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.

Visit the MDE website (http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/StuSuc/Lib/StateLibServ/LSTA/) for more information about these and other LSTA-funded projects.

For more information, contact Jackie Blagsvedt at 651-582-8805 or Jacqueline.Blagsvedt@state.mn.us.