Tag Archives: Future

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

MNLFI Update!

CMLE staff have been involved both on the Steering Committee and in the Futurists groups of the Minnesota Library Futures Initiative (MNLFI) over the past few years.  Please note this communication from the Futurists for those who may want to book a workshop.

Book your workshop with the Minnesota Library Futures Initiative (MNLFI) today! If your organization is interested in an MNLFI workshop, please fill out the workshop request form on our website mnlfi2025.org by June 1. Requests must be received by June 1 to be considered, though the workshops themselves may be held throughout the summer of 2013. Over the past year, members of MNLFI have visited libraries of all types throughout the state of Minnesota facilitating workshops exploring the future of libraries. Workshops can be very broad in scope or can be customized to help your organization with a specific need. Visit the Workshops page for more information.

Feedback from workshops has been positive, pointing to the increased engagement and enthusiasm for the future of libraries among participants.

Examples of previous workshops:

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  • Managers from Dakota County Library considered how future directions will change hiring and training practices.
  • MLIS students at St. Catherine University developed ideas about the future of the “participatory library” as part of a Library 2.0 class.
  • Staff from Carver County Library explored a variety of the Scenarios developed by MNLFI in preparation for a strategic planning discussion.
  • Staff from the MnDOT Library considered how they can foster partnerships to meet the reference needs of the future.
  • See more on the Shared Visions page.

The Minnesota Library Futures Initiative was developed to spark conversation about the future of libraries in Minnesota. The MNLFI Steering Committee selected 24 participants from all types of libraries through an open application process. The MNLFI Futurists gathered to research and discuss factors likely to impact the future of libraries and possible ways libraries might respond to those opportunities and challenges. What we discovered is that being engaged in the conversation about the future is more empowering and energizing than reading about it and everyone has something to contribute.

Check this out:, School Media Specialist

School Media Articles Worth Reading

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Article One: Have you read  the January  School Library Journal  article, Partners in Success: When school and public librarians join forces, kids win? Read the story of how Leslie Yoder, a digital literacy and learning specialist with St. Paul’s public schools and Ramsey County Library teen librarian  Marcus  Lowry have found creative ways to work together. We know that some schools in our region already partner with their public libraries. Please consider sharing your stories with me, and I can share them more broadly through a blog post. Your colleagues really want to hear your story.

Article Two: I know this article will really irritate some folks, but the truth of the matter is that there will be more schools considering new models or possibilities for media centers, and yes, in some cases, the hardcopy books may disappear altogether! It is an important time to make sure you are at the table when important discussions about the future of your school occur. Use the comments area to share what you think about what this Minnesota school did….The article is titled  School Library Thrives After Ditching Print Collection. The Digital  Shift, Jan 8.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

New Pew Internet Report: Library Services in the Digital Age

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Patrons embrace new technologies – and would welcome more. But many still want printed books to hold their central place at public libraries.

The internet has already had a major impact on how people find and access information, and now the rising popularity of e-books is helping transform Americans’ reading habits. In this changing landscape, public libraries are trying to adjust their services to these new realities while still serving the needs of patrons who rely on more traditional resources. In a new survey of Americans’ attitudes and expectations for public libraries, the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project finds that many library patrons are eager to see libraries’ digital services expand, yet also feel that print books remain important in the digital age.

“In the past generation, public libraries have reinvented themselves to become technology hubs in order to help their communities access information in all its new forms,” noted Kathryn Zickuhr, Research Analyst at the Pew Internet Project, and co-author of a new report on the survey findings. “While many patrons appreciate being able to access new digital resources at libraries, they also say they value having print books and other traditional resources at libraries and still want a personal connection with library staff. Many libraries are torn between expanding their digital offerings on the latest platforms and still providing quality resources for patrons who may lack experience with technology or the means to own the latest devices.”

 The report explores:
• How Americans use public libraries
• Public priorities for libraries
• What new services people say they would use in the future

“The level of public eagerness for new services seems to be matched by wariness of changes in traditional library activities that patrons have used for years,” said Lee Rainie, Director at the Pew Internet Project and co-author of the report on these findings. “These findings paint a picture of a public that wants its libraries to be all things to all patrons. There is no clear roadmap of public priorities for libraries, so different communities will likely come up with different mixes of services as they move into the future.”

