Tag Archives: State Library Service

Updates from State Library Services

Join Colleagues at the Libraries Serving Youth Meetup

The Libraries Serving Youth Meetup is an annual opportunity for school librarians and public librarians to meet, network and share ideas. This year, attendees will have a chance to connect and develop creative ideas with colleagues around the topic of partnerships between schools and public libraries.

School and public librarians are invited to join us at Wellstone Center in Saint Paul (179 Robie St. E.) for the Meetup on Monday, April 30, 2018, 1-4 p.m., followed by an optional networking opportunity at a nearby restaurant (TBD) from 4-5:30 p.m. Learn more about the program on our website, and then register to attend by April 23. Attendees can also bring a meal for an optional on-site lunch from 12:30-1 p.m. prior to the Meetup. Mileage reimbursement may be available for attendees from Greater Minnesota. Please contact Leah Larson (651-582-8604) for more information about mileage reimbursement and/or the Meetup.

Ojibwe book from Grassroots Indigenous Multimedia

Ojibwe Language Books Added to Ebooks Minnesota

The Minnesota statewide open access collection, Ebooks Minnesota, has just added Ojibwe language titles. In partnership with Grassroots Indigenous Multimedia and Wiigwaas Press, about a dozen books are now available to anyone accessing Ebooks Minnesota within the state’s borders.

Grassroots Indigenous Multimedia is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 by Ojibwe community members Mary Hermes and Kevin Roach. With hopes of revitalizing the Ojibwe language, they began creating and distributing high-quality indigenous language materials. Several of their books in the Ebooks Minnesota collection include copies both in Ojibwe and English. The organization has developed more than 20 picture books based on Ojibwe conversational archives. Visit their website for more information.

Wiigwaas Press specializes in publishing monolingual and bilingual indigenous language and teaching materials. It is part of Birchbark House, a nonprofit founded by literary luminary sisters Heid Erdrich and Louise Erdrich in 2008 to promote indigenous language revitalization. Wiigwaas Press makes available Native American language materials that inspire multiple generations to learn and share indigenous languages. Find out more on the Birchbark Books website.

Ebooks Minnesota’s collection of books in languages other than English is rapidly growing. In the coming months, the collection will boast more titles in Ojibwe, as well as Somali and Karen. Email Ebooks Minnesota or complete the feedback form to share your comments or to request more detailed information.

Updates from our Partners

Nasa logo

Middle Grade STEM Grant Opportunity from NASA

On April 9, 2018, the NASA Glenn Research Center Office of Education opens a solicitation for applications from youth-serving organizations (YSOs) and formal/informal education institutions in NASA Glenn’s six-state region (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI). They are seeking proposals to implement STEM content in out-of-school time (OST) settings for students in grades 6-8 from June 1, 2018, through August 15, 2018 using the NASA Glenn Engineering Design Challenge (EDC): Powered and Pumped Up. This challenge provides students the opportunity to work on real-world problems in a collaborative, team-based environment. Students apply lessons learned to solve problems that STEM professionals face, while gaining a deeper knowledge of how NASA’s work is a part of their everyday lives. The deadline to apply is April 23. Award-winners will be notified on April 30.

Awardees will receive:

  • Travel funding to attend a mandatory one-day facilitator training workshop during the week of May 21-25, 2018 (date TBD).
  • Funding to cover materials and supplies needed to implement the EDC.
  • EDC activity content aligned to Next Generation Science Standards.
  • Help desk support to assist educators as needed in facilitating the EDC.
  • Opportunities for live, web-based connections with NASA scientists and engineers.

Additional details will be provided in the full solicitation documentation available April 9, 2018. Sign up to receive the latest news and updates about NASA Glenn Research Center’s Engineering Design Challenge opportunities.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Outreach Event

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Minneapolis-St. Paul field office is hosting an event for those who want to learn more about the U.S. citizenship process. Attendees will learn about the requirements for U.S. citizenship and a mock naturalization interview will be conducted. The event is Tuesday, April 10, 2018, 5-7 p.m. at the University of Minnesota, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis. For more information, or to request a disability accommodation, email USCIS at least two days before the event. The event is free and open to the public.

