Tag Archives: Minnesota Libraries

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Updates from MN State Library Services

state_mnTO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: June 5, 2015
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Your Library Can Help Build the World’s Best Workforce

The Libraries and World’s Best Workforce mini grant initiative is designed to help libraries offer programs, services and learning activities that provide educational opportunities for children and young adults (ages 0-25), especially those living in poverty or facing other barriers to success, while tying in the goals of the World’s Best Workforce. An estimated $75,000 is available for grant awards of up to $10,000 each.

Join us for a grant guidance webinar to learn more about applying for this mini grant opportunity. Both webinars will cover the same content. There’s no need to pre-register, just click on one of the links below to participate:

Tuesday, June 16, 2015 10-11 a.m.
Thursday, July 16, 2015 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Over the last year we’ve seen libraries and schools come together to try out new ways to help kids be more successful in school and in life. This year, we’ve extended the application period until October 2 to give you a chance to build the partnerships that will allow you to creatively serve your community. And we’re looking forward to seeing how your library proposes making sure that kids have access to the tools and resources they need to be successful.

The application and instructions are available at the Minnesota Department of Education’s grants management site. For more information, please contact Jackie Blagsvedt at jacqueline.blagsvedt@state.mn.us or 651-582-8805.

Connect with Ignite Afterschool Statewide

Ignite Afterschool is a statewide network dedicated to developing high-quality afterschool and summer programs for all youth. With the help of their Regional Igniter partners, Ignite Afterschool is holding three meetings across the state to advance afterschool opportunities for youth. To learn more about the meetings and RSVP, follow the links below:

Attend the Northwest Minnesota Regional Meeting in Detroit Lakes, June 15, Noon-3 p.m.
Attend the Southeast Minnesota Regional Meeting in Rochester, June 23, 1-3:30 p.m.
Attend the Northeast Minnesota Regional Meeting in Duluth, June 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Each meeting will include a(n):

  • Opportunity to connect with fellow youth workers.
  • Introduction to Believe It. Build It. – Minnesota’s Guide to Effective Afterschool Practices.
  • Discussion on how to best put it the Believe It. Build It. guide to use.
  • Updates and next steps on statewide afterschool funding legislation.
  • Lunch or light snack.

This is a terrific opportunity to connect with out-of-school-time program providers in your region and find out how you can work together.

Upgrade Your Knowledge of Digital Learning

The Minnesota eLearning Summit is for K-12, college, and university educators and innovators in the Midwest who are committed to effective online and blended learning. Connect with more than 400 fellow educators at nearly 80 concurrent breakout sessions on July 29 and 30 at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Online registration and the draft program are available now; take advantage of the discount for early registration by July 1, 2015. Visit mnelearningsummit.org for more information.

School Librarians, You’re 2 Cool 2 Be 4-gotten–Stay in Touch This Summer

School is out—or nearly out—for the summer. If you’re looking at a work break over the summer, please stay connected with State Library Services. We promise to keep you updated about grant opportunities, workshops, programming and more. Email Jen Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us with your personal email address, and she’ll get you signed up right away.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Updates from MN State Library Services

state_mnTO: 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.

Read a more detailed description of this initiative. The application and instructions are available at the Minnesota Department of Education’s grants management site. For more information, please contact Jackie Blagsvedt at jacqueline.blagsvedt@state.mn.us or 651-582-8805.

 

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.

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

Excellence in Our Schools!

CMLE member schools receive state-wide recognition!

Information in this post has been provided by Keith Hovis, MDE (keith.hovis@state.mn.us)

CMLElogoFY11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 18, 2013

Minnesota Department of Education Recognizes 16 Schools for 

Excellence in Behavioral Prevention Efforts

ROSEVILLE – Today the Minnesota Department of Education recognized 16 schools for their successful efforts to create positive learning environments for students. Using a program called Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS), the schools designated as Sustaining Exemplar Schools, have been identified as leaders in establishing a comprehensive, set of practices to support positive behavior, improve school climate and increase student achievement.

“PBIS helps schools set clear expectations for students, teachers and families and to find new ways to address behavior issues,” said Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. “Each of these 16 schools showcases the benefits of creating respectful and supportive school climates and the positive impact on student achievement. By recognizing their success, we can help them to share their best practices with schools across Minnesota.”

