Lifelong Learning

The Montana State Library provides lifelong learning support to all Montanans through a combination of librarian professional development and training, program development, and meaningful partnerships. Lifelong Learning projects include sustained, long-term efforts in early literacy, economic development, and summer reading, as well as other topics such as health information, STEM programming, wildlife education, and civic engagement.

 

Current Projects

Ready 2 Read

Ready 2 Read: Montana State Library's Early Literacy Initiative

Ready 2 Read is the Montana State Library's early literacy initiative. It is based on the American Library Association's national early literacy initiative, "Every Child Ready to Read" and was inspired by Montana-based early literacy programs such as Hopa Mountain's Storymakers program. Ready 2 Read is meant to help parents and caregivers - especially low-income families - understand the value of sharing language and literacy with their children, and to empower them in aiding their children's language and knowledge growth. Ready 2 Read also includes providing professional development opportunities and trainings on early literacy so that librarians who work with young children and families can better assist and carry out the goals of early literacy development.​

Ready 2 Read - General Programming and Resources

Ready 2 Read - Texting Program

The Ready 2 Read Texting Program was launched in October 2015 in order to provide parents and caregivers of four-year-olds FREE early literacy tips through texts on their phone. Those who sign up will receive three text messages per week for 8 months that provide easy, fun, and useful ideas for helping children develop and practice their early literacy skills. 

Signing up for the program is FREE and EASY. Text the word "SIGNUP" to 

406-204-3583

.

 

You are welcome to download and print out copies of these materials yourself, or request copies from the State Library directly.

Ready 2 Read - Supercharged Storytime Learning Cohort

Supercharged Storytime Banner

From Webjuction: "Supercharged Storytimes is a self-paced course consisting of six modules, which include videos, readings, activities, and reflection questions. The course provides training in how to intentionally apply research-based practices to boost early literacy in young children attending library storytime."

To help create communities of early literacy learning and practice among librarians, the Montana State Library has started organizing small learning cohorts to work through the Supercharged Storytimes course through Webjunction. Cohort participants work through each of the self-paced modules on Webjunction, and then meet online to discuss materials and share ideas.

If you are interested in participating in a Supercharged Storytime cohort, please email Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov to be put on a notification list for the next cohort. Interested participants must apply to be part of the cohort, and limited space is available (usually 6 or 7 spots).

Past Cohorts

May 2019 - August 2019: 6 participants

January 2020 - March 2020: 7 participants

January 2021 - March 2021: 5 participants

January 2022 - March 2022

Ready 2 Read - 1000 Books Before Kindergarten

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Logo
1000 Books Before Kindergarten is a fun, early-literacy focused project that challenges families and caregivers to read 1,000 books to their children before they start kindergarten. This program focuses on helping children develop early literacy skills, empowering parents, families, and caregivers to be their children's first teachers, and encouraging quality family time in a fun and engaging way.1000 Books Before Kindergarten was originally created in Nevada, and has since spread across the nation, with programs flourishing in all kinds of communities.How Does It Work?Public libraries can create their own 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program to help encourage all pre-K children in the community and their families learn to love reading and strengthen their early literacy skills. To start a program, you will need:
  • A Tracking Method for Books
  • A theme (not required, but helpful for planning)
  • Support for families participating in the program: This can be anything from prizes to reaching certain book milestones to early literacy tips to beefing up your children's collection or just giving book recommendations!

There are TONS of examples of public libraries who have started this program, and it works in libraries of all shapes and sizes, due to how customizable it is. There are also great ideas for themes, too, that are fun to look through!

 

Ready 2 Read Rendezvous

Location: Lewistown, MT at the Calvert Hotel

Dates: Friday, October 21st, to Sunday October 23rd.

Deadline to Apply: September 7th, 2022

Application Form Link: Ready 2 Read Application Form

Friday, October 21st, 2022

*Check-in will be available starting at 9 am. It is recommended that you plan to arrive by 12:30, so you can be settled and ready to start at 1 pm.

  • 1 – 1:30 pm: Welcome and Introductions  
  • 1:30 – 4:30 pm: Workshop with Dr. Bailey 
    • 3:00 – 3:15 pm: Afternoon Break 
  • 5:30 – 6:30 pm: Dinner
  • 7 pm: Spooky Storytelling with Jenifer Strauss at Lewistown Public Library 

Saturday, October 22nd, 2022

  • 8:45 – 9:00 am: Reflections and the Day Ahead 
  • 9:00 –12:00 pm: Workshop with Jenifer Strauss, Part 1 
    • 10:30 – 10:45 am: Morning Break 
  • 12:00 – 1:00 pm: Boxed Lunch at the Calvert, provided by Brooks Market 
  • 1:00 – 5:00 pm: Workshop with Jenifer Strauss, Part 2 
    • 2:30 – 2:45 pm: Afternoon Break 
  • 6:00 – 7:00 pm: Dinner at Brooks Market 
  • 7:30 – 8:30 pm: Tour of the Lewistown Public Library 

