – 2020 academic year.
“For over three decades, it has been our privilege to support the vision of the most innovative teachers and librarians, who inspire students to read joyfully, think creatively and support one another with generosity,” says Deborah Pope, Executive Director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.

Since 1987, the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation has provided over $1,000,000 in support of EJK Mini-Grant programs spanning the 50 states and U.S commonwealths. The Foundation welcomes Mini-Grant proposals focusing on any subject or discipline. To learn more about EJK Mini-Grants, and to see the criteria for application, visit Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grants.

“With the deadline fast approaching, I encourage all creative educators who want to put their new ideas into action to go online and apply for an EJK Mini-Grant now,” adds Pope.”


Resources

Check out this hiking resource!

Hiking in the Talkeetna Mountains of AlaskaAlthough it’s cold and awful outside, I’m already dreaming of warmer weather and hitting the trails! We are fortunate here in Minnesota to have tons of hiking opportunities – so between you, your patrons, and your colleagues there are hikers who need some good information. And, as always, a librarian is on the case!

Check out this quick excerpt from an article in College and Research Libraries News, and click here to read it in full. Share these resources with your patrons, colleagues, and start planning out your own hiking adventures!

Go take a hike

Online hiking resources
by April J. Schweikhard

“Last year, in preparation for two hiking trips throughout the United States, I spent hours scouring the Internet for websites devoted to hiking information: I was not disappointed with the information available. Whether for adventure, health, or the opportunity to get out into nature, many people enjoy the benefits of hiking. And, according to the Outdoor Industry Association’s “2018 Outdoor Participation Report,” the number of Americans who engage in some type of outdoor adventure, including hiking, continues to increase. Libraries are helping connect their users to the trails in a variety of ways, including dedicated LibGuides, exhibits, and even backpacks filled with guidebooks and park passes for patrons to check out. Whether you are looking for resources to assist your library users or are simply interested in hitting the trails, yourself, the following Internet resources will help you discover new trails and increase your hiking knowledge. Websites listed here include trails databases, park resources, coalition systems, blogs, and magazines.”

“Hiking trails

If you are not quite sure where to start hiking or are wanting to research trails for an upcoming trip, the following resources include databases with thousands of trail guides for you to consult. While these online resources are helpful and convenient for planning, remember that nothing can replace talking one-on-one with an experienced ranger and having a detailed printed map when you head out on the trail.

“Hiking trails, regional

Many states have developed their own online hiking resources in order to provide more localized information. The following are a few regional hiking resources. Try your own Internet search for state and regional hiking guides not listed here.

“Parks

Hiking in the United States will most likely take you through one of its many state and national parks. The following resources provide information about hiking in state parks, national parks, and federal recreational lands, including maps, fees, reservations, and up-to-date alerts.

“Associations, coalitions, and societies

Trail systems are often championed and maintained by a dedicated group of hiking enthusiasts and volunteers. These group’s websites offer a range of information on volunteer opportunities, trail systems, and educational materials.”

 

Children's services, Resources, School Media Specialist

Library Thoughts: AASL Standards for Libraries

McMillen High School Library

Working in school libraries is tough.

The community you serve is a group of kids who need access to all sorts of good information and training in good resources. And it’s also teachers, administrators, staff, and parents. It is keeping up with state standards, with books that are good and books that are required in class. Increasingly it’s about working with technology, figuring out how to best implement it and make it work across the community of users.

We can’t make all of it easier, but the American Association of School Librarians provide some guidance for you to use, and to share with your administration.

An important part of working in a school library is being a leader and doing constant advocacy. That work involves reaching out to the people in the community to keep telling them what you have to offer, and how you can help them to accomplish their goals. Using these standards can be a good step toward making that happen!

“The AASL Standards framework reflects a comprehensive approach to teaching and learning by demonstrating the connection between learner, school librarian, and school library standards. Three sets of standards (Learner, School Librarian, and School Library) make up the AASL Standards Integrated Framework featured within the National School Library Standards. Use the resources here to familiarize yourself with the structure and get started using the standards in your practice.”

We know that not every school can master every step here – money and time are still limiting factors for a lot of schools. But CMLE is here to help you to provide with assistance in building your library, including scholarships, minigrants, policy writing, in-person visits, meetings with your colleagues as your advocate, or other things that might help you move forward!

 

You can watch this video to get started, or share it with your colleagues:

Getting Started

Designed to empower leaders to transform teaching and learning, the National School Library Standards enable personalization for every learner and school librarian, allowing you to continuously tailor your school library to local needs, your own strengths, and learners’ benefit. These resources will help you get started on your journey.

For more great resources, explore the Materials Gallery >>

 

Common Beliefs

Standards Framework

Implementation Plan

Professional Development

 

Books, Resources

Books and Resources for Black History Month

February is Black History Month! We want to make sure our member libraries have all sorts of book recommendations and resources to celebrate this month and to encourage learning about Black history all year long.

Let’s start with some recommended reading lists: 

Next, explore these resources you can use in your school library or classroom: 

Finally, last year at CMLE we hosted an African American Read-In event where we were able to explore an awesome variety of African American literature. Read about our event or learn more about African American Read-Ins.

If you’d like to get some more book recommendations, listen to our Reading With Libraries podcast episode about the genre of African American literature:

Resources, Training

Webinar: DPLA and Ebooks: Expanding Access through Collaboration

 

We are passing this along from DPLA, so you can check out this webinar.

Note that MN’s own Minitex Director is one of the speakers – so you know it will be good!!

DPLA and Ebooks: Expanding Access through Collaboration

Date: February 6, 2019 at 2:00PM Eastern Time

Presenters:
Micah May, DPLA Ebooks Consultant
Michele Kimpton, Director of Business Development and Senior Strategist
Luke Swarthout, Director of Digital Policy, The New York Public Library
Michael Blackwell, Director of St. Mary’s County Library (MD)
Valerie Horton, Director of Minitex

Join DPLA staff and partners for a detailed overview of DPLA’s ebooks initiatives and how this work advances the field and supports libraries. The session will introduce the DPLA Exchange, Open Bookshelf, and SimplyE and the roles of key partners including The New York Public Library and LYRASIS. DPLA Exchange pilot partners and SimplyE implementation partners will provide insight from the field about their experiences and goals in adopting these tools and services.

Priority registration is currently open to DPLA Member Hubs. Join our mailing list or follow @dpla on Twitter for registration updates.