Tag Archives: Thank you

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

CMLE Board President's Message

Editor’s note: This is a message from CMLE Board President, Maria Burnham, (Media Specialist @ Sauk Rapids Rice High School) that was given during the Board meeting that took place on Tuesday, May 17th. The purpose of this letter is to provide encouragement and support during this time of transition.

Screen shot 2012-12-19 at 12.03.08 PMHello everyone! And happy spring!

First of all, I want to take a moment to congratulate and thank Patricia Post for all of her work as she transitions into retired life. She has worked tirelessly to keep our CMLE ship afloat these last 14 years, and she has served our librarian community well. She provides quality programming and blogs, as well as assisting the Executive Director Search Committee team with any questions we may have in trying to find the best candidate possible as her replacement. Patricia’s shoes are big ones to fill, but I have faith and confidence that whomever we find will continue to move our organization forward. Also, I’d like to thank Angie for joining the CMLE team. She has proven to be a good fit for CMLE, and I’ve been very impressed with her blog posts and her positive energy. And finally, I’d like to thank the members of the Executive Director Search Committee team for the extra time and talent they are donating in order to find the best candidate possible to take over the helm of CMLE. Karen, Seal, Char, Joanne and Patricia (as ex-officio), THANK YOU, for all you have done!

CMLE is an organization that makes a real difference in the lives of librarians. I have received nothing but support from CMLE in scholarships to attend conferences (including TeenLitCon, which was a wonderful opportunity for my students to meet YA authors). Also, recently I was able to attend the Supervor Nuts and Bolts workshop, a wonderful professional development opportunity in learning about the supervisory part of my job, an integral part of my daily duties but one in which I’ve received little-to-no training. These examples show how I felt support from CMLE. And my story is just one of many. CMLE’s work is important work and it can affect many.

Image credit: http://tinyurl.com/l6sc8te, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

A Message of Thanks from the Director

Image by U of Fraser Valley. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons' licensing.
Image by U of Fraser Valley. Retrieved from Flickr. Used under Creative Commons’ licensing.

Hopefully, you haven’t already gotten tired of reading messages of thankfulness. Maybe you have had a great year, and you have not been tested emotionally, physically or professionally. Maybe your year was humdrum, and your things to include on your thankful list are much like they always have been.  Or perhaps 2013 has been filled with challenges.

For me, by far, this has been the most difficult year both professionally and personally. However, I choose to think about it differently, especially as I approach Thanksgiving. As I look back, I am amazed at what has been accomplished despite the enormous amount of adversity that has occurred this year. I remind myself that I/we have control over how we choose to think about the hard things…. and I have learned a few things this year for which I give thanks:

  • I have an incredibly caring, supportive group of people on the CMLE Board
  • It was my good fortune to hire an exceptional temporary employee who convinced me in ten minutes that she was hungry, humble, and helpful (the 3 h’s)! I could not have gotten through the year without her.
  • I have wonderful family and friends who were there for me through thick and thin. Most memorable was the occasional lunch with the grandkids; a cherished memory.
  • I am very thankful that my other knee is healthy, and that I only have two hips and two knees!
  • I am thankful for my strength in handling adversity and bouncing back!
  • And, I am especially thankful that I will never have to repeat 2013!

Coming back to work has been challenging, exhausting and invigorating, but reminds me of what I am passionate about, and what makes me feel alive. With that in mind, professionally, I am also thankful for:

  • Engaged library staff (like you) who continue to use our services and engage in our programming. Whether you are commenting on our weekly blog posts or Facebook page, writing book reviews or other blog posts, suggesting ideas for programming, participating in our Quick Question Polls, or attending our events, you are the heart of what we define as resource sharing!
  • CMLE staff are thankful for the opportunity to serve your needs, and to work with you to increase the capacity of all types of libraries in Central Minnesota! It is our privilege to work with talented and engaged library staff and we thank you.

What about you? Although your year may have also included challenges, what are you most thankful for? Were there life changing moments as a result of a student or community member coming through the door to your library? Have your learned valuable lessons as a result of those interactions or others?

Tip: Use a whiteboard in the library with a “What are you thankful for?” heading, then sit back, and observe a showplace of thanks not just for this week, but consider continuing this through the new year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Patricia-

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

A Sincere Thanks from Kate!

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Hello from Kate at CMLE! Kate

As some of you may have heard, today (January 16th) is my last day at CMLE. Starting next Tuesday (January 22nd), I will embark upon new adventures in my position as a solo librarian at Rasmussen College – Brooklyn Park/Maple Grove campus. Lots of exciting changes are on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to working with students and faculty again (prior to CMLE, I worked at Rasmussen College – Eden Prairie campus for three years).

So, before I leave, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you (our CMLE members) for all of the memorable, enlightening, and fun experiences I’ve had with you over the last three years. The libraries in this region do a lot of great work. It has been a privilege to work with each of you, and I have learned a lot along the way. I hope to see many of you again at future library conferences and events!

Please contact papost@stcloudstate.edu with any questions about this change in staffing.

All the best!

Kate Bessey