Public Libraries Feed Hungry Bellies and Minds

We were excited to learn of two libraries that are serving free meals to kids for the first time this summer! With the addition of the Dakota County Wentworth (West St. Paul) Library and the Redwood Falls Public Library, we now know of at least 17 libraries serving summer meals across the state! 

Visit our Making Summer Meals Work webpage to find resources to support your own library’s efforts in offering summer meals. Please contact Jen Verbrugge (651-582-8356) for more information.

If your library doesn’t offer summer meals, and you would still like to help, please consider sharing information about how families can find their closest summer food sites (out of the approximately 700 locations across Minnesota). Visit Summer Eats MN to learn about the new app, find resources, or print posters and bookmarks. MDE has a limited supply of pre-printed bookmarks available. Please contact Jenny Butcher, MDE Summer Food Service Program coordinator, to request some to distribute at your library.

Now Open – Two 2018 LSTA Grant Opportunities

State Library Services is pleased to announce two 2018 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) competitive grant opportunities.

2018 LSTA Competitive Grant 
An estimated $545,000 is available to fund grant proposals ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 that help to achieve Minnesota’s LSTA Five-Year Plan (2018-2022). Grant awards will support projects that address LSTA Sub-goals A2, C3, and E2. The overarching goals are to reduce barriers to access, promote equity, and advance digital literacy.

2018 LSTA Mini Grant
An estimated $50,000 is available to fund grant proposals ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to help libraries offer programs and services that address Goal B2 in the Minnesota LSTA Five-Year Plan (2018-2022) and the World’s Best Workforce legislation by preparing all children for school and ensuring all third-graders can read at grade level.

Both grant periods are estimated to start on September 15, 2018, and end September 30, 2019.

Please contact Leah Larson (651-582-8604) for more information or to request the recent grant guidance webinar slides.

Limited Funding Available to Provide Water Cooler/Water Bottle Filling Stations

The Minnesota Department of Health is accepting applications for funding to provide water cooler/water bottle filling stations to qualifying applicants. Local public health organizations, schools and community entities are encouraged to apply for this limited-funding opportunity.

Filtered water bottle filling stations:

• Remove lead from drinking water.
• Provide a healthy alternative to sugary drinks, especially in communities with limited access to healthy, affordable beverage choices.
• And do not remove fluoride from the drinking water; therefore providing and sustaining public access to fluoridated water which helps protect teeth from tooth decay.

Application deadline is June 30, 2018. An application form and additional details are available from Clare Larkin (651-201-4230), MDH Oral Health Program, Prevention coordinator.

Youth Education Leadership Summit--Save the Date

The Minnesota Youth Council will host the very first Youth in Education Leadership Summit (YELS) this September. Students across Minnesota grades 8-12 are invited to attend this exciting day full of trainings and workshops designed and facilitated by their peers. They will learn from one another on critical topics such as working with local school boards, writing bills, and the creation of a Student Bill of Rights. Parents, teachers, and community members are also invited to participate in the Adult Partner sessions track, where they will be able to learn directly from students how to best support them as they work to shape their experience in education. Lastly, a student-moderated Governor’s Forum on education hosted in partnership with EdAllies will close the day.

For more information, please contact the Minnesota Youth Council.

Reach Out, Engage, and Learn from Your Community

STAR Net has recently launched an online resource that provides information for public libraries on how to host and conduct Community Dialogues. This online guide is a tested and vetted resource for all public libraries to begin the conversations that can lead to building strong, durable relationships with their community. Visit the STAR Net website to find out how opening your doors can open new doors.

Lilead Project Launching Leadership Courses

The Lilead Project will launch four Lilead Leaders courses for school library professionals at any level who are looking to hone their leadership skills and work toward lasting transformational change for their students, schools, and districts during the 2018-2019 school year. 

The Lilead Leaders courses will focus on four topics: 

1. Preparing for Transformational Change (Aug. 15-Oct. 9, 2018)
2. Implementing Evidence-Based Practice (Oct. 24-Dec. 18, 2018)
3. Communicating and Coalition-Building for Change (Jan. 9-Feb. 12, 2019)
4. Cultivating Individual and Team Leadership (Feb. 27-Apr. 9, 2019)

The Lilead Leaders courses were developed from themes that emerged from professional development in the Lilead Fellows Program. Register now for the first Leaders course, “Preparing for Transformational Change." Whether starting with the first course in August 2018 or with a later course, the first course a student takes is $349; subsequent courses come at a reduced price of $279. Groups of 10 or more students registering concurrently may receive a discount by contacting the Lilead Project.