Updates from State Library Services

Updates from State Library Services

September 2019 

Updates from State Library Services

south saint paul library

EXCITE! Registration now open

We're excited to be working with the Connecticut State Library to bring its IMLS-supported grant project—EXCITE Transformation for Libraries—to Minnesota. The Minnesota Regional Bootcamp is open to individual librarians (school, academic and public) and to libraries teams of up to four participants.

In this fully immersive EXCITE Bootcamp, you will learn to adopt the character and behavior of a "collaborative innovator" by learning the core skills, tools and language that are essential for library leadership in the 21st century. You will learn to uncover and successfully implement innovative ideas that will excite your community and transform the culture of your library.

November 13, 14, 15, 2019 (all day) at the Minnesota Department of Education in Roseville, Conference Center B.

Tuition costs are paid by the IMLS grant; lunch and snacks will be provided each day. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements. To apply:

  • View the EXCITE Journey video (required).
  • Familiarize yourself with the EXCITE LibGuide.
  • Using the content in the video and LibGuide, submit a statement of intent by October 1, 2019. Outline how EXCITE programming will benefit your library, community, staff, planning, programming, etc., and how it will benefit your own professional development. For more information on the statement of intent, please view the How to Apply page.

Selected participants must be able to attend all three days. Seats are limited to 24; if individuals are selected, they will be assigned to a team. 

Please email Dawn La Valle or call 860-757-6665 with questions .

 

All are Welcome 2

Minnesota’s cities and towns are rapidly diversifying. Libraries, like other government institutions, are expected to respond to diverse community needs. By assessing and adapting library services with an equity lens, libraries can provide responsive, quality library services to all Minnesotans.

State Library Services is hosting All Are Welcome: Inclusive Outreach and Participatory Engagement for Advancing Racial Equity in Libraries for library leaders and front-line staff. This free workshop builds on the 2018 All Are Welcome: The Role of Libraries in Advancing Racial Equity workshop presented in 2018.

Participants will learn how to implement inclusive outreach and public engagement policies and apply an equity framework to outreach materials and strategies using discussion and hands-on activities. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of culturally inclusive dynamics that will attract racially diverse communities to their library.

Prior attendance at a 2018 workshop is not required to register for a 2019 workshop.

Workshop objectives

  • Understand the role government has played in creating racial inequity
  • Become familiar with inclusive outreach and community engagement principles and how libraries are applying them
  • Begin to develop inclusive engagement strategies

Workshop dates and locations

The workshop is scheduled in three locations:

  • Monday, September 23, 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Buckham Memorial Library, 11 Division Street E, Faribault
  • Monday, September 30, 2019, 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Fergus Falls Public Library, 205 East Hampden Ave., Fergus Falls
  • Thursday, October 17, 2019, 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Rondo Community Outreach Library, St. Paul

Each workshops is limited to 50 participants. Complete the All Are Welcome registration form to sign up.

If you have questions about the workshop, contact Hannah Buckland, Library Development and Services Specialist at State Library Services, 651-582-8792.

 

Updates from our Partners

Girls Who Code

State Library Services is partnering with Girls Who Code (GWC) this year to bring free computer science learning opportunities to your community. Girls Who Code Clubs are free after-school programs for girls in grades 3-5 or 6-12. Participants will join a sisterhood of supportive peers and role models and use computer science to change the world. Please note, this program targets, but is not limited to, girls. Participants not only learn hard coding skills and computational thinking, but they’ll also learn project management skills, collaboration, bravery, resilience, how to positively impact their community, and so much more.

When you start a GWC Club, you’ll gain access to free resources, flexible plug-and-play curriculum, funding opportunities, ongoing support, alumni opportunities for your young learners, and more! There’s no computer science experience needed to get started; GWC is there for you every step of the way. Apply now with the brief Clubs Application through our partnership, or learn more about the program at the next live 30-minute webinar! Webinars are scheduled weekly Sept. through Nov. 2019.

About State Library Services

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.