Tag Archives: partnership

ConnectED Library Challenge touches Minnesota

15854128181_5c4ec55106_kWe all perk up when the White House gets involved with libraries! Have you heard of the ConnectED Library Challenge?  Apparently, this is old news, but I just heard about it in two places! According to the Initiative page, this is a way for communities throughout the country to create or strengthen partnerships so that every child enrolled in school can receive a library card. Sounds good, right? The initiative calls upon library directors to work with their mayors, school leaders, and school librarians, to provide wider access to the learning resources and books of America’s libraries.  OK so far. Here in Minnesota, Hennepin County Public Libraries and Hopkins Public Schools were chosen to partner up with the goal of increased learning in the classroom. Go to the Hopkins site for more background, and a short video too about Power Up: Libraries.

In addition, the White House website provides details of all of the partners and contributions toward this effort. Major publishers are announcing they will make over $250 million in free eBooks available to low-income students. This is the tip of the iceberg….all Initiative contributions total $10 billion dollars. I wonder if funds could ever be used to get public libraries “over the hump” of undertaking this serious task of getting cards in the hands of each student. The struggle is real! This all seems like a big deal; it will be curious to see how it all plays out, stay tuned….

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/l92kuy3, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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
 

At WebJunction This November

Images retrieved from WebJunction website.
Images retrieved from WebJunction website.

CMLE would like to note two, free webinars being hosted by WebJunction this November!

  • Serving Job Seekers: Library and Workforce System Partnerships That Work on November 6th from 1-2pm (CT)  Link

Learn how innovative partnerships between state and local libraries and their workforce systems can amplify services to meet community employment needs.

  • Grace Under Pressure: Tips and Tricks to Cultivate a Positive Approach on November 12th from 1-2 pm (CT) Link

Explore stress-reduction skills and strategies to help face challenging situations that impact our personal work styles, our organizations, and the communities we serve.

Also, the following archived webinars are now available online:

  • Serving Readers: Beyond the Basics (from October 8th) Link
  • Where Teens and Technology Meet: Engaging Teens with Digital Media (from August 8th)  Link