Nancy Walton, State Librarian, and Jym Wroblewski, LSTA Grant Administrator would like your input on the Minnesota Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) 2013-2017 Five-Year Plan. The plan is required by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for LSTA funds and addresses the state’s current and near-future projections of the needs of end-users and strategies to meet those needs.
As part of the process for developing the plan, Management Analysis & Development, a division of Minnesota Management & Budget, is conducting a statewide online survey of library staff to collect information that will inform Minnesota’s LSTA 2013-2017 Five-Year Plan. The survey is voluntary and will take approximately 3-5 minutes to complete. Survey results will be aggregated and compiled in a summary report without any identification of respondents. The survey is confidential and anonymous.
If you are responsible for grant applications or if you know other library staff members, board members, or Library Friends who are eligible to write LSTA grants, please forward the survey link to them so they can complete the survey.
To access the survey please click here
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The deadline for the survey is May 31st.
Your input is important to this process. The State Library greatly appreciates your participation!
If you have any questions or concerns, please send email to Kirby Pitman
or call her at 651-259-3817. Ms. Pitman is a consultant with Management Analysis & Development, a division of Minnesota Management & Budget, working with Nancy Walton, State Librarian, and Jym Wroblewski, LSTA Grant Administrator on the development of this plan.
State Library Services will work with a consultant from Management Analysis & Development, a division of Minnesota Management & Budget (MMB) to develop a new Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) 2013-2017 Five-Year Plan. The plan is required by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for Minnesota's continued eligibility to receive an annual LSTA appropriation.
As part of the process for developing the plan, MMB will schedule focus groups with library stakeholder groups whose membership may include libraries that are eligible for LSTA funds. The objective is to collect information for the LSTA 2013-2017 Five-Year Plan.
| Using the art of woodblock prints is a signature of children's illustrator, Betsy Bowen. She will be at the Princeton Area Library on Thursday, May 17 at 6:30 pm to talk about her technique & she'll bring along the tools she uses. |
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The Minnesota delegation visited House and Senate offices of Minnesota's Members of Congress as part of National Library Legislative Day, April 24, 2012.
Pictured above with Congressman Chip Cravaack are Kathy Fredette, Lake Agassiz Regional Library, Barbara Misselt, East Central Regional Library, and Marlene Moulton-Janssen, Anoka County Library.
Check the ECRL flickr collection for pictures from National Library Legislative Day 2012.
| Celebrate Minnesota Museums Month in May with a visit to your local museum and, better still, consider a new Arts and Cultural Heritage partnership. |
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| Michael Scott, SELCO's Assistant Director, will lead Minnesota’s advocacy delegation through ten Congressional visits on Tuesday, April 24 in his role as MLA Federal Legislative Chair. Michael and System Directors, Kathy Fredette (LARL) and Barbara Misselt (ECRL), as well as other library advocates from our fair state and around the country, will attend a briefing today provided by the American Library Association as part of National Library Legislative Day-2012. For an overview of Federal issues affecting libraries, click here . For more information about National Library Legislative Day, click here . |
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Save the Date for MALF's Statewide Workshops
| The Minnesota Association of Library Friends (MALF) is pleased to present Drafting the Blueprint: Strengthening Relationships Between Library Friends and the Community a workshop series designed to help Library Friends and Trustees develop the tools they need to better support the library. |  |
The workshops will take place across Minnesota in July and August:
METRO: Saturday, July 21 at Brookdale Library
NORTHEAST: Monday, July 23 at Grand Rapids Area Library
SOUTHEAST: Wednesday, July 25 at the SELCO office, Rochester
NORTHWEST: Wednesday, August 22 at Perham Area Library
SOUTHWEST: Friday, August 24 at Redwood Falls Public Library
For more information, click here.
| Read-It, Scouts and a Banker As the motto goes: Be Prepared. Read-It and members of his Boy Scout Troop met with a banker to discuss ways to save their money. Read-It plans on setting aside a little money each month to use for college! |
 April 19, 2012 |
| State Librarian Visits SELCO State Librarian, Nancy Walton, was in Rochester for a statewide meeting and spent some time with Read-It's southern library cousin. |
 Nancy Walton, State Librarian, at SELCO April 10, 2012 |
| Read-It and Linus at the Ballpark Exercising your body is just as essential as exercising your mind. And with the weather being so nice, Read-It loves staying active – especially by playing his sport of choice: baseball. After fielding a few ground balls, he stopped by the Midway Stadium to read a good book about some baseball greats. Follow Read-It’s reading adventures on Twitter, hashtag #ReadItAcrossMN. |
 March 29, 2012 |
The Minnesota Department of Education, State Library Services Division, is pleased to announce the 2012 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Competitive Grant Opportunity. State Library Services is soliciting applications from academic, public and special libraries and public school media centers that meet the eligibility guideline requirements.
