Congratulations is in order for the Wyoming Branch of East Central Regional Library (ECRL). It was recently awarded a Playful Learning Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant. The Playful Learning area was supported by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using federal funding, Library Services and Technology Act [LS 00-14-0024-14]. The Wyoming Playful Learning area will focus on play, one of the five basic literacy skills. ECRL is no stranger to Playful Learning areas as it has them in their Cambridge and Aitkin Public Library branches as well. Read more about the announcement via ECRL’s E-Connect newsletter.
An open house will be held on Wednesday, September 16 from 6:00-8:00 pm and is open to the public.
Don’t let the summer slide affect your students! In the CMLE region we’re lucky enough to have two great public libraries with two great summer reading programs. Below are the two press releases from ECRL and GRRL about their summer reading programs. Get those kids signed up now and keep on reading!
East Central Regional Library – 2015 – Read to the Rhythm Summer Reading Program
Have you heard? It’s time to Read to the Rhythm at your local East Central Regional Library branch. Our libraries will be hoppin’ and boppin’ all summer long. This music-themed program encourages children and teens to read through the summer. There will be a program for both kids and teens. Stop by your local ECRL library branch and pick up a flyer listing all the activities and events offered this summer for both kids and teens. You can also check out the News Bits section or the events calendar on our webpage at www.ecrlib.org for the big events being held around the region.
There will be contests, special programs and events, reading logs and prizes and tons of fun. Research has shown that reading over the summer prevents summer reading loss and those students who participate in their local summer reading program do better in school than those that do not. To kick-off the Read to the Rhythm summer program, the Teddy Bear Band will be performing at each of our 14 branch libraries.
Plus our Outreach program will be getting in the groove as well as every Outreach site will also be offering a children’s Read to the Rhythm program at each of our 7 sites. Glen Everhart will be presenting his Heebie Jeebies program at each of the Outreach sites as well. So hop and bop on over to your ECRL branch or Outreach Site this summer and Read to the Rhythm.
Great River Regional Library – 2015 – Read to the Rhythm Summer Reading Program
Great River Regional Library (GRRL) will begin its annual Summer Reading Program for children and teens ages 0-18 on Monday, June 8, continuing through Saturday, Aug. 8. Two programs are offered, both with the theme, “Read To The Rhythm.” Both programs will feature activities built on a music theme, and include prize drawings.
The Read To The Rhythm program for children from birth through age 12 has two age groups:
Children from birth to age 5
Children from age 3 through 6th grade
Parents of children ages 3 to 5 may choose which group is best for their child.
Children in both groups will be given a reading record on which to mark their reading activities. Children may read as much as they want and complete as many records as they like. Each record represents five hours of reading. Reading records must be completed and returned to the library by the end of the program in order for the child to be eligible for prize drawings.
Teens in grades six through 12 are encouraged to complete and turn in reading records as the program progresses. Each completed reading record is an opportunity to win prizes in library prize drawings. Sixth-grade students may join either the teen or children’s program.
The goal for both programs is to encourage children to read during the summer school break. The Summer Reading Program emphasizes reading for pleasure, which has been shown to have beneficial effects on children’s reading skills. Participation in summer reading programs has been shown to reduce summer slide effects.
Libraries across the entire region are planning fun kick-off programs and special events to encourage participation. Numerous musicians will perform at area libraries. Singer/songwriter Paul Spring will perform at all 32 GRRL locations between June 8 and June 20. Check the events calendar on www.griver.org to find out about special programs at your local library.
The East Central Regional Library system and the Great River Regional Library system recently announced that they will be participating in the “Once Upon a Reader” program. This is a statewide early literacy initiative for ages 0-6.
East Central Regional Library:
This regions involvment comes in free books and events. Free copies of Moo! by David LaRochelle “were distributed through Lakes & Pines Head Start to over 400 children in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine counties and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibway.” The events are going to be at several branch libraries, so check out the ECRL calendar or the Once Upon a Reader calendar to find out where and when.
Great River Regional Library:
Like ECRL, GRRL’s involvement comes with free books and events too. From Mooovie nights to scavenger hunts, GRRL has expanded beyond the Moo! Traveling Trunk Show for some truly original activities. For the extensive list, check out GRRL’s calendar or the Once Upon a Reader calendar to find out where and when.
Branch Librarian I, Hinckley (New):Oversee the operation of the small community branch library in Hinckley. Bachelor’s Degree, up to date technology skills and two years related experience is required. MLS/MLIS or similar library certification or advanced library training is preferred. Candidates must have demonstrated creativity and vision to provide modern public library service; ability and willingness to work independently; above average communication skills; excellent customer service skills; and the ability and willingness to lead a library team of staff and volunteers.
Technical Services Aide II at Headquarters in Cambridge (New):Oversee day-to-day operations of the catalog data management and processing area for the region. A high school diploma or GED plus 2 years of formal education beyond high school, 2 years job-related experience, and up to date technology skills are required.
