IMLS – Native American Library Basic Grants available

IMLS – News & Events – Press Releases
Library Basic Grant, Basic Grant with Education/Assessment Option, and Enhancement Grant Applications

Application Deadlines:
Basic Grants: March 3, 2008
Enhancement Grants: May 1, 2008

The Big Read!– Apply soon

Time to Apply for The Big Read
Deadline for Applications: February 12, 2008. IMLS, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, announces the fourth deadline for the Big Read program. The purpose of the Big Read is to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture. Grants ranging from $5,000 – $20,000 are available to encourage local communities to inspire reading through the Big Read program. This will be the only application deadline in 2008. www.neabigread.org.

 For the past 2 years, Fergus Falls has received Big Read grants and have conducted outstanding programs in their community. For more information about their success contact Rebecca Petersen (A Center for the Arts) or Walt Dunlap (Fergus Falls Public Library).

Flickr Blog

Flickr Blog  From the Flickr blog (Dec 13) comes info about the new Flickr Uploadr 3 tool — this is a great upgrade that allows for lots of quick uploading, tagging, sorting, and arranging.  If you are a Flickr user you’ll be glad to check out the details of this.

Also check out the new stats that are available to Flickr users with Flickr Pro accounts — this is a new and welcome addition to Flickr.

“Dribbling Lessons” -Metronet Information Literacy Lessons

Check out these “dribbling lessons” that form a part of the Metronet Information Literacy project. These lessons help with the very basics of incorporating information literacy into curriculum, coordinating with the state standards, and using available tools. It is a great way to figure out how to share information literacy skills in school!

Metronet Information Literacy Lessons

Deadlines for MN Book Awards!

Dear Friends of the Minnesota Book Awards,
 
A couple of key nomination deadlines are approaching very quickly.  Please make note of these important dates if there is a 2007 book you plan to nominate and/or if you intend to nominate someone for the Kay Sexton Award:
 
Nominations for the 20th annual Minnesota Book Awards close Friday, December 14, 2007.  Book nominations are being accepted in the following eight categories:  Children’s Literature, General Nonfiction, Genre Fiction, Memoir & Creative Nonfiction, Minnesota Nonfiction, Novel & Short Story, Poetry, and Young Adult Literature.  Eligibility guidelines and the nomination form are available at www.thefriends.org/mnbookawards.html#eligibility or by calling me at 651-366-6497.
 
Nominations are open through Friday, January 11, 2008 for the Kay Sexton Award which is presented annually to an individual or organization in recognition of long-standing dedication and outstanding work in fostering books, reading, and literary activity in Minnesota.  Nominees may include but are not limited to booksellers, publishers, teachers, and leaders of literary organizations.  This award honors Kay Sexton, a book buyer for many years at Dayton’s and B. Dalton Bookstores in the Twin Cities.  Anyone is eligible to submit a nomination using the Kay Sexton Award form available at www.thefriends.org/mba_special_awards.html or by calling me at 651-366-6497 to request a form.  The website link includes a list of previous years’ winners.
 
Please feel free to contact me with questions about anything related to the 20th annual Minnesota Book Awards, and be sure to visit www.thefriends.org for ongoing updates.  Please make sure your calendar is marked for the April 12, 2008 Awards Gala.  
 
Thank you for your continued support of Minnesota authors and books.
 
Warmly,
 
Ann
 
 
Ann Nelson
Minnesota Book Awards Coordinator
The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library
325 Cedar Street, Suite 555
Saint Paul, MN 55101-1055
Direct Phone Number:  651/366-6497
Main Office Number:  651/222-3242   
Fax:  651/222-1988
mnbookawards@thefriends.org
www.thefriends.org
 
The Minnesota Book Awards is a Capital City project, led by The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, in consortium with the Saint Paul Public Library and the Mayor’s Office of the City of Saint Paul.  Outreach partners include the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA), the Minnesota Library Association (MLA), and Minnesota Department of Education – State Library Services.
 

Voluntary Certification credits available

The Soaring to Excellence Program, People Watching with a Purpose on Feb. 8, 2008, has been approved by the Certification Oversight Committee for 2 contact hours and Public Service A6, Explain federal, state, and local filtering requirements.  And Technology 2, Understand federal, state, and local requirements for internet and computer use in the library environment (Policy).

Homework:  1.  What policies does your library have for computer and Internet use?

Homework: 2. .  Describe the steps required to turn off the filter
for an adult patron doing research on your library’s computer.

The 2 contact hours allows a 30 minute discussion after the
teleconference.
Also, the UNT LE@D courses have been approved for MN Certification
program.  These are available free online through MN Web Junction.
The participant is responsible for determining which competencies a
course addresses and submitting the  Transfer of Learning form for
each course they take for Certification.
Rebecca

Rebecca B. Patton
Public Library Consultant
Arrowhead Library System
5528 Emerald Avenue
Mountain Iron, MN 55768
Telephone 218-741-3840
Fax 218-748-2171
rpatton@arrowhead.lib.mn.us
http://www.arrowhead.lib.mn.us/certification

Senior Friendly Libraries: Successful Wii Gaming Program at Old Bridge Public Library

Senior Friendly Libraries: Successful Wii Gaming Program at Old Bridge Public Library

This is kind of fun — seniors and gaming in the library!  Wii bowling anyone?

State economic forecast is grim

A message from our MLA/MEMO legislative lobbyist Elaine Keefe:

The state economic forecast was released today, and it contained grim news.  A deficit of $373 million is projected.  The state is projecting decreased revenues from sales taxes and corporate income taxes.  The state economist cited the housing slump, the credit crisis, energy prices, and a weak employment market in Minnesota as the major factors.  Commissioner of Finance Tom Hanson called the deficit “very manageable,” noting that the state has a record high reserve fund and that most of the funds appropriated in the 2007 legislative session have not yet been spent, “giving us lots of options.”   The latter comment is ominous for libraries, as it seems to indicate that the Governor may recommend reducing spending increases that were passed in 2007 as a way to cover the deficit.  We may find ourselves working hard just to hang onto the funding increases we received in the 2007 session.  It will also make it much more difficult for legislators to increase aid to cities and counties and to increase the general education formula. 
 
The decrease in revenues also means that the 2008 bonding bill will have to be a bit smaller than had been expected.  This is because the state traditionally limits the amount it spends on debt service to 3% of revenues.  Previously, it was expected that the bonding bill would close to $1.1 billion.  Commissioner of Finance Tom Hanson said that the revised revenue estimate means that the maximum size of the bonding bill is now $965 million.  This will make the competition for funding in the bonding bill even greater. 
 
Elaine M. Keefe
Capitol Hill Associates
525 Park Street, Suite 310
St. Paul, MN 55103
651-293-0229
fax 651-293-1709
elaine@capitolhillassoc.com