Tag Archives: Taxes

Academic, Check this out:, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

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.

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Updates from State Library Services

MDE Logo

TO: Minnesota Libraries
FROM: State Library Services
DATE: November 9, 2015
SUBJECT: Updates from State Library Services

Help Us Get the Word Out: MBTBL Advisory Committee Seeking New Members

The Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library (MBTBL) is seeking two members for its Advisory Committee. The MBTBL provides specialized statewide public library service to Minnesotans of all ages with visual, physical, and reading disabilities. The five-member advisory committee serves as a sounding board for library planning, priorities, policies, program efforts and service concerns. Individuals appointed to this committee must be active users of the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library. Applications are due on November 24, 2015. For more information about this committee, call the MBTBL at 1-800-722-0550 or visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Open Commission and Appointment website.

Take Your Learning Online: Upcoming Webinars

1) Basic Records Management for Minnesota Public Libraries

Charles Rodgers of the State Archives Department of the Minnesota Historical Society will present a brief webinar review of the state records laws, the definition of government records, basic records management issues, and the role of the State Archives on Wednesday, November 18 from 1-2 p.m. Special emphasis will be given to records created and maintained by public libraries, including retention and disposition guidance, and documents with historical value. Charles is familiar with general records retention schedules for Minnesota cities and counties, which include sections addressing public library records. There will be ample time for questions and answers. No registration is necessary, just join the WebEx meeting online or call 1-888-742-5095  (toll-free) or 1-619-377-3319 using conference code 874 403 3672 / meeting number 253 118 533. Please contact Jen Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us with questions.

2) Attend Taxes 101 for Minnesota Libraries

Believe it or not, the 2016 tax season is right around the corner! To help libraries serve their communities during the tax season, State Library Services and Prepare + Prosper’s Claim it! campaign invite you to Taxes 101 for Minnesota Libraries on Thursday, November 19, 11 a.m.-noon. The webinar will cover topics such as who needs to file taxes, basics about tax credits for individuals and families with low to moderate income, free tax preparation sites, frequently asked questions, and community resources. Our goal is to give libraries the resources they need to make tax time a little less overwhelming. Register today and then join the WebEx meeting online or call in at 1-888-742-5095 (toll-free) or 1-619-377-3319 using conference code 874 403 3672 / meeting number 593 489 753. Please contact Emily Kissane at emily.kissane@state.mn.us with questions.

Note: The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) requires advance notice in order to provide a requested accommodation and requires a 48-hour notice to cancel a requested accommodation.

Investigate the Future of STEM in Public Libraries

The Public Libraries & STEM Conference held in August 2015 brought together 151 leaders and decision-makers from both the public library and STEM education communities. As libraries nationwide have reexamined their roles in their communities, STEM activities have emerged with a widespread role in strengthening community‐based learning and fostering critical thinking and problem solving for people of all ages. The conference’s work and subsequent publications will help to guide future development of informal STEM learning programs in public libraries. Visit the conference’s website to find background papers, session PowerPoints and handouts, and related resources. Conference resources highlight public libraries’ current needs, obstacles, and opportunities to offering STEM programming. Jen Nelson, State Librarian, served as a member of the conference’s national organizing committee. Please contact Jen at 651-582-8791 or Jennifer.r.nelson@state.mn.us for more information about the conference or to learn more about how you can bring STEM learning opportunities to your library.

Calling All Kid Filmmakers!

The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is an annual video contest in which kid filmmakers make movies that creatively tell the entire stories of Newbery-winning books in ninety seconds or less. Making the film is a fun, creative and multi-faceted educational exercise. Kids cooperatively write, storyboard, produce, direct, costume, act, frame and edit their films.

Public librarians, school librarians, homeschool parents, teachers, and scout leaders are encouraged to work with their kids to make movies. The deadline to submit films for the 2015-2016 film festival is January 10, 2016. Inspiration and more information can be found on the 90-Second Newbery website. Want to make a 90-Second Newbery video, but are daunted by the project? Download this handy guide of tips, tricks, and strategies. Mark your calendar for the second annual Minnesota screening of the best local entries on Saturday, February 27, 2016, from 3:00-4:30 pm at Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central. Co-hosts of the event will be James Kennedy (90-Second Newbery founder and middle grade author) and Kelly Barnhill (Minneapolis author of The Witch’s Boy). For more details, please contact Jennifer Verbrugge at jennifer.verbrugge@state.mn.us or 651-582-8356.

Look Up to the Stars!

Congratulations to top-rated Edgerton, Grand Marais and Ramsey County libraries. They are among the 261 Star Libraries on the Library Journal Index of Public Library Services.  The index compares U.S. public libraries with their spending peers based on loans, visits, program attendance, and public computer use. The number of competing libraries is at an all-time high, so earning star status is harder than ever.

Grand Marais Public Library received five stars, the highest rating, which it has earned every year the index was published. Edgerton Public Library moved up from a three to four star library. Ramsey County Library has earned three stars each year since 2013.

Library Journal Index scores are based on data reported annually by public libraries to their state library agencies. The 2015 ratings are based on 2013 data compiled nationally by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. To be eligible for star-status, be sure to complete the Minnesota Public Library Survey which opens in February.  State Library Services looks forward to helping you collect and report data that will lift your library into the national constellation. For help, contact Joe Manion, State Data Coordinator, at joe.manion@state.mn.us or 651-582-8640.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

New MN Tax Plans Worth Understanding

logo-mcn-budget-programRecently, the Budget News and Tools publication of the Minnesota Budget Project (May 2, 2013), issued a very useful  analysis of  the Minnesota House and Senate tax plans. The tax plans from the Governor, House and Senate are trying to make Minnesota’s tax system less regressive and end the sad story of continual budget deficits that seem to be chronic these days. Education plays a big role in these bills so it is worth paying attention! With these new proposals, we can hopefully fund investments in quality schools, affordable higher education and strong communities. So, two plans with common goals, different approaches. Read the analysis of the  Senate and  House omnibus tax bills. The bills are now in conference committee and call on policymakers to come to agreement.

The Minnesota Budget Project is an initiative of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.