Sunday, October 23rd, 2022

  • 8:45 – 9:00 am: Reflections and the Day Ahead  
  • 9:00 – 12:00 pm: Project Design and Goal Setting with Amelea Kim 
    • 10 – 10:15: Break to check-out from hotel rooms 
  • 12:00 – 12:30 pm: Wrap-Up, Evaluation, and Follow-Up 
  • 12:30 pm: Boxed Lunch to Go at the Calvert 
The 2022 Ready 2 Read Rendezvous is an opportunity for librarians from across Montana to receive additional training to strengthen their role in serving families with young children in their communities. Librarians who work with children directly will benefit the most from attending the Rendezvous.  
The Rendezvous will feature nationally-known experts on storytelling and early literacy programming, as well as how to be culturally respectful when choosing stories to share with children. For more details on workshop descriptions and speaker bios, please see below.
The librarians who are selected to attend will have the following expenses related to the Rendezvous covered: 
  • Two nights hotel (October 21st and 22nd)
  • Food (Friday – Dinner, Saturday – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Sunday – Breakfast and Lunch)
As we have limited funding and space, we will be setting a cap on the number of attendees selected for the 2022 Rendezvous. We anticipate being able to accommodate about 15 librarians. 
If selected for the Rendezvous, your library’s representative must agree to attend all trainings and events related to the Rendezvous, to participate fully in the discussions, and to complete evaluation forms related to the event.

An additional expectation for Rendezvous attendees is to design a project that addresses a child/family-focused need in their community using what they learn at the conference . We expect this project to be:

  • Purposeful: Why have you chosen this need? What data do you have to support your decision?

  • Impactful: What goals and outcomes do you want for your project? How will your project explicitly address this need?

  • Measurable: How will you evaluate your project? How will you reflect on what you can improve while the project is ongoing, as well as when the project has concluded? How will you evaluate the impact on your patrons/community?

Please note that we expect this project to take significant time and effort on your part. If you are not prepared to commit to a long-term project for this next year, we encourage you to apply a different year when you are ready. 

Your follow-up commitments will include:

  • Goal setting and evaluation design for your project

  • Individual check-ins with the Lifelong Learning Librarian

  • Group check-ins with your fellow Rendezvous attendees

  • Implementation of your project and progress monitoring

All funding for the Ready 2 Read Rendezvous has been generously provided by Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) money from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

CE credit will be given for the Rendezvous, as well as follow-up trainings and meetings for Rendezvous projects. 

Conference Speakers

Jen-Strauss-Picture.jpg

Jenifer Strauss, Storyteller, Speaker, and Narrative Consultant

Jen Strauss uses her passion for story to help educators, organizations and individuals connect with others, communicate ideas, and achieve goals. Following ten years as a public school educator, Jenifer combined her love of teaching and storytelling and in 1993, founded her business, Story Be Told.

During her years in the classroom, Jen used storytelling with her students to capture interest, motivate learning, and inspire writing. She learned that people think, learn and imagine in story or narrative and helped her students make powerful connections between imagining, speaking, and writing.  As a College Academic Success Coach, she helped students create and pursue the future story they wished to live. Now traveling nationally, Jen offers interactive story performances, dynamic conference keynotes, workshops, trainings and coaching along with writing workshops and long-term involvements as an Artist-in-Residence.

Since 1993, Jenifer has designed library programs to coincide with the national Summer Reading theme along with offering year-round library programs for staff members, librarians and patrons, including national Best Storytime Practice trainings, Friend of the Library Dinner Theater, Teen Lock-in Nights and other seasonal and special programming.

Jenifer’s credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan, an elementary education degree from Western Michigan University, and a secondary education degree in Biology from Michigan State University. Jenifer’s publications and recordings include Telling Stories: The Cygnus Storytelling Handbook and a CD called U Tell A Tale: Stories Told Through-U. Her recording; Michigan Legends and Lore: Stories from Shore to Shore, was released in the fall of 2009 and focuses on Michigan History.

 

Dr-Harriette-Bailey-Picture.jpg

Dr. Harriette Bailey, Professor, Researcher, and Educational Consultant

Dr. Harriette N. Bailey is an Associate Professor, B-K Coordinator, Principal Investigator, and Co-Principal Investigator at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Dr. Bailey has extensive experiences in higher education, early intervention, early care and education, and child and family outcomes. She is passionate about preparing students to deliver effective and equitable services for diverse children and families. Dr. Bailey’s research interests include: appropriate services for infants and toddlers, cultural competency, cultural humility, anti-bias curriculum, family engagement, and designing effective policies and supports for young children and families.

She is a member of North Carolina’s State Interagency Coordinating Council, a Governor appointed position, Council for Exceptional Children (TED and DEC), NAEYC and National Black Child Development Institute. She is Co-owner and Educational Consultant with Bailey, Pullis & Riggins LLC. In this role, she provides educational consultation tailored to the needs of the consumer: such as Professional Development, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion planning and facilitation, Early Childhood Anti-Bias Implementation, Cultural Awareness, Competence and Humility.

Storytime is Your Time to Shine! with Jenifer Strauss, A Workshop Designed to Empower Youth Librarians

Storyteller, Speaker, and Narrative Consultant Jen Strauss will present a day-long workshop for The Ready to Read Rendezvous; Montana State Library’s Early Literacy Conference.

Spotlighting the ALA’s Every Child Ready to Read Five Practices, Jen Strauss will demonstrate how to build interactive programs that will engage young patrons AND model healthy language & literacy practices for parents and caregivers.

This intentionally hands-on workshop will focus on the important Window of Opportunity during the brain development of children, 0-6 years of age and emphasize the power of diverse language experiences to help children grow, learn and mature. Participants will be given a multitude of opportunities to engage in stories, songs, and language-rich “make-and-takes” for props, pre-writing and writing activities. Participants will be introduced to a Storytime Planning Template, receive extensive workshop handouts,  the PowerPoint deck, and future access to the presenter for questions and consultation.

