Reserve Your Seat Today

Join co-hosts and authors James Kennedy and Jacqueline West for this year’s 90-Second Newbery Film Festival. It promises to be a lively event featuring classic Newbery Award and Honor books from Minnesota’s young people. 

This year’s event takes place on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, 3-4:30 p.m., at the Hennepin County Library-Minneapolis Central, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Admission is FREE. Please let us know you’re coming. Register online for the February 23 screening.

For details on the festival and to view some of 90-Second Newbery founder and curator James Kennedy’s all-time favorite films, visit the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival website.

This screening is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Minnesota Department of Education’s State Library Services division.

Now Open – LSTA Grant Opportunities

State Library Services is pleased to announce two 2019 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) competitive grant opportunities.

2019 LSTA Competitive Grant
An estimated $600,000 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, B2, C3 and E2. The overarching goals are to reduce barriers to access, support the World’s Best Workforce, promote equity, and advance digital literacy.

2019 LSTA Mini Grant
An estimated $75,000 is available to fund grant proposals ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to help libraries offer programs and services that address Goals A, B and C in the Minnesota LSTA Five-Year Plan (2018-2022) and the World’s Best Workforce legislation by preparing all students for college and careers, reducing barriers to access and promoting equity. 

Both grants periods are estimated to start on July 1, 2019, and end June 30, 2020. To learn more about our two current LSTA grant opportunities, please attend an upcoming grant guidance webinar – Thursday, February 21, 2019, 2-3 p.m.
There is no need to pre-register. When ready, enter the grant webinar (Call-in toll-free number: 1-888-742-5095, Conference Code: 588 274 8118). Grant applications and instructions are available on the Minnesota Department of Education's Grants Management site. 

Contact Leah Larson (651-582-8604) for more information or to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event.

Work Confidently with Homeless Patrons

The Minnesota Department of Education is committed to supporting the state’s Heading Home Together plan,
and library staff training is one of our goals. All library administrators, staff, board members, and volunteers now have free year-long access to “Practical Tips for Homeless Patrons,” an online, self-paced tutorial presented by Ryan Dowd, the author of “The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness.”

Through the course, participants will gain insights into the mind of a person experiencing homelessness—how they might communicate, likely experiences that color their worldview, and possible triggers to behavior escalation. Through an empathy lens, library staff and volunteers will also gain tips and tricks for welcoming, serving and supporting homeless patrons.

To take the training, follow the enrollment steps on the Niche Academy website. Contact Jen Nelson (651-582-8791) if you have access issues or questions.

Driftless Libraries LINC-up

The Dubuque Area Library Information Consortium (DALINC) will present Driftless Libraries LINC-up: Events that Work Friday, April 12, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. Participants will learn how to develop, market and manage creative programs and events for people of all ages. The conference is for public, academic and special library staff. The $75 registration fee includes lunch and snacks. Information is available on the DALINC website.