Tag Archives: Library

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

Teaching Competencies

Image by Tatadbb. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by Tatadbb. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Minnesota Educational and Media Organization (MEMO) has developed a list of Information and Technology Literacy Standards highlighting 21st century skills necessary to bridge K-12 and higher education expectations for students.  The standards for grades 9-12 include;

  • Inquiry, Research, and Problem Solving:  The student will learn a continuous cycle of questioning, gathering, synthesizing, evaluating, and using information individually and collaboratively to create new knowledge and apply it to real world situations.
  • Expanding Literacies: Read, view, listen and communicate in any format for a variety of purposes.
  • Technology Use and Concepts: Students will explore multiple technologies, evaluate their suitability for the desired educational or personal task, and apply the tools needed.
  • Ethical Participation in a Global Society:  The student will participate productively in the global learning community and demonstrate safe, ethical, legal and responsible behavior in the use of information and technology.

As a library media specialist, how do you effectively teach these skills? This November, author Terry Heick shares several approaches to frame and effectively delivery content.  The article, 11 Brilliant Ways To Frame Critical Content: A Complexities Chart discusses patterns, cultural trends, themes and more.  At the bottom of the post Heick notes, “This isn’t an either/or proposition…take a standard–or concept behind a standard–and “refract” it through whichever of the following Depth or Complexity made the most sense according to that student’s knowledge-level.”

As an additional resource, TeachThought also published a visual information graphic on how to gauge understanding between a teacher and the learner(s.) Click here to view 27 Simple Ways To Check For Understanding, November 2013.

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

A Message of Thanks from the Director

Image by U of Fraser Valley. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by U of Fraser Valley. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Hopefully, you haven’t already gotten tired of reading messages of thankfulness. Maybe you have had a great year, and you have not been tested emotionally, physically or professionally. Maybe your year was humdrum, and your things to include on your thankful list are much like they always have been.  Or perhaps 2013 has been filled with challenges.

For me, by far, this has been the most difficult year both professionally and personally. However, I choose to think about it differently, especially as I approach Thanksgiving. As I look back, I am amazed at what has been accomplished despite the enormous amount of adversity that has occurred this year. I remind myself that I/we have control over how we choose to think about the hard things…. and I have learned a few things this year for which I give thanks:

  • I have an incredibly caring, supportive group of people on the CMLE Board
  • It was my good fortune to hire an exceptional temporary employee who convinced me in ten minutes that she was hungry, humble, and helpful (the 3 h’s)! I could not have gotten through the year without her.
  • I have wonderful family and friends who were there for me through thick and thin. Most memorable was the occasional lunch with the grandkids; a cherished memory.
  • I am very thankful that my other knee is healthy, and that I only have two hips and two knees!
  • I am thankful for my strength in handling adversity and bouncing back!
  • And, I am especially thankful that I will never have to repeat 2013!

Coming back to work has been challenging, exhausting and invigorating, but reminds me of what I am passionate about, and what makes me feel alive. With that in mind, professionally, I am also thankful for:

  • Engaged library staff (like you) who continue to use our services and engage in our programming. Whether you are commenting on our weekly blog posts or Facebook page, writing book reviews or other blog posts, suggesting ideas for programming, participating in our Quick Question Polls, or attending our events, you are the heart of what we define as resource sharing!
  • CMLE staff are thankful for the opportunity to serve your needs, and to work with you to increase the capacity of all types of libraries in Central Minnesota! It is our privilege to work with talented and engaged library staff and we thank you.

What about you? Although your year may have also included challenges, what are you most thankful for? Were there life changing moments as a result of a student or community member coming through the door to your library? Have your learned valuable lessons as a result of those interactions or others?

Tip: Use a whiteboard in the library with a “What are you thankful for?” heading, then sit back, and observe a showplace of thanks not just for this week, but consider continuing this through the new year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Patricia-

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

Join the State Library Services Team

Please note the following  job opportunity at State Library Services and feel free to pass this information along as it makes sense. Deadline for applications is December 4, 2013. 

State Library Services Recruiting  Library Program and Partnership Coordinator

State Library Services is now accepting applications to fill a new position, Library Development Specialist – Library Program and Partnership Coordinator. Based in Roseville, this is a great professional employment opportunity for librarians interested in working in a leadership role in the state. Primary position responsibilities include developing and maintaining internal and external partnerships and collaborative activities that improve the capacity of Minnesota’s libraries to provide responsive and high quality services to adult patrons. The position will also administer state Arts and Cultural Heritage allocation for regional public libraries and federal LSTA statewide initiative funds.

We are looking for candidates with a background in library services, program management, budgeting, and grants management who have excellent communication skills. Applications will be accepted on the State Jobs website through December 4, 2013.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Nelson at 651-582-8791 or Jennifer.r.nelson@state.mn.us.

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

Metro Libraries Embrace E-Book Sharing

Image by flickingerbrad. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by flickingerbrad. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Recently, Minnesota made the news around a consortial lending model for  eBooks. Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) is the state organization created to support cooperation and collaboration among the seven-county Twin Cities area libraries. And, 3M is right in MELSA’s backyard! What is exciting is that a  conversation happened between the two, and after a year of working together, 3M has developed CloudLink, a new feature for its eBook lending system for consortia!

Many consortial  arrangements involve member libraries contributing eBooks to a common pool that patrons from all libraries can use. In addition to this functionality, CloudLink also enables any patron from any MELSA library to check out eBooks from the private collections of any other MELSA library, provided there are no holds for the title. Unless a publisher has a policy that prohibits consortial lending, the CloudLink system will allow eBooks to be checked out by patrons from any library.

CMLE staff continue to work with others to monitor possibilities for regional or statewide sharing of eBooks. As you can imagine, the needs of academic, public, K-12 and special libraries can be quite different (yet overlapping in some areas). Existing consortial models are often not a “one size fits all”  and at this moment in time, I remain skeptical that a statewide model exists to serve all needs with one solution. But that is today, the wild west of eBooks is changing every day! Stay tuned……

Read the full Digital Shift article (Nov.5)

Also, read an infoDOCKET article on this subject (Sept.18)

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

Local High School Library Launches Makerspace Programming

SRRHA Students engaged in a makerspace program. Image provided by Maria Burnham.
SRRHS Students engaged in a makerspace program. Image provided by Maria Burnham.

In a previous post, Makerspaces in Your Library, CMLE talked about the potential power of these creative cultures, emerging in libraries across the country. This week, staff reports on a local library’s makerspace programs and events.

Under the direction of the Library Media Specialist, Maria Burnham, Sauk Rapids-Rice High School (SRRHS) students are given an added opportunity to connect, collaborate and create. The library serves as a social collection point to grow and harvest new ideas; infusing technology and literature into the creative process. Burnham said, “Starting the makerspace was all about simply giving kids another choice in how to spend their time knowing that creativity is a skill that is vital for success in the 21st century.”

Examples of upcoming makerspace events include;

  • November: Still picture animations. Using iMotion HD app on an iPad to generate animations.
  • December: Yarn work-learn to knit or crochet.  After school knitting/crocheting club meetings complete with hot cocoa and cookies!
  • January: Paper crafting.  Paper crafts based off of the book, Paper Made: 101 Exceptional Projects to Make Out of Everyday Paper by Kayte Terry.

Tip: Sometimes these programs are more feasible in partnership with another entity. In SRRHS, Craft’s Direct  graciously donated supplies for several of the events. Identify possible community members, art clubs, teachers, business owners and volunteers you could bring on board to support your library’s makerspace!

Other resources:
  • Top 10 Art Books (Booklist) More
  • Top 10 Art Books for Youth (Booklist) More