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Montana Library Network News

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 first and third Tuesdays of each month. 

Trustees

Are you interested in library news and continuing education relevant to trustees?

Subscribe to the Trustee Updates newsletter! Get monthly updates in your email and stay informed about events and opportunities related to trustees and public libraries.

If you missed the first issue you can read it here:

Resource Sharing

Do you think Resource Sharing is the coolest? Join the Core Services Committee! This coming fiscal year we have a couple of specific projects and we need your expertise to be successful! 

• Create a work plan to make the best use of the increased courier budget in FY24.
• Develop a snapshot of collection development practices in public libraries to identify opportunities for collaboration.

Work will get underway in August.

Hot Spot update

Reminder to set up your hot spot admin accounts! Whether you have T-Mobile or Verizon, we can set up direct access for you to manage your devices. Please open a help desk ticket to get started.

MontanaLibrary2Go

Past Trainings - Recordings available:

• Libby and Universal Class
• Intro to Overdrive Marketplace 
• Overdrive Help/Kindles and e-readers
• Reporting with Recommending a title in MontanaLibrary2Go, Marketing Materials, Reporting in OverDrive Marketplace

Montana History Portal

We have a new collection of oral histories available, and we've migrated another collection of history articles from our old hosting platform. 

Cascade County Oral History Collection

We are pleased to have a collection of new oral histories available from Cascade County Historical Society. The topics covered are diverse: attending a one-room school, serving in the military, sheep ranching, preservation of Fort Shaw, life as a nun, and lots more. We hope you will give these a listen - most also have transcriptions.

Johns (Sam) Collection

Samuel Johns was 23 years old when he arrived in the Flathead area in 1889. Johns was a Kalispell businessman and local historian who compiled histories at the urging of his brother-in-law, Frank Bird Linderman. We are happy to present a collection of his historical narratives, thanks to ImagineIF Libraries - Kalispell.

Lifelong Learning News

Youth Services Overview - MSL Learn Course

MSL Learn now has a new course available: Youth Services Basics and Overview! This course was designed as an introduction to library services for public library staff working with youth. Whether you are already working in a library or just starting out in a new youth services position, this content will help you consider why library services focusing specifically on youth are important, how to collect appropriate materials, the types of services and programs you can provide to your patrons, and the importance of outreach services.

In this course, participants will:

• Understand why library services focusing on youth are important
• Learn about the basics of collection development and resources they can use to help with collection development.
• Explore different approaches to library programming and program development
• Consider different methods of library outreach and how to apply it in their specific context. 

Course Information:

• Estimated Course Length: 1 hour
• Continuing Education Credits: 1 for Library Services to the Public
• Self-paced

Check out the course and enroll at MSL Learn! 

Reimagining School Readiness Training

For those of you who are looking for more early childhood development training, please consider signing up for the Reimagining School Readiness Training in November 2023! 

What is the Reimagining School Readiness Program?

The Reimagining School Readiness Train-the-Trainer program is a professional development program designed to train library staff to use the Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit. The Toolkit, originally developed by the Bay Area Discovery Museum (BADM) in collaboration with the California State Library (CSL), is a set of free resources which includes tips and strategies for librarians, and activities for children and caregivers that prepare children for success in school. Montana first did a training with librarians back in 2022, and are excited to offer it again!

The learning outcomes for this training are:

• Learn and understand the six key findings of school readiness research, and how that fits in with early childhood development environments and opportunities
• Experience four hands-on school readiness activities that can be used in library programming
• Brainstorm, discuss, and share ideas on how to implement the school readiness toolkit and ideas in their current library work, and in future programs

When is the Reimagining School Readiness Training?

The Reimagining School Readiness trainings will be happening VIRTUALLY in November 2023 on the following dates:

• 11/2, Thursday from 9:30 - 11:30 am (Reimagining School Readiness Part 1)
• 11/9, Thursday from 9:30 - 11:30 am (Reimagining School Readiness Part 2)
• 11/16, Thursday from 9:30 - 10:30 am (Project Design and Goal Setting)

All trainings will happen through Zoom. 

Who can attend the Reimagining School Readiness trainings?

Any Montana library staff member/trustee is welcome to attend these trainings! Trainings are free, and you are also welcome to invite any of your community partners to these events as well. These trainings would be most interesting and applicable to people who work directly with young children (0-5) and their families, but we are happy to have anyone with interest in this topic. Community partners are also welcome to attend! 

