October 28, 2009
Have you read the article in School Library Journal entitled, “Things That Keep Us Up At Night”. Find it at http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6699357.html . It was written by Joyce Valenza and Doug Johnson…two big names, and fairly interesting, if somewhat frenetic professionals.
Regardless of your library type, I suspect we all lose a little sleep over these same things. Are we changing with the times as much as we should be? Hmmmmm….
October 7, 2009
Check out our full calendar of free readings and discussions for all ages this fall. Discover the debut of an exciting new mystery series; immerse yourself in a groundbreaking Hmong family memoir; ruminate over a manifesto on eating meat responsibly; witness the coming of age of two Midwestern teens in New York; dive into a poetry collection questioning personal and national identities; and be charmed by a picture book about nighttime things.
September 3, 2009
Connect troubled teens with the power of reading with a Great Stories CLUB reading and discussion series!
The ALA Public Programs Office and YALSA are now accepting online applications through November 2 for the next round of Great Stories CLUB grants at www.ala.org/greatstories <http://www.ala.org/greatstories> .
Funding was provided for this program by Oprah’s Angel Network.
The Great Stories CLUB (Connecting Libraries, Underserved teens and
Books) is a book club program designed to reach underserved, troubled teen populations through books that are relevant to their lives. All types of libraries (public, school, academic and special) located within or working in partnership with facilities serving troubled teens in the United States and its territories are eligible to apply. Potential organizations for Great Stories CLUB partnership include juvenile justice facilities, drug rehabilitation centers, nonprofits serving teen parents, alternative high schools, agencies serving teenaged foster children, shelters serving homeless and runaway youth and other agencies.
More information about this exciting opportunity at the ASCLA blog:
http://ascla.ala.org/blog/2009/09/02/greatstoriesclub09-applicationsopen
Please share this e-mail and blog post with other individuals, groups or organizations you know who may be interested.
August 26, 2009
As the American Library Association (ALA) has emphasized since first enactment of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), concern for children’s safety is our first priority in providing materials to young patrons. On August 26, 2009, the CPSC’s final rule on children’s products containing lead was released. In the rule, CPSC confirmed that libraries have no independent obligation to test library books for lead under the law. CPSC also announced its intention to release a Statement of Policy specifically providing guidance for libraries with regard to the treatment of older children’s books that could potentially contain lead. According to our conversations with CPSC officials, that Statement of Policy should be released within the next several weeks.
While we await the Statement of Policy, ALA recommends that libraries take the following actions. If a library is aware that any children’s book does indeed contain lead above the legal limits or otherwise presents a danger to children, it should remove it from public access, for instance by moving it to the non-circulating collection. We would also ask that if libraries do learn of any books containing lead to please let the ALA – Washington Office know so that we might share that information with other libraries. When the Statement of Policy is released, we will promptly notify our members.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jessica McGilvray, Assistant Director of the ALA Office of Government Relations at jmcgilvray@alwash.org or 1-800-941-8478.
Jessica McGilvray,Assistant Director
American Library Association
Washington Office – Office of Government Relations
1615 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., 1st Floor
Washington, D.C. 20009-2520
phone: 202-628-8410
fax: 202-628-8419
March 19, 2009
Congratulations to the two Minnesotans who were named to this annual list!
Library Journal’s Movers & Shakers 2009: Library Leaders Creating the 2.0 Library of the Future
Minnesota
Daniel Marcou, 2009 (Innovators category) – Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka
Melissa L. Rethlefsen, 2009 (Advocates category) – Mayo Clinic Libraries, Rochester
Jessica Moyer, 2008
Jennifer Nelson, 2008
Jeffrey Gegner, 2004
Ria Newhouse, 2004
Lois Langer Thompson, 2004
Julia F. Wallace, 2003
Source: Library Journal, 3/15/2009
Movers & Shakers 2009: http://www.libraryjournal.com/?layout=MS2009
Movers on the Map: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6535115.html
February 26, 2009
The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Libraries has been selected by the American Library Association/Association of College and Research Libraries to receive the 2009 Excellence in Academic Libraries award. This award recognizes the accomplishments of library staff “as they come together as members of a team to support the mission of their institution.” This is a wonderful tribute to the creativity, dedication, and excellent service that U of M staff provide to the campus.
Please join me in congratulating the University Libraries and send congratulatory notes to Wendy Lougee, University Librarian at wlougee@umn.edu
February 9, 2009
No doubt you have either seen the press release, gotten an email, or read about our new installment of the 23 Things program, dubbed, More Things On a Stick. Registration closes in a mere 12 days (February 20th) so don’t delay. We would love to see all CMLE members registered for the program, so get on the stick!
November 14, 2008
Minnesota Library Day at the Legislature
March 25, 2009!
Save the date, spread the word. Tell your friends, Board members, and supporters. Registration and other information on the day will be forthcoming. Watch the CMLE Exchanger Newsletter for details as they become available.
November 13, 2008
Hundreds of libraries across the country will join ALA for the first-ever National Gaming Day @ your library November 15. Public, school, and academic libraries will participate in two national events. The first is an attempt to establish a record for the most number of people playing the board game Pictureka! on the same day at the library. Gamers will also participate in a national library video game tournament via the Web. Watch a video interview (6:06) with ALA Literacy Officer Dale Lipschultz about this exciting initiative.
September 17, 2008
Schools and public libraries are invited to apply online for the second round of Picturing America, which will ship in March 2009. Picturing America is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) designed to bring masterpieces of American art into classrooms and libraries nationwide.
Online applications will be accepted through October 31, 2008. The images in the Picturing America collection will remain the same; eligible institutions which applied during the first round will receive their Picturing America awards in fall 2008 and will not be eligible for a second award, In May 2008, 26,300 schools and public libraries were selected to received the first round of the award. ,
http://picturingamerica.neh.gov/educators.php?subPage=edu_apply