Workshop topics and activities will include:

  • Reading, Talking & Talking about What You are Reading
  • Singing Your Way to Literacy: The Power of Rhythm, Rhyme, and Movement
  • Puppets, Props and Play: Enriching & Expanding Your Storytime Language Experience
  • Pre-Writing and Writing Activities for Before, During and After Storytime
  • Share-Out Collaboration for Favorite Storytime Topics, Books & Activities

Early Literacy, Brain Development, and Community Engagement with Dr. Harriette Bailey

“From birth, children are learning language and developing the ability to communicate. Language
development begins with children’s ability to understand what others are communicating with them.The youngest children build the foundation for reading and writing as they explore books, listen to songsand nursery rimes, hear stories, and begin to draw and scribble.” North Carolina Foundations Task Force.(2013). North Carolina foundations for early learning and development. Raleigh: Author.

Participants with explore the foundations of early literacy (birth-age 8), including brain development, using research to inform best practices when working the young children and their families. We will spend some time discussing strategies to incorporate early literacy activities in the library experience. Participants will engage in “Make It – Take It” activities to spark their individual creativity to share with children and families, and possible community activities that support early literacy. Finally, we will discuss services in the community that may be available to support children’s overall development, but language and literacy. This will be a fun-filled session that encourages questions, creativity, and collaboration.

Ready 2 Read Goes Wild

Description:

The Ready 2 Read Goes Wild program, a joint project between the Montana State Library and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, uses nature and Montana animals to spark kids' interest in language and literacy, math and science, and the natural world that surrounds them. This program was originally launched in 2010 and provided themed trunks with activity resources in them to libraries around the state. The Ready 2 Read Goes Wild program went on hiatus in 2019 so the Montana State Library could organize the program, and sort out logistical issues, and has now relaunched in 2021 with a Bear Trunk that is available at 5 participating libraries, listed below. We are also in process of piloting a Bat Trunk that is available at 4 participating libraries. 

Bear Trunk Libraries

  • Della VanSetten, Choteau/Teton Public Library

  • Stacie Rennaker, Darby Community Library

  • Karen Ketchu, Madison Valley Public Library

  • Andrew Boll, Stillwater County Library

  • Austin Castle, Glacier County Library

Bat Trunk Libraries

  • Molly Hudson, Lewis and Clark County Library

  • Ashley Martin, Havre-Hill County Library

  • Ann Brooks, ImagineIF Kalispell

  • Allynne Ellis, Billings Public Library

Anyone at these libraries with a library card in good standing can check out the trunks and use them for educational programming. Please contact the library directly if you have questions about the Bear Trunk, and how to borrow it. 

To read more about the 2021 relaunch of Ready 2 Read Goes Wild, please check out the following press release:

Ready 2 Read is Montana State Library’s early literacy initiative, and the Ready 2 Read Goes Wild program is a partnership between MSL, Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, and public libraries to bring early literacy and outdoor education/awareness to Montana’s littlest citizens.

The Ready 2 Read Goes Wild program uses two outdoor education curriculums:

Montana FWP is active with Growing Up Wild and Project Wild, so if you are interested in learning more about either of these curriculums outside of the Bear Trunk, please feel free to do so!

The Ready 2 Read Goes Wild partnership with FWP originally started back in 2010 with Sara Groves, the previous Lifelong Learning Librarian. The 2021 relaunch was made possible with assistance from Ryan Schmaltz and Danielle Oyler at FWP, so thank you Ryan and Danielle for your hard work! 

Reimagining School Readiness - Train-the-Trainer

The Reimagining School Readiness Train-the-Trainer program is a professional development program designed to train library staff to use the Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit. The Toolkit, originally developed by the Bay Area Discovery Museum (BADM) in collaboration with the California State Library (CSL), is a set of free resources which includes tips and strategies for librarians, and activities for children and caregivers that prepare children for success in school. The current program is offered as part of a nearly $250,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded to Pacific Library Partnership (PLP). PLP is partnering with BADM, and CSL to train libraries across the country on how to use the Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit to positively impact families and children in their communities. This program is now in its third year, and Montana is excited to be participating.

Please read more about BADM, the Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit, and the IMLS grant at the following links:

As a part of this cohort, the Montana State Library will do the following:

  • Send two Montana librarians to attend two virtual trainings with the Bay Area Discovery Museum in January 2022. The two librarians attending the 2022 trainings are:

    • Amelea Kim, Lifelong Learning Librarian at Montana State Library

    • Bayley Gibson, Public Services Librarian at the Madison Valley Public Library

  • Plan and design workshops to train Montana librarians in the toolkit resources and research behind the resources. These workshops will be virtual, with the possibility of in-person opportunities as circumstances allow.

  • Provide annual trainings in future years to refresh and reenergize those who have already been trained, and to introduce new librarians to the toolkit and help them learn how to use it.

Information on scheduled trainings will be posted to this webpage, sent out on WIRED, and posted in the ASPeN Training Calendar once they are scheduled. Virtual trainings will be recorded and posted to MSL's Vimeo channel as well. You can also email Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov for information at any point in time. 

Any Montana librarian is welcome to attend these trainings! Trainings are free, and you are also welcome to invite any of your community partners to these events as well. These trainings would be most interesting and applicable to librarians who work directly with young children (0-5) and their families, but we are happy to have anyone with interest in this topic. 

