TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: December 7, 2015
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Help Us Make the Minnesota Public Library Report More Useful

We’re looking for your feedback on the value of the information we collect for the annual public library report. The report covers input and output measures related to collections, staffing, hours of operation, programs, public services, income and expenditures, and other relevant data.

We’re required by state law to collect annual report information. We use the state annual report to also collect federally required data. States may collect whatever data they want or need. We invite you to complete a questionnaire about how useful certain data elements are and those we might consider adding, modifying or eliminating.

Some questions ask about adding more detail such as the number of document retrievals from subscription databases. Other questions ask about eliminating data elements that are redundant such as previous years remodeled. There are questions about updating categories for data elements about assistive technology equipment, policies and plans, and outreach services. There is also a question about statewide collection of Summer Reading Program performance indicators.

The questionnaire is open through December 12. We will review the results and make appropriate changes to future public library reports. State Library Services appreciates your feedback and opinions. If you have questions about the questionnaire, please contact Joe Manion, Data Coordinator, at joe.manion@state.mn.us, 651-582-8640.

Calling All Kid Filmmakers! Submit your Films by January 10

Know some imaginative kids? The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is an annual video contest in which kid filmmakers make movies that creatively tell the entire stories of Newbery-winning books in ninety seconds or less. Making the film is a fun, creative and multi-faceted educational exercise. Kids cooperatively write, storyboard, produce, direct, costume, act, frame and edit their films.

Public librarians, school librarians, parents, teachers, and scout leaders are encouraged to work with their kids to make movies. The deadline to submit films for the 2015-2016 film festival is January 10, 2016. Inspiration and more information can be found on the 90-Second Newbery website. The second annual Minnesota screening of the best local entries is on Saturday, February 27, 2016, from 3:00-4:30 pm at Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central. 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.

Announcing the LSTA Mini Grant Awardees

State Library Services is pleased to announce the projects selected to receive a 2015 Libraries Supporting the World’s Best Workforce LSTA mini grant. The World’s Best Workforce recognizes that Minnesota must have students who are college and career ready and poised to lead the state’s workforce into the future. The legislation requires each school district to adopt a plan that addresses how it will achieve five goals: 1) All children are ready for school. 2) All third-graders can read at grade level. 3) All racial and economic gaps between students are closed. 4) All students are college and career ready. 5) All students graduate from high school. Minnesota’s libraries are a key resource to help communities across the state achieve these goals. These five projects will directly serve at-risk children and youth (ages 0-25) through improved or expanded library-based services and learning activities. Visit State Library Services’ LSTA page to learn more about the projects.

Check Out New Ebook Resources from the Tristate ILEAD Team

Two Minnesota librarians joined colleagues from North and South Dakota for ILEAD North Dakota, a continuing education program designed to cultivate technology and leadership skills. The program was part of ILEAD USA (Innovative Librarians Explore, Apply and Discover), an initiative funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services that gives participants the opportunity to collaborate on innovative projects.

The North Dakota State Library hosted three face-to-face sessions in Bismarck over nine months, and each of the three teams worked together online between meetings. The three teams were:

Team Robot Minot, which created promotional videos for newly-purchased LEGO robotics/STEM education kits at the Minot Air Force Base, Minot Public, and Ward County Libraries
Team Unicorn, which planned the logistics around enabling North Dakota libraries to check out a small drone and traveling video-editing suite
Team Econtent Leaders, a tristate group that created tools for librarians and patrons to keep up with the ever-changing technology and products related to e-books and e-readers

Team Econtent members were Stephanie Langer (Kitchigami Regional Library System), Emily Kissane (MDE, State Library Services), Mary Soucie (North Dakota State Librarian), and Daniel Burniston (University of South Dakota). They developed a website that includes a series of resources about how to use popular ebook platforms. The site will continue to grow with new econtent initiatives in the three states, and with contributions from you. To submit content or for more information about ILEAD North Dakota, please contact Emily Kissane.

Feel the Supercharged Power of Minnesota Library Storytimes

This fall, eighty library staff from across the state participated in Supercharged Storytimes, an online learning and networking opportunity that educated and empowered participants to grow as early literacy influencers in their communities. Participants completed the webinar component of the training, and are now using their expanded early literacy expertise in storytimes and outreach efforts. In early 2016, all Minnesota library staff will have access to the archived webinars and the online community resources. Stay tuned for more information.

Please contact Jen Verbrugge with questions.