Project Outcome

Upcoming Project Outcome Webinar

Outcome measurement is a way for libraries to assess their impact on the people they serve and helps libraries answer the question, “What good did we do?” Libraries may need to measure outcomes for a variety of reasons—from measuring and improving impact, to better managing services and resources, to demonstrating a need for funding or other support. On Wednesday, April 11, 2018, 1-2 p.m., Project Outcome hosts the webinar, How to Develop Outcome Measures and Design Effective Surveys. This webinar is designed to help libraries develop their own outcome measures based on program goals, and implement those measures through effective survey design. Register today for this no-cost webinar.

This webinar is the second in a series featuring Project Outcome’s Outcome Measurement Guidelines, designed to guide and support outcome-focused data collection. Future topics include implementing alternative data collection methods and measuring outcomes over time.

SciGirls logo

SciGirls Educator Workshop

You’re invited to attend a free, four-hour PBS SciGirls GO GREEN Educators’ Workshop where you will learn more about gender-equitable teaching strategies using SciGirls programming. SciGirls is a national educational initiative using media, activities, and professional development to empower youth, ages 8-12. You will learn more about the SciGirls GO GREEN curriculum and take part in  hands-on science lessons using recycled materials, which you can implement in your program. Lunch will be provided. The workshop will be held at the Hennepin County Library, 830 Winnetka Avenue North, Golden Valley, on Saturday, June 16, 2018, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Register for the workshop today.

Think Small ParentPowered Texts

Think Small Updates Texting Service for Parents of Young Children

Think Small’s new texting initiative, ParentPowered Texts, has been updated. The goal of improving literacy and pre-reading skills for children aged birth-5 has been expanded to birth-6 ½ years of age. Parents receive three customized text messages each week. The family-centered tips include messages that encourage parents to read to their children promoting work on letter recognition. Texts are available in English, Spanish, and Somali. More than 5,000 families are currently enrolled in the program throughout Minnesota!

Think Small ParentPowered Texts provide continuous support to parents throughout the year. The information covers multiple areas of a child’s development—social-emotional, health, literacy, and math skills. All messages are based on the child’s birth date, which guarantees timely, developmentally appropriate content and advice.

Think Small can supply your library with bookmarks and other materials to promote this new service.

Contact Diana Neidecker, Think Small Community Engagement Coordinator, for more information.

About Us

State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), partners with libraries to achieve equity and excellence in our collective work for Minnesotans. Division staff are consultants who help libraries plan, develop and implement high-quality services that address community needs. State Library Services administers federal grant, state aid, and state grant programs that benefit all types of libraries.

Updates from State Library Services

Thanks for Meeting Up!

The third Libraries Serving Youth Meetup was held on April 22 at the St. Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN). Sixteen enthusiastic school media specialists and public librarians came together to learn about the Saint Paul Public Library/SPNN Createch partnership, discuss makerspaces, share ideas, and network. Attendees left the Meetup energized to try more maker activities with tweens and teens.

Following the Meetup, ten librarians attended a stop-motion animation workshop presented by SPNN. Participants learned a lot, had a fabulous time, and created three very brief films during the course of the two-hour workshop. Participants used HUE cameras and software to make the films, and they proved to be both easy to use and reasonably priced. If stop-motion animation workshops are in your library’s future (perhaps to encourage your kids to create 90-Second Newbery Film Festival submissions, for example), HUE might be worth checking into.

Please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356) to request slides from the Createch presentation or for tips and tricks in planning your own regional meetup.

Continue reading Updates from State Library Services

Updates from the State Library Services

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Updates from State Library Services

Calling All Kid Filmmakers!
The deadline to submit films for the 2016-2017 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is January 7, 2017. Make sure you complete and send those films in! The third annual Minnesota screening of the best local entries is on Saturday, February 25, 2017, 3-4:30 p.m., at Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central. Mark your calendars and make your free reservation for the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival. Co-hosts of the event will be James Kennedy (90-Second Newbery founder and middle grade author of The Order of Odd-Fish) and Kelly Barnhill (Minneapolis author of The Girl Who Drank the Moon). Please download and print a promotional poster to help spread the word about this popular event. For more details, please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356).

Tax Season Is Rapidly Approaching Order Outreach Materials Today
Your library probably receives at least a few questions about taxes during the tax season. State Library Services is working again with Prepare + Prosper’s statewide outreach campaign, Claim it!, and the Department of Revenue to provide your library with free resources and an informational webinar.

