TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: June 9, 2016
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Engaging the Community through Public Libraries
State Library Services was a capstone client for the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota this spring. Staff worked with graduate student Pamela Foster to complete her Master’s professional paper. Public Libraries and Community Outreach: Program Assessment for Serving Homeless Patrons examines how libraries across the U.S. and Canada, including Hennepin County Library, are using public outreach to engage staff, the community, and homeless patrons. The paper also discusses tools and methods libraries could use to measure the impact of their community engagement efforts. You can request a copy of the paper from Joe Manion (651-582-8640).

Make Ebooks Minnesota Part of Your Summer Reading Program
As you gear up for summer programs to keep kids engaged in learning while school’s out for the long break, remember Ebooks Minnesota offers another way to make reading part of the summer fun.

Ebooks Minnesota features Minnesota’s independent publishers and books about Minnesota. With an array of fiction and nonfiction titles, the collection has something for everyone. Check out some of the series for young readers:

• I.Q. series
• Manga Math Mysteries
• Twisted Journeys
• You Write It
• Sports Heroes and Legends

The collection is free to use, there is no limit to the number of titles that can be checked out at any time, and readers can keep titles as long as they wish. Visit the website or download an app for your device via the App Store, Google Play, or Kindle Fire HD.

Ebooks Minnesota is a two-year pilot project brought to you by Minitex and the Minnesota Department of Education, made possible in part by funding from through a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information, please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508).

Turn Around, Bright Eyes: Library Programming for the Total Eclipse of 2017
Too busy with summer reading to even THINK about attending a webinar? The Space Science Institute has got you covered. Take a 20-minute breather from summer reading madness on Wednesday, June 15 at 2:00 pm to attend a 20-minute “mini webinar.” You’ll get great information about the 2017 total solar eclipse, and be able to ask questions about promoting the event in your library. Here are a couple fun facts to get you started: 1) On August 21, 2017, a total eclipse of the sun will be visible in the continental U.S. for the first time in almost 40 years; 2) The total eclipse will ONLY be visible in the U.S. and no other country. Download an eclipse FAQ sheet.

Register for the mini webinar. Password is “star1”. This webinar will be VoiP only, so you will need to use a laptop, or a desktop computer with a microphone and headset (there will be no call-in option.) If you have any problems with your registration, please contact Anne Holland for assistance.

Celebrate Summer Learning Day Every Day This Summer
The nation may celebrate 2016 Summer Learning Day on July 14, but public libraries celebrate learning all summer long. Across the state this summer, we know that hundreds of educational and entertaining events will take place in Minnesota’s public libraries. Share what you’re doing with the rest of the state—and the country—by posting events on the National Summer Learning Association’s website.

Bring Financial Empowerment to Your Community
Interested in learning more about promoting financial well-being in your community? The University of Minnesota Extension service will host Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Your Money, Your Goals workshops throughout the state for community organizations and agencies. Participants will become well-versed in using a toolkit designed to increase people’s financial literacy and skills.

The sessions cover key financial literacy topics, many of which are important for teens—emotions, values, culture, and money decisions; savings for emergencies, bills, and goals; and credit and debt, just to name a few.

Learn more about the program. Trainings begin in June and run through August, so register today for the session nearest you. Please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508) for more information.

Reintroduce Your Library to Your Community
Outside the Lines is a week-long celebration, September 11-17, 2016, that demonstrates the creativity and innovation happening in today’s libraries. Whether your library is large or small—school, academic, special or public—you can participate in this international celebration by hosting an event that:

– Gets people thinking and talking about libraries in a different way.
– Showcases your library in the community. 
– Represents your local community.
– Highlights how your library is relevant to people’s lives.
– Is active and gets people engaged.
– Is fun!

Learn more about Outside the Lines and how to participate through an informational webinar on Thursday, June 30 from11:00 a.m. to noon. No registration is necessary, but virtual space may be limited. Learn more about Outside the Lines and register as a participating location on the campaign’s website.