Feedback on Federal Education Changes
On March 14, the White House issued an executive order calling for the elimination of seven federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). State Library Services administers an allotment from the IMLS's Grants to States program that supports grants to all types of Minnesota libraries, statewide resource sharing and electronic resources, and operations at State Library Services and the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library.
Many of you have asked what you can do. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has created a portal for public feedback on federal education changes affecting Minnesotans: Feedback on Federal Education Changes.
We invite you to contribute your stories and concerns about how federal Executive Orders might impact your library's ability to serve your communities. Hearing your voices will help MDE and State Library Services work with our partners across state government to assess potential impact and advocate for the stability, resources, and support that Minnesotans and Minnesota libraries need.
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Grant Reviewers Needed
State Library Services is looking for grant reviewers to help with the next round of competitive Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants. LSTA grants fund expanded and innovative services, technology, and access for lifelong learning, continuing education, workforce development, and literacy skills.
Grant reviewers independently read and score grant applications based on established criteria, then virtually join a panel to discuss grant scores with other reviewers. Reviewers can be novices who want to learn how to apply for grants or experts who have successfully written and administered grants in the past.
We are looking for people who have availability in mid-July and/or early August 2025. It is likely that reviewers will be asked to review 3-5 grant applications. If you are interested, please fill out the Grant Reviewer form.
April Webinars with Kathy MacMillan
State Library Services invites you to two April events with Kathy MacMillan (she/her). Kathy is a writer, nationally certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, librarian, editor, and signing storyteller. She writes picture books, children’s nonfiction, middle grade and young adult fantasy, and resource books for librarians, educators, and parents. Find her online at KathyMacMillan.com.
The first event is a two-session online series on welcoming and providing accommodations for deaf and hard of hearing patrons in your library. Participants are required to attend both sessions.
April 14, 2-4 p.m. — At this first session, you’ll learn communication tips for interacting with deaf and hard of hearing patrons and even some basic ASL vocabulary to introduce yourself and help patrons navigate the library.
April 21, 2-4 p.m. — The second session unpacks the legal requirements for communication access under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and provides a guide to effective use of accommodations such as interpreters, captioning, front line communication techniques, and more.
Register for Welcoming and Providing Accommodations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patrons in Your Library
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The second event introduces you to the world of publishing. This can be valuable knowledge either for your own publishing dreams, or for assisting library patrons interested in publishing their work.
April 28, 2-4 p.m. — You’ve got the idea, you’ve got the drive, and you’ve got the willingness to work to get your writing in print. But where do you start? Kathy MacMillan is an author of more than two dozen traditionally published fiction and nonfiction books for children, teens, and adults. She breaks down the bewildering world of publishing—from writing and revision to submission and publication—and the realities of life after publication. Whether you want to publish professional articles, resource guides, educational content, or mainstream fiction or nonfiction, get started on your publishing journey!
Register for The Getting-Published Guide for Educators and Library Staff
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New Resource for Library Supporters
Minnesota has joined United for Libraries as a Statewide Training Partner!
This means that library trustees or board members, advocates, friends, foundations, staff, and students in Minnesota now have access to an array of United for Libraries resources. Training and resources include:
- Short Takes for Trustees
- Trustee Academy
- Monthly Learning Live sessions
- Quarterly webinars
- Tip Sheets
- Toolkits
Register for Minnesota access to United for Libraries.
State Library Services is hosting an informational orientation on Wednesday, April 9 at 2 p.m. with United for Libraries to encourage boards, advocates, friends, foundations, trustees, and any other interested Minnesotans to sign up and register for these courses. Register for United for Libraries orientation.
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Antibiotic Stewardship Displays Available to Request
You can still request a library display packet put together by the Minnesota One Health Antibiotic Stewardship Collaborative (MOHASC).
This is a comprehensive set of materials to help your library promote antibiotic stewardship for humans, animals, and the environment. The packet includes infographics, question and answer content, coloring and word search pages, and a curated list of books and films. Your library can gather relevant materials from your collection to complement the display. Each library will have the flexibility to set up the display in a way that works best for their space, with instructions and layout ideas included for guidance.
To request the display materials for your library, please fill out this form. Libraries who request these materials will receive them by mail. Please contact health.stewardship@state.mn.us with any questions.
If you would like to learn more, please watch the recording of an informational webinar hosted in September 2024, for an overview of the display materials.
By encouraging antibiotic stewardship, your library can play a crucial role in educating communities about judicious antibiotic use and its importance to everyone’s health.
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April Dates for United for Libraries
Once you've registered for Minnesota statewide access to the United for Libraries webinars (see above), consider attending this April Learning Live event.
April Learning Live - Ask the Experts: Library Boards & Trustees
Tuesday, April 8, 1 p.m.
A panel of experts will discuss key topics for library Boards/Trustees, including working with elected officials, community outreach, and board development. Each panelist will provide tips and best practices. During a lightning round session, speakers will field questions from attendees. Registration is free for people in Minnesota.
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In addition, program proposals are open for the sixth annual United for Libraries Virtual: Trustees - Friends - Foundations through April 21. United for Libraries Virtual will be held July 29-31 as an interactive three-day online event featuring expert speakers on current topics facing library Trustees/board members, friends, foundations, library fundraisers, and staff who work with them. Submissions may be focused on advocacy, board development, fundraising, membership, and more. Submit a proposal.
All accepted presentation speakers will receive free registration for 2025 United for Libraries Virtual, plus a free registration to give away.
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Register for State of School Libraries Webinars
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Join Wilder Research and the Multicounty Multitype Library Systems for a webinar exploring results from a recent statewide census of K-12 school libraries. Find out what they learned, how you can use the data, and where we go from here.
The webinar will be offered two times: April 30, 12-1 p.m.; May 6, 4-5 p.m. Register for State of School Libraries webinar.
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