Order outreach materials from Prepare + Prosper for your library to help individuals find out if they qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and to help them locate a free tax preparation site. Place your 2017 Claim it! order today to receive these free materials in time for tax season.

Prepare + Prosper and the Department of Revenue recently hosted a webinar for libraries with resources and information to help you during the 2017 tax season. Please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508) with questions or for the link to the archived recording. Continue reading Updates from the State Library Services

Update from State Library Services

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CMLE members: we are posting this info so you can keep up on library activities from around the state. As always, CMLE Headquarters wants to be your one-stop source for all kinds of library information!

TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: November 22, 2016
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Tax Season Is Slowly Approaching – Order Outreach Materials and Mark Your Calendars
Your library probably receives at least a few questions about taxes during the tax season. State Library Services is working again with Prepare + Prosper’s statewide outreach campaign, Claim it!, and the Department of Revenue to provide your library with free resources and a webinar in December.

Order outreach materials from Prepare + Prosper for your library to help individuals find out if they qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and to help them locate a free tax preparation site. Place your order today to receive these free materials in time for tax season.

Prepare + Prosper and the Department of Revenue will host a webinar for libraries with resources and information to help you during the 2017 tax season. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, December 14, at 11 a.m. Please register for the webinar today and join us in December. Please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508) with questions or to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event. Note: MDE requires a two-week advance notice in order to provide the requested accommodation and requires a 48-hour notice in order to cancel a requested accommodation.

Early Childhood Screening Informational Video and Webinar
Early Childhood Screening, offered by all school districts, is a way to determine if young children are on track for meeting developmental milestones. Some families do not take advantage of Early Childhood Screening because they don’t know about it or they have concerns about it. If parents knew more about what screening is and is not, they may be more likely to have their children screened and identify areas for additional focus before kindergarten.

Public librarians can help increase participation in screening by encouraging families to get their children screened between the ages of 3 and the start of kindergarten. The Minnesota Department of Education and community partners teamed up to create a five-minute informational video with basic information about screening for parents and caregivers, thanks to funding from The McKnight Foundation.

To learn how you can help increase families’ awareness of screening and comfort with the process, please join us for a webinar presented by MDE’s Early Childhood Screening Coordinator, Margo Chresand, on Thursday, December 8, Noon-12:30 p.m. (Add the webinar to your calendar.) Please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356) with questions or to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event. Note: MDE requires a two-week advance notice in order to provide the requested accommodation and requires a 48-hour notice in order to cancel a requested accommodation.

What’s New for the 2016 Minnesota Public Library Annual Report?
2016 will soon be history. It’s time to get ready to document your library’s performance measures in your annual report. Share your ideas and preferences about data elements for the 2016 report, by completing the 2016 Minnesota Public Library Report Proposed Data Element Changes survey.

You’re also invited to make suggestions, share issues, and learn about proposed new indicators and modifications to current definitions. Join your colleagues in a discussion on Thursday, December 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m. When it’s time, join the meeting via WebEx or join by phone at 1-888-742-5095. Registration is not required. Please contact Joe Manion (651-582-8640) with questions or to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event. Note: MDE requires a two-week advance notice in order to provide the requested accommodation and requires a 48-hour notice in order to cancel a requested accommodation.

Progress Update on Minnesota’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Plan
Thank you to the many members of our library community who took the time to participate in the recent ESSA regional meetings held across the state. Commissioner Cassellius and other MDE staff were impressed by the representation of libraries at each session. Approximately 25 school librarians attended the ESSA meeting held by Jen Nelson and Kevin McHenry at MDE on November 9. Thank you all for giving voice to the critical role that school librarians play in student success. Later this fall, there will be additional opportunities to discuss the plan as it takes shape, including a survey for parents, educators and community members. Visit MDE’s ESSA webpage for updates and information, and email MDE with questions or concerns.

Playdates for Educators (of All Sorts)
The Playful Learning Lab at the University of St. Thomas is hosting monthly, free playdates for educators, artists, and makers who want to discuss, share, and try out new ways of bringing joy and playful learning to students. Fall playdates will be held on Wednesday, November 30, and Wednesday, December 14, 7-9 p.m., in the makerspace on the first floor of the University of St. Thomas Anderson Student Center at 2115 Summit Avenue in Saint Paul. Each session will include a hands-on project led by Playful Learning Lab students, as well as ample time for discussion and networking. Please email Annmarie Thomas to RSVP.

