Sarah Stonich reflects on her recent author tour of the ALS region

https://picasaweb.google.com/112263793289195969397/LegacyTour#

Dear Librarians and Readers,
 

I wanted to share some pics and a few words about my experience touring the Arrowhead. I was able to get photos of most attendees though some came late or had to leave early so I didn't get all - in most cases I also got pictures of their library and town's population sign (except in those cases when it was raining so hard it was impossible!) Forgive in advance the number of pics of my dog Betsy.

It was a joy to meet all the readers and librarians along my route. At first I expected I was going on a meandering visit to libraries with some scenic mileage in between, but just as I set out we got word that the library funding was facing a cut in the house by two thirds of the budget! Through the great work of lobbyists, librarians, and attendees of my events who filled out dozens of Legacy evaluation forms and made phone calls or wrote in support of rural libraries, the legislation was not passed. I sent a number of letters myself (below is one example). I am not surprised that the people of the rural north rallied behind this effort and prevailed. They are a tenacious and smart bunch. I wouldn't mess with them.

As a writer it was especially heartening to get a thumbs-up from readers of Vacationland who reassured me that I had captured the character of northern Minnesota in the stories and portrayals - I've written three books set in the region, but each time I'm there I learn some pretty amazing facts and meet unexpected, intriguing people. I had meals or coffee with dozens of readers and just wish I'd written down every name: There was the 95 year-old gentleman in Buhl who confessed he'd once had a crush my Aunt Dorothy; the woman in Grand Marais that made me pressed flower bookmarks (Thank you!), and the awesome women of Coleraine who know how to throw a great event (so much food, and a thousand thanks for the wine)
I absorbed bits of history in each town and library and was shown their treasures: murals, mosaics, paintings, stained glass, their own china! By the end of my tour it became clear to me that the libraries, from small to grand, are the hearts of these communities.    

Hats off to these fine libraries and librarians, and many thanks for hosting me. (and please, if you care to share this with the attendees of our event, do.)

Cheers,
Sarah   

Novelist Notes - June 2013

Click here for Novelist Notes.

Visitor to the ALS Parking Lot

Perhaps he was looking for a good book to read. Might we suggest Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox?

An all-star "sort-of" book trailer for Sarah Stonich's VACANTIONLAND

http://www.uminnpressblog.com/2013/06/talk-to-all-star-hand-vacationland.html

"One (likely snowy) evening this past April in Minneapolis, a group of local literati gathered at the Turf Club's Clown Lounge to celebrate the launch of Sarah Stonich's latest novel, Vacationland. Writers Carol Connolly (St. Paul's Poet Laureate), Peter Geye, Marty Kihn, Danny Klecko, Pamela Klinger-Horn, Kathryn Kysar, and Andy Sturdevant joined in the good cheer and read (or interpreted, in some cases) select passages from Sarah's book. We've put together a brief video with clips from the festive meeting, complete with a track from "The TackyNites." We hope you will enjoy.

As a supplement to the trailer's release, author Sarah Stonich has provided a character exploration of a mysterious, silent figure in the novel that those who know Vacationland will immediately recognize and interested readers will be intrigued by. This figure appears in the opening chapter of the book, so there are minimal spoilers here for those who haven't read it yet."

WebJunction Minnesota: New Courses in the WebJunction Course Catalog

This week’s news from WebJunction and WebJunction Minnesota:

·         New archived webinars added to the WebJunction course catalog.

·         Learn about the Virtual Summer Book Club

·         June-July WebJunction webinars include topics supporting patron reading in small spaces with small budgets to the role of libraries in promoting early reading.

Webinar Archive updates WebJunction has added 10 more new archived webinars to the WebJunction course catalog.  Some of the new entries add more content to existing course categories and some cover topics that have been lacking in the catalog.  The courses added to theWebJunction course catalog include:

Technical services

§  Changes from AACR2 to RDA Pt-1 (ALCTS)

§  Changes from AACR2 to RDA Pt-2 (ALCTS)

§  Disaster Response (ALCTS)

§  Introduction to RDA (ALCTS)

§  Top Tech Trends for Materials Handling (Infopeople)

Library programming

§  Leveraging Technology for Early Literacy (Infopeople)

§  What’s New for Storytimes (Infopeople)

§  Libraries Go Boom: Serving Older Adults (WJ)

Others

§  Data Visualization for Advocacy (WJ)

§  LibraryYOU:  Library as Content Creator (WJ)

There are now a total of 34 webinar archives in the catalog.

Remember - these can now be found under the new Subject Area: Archived Webinars.

Check the WebJunction Homepage to read: 

Get Schooled: Virtual Summer Book Club
WebJunction Staff / Published 24 May 2013
Coming this June, the Get Schooled Virtual Summer Book Club!

Summer learning loss is a very real challenge that causes students to fall further behind their peers each year. National non-profitGet Schooled seeks to partner with libraries and community groups to tackle summer brain drain. By providing a structured and entertaining challenge around reading, they hope to engage students in a way that boosts their critical thinking, reading comprehension and confidence, all while having fun. Reading is a social experience and the free online tools they provide through the challenge add a highly interactive component to summer reading programs that libraries might already have in place. They are currently recruiting library groups who have a strong teen presence.