Please note that all training participants will be expected to apply the knowledge they learn in a long-term project. MSL will provide support and resources over the course of at least a year to support librarians in their project work. 

How do I apply?

Please fill out the 2023 Reimagining School Readiness Training Application by July 31st, and please pass this along to anyone who might be interested! 

Ready 2 Read Brochures - Request a Package

We just did another print order for the Ready 2 Read Brochures, and we would love to share them out with anyone and everyone! There are three brochures available:

• Babies
• Toddlers
• Preschoolers

You can request a package of all of them up to 100 brochures of each type! Additional materials available include:

• Bookmarks
• Magnets
• Large Cards

Please fill out the 2023 - 2024 Ready 2 Read Package Request form to submit your request, and Amelea will follow up with more information!

Intro to Microsoft Word Tech Cohort - Spring 2023

The wrap-up webinar for the Microsoft Word Tech Cohort is happening today, June 22nd at 1:30 pm! Feel free to join and give your feedback on the cohort, and let us know if you are interested in future tech cohort offerings! Please see the ASPeN Event Listing to register and attend:

• Visit ASPeN to register.

As a reminder, here is the description for the Microsoft Word Tech Cohort:

Are you interested in improving your technology skills and learning more about Microsoft Word? If so, please consider signing up for the Spring 2023  Intro to Microsoft Word Cohort! This learning cohort is for any Montana librarian who is interested in learning how to use Microsoft Word through the Universal Class course: Introduction to Microsoft Word 2021. 

The course opens on May 1, 2023 and closes on June 22, 2023. We hosted a Kick-Off Webinar which on 4/27 which explained how the course will work. If you are not sure if you would like to participate in this cohort, I would recommend watching this webinar to learn more:

• View Kick off Webinar Recording Link

We will wrap up the cohort with a Zoom meeting on Thursday, June 22 at 1:30 p.m.

You can enroll in this class by visiting MSL Learn and enrolling yourself in the Spring 2023 Intro to Microsoft Word Tech Cohort class. Please note that besides the Zoom kick-off and wrap-up meetings, this cohort is entirely self-paced.

Anyone who is interested is welcome to self-enroll, as well as reach out to Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov with questions.

Lifelong Learning Data Dashboard

If you are interested in a data overview of Lifelong Learning programs, please visit the FY23 Lifelong Learning Data Dashboard!

You can also see the Data Dashboards for all of MSL's Services and Programs.

Montana Library Spotlight

The Montana Library Spotlight is an opportunity for us to highlight and celebrate the awesome things that Montana libraries are doing! 

Today’s highlight comes from Annika Riley, the Youth Services Librarian at Bitterroot Public library.

Empowering Young Minds: Code Girls United Program at Bitterroot Public Library

Please describe your library program

In an exciting initiative to promote digital literacy and empower young girls in the field of technology, the Bitterroot Public Library recently hosted a remarkable 26-week program called Code Girls United. With a group of six talented girls aged 9 to 10 years old, this program aimed to teach them coding skills using MIT App Inventor and provide them with an opportunity to create their own apps. The girls formed two teams, The Lotus Blossoms and Animal Rescuers, and together they embarked on a journey to raise awareness about endangered animal species through their innovative applications. Their hard work and determination culminated in their participation in the prestigious NW App Challenge on April 29, where they showcased their creations to a wider audience. How did this program start?

We were approached by Code Girls United in 2021 to run a couple of trial sessions here at BPL. After hosting the trial programs, Code Girls thought we'd be a great fit to host the 26-week long program.

What positive outcomes have you seen from this program?

The girls' hard work and dedication paid off when they had the opportunity to showcase their apps at the NW App Challenge. This regional competition brought together young coders and app developers from various communities.

The Code Girls United teams confidently presented their apps to a panel of judges, demonstrating their coding skills, creativity, and passion for promoting wildlife conservation.

Though the event was highly competitive, the girls exhibited remarkable teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

What are you hoping to accomplish in the future?

Looking into the future, we hope to run this program again next fall to reach even more girls with this amazing opportunity.

Thank you Annika, The Lotus Blossoms team, the Animal Rescuers team, and the Bitterroot Public library for this story and your experience with this program.

Continuing Education News

Libraries are Forever!

Registration for the 2023 Fall Workshop is now open!

Great Falls, MT - Holiday Inn

REGISTER HERE

General Schedule

• Monday, September 18: 8:30 - 5:00
• Tuesday, September 19: 8:30 - 1:00

Registration Cost: Free - breakfast and lunch will be provided each day.

