Lifelong Learning Digest

This is the Lifelong Learning Digest, an email newsletter about lifelong learning opportunities from the Montana State Library. 

You can find an archive of all MSL newsletters, announcements, and press releases at the MSL News Webpage

In this Issue:

Add Accessibility To Your Summer Reading Program

SDOH Corner

Webinars of Interest

Add Accessibility To Your Summer Reading Program!

Patrons who are blind, low-vision, or have a physical or reading disability that makes them unable to read print materials can access audiobooks and braille books through Montana Talking Books.

Please contact Marilyn Bennett(406)444-5352 for more information.

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled will also be hosting virtual Summer Reading events from June 24^th-August 9^th, including an event with Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden. You can find more information about that at NLS Summer Reading 2024 Program - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled

SDOH Corner Libraries Partnering with Public Health – Check it out  Happy Summer! Margaret Mullins here again!   A big thank you to all who took the survey in last month’s newsletter. We gathered helpful information to guide us as we develop library/public health partnership opportunities. One great idea is already underway! The MSL and DPHHS have joined forces to bring blood pressure (BP) toolkits to several MT public libraries. The kits contain a BP cuff, good information on how to properly take a BP and what those numbers mean, a tracking document for reporting BPs to a healthcare provider, and a pedometer. The kits can be used in the library or checked-out. They’re for everyone but are especially helpful to patrons who can’t buy a BP cuff or who can’t visit a clinic because of work. This is one way we can work together to help people be healthier both in and outside of healthcare! ADVANCING SDOH AWARENESS For information about the Social Determinants of Health Program Contact Margaret

Webinars Of Interest

Phonemic Awareness in Older Learners: Bridging the Gap (edWeb) July 10th 3:00 - 4:00 MST
Join us for an insightful edWebinar where we dig into the often-overlooked yet essential component of literacy development—phonemic awareness. Designed for educators, reading specialists, and literacy advocates, this session will explore how phonemic awareness instruction can be a game-changer for older students who need support with word reading. Despite its critical importance in early reading stages, phonemic awareness remains vital for remediation in older readers, providing a foundation for improved decoding, spelling, and comprehension skills. 

Work It Out @ Your Library with the Wombats! August 8th 1-2:00 MST

When children make believe they're running a restaurant, they explore sequencing by figuring out the steps for serving a customer a meal. When they play with blocks to make a castle, they can practice the design process by creating, testing, and improving the structure. Library staff are uniquely suited to promote this learning with their library families. The webinar will cover why computational thinking skills are important for young children, how the free resources have been used to run fun and engaging programs in libraries, and how you can, too.

Telehealth 101: What Libraries need to know Sept. 9 - Oct 7 - Registration opens June 28th. Explore how different libraries provided patrons in their communities with access to telehealth services.

The Montana State Library provides lifelong learning support to all Montanans through a combination of librarian professional development and training, program development, and meaningful partnerships.

Learn more on the Lifelong Learning webpage on the MSL Website.