Start Buzzing about the New Pollinator Exhibit

We’re excited to show you the newest exhibit resulting from the partnership between State Library Services and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). This time, we’re highlighting pollinators, including their value and steps we can all take to help them thrive.

 The exhibit is making its debut at the Rondo Community Library in Saint Paul, which recently hosted a meeting of the Governor’s Committee on Pollinator Protection. Next, it will be part of MPCA’s Eco Experience at the State Fair. Shortly after the fair, we’ll invite libraries to host the exhibit as it travels throughout the state.

For more information about the pollinator and other exhibits, please contact Emily Kissane (651-582-8508).

Learn the Latest from NLS: Updates from the MBTBL Director

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) held its biennial conference in Nashville mid-June this year. More than 150 attendees—including Catherine Durivage, the program director of the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library—discussed the future of the NLS program and how technology will be used to expand access to braille and talking books. Catherine shares her five main takeaways from the conference: 

1. Plans are moving ahead for development of a portable braille eReader for NLS patrons that will be optimized for reading books and magazines, weigh less than two pounds, and be Wi-Fi- and Bluetooth-enabled.
2. The next-generation NLS talking-book player—still a few years away—will have Internet connectivity, allowing users to easily download books from NLS channels via Wi-Fi or cellular networks. NLS is also considering utilizing other streaming platforms like Google Home or Amazon Echo to expand access.
3. NLS continues to expand its outreach efforts via social media. It launched a nationwide campaign in early 2018 airing commercials on cable TV and radio stations across the country. 
4. NLS is working with a number of libraries to implement Duplication-on-Demand (DoD) which enables libraries to duplicate audio books upon request to meet patron reading needs. DoD will allow libraries to shift staff time from inventorying and shelving to reader advisory, outreach, or other projects.
5. A name change might be coming for NLS. Congress would have a say in any NLS name change, but the idea is getting serious consideration.

For more information about the MBTBL and its services, please contact Catherine Durivage (507-384-6860). 

Crunch Public Library Data – For Fun!

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is piloting a new “Search and Compare” tool for using data from the Public Library Survey and looking for a wide range of feedback. If you are interested in public library data and comparing libraries to one another, please visit the beta version of Search and Compare. You can submit comments, feedback and observations using the IMLS Library Search and Compare Feedback: Round 2 online form.

Distribute the Reach for the Stars Student Activity Catalogue

Reach for the Stars is a catalogue featuring more than 100 academic enrichment programs and activities available to Minnesota K-12 students that supplement classroom learning and impact student performance. Through this free resource, students can identify and connect to new academic enrichment opportunities. 

You can help get the Reach for the Stars catalogue into the hands of more teachers, parents, and students. The 2018-2019 print edition of the catalogue will ship in August. Please contact Barb Bergseth (507-389-5112) if you are willing to make these guides available to your patrons—or for more information. We will provide a link to the 2018-19 digital edition when it becomes available in August. 

State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), partners with libraries to achieve equity and excellence in our collective work for Minnesotans. Division staff are consultants who help libraries plan, develop and implement high-quality services that address community needs. State Library Services administers federal grant, state aid, and state grant programs that benefit all types of libraries.