All trainings are virtual, unless stated otherwise. These training times might change, depending on the content learned at the Train-the-Trainer session in January 2022.
  • March 15th, Tuesday, from 1 - 5 pm
  • Two Part Workshop: You are expected to attend both sessions of the workshop
    • April 5th, Tuesday, from 1 - 3 pm
    • April 12th, Tuesday, from 1 - 3 pm
  • November 2022 Two-Part Workshop
    • November 2nd, Wednesday, from 1 - 3 pm
    • November 9th, Wednesday, from 1 - 3 pm

Summer Reading Program

Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP)

Montana is a member of the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), which is a consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children at the lowest cost possible for their public libraries.

By combining resources and working with an exclusive contracted vendor to produce materials designed for CSLP members, Montana public libraries can purchase posters, reading logs, bookmarks, certificates and a variety of reading incentives at significant savings.

CSLP offers Montana and other participating states a unified and high-quality promotional and programming summer reading product. Participants have access to the same artwork, incentives and publicity, in addition to an extensive manual of programming and promotional ideas. The Montana State Library purchases the manual and provides it to all Montana public libraries and branches at no charge. 

Each year, CSLP produces four different summer reading programs for different ages centered around a similar theme. The four programs offered include: early childhood, children’s, teen, and adult. 

CSLP began in 1987 when ten Minnesota regional library systems developed a summer library program for children, choosing a theme, creating artwork and selecting incentives that public libraries in the regions could purchase and use. State libraries and systems continue to join and CSLP continues to evolve, but its guiding principle remains the same, librarians sharing ideas, expertise and costs to produce a high-quality summer reading program for children. Contact Amelea Kim with questions on this program.

  • 2022 Program Theme: Kindness/Friendship/Unity
  • Slogan: "All Together Now"
  • Artist: Frank Morrison

2023 Summer Reading News and Resources:

  • 9/20/22: The 2023 CSLP Manual is now available for Montana libraries to download and use! Please check with your library director to get the PDF with the access code and directions. You can also reach out to Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov for the code directly.
  • 10/28/22: 2023 Summer Reading Preview Webinar - you can watch the recording if you missed it!
  • 11/14/22: The Summer Symposium for 2023 registration links are now live! You can register to attend the virtual sessions, or you can watch all of the recordings afterwards. 

If you are new to Montana, or new to Summer Reading, here are some places for you to start with planning your Summer Reading program!

To Do:

  1. Create a CSLP account at the CSLP website! It's free, and gives you access to more materials and information. To create a FREE account, please follow these directions:

    • Go to CSLP's website: cslpreads.org

    • Click on the "Log-in" button in the upper right, and click on "Register" to create your account.

    • Once you create your account, CSLP will verify your account to make sure your library is part of their membership. This may take a day or two.

    • Log-in with your account and start exploring the Summer Reading resources that CSLP has to offer! Here are some places I recommend checking out:

      • Research on Summer Reading:

        • Summer Reading Resources --> Summer Slide

        • Summer Reading Resources --> White Paper

      • Membership Benefits:

        • Membership and Information --> Rules of Use

        • Membership and Information --> Join a CSLP Committee

      • General Summer Reading Information:

        • Membership and Information --> Newsletters

  2. Be on the lookout for directions on accessing your CSLP manual in September/October! The State Library will email out directions on how to access and download the online manual from the CSLP website. You MUST have a CSLP account to access the manual. The manual is free for Montana public libraries to access.

  3. Participate in Summer Reading Brainstorm Webinars! The Montana State Library will host multiple Summer Reading Brainstorm opportunities in the months leading up to summer. These will be a mixture of webinars and in-person sessions, usually happening in January/February and at MLA in April. This is a great time to bring questions, and hear what your peers are doing.

Remember, you are welcome to reach out your CSLP representatives at any time! Currently, those are the following:

  • Cindy Christin, Bozeman Public Library

  • Amelea Kim, Montana State Library

The USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides free, nutritious meals and snacks to kids throughout the summer months when school is out. The SFSP is administered in Montana by the Office of Public Instruction School Nutrition Programs. Many Montana libraries participate in SFSP, either by participating as a host site and providing space, or providing activities and books for attendees during meal times. If your library is interesting in participating more in SFSP, please look at the following resources:

Starting in 2022, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation has created a separate grant program to support Montana public library summer reading programs. While Town Pump has long supported public libraries through their charitable foundation, they decided to create a separate grant for libraries due to the positive impact summer reading was having on student learning, especially outside of school settings. Each grant is $1,000, and any public library in Montana is eligible to apply. Please visit the Town Pump Keep Kids Reading Grant page for the application (available starting 3/1/22) and more details. You can also see the 2022 Press Release for more details.

Transforming Teen Services Training Program with YALSA

Connected Learning in the Library

The Montana State Library is excited to participate in the Young Adult Library Services Association's (YALSA) training program, "Transforming Teen Services: A Train the Trainer Approach." Funded by IMLS and in partnership with the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), this program is an effort to bring together state library agency youth consultants and front-line library staff for a robust training program that focuses on providing connected learning frameworks for teen services, and creating opportunities for computer science and computational thinking.

If your library is interested in receiving this training, Amelea and Dusty are able to travel and can come to your library directly. Trainings are available in a variety of lengths, and we encourage you to coordinate with libraries in your area to get multiple staff trained at once.

To request a training, please fill out the Training Request Form.

