TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: January 11, 2016
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services
Join Us for Webinars in January
Please note that the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) requires a two-week advance notice in order to provide a requested reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, and requires a 48-hour notice in order to cancel a requested accommodation.
Tax Resources for Libraries
The 2016 tax season is coming up quickly! To help libraries serve their communities during the tax season, State Library Services and the Minnesota Department of Revenue invite you to attend the Resources for Libraries webinar on Thursday, January 14 from 10-11 a.m.
The webinar will cover:
– Minnesota Department of Revenue updates
– Common Minnesota credits
– Important tax dates
– Identity theft
– Free tax preparation sites
– Helpful resources
– Q&A
Please join the WebEx meeting online and call in at 1-888-742-5095 (toll-free) or 1-619-377-3319 using meeting number 594 801 277 / conference code 492 064 9083. The webinar will be recorded. Please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8805) with questions or to request the recording link.
2015 Public Library Report Refresher
You’re invited to a webinar about how to submit your library’s 2015 Public Library Report to State Library Services. You’ll learn about data element additions and revisions as well as definition changes for electronic resources. You will also get a refresher about how to input data into the online LibPAS tool.
Joe Manion, State Data Coordinator, and Lindsay Thompson, Counting Opinions Director, will guide you through the process and answer your questions. Library directors, those newly assigned the task of submitting annual report data, and those who collect the data will benefit from the presentation.
The webinar is Thursday, January 14, 2-3 p.m. No registration is necessary; just join the WebEx meeting online or call 1-888-742-5095 (toll-free) or 1-619-377-3319 using meeting number 593 230 972 / conference code 289 945 0924. For more information, please contact Joe Manion (651-582-8640).
Building the World’s Best Workforce at the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library
The Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library offers real-life work experience to Faribault-area students. Through Cannon River Educational Center’s Secondary Transition Education Program (STEP) and Faribault High School’s Work Experience Program, students gain employment readiness, social and work skills as they transition from school to the workforce. Read more about the program on MDE’s blog.
Save the Dates for Upcoming Special Events
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.
The second annual screening of the best local 90-Second Newbery Film Festival entries is on Saturday, February 27, 2016, from 3-4:30 p.m. at Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central. Make your free reservation here. 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).
Learn How to Offer Storytime for Grown Ups
Join Joe Manion, Library Development and Services Specialist with State Library Services, and Tim Claussen, Reader and Trainer, to learn how to create and deliver a storytime program designed for individuals 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).
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).
