ECRL – CRPLSA

ECRL photo makes MN Reflections calendar

This photo of the old bookmobile in Stanchfield was selected as a cover shot for the MN Reflections 2017 calendar.

In May 1960, a photograph was taken of people standing in line for the East Central Regional Library bookmobile in Stanchfield. More than 50 years later, that image and many more like it live on thanks to a unique project in Minnesota.

East Central Regional Library (ECRL) last year announced its first digital collection of historical images in Minnesota Digital Library’s Minnesota Reflections, courtesy of the Digital Public Library of America’s Public Library Partnerships Project. ECRL’s contribution to the Reflections project provides insight into the oldest existing multi-county regional public library system in Minnesota.

The ECRL collection includes images used in ECRL’s history book, East Central Regional Library: Fifty Years of Connections, 1959-2009, by Marilyn McGriff. One photograph, the one showing the ECRL bookmobile line at Stanchfield, was even selected as a cover shot for the Minnesota Digital Library’s Minnesota Reflections 2017 calendar. Download your copy here.

ECRL Executive Director Search

The East Central Regional Library (ECRL) announces the upcoming vacancy and search for a new Executive Director.

The successful candidate will be the Executive Director of a 6-county consolidated public library system in east central Minnesota which operates 14 branches and outreach services. The Executive Director reports to an 18 member Board of elected officials and appointed citizens representing the six counties which are Signatories to the East Central Regional
Library Agreement.

ECRL Vacancy Announcement with information regarding minimum qualifications, key areas of focus and a description of the position.

Application form and job description available at on the ECRL website.

The candidate application and supporting materials are due by Wednesday, January 18, 2017 and should be addressed to:

East Central Regional Library
Attn: Search Committee
244 So. Birch St.
Cambridge, MN 55008

Questions? Contact Mike Warring, Board President, at 763-350-4586

Minnesota Loves Libraries close to launch

It’s almost here — Libraries throughout the state are nearly ready to launch the first-ever, statewide Minnesota Loves Libraries campaign! The time has come to begin gathering stories of how libraries make a difference in people’s lives so we can share those stories with our legislators during the 2017 session.

There will be two ways of collecting stories from library users — 2-sided postcards that libraries may print and cut for patrons to write on and leave at the library and an online form that can be filled out anywhere. Libraries may promote either or both methods, whatever works for a particular location.

A special Minnesota Loves Libraries website has been created for collecting comments. There is a tab on the site with resources for library staff — posters, postcards, and images for use in social media. Some of the posters contain a QR code that will enable patrons to immediately access the website on their mobile devices. Check out the website for FAQs.

A statewide press release will be issued early next week and more details will be shared then, so stay tuned.

CRPLSA thanks the hard working statewide team (Jon Tatting – ECRL, Bernadette Stevens – GRRL, Hillary Stevens – LARL, and Jennifer Harveland – SELCO) that developed the campaign. We hope it will be fun and rewarding for all who participate!

Children Play & Learn in ECRL

Children hardly needed a tutorial in how to interact with the new Play and Learn space during an open house November 2, 2016, at North Branch Area Library of East Central Regional Library (ECRL). Parents and their little ones learned as they played with the Duplo table and sets, a wall mounted submarine, a sky pilot and safety road activity and more. Funds for the space were made possible by an anonymous donor. Refreshments during the open house were served by the Friends of the North Branch Area Library.

Misselt to Retire

After nine years at the helm of East Central Regional Library (ECRL), Barbara Misselt will retire April 1, 2017. In a letter accepted by the ECRL Board, she wrote:

Thank you for the opportunity to lead this organization in providing library service to the region for the past 9 years. I appreciate the support and positive commitment of the Board as well as our partner counties.

I believe that ECRL is in a good position to continue positive growth with a competent leadership team and staff. I have enjoyed the relationship with staff and board team and found this a fulfilling career.

ECRL Endorses RLBSS Change

The East Central Regional Library (ECRL) unanimously endorsed a legislative initiative that will seek a formula change and a funding increase in Regional Library Basic System Support (RLBSS).

The proposal requests a $3 million per year increase in the annual RLBSS appropriation, well as a change to the current formula. The formula change will reduce the Equalization factor from 25% to 15% and increase the Basic System Services factor from 5% to 15%. The formula changes reflect increased costs of basic operation and use of public library service and lessens the volatility of the formula associated with Adjust Net Tax Capacity (ANTC). In addition, the proposal requests that the formula be based on the population and tax capacity figures as reported by the Minnesota State Departments of Demography and Revenue respectively by January 1 of the year in which the grants are awarded. This will enable regional libraries to prepare budgets based on accurate calculations rather than estimates.

