Tag Archives: SCTCC

Academic, Check this out:, CMLE, Resources, School Media Specialist, Services

Visiting St. Cloud Technical & Community College Library

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This is such a nice library! The design, the services, the materials – all have been designed to connect to their patrons. That care taken in libraries for the needs of patrons is always impressive! On this trip I was escorted around the building by Vi Bergquist, CIO for SCTCC – and Treasurer for the CMLE Board.

 

comfy-chairs
We could just sit there and relax!

If you do not think “comfortable seating” in a library is important – you are missing an important element of good service! In a research study I did across the state of Illinois, this came up as one of the big things patrons wanted. In this setting, the furniture not only looks well designed and comfortable, but they have thought about user needs. You can see the entrance just behind the couch; these high backs help to block out noise and to let students continue to converse and work together. Great planning like this leads to great results for patrons!

 

pow-mia-table
POW/MIA Table

I absolutely loved this! As the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, I know some of the struggles veterans and their families face. The work this school is doing to reach out to veterans in the community is truly impressive! This table, part of a national tradition of remembrance, was set up in the common area, for everyone to see and to reflect. They have a Veteran Services department in the school, which can really help out veterans and family members. A couple of meaningful awards are listed on their page:

  • “The Military Times Best for Vets distinction recognizes St. Cloud Technical & Community College for its commitment to providing opportunities to America’s veterans.”
  • “G.I. Jobs, the premier magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has awarded St. Cloud Technical & Community College the designation of Military Friendly School® for the third year in a row.”

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Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

In case you missed it – new library and author-talk event

We had a wonderful time at our event on May 5th that took place at the new St. Cloud Technical and Community College library!

Writer Jess Lourey started us out with an engaging presentation, walking us through her life and the events that led to her becoming a published author. Lourey grew up with stories, and she spoke about her high school English teacher who encouraged her writing. When receiving an award years later in her hometown of Paynesville, her teacher shared that he had actually saved one of her short stories, knowing she had talent and would become successful. Lourey’s path hasn’t been easy – her first novel was rejected over 400 times and she faced tragedy in her personal life. However, through the power of story, she was able to channel some of those situations and feelings into her writing. Lourey has written YA, magical realism, and her thriller Salem’s Cipher is scheduled to be released in September this year. She is also an award-winning professor of creative writing and sociology at St. Cloud Community and Technical College. Lourey will be presenting a TEDx talk about her upcoming book Better Than Gin: Rewrite Your Life, about the power of narrative therapy through fiction writing. Check back with us, we will keep you posted with where to find her TED talk.

ebooks minnesotaBeth Staats from Minitex gave a great presentation about the exciting new venture that is eBooks MN. As we know, our state has a flourishing publishing industry. This platform is taking advantage of that to share the materials with the wider public! You can download the app, and can also download books to read offline, all free of charge. Currently it is estimated 3/5 of the titles are aimed at children, but they are working on increasing their contents for adults. After all, we try to shop and eat local, why wouldn’t we read local too?

Finally, we were able to enjoy some tasty Mexican food and toured the spacious new library facility at the Tech College. Modern furniture, energy-efficient lighting, and comfortable group work areas (plus many additional updates!) all come together to create a fantastic space. You don’t need to be a student to reap the benefits of the library either – they offer library cards to community members! If you haven’t visited yet, go check it out!

Image credit: http://www.sctcc.edu/
Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Come to the "new library" celebration & author talk event

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Jessica Lourey
Author Jess Lourey

CMLE staff think May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) is a perfect day to celebrate!  Come join us  at the St. Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC) for a fun and affordable program. We are pleased to partner with Vi Bergquist, SCTCC Library Director and the SCTCC library staff in offering this event. The layout of the day includes:

— Author talk by Jess Lourey
— A Minitex trainer will do a Show n Tell of the newly unveiled eBooks MN
— Tours of the new library
— Tasty food and drink prepared by the school’s culinary program in honor of Cinco de Mayo!

Who: All academic, K-12, public, and special library staff are welcome

What: Library tours, author talk by Jess Lourey, eBooks Minnesota Show n Tell, and of course festive food and drink to celebrate the bright future of this new Central MN Library.

When: Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 4 – 6:30 pm (event starts with author talk)

Where: SCTCC Library (this is the Green & White Building, formerly the CentraCare Heartland Clinic), which is slightly separate from the main campus building – 1520 Whitney Court, St. Cloud MN 56303.

Parking: Free in surface lots right outside the door, but download this parking pass for inside your car.

Cost: $5

Register Now!  Attendance will be capped at 32; please register early. Update: Jess Lourey’s publisher is giving a free book to each attendee.

We hope to see you there!

 

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Local schools & libraries in the news…

Spring LambOur Google Alerts delivered a few stories you may be interested in….

Have we missed any? Share them in comments below…

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/lah599f, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Academic, General, Public

New St. Cloud Technical Community College media center almost ready

Vi Bergquist, chief information officer, talks Wednesday about the features in the new media center under construction at St. Cloud Technical and Community College. (Photo: Jason Wachter, jwachter@stcloudtimes.com)

In the news recently, there was an update on the construction of a new media center on the St. Cloud Technical Community Collge (SCTCC). The St. Cloud Times article shared details about the new space as well as other construction going on at the SCTCC campus.

Vi Bergquist, chief information officer at the college, shared that “the media center… will be a space for students to study, relax and have a snack, and it may also be used for community events.”  For those familiar with the school, the current media center — in the main campus building — will become expanded space for the college bookstore.

“We want the students to feel like this is their space,” Bergquist said.

The media center will be ready for next semester and the school will host an event on Dec. 3 to introduce the center to the community.