Computer Technician at Headquarters in Cambridge: Install, troubleshoot, and repair PCs, peripherals, and software under the direction of the System Administrator. Execute routine procedures consistent with a large network environment (such as backups). High school degree or GED and 2 years technical training required, plus 1-2 years experience.
Branch Library Aide at Chisago Lakes, 5 hours per week:Responsible for the clerical operations of the automated library circulation system. Ability to work courteously and effectively with other employees and the public; ability to read, comprehend and orally communicate English; ability to be tactful and adept in dealing with a wide variety of people; ability to interpret library policies, resources, and services to others. A High School Degree or GED is required, and Bachelor’s Degree is preferred. Customer service and computer skills essential.
Branch Library Page:High School Degree or GED is required or education level completed appropriate to age. $8.29/hr starting. The Library Page is responsible primarily for shelving and maintaining library materials. Positions remain open until they are filled. Submit application to: Director, East Central Regional Library, 244 S. Birch St, Cambridge MN 55008.
Congratulations to East Central Regional Library and the Ogilvie School District (both CMLE member libraries) on their mini grant awards. Nicely done!
TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: May 14, 2014
SUBJECT: Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Mini Grant Awards Announced
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Mini Grant Awards Announced
EXPANDED LEARNING THROUGH LIBRARIES
With a maximum award of $5,000, Expanded Learning through Libraries mini grant projects support activity-based partnerships between schools and libraries to help connect students with meaningful out of school time opportunities that improve literacy and academic achievement.
Hoyt Lakes Public Library
A collaboration between the Hoyt Lakes Public Library and the Mesabi East Elementary school district will introduce students in grades 2-5 to critical technology skills using Lego® WeDos.
Ogilvie Independent School District #333
Students entering 3rd–7th grade participating in Ogilvie Elementary School’s Targeted Service summer program will gain access to Nextbook tablets with ebooks for extended learning during two-hour daily bus rides to school. They will also visit three public libraries in different areas of the state over the summer, and create group projects based on the visits.
Saint Paul Public Library
Led by Saint Paul Public Library, this project lays the groundwork for a year long series of Minnesota Youth Reading Awards (MYRA) activities that will engage K-8 students in ten Saint Paul Public Schools. Saint Paul public librarians will make visit the schools to booktalk, share information about MYRA, and promote public library services.
PLAY AND LEARN SPACE
With a maximum award of $5,000, Play and Learn Space mini grant projects establish or enhance engaging and welcoming spaces for children ages 0-8 and their caregivers in public libraries. Each Play and Learn Space offers a variety of play activities that support early learners’ growth and exploration across the six domains of Minnesota’s Early Childhood Indicators of Progress.
Anoka County Library
Play Matters kits consisting of prompts and props to promote open-ended play interactions between young children and their caregivers, will be created for rotating use in four branch libraries.
Carver County Library System
Each Carver County library building will establish a flexible learning center, with play-based thematic Discovery Kits for early literacy activities.
Dakota County Library
With the purchase of seven interactive play panels, this is the first stage in creating a larger children’s play space aimed at early learning and social interaction among young children and their caregivers at Dakota County’s Wentworth branch.
East Central Regional Library
A new play and learn space at the Cambridge Library, tying into the city’s motto, “Minnesota’s Opportunity Community” will be created.
Lake Agassiz Regional Library
Comfortable furniture for caregivers and children, child-sized furniture, and interactive toys will create a play and family friendly space for the children’s area at the new Bagley Public Library.
North Mankato Taylor Library
Library staff will work with staff from the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota to create Imagination Station Kits filled with table top activities that enhance emergent reading, emergent writing, fine motor skills, and more.
South St. Paul Library
A play space that includes comfortable seating for children and adults and interactive toys that promote constructive, imaginative, and language-rich play experiences. A “Day of Play,” featuring appearances by local celebrities such as the mayor, school principals, and more, will celebrate the opening of the new space.
Stillwater Public Library
This pilot project addresses the storytime needs of children ages 3-6 who are on the autism spectrum. Sensory storytimes for children ages 3-6 will incorporate play time with attention to noise and volume control, visual guides using Boardmaker software, sensory tactile props, and more.
Waseca-Le Sueur Regional Library System
Activity centers and playful learning kits will include interactive props such as a Lego-Duplo play table, a light table, puppets and costumes to enhance early literacy and STEAM skills building at the Waseca and New Richland public libraries.
Washington County Library
A learning rich space at the Park Grove branch will include an art cart, a rotating thematic book display, a writing center, a miniature post office, an interchangeable imagination station, and a corner just for babies.
Congratulations is in order for the Wyoming Branch of East Central Regional Library (ECRL). It was recently awarded a Playful Learning Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant. The Playful Learning area was supported by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using federal funding, Library Services and Technology Act [LS 00-14-0024-14]. The Wyoming Playful Learning area will focus on play, one of the five basic literacy skills. ECRL is no stranger to Playful Learning areas as it has them in their Cambridge and Aitkin Public Library branches as well. Read more about the announcement via ECRL’s E-Connect newsletter.