CRPLSA members present at an October 4, 2016 meeting voted unanimously in favor of the recommendation.

Proposal to amend current statutory language tied to a funding increase

ECRL is the first regional library governing board to authorize this 2017 legislative initiative. In addition, the ECRL Board will seek advocacy support from the Association of Minnesota Counties.

ECRL Starwatch Party

Get to know the constellations like The Big Bear, Cygnus the Swan, Pegasus the Winged Horse, Aquila the Eagle and many more at a Minnesota Starwatch Party with meteorologist Mike Lynch sponsored by East Central Regional Library (ECRL). The program will start with an indoor orientation followed by quality time outside under the heavens. Mike will bring a fleet of telescopes, including two of the biggest mobile telescopes in Minnesota for close up views of planets, star clusters, nebulae, and other wonders in late summer and early autumn skies. He’ll also bring a video-telescope system for ultra-deep view of galaxies and more! This program lasts about two hours and is recommended for ages 6 and up.

The ECRL Starwatch schedule includes:

North Branch Area Library – Tuesday, September 20, 7:30 pm

Rush City Public Library – Wednesday, October 5, 7:00 pm

Mora Public Library – Tuesday, October 18, 6:30 pm

Milaca Community Library – Thursday, October 20, 6:30 pm

Aitkin Public Library – Monday, October 24, 6:30 pm

Library advocacy theme unveiled!

Library advocates from across Minnesota began planning for the 2017 Minnesota Legislative session during the annual Library Legislative Forum on July 12, held at the St. Cloud Public Library (GRRL).

Minnesota Loves Libraries will be unifying theme for 2017 library advocacy efforts. A smart-looking new logo was unveiled. The original art for the logo is the work of Bernadette Stephenson, GRRL.

Details about the new campaign are still in development by a CRPLSA Advocacy sub-committee. Regional staff include:

Jon Tatting – ECRL
Bernadette Stephenson – GRRL
Hillary Stevens – LARL
Ken Behringer – MELSA
Jennifer Harveland – SELCO

ECRL Director Barbara Misselt is the 2016 Legislative Chair of the Minnesota Library Association. She is working closely with the sub-committee.

As proof that Minnesotans do indeed love libraries. State Librarian Jen Nelson reported to the Forum that there were 24,340,258 visits to Minnesota’s 355 public libraries in 2015. She also said that 3,860,346 library card holders checked out 52,512,434 physical and electronic library items.

Behind the Scenes at the Library…

Floating Collection

East Central Regional Library (ECRL) is moving towards a floating collection throughout its 14 branch consolidated region. During the pilot period, floating non-print (CDs, DVDs, and books on CD) has demonstrated increased circulation in those areas. Regional staff are considering what format to add next.

Proctoring Policy Change

Based on recommendations from the Great River Regional Library (GRRL) Public Services Team, the resident eligibility requirement was removed from the regional proctoring policy in March 2016. Requests for proctoring have increased at GRRL – up 3 percent from 2015. GRRL charges $10 per session for proctoring.

ECRL Personal Broadband Story

Only in its third day, the East Central Regional Library (ECRL) broadband support campaign has solicited some persuasive stories. Consider this comment from a Princeton resident:

I moved from one residence within ECRL region to another in the region within the last 3 years. I was able to get DSL at the former residence. I now live even closer to a major highway but internet service is not available at my “new” location except by paying for a hotspot through Verizon that is VERY expensive and the cost is based on usage so I have to very carefully choose what I can do online, limit my downloads, etc., so as not to go over my usage limit. When I moved, I was told Centurylink/Qwest has the “rights” to where I now live so I checked first with them about getting internet service since they are my landline telephone provider. I was told that, yes, they “own the rights” to my address but have no idea when or if they will provide internet service there. I am in a residential area, 3 miles from town and next to a major state road so I most certainly ought to be able to have inexpensive and unlimited internet access.

For more information on the ECRL broadband support efforts

ECRL Push for Broadband Support

MN Broadband Vision 2016 East Central Regional Library (ECRL) is in the midst of a marketing campaign to generate support for the Minnesota Broadband Vision and solicit personal stories. This follows the February 2016 ECRL board meeting, when the board endorsed a resolution supporting the Minnesota Broadband Vision stating that “everyone in Minnesota will be able to use convenient, affordable, world-class broadband networks that enable us to survive and thrive in our communities and across the globe.”