Due to time constraints the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Competitive Grant Program for 2012 will be a one-part application process. Interested eligible libraries must submit a complete and detailed competitive grant application. Application requirements for 2012 federal LSTA funds have been revised with a federally mandated emphasis on project evaluation and end user outcomes.
An estimated allocation of $450,000 is available to fund eligible library/school media center project(s) from funds made available through Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). The proposed award period is anticipated to be October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2013. Due to the tight grant award end date no extensions will be allowed. All projects must end on September 30, 2013
The Application forms will be available by Friday, April 20, 2012.
James V. (Jym) Wroblewski, LSTA Coordinator/Grant Administrator
The Pioneerland Library System (PLS) Board approved two restructured positions for administrative and executive management at the April Board meeting. The positions of System Director and Assistant Director were renamed Executive Director and Director of Library Operations. The Executive Director position continues to be the legally appointed regional library director in this structure.
Laurie Ortega, current Assistant Director, was named Director of Library Operations, a position which carries more authority and responsibility than the previous Assistant Director position, including overseeing all public service aspects of PLS operations and significant budget and policy responsibilities.
The PLS Board also approved the newly structured Executive Director position, which will be filled in the coming months through a open application search process. More information on that process will be forthcoming.
A new exhibit entitled Bookface, Portraits of People Reading Books will be on display at the Marshall-Lyon County Library from April 19 – May 10. Bookface is a series of 20 portraits painted by artist Lucy Tokheim capturing a glimpse of people from around the southwest region in quiet moments of repose --- reading, often times at libraries. The Library hosted a reception for the public on Thursday, April 19 which featured a number of the portrait subjects including Howard and Jody Mohr, Dr. C. Paul Martin, Jessica Pederson and others who read aloud from favorite books.
Bookface was made possible in part by a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts & Humanities Council (SMAHC) with funds appropriated by the State Legislature through Minnesota’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF).
| Kitchigami Regional Library (KRL) will host author Catherine Friend in May at the KRL branches. Friend, a former "city girl" from St. Paul lives on a small farm just outside of Zumbrota. As an author of children's books she draws on her farm life for her storybook characters. She also writes nonfiction and fiction for adults. The Compassionate Carnivore won the 2009 Minnesota Book Award in General Nonfiction. Her memoir, Hit by a Farm, was selected by the Minneapolis Star Tribune as one of the best books of 2006 and her second memoir, Sheepish, was nominated for a 2012 Minnesota Book Award. |
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The Perfect Nest, was chosen by the Wall Street Journal as one of five best "read-alouds." She was awarded a Loft/McKnight Artist Fellowship for Writers, and her adult adventure novels have won awards from the Golden Crown Literary Society and the Independent Book Publishers Association.
| Northwest Regional Library (NWRL) will offer children the chance to make music and record a song with their friends! Participants will write an original song with the guidance of Linda Short using their own words. Then, choose a melody, record a CD, and even participate in a public performance! Additional craft activities for children will be available, including face painting, creating noisemakers, designing Hawaiian Leis, and coloring and activity sheets! |
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Check the NWRL website for specific times for the upcoming events at:
- Saturday, April 21 at the Warren Community Center
- Saturday, April 28 at the Hallock City Hall
To celebrate April as National Poetry Month and the release of the its 2012 Poetic Strokes anthology, SELCO launched the Poets at the Library author tour on Monday, April 2, 2012 at the Owatonna Public Library. Poet Athena Kildegaard spoke to attendees about her Minnesota Book Award - Poetry finalist title, Bodies of Light, as well as her other works.
