Tag Archives: state librarian

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

State Library Update: 4/14/2016

MDE logo retrieved online 12/17/13..

TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: April 14, 2016
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Register Today to Attend Better Together
Better Together: Strengthening Adult Learning Opportunities is an educational and networking event designed to foster local partnerships among libraries, adult basic education, and workforce organizations to collaboratively build a stronger, more highly skilled workforce. At each session, you’ll hear promising practices for collaboration across organizations and learn about free resources that promote digital literacy and workforce skills.

You’ll also have a chance to work with your local partners to develop a cooperative project. To help put your ideas for collaboration into action, we are able to offer a competitive grant opportunity that will award up to ten grants with a maximum of $5,000/applicant. At least one of your project partners must attend a Better Together workshop and proposed projects must show promise for sustainability. More information, including an application, will be available at Better Together sessions.

Register today for the workshop nearest you:

April 29, 2016 – Roseville at Minnesota Department of Education
May 9, 2016 – Mankato at Country Inn and Suites
May 16, 2016 – Grand Rapids at Saw Mill Inn

For more information, to request an accommodation, or to be included on a mailing list for future announcements, please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508).

Rant or Rave–Rate Our Reporting Process
Thanks to all the library directors and other report filers for collecting and reporting your library’s performance measures for Minnesota’s 2015 Public Library Report. State Library Services values your contribution in creating an accurate and useful statistical tool for decision-making. We understand the work involved and want to improve the process for you. We would greatly appreciate your feedback for this reporting period. The results will inform us about how we could improve the 2016 annual report. Please complete this brief, anonymous 2015 Annual Public Library Report feedback survey by May 2. Answer any or all of the nine questions. The next steps for State Library Services will be to upload the federally-required data to the IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) database for review and vetting. If you have questions, feel free to contact Joe Manion (651-582-8640).

Your Library Can Feed Hungry Minds and Bodies This Summer
Fewer than 15 percent of Minnesota kids who benefit from the free or reduced-price school lunch program have access to summer and afterschool food programs. Limited access to free food programs, particularly during the summer, leaves many children with empty bellies. Public libraries are key community locations for kids to find access to nutritious food when school is not in session. Begin planning your summer 2016 participation in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) by viewing this archived webinar presented by Jenny Butcher, SFSP Coordinator at MDE. If you’re a public library in the metro area, you might consider Youthprise as a food service sponsor. Check out this new video that highlights some of the good work their nutrition program is already doing in the Twin Cities. Please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356) for more information.

Congratulations to Thorson Memorial Library!
Thorson Memorial Library in Elbow Lake was awarded a $41,500 Library Construction Grant for improvements to lighting, air circulation, air quality, and flooring. The project will reverse a mid-70s lowering of the ceiling and open up the building to its original 17 foot height.

Project Manager John Kreft is an industrial technology teacher for West Central Area Schools, and students in his Community Projects class will help with and learn from the construction project.

Thorson Memorial Library’s grant is from an allocation made by the 2014 Minnesota Legislature. The Library Construction Grant is a competitive dollar-for-dollar matching grant program funded by state bonds. The program provides public libraries with funding for renovation, construction, and improvement projects that result in more accessible library facilities. Please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508) for more information.

Free GED Testing
Earlier this week, Governor Mark Dayton announced that any Minnesotan can take the GED test, for free, through June 30, 2016. Interested people can register online at the GED website or contact their local Adult Basic Education program. Staff at each program will help with the registration process and provide resources and classes to prepare for taking the test. LearningExpress Library, available through the state-funded Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM), offers free GED assessment, interactive skill-building and online test preparation. Visit the ELM website for hands-on activities and fact sheets to learn more about how LearningExpress Library can help prepare students to take the GED.

Wow! Northstar Reaches 1 Million Mark
As of early April, 1,000,000 online digital literacy assessments have been completed through the Northstar public website. The Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment tool has grown rapidly since its creation in 2011. It is an online tool that quickly assesses and quantifies the digital literacy knowledge of lower-skilled computer users. Job-seekers can earn a Northstar certificate to demonstrate to potential employers their technology competencies. The Northstar Standards have been adopted as content standards for Adult Basic Education by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), are used in 136 Minnesota program sites, and are integrated into the new Minnesota Adult Diploma. Northstar is housed at the Minnesota Literacy Council and was partially funded by Library Services and Technology grants through MDE.