The 16 schools being recognized are:

  • Chaska Middle School, Eastern Carver County Public Schools
  • King Elementary, Deer River Public School District
  • Maple Lake Elementary School, Maple Lake Public School District
  • Sheridan Arts Magnet School, Minneapolis Public School District
  • Sunnyside Elementary School, Mounds View Public School District
  • Valentine Hills Elementary, Mounds View Public School District
  • North Elementary, Princeton Public School District
  • Princeton Middle School, Princeton Public School District
  • South Elementary, Princeton Public School District
  • Apollo High School, St. Cloud Public School District
  • Oak Hill Community School, St. Cloud Public School District
  • Lincoln Elementary School, St. Cloud Public School District
  • St. Michael-Albertville Middle School East, St. Michael-Albertville School District
  • St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West, St. Michael-Albertville School District
  • United South Central K-12 School, United South Central School District
  • Matoska International School, White Bear Lake School District

Since its launch in 2005, PBIS has spread across the state and is currently being implemented by 423 Minnesota Schools, or 21 percent of the state’s nearly 2,000 schools. To establish a PBIS program, 80 percent of a school’s teachers and staff need to agree to implement a more positive approach to discipline. Participating schools then receive intensive training, support and coaching from teams at the Minnesota Department of Education, as well as instruction in how to monitor and track results. Data from participating schools show clear evidence of the program’s success, specifically in reduced number of behavioral incidents, fewer student suspensions and increased levels of student engagement.

To be identified as a Sustaining Exemplar School, staff needed to submit an application that documented their work with PBIS, including, professional outcomes, a plan for sustaining the program and how they are giving back and sharing their practices with other schools throughout the state. Schools must also have been implementing PBIS for at least three years.

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

MNLibLeg: Legislative Update

**This update was written by Elaine Keefe, MLA/MEMO Library Legislative Lobbyist**

House Omnibus Education Bill:  The House omnibus education bill was posted online this afternoon.  It maintains current funding for all library appropriations — Regional Library Basic System Support (RLBSS), Regional Library Telecommunication Aid (RLTA), Multi-type funding, the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM) and Telecommunication Equity Aid (TEA).  The bill also increases the general education formula from the current $5,224 per pupil to $5,328 in FY 2014 and $5,433 in FY 2015.  It also repays the education funding shift to the 90/10 payment schedule.

Senate Omnibus Education Bill:  The Senate bill will be released Thursday morning.

Senate Higher Education Funding Bill:   Great news! The Senate higher education bill increases funding for Minitex and MnLINK by $300,000 per year.  Please send thanks to our chief author, Senator Kent Eken sen.kent.eken@senate.mn and the committee chair, Senator Terri Bonoff sen.terri.bonoff@senate.mn

House Higher Education Funding Bill:  As expected, the House higher education bill maintains current funding for Minitex and MnLINK.  Once the higher ed bill gets to conference committee, we will need to press the conferees to go with the higher funding level in the Senate bill.

Bonding:  We had not planned to pursue funding for Library Accessibility and Improvement Grants this year, but were encouraged to introduce a bill by House leaders.  We did have a bill introduced to provide $3 million, but today the House bonding bill was unveiled and it does not include any funding for libraries.  We will pursue it next year.

Legacy:  As previously reported, the House Legacy bill includes $3 million per year for regional public libraries and $300,00 per year for the Minnesota Digital Library.  The Senate has just announced the process it will follow.  Our Legacy request for regional public libraries will originate in the Senate E-12 Education Division before going to the Senate Legacy Subcommittee.

Elaine Keefe
Capitol Hill Associates
525 Park Street, Suite 310
St. Paul, MN 55103
office 651-293-0229
fax 651-293-1709
cell 612-590-1244
elaine@capitolhillassoc.com

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

Evy Nordley Award Worth $1,000!

MALF LogoSince 1998, the MN Association of Library Friends (MALF) has presented the Evy Nordley Award for quality programming and project innovation. Nominations are now being accepted for this award.

If you know of a Friends group that has made a difference in your library, take a moment and share their success story. The top finalists will have an opportunity to present at the annual Minnesota Library Association (MLA ) conference in October. First prize winner will walk away with $1000! For more information visit the MALF’s website.