Four other locations will host four poets during the month of April. Please see the schedule of events below:
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| Owatonna Public Library | Athena Kildegaard | April 2, 2012 |
| Stewartville Schools as Artist-in-Residence |
Laura Purdie Salas | April 9, 2012 |
| Brick House Coffee Shop, Austin | Barton Sutter | April 13, 2012 |
| Rochester Community & Technical College | Todd Boss | April 19, 2012 |
| Wabasha Public Library | Su Smallen | April 23, 2012 |
| The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is pleased to announce the winners of the 23rd annual Minnesota Book Awards, presented by Marvin Windows and Doors. In addition to winners in eight categories, the Book Awards presented the Readers’ Choice Award, which was selected by more than 2,000 voters from across Minnesota. Congratulations to the finalists and all those nominated! Click here for the list of 2012 MNBA winners . |
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| Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) and area libraries encouraged residents, 16 years or older and living in the eleven-county SELCO region to submit original poetry for possible publication in the region’s 2012 Poetic Strokes anthology. Submissions were accepted from January 1 to February 15. After the deadline, a qualified panel reviewed all entries and made the final selections for the anthology During the contest, 202 poems were submitted by 202 unique poets from 34 communities, representing all 11 SELCO counties. The Poetic Strokes judging panel selected 30 poems by 30 poets from 13 communities in 9 of the 11 SELCO counties. |
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In recognition of the Military Child and National Poetry Month, Senator Al Franken is hosting a poetry contest for all children of military families across Minnesota. The theme of the contest will be, “My Experiences as a Military Child”. Senator Franken hopes to recognize the Minnesota men and women who serve and the extraordinary sacrifices of their families. The “My Experiences as a Military Child” poetry contest is open for all children of Minnesota military families from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
For a letter from Senator Al Franken, click here
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For more information about the “My Experiences as a Military Child” poetry contest, click here.
| The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is pleased to announce Mary Lethert Wingerd, author of North Country: The Making of Minnesota, as winner of the first-ever Hognander Minnesota History Award. This new honor, a biennial distinction of the Minnesota Book Awards supported by the Hognander Family Foundation, is bestowed in recognition of outstanding scholarly work exploring some facet of Minnesota’s rich history. North Country, published by the University of Minnesota Press , is a comprehensive and unflinching account of how the land the indigenous Dakota named Mini Sota Makoce ultimately became the State of Minnesota, as well as of the people who, at one time or another, have called this land home.Wingerd will be honored at the Minnesota Book Awards Gala. At last April's Gala Wingerd was presented with the 2011 Minnesota Award for North Country. |
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| The Hognander Minnesota History Award recognizes the author of the most outstanding scholarly work related to Minnesota history published during the preceding two years. To be presented every other year beginning in 2012, the award is funded by the Hognander Family Foundation. This award stems from the Hognander family’s belief in the importance of studying and preserving history. As Joe Hognander notes, “We established this award because of our relationship with the Minnesota Historical Society. Its commitment to excellence is noteworthy in promoting scholarly research and writing. We hope this award will inspire more such activity by recognizing and rewarding the finest work in this field.” |
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Plum Creek Library System's (PCLS) Koha installation went live in March and ByWater Solutions, an open source community supporter, will provide ongoing support and hosting services to the region. PCLS has 26 online libraries and a collection of over 730,000 items. To search the PCLS public catalog, click here.
Mark Ranum, PCLS Director, commented on their migration to Koha and future with ByWater:
ByWater Solutions has worked closely with Plum Creek Library System to ensure that we have as smooth of a transition to Koha as possible for our patrons. We are excited that we will benefit from both the cost savings of the Koha open source automation system and the strengths inherent in an electronic catalog built for library patrons by librarians. We appreciate the expertise ByWater brings to our project.
For the press release offering more details, click here
ALS
Arrowhead Library System's (ALS) planning consultant, Whitney Crettol, is wrapping up the planning process for the 27th, and final, ALS public library. A combined strategic planning process for the newly re-created ALS will commence in the next few months.
GRRL
GRRL has added the Picture Book Database as an online resource available to staff and patrons. It allows users to search for picture books with greater specificity.
MELSA
The MELSA Foundation will a receive a $30,000 Grant from Macy’s to support MELSA's 2012 summer reading program for children and teens, as well as expenses for the Read and Ride Day activities at the Minnesota State Fair.
Dr. Dave Walsh Presents at MELSA Workshop. Everyone is welcome to attend this free session.