A room block is reserved at the Holiday Inn with a nightly rate of $98.00.  Call the hotel directly at 406-727-7200 to make your reservations and provide payment information.  The block closes August 18, 2023.

Visit ASPeN to see all 20 workshop sessions

Download the Program

Most sessions are suitable for all library staff and trustees.  There’s something for everyone!

MLA: Year of Learning

New training opportunity through the Montana Library Association - if you are interested, please contact Alyssa Ramirez at aramirez@lincolncountylibraries.com

A Year of Learning - Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Facilitated by EmpowerMT

This series will engage through synchronous and asynchronous learning on topics related to equity, diversity, and inclusion as they  relate to libraries across Montana.

• Self-guided Months: May, July, September, November, December, February
• 2023 Virtual Facilitated Sessions: June 8, August 10, October 12
• 2024 Virtual Facilitated Sessions: January 11, March 14

A Year of Learning is divided into modules and each module consists of a self-guided portion (30 mins. max) and a facilitated session. Both are completely optional to participate, and modules are not cumulative. Meaning, please participate in any way you can! We will not turn you away if you didn’t complete your “homework” or missed a “class”.

Once registered, the self-guided materials will be sent to you.

MSL CE Credits are available for the facilitated sessions.  Visit ASPeN to claim credits.

About EmpowerMT: EmpowerMT creates a more just and inclusive society by developing youth and adult leaders who work to end mistreatment, correct systemic inequalities, and strengthen communities across Montana. EmpowerMT envisions a Montana where each person is respected, where differences are understood, where youth, institutions, and communities share a commitment to correct injustices, and where all people have the opportunity to thrive without the risk of violence or oppression.

Training Flyer PDF

Register for the MLA Year of Learning

MSL Learn Series

Mark your calendars and plan to join the monthly MSL Learn Webinar series!

We have planned webinars for the second and last Tuesday of each month. Second Tuesdays will feature MSL programs and most-requested topics.  Last Tuesdays will feature “Tiny Tech Trainings” on a variety of MSL digital services.

Each 30-minute session will start at 10:00 a.m.  Recordings will be available in the MSL YouTube channel if you can’t join the live session but we hope you will join us.

Visit the ASPeN event calendar to see the lineup of topics and speakers!  Registration is open for all sessions.  The scheduled topics or speakers maybe changed as the year goes on.  We’ll update the events when or if that happens.

MSL Learn Webinar series!

Join us on the second and last Tuesday of each month for timely topics and the wildly popular “Tiny Tech Trainings!”

June 27 – Tiny Tech Training: Hot Spots

Each 30-minute session will start at 10:00 a.m. Recordings will be available in the MSL YouTube channel.

Visit the ASPeN event calendar to see the lineup of topics and speakers!  Registration is open for all sessions.

More Online Courses for Trustees Coming Soon

Coming soon to MSL Learn is the newest Trustee Essentials course: Understanding Local Government Budgeting and Finance

Understanding the library’s revenue, expenditures, and local government budgeting is an important duty of the library board and director. There is an expectation that the director and board will manage public funds wisely. This course explores key concepts surrounding local government budgets and revenue sources in order to help trustees and directors create and manage the library’s budget.

If you haven't already taken the other courses in the series, it is a good idea to do that before the next course opens for registration in late June.

On-Demand Learning for Libraries

Visit the MSL Continuing Education webpage to find out about continuing education opportunities. 

WebJunction Webinars:

MSL sponsors access to WebJunction for Montana librarians.  Stay in the know and build your skills through the webinars and courses offered through this service.  All WebJunction webinars are recorded and available for free in the Course Catalog. 

New MSL YouTube Channel Content

Visit the new MSL YouTube Channel to access meeting recordings, webinars, and training from across all MSL Programs.

Please subscribe!

You can still access content created prior to July 2022 in Vimeo. All new recordings and content will be posted to the MSL YouTube Channel.

Is your ASPeN account up to date? 

Updated contact information in ASPeN helps with event registration, claiming credits and completing certification!  

Calendar of Events

June

Click on the image below to see the coming months and register for upcoming events.

Did You Know?

The MSL YouTube Channel has playlists to help you get the content you want! Some you might recognize include: Tiny Tech Trainings Montana Shared Catalog  MSL Learn Webinar Series MLN Virtual Programming Series Webside Chats And so much more!

See all MSL topics on our News feed at https://msl.mt.gov/about/news