Components shared with each of the 14 ECRL locations include:

Press release announcing the efforts
Poster (11 x 17) of the broadband resolution signed by ECRL board president, Mike Warring
A broadband table tent
An online survey, as well as on location half-sheets to collect personal broadband or Internet stories
Broadband petition to be shared with with area legislators

The ECRL broadband publicity efforts will continue through March 26.

10 Pigs Excitement in ECRL

ECRL 10 Pigs 2016-03 — Bath time and bubbles were never so much fun!

Ten Pigs In Wyoming!

East Central Regional Library staff declare, “It was one epic, amazing, and fun event for everyone!” as Derek Anderson, author and illustrator, presented the very first, statewide Once Upon a Reader Trunk Show based on his book, Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath Adventure!

The premier event held at the ECRL Branch Library in Wyoming captivated 62 kids this morning. The trunk show rolls on to Pine City this afternoon.

Check out more ECRL & Ten Pigs pix

SELCO Supports Broadband Vision

The Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) Board of Directors joins the ALS, ECRL, NWRL, and PLS regional library boards in support of the Minnesota Broadband Vision. The SELCO resolution stresses the broad array of vital library services which depend on broadband or high speed Internet. The resolution urges Governor Dayton and the members of the Minnesota Legislature to provide leadership, resources and the necessary legal framework to make this vision a reality.

Libraries around the state are encouraged to seek support from local governing authorities, community groups, and individuals who believe that Internet access is an equity issue for all Minnesotans.

ECRL Fundraising RFP

FUNDRAISING SERVICES

The Friends of the Cambridge Public Library is seeking a fundraising consultant to plan and manage a campaign to raise a minimum of $1 million to help fund the cost of building a new public library in Cambridge MN. Responses to the RFP must be received by noon on February 19, 2016 and should be directed to Friends of the Cambridge Public Library. A full copy of the RFP is available on the library website. Questions can be addressed to Karen S. Lee, 763-552-9605, kslee@windstream.net.

ECRL First Region to Endorse Broadband Vision

High speed internet service is essential to individuals, communities and the libraries that serve local residents. The regional library systems are seeking library board support for the Minnesota Broadband Vision and the East Central Regional Library (ECRL) is leading library efforts. ECRL is the first regional board to pass a supporting resolution. In her role as the 2016 Legislative Chair, ECRL Director, Barbara Misselt, sought endorsement from both the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) Legislative Committee and the MLA Board.

New ECRL Website

East Central Regional Library (ECRL) proudly announces a redesigned website.

Collaborating with a web designer but with close attention to expense, much of the work was performed in-house. This built on-going staff skills that will enable future management of the site.

Consolidated in one location are all of the ECRL communications – the blog, Facebook, and Twitter. Even more impressive has been the positive public response.

Check it out!

ECRL Art in Digital Library

The Minnesota Digital Library is thrilled to announce East Central Regional Library’s (ECRL) Kids Design Glass is a recent addition to Minnesota Reflections. This Library Legacy project is now fully documented in Minnesota Reflections with scans of the original 14 drawings, the artist statements, photographs of the sculpture, and a short video of each sculpture rotating on a turntable.

Kids Design Glass was funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Fund and began with a summer reading program art contest. The contest was open to kids ages 5 to 10. One drawing was chosen from each of ECRL’s 14 branches. The winning drawings were transformed into three-dimensional blown-glass sculptures by Anthony Michaud-Scorza of Cambridge, Minnesota.

View the digital ECRL collection

Planning for 2016 Legislative Session

Preparations for the 2016 Legislative Session is a work in progress for the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) and CRPLSA . The 2016 MLA Legislative Chair will be Barb Misselt, East Central Regional Library (ECRL) director. And, an action item on the agenda at the most recent MLA conference was the approval of the 2016 platform – in concept. This approval is always given with an eye toward flexibility knowing that issues may change dramatically once the session gets underway.

The start of the regular session will be Tuesday, March 8, 2016.

Most current iteration of the 2016 Library Legislative platform. Once finalized in early January, Arrowhead Library System (ALS) staff will re-format.