- Monday, April 23, 2012: -- Lecture: 7:00-8:30 pm; followed by a book signing
- St Catherine University, St Paul Campus, Coeur de Catherine in Rauenhorst Hall
- Register online at MELSA website
In this workshop based on his newest book, Smart Parenting, Smarter Kids: the One Brain Book You Need to Help your Child Grow Brighter, Healthier and Happier, Dr. Walsh will translate the latest findings from brain science into practical strategies that librarians, teachers, parents and anyone concerned about kids can put to use immediately. What foods are brain foods? Why is sweating important for brain growth? How is technology re-wiring kids’ brains? Find the answers to these questions and how we can promote healthy brain development and improve academic success.
NWRL
For the first time since 1978, Northwest Regional Library (NWRL) will begin to provide its own delivery. NWRL purchased a van to put into use when the current contract for delivery services expires in June.
TdS
The Traverse des Sioux Library System (TdS) Fee Structure Committee made enormous progress the past few months and the board adopted their recommendation for implementation in 2013.
VLS
Viking Library System (VLS) is finalizing details for a hardware and software upgrade scheduled for May 2012. All servers will be upgraded, SirsiDynix Horizon will move to 7.5.1 and the HIP to 3.2.0.
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Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) and Northwest Regional Library (NWRL) are now sending a Welcome email to new customers a few minutes after staff create and save the new borrower’s information in Millennium, the shared regional integrated library system. LARL/NWRL Network Administrator ,Josh Stompro, developed the new service that went live on March 5. The goal is to test the email address provided by the customer is correct and also to inform the customer about other services the library offers.
| Read-It Going Viral? Wow, it seems like Read-It and stories of his March reading challenge are EVERYWHERE! On March 20th, he appeared with Commissioner Brenda Cassellius and Reading Specialist Kari Ross on the department's cable TV show, Education Conversations. |
 Read-It and MDE Commissioner Brenda Cassellius, March 20 |
| Adult Reading and Literacy Programs Read-It joins new friends -- and readers -- for a fun and enlightening reading session during a recent visit to Neighborhood House . This wonderful organization helps take struggling families from survive to thrive though four main programs: adult and family education, basic needs, youth leadership and community building. |
 Read-It at Neighborhood House, March 21 |
| Read-It Visits the Education Department Read-it was thrilled to see how many of his colleagues at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) brought books and froggie friends to show their support for his March reading challenge. Friends encouraging friends as they read and learn together -- how great is that? |
 Read-It with MDE staff on March 26 |
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Each region designates staff to coordinate Library Legacy projects. Depending upon the nature of the events, tasks may be handled within the workflow of current staff or delegated to special contract employees. The list of Legacy Coordinators that serve as the point of contact for all Library Legacy information within the region has just been updated. Click here! |
| On March 8, 2012, the North Country Library Cooperative (NCLC) board adopted a resolution to merge with the Arrowhead Library System (ALS). Subsequently, the ALS Board unanimously adopted a companion resolution. The decision to merge, as approved by the two separate governing boards comes after a year of study, facilitated by Whitney Crettol Consulting. The merger will be effective July 1, 2012 pending the official approval by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education to designate the Arrowhead Library System as the “multicounty,multi-type” library system for northeastern Minnesota. The NCLC news offers additional details . |
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St. Patrick's Day Parade |
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Mayor Chris Coleman and Read-It
Read-It riding Keith Hoviss
Read-It took his March reading challenge to the people on St. Patrick’s Day. Fellow Reader, Mayor Chris Coleman, set a great example by reading to Read-It along the parade route. Proving that reading is something you can do practically ANYWHERE! And, further along the parade route, Read-It found lots of folks supporting “the green.
Read It's Continued Minnesota Adventures |
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Read-It on a rainy March day
Read-It with Minneapolis Schools Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson
For more snaps of Read-It, check SELCO's Flickr collection and the LARL Leap Into Reading selection of Read-It photos.
The Minnesota Public Libraries’ Return on Investment report, a one-page brochure summarizing the findings, and a PDF of the PowerPoint presentation slides have been reviewed and accepted by the Minnesota Department of Education. Each of the aforementioned and previously posted items has been re-revised to incorporate the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS) logo and an the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) acknowledgement statement.
The ROI Study was made possible with funds from the Arrowhead Library System ROI grant from the IMLS, a federal agency that fosters innovation, leadership and a lifetime of learning, along with State Library Services, the Minnesota state library agency, under LSTA provisions..