Read or download the full report: http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/01/22/Library-services/

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Introducing American Libraries Live – New Video Broadcast

From ALA….

Library 2017: Tech at Warp Speed
Featuring author and ALA TechSource columnist Jason Griffey

1:00 pm Central time on Friday, November 16

NEW! American Libraries Live, a free streaming video broadcast viewable from your home, library or favorite wi-fi spot. AL Live allows viewers to watch broadcasts about library issues and trends in real time and interact with hosts via a live chat, offering immediate answers to your pressing questions. With the help of real-time technology, it’s like having your own experts on hand. Professionals like ALA TechSource columnist Jason Griffey, author of Mobile Technology and Libraries (THE TECH SET® #2), and other respected figures from the industry will address important topics such as how to get an ideal library job, the latest innovations in mobile services, digging into databases and the inside scoop on libraries and e-books.

In the first program, “Library 2017: Tech at Warp Speed,” airing at 1:00 pm Central time on Friday, November 16, Griffey will speak about libraries in the near future.

The programs are easy to view—just go to American Libraries Live. Upcoming broadcasts include:

  • Nov. 16: Library 2017: Tech at Warp Speed
  • Jan. 10: Landing Your Ideal Library Job
  • Feb. 14: Mobile Services: The Library in Your Pocket
  • March 14: Library Safety and Security
  • April 11: The Present and Future of Ebooks
  • May 9: Library Learning Goes Online
  • June 6: New Technologies in Library Equipment
  • July 30: Discovery Services: The Future of Library Systems
  • Sept. 10: Digging into New Databases

American Libraries Live – a free service offering new and exciting ways to get to the heart of the real issues in our industry. Learn more at American Libraries Live!

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Minnesota Library Futures Initiative Update and Announcement

The message below is from the Minnesota Library Futures Initiative…

What will your library look like in 2025?

Looking to the future, the challenges facing libraries may seem daunting, but libraries have always evolved to meet the needs of their communities.

The Minnesota Library Futures Initiative was developed to spark conversation about the future of libraries in Minnesota. The MNLFI Steering Committee selected 24 participants from all types of libraries through an open application process. MNLFI Futurists gathered to research and discuss factors likely to impact the future of libraries and possible ways libraries might respond to those opportunities and challenges. What we discovered is that being engaged in the conversation about the future is more empowering and energizing than reading about it and everyone has something to contribute.

The Minnesota Library Futurists would like to help your library or organization facilitate a conversation about the future of library services. We invite you to consider planning an MNLFI Workshop for your library or organization.

What is an MNLFI Workshop?

Gather your staff, organization or community for a workshop led by representatives from the Minnesota Library Futures Initiative. MNLFI members trained in Technology of Participation (ToP) methods will facilitate a conversation at your location based around your intended outcomes. We will help you to develop a workshop which will ensure your entire staff will be engaged in discussing the future and empowered to meet its possibilities and challenges.

Want to lead your own discussion?

The MNLFI Toolkit is a set of resources intended to support local conversations and personal exploration about the future of libraries without facilitation from the MNLFI group. The Toolkit includes demographic information, suggested readings on the future of libraries and MNLFI 2025 Scenarios which describe potential aspects of the library environment of 2025.

Visit our Website

On the new MNLFI website you’ll find more information on MNLFI, our workshops and the MNLFI Toolkit. You can keep up to date with our latest events or fill out a request form if you’d like to schedule an MNLFI workshop for your library or organization.

Join the Conversation

As we facilitate workshops throughout the state, we’ll post outcomes on the Shared Visions page where you can discover and discuss ideas developed by our workshop participants. We invite you to add your own vision of the library in 2025 to the conversation.

We Look Toward the Future

The MNLFI Futurists were given the charge to “envision the library of 2025”. We have been inspired and empowered through our own conversations about the future of libraries and we look forward to sharing that enthusiasm with your library as we envision the future of Minnesota libraries together.