ECRL images in MDL Minnesota Reflections

East Central Regional Library (ECRL) is excited to announce that its first digital collection is live in Minnesota Digital Library’s Minnesota Reflections, courtesy of the Digital Public Library of America’s Public Library Partnerships Project. DPLA has collaborated with MDL in the Public Library Partnerships Project (PLPP), funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

About Minnesota Digital Library…

Minnesota Digital Library (MDL) provides access to unique digital collections shared by cultural heritage organizations from across the state of Minnesota.

Minnesota Reflections is the first online project of MDL. It is a collection of more than 215,000 photographs, postcards, maps, documents, letters, and oral histories depicting the history of Minnesota and includes digital content from more than 157 participating organizations including historical societies, special archives, universities and colleges, and public libraries from across the state who have shared their original materials with the MDL.

ECRL’s contribution to Minnesota Reflections provides insight into the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. The collection includes images used in ECRL’s history book, East Central Regional Library: Fifty Years of Connections, 1959-2009 by Marilyn McGriff, of ECRL. These photographs include library buildings (past and present), retired library services such as the bookmobile, and ECRL staff members over the years.

Migrations abound

East Central Regional Library (ECRL) completed the migration of their Evergreen open source library automation system from PALS hosting to Equinox. With the benefit a multiple migrations, Director Barb Misselt reported that “nothing went awry. In fact, we weren’t even sure that the switch-over was complete.” The only item of consquence concerned the NCIP communication necessary for MnLINK – the referring URL (name vs IP address). Resolution took about 2 weeks, not because of complexity but because it had to get on OCLC’s schedule to upload a file. During that time, ECRL interlibrary loan staff reverted to manual processes which kept materials moving into the hands of patrons. A good reminder of how much labor NCIP saves library staff each day when processing ILLs.

The migration went well and LARL technology staff are thrilled with the progress thus far, excited about future flexibility and the user-friendly interface. The public catalog is live and functioning, always a major public service factor. LARL and NWRL staff report the usual small glitches that occur with any migration one of which have resulted in a slowdown of collection development due to acquisition issues which will be remedied shortly.

Discover Five Practices Essential for Pre-Readers

The Minnesota Department of Education, State Library Services, with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is excited to bring renowned early literacy educator Saroj Ghoting back to Minnesota for a series of workshops that will give librarians and early childhood educators tools to provide high-quality storytimes and early literacy interactions with pre-readers. The workshops are rooted in the Every Child Ready to Read 2nd Edition (ECRR2) research-based curriculum released by the Public Library Association.

Please visit the Supporting Libraries Serving Youth webpage to learn more about the training options and register for a workshop near you.

Storytimes for Everyone

Great River Regional Library – St. Cloud, Monday, August. 24, 2015, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Headwaters School of Music and the Arts – Bemidji, Thursday, August 27, 2015, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Blue Earth County Library – Mankato, Tuesday, September 22, 2015, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
East Central Regional Library – North Branch Area Library, Friday, September 25, 2015, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Training the Trainers

Great River Regional Library – St. Cloud, Tuesday, August 25, 2015, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Ramsey County Library – White Bear Lake Library, Thursday, September 24, 2015, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

There is no fee to attend – lunch arrangements vary by location. Please email Jackie Blagsvedt or call 651-582-8805 or for more information.

Wyoming Moo-ooo Walk

Special events abound for Once Upon a Reader –
a statewide one-book program designed for Pre-K children to promote early literacy skills. Even walking and reading at the same time in the East Central Regional Library (ECRL) !

Once Upon a Reader encourages young children and their parents or caregivers to read together. The featured title for the inaugural two year event is MOO! by Minnesota author David LaRochelle and Minnesota illustrator, Mike Wohnoutka. The program is being promoted in public libraries throughout the state.

A CRPLSA sponsored Library Legacy activity with funds from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Regional library heritage

CRPLSA Boese Houlihan and Scott 2015-06 — Bob Boese, John Houlihan, and Tom Scott

An amazing number of years of Minnesota library experience recently gathered for lunch and shared a selfie.

If there were prizes for having worked in the most Minnesota regions, Bob Boese, currently Interim Director at Plum Creek Library System, would win hands down with this diverse employment history:

Western Plains Library System 1977-1983
Pioneerland Library System 1983-1986
East Central Regional Library 1986-2007
Northwest Regional Library 2012-2013
Plum Creek Library System 2014-2015

John Houlihan – Pioneerland Library System 1992 – 2011

Tom Scott – Plum Creek Library System 1983 – 1995

Old MacDonald Had a Banjo to show in ECRL

The children’s show, Old MacDonald Had a Banjo, imagines a farm full of songs bursting out entertaining, educating, and involving the audience in singing, movement, and silliness. Folk musician Paul Imholte plays the part of Old MacDonald as he sings original and classic children’s songs.