The ROI Study was conducted by the University of Minnesota - Duluth, Labovitz School of Business and Economics Bureau of Business and Economic Research under the direction of Jim Skurla. The report was completed in December 2011. Public presentations were conducted in February 2102.
Minnesota Public Libraries’ Return on Investment report
Minnesota Public Libraries’ Return on Investment report two-age, tri-fold summary
Note: The PDF is a large file and may download slowly depending on your local Internet connection.
Minnesota Public Libraries’ Return on Investment report presentation slides
From Tom Gillaspy (recently retired Minnesota State Demographer)
Seems Minnesota is almost always near the top of the statistical charts. In Gallup-Healthways new release of the annual Well Being Index, Minnesota ranked 3rd in 2011 behind Hawaii and North Dakota as the happiest states in the nation. The Twin Cities metro area ranked fourth among large metro areas behind San Jose, Washington DC and San Francisco. These high rankings provide a solid basis for recruiting of talented workers and potential investors, both critical to continued strong economic growth.
Check his March 12, 2012 blog post:
Minnesota High Rankings for Happiness Index
See more details at Gillaspy Demographics.
| The Minnesota State Arts Board application deadlines for the Fiscal Year 2013 grant rounds are now available. Specific application information will be posted 6 – 8 weeks prior to each deadline. Note: the materials currently provided on individual program pages refer to Fiscal Year 2012 and are displayed strictly for your reference as an applicant. |
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| The Minnesota Library Association 2012 Annual Conference will be at the Saint Paul RiverCentre October 3-5. This year’s conference theme is Minnesota Libraries: A Capitol Idea. The official call for conference programs will be going out in a few weeks---so start pulling together your great program ideas now! Sessions will run 60 minutes (a length appropriate for 1-3 speakers) and will be in the following tracks:
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Here is MLA's timeline for 2012:
- March 23 – Call for proposals will go out
- April 20 – Proposal deadline
- May 4 – Program selection meeting
- May 11 – Program acceptance/rejection notices sent
- June 1 – Deadline for complete program information
Need ideas for programs? Check out our sample presentation ideas on the MLA website.
| Milken award winner and Wayzata Schools math teacher, Seth Brown, shares a favorite book with Read-It. Check out Read It “mentions” on Twitter at #ReadItAcrossMN |
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The recently released report on Minnesota Public Libraries Return on Investment study offers detailed statistical information. Arrowhead Library System, which designed and managed the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) project has created an abbreviated two-page, tri-fold brochure highlighting key findings.
Note:
- The PDF is a large file and may download slowly depending on your local Internet connection.
- The report is under review by State Library Services at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and therefore the report and this summary brochure does not yet include the official logos from MDE or the Federal LSTA funding source from the Institute of Museums and Libraries. Once accepted by MDE revisions to the report and the brochure will be posted.
Despite winter storm warnings, library advocates made it to St. Paul for Library Legislative Day on February 28 and an opportunity to chat with members of the Minnesota House and Senate. Key issues up for discussion were the need for public library construction and remodeling funds to be added to a bonding bill and the expansion of broadband access throughout Minnesota.
CRPLSA Members at the Capitol |
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Ann Hutton, SELCO Executive Director, and Senator Jeremy Miller
Amy Wilde, PLS Board President, Reagen Thalacker, SAMMIE Executive Director, and Mark Ranum, PCLS Director and Acting Director at PLS
Shari Fisher, ALS Assistant Director, Representative Mary Murphy, Miriam Kero, ALS Legacy Event Coordinator, and Jim Weikum, ALS Executive Director
| All Minnesotans are invited to take part in the Readers’ Choice Award, sponsored by Pioneer Press and TwinCities.com. Now that the finalists have been chosen for the 2012 Minnesota Book Awards, it’s your turn as a reader to have a say! Anytime during March, you can vote for your favorite title. And, as book lovers, you can vote once a day. The title with the most popular votes will be awarded the Readers’ Choice Award at the April 14, 2012 Gala. Look for the VOTE tab on the left-hand margin at facebook.com/mnbookawards. |
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For library staff and trustees looking to share information from the recently released report on Minnesota Public Libraries Return on Investment study, the Arrowhead Library System, which designed and managed the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) project offers available PDF and PowerPoint summaries. The information in these attachments was prepared and shared by Jim Skurla, Director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the Labovitz School of Business and Economics, University of Minnesota Duluth at recent public meetings.
