TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: January 20, 2016
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Join the Supercharged Storytimes Community
State Library Services is pleased to announce that Supercharged Storytimes is now open to any interested public library staff across Minnesota. Through this dynamic online learning community, you can explore research-based early literacy concepts and specific strategies for reinforcing those concepts for kids, parents, and caregivers with intentionality and enthusiasm.

Upon joining the Supercharged learning community, public library staff members and volunteers in Minnesota have access to:
     • Recorded webinars that provide an overview of the significance of specific early literacy concepts, and strategies for enhancing interactivity in your practice;
     • Online supporting materials, such as videos, articles, tools and tip sheets;
     • Supercharged discussion forums, offering the ability to share ideas and collaborate with other public library colleagues around the state.

There is no cost for public library staff and volunteers in Minnesota to join, and the space will be available through March 31, 2016. To sign up:
     • Go to learn.webjunction.org and click on “Log in” in the upper right-hand corner.
          o Have a WebJunction account? Simply log in with your username and password.
          o New to WebJunction? Follow the instructions to create a new account.
     • After logging in, enroll in Supercharged Central – Minnesota by going to the WebJunction Course Catalog and search courses by entering: Supercharged
     • At the enrollment options page, select the Supercharged Central community for Minnesota, enter the following enrollment key: superchargedMN, and then click on “Enroll me.”
     • After you select “Enroll me,” you will see the Supercharged Storytimes community of practice page. Welcome to the community! The “Getting Started” information at the main page will tell you all you need to know to begin supercharging your practice!

Please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356) with questions, comments and/or concerns.

Prepare for the 2015 Public Library Report
Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2015 Public Library Report Refresher webinar on January 14! Unfortunately, there were “technical difficulties” and the PowerPoint slides for the 2014 key statistics and 2015 report changes were not visible to participants. If you would like a copy of the slides, please email Joe Manion, and he will send them to you. The presentation failed to record as well. You may view the Data Entry in LibPAS webinar which includes most of the information shared by Lindsay Thompson during the webinar.

Libraries are getting ready to complete the Public Library Report for 2015. Library directors and report filers will receive an email from Counting Opinions with their LibPAS username and password this week. Updated instructions and worksheets are now available from the LibPAS documentation page. Individual library worksheets should be available by the end of January. The survey opens early February and closes April 1.

Please feel free to contact Joe Manion (651-582-8640) for help in completing the annual report.

Learn How Your Library Can Be a Summer Food Program Site
Fewer than 15 percent of Minnesota kids who benefit from the free or reduced-price school lunch program have access to summer and afterschool food programs. Limited access to free food programs, particularly during the summer, leaves many children hungry. Public libraries can help make sure kids have access to nutritious food when school is not in session. Begin planning your summer 2016 participation by attending an informational webinar on February 24, 2016 at 11 a.m. Jenny Butcher, USDA Summer Food Service Program Coordinator at MDE, will share how you can get involved. There is no need to pre-register. Please join the WebEx meeting online (meeting number 594 625 833) or call in at 1-888-742-5095 (conference code 874 403 3672). Please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356) with questions or to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event. Note: MDE requires a two-week advance notice in order to provide the requested accommodation and requires a 48-hour notice in order to cancel a requested accommodation.

Back by Popular Demand: Storytimes for Grown Ups
Join Joe Manion, Library Development and Services Specialist with State Library Services, and Tim Claussen, Reader and Trainer, as they turn their popular MLA session into a half-day workshop! You’ll learn how to create and deliver an engaging storytime program designed for people living in senior residences (apartments, assisted living, care facilities, etc.).

During the training you will:
     • Learn from the experiences of both national and local storytime programs for adults.
     • Receive suggestions for choosing a theme to provide program cohesion.
     • Share and brainstorm with others about authors and selections that fit your theme.
     • Practice and/or observe “cold” readings and receive feedback and tips on reading selections.
     • Receive guidance about contacting facilities, setting up a storytime space, interacting with residents, handling discussions, and obtaining audience feedback.

Participants are encouraged to complete some simple pre-work, which is optional.
     • To help maximize your training time, come with a possible storytime theme (or two) that would appeal to senior residents in your library’s service area. Themes can be as specific as baseball or food or as general as seasons or holidays.
     • Then–as inspiration strikes–add authors and story/excerpt selections that fit your theme to start fleshing out your storytime program.
     • Bring two copies of one, lengthy paragraph (or similar-sized section) from a selection you have chosen. Depending on time, we will use the examples to practice delivery and stimulate brainstorming.

This free workshop is Thursday, March 3, 12:30-4:30 p.m., Roseville Library, 2180 North Hamline Ave., Roseville. Register early as space is limited. The workshop is sponsored by MELSA and State Library Services. For more information, contact Joe Manion (651-582-8640).

The Return of the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival
We are thrilled that 89 films made by Minnesota kids were submitted to the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival this year! The second annual screening of the best local entries is on Saturday, February 27, 2016, from 3:00-4:30 pm at Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central. Make your free reservation today. Energetic co-hosts of the event will be James Kennedy (90-Second Newbery founder and middle grade author of The Order of Odd-Fish) and Kelly Barnhill (Minneapolis author of The Witch’s Boy). Please download and print a promotional poster to help spread the word about this popular event. For more details, please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356).

The Libraries Serving Youth Meetup is an annual opportunity for school librarians and public librarians to meet, network and share ideas. We invite you to join us at MDE on Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn about diversity in children’s literature from author Cathy Camper and get creative ideas from colleagues. Registration opens February 16, 2016. Stay tuned to the State Library Services website and this listserv for more information.

Plan Now to Attend the Libraries Serving Youth Meetup
The Libraries Serving Youth Meetup is an annual opportunity for school librarians and public librarians to meet, network and share ideas. We invite you to join us at MDE in Roseville on Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to learn about diversity in children’s literature from author Cathy Camper and get creative ideas from colleagues. We look forward to connecting with you–and being a catalyst for you to connect with others. Registration opens February 16, 2016. Stay tuned to the State Library Services website and this listserv for more information.

Partner with Summer Reads
Summer Reads is an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) program that helps children entering grades K-4 combat the “summer slide” – the loss of learning that occurs over the summer. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve as literacy tutors and program facilitators in schools, libraries and community programs to increase the amount of time dedicated to literacy, decrease child to adult ratios and increase reach to struggling readers. VISTAs may provide one-to-one or small group tutoring or lead literacy-focused creative enrichment activities. Apply before February 11 to host a Summer Reads VISTA. Visit the Minnesota Literacy Council Summer Reads VISTA website or contact Meghan Paul-Cook (651-251-9069) for more information.

Submit a Proposal for the Minnesota eLearning Summit
The Minnesota eLearning Summit, coordinated by Minnesota Learning Commons, is a gathering place for educators and innovators in the Midwest who are committed to effective online and blended learning. You are invited to submit a presentation, panel, and/or poster presentation proposal by Friday, March 11, 2016 for the 2016 Minnesota eLearning Summit, July 27-28, 2016 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. For more information, including submission requirements and topics, visit the Minnesota eLearning Summit website or contact Julie Schmitz (612-624-4754).