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This newsletter serves a biweekly digest to consolidate and archive events and news from various library directed outreach from the Montana Library Network within the Montana State Library. This newsletter will go out on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month.
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MontanaLibrary2Go
Extra Features Available in the Libby App
Thanks to ARPA funding the Montana State Library is excited to offer Great Courses, Test Prep services and Universal Class. They can be found by scrolling down toward the bottom of the screen. These extras are all available for the next 12 months with the Libby app.
Overdrive App is Sunsetting Soon
As a reminder Overdrive will stop supporting the Overdrive app in February and it will be removed from app stores. To continue accessing eBooks and Audiobooks your digital readers will need to download the Libby app on their digital devices.
New Montana State Library Website
The Montana State Library website has a new design! We are proud of the site's new look, and we appreciate any feedback from the broader library community. Also, if you find any broken links or errors, please notify MSL staff so we can correct them right away. We look forward to releasing timely, accessible content on the new website! Please check out the new website at the link below:
New MSL Website
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Latest MMP Bulletin
There are new collections live on the MMP! You can check those out in the 2/11/22 Bulletin.
You can also see a list of MMP events, like Altering the County Boundaries on 2/15/22, and Incorporation of the City of Browning on 2/16/22, both from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. You can find more details in the 2/11/22 Event Bulletin.
You can subscribe directly to receive all MMP bulletins by click on the following MMP Subscription Link.
New Staff in the MMP
As you may or may not know, the MMP has long been run by one full-time employee with support from other State Library Staff. For several years now Pam Henley, Statewide Consulting Librarian has assisted with our Social Media outreach and she will continue to help us out. We also had help with technical support from Chuck Vopicka, Statewide Projects Technical Support, until he moved to a new position. Occasionally the MMP has been supported by temporary employees who have helped with specific projects.
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This late summer and fall the State Library went into recruitment mode. We were able to hire Bobbi deMontigny to support Statewide Projects which still includes the MMP. Bobbi will help with creating support documentation and will help answer tickets related to the MMP. She is also going to assist with some Social Media content and with some data collection. |
For the first time ever the MMP has been able to hire a full-time Specialist to support in many of the daily operation tasks of the MMP. Dave Colamaria started in November and has been learning all about how our new platform works. He will be working with Metadata creation and improvements. He will also be assisting with our Social Media messaging. Most importantly, Dave will be helping to create new exhibits of our content to share with our end users.
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New CE Coordinator: Colet Bartow
We are very excited to announce MSL's new CE Coordinator, Colet Bartow! Colet will be starting at MSL on March 14th - welcome Colet! Please below for a short bio:
Ms. Bartow spent 13 years as a teacher-librarian at Manhattan Public Schools before joining the OPI in 2007.Colet Bartow was the School Library Specialist in the Content Standards and Instruction division from 2007 to December 2016, before being hired as the Content Standards and Instruction Director. From 2009 to 2016, Colet was the OPI Designee to the State Library Commission and served as Chair from 2014-2016. As of July 2020, she became the Senior Manager for the OPI Teaching and Learning Department, supervising Standards, Instruction and Professional Learning (SIPL), Career Technical and Adult Education (CTAE), and Assessment. In March 2022, she will return to her library service roots at the Montana State Library.
Colet completed her M. Ed. In Curriculum and Instruction at Montana State University, and B.A. in English with endorsements in secondary English, School Library Media, and English as a Second Language at the University of Montana. Her first computer was a Radio Shack TRS-80. Her first job in a library was as a third-grade student.
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PCI Webinar Series - How to Access
This is a reminder that the State Library has purchased access to People Connect Institute Webinars (PCI) for January and February, and will have access to the recordings until the end of 2022. The recording links for past webinars and registration links for future webinars are in Moodle. Please follow the directions below to access the PCI webinars:
- Create a Moodle account in MSL's Moodle Space - MSL Moodle Space Home Page. If you already have an account, log-in with your credentials on that same page.
- Once you have a Moodle account and have logged in, you can select the “PCI Webinar 2022” course from the homepage. Click on the course, and you will be automatically enrolled.
- If you are not able to enroll, please email me at akim@mt.gov, or Bobbi deMontigny at bdemontigny@mt.gov and we can manually enroll you.
- Once you are in the PCI Webinar 2022 course, you will be able to see the recording links for past webinars, and the registration links for future webinars.
Here is the list of webinars that we have access to. Please visit the Moodle course for the webinar recording links and registration links.