Investigate the Frontiers of STEM Learning — High-Tech vs Low-Tech STEM Programming, What’s Right for Your Library?
From high-tech Maker Spaces with 3-D printers, recording studios, and drill presses to low-tech paper coding activities, libraries across the country are re-examining what it means to “do STEM.”

On Wednesday, April 20 at Noon (CST), join Ashley Kazyaka (Library Development Project Manager at the Colorado State Library) along with Keliann Laconte (Professional Development Manager at the National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute) and Anne Holland (Public Engagement Manager, also at NCIL) for a webinar that will give a brief overview of current practice in public libraries. Then, stick around for an open conversation among webinar participants about implementing STEM programming in their libraries as well as barriers they may face. There’s no right answer, so join in and share your way!

Register for the webinar here. The password to register is “star1”. This interactive webinar will be VoiP only, so you will need to use a laptop, or a desktop computer with a microphone and headset (there will be no call-in option). If you have any problems with your registration, please contact Anne Holland for assistance.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

State Library Services Update: 4/5/16

MDE logo retrieved online 12/17/13..
MDE logo retrieved online 12/17/13..

TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: April 5, 2016
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Learn More about Current LSTA Grant Opportunities
To learn more about our two current LSTA grant opportunities, please attend an upcoming grant guidance webinar on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, 4:00-5:00 p.m. There is no need to pre-register; just click on the webinar link. Grant applications and instructions are available on the Minnesota Department of Education’s Grants Management site. Visit the LSTA webpage, view the 2016 grant opportunities timeline, or contact Jackie Blagsvedt (651-582-8805) for more information.

Attend Regional Meetings to Strengthen Adult Learning Communities
Better Together: Strengthening Adult Learning Opportunities is an educational and networking event designed to foster local partnerships among libraries, adult basic education, and workforce organizations to work together to build a stronger, more highly skilled workforce.

At each session, you’ll hear promising practices for collaboration across organizations and learn about free resources that promote digital literacy and workforce skills. You’ll also have a chance to work with your local partners to develop a collaborative project. Register today for the workshop nearest you:

April 29, 2016 – Roseville at Minnesota Department of Education
May 9, 2016 – Mankato at Country Inn and Suites
May 16, 2016 – Grand Rapids at Saw Mill Inn

To help put your ideas for collaboration into action, we are able to offer a competitive grant opportunity that will award up to ten grants with a maximum of $5,000/applicant. At least one of your project partners must attend a Better Together workshop and proposed projects must show promise for sustainability. More information, including an application, will be available at Better Together sessions.

For more information, to request an accommodation, or to be included on a mailing list for future announcements, please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508).

Participate in a Webinar about Summer Meal Programs for Museums and Libraries
Jimmy Nguyen, USDA Food and Nutrition Service, hosts a webinar on Wednesday, April 13 from 1:00-2:00 pm about how your library or museum can get involved in the Summer Meals Program. Hear from other museums and libraries about how they’ve participated, get your questions answered, and share ideas. Register today. Contact MDE’s Summer Food Service Program Coordinator Jenny Butcher or our own Jen Verbrugge with questions about Minnesota’s procedures for becoming a summer food site.

Brush Up on Legal Reference Basics
Registration is now open for the Minnesota Coalition of County Law Libraries Spring Legal Education Workshop. Join your talented and knowledgeable local law librarians to learn more about:
– Navigating the new Minnesota Judicial Branch webpage (court forms) and the new State Law Library webpage
– Protecting yourself and diffusing difficult customers
– Making appropriate referrals and avoiding unauthorized practice of law
– Experiencing the Conciliation Court (small claims) process

The training will take place at the Ramsey County Plato Building, in the Plato Conference Room, at 90 Plato Boulevard in Saint Paul on April 22, 2016 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. There is free on-site parking. Register today. For more information, please contact Mary Ellen Gallagher (952-891-7135).