VIRTUAL SUMMER BOOK CLUB
Fight the Brain Drain with Books, Games, and More
JUNE 10 - JULY 26

Activities will focus on two books - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - and cover many other reading-focused topics.

Read More >> Get Schooled Virtual Summer Book Club


Upcoming WebJunction

June:

Amp Up Your Technology Training
Tuesday, June 4, 1 pm Central, 60 min.

Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Amp_Up_Your_Technology_Training.html

More Americans than ever are coming to their libraries to access the Internet and get help connecting with their families, the job market and online services. Many library visitors lack basic computer skills, or need to learn the essential technology skills to apply for and land a job. With continual technology change, libraries are challenged to provide quality, up-to-date curriculum for their communities.

OASIS Connections, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting successful aging through lifelong learning, healthy living and social engagement, has partnered with urban and rural libraries across the country to provide a cost-effective training solution that helps adults of all ages develop technology skills and confidence. Learn how different library systems have adopted the program to serve varying local needs.

Presented by:

·         Amy VanDeVelde, National Program Manager OASIS Connections

·         Mary Bush, Librarian Public Technology Training, Multnomah County Library

·         Hayley St. John-Ayre, Administrative Coordinator 2, Broward County Library

Support Patron Learning in Small Spaces with Small Budgets

Wednesday, June 12, 1 pm Central, 60 min.

Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Libraries_Children_and_Families.html

In small communities, libraries can often be the only provider of free public access to technology and the internet. And as more people turn to their library to learn technology skills, even the tiniest of libraries are faced with the challenge of providing training to patrons with limited staff, resources, and space. Learn from small and rural libraries who are making training a reality for their patrons, using volunteers, leveraging partnerships and integrating learning into everyday interactions. Whether the technology training you do (or want to do) is one-to-one, on-the-fly or a more formal program, this session will include tips and suggestions for improving the effectiveness of the training you provide. This webinar is hosted in collaboration with TechSoup for Libraries and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries.

Presented by:

·         Brenda Hough and Stephanie Gerding, consultants, TechSoup for Libraries

·         Wendy Street, director, Pella Public Library, Iowa.

July:   

Libraries, Children and Families: new research and policy recommendations on role of libraries in early reading

Tuesday, July 9, 1 p.m. Central, 60 min.

Early Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Libraries_Children_and_Families.html

The importance of early childhood education was underscored by President Obama in his most recent State of the Union address: "Study after study shows that the sooner a child begins learning, the better he or she does down the road." Join us to hear Susan Hildreth, director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, present on a recent policy report, developed with the Campaign for Grade-level Reading, that highlights the role of libraries in early learning. The report also offers a plan of action for policy makers to build on current research and include libraries in early learning strategies. Attendees will learn about best practices for enhancing reading programs and how to participate in your community’s efforts to address literacy concerns. In addition, Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, will describe the Project’s newly released report about the special role that libraries play in the life of families with children. Attendees will learn what matters to parents about their library experiences with their children, and how library programs and outreach can address those needs.

Presented by: Susan Hildreth, director, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Lee Rainie, director, Pew Research Center Internet & American Life Project.

Library Social Media Use

Wednesday, July 17, 1 pm Central, 60 min

Early Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Library_Social_Media_Use.html

Over half of the world’s 2 billion internet users interact with social media tools to create, share, and exchange information and ideas while online. Libraries are using these tools to market programs and services, and to connect and engage with their communities beyond the library walls. Join us as we explore Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest as examples of tools that are being used successful by libraries. The webinar will cover how to create, administer, moderate, and leverage your library’s online presence. Some basic security settings for each social media tool will be discussed as well.

Presented by: Dr. Roberto Gallardo, Project Director, Extension Broadband Education and Adoption Team (e-BEAT) in Mississippi

WJMN Team
Mary Ann Van Cura, State Library Services
Cecelia Boone, Minitex

Explore: http://webjunction.org/partners/minnesota! Follow Us: http://twitter.com/webjunctionmn! Contact Us: mnwebjunction@gmail.com!

Affiliation with WebJunction Minnesota is free and available to members of the Minnesota library community. Tell your colleagues!

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, a Federal Agency that fosters innovation, leadership and a lifetime of learning, in conjunction with State Library services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, which administers federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants, supports the WebJunction Minnesota project.

World Record Domino Chain of Books (Seattle Public Library)

Teens, Social Media, and Privacy

http://www.pewinternet.org/Infographics/2013/Teens-Social-Media-And-Privacy.aspx

Upcoming WebJunction Webinars (June and July)

Upcoming Webinars

 

May:

Broadband Adoption Toolkit

Wednesday, May 22, noon Central, 60 min

Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Broadband_Adoption_Toolkit.html

Building a digitally inclusive community requires multiple strategies, collaborations and creativity. Some digital inclusion strategies are referred to as “broadband adoption” which includes technology training, broadband awareness, low cost internet service and low cost home computers. NTIA is expected to release a Broadband Adoption Toolkit in May 2013. Join us for a conversation with the creators of the Broadband Adoption Toolkit to discuss what they learned and how the broadband adoption pieces fit together.