- 1/5, eAccessibility Evaluating Your Library’s Success Indicators and Scalable Staff Training
- 1/12, Podcasting and Your Library
- 1/19, How to Grow and Strengthen Your Team
- 1/26, Engaging Online Community Members
- 2/2, Readers Advisory Year in Review
- 2/9, How to Embrace and Handle Change
- 2/16, Pro Tips for Giving Great Presentations
- 2/22, Handling Unwanted Behaviors in Your Library
- 2/23, Best Picture Books Published in 2021 for Ages 1 - 6
Getting 2 Know U Series - MSL Orientation
If you are new to the state, or just want to find out more about the various services that the Montana State Library provides, we encourage you to check out this Moodle course called, "Getting 2 Know U - MSL Orientation". This is a series of short webinars with MSL staff members, where they give an introduction to their position and responsibilities. This is a great way to get a broad understanding of the different parts of MSL, and for new library folks to know who they can contact for services. You can access the course with the following directions:
- Create a Moodle account in MSL's Moodle Space - MSL Moodle Space Home Page. If you already have an account, log-in with your credentials on that same page.
- Once you have a Moodle account and have logged in, you can select the “Getting2KnowU” course from the homepage, and use this passkey to enroll: “MSLorientation22”.
- If the passkey does not work for you, please email me at akim@mt.gov, or Bobbi deMontigny at bdemontigny@mt.gov and we can manually enroll you.
You can also access the full list of Getting 2 Know U webinars at the Getting 2 Know U Vimeo Showcase link.
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- Contact: Amelea Kim, Lifelong Learning Librarian, akim@mt.gov
- Lifelong Learning Webpage
- Subscribe directly to future Lifelong Learning bulletins HERE
Ready 2 Read Overview Webinar from 1/27/22
For anyone who is new to the Montana library community, or would like a refresher, please check out the recording of the Ready 2 Read Overview Webinar from 1/27/22! Ready 2 Read is Montana State Library's early literacy initiative, and can provide support and resources to librarians and the work they do. Learn more about the history of Ready 2 Read, the current program offerings, and see how you can get involved!
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Reimagining School Readiness Trainings
The Montana State Library is excited to start participating in the Reimagining School Readiness Train-the-Trainer program, as part of a larger grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services that was awarded to the Pacific Library Partnership (PLP).
Click here to read more!
Town Pump Foundation: Keep Kids Reading - Summer Reading Grants for Public Libraries
The Town Pump Charitable Foundation will be providing $1,000 grants to Montana public libraries to support summer reading programs across the state! Any public library is eligible to apply. Please see the links below for a press release, as well as the application link. Applications are due by April 30th, 2022. Thank you Town Pump for all your support!
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This section is a list of resources that may be of interest to the general Montana library audience. Feel free to contribute to this section of the newsletter by sending things to Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov.
General Library Resources
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The Newbery Award at 100 - My Newbery Archive Project: The Newbery Award is a literary award given to authors and books that have made distinguished contributions to American literature for children. In honor of the Newbery's 100th Anniversary, the Center for Children's Books at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is building an archive of readers' responses to Newbery books. They are looking for anyone and everyone, from young children to adults, to submit artwork, poetry, opinions, videos, and more sharing their experiences with Newbery books. Please see the CCB at University of IU My Newbery website for more information, along with resources for library staff to use, such as ready-made downloadable PowerPoints, and FAQs for caregivers/families.
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We Are NOT Okay: Library Worker Trauma Before and During COVID-19 and What Happens After - Webinar Recording from 2/8/22: If you missed this webinar from InfoPeople, the recording will be posted online at the link below. The description for this panel is:
"This webinar for ALL library workers — frontline staff, managers, and library directors — will serve as a convening to discuss the impact trauma has on library staff, work toward addressing the necessary systemic change and need for a cultural shift, and explore potential individual, organizational, and industry response strategies. Join us to consider how libraries might rethink delivery of essential library services to communities in need while ensuring a safe environment and resources to support personal well-being for staff."
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Cybersecurity Webinar from United for Libraries: What Your Friends, Foundation, and Library Need to Know: Here is a webinar from United for Libraries. Montana is a training partner, so we have live participation and 30 days on-demand access to this webinar. See the description below:
- "In October 2021, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL) experienced a cyber security attack. Prior to this incident, the Library maintained robust safeguards against threats, but still a threat actor was able to infiltrate their systems, forcing a systemwide shutdown of the entire technology infrastructure. During this presentation, TLCPL Executive Director, Jason Kucsma, and TLCPL Director of Operations, Mike Graybeal, will share their experiences and lessons-learned to hopefully help your organization better protect itself from a similar situation."