Montana Libraries SPARK - Economic Development Initiative

Montana Libraries SPARK Programs

Montana Libraries Spark Logo

The Montana Libraries SPARK Initiative is the Montana State Library's state-wide economic development initiative. Started in 2020, Montana Libraries SPARK provides programming ideas and professional development opportunites for librarians in order to empower Montana's public libraries to support and assist business and economic development communities. With Montana Libraries SPARK, we hope that:

  • Montana public libraries become active contributors to economic development on a statewide and local level

  • Local business support ecosystems recognize libraries as important players in economic development

Please use the table of contents below to navigate to your desired section. If you have any further questions, please contact Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov.

The Montana Libraries SPARK marketing materials are based off a previous outreach campaign that the Montana State Library did in 2018, called Information Powers Growth. To see the materials from that campaign, please visit the Information Powers Growth materials on the Montana Library Association Website.

  • Paper Printing Colors

    • Pantone Color Bridge Coated 361C (100% PMS)

    • Pantone Color Bridge Coated Cool Gray 9 (100% PMS)

  • Web Colors (CMYK)

    • CMYK Green (C-75, M-3, Y-100, K-0)

    • CMYK Gray (C-55, M-47, Y-43, K-10)

  • Web Colors (Hex)

    • Hex Green (#3fb149 png or #40b149 jpg)

    • Hex Gray (#79787d)

    • Hex Black (#000000)

  • Fonts Used

    • For logo: Neon 80s

    • For text in marketing materials: Avenir Medium and Avenir Black

Bat Week

Bat Week 2022

From batweek.org: "Bat Week is an international, annual celebration designed to raise awareness about the need for bat conservation. Bats are amazing creatures that are vital to the health of our natural world and economy. Although we may not always see them, bats are hard at work all around the world each night - eating tons of insects, pollinating flowers, and spreading seeds that grow new plants and trees."

The Montana State Library and Fish, Wildlife, and Parks partner to help libraries around the state celebrate Bat Week to raise awareness and educate communities about the importance of bats. See below for current and previous Bat Week resources!

The State Library and Fish, Wildlife, and Parks has put together a resource packet together with bat facts, crafts, book lists, and take-home puzzles, mazes, and more for you to share with your library patrons! If you have any questions, please email Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov

The State Library will also be providing Bat Week Packages to libraries around the state who sign up. Please use the form below to request a package. Requests are honored first come, first served

Bat Week Celebration Trunk:

There is also a Bat Week Celebration Trunk available for libraries to borrow and use. There are two ways you can borrow a Bat Week Celebration Trunk:

  • You can borrow a Bat Week Celebration Trunk from one of the 4 hosting libraries listed below (contact the library with questions):
    • Molly Hudson, Lewis and Clark County Library
    • Ashley Martin, Havre-Hill County Library
    • Liza Butler-Aveson, ImagineIF Kalispell
    • Allynne Ellis, Billings Public Library 
  • You can borrow a Bat Week Celebration Trunk from the Montana State Library directly, through the MSL Trunk Program.  Please scroll down on this Lifelong Learning page to the "Montana State Library Trunk Program" section for information on how to borrow a trunk, and what the expectations for usage are.

Bat Week Celebration Trunk Contents:

Montana State Library Trunk Program

How to Borrow an MSL Trunk

The Montana State Library has a small number of trunks available for public libraries and educational organizations to borrow. Please read the following below for more information on how to borrow a trunk, and what activities are included in each trunk. If you have any questions, please contact Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov. 
  1. Fill out the MSL Trunk Request Form with your desired dates. You can check the MSL Trunk Program Calendar to look at availability. Please keep in mind that not all requests may be able to be fulfilled, and priority is given in the following order: Public libraries, schools, educational organizations, general public. Within these groups, priority will be given to requests where multiple people/entities are going to be using the trunk (ex: a public library requests it, but also confirms that the local middle school teacher will use it, as well as one of the daycares). 
  2. Please limit your requested date length to a month. Please also keep in mind that at least a week is scheduled between locations, to make sure there is enough time for shipping. 
  3. Once you have submitted the form, please wait for Amelea to reach out about your request.
  4. It is HIGHLY recommended that you submit your request as early as possible. Last-minute requests may not be fulfilled, even if a trunk is available, due to time constraints.
  • Please fill out the MSL Trunk Inventory Form when you receive the trunk and make note of anything that is missing, needs replenishing, or is in bad condition. 
  • If other organizations/people in your community are using the trunk, please keep track of their contact info so MSL can follow up about usage/feedback.
  • Please keep track of the following:
    • How many times you use the trunk (# of programs)
    • How many participants you had for each program
    • Approximate age groups of participants (ex: 4 adults, 5 teens, 9 elementary, 3 preK)
    • Any feedback from your program participants
  • When your borrowing period is finished, MSL will reach out to coordinate a FedEx pickup of  the trunk at your library. The trunk MUST be ready for pickup at 8 am on this date. MSL will send a shipping label for you to print and tape to the trunk. All shipping costs are covered by MSL. 
  • As a final wrap-up, please fill out the MSL Trunk Program Feedback Form, where you will report on how you used the trunk, and any feedback for improvement you have. 

Please use the following pages to learn more about the trunks available, and what activities are in each trunk.

Health Literacy

The Montana State Library is committed to working with public libraries to provide health-related programming and information to the public. By supporting health-related programming and education, MSL seeks to:

  1. Teach Montanans where to find, and how to evaluate health information
  2. Help raise awareness of and engagement with specific health topics
  3. Empower Montanans to make health decisions appropriate for themselves, their friends, and their families.

 

 Listed below are the various projects that MSL is supporting regarding health literacy. If you have any questions, please contact the Lifelong Learning Librarian, Amelea Kim. 