Click here for a PDF of the presentation.
Click here for a read-only version of the PowerPoint presentation.
Note: The report is under review by State Library Services at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and therefore the report and this summary brochure do not yet include the official logos from MDE or the Federal funding source, Library Services and Technology Act funding from the Institute of Museums and Libraries. Once accepted by MDE revisions to the report and the brochure will be posted.
| With the flurry of snow blanketing Minnesota, it is a perfect time to read with a child. In fact, the Minnesota Department of Education’s own reading mascot, Read-It, has challenged himself to read a book every day in March! Follow his reading adventures on Facebook and Twitter, hashtag #ReadIt. The MDE website now hosts the Lifelong Literacy page a closer look at reading activities for all ages. SELCO's Flickr page has a small assortment of Read It pictures. Please share more as Read-It travels to Minnesota libraries and schools. |
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With the application of the Great Seal of Minnesota, Governor Mark Dayton has declared February 29, 2012 as Leap Into Reading Day. The proclamation stresses the importance of literacy and the role of libraries.
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will build upon the momentum created in this leap year to launch a statewide literacy campaign. Leap Into Reading Day is the first of a series of planned events. Other ideas being considered include:
- February 29 --- Leap Into Reading Day
- April – May 2012 --- Hop Into Active Reading which will focus on family reading. Parents reading to kids, kids reading to parents, kids reading to sisters and brothers, grandparents and family members. MDE Commissioner Brenda Cassellius is interested in a theme of family reading as the impact of adult literacy has a direct correlation with a child’s readiness for school and school success.
- May – August --- Dreaming of Reading with a tie-in to this summer’s reading programs at libraries across the state with the summer themes of Dream Big: Read for younger children and Bookawocky for tween and teen readers.
MDE is constructing a literacy page on the Department website that will include literacy tools, links to library websites with calendars for storytimes, and an interactive map tracking the journeys of Read It the Frog and Commissioner Cassellius as this reading duo travels throughout Minnesota.
Check the SELCO and CRPLSA websites for more information as it develops.
At Carver Elementary School during a visit to the North St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale ISD 622 on February 1
Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius
Read It the Frog
Governor Mark Dayton
| Read It has a Logo! Thanks to the artistic talents at Great River Regional Library (GRRL) Read It now has a personalized graphic design element, more commonly called a logo, to aid in the publicize Read It's adventures in libraries and schools around Minnesota. |
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| The East Central Regional Library (ECRL) branches will celebrate Leap Into Reading Day with ECRL’s own Read It the Frog. Featuring special displays and programs, the ECRL libraries will host the perfect culmination (especially in this leap year) to I Love to Read Month. Check out the ECRL Flickr pictures from around the region . |
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| The 2012 MLA/MEMO Library Legislative Day is an opportunity for library advocates to gather at the Minnesota State Capitol to show support and raise awareness of issues for libraries. Attendees should make appointments to meet as many of their Representatives and Senators as possible to remind them of the importance of libraries to the success of the communities in their district. |  |
The MLA/MEMO Platform and accompanying Talking Points can be downloaded and will be available at the briefing sessions to help guide attendees in their advocacy efforts.
Monday, February 27, 2012
5:00--5:30PM Registration at the Best Western Kelly Inn St. Paul Hotel (161 Saint Anthony Ave, St. Paul, MN 55103)
5:30--6:30PM Legislative Briefing (hors d’oeuvres will be served)
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
8:00AM--1:00PM Registration at the Best Western Kelly Inn St. Paul Hotel (161 Saint Anthony Ave, St. Paul, MN 55103)
9:00--10:00AM Legislative Briefing (repeat of Monday)
10:00AM--4:00PM 2012 MLA/MEMO Library Legislative Day
The results of an important study reported in Minnesota Public Libraries Return on Investment are now available. Copies of the report are available from your regional library system or may be downloaded.
The study was completed over a two-year period by the University of Minnesota Duluth through the Labovitz School's Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER).
One of the findings reports that 68.9% of respondents to a statewide survey feel that libraries are important to have in every community. The study also estimates the total financial impact of public library services at more than $366 million.
