Category Archives: Services

Check this out:, CMLE, Resources, School Media Specialist, Services

Overdrive.com opportunity

overdrivelogonew
eBooks!

CMLE Elementary School Libraries in a Title 1 school:

Here is some potentially interesting information from Overdrive.com on eBook donations! Below is a press release they have issued. You may be receiving this directly from them; but to be sure no one is overlooked, we are copying it here for you. There is an application to fill out (linked below). If you have questions, you can contact Overdrive; if you need some assistance with the form, or want to talk about ideas contact us at CMLE Headquarters and we can help! (We are available to assist with any grant applications!)

See if this is right for you and your school. We will share other offers and grant opportunities periodically on this site; and we put all the grants we find on our Grants and Awards calendar. Check it every so often to see if there are opportunities for you to get money and/or awards! CMLE Headquarters is always available to help you with the applications, or to help you think through the process of applying.

Here are the FAQs for the program:

Who can apply for this program?

Any adult who works in a Title 1 (or Title 1 eligible) school can apply.  You must apply for each school individually.

What happens after I submit my application?

OverDrive will review your application and contact you if your school is selected to receive one year of free K5 Quickstart access.

What grade levels is this intended for?

The K5 Quickstart program is intended for schools serving students in Grades K through 8.

What will this cost my school?

Nothing! There are no purchase or future commitments required to receive your one year of free K5 Quickstart access. Continue reading Overdrive.com opportunity →

Academic, Check this out:, CMLE, Resources, School Media Specialist, Services

Visiting St. Cloud Technical & Community College Library

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This is such a nice library! The design, the services, the materials – all have been designed to connect to their patrons. That care taken in libraries for the needs of patrons is always impressive! On this trip I was escorted around the building by Vi Bergquist, CIO for SCTCC – and Treasurer for the CMLE Board.

 

comfy-chairs
We could just sit there and relax!

If you do not think “comfortable seating” in a library is important – you are missing an important element of good service! In a research study I did across the state of Illinois, this came up as one of the big things patrons wanted. In this setting, the furniture not only looks well designed and comfortable, but they have thought about user needs. You can see the entrance just behind the couch; these high backs help to block out noise and to let students continue to converse and work together. Great planning like this leads to great results for patrons!

 

pow-mia-table
POW/MIA Table

I absolutely loved this! As the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, I know some of the struggles veterans and their families face. The work this school is doing to reach out to veterans in the community is truly impressive! This table, part of a national tradition of remembrance, was set up in the common area, for everyone to see and to reflect. They have a Veteran Services department in the school, which can really help out veterans and family members. A couple of meaningful awards are listed on their page:

  • “The Military Times Best for Vets distinction recognizes St. Cloud Technical & Community College for its commitment to providing opportunities to America’s veterans.”
  • “G.I. Jobs, the premier magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has awarded St. Cloud Technical & Community College the designation of Military Friendly School® for the third year in a row.”

Continue reading Visiting St. Cloud Technical & Community College Library →

Academic, Check this out:, Public, School Media Specialist, Services, Special

Call for ALA panel participation!

performance-appraisals
Let’s share some ideas!

We want to be sure you have access to all the library news and events out there, so will periodically pass on things that may be relevant to you. This is a call for people who can share their innovative strategies for good library service when resources are tight! The ALA Annual meeting will be in Chicago – hopefully close enough that some people can attend to take part in a HUGE library event!! If there is enough interest, CMLE will rent a van to drive people there, and back at the end of the conference.

This kind of event can be a valuable part of your professional life (and it’s always fun!); so start thinking of some strategies now for your own attendance! Participation in a panel like this one or others we will pass on as they arise, or creating a poster to share, can be a great way to give back to the profession – as well as good justification for attending!

No matter what you do in the library field, there will be something for you at the ALA Annual Conference. With a general attendance of about 25,000 people, there are people there who like what you like and do what you do! There will also be webinars and materials available for people who are #ALALeftBehind; so you do not need to attend physically to get the benefits!

See call for participation below: Continue reading Call for ALA panel participation! →

Academic, Check this out:, CMLE, General, Public, Resources, School Media Specialist, Services, Special, Training

What are we doing in November? Advocacy training!

advocacy

In November, our Monthly Topic will be Advocacy!!

This is such an important skill for everyone in your library to master. We all need to advocate for ourselves in the workplace, for our libraries, and for the profession. During November we will collect and share information on each of these aspects of advocacy, to help build your skills and your comfort level with it.

At the heart: Advocacy is fun!! We get to tell people how great our libraries are, all the wonderful things we provide to our communities, and how valuable we are!! It can be tempting to just assume people know about this – but we want to really be sure they understand, so we need to tell them. This is our chance to brag!

CMLE will offer an in-person training session at our Headquarters (570 First Street SE, St Cloud, MN 56304). This will happen Nov 15. Spaces are filling fast – so don’t delay!

  • First session: noon to 1:30:
  • Second session: 4:30 to 6:00
  • Webinar will be provided online for future viewing

You are invited to attend either in-person session (they are identical). Feel free to bring your food! We will provide beverages.

Sign up at our Eventbrite site here!

When you leave this session you will have some basic skills and ideas:

  • identification of your library’s elected representatives
  • a draft email to send to each of them
  • a set of talking points about your library’s value
  • an elevator speech to share your accomplishments
  • details on library service nationally, for easy sharing

Any questions? Send Mary an email.

Would you like a training session brought to your library? Send Mary an email on that too!

Academic, Check this out:, CMLE, General, Public, Resources, School Media Specialist, Services, Special

CMLE Service: Continuing Education and Grants calendars!

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Learn about opportunities!

Looking for a one-stop shop to plan out some professional development in the upcoming months, or begin work on some grant applications?

The CMLE website is here to help with that! We have our Continuing Education page, which features a Google calendar that is updated daily with new learning opportunities. Most of the events on the calendar are webinars or online courses, and yes, some are free! We also have links to organizations like Library Juice and the AASL’s eAcademy that offer their own training and development opportunities.

Our Grant page features both a Google calendar that is regularly updated and also a list of grants that breaks them down individually in more detail. We know that library budgets are tight, and it can be a challenge to run a library or media center on a small budget. Check out some of the grants or awards to see if they could be useful to you!

If you have questions about any of the Continuing Education or Grant items, or need some help applying for an award or grant, don’t hesitate to contact us! We are here to support you!