 

Presented by:

 

·         Laura Breeden, Team Leader, BTOP Program at the U.S. Department of Commerce, NTIA

 

·         John Horrigan, Vice President and Director, Media Technology Institute at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

·         Laura Marlane, Director, Providence Community Library

·         Lindsey Keck, Program Manager, Office of Innovation & Technology, City of Philadelphia

·         Angela Siefer, Digital Inclusion Program Manager at OCLC

 

To help you get the most out of this webinar, we are also inviting representatives of the projects highlighted in the NTIA Broadband Adoption Toolkit to participate in the chat.

June:

Amp Up Your Technology Training

Tuesday, June 4, 1 p.m. Central, 60 min.

Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Amp_Up_Your_Technology_Training.html

 More Americans than ever are coming to their libraries to access the Internet and get help connecting with their families, the job market and online services. Many library visitors lack basic computer skills, or need to learn the essential technology skills to apply for and land a job. With continual technology change, libraries are challenged to provide quality, up-to-date curriculum for their communities.

OASIS Connections, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting successful aging through lifelong learning, healthy living and social engagement, has partnered with urban and rural libraries across the country to provide a cost-effective training solution that helps adults of all ages develop technology skills and confidence. Learn how different library systems have adopted the program to serve varying local needs.

Presented by:

·         Amy VanDeVelde, National Program Manager OASIS Connections

·         Mary Bush, Librarian Public Technology Training, Multnomah County Library

·         Hayley St. John-Ayre, Administrative Coordinator 2, Broward County Library

Support Patron Learning in Small Spaces with Small Budgets

Wednesday, June 12, 1 p.m. Central, 60 min.

Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Libraries_Children_and_Families.html

In small communities, libraries can often be the only provider of free public access to technology and the internet. And as more people turn to their library to learn technology skills, even the tiniest of libraries are faced with the challenge of providing training to patrons with limited staff, resources, and space. Learn from small and rural libraries who are making training a reality for their patrons, using volunteers, leveraging partnerships and integrating learning into everyday interactions. Whether the technology training you do (or want to do) is one-to-one, on-the-fly or a more formal program, this session will include tips and suggestions for improving the effectiveness of the training you provide. This webinar is hosted in collaboration with TechSoup for Libraries and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries.

Presented by:

·         Brenda Hough and Stephanie Gerding, consultants, TechSoup for Libraries

·         Wendy Street, director, Pella Public Library, Iowa.

July:

Libraries, Children and Families: new research and policy recommendations on role of libraries in early reading

Tuesday, July 9, 1 p.m. Central, 60 min.

Early Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Libraries_Children_and_Families.html

The importance of early childhood education was underscored by President Obama in his most recent State of the Union address: "Study after study shows that the sooner a child begins learning, the better he or she does down the road." Join us to hear Susan Hildreth, director of theInstitute of Museum and Library Services, present on a recent policy report, developed with the Campaign for Grade-level Reading, that highlights the role of libraries in early learning. The report also offers a plan of action for policy makers to build on current research and include libraries in early learning strategies. Attendees will learn about best practices for enhancing reading programs and how to participate in your community’s efforts to address literacy concerns. In addition, Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, will describe the Project’s newly released report about the special role that libraries play in the life of families with children. Attendees will learn what matters to parents about their library experiences with their children, and how library programs and outreach can address those needs.

Presented by:

·         Susan Hildreth, director, Institute of Museum and Library Services

·         Lee Rainie, director, Pew Research Center Internet & American Life Project.

Library Social Media Use

Wednesday, July 17, 1 p.m. Central, 60 min.

Early Registration: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Library_Social_Media_Use.html

Over half of the world’s 2 billion internet users interact with social media tools to create, share, and exchange information and ideas while online. Libraries are using these tools to market programs and services, and to connect and engage with their communities beyond the library walls. Join us as we explore Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest as examples of tools that are being used successful by libraries. The webinar will cover how to create, administer, moderate, and leverage your library’s online presence. Some basic security settings for each social media tool will be discussed as well.

Presented by: Dr. Roberto Gallardo, Project Director, Extension Broadband Education and Adoption Team (e-BEAT) in Mississippi

 

WJMN Team

Mary Ann Van Cura, State Library Services
Cecelia Boone, Minitex

Explore: http://webjunction.org/partners/minnesota! Follow Us: http://twitter.com/webjunctionmn! Contact Us: mnwebjunction@gmail.com!

Affiliation with WebJunction Minnesota is free and available to members of the Minnesota library community. Tell your colleagues!

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, a Federal Agency that fosters innovation, leadership and a lifetime of learning, in conjunction with State Library services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, which administers federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants, supports the WebJunction Minnesota project.