Old McDonald Had a Banjo is part of East Central Regional Library’s (ECRL) celebration of Once Upon a Reader, a statewide literacy initiative program that celebrates Minnesota’s rich cultural heritage by bringing the joy of stories, art, and literacy to our state’s youngest members through libraries.

The Old McDonald Had a Banjo tour will be available at ten ECRL libraries from April 1-29, 2015. Check the ECRL calendar for details.

ECRL Voyageur Program

Experience The French Voyageur and Minnesota’s Fur Trade as historical presenter, Arn Kind teaches East Central Regional Library (ECRL) patrons about how the fur trade began, the cultures and the people, the transportation of goods and furs plus lots more. Arn brings artifacts, clothing and equipment so participants can observe, handle and interact with this living history program.

The fur trade tour will be available at six locations from March 16-31, 2015. Check the ECRL calendar for details.

Cow’s continuing adventures in ECRL & MELSA

From David, Mike, and of course, Cow

Cow notices that an “o” was left off of the Moo-ra Public Library sign

MOO! Madness in Washington County Library with March being the month of Moo!

After successful performances, Cow is ready for her favorite treat

Cow is back from another whirlwind tour of libraries. Friday morning, March 13, she was at the Moo-ra Public library (ECRL) with 56 attendees and that afternoon she was at the Aitkin branch of ECRL performing for 83 folks. Saturday morning 54 kids and adults showed up to see her in North Branch and 109 people crowded into the basement of the Cambridge Public Library in the afternoon to meet this famous bovine (both Saturday locations were in ECRL). Finally on Sunday she entertained an audience of 47, including Once Upon a Reader’s very own Melissa Brechon, in the MELSA region at Forest Lake where all of the kids received their own autographed copy of MOO!

Mike Wohnoutka and David LaRochelle were especially impressed with how on the ball the librarians have been, with amazing publicity in ECRL plus Vicki Sorn, Cortney Wyant, and Patty Thompson showed up at each of these four shows to make sure everything was ready for the Once Upon a Reader – Moo trunk show. There was an amazing display of activities with Suzanne at the Forest Lake Library as Washington County Library celebrates the Month of Moo!

David shared photos of their adventures, mostly of Cow. She wanted to send more, but he had to put a limit. Cow was very well received at all five shows. Check out her Flickr pix. Cow is napping, getting her beauty sleep for her star performances in Woodbury next Saturday.

Once Upon a Reader – Moo! calendar Find out when and where Cow will be visiting next

Once Upon a Reader information

“Once Upon a Reader – Moo Trunk Shows” were made possible with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.

MILE Class of 2015 Announced

MLA recently announced the 2015 class for the Minnesota Library Association Institute for Leadership Excellence (MILE)! The 25 selectees for this year’s class will meet their peers in a dynamic four-day retreat at beautiful Sugar Lake Lodge near Grand Rapids, MN from May 12-15, 2015. There they will learn about using improvisational humor and creative idea generation to foster approaches to problem solving and strategic planning, explore their personal strengths, and discover how they can be leaders no matter what their position in the library. Following the retreat, they will also benefit from having an 18-month mentorship with a current Minnesota library leader.

Congrats to the MILE 2015 class!

Carolyn Avair, East Central Regional Library System
Roxanne Backowski, St. Cloud State University
Trent Brager, Minnesota School of Business-Rochester
Adam Brisk, University of Minnesota-Duluth
Julia Carlis, Dakota County Library
Amelia Cohoes, Globe University
Allison Girres, Pioneerland Library System
Shelly Grace, SAMMIE
Sarah Hawkins, East Central Regional Library System
Stacey Hendren, Anoka County Library
Kristin Jones, Carver County Library/Pioneerland Library System
Richmond Kinney, Duluth Public Library
Kelly Kraemer, College of St. Benedict | St. John’s University
Stephanie Langer, Kitchigami Regional Library
Rachel Lockman, Minneapolis Community & Technical College
Sarah Lo Pinto, Washington County Library
Anne Lundquist, Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative
Chris Magnusson. Arrowhead Library System
Amy Mars, St. Catherine University
Lisa Motschke, Scott County Library
Jake Odland, Douglas County Library
Michael Schnieder, Minnesota School of Business-Elk River
Christie Schultz, Dakota County Library
Jill Wujcik, Sanford-Brown College
Jessica Zillhart, Anoka County Library

ECRC receives mini grant

East Central Regional Library (ECRL) received a $7,430 Federal Library Services and Technology Act mini grant for a Playful Learning Space in the Wyoming Area Library. The grant will be administered by State Library Services within the Minnesota Department of Education.

