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.
TO: Minnesota Libraries FROM: State Library Services DATE: May 22, 2015 SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services: Early Literacy VISTA Opening, LSTA Mini Grant Announcement, and more
Work with Us: Early Literacy VISTA Opening at State Library Services
Are you interested in making a difference in the ability of public libraries to deliver high-quality early literacy services? State Library Services is recruiting a full-time VISTA member to work with us on connecting libraries with community-based childcare providers and to develop and assess early childhood services that improve school readiness in at-risk children. Apply at the Americorps website. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; the service year starts in late July. Please contact Jackie Blagsvedt for more information at 651-582-8805 or jacqueline.blagsvedt@state.mn.us.
Apply for a Libraries and the World’s Best Workforce Mini Grant
State Library Services is pleased to announce a new competitive mini grant opportunity. The Libraries and World’s Best Workforce initiative is designed to help libraries offer programs and services that address Goal 1.2 of Minnesota’s Five-Year Plan for LSTA and the World’s Best Workforce. An estimated $75,000 is available for grant awards of up to $10,000 each. We welcome grant proposals that directly serve at-risk children and youth (between the ages of 0-25) through improved or expanded library-based programs, services and/or learning activities.
Technology and Digital Media in the Early Years Webinar
Join colleagues for a one-hour webinar on technology and digital media developed especially for Minnesota PreK to 3rd grade educators, parents, and others working with young children on Tuesday, May 26 at 3:30 p.m. During the session, Lisa Guernsey, director of the Early Education Initiative and director of the Learning Technologies Project, will address current research on the use of technology to support early literacy development, and offer effective strategies for family engagement and school-home connections.
Join the webinar. Advance registration is not required. The webinar will be recorded for later viewing. For more information, please contact Debbykay Peterson, MDE Office of Early Learning, at debbykay.peterson@state.mn.us.
Apply Today for the NorthStar Youth Worker Fellowship
You can generate more wisdom, language, and leadership in the field of youth work in Minnesota. Apply today for a fellowship that will allow you to explore, reflect, and study to increase your leadership skills. If accepted, you will spend the year reviewing research and writings, tapping the wisdom of your local professional network, conversing with local and national leaders, and writing a position paper that will inform systems development and field advancement. There is no cost to you or your organization for the Fellowship, and you will receive a $500 stipend, books and materials, and extensive contact with local and national field leaders. Learn more about the fellowship and download the application.
The deadline to apply is June 1, 2015. Contact Sheila Oehrlein, MDE Safe and Healthy Learners, at sheila.oehrlein@state.mn.us with questions or to request more information. The NorthStar Fellowship is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education, the Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship at Augsburg College, Youthprise, Ignite Afterschool, and the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development.
Combat Summer Slide and the Nutrition Gap – Become a Summer Meal Site
Libraries across Minnesota find it difficult to reach underserved families and at-risk youth. Consider this: only 1 in 6 children who receive free or reduced price meals during the school year can take advantage of this same benefit in the summer. The primary obstacle between these kids and a healthy meal is access. Your library can help these hungry kids by becoming a meal site this summer.
We’d love to replicate California’s incredible success with its “Lunch at the Library” program here in Minnesota. With the “Lunch at the Library” program, California librarians have seen the way libraries as summer meal sites simultaneously battle both summer slide and the nutrition gap. The program draws in new families, builds community partnerships, creates new youth volunteer opportunities, and increases visibility and support for libraries across the state. Read more about California’s summer meal program on Public Libraries Online. Contact Jennifer Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us or Jenny Butcher, MDE Summer Food Service Program Coordinator, at jenny.butcher@state.mn.us for more information about becoming a summer meal site.
Screen Documentaries for Free at your Library
POV is a long-running PBS documentary series that puts a human face on contemporary social issues through timely films that share unforgettable stories. Part of POV’s mission is to lend out its films for free screenings. All it costs your library is shipping costs to return the DVD via media mail to POV. There are more than 80 titles available to borrow from the POV Lending Library, which is browsable by title or topic. It takes just a few quick steps to register a screening and borrow a DVD. Begin by registering on the POV Community Network site. If you have questions, contact Alice Quinlan at 212-989-8121, ext. 318 or aquinlan@pov.org.
