Category Archives: Special

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

Information Literacy Webinars

ELM

How do students approach research in a digital world? 
Attend these FREE webinars offered through the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM) to learn more.

Primary Sources in ELM: Learn tips on how to navigate the ELM library in search of primary sources for comprehensive research assignments. This session is offered on Tuesday, March 12th or Friday, March 29th from 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM (Central Time). Click here for more information.

Online Information Literacy and ELM: Take 45 minutes and join Minitex staff to discuss best practices to identify what information is appropriate and credible for research. Also, learn how to teach effective search strategies and see ways ELM allows students to manage their research.  This webinar is being offered on Tuesday, March 26th from 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM (Central Time). Click here for more information.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

$50,000 Grant Opportunity!

logo_bcbs_mnThe information in this post was provided by Bruce Pomerantz, State Library Services

This is the second consecutive year that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota will provide each of three Minnesota public libraries with a $50,000 grant that supports and expands a public library’s role as a leader in addressing issues that too often prevent people from living healthier lives. The news release states strong consideration will be given to a public library partnering with local community organizations. While the applicant must be a public library, local partners may assist a public library with conceiving the project and writing the application.The Foundation will strive for geographic reach around the state.

The last day for application submission is April 9, 2013.

Bruce Pomerantz, Library Development Specialist
State Library Services – D29
Minnesota Department of Education
1500 Highway 36 W.
Roseville, MN 55113
Phone: 651-582-8890
Email: bruce.pomerantz@state.mn.us

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

VIRTUAL Legislative Day-March 6th Call or Email!

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MLA LogoThis update is from Mark Ranum, MLA Legislative Chair

March 6 is your day to contact your HOUSE and SENATE members and ADVOCATE FOR LIBRARIES!!!

If you can’t make Legislative Day in person, you can still make a difference by contacting your Representatives and Senators by telephone or email and letting them know that library funding from the state is very important!

You can review the platform and documents on specific issues of interest at http://www.mnlibraryassociation.org/committees/legislative-committee#documents

The bill numbers for each issue will be available on the MLA website under the legislative committee documents link listed above, so you can refer to specific bill numbers in the House and Senate when you contact legislators.  Some of the issues will not have specific bill numbers since they are part of the Governor’s proposed budget.

When you call or email, it’s best to advocate for a specific issue or bill, and particularly if that issue or bill is under consideration in one of the committees where your legislator is a member.

Find your legislators at http://www.gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/   When your Senator and Representative names are displayed, you can click on their names to find out their committee assignments.

You can pass this email along to all your library board members, friends, and advocates, and library patrons!!  Encourage them to contact their legislators!

Even a call or email expressing general library support on March 6 would be terrific and very helpful in our advocacy efforts.  The more positive energy and impact we have that day, the more positive our conversations about libraries continue at the Capitol.

Mark Ranum, Director Plum Creek Library System
Box 697, 290 S. Lake Street
Worthington, MN 56187
507.376.5803 ext. 1 (office)
612.701.9989 (cell)
mranum@plumcreeklibrary.net

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

MNLibLeg-Legislative Update!

This update is from Elaine Keefe, MLA/MEMO Library Legislative Lobbyist

State Economic Forecast:  A new state economic forecast was released today, and it contains good news.  The projected budget deficit for the next biennium has shrunk to $627 million.  This is an improvement of $463 million over the $1.1 billion deficit that was projected in December.

The forecast also contains good news for the current biennium.  The state is now projected to end the current biennium with a positive balance of $295 million.  Under current law, $5 million of that will go into the state’s budget reserve and $290 million will go to repay the education funding shift.

Budget Process:  Governor Dayton is expected to issue a revised budget proposal in about two weeks.  Soon after that, legislative leaders will set budget targets.  House rules require a budget resolution to be adopted no later than March 25, but House leaders have said they hope to do it sooner.  Senate leaders will also set budget targets, but the Senate does not adopt a formal budget resolution in public.

Data Privacy:  Our data privacy bill for public libraries, HF 695/SF 745, will be heard on Friday in the House Data Practices Subcommittee and on Tuesday, March 5 in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Minitex/MnLINK:  Our bill providing a funding increase for Minitex and MnLINK will be introduced in the House this afternoon. Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley) is the chief author.  Co-authors are Rep. Bud Nornes (R – Fergus Falls) and Rep. Kathy Brynaert (DFL – Mankato).

Elaine Keefe Capitol Hill Associates

525 Park Street, Suite 310
St. Paul, MN 55103
office 651-293-0229
fax 651-293-1709
cell 612-590-1244
elaine@capitolhillassoc.com

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MEMO

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Congratulations Paul Beckermann, Dassel-Cokato Schools!

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Paul Beckermann
Media & Digital Learning Specialist

We’ve Learned that CMLE member Dassel-Cokato Schools (ISD#466) is recognizing Paul Beckermann, Media and Digital Learning Specialist, who has been selected as a semifinalist in the 2013 Minnesota Teacher of the Year program!

This annual program honors excellence among Minnesota educators. Now in its 48th year, it is the oldest and most prestigious recognition program for the State. The Minnesota Teacher of the Year represents the profession as an advocate for education and spokesperson for teachers. The program chooses one teacher to represent Minnesota’s thousands of excellent educators. To learn more, go to Education Minnesota‘s website!

Congratulations to Paul!