- Registration Link
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Montana State Library Social Media Accounts: Make sure that you follow MSL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! We (aka Amelea) are planning on posting once or twice a month with early literacy tips, Summer Reading puns, and school readiness information, so you are welcome to reshare that information on your library's social media accounts. Also, following us will let us follow you back so we can like everything and anything that you post! Our social media handles are:
- Instagram: @montanastatelibrary
- Facebook: @MontanaStateLibrary
- Twitter: @MTStateLibrary
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Webside Chat with Jennie Stapp from 2/11/22: The recording of the February webside chat has now been posted to the state library Vimeo channel. The easiest way to find it is by going to the event calendar in ASPeN and clicking the link for the Online Meeting URL. This provides 1 CE credit in the Library Administration category. People who attended the live event have received credit. If you watch the recording please add the credit by selecting the 2/11/2022 Webside Chat from the drop-down list in the Continuing Education credit list. Questions? Please email Pam Henley (phenley2@mt.gov)
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Collection Development and Material Reconsiderations at Your Library, a 2-Part Webinar Series on 2/22 and 2/24: For anyone who is interested in learning more about material reconsideration processes in libraries, please consider coming to this 2-part webinar discussion on how your collection development policy can provide structure and expectations to any materials reconsideration discussion, as well as walk through the process while discussing and sharing with peers. Any library staff, and especially trustees, are encouraged to attend. Learners will:
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Discuss the importance of having a specific book reconsideration section in their collection development policy
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Present example procedures and processes that libraries could use for book reconsideration policies
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Share and discuss experiences with book reconsiderations in the past
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Receive tips on customer service procedures when talking with patrons about book reconsideration concerns
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Receive topics/discussion points to take back to their library and discuss with coworkers/trustees
- ASPeN Registration Links for 2/22 at 4 pm and 2/24 at 4 pm
Economic Development Resources
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Grow Great Falls Training Schedule: Feel free to share this newsletter with your communities - it has a list of great trainings for all stages of business!
Children and Youth Services Resources
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CYS Meet-Up Recording from 1/26/22 - Community Partnerships: For those of you who weren't able to attend the CYS Meet-Up on 1/26, the recording is now available on Vimeo
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CYS Meet-Up on 2/23/22 - Family Engagement: Our next Children and Youth Services Meet-Up is happening on 2/23/22, Wednesday, at 10 am. Any and all are welcome, and we will be discussing Family Engagement.
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From Diversity to Inclusion: How to Audit Your Collection and Why from 12/2021: Here is a recording of a training hosted by the State Library of Michigan, with Kym Powe from the Connecticut State Library that discusses how you can audit your collection for diversity and inclusion.
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2022 Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy Book Award Winners: The CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards recognize five high-quality picture books each year that provide excellent support of early literacy development in young children. The five winning titles support and model each of the five early literacy practices: Read, Write, Sing, Talk, and Play. Check out the full list at the link below!
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Early Childhood Developmental Milestones Changing, Washington Post article from 2/10/22: For the first time since 2004, pediatricians and experts have decided to change the early childhood developmental milestones. You can read about the changes, and the implications this might have on early childhood work and parental/family support in the article link, which is posted in the Library Program Resources Sharing Space in Moodle:
Summer Reading
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CSLP Theme/Slogan Brainstorm Session on 2/22 at 10:30 am: CSLP is starting the collection process for Theme and Slogan ideas for 2025's program. For anyone who is interested in learning more about this process, and wants to potentially submit a Theme/Slogan idea, please come to this webinar to learn more! We will go over the submission process in detail, preview some of the 2025 artist's work, and brainstorm some ideas together. Please register at the ASPeN Event link below:
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Many Montana librarians have mentioned the desire and need for a centralized repository of resources, ideas, and discussion that they can refer and contribute to. As such, MSL staff have put together a Library Program Resources Sharing Space in Moodle, where you can post and share ideas with your peers. We will be highlighting a topic in each issue of the MLN newsletter to ask librarians to contribute any ideas or resources they have, or to get folks discussing a topic! Any and all are welcome to contribute. You can view the Moodle space without an account, but you MUST create an account in order to post something.
You can create an account on the MSL Moodle Home Page
You can then access the sharing space through the following link: Library Program Resources Sharing Space
Today's Library Sharing Question: Storytime Sharing!
What is a recent book that you (and the kids) loved at storytime? Why was it such a hit? Do you have fun activities/songs/motions that work well with this book? Please share in the Storytime Sharing and Discussion thread! You are welcome to include any pictures, files, etc.
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January / February 2022
Click on the image below to see the coming months and register for upcoming events.
 Image of an events calendar.
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