Young Adult Books Added to Ebooks Minnesota Collection
Ebooks Minnesota has added more than 150 new titles from Flux Books, a YA imprint of North Star Editions. The newly added collection includes imaginative and compelling books written by authors such as Maggie Stiefvater, Laurie Stolarz, Simone Elkeles, and A.S. King. Visit Ebooks Minnesota today to start reading. Please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356) with questions.

Thank You for Your Feedback
State Library Services is working with Management Analysis and Development (MAD) to assess our progress toward meeting the goals of the 2013-2017 LSTA Five-Year Plan. We received hundreds of responses to our online survey and 25 library stakeholders participated in focus group discussions. We appreciate your time and thoughtful participation – and commitment to quality library services across Minnesota. Our evaluation report is due to IMLS at the end of March 2017. Please contact Jackie Blagsvedt (651-582-8805) with questions.

Exploring Early STEM Learning in Libraries
This fall, the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) offered early STEM training to more than 170 library and early childhood professionals. Thank you to all the attendees, and the workshop hosts and refreshment providers: Fergus Falls Public Library and Friends, Grand Rapids Public Library and Friends, Hennepin County Library – Brooklyn Park and MELSA, Dakota County Library – Wescott and MELSA, Waseca Public Library and Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative. We couldn’t have been successful without your participation.

The Early STEM Learning in Libraries initiative is made possible by funding through a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Please contact Jackie Blagsvedt (651-582-8805) with questions.

Registration for M3 Huddle Sessions Is Open
At the MLA Conference, MDE Learning Specialist Eric Billiet and State Library Services staffer Jen Verbrugge presented a session about Making Meaning with Multiple Data Sets (M3) – a method afterschool programs across the state use to collect and evaluate program data. Your library can use M3, too. Visit Ignite Afterschool’s website or listen to this introductory preparation webinar to learn more.

An M3 huddle is a six-hour session that brings program teams together to intentionally make meaning of their data and plan action steps. Your library can use this opportunity not only to consider data collection and evaluation, but also to connect with afterschool programs in your area. Follow the links below to register for a huddle session near you:

Register for January 20, Minneapolis Huddle Session.

Register for January 12, Greater Twin Cities Metro (Brooklyn Center) Huddle Session.
Register for December 16, St. Paul – Sprockets Huddle Session  1st Option.
Register for January 13, St. Paul  Sprockets Huddle Session 2nd Option.
Register for January 12, Southeast Huddle Session (Rochester).
Register for January 25, Southwest Huddle Session (Willmar).
Register for January 20, Northwest Huddle Session (Bemidji).
Register for January 27, Northeast Huddle Session (Duluth).

Please contact Matt Ramirez at Ignite Afterschool with any questions or concerns.

State Library Services update

state-library-services

CMLE libraries – we are working to bring you information from libraries across the state and the country. Here is the latest newsletter from the State Library Services department, to get you caught up on some important issues happening across the state!

Bringing Early STEM to Libraries
The Science Museum of Minnesota is offering early STEM training to library and early education staff through a series of workshops across the state this October and November. Over 180 library and early childhood professionals have attended or are registered to attend the workshops. There is still room to register for the Nov. 10 workshop in Waseca.

To support library efforts after the training, the museum is developing early STEM activity plans, kits and prompts as well as educational messaging to help library staff and volunteers facilitate early STEM experiences for children and their caring adults. We look forward to sharing more information and new resources after the training sessions have wrapped up. Contact Jackie Blagsvedt (651-582-8805) with questions.

Evaluating Our LSTA Five-Year Plan 
We are working with the Management Analysis and Development (MAD) consulting group to assess our progress toward meeting the goals of the current LSTA Five-Year Plan. On November 1, we launched a survey to aggregate input from the library community that will inform the required evaluation of our 2013-2017 plan. Your input truly is helpful as we determine how well we have achieved the goals of the plan. You should have received an email from Karen Gaides with an invitation to complete the survey. If you did not receive an email invitation, please contact Karen Gaides (651-259-3822) to request the link. Continue reading State Library Services update