Are you looking for a way to boost the capacity of your library or school media center? That increase in capacity can revolve around books, technology, repairs, or reading programs to mention just a few. As with most grants, the strength of your application lies in paying attention to the details of each grant, and following instructions! Take a look at the three possibilities here. CMLE staff are happy to read your application from the draft stage to the completion stage and provide you with feedback. At times, when there is clear mutual benefit, CMLE has partnered on grants too! Please remember the other ongoing grant opportunities on our grants page too!
Author James Patterson pledges $1.25 million to school libraries!
In 300 words or less, can you name what your school library would do with $1,000 – $10,000? The money can be used for books, reading programs, technology, or repairs. This is one of the easiest opportunities I have seen yet to get some dollars for your school library!
“This is not a difficult approval process,” Patterson says. Librarians, teachers, administrators or anyone else can nominate a school library anywhere in the United States that serves students from pre-K through 12th grade. “Applicants just have to state what they would do with the money in 200-300 words. What could be easier? I try not to be arrogant in the sense that I know what’s good for everybody else: I simply ask the question: ‘How can I help?’” (Applications are due May 31, 2015.) Scholastic Reading Club has pledged to match each grant with bonus points that can be used for books and classroom materials. Read all about why and how Patterson is making this offer, including his feelings about a trained librarian and a well-stocked school library! The application process could not get easier, so check it out here!
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Minnesota’s Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants
State Library Services is pleased to announce the 2015 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) competitive grant opportunity. An estimated $650,000 is available to fund grant projects that help to achieve Minnesota’s LSTA Five-Year Plan (2013-2017).
The LSTA Five-Year Plan’s overarching goals are to expand services for learning and access to information and education resources, and to establish and provide a strong infrastructure that promotes equity of access to high-quality library services for all Minnesotans. State Library Services has identified Subgoal 1.2 as a Preferred Subgoal for this grant opportunity. At least $325,000 will be awarded to projects that provide educational opportunities for children and youth. The application and instructions are available at the Minnesota Department of Education’s Grants Management Site. Awards of up to $100,000; Deadline is May 1, 2015.
For twenty years, the ProLiteracy National Book Fund (NBF) has been providing free textbooks and other complimentary educational resources to worthy organizations devoted to adult literacy and continuing education programs. Such materials are, as any librarian or teacher will tell you, expensive, and these NBF stipends have been a godsend to many nonprofits and libraries over the years.
If, like many public libraries, yours devotes considerable time, attention and money to adult education, consider applying for the 2015 awards cycle. ProLiteracy projects, based on previous years, that 65% of qualified applicants will receive aid.
Strongest applicants will have a demonstrated interest in one or more of the following subject areas: basic literacy, English language learning (ESL), and GED preparation. Funds will only be given towards initiatives directly linked to literary instruction. Other important terms and conditions apply.
Grants typically range from $500-$2000, depending on the needs of the applicant organization. All applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2015.Click here to read a detailed FAQ, and to put your name forward.
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.
TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: March 5, 2014
SUBJECT: LSTA Competitive Grant Round Open
Library Services and Technology Act Competitive Grant Opportunity Federal Fiscal Year 2014
State Library Services is pleased to announce the 2014 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) competitive grant opportunity. We welcome applications from any legally established public library, academic library, special library, school library, library cooperative or consortium in Minnesota or any Minnesota organization with tax exempt, non-profit status willing to serve as fiscal agent for a project that benefits a library.
An estimated $600,000 is available to fund grant projects that address the priorities identified in Minnesota’s Five Year LSTA Plan (2013-2017). We welcome proposals that expand programs and services that support Minnesotan’s needs for education, lifelong learning, continuing education, workforce development, 21st century and digital literacy skills; and/or establish a strong infrastructure and build capacity for improved coordination among eligible libraries to improve the quality of and access to library and information services.
Application forms and instructions are available at the Department of Education’s Grants Management Site. Scroll to Library Services and Technology grant opportunity. Please visit the State Library Services LSTA page for the 2014 competitive LSTA anticipated timeline, descriptions of Minnesota’s most recently funded LSTA grants, and Minnesota’s Five Year LSTA Plan (2013-2017).
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.