Other questions the study sought to answer include:
- Do respondents feel that if libraries need additional resources to continue, those should come from user fees and/or reduced services or taxes?
- How much would the average household be willing and able to donate to libraries?
- What is the dollar return on investment in public libraries, as funded by Minnesota taxpayers?
Jim Skurla, BBER Director, will present the ROI study results at two public session on:
- Thursday, February 23, 2012 at the St. Cloud Public Library from 10 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
- Friday, February 24, 2012 at the Ramsey County Library, Roseville, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon.
The Minnesota Library Return on Investment report was made possible with funds from the Arrowhead Library System ROI grant from the IMLS, a federal agency that fosters innovation, leadership and a lifetime of learning, along with State Library Services, the Minnesota state library agency, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.
| The Minnesota Children’s Museum has a history of creating exciting learning opportunities for young children, their parents and other significant adults in their lives through fun, educational exhibits and programs that promote and enrich early childhood development. They are happy to announce that with funding from the Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and through community matching funds, they now have the opportunity to build on this work by installing a permanent Smart Play Spot early literacy environment in up to 12 libraries and community sites throughout the State over the next two years. Sites will be selected through an application process. Click here to see the Request for Proposal for the project description, history, and application. Applications are due March 16, 2012. This project was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. |
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| Throughout the (often gray) winter months, libraries provide a welcoming environment especially when there are Hot Reads for Cold Nights. SELCO and libraries in the southeast region, as well as locations around Minnesota provide a seasonal break and fun activities for adult readers. The Hot Reads libraries offer activities of all kinds ranging from programs with visiting authors, trivia games, and even prizes and, of course, books. Check with your local library staff to find out if your library offers Hot Reads for Cold Nights. |
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| Read It's adventures around Minnesota are underway with a visit to Carver Elementary School! On February 1, Governor Mark Dayton and Department of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius, visited the North St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale ISD 622, to celebrate February as “I Love to Read” Month. The Governor and Commissioner, along with Read It, enjoyed story time with the Kindergartners and third graders. The District shares a short video of the visit . Look for Read It! |
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| Act now! Volunteer to be a History Day judge – and ask a friend to join you. Judges don’t have to be historians. Let students teach you and use your skills to evaluate their research and presentation. As a judge, you will help students build real-world skills and learn about many historical topics at the same time. And, you will receive a History Day T-shirt or mug for your services. For the History Day invitational letter from the Minnesota Historical Society Program Coordinator, click here To apply to be a History Day Website Judge, click here or to be a History Day Research Paper Judge,click hereYou can also sign up online and specify your interest in judging in the area of exhibit, documentary, performance and even specify the day and location that works best for you. |
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CRPLSA invites public library staff and trustees to hear Jim Skurla, Director of the University of Minnesota-Duluth Labovitz School of Business and Economics Bureau of Business and Economic Research, present the findings of the Minnesota Public Libraries Return on Investment (ROI) report. The RIO report sessions will be:
- Thursday, February 23, 2012 at the St. Cloud Public Library from 10 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
- Friday, February 24, 2012 at the Ramsey County Library, Roseville, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon.
For more information and a copy of the workshop publicity flyer, click here
To register, click here
| The Great River Regional Library (GRRL) is now using an automated phone messaging system to notify patrons when their hold items are available. Previously, those calls were made by staff and volunteers. The automated calling system is routed through a remote phone line. This provides privacy regarding reading selections and frees up the library’s phone line for incoming calls. The time-consuming task of compiling the phone lists and making the calls has disappeared as the library’s computers take over that work. The automated service is an improvement, but the best way to receive holds notices remains via email. For more details,click here . |
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| Northwest Regional Library (NWRL) invites library patrons to join Author Chad Lewis as he presents Minnesota’s Most Haunted Locations. This presentation will take the audience on a ghostly journey to some of the most haunted places in Minnesota. It covers the entire state, from Wandering Ghosts in the North Woods to the Haunted B&B in Wabasha. From Phantom creatures prowling the woods to backyard graveyard apparitions, no place in MN is without its own haunting. Complete with photos, case history, eyewitness accounts, ghost lore, and directions. |
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Sponsored by NWRL as part of regional Library Legacy activities with programs in Roseau on Wednesday, February 8 at 5:00 pm and Greenbush on Thursday, February 9 at 6:00 pm.