Take Part in Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Topic Area Meetings
Beginning April 6, MDE will host a series of meetings covering ten different topics in April and May to both share the ESSA law and gain input and better understand stakeholder priorities that will inform future work groups. The input gathered from these meetings will have a significant impact on shaping Minnesota’s new system, although they will not produce final recommendations for implementation. The full meeting schedule is available on the MDE ESSA webpage. If you would like more information about the upcoming meetings or have general questions related to ESSA, please contact MDE.

The 10 Percent Solution
Thanks to all of the library directors and report filers who submitted their 2015 annual reports! More than 90 percent of Minnesota’s public libraries completed the survey by the April 1 deadline. Libraries regularly demonstrate their conscientiousness; the Public Library Survey has one of the best response rates among federally-mandated surveys. 97 percent of public libraries nationwide completed the survey in 2013. Minnesota anticipates a 100 percent response rate for 2015 data. Minnesota’s 141 public library administrative entities complete the online survey annually. Statistics include input and output measures related to facilities, services, programs, income and expenditures, staffing, hours of operation, and collections. Please contact Joe Manion (651-582-8640) for more information about the Minnesota Public Library Report.

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 its films for free screenings. Along with a DVD, POV provides a discussion guide and suggested reading list to help librarians facilitate community conversations and provide context for the film. Your only expense is the cost of shipping the DVD via media mail to POV. In addition to more than 80 films from past POV seasons, documentaries from POV’s upcoming season are available for sneak-preview screenings prior to their debut on PBS. Check out their 29th season line-up that includes the dates when sneak-preview screenings may begin. Begin by registering with the POV Community Network. If you have questions, the POV Community Engagement and Education team can be reached by email or phone at 212-989-8121, ext. 318.

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Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

State Library Update: 3/24/16

MDE logo retrieved online 12/17/13..

TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: March 24, 2016
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Learn More about Our Current LSTA Grant Opportunities
To learn more about our two current LSTA grant opportunities, please attend an upcoming grant guidance webinar–Thursday, March 31, 2016, 1:30-2:30 p.m. or Tuesday, April 12, 2016, 4:00-5:00 p.m. There is no need to pre-register; just click on the link for the webinar you’d like to attend. Grant applications and instructions are available on the Minnesota Department of Education’s Grants Management site. Visit the LSTA webpage, view the 2016 grant opportunities timeline or contact Jackie Blagsvedt (651-582-8805) for more information.

Register Today for the Libraries Serving Youth Meetup
Join dozens of colleagues at this annual opportunity for school and public librarians to meet, network and share ideas in a casual, yet educational setting. We’ll meet at MDE in Roseville on Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get creative ideas, connect with like-minded professionals about issues important to you, and learn about diversity in children’s literature from Cathy Camper—author of the critically-acclaimed and fan-favorite graphic novel, Lowriders in Space. At the Meetup, you’ll also get a sneak peek at Lowriders to the Center of the Earth, scheduled to hit bookstore and library shelves on July 5, 2016. Lunch is provided so register today to ensure you’ll be fed. For more information, please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356).

Attend Regional Meetings to Strengthen Adult Learning Communities
The reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act creates a great opportunity for libraries, adult basic education and workforce organizations to work together to build a stronger, more highly skilled workforce. Better Together: Strengthening Adult Learning Opportunities is an educational and networking event designed to foster local partnerships between all three types of organizations to achieve this goal.

At each session, you’ll hear promising practices for collaboration across organizations and learn about free resources that promote digital literacy and workforce skills. You’ll also have a chance to work with your local partners to develop a collaborative project. Register today for the workshop nearest you: 

April 29, 2016 – Roseville at Minnesota Department of Education
May 9, 2016 – Mankato at Country Inn and Suites
May 16, 2016 – Grand Rapids at Saw Mill Inn

To help participants put their ideas for collaboration into action, we are able to offer a competitive grant opportunity that offers up to ten grants with a maximum award of $5,000/applicant. Proposed projects must be designed to increase collaboration between the three partners and improve adult literacy and/or workforce outcomes, especially in the area of digital literacy. At least one partner must attend a Better Together workshop and proposed projects must show promise for sustainability. More information, including an application, will be available at Better Together sessions.

For more information, to request an accommodation, or to be included on a mailing list for future announcements, please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508).