The new Playful Learning Space, complete with a wide assortment of manipulative items, puzzles, puppets, a puppet theater and kid friendly furniture, will:

Create a welcoming child-friendly area for children, families and caregivers with a visual impact that promotes play and learning
Encourage more children, families and caregivers to visit the library
Offer a safe and accessible place to fulfill a child’s basic need to move, play and learn, thus supporting their growth and development
Increase parents and caregivers awareness of activities that promote early literacy through play
Encourage children to engage in many of the early literacy skills (including talking, singing, reading, writing and playing).

CRPLSA at AMC

Each December for over 100 years, the Association of Minnesota Counties’ (AMC) Annual Conference gathers more than 600 county elected officials, department heads, and staff, come together to learn and discuss the important topics and trends affecting county government. CRPLSA has joined the group for over a decade using this time to keep libraries in the minds of county officials and to offer appreciation for previous support.

With a 2014 conference theme – commit. communicate. collaborate. connect. – CRPLSA is a successful contributor. For additional photos from the two-day conference, check CRPLSA’s Flickr album.

Commissioners Ben Grimsley (l) and Larry Knutson (r) with Liz Lynch, LARL Director

ECRL Assistant Director Carla Lydon with Pine County Commissioner Stephen Hallan

Dick Water with Houston County Commissioner Teresa Walter and SELCO Executive Director Ann Hutton

ECRL New Strategic Plan Approved

The mission of East Central Regional Library is to strengthen communities by connecting people with resources, spaces, and educational experiences that enrich and empower their lives.

This mission statement begins East Central Regional Library’s (ECRL) 2015-2017 Strategic Plan, which was approved by the Board of Directors at its October 2014 meeting. In setting goals for the next three years, the planning committee collected information from ECRL residents through listening at focus groups held in all 14 branches and the 7 communities in which ECRL provides library service through the outreach van. 135 people attended the focus group sessions. Additionally, 958 people completed surveys that were made available both in print and online.

ECRL set six goals:

Goal 1: Collections – Provide, support, and maintain collections of variously formatted information sources to satisfy the needs of information seekers.
Goal 2: Place – Collaborate with cities and counties to provide welcoming, safe places to enhance community life and for community members to come, gather, and be.
Goal 3: Customer Service – Provide excellent customer service to community members through building, supporting, and equipping qualified staff teams.
Goal 4: Programs – Provide programs that educate, entertain, and lift up the quality of life in communities.
Goal 5: Technology – Provide up-to-date technology for use by community members in support of their information seeking and for use by staff in efficient organizational management.
Goal 6: Outreach – Deliver library services and information about library service and happenings beyond library walls.

CRPLSA Members to Join MLA Board

Among the new board members recently elected by the membership of the Minnesota Library Association to serve in leadership positions are two CRPLSA directors — Barbara Misselt, East Central Regional Library (ECRL), and Dayle Zelenka, Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative (TdSLC).

Misselt will assume responsibilities for future advocacy efforts as Legislative Chair-Elect and will serve a three-year term in this key advocacy role.

MLA serves as the primary voice and advocate for libraries, librarians, library support staff, and the publics they serve in Minnesota. Advocacy and government relations are among the association’s highest priorities.

Zelenka will chair the MLA Intellectual Freedom Committee. This committee helps educate library workers, trustees and the general public about the nature and importance of intellectual freedom. This is a two-year assignment. Zelenka will also serve as a primary point of contact should a library encounter censorship challenges or difficulties.

Other 2014 MLA election results include Margaret Stone, Anoka County Assistant Director to be the President-Elect and Laura Morlock, IM/MLIS Office Manager at St. Catherine University, who will serve as Secretary.

Elected in 2013 for a two-year position and continuing on the MLA Board of Directors will be Carla Lydon, ECRL Assistant Director.

Congratulations to all and CRPLSA’s appreciation for your willingness to serve.

