Travel Grants for 2026 Public Library Association Conference
State Library Services is opening a competitive opportunity for travel grants to attend the Public Library Association's annual conference, which will be held in Minneapolis in April 2026.
The maximum grant award amount is $3,000 for each grantee attending the conference in-person. State Library Services expects to award 12 to 14 grants for in-person attendance, and 12 grants for virtual conference attendance.
Interested? Applications are due Monday, December 8, 2025, at 5 p.m. Central Time.
Find more information on 2026 Public Library Association Conference Travel Grants.
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Reaching Out Regionally
In November, the State Library Services team completed its seventh Regional Reach Out with an informative and engaging visit to the Traverse des Sioux (TdS) Library System.
The delegation included State Librarian Tami Lee; Catherine Durivage, director of the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library; and State School Librarian Jenna Pomraning.
- The team met with Regional Director Stacey Lunsford and attended the monthly TdS directors meeting to learn firsthand about the innovative programs and services being implemented across the region and within TdS administration.
- The team visited the library at Roosevelt Elementary and observed classes led by licensed library media specialist Amanda Stenzel with both kindergarten and fourth grade media students.
- The visit included tours of two beautiful public libraries: the Blue Earth County Library (Director Kelly McBride and Assistant Director Renee Schneider); and the St. Peter Public Library (Director Brenda McHugh).
We extend our deep appreciation to Stacey Lunsford and all the dedicated librarians and library workers of the TdS system for the vital services they provide to their communities.
If your library has a program or activity you would like to highlight, please let your regional library system director know, or email mde.lst@state.mn.us.
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New Storytime Training Course Available
A beginner-level course designed for library staff new to storytime is now available on the Minnesota Libraries Learning Network. Check out the Early Literacy Storytime Course!
Created and designed by a dedicated group of Minnesota storytime experts, the course contains nine modules covering everything from early brain development and choosing books to practical advice on caregivers with cell phones and toddlers on the move.
Interested in taking this class with a cohort? Fill out the interest form to be notified of opportunities through State Library Services in early 2026.
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How to Start Conversations about Mental Health
Winter is upon us, with the potential for snowy delights but also some harder days. On December 17, State Library Services is hosting a training on COMET, or Changing our Mental and Emotional Trajectory.
This two-hour interactive training teaches participants how to reach out in a meaningful, respectful, and supportive way to friends, coworkers, or acquaintances who seem to be struggling somewhere on the continuum between “wellness” and “mental health crisis.”
COMET doesn’t expect community members to “fix it,” but instead trains people to feel comfortable initiating a supportive and potentially emotional conversation by using a simple seven-question guide. The questions provide an easy way to start a conversation, exit the conversation in a supportive way, and offers resources if they need more than a listening ear.
This training is facilitated by Anna Lynn, Mental Health Promotion Coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Health, Child and Family Health Division.
Register for COMET: Changing our Mental and Emotional Trajectory on Wednesday, December 17, 3-5 p.m. Central Time.
Library Services for Strong Communities
The 2025 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey administered by the Public Library Association (PLA) is now open.
The survey gathers information about public libraries’ work towards meeting needs and fostering resilient communities.
To participate, log into your library’s free Benchmark account to complete the survey. Libraries that complete this year’s survey will be entered into a drawing to win one of seven $100 gift cards for Bookshop.org or a free PLA 2026 conference registration with travel stipend for a library staff member.
The survey closes Saturday, December 13, 2025. If you have questions, please contact the project team at plabenchmark@ala.org.
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Grants for Libraries Serving Small and Rural Communities
If your library serves a population of 25,000 or less and is located at least five miles from an urbanized area, don't miss your chance to apply for a Libraries Transforming Communities grant.
Since 2023, over 600 libraries have been selected for this grant opportunity from ALA to small and rural libraries. The funds go to increasing the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities. Individual grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 to conduct input-gathering sessions and then create services or improvements based on identified needs.
Applications for the fourth and final round of grants are open until December 11, 2025.
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