In This World, Nothing Can Be Said To Be Certain…
… except death and taxes…and the Annual Public Library Report. (Apologies to Benjamin Franklin!) By law, all of Minnesota’s public libraries submit an annual report to the Minnesota Department of Education. Directors and filers have been faithfully collecting last year’s statistics and plugging the data into the state’s online survey to meet the April 1 deadline. Thank you to the 62 of our 141 public libraries who have submitted their reports as of March 22. State Library Services greatly appreciates the time and expertise of everyone who ensures that the annual gathering of data is accurate and on-time. If you have questions about the annual report, please contact Joe Manion (651-582-8640).

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

State Library Updates: 3/16/16

MDE logo retrieved online 12/17/13..

TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: March 16, 2016
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Now Open – Two 2016 LSTA Grant Opportunities
State Library Services is pleased to announce two 2016 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) competitive grant opportunities.

2016 LSTA Competitive Grant 
An estimated $650,000 is available to fund grant projects that help to achieve Minnesota’s LSTA Five-Year Plan (2013-2017). Grant awards will support projects that address LSTA Goal One and one of its four subgoals. The overarching goal is to expand library services for learning and access to high-quality information resources for all Minnesotans.

2016 World’s Best Workforce Mini Grant
An estimated $35,000 is available to help libraries offer programs and services that address Goal 1.2 in the Minnesota LSTA Five-Year Plan (2013-2017) and the World’s Best Workforce legislation by improving library-based learning opportunities for children and young adults.

Applications for both opportunities are available on the Minnesota Department of Education’s Grants Management site.To learn more, visit the LSTA webpage, view the 2016 grant opportunities timeline and join us for a grant guidance webinar on Thursday, March 31, 2016, 1:30-2:30 p.m. or Tuesday, April 12, 2016, 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Please contact Jackie Blagsvedt (651-582-8805) for more information.

Register Today for the Libraries Serving Youth Meetup
Join the nearly 40 other librarians who have already registered to attend this annual opportunity for school librarians and public librarians to meet, network and share ideas in a casual setting. We’ll meet at MDE in Roseville on Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get creative ideas, connect with like-minded professionals about issues important to you, and learn about diversity in children’s literature from Cathy Camper—author of the critically-acclaimed and fan-favorite graphic novel, Lowriders in Space. At the Meetup, you’ll also get a sneak peek at the sequel, Lowriders to the Center of the Earth, scheduled to hit bookstore and library shelves on July 5, 2016. Lunch is provided so register today to ensure we’ll have enough food. For more information, please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356).

Attend Regional Meetings to Strengthen Adult Learning Communities
Mark your calendar and plan to join colleagues from adult education, libraries and workforce development for Better Together, a full-day learning opportunity. The workshops are designed to increase our collective capacity to work together to improve adult literacy and workforce outcomes for Minnesotans.

At each session, you’ll hear promising practices for collaboration across organizations and learn about free resources that promote digital literacy and workforce skills. You’ll also have a chance to work with your local partners to develop a collaborative project.

April 29, 2016 – Roseville at Minnesota Department of Education
May 9, 2016 – Mankato at Country Inn and Suites
May 16, 2016 – Grand Rapids at Saw Mill Inn

Register today for the workshop nearest you. For more information, to request an accommodation, or to be included on a mailing list for future announcements, please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508).

Brush Up on Legal Reference Basics
The Minnesota Coalition of County Law Libraries (MCCLL) and the Minnesota State Law Library invite you to join your local law librarians to learn more about:

– Navigating the new Minnesota Judicial Branch webpage (court forms) and a look at the new State Law Library webpage
– Protecting yourself and diffusing difficult customers
– Making appropriate referrals and avoid unauthorized practice of law
– What is the Conciliation Court (small claims) experience really like?

The training will take place in the Plato Conference Room at 90 Plato Boulevard in Saint Paul on April 22, 2016 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. There is free on-site parking. For more information, please contact Mary Ellen Gallagher (952-891-7135).

Take Part in ESSA Planning
Beginning in April, MDE will hold weekly topic area meetings with stakeholder groups to delve deeper into ESSA requirements and opportunities for Minnesota. The calendar of these meetings will be posted soon to MDE’s ESSA webpage. MDE has posted an executive overview—in working draft form—of the legislation and its potential implications for Minnesota. Federal guidance should be released for public comment toward the end of May, and final regulations released in late October. Please refer to the ESSA timeline available on the MDE website for more information. Contact mde.essa@state.mn.us if you are interested in participating in topic area meetings or would like additional information.
Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

MN State Library Updates 3/9/16

MDE logo retrieved online 12/17/13..

TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: March 9, 2016
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Libraries Serving Youth Meetup – Registration Now Open
Be part of this annual opportunity for school librarians and public librarians to meet, network and share ideas in a casual setting. Join your colleagues at MDE in Roseville on Saturday, April 16, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get creative ideas, connect with like-minded professionals about issues important to you, and learn about diversity in children’s literature from Cathy Camper, author of the critically acclaimed and fan favorite graphic novel, Lowriders in Space. At the Meetup, you’ll also get a sneak-peek at the sequel, Lowriders to the Center of the Earth, scheduled to hit bookstore and library shelves on July 5, 2016. Space is limited so register today! For more information, please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356).

Sustainable Building 2030 Training
Are you planning for a new building or for a substantial renovation? The Center for Sustainable Building Research is offering a series of three training sessions on Bridging from Design to Operations: Designing, Owning and Operating a High Performance Building. The sessions will focus on how to design and operate buildings that meet the B3 Sustainable Building 2030 (SB 2030) Energy Standard.

All Minnesota State bonded projects — new and substantially renovated — that started the Schematic Design Phase on or after August 1, 2009, are required to meet the SB 2030 energy standards. Read the guidelines. This requirement applies to Library Construction Grant projects.

The cost is $100 per session or $275 for the entire series of three classes which will take place on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in April, May and June 2016. Find more information and register here to attend. 

Better Together Regional Meetings – Registration Now Open
Join colleagues from adult education, libraries and workforce development for a full-day workshop designed to increase our collective capacity to work together to improve adult literacy and workforce outcomes for Minnesotans. At each session, you’ll hear promising practices for collaboration across organizations and learn about free resources that promote digital literacy and workforce skills. You’ll also have a chance to work with your local partners to develop a collaborative project.

April 29, 2016 – Roseville at Minnesota Department of Education
May 9, 2016 – Mankato at Country Inn and Suites
May 16, 2016 – Grand Rapids at Saw Mill Inn

Register today for the workshop nearest you. For more information or to be included on a mailing list for future announcements, please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508).

Apply for a Summer Food Service Program Grant
Public libraries can help make sure kids have access to nutritious food when school is not in session. Limited access to free food programs, particularly during the summer, leaves many children hungry. Fewer than 15 percent of Minnesota kids who benefit from the free or reduced-price school lunch program have access to summer and afterschool food programs. Build your library’s capacity to help keep their bellies full through a summer food service grant from Second Harvest Heartland. Libraries located in Second Harvest Heartland’s service area are eligible to apply, and applications are accepted until May 2, 2016. For more information, please contact Second Harvest Heartland (651-403-6060). For more information about how your library can be a summer food site, please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356).

90-Second Newbery Film Festival – That’s a Wrap for the 2015-16 Season!
The second annual Minnesota 90-Second Newbery Film Festival screening played to a full house on February 27 at Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central’s Pohlad Hall. 90-Second Newbery founder James Kennedy and co-host Minneapolis author Kelly Barnhill, lit up the stage with an uproarious opening number and comedy bits between the films. Each film told the story of a Newbery-winning book in 90 seconds or less (give or take) and was written, directed, acted, filmed and edited by kid filmmakers. Download the list of the many creative films submitted by Minnesota K-12 students.

If you’re inspired by this year’s movies, find out how you can participate next year by visiting the 90-Second Newbery website. Now’s a perfect time to get your students and community partners thinking about filming for next year. It’s a great project to promote media and digital literacy for kids in a creative, collaborative setting. If you started a movie but missed the entry deadline for this year’s festival screening, don’t give up. Finish your masterpiece and send it in. Mr. Kennedy accepts 90-Second Newbery films all year round. For more information, please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356).

Let Us Know How We’re Doing
Whether you’re a new subscriber to this listserv or have received more than you can count, please share your thoughts with us. We’d love to know if the information we include is helpful to you or if there’s more you’d like to know about. Please email Jen Verbrugge with comments and/or questions. Thank you!