ECRL Kids Design Glass at MLA

The East Central Regional Library (ECRL) conference session entitled “Creating a Wow! Legacy Project” perfectly met the MLA “Better Together” conference theme. ECRL staff and Library Legacy project sculptor, transported and installed the glass sculptures created through the “Kids Design Glass” project. Barbara Misselt and Vickie Sorn described the project process. Sculptor Anthony Michaud-Scorza talked about the creation of the art pieces – from children’s artwork to blown glass, assisted by Legacy staff Cortney Walbridge and Patty Thompson.

Note the glass sculptures on the display table in the background.

“Kids Design Glass” was made possible with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.

ECRL Board Member Particiaptes in State Library Consulting Group

Chisago County Commissioner George McMahon has been appointed to the Libraries and Service Delivery Consultant Group of the Minnesota Department of Education. Commissioner McMahon represents the Association of Minnesota Counties on the Consultant Group. Commissioner McMahon also brings operational experience as one of three Chisago County appointed trustees on the ECRL Board of Directors.

The 2014 Minnesota Legislature directed the Commissioner of the Department of Education to consult with people knowledgeable about state libraries and service delivery about ways to increase service delivery and collaboration between library governance systems.

The appointed group includes representatives from the Department of Education, regional public library systems, multicounty multitype library systems, metro and greater Minnesota public libraries, Minitex, public school library media specialists, Office of Higher Education, Association of Minnesota Counties, and League of Minnesota Cities.

The Libraries and Service Delivery Consultant Group will review options for changing library procedures and governance systems to ensure equitable and cost-effective access to library services statewide. The legislative charge also asks the group to consider ways to increase access to emerging electronic services.

A final report with recommendations is due by February 1, 2015. The Commissioner of Education must report to the Education Policy and Finance Committees of the Minnesota State Legislature on how to structure library systems to ensure that all Minnesota residents have equitable and cost-effective access to state-supported library services.

LSTA Activities in MN

State Librarian Jennifer Nelson provided the Minnesota advocates participating in National Library Legislative Day 2014 with a succinct summary of recent Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) activities. The handout offered an overall statement of purpose, samples of statewide projects, as well as activities with regional or local impact.

Regional grant highlights included:

ECRL – Bolstering tech skills
MELSA – Reducing barriers to summer reading program participation
VLS – Providing a mobile laptop lab to offer tech classes in remote locations

LSTA Mini-Grants Announced

State Library Services is pleased to announce the recipients of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Mini-Grants for Expanded Learning through Libraries and Play and Learn Space.

The Hoyt Lakes Public Library (ALS), Ogilvie Independent School District (ECRL), and St. Paul Public Library (MELSA) are eligible for a maximum award of $5,000 in the Expanded Learning through Libraries category. These mini grant projects will support activity-based partnerships between schools and libraries to help connect students with meaningful out of school time opportunities that improve literacy and academic achievement.

The Play and Learn Space mini-grants will establish or enhance engaging and welcoming spaces for children ages 0-8 and their caregivers in public libraries. Each Play and Learn Space offers a variety of play activities that support early learners’ growth and exploration across the six domains of Minnesota’s Early Childhood Indicators of Progress. Successful applicants include:

Anoka County Library (MELSA)
Carver County Library System (MELSA)
Dakota County Library (MELSA)
East Central Regional Library (ECRL)
Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL)
North Mankato Taylor Library (TdSLC)
South St. Paul Public Library (MELSA)
Stillwater Public Library (MELSA)
Waseca-LeSueur Regional Library System (TdSLC)
Washington County Library (MELSA)

Here is an example of the type of activities being undertaken for Play and Learn Space projects by CRPLSA members, ECRL and LARL:

ECRL – A new play and learn space at the Cambridge Library, tying into the city’s motto, “Minnesota’s Opportunity Community” will be created.

LARL – Comfortable furniture for caregivers and children, child-sized furniture, and interactive toys will create a play and family friendly space for the children’s area at the new Bagley Public Library.

Details of each project

ECRL Endorses RLBSS Change

The East Central Regional Library (ECRL) approved going ahead to revise the Regional Library Basic System Support (RLBSS) formula on May 12. The proposed change to the statutory funding formula will shift funds from the equalization factor to the base and serve to stabilize calculations that have swung radically in recent years.

Proposal to amend current statutory language

The ECRL board action brings the number of regions supporting this 2015 legislative initiative to 6 of 12. The call for support will continue to be up for discussion in other regions in the coming months.