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Montana, please visit https://covid19.mt.gov/

For up-to-date information on COVID-19 resources for Montana Libraries, please visit http://about.msl.mt.gov/publications/covid_response

MSL published a manual called "Planning a Health Fair: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know and More" in September 2007, using funds from the federal Library Services and Technology Act. This manual contains great information for topics, logistics, and activities needed to run a successful health fair. 

Access the Health Fair Manual PDF for more details.

Montana SMP, a program of Missoula Aging Services and partnered across the state with Area Agencies on Aging, is partnering with the Montana State Library to distribute a mobile kiosk display on Medicare Fraud prevention starting in August 2018. Statewide partners will distribute the kiosk to libraries around Montana, and will coordinate the rotation of the kiosk to other libraries in their area every few weeks or so. For more information, please visit the Montana SMP Mobile Kiosk webpage.

October is Health Literacy Month and is "a time for organizations and individuals to promote the importance of understandable health information." This event was started by Helen Osborne in 1999. Visit the Health Literacy Month website for more information.

In honor of Health Literacy Month, the Montana State Library created a toolkit with resources and information that libraries can customize and use to promote health literacy and health-programming in their own libraries during the month of October, as well as year-round.

Visit the Montana HLM Toolkit to view the PDF and links to all materials. 

Resources from PLA, Cover MT, and more have been compiled into a toolkit. Open Enrollment 2019 Toolkit PDF.

To visit the websites of the organizations working to support health care enrollment in MT, please click the links below:

Additionally, here is an Affordable Care Act/Open Enrollment Guide from 2015 that has more resources regarding health care, health insurance, and library services.

The CDC has released information and resources that libraries can use for opioid awareness, outreach, and education

Promoting Individual and Community Health at the Library, by Mary Grace Flaherty - This eBook is now available through the Montana State Library collection, and discusses how "public libraries can play an important role in supporting library users in their health information seeking efforts."

Lifelong Learning Data Reports

Below are data reports for various Lifelong Learning projects at the Montana State Library. These reports are drawn from surveys and assessments conducted with library staff and patrons to evaluate the status of a project, whether or not we are achieving our desired outcomes, and to determine next steps in the project.

For more details on any of these reports, please contact the Amelea Kim, Lifelong Learning Librarian, at akim@mt.gov.

Ready 2 Read

Health Literacy

Summer Reading

Animal and Nature Appreciation

NASA @ My Library Summer Reading Kit Program 2019

Civic Engagement in Public Libraries

More information to come soon

MLN Virtual Programming Series

MLN Virtual Programming Series

The Montana Library Network is sponsoring a virtual programming series for 2022 that anyone is welcome to attend. Public libraries in particular are encouraged to share and publicize these events with their communities. All events are virtual, through Zoom. The goals of this Virtual Program Series are to:

  • Provide high-quality and interesting topics and information to Montanans all around the/ state
  • Provide opportunities for public libraries to become familiar with publicizing and participating in virtual program offerings for their communities, especially since virtual programming is now part of the Montana Public Library Standards
  • Provide opportunities for Montanans to connect with others around the state on topics of interest

Please see at the MLN Virtual Programming Policy for more details on selection criteria, process, and more.

Please check back on this page for updates as new events are added through September 2022. If you have any questions, please contact Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov.

This programming series is funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

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Montana's Poet Laureate, Mark Gibbons on April 20th, 2022 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm

  • Event Description: Poet laureate Mark Gibbons is a lifelong resident of the state who began writing poetry in high school, married young, and has worked a variety of jobs to remain in Montana. His presentations will explore the power of poetry, how it reveals through personal experience and human emotion what it’s like to be a human being, and how it helps us recognize that all of us have more in common than we think. By sharing his and others’ poems, he will discuss his love of poetry, and his belief that it not only matters but is an essential tool for developing empathy and understanding. Poetry is social glue. Every person is a poet whether they know it or not. Everyone thinks, imagines, feels, dreams. Poetry shows us that on paper and in song.
  • Presenter Bio: Mark Gibbons is the author of nine books and two chapbooks of poetry, most recently In the Weeds and mostly cloudy. He’s edited two poetry collections for Drumlummon Institute and is the current editor of the Montana Poets Series for FootHills Publishing. For four decades, Gibbons has taught poetry to a variety of citizens in Montana from one-room schools to colleges to the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs. He lives in Missoula with his wife and continues to teach with the Missoula Writing Collaborative.

A Cooking Demonstration with Mariah Gladstone, Indigikitchen on May 20th, 2022 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm

  • Event Description: Mariah’s cooking demonstration will include a history of Indigenous food systems, as well as the relationship between cultural identity, health, and native plants. She'll discuss the current Indigenous food movement and how the ingredients native to this continent can be incorporated into today's meal planning and preparation.
  • Presenter Bio: Mariah Gladstone, Piikuni (Blackfeet) and Tsalagi (Cherokee), grew up in Northwest Montana on and near the Blackfeet Reservation. She graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Environmental Engineering and returned home where she began her work on food advocacy. She developed Indigikitchen, an online cooking platform, to revitalize and re-imagine Native foods. Mariah was named a "Champion for Change" by the Center for Native American Youth and is currently a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader and a MIT Solve Indigenous Communities Fellow. In 2021, she completed her graduate degree at SUNY-ESF in the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, appeared on the Today Show for their Thanksgiving Episode, and was named a Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellow by the First Nations Development Institute.

Montana Ties to the Titanic with Zoe Ann Stoltz from the Montana Historical Society on August 22nd, 2022, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm

  • Event Description: Have you heard the stories of Montana’s connections to the sinking of the Titanic? Not only were there over a dozen Titanic passengers who listed Montana as their destination, there were also numerous personal and professional Montana connections. The aspirations and make up of these individuals—miners, emigrants, carpenters, homesteaders, dishwashers, and millionaires—represent the social and economic make up of 1912 Montana. Their stories range from tragic to inspiring.
  • Presenter Bio: Zoe Ann Stoltz is the Reference Historian for Montana Historical Society Research Center. After growing up in eastern Montana and raising three daughters in the northwestern corner of the state, Zoe Ann pursued her dream of becoming a Public Historian. To this end, she graduated from Mount Holyoke College in MA, and earned her Master’s in History from the University of Montana. As Reference Historian for the Montana Historical Society, Zoe Ann’s career combines her two passions, the people and history of Montana! Her current projects include studies of Montana Foodways, and Montana Livestock Brand Records.

"The Day That Finally Came" with Chris La Tray, Métis Storyteller, on October 25 2022, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm

  • Event Description: The Montana-based Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians became the 574th Indian tribe to be recognized by the United States government in December, 2019, after over 150 years of trying. Headquartered in Great Falls with more than 6,000 enrolled members, the Little Shell Tribe is connected to all area Anishinaabe tribes, including the Chippewa, Cree, and Assiniboine people, and, particularly, the Métis, or mixed-race. La Tray relates stories to reveal the larger reality behind the “Little Shell” name, including how conflict with the US government led to the fracture and spreading out of what were once tight, family-based bands, their members often finding refuge on other reservations and marrying into other Montana tribes, like the Blackfeet and Salish people. The program helps people better understand who the Little Shell are, and their part in the history of North America.
  • Presenter Bio: Chris La Tray is a Métis storyteller, a descendent of the Pembina Band of the mighty Red River of the North and an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. His third book, Becoming Little Shell, will be published by Milkweed Editions in 2023. His first book, One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large won the 2018 Montana Book Award and a 2019 High Plains Book Award. His book of haiku and haibun poetry, Descended from a Travel-worn Satchel, was published in 2021 by Foothills Publishing. Chris writes the weekly newsletter "An Irritable Métis" on Substack and lives near Missoula, Montana.  https://chrislatray.substack.com
  • Registration Link on Zoom
  • Publicity Materials:

Connecting Montana Folks with Montana Fiber, Montana Fibershed on January 26th, 2023 from 6:30 - 8 pm

  • Event Description: The concept of a “fibershed,” a term coined by Rebecca Burgess, and popularized in her 2019 book* of the same name, has spread all over the U.S. and the world. Like a watershed, which defines a catchment and drainage area for a given landscape, a fibershed is a geographically-defined area in which natural fiber resources are produced and then used by the people living within its boundaries. Montana Fibershed seeks to educate Montanans on the benefits of a place-based, local fiber system. A parallel concept to the local foods movement, this local cloth movement highlights the origins of our fiber and clothing. Just like our food, our natural-fiber clothing also comes from the land. We are working to connect our fiber producers, the farmers and ranchers, to our local designers, makers, businesses, and other end-users of Montana-raised natural fiber, and in so doing, to bolster the Montana textile economy and its supply chains, and to promote regenerative agricultural practices for healthy soils and a more balanced ecosystem across our great state. 

    *Fibershed: Growing a Movement of Farmers, Fashion Adtivists, and Makers for a New Textile Economy, by Rebecca Burgess, Chelsea Green Publishing, 2019. 

  • Presenter Bio - Barb French: 

    Barb French is a maker with a life-long devotion to natural fibers. She learned to sew and knit from her mother at a young age, and from high school days, was making and designing her own clothes. Later, weaving, spinning and dyeing were added to her fiber obsessions

    Barb studied music and languages at Montana State University, graduating with a B.A. in French. She received her M.A. Ed. from Tennessee State University, as well as her Certificate in English as a Second Language. She has taught French, Humanities, and ESL.. Barb owned a yarn shop in Bozeman in the 2000’s and the focus of her teaching turned toward the fiber arts of weaving, spinning, knitting, and others. More recently, her work centers on weaving, for garments and for rugs.

    The Montana Fibershed organization has encompassed so many of Barb’s interests, from the love of fiber and fashion, to the sustainable growth of Montana’s textile industry and the fascinating subject of regenerative agriculture within the Montana fiber economy. As a member of the original steering committee and now a Board member, she is dedicated to spreading the good word of the benefits of local, natural fibers for both people and planet.

  • Presenter Bio - Helen Harris: 

    Helen Harris is a professional artist who’s medium includes weaving, stitching, dyeing & mineral pigment painting. She holds BFA & MA degrees in Textile Design/Weaving/Mixed Media Art, from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL.

    Growing up she learned to mend and stitch at her grandmother’s knee. These days, if she isn’t wandering the foothills of her Ennis home looking for colors, patterns, and textures in nature to inspire elaborate weavings, she is creatively mending jeans and recycling fibers. Helen sees an opportunity to support regenerative agriculture through her artistry and fashions and sourcing regional fibers is one way to begin.

    Helen is a current board member of the Montana Fibershed, took part in the organization’s debut event, the Farm-To-Fashion show. She believes sustainability is linked to the concept of slow fashion, or the conscious production, distribution, and mindful use of clothing. Slow fashion goes beyond how we create and market garments, to include the full lifecycle of these textiles.
  • Registration Link on Zoom (www.tinyurl.com/MTFibershed)

Foraging for Mushrooms in Montana with Dr. Cathy Cripps from MSU on April 20th, 2023, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm

  • Event Description: Coming Soon
  • Presenter Bio: Coming Soon
Coming soon!

National Voter Registration Day

National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating our democracy. First observed in 2012, it has quickly gained momentum ever since. Nearly 4.5 million voters have registered to vote on the holiday to date. 

National Voter Registration Day will next take place on September 20, 2022, when volunteers and organizations from all over the country will “hit the streets” in a single day of coordinated field, technology and media efforts. National Voter Registration Day seeks to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities to reach tens of thousands of voters who may not register otherwise.

Learn more about National Voter Registration Day

Montana libraries can participate in National Voter Registration Day in a variety of ways:

Other Helpful Resources

Archived Projects

Early Childhood Development: Mind in the Making

December 2019 Update:

Support for Mind in the Making has been discontinued at the Montana State Library. Librarians who attended the training may still be using and implementing the knowledge learned in 2018 and are encouraged to keep doing so. However, statewide rollout of the program has been stopped. If you have any questions regarding MITM or the decision to discontinue the program, please contact Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov.

About Mind in the Making

Mind in the Making is a specialized training initiative sponsored by the Bezos Family foundation and sponsored locally by the Edwards Foundation. MITM was presented to selected Montana libraries and their community partners during April 27 - 29, 2018 at the Bozeman Public Library. 

Vroom Resources

  • Vroom - Vroom is a great online app/tool that gives you free brain-building moments to help your child learn and grow. Sign up is free, and the information can be delivered many different ways (via your phone, through a website, etc). 

Other Resources

Financial Literacy

To meet the rising need for unbiased financial education and information for underserved Montanans, the Montana State Library will launch a financial literacy project to connect Montanans with helpful and reliable, unbiased financial information and resources through their local libraries.  

State level partners will collaborate with the Montana State Library staff on training for library staff, financial literacy resource kits, curriculum, and marketing resources.  Financial literacy education will be provided to librarians and then to Montanans.  

Part 1: Librarian Training

At the Montana Library Association conference in Billings, Montana State University Extension Solid Finances Team will provide the initial training.  An additional training by MSU Extension for librarians is scheduled in May in Miles City.  Additional state-level partners including First Interstate Bank and the Montana Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection will provide training during Money Smart Week to Montanans at their local libraries.  

Librarian Training Calendar

Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 1 – 4 p.m.

Montana Library Association Conference, Billings

Solid Finances Webinar Series: A Useful Financial Literacy Resource

Presenter:  Joel Schumacher

Northern Hotel:  2nd Floor, Hart-Albin Room

CE:  Library Services to the Public

This workshop provides an overview of MSU Extension’s Solid Finances program. The series is a free webinar series targeting working adults. Participants will learn: 1) what resources are available through Solid Finances 2) potential target audiences and 3) methods libraries can utilize Solid Finances in their communities.  MSU Extension will also provide to participants a large collection of financial literacy books for their collection and marketing materials to be used in libraries to promote the collection, including banners, bookmarks, and more. 

 

Tuesday, May 23, 2017, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Sleep Inn and Suites, Miles City

Promoting Financial Wellness in Your Community

Presenter: Joel Schumacher

CE: Library Services to the Public

This workshop will improve your knowledge of financial literacy resources that are available to librarians.  Additionally, it will promote ideas of how to offer financial education without being a financial expert.  If financial literacy collections and marketing materials remain from the MLA training, these will be distributed to attendees at this session.  Registration is required but there is no cost and travel expenses will be reimbursed. 

For more information or to register, contact Joel Schumacher at jschumacher@montana.eduor by phone at (406) 994-6637.

More trainings will be scheduled.  

Part 2: Resources to Libraries

Montana State University Extension is providing extensive financial literacy content for libraries that attend training to include in their permanent collection.  Additionally, MSU Extension will also purchase these titles for permanent inclusion in MontanaLibrary2Go.  These books include:

Adult Books

  

Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?

Cary Siegel

The 5 Years Before You Retire

Emily Guy Birken

How to Retire the Cheapskate Way

Jeff Yeager

The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money

Carl Richards

The Ultimate Cheapskate’s Road Map to True Riches

Jeff Yeager

The Bogleheads’ Guide to Retirement Planning

Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer, Richard A. Ferri, Laura F. Dogu

Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance In Your Twenties and Thirties

Beth Kobliner Shaw

Financial Literacy for Millennials: A Practical Guide to Managing Your Financial Life for Teens, College Students, and Young Adults

Andrew Smith

How to Manage Your Money When You Don't Have Any

Erik Wecks

Financial Advice for Blue Collar America

Kathryn Hauer

Less Than an NSF Fee: The ABCs of Financial Literacy

LaToya D. Cheek

Simple Savings: 274 Money-Saving Tips That Will Help You Save $1,000 or More Every Month

Matthew Paulson, Toi Williams, Rebecca McKeever

The Missing Semester: Your financial choices have Consequences. Will you Choose Wisely?

Matt Kabala and Gene Natali Jr.

The Prosperous Retirement: Guide to the New Reality

Michael K. Stein

How to Make Your Money Last: The indispensable Retirement Guide

Jane Bryant Quinn

How to retire happy: The 12 most important decisions you must make before you retire

Stan Hinden

IRAs, 401(k)s & Other Retirement Plans: Strategies for Taking your Money Out

Twila Slesnick and John Suttle

The Ten-Year Turnaround: Transform Your