2008 LSTA Grant round dates announced

Library Services and Technology Act Grant Program – Federal Fiscal Year 2008   

To: Minnesota Academic, School, Public and Special Libraries.  

From:  Suzanne Miller, State Librarian and State Library Services Director                                    
Date:  November 1, 2007  
 
Action Required:  Submission of Letter of Intent, Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Program by January 7, 2008.   This notification of the availability of grant funds is made for the purpose of: accepting letters of intent to apply for grant funds in two categories as designated in the new State of Minnesota LSTA Five-Year Plan; 2008-2012.
1- targeted areas of underserved populations and barrier free access to library services and programs, and 
2- upgrades, improvements and enhancements to library automation and technology issues.  

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Division of State Library Services, is soliciting letters of intent from academic, public school/media centers, public and special libraries. Proposed projects selected for award will enhance, expand or create new library programs and services. MDE and State Library Services Division highly encourages all eligible parties to respond. 
A total of $800,000 is available to fund competitive projects through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) federal program under the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-81 CFDA #:45.310).
Eligible applicants include all types of libraries (academic, public school, public and special) in Minnesota that are legally established, not for profit and full participating members of a designated regional public library system, multicounty multitype library cooperation system and/or library consortia (new or existing).     
The 2008 LSTA grant award period is July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009. Future opportunities for funding under this initiative may also be available at a later time.   
Complete information, including the requirements concerning the Letter of Intent grant form may be obtained at – State Library Services Division http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/Learning_Support/Library_Services/Grants_and_Aid/Library_Services_and_Technology_Act/LSTA_Grant_Forms/index.html Forms and materials include: 

1. Directions for Letter of Intent
2. Tips for Writing a Grant Proposal
3. The State of Minnesota LSTA Five-Year Plan 2008-2012
4. Eligible Applicant Requirements for Library Services and Technology Act Grant Program

 To be considered for the full grant application process, applicants must submit a complete Letter of Intent by January 7, 2008, to James V. Wroblewski, LSTA Grant Coordinator, jym.wroblewski@state.mn.us.   If delivered to the Minnesota Department of Education, State Library Services Division, the Letter of Intent must be received by 4:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time, January 7, 2007; or the Letter of Intent must be postmarked or stamped by a delivery service by midnight, January 7, 2007. Submission requirements are listed on the Letter of Intent. This notification of application materials does not obligate the state to make an award.  The state reserves the right to cancel this notification if it is considered to be in the state’s best interest or if funding is terminated from the Minnesota Legislature or the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.  Additional information related to this grant program may also be found at:http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/Learning_Support/Library_Services/Grants_and_Aid/Library_Services_and_Technology_Act/index.html    

MEMO Conference 07

MEMO Conference 07-2Originally uploaded by NLLN.

Chirs McArthur and Joan Larson sell books and other wonderful items at the MEMO Store during the Fall MEMO Conference at Cragun’s Resort. Joan has been responsible for providing a wide array of library-related items for sale, in addition to arranging for MN authors to appear at the MEMO Conference and to sign books for Conference attendees. Thanks, Joan!

Multitype directors at MLA

Multitype directors at MLA

Originally uploaded by NLLN.

At the recent MLA Conference in Mankato, 5 of the 7 mutlitype library sytem directors got together to coordinate plans for exciting staff development opportunities in the coming year. On the left is Patricia Post, CMLE Director in St Cloud; Robin Cheney, SAMMIE Director in Marshall; Ann Walker Smalley, Metronet Director in the twin cities. Not pictured, but participating, Nancy Steele, SMILE Director, Mankato, and Ruth Solie, NLLN Director in Detroit Lakes.

MLA and MEMO Fall Conferences

Check out the NLLN FLickr site for a few photographs from the recently held conferences:  MEMO held at Cragun’s Resort near Brainerd; MLA held in Mankato. Both conferences were well attended by staff, trustees, and Friends from the NLLN region. NLLN Scholarships were used by a number of library staff members.

Soaring to Excellence

Northern Lights Library Network
in partnership with Tri-College University Libraries 

Presents
Soaring To Excellence 2008
“Finding the Trends That Matter:Get Your Evironmental Scan On”
October 26, 2007

The year starts with a look primarily at high-level trends in business and economy, and how these trends can impact on our local library – even if it seems they are quite remote from our routine practices.

 Library Teleconference
Friday, October 26, 200711:00 am to 12:30 pm
Minnesota State Univ. – Moorhead, Weld Hall 11
Or via webcast         Online Registration

LSTA Grant Writing Workshop – Nov 6, Detroit Lakes

LSTA Grants Training/Orientation Workshop Tuesday, November 6, 2007 9:30-3:30 Detroit Lakes Holiday Inn
Hwy 10 East, Detroit Lakes 
Agenda: v    Discussion of the new Minnesota 5 Year LSTA Planv    Grant Opportunitiesv    Letter of Intent processv    Competitive Application Process 
Who: v    Anyone who is interested in the LSTA grant programv    Anyone who would potentially have a role in designing or implementingnew, innovative library service projectsv    Staff from all types of libraries are encouraged to attend 
Register:v    Free but Registration required –  Online registration 

Gigantic children’s book sale at MSU-M

Giant Book Sale: Classic and New Books for Children and Young Adults

The Library at Minnesota State University Moorhead has been the recipient of a huge donation of hardcover and paperback books for children and young adults. These include used as well as new books. Books not needed by the Library will be sold to the general public. Sales will be held in the Library Circulation Lobby every Friday from October 12 through November 16 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Books will be sold alphabetically by author. The October 19 sale will be for author’s names from D to G. This includes noteworthy authors and series such as

* Roald Dahl
* Paula Fox
* Hardy Boys Series
* Pee Wee Scouts Series

Proceeds from this sale will support the Great Plains Reading Review, the Library’s Comstock Reading Aloud Initiative and the Library’s general book fund. For further information, contact Carol H. Sibley at sibley @mnstate.edu.

Marketing “Every Child Ready to Read” workshops

ecrr  Find a PR kit for marketing your “Every Child Ready to Read” workshops taking place in your library. The kit includes press releases, posters, flyers, bookmarks and a wealth of information to promote your workshops.

MnLINK Users Group to be held Nov 2

The MnLINK Users group Conference on Nov 2 at Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park, MN will have an impressive and very intriguing roster of presenters. For more information go to: http://www.minitex.umn.edu/events/conferences/mnlink2007.aspx

Workshops coming in November

Watch the NLLN Calendar of Events for information about upcoming workshops in November. Jym Wroblewski, State Library Services, will be offering an LSTA grant writing workshop in Detroit Lakes on November 6. Registration, time, and location will be available soon on the NLLN webpage.

That same week, NLLN will be offering an Advanced Destiny Users Training workshop, also in Detroit Lakes. Watch for registration, location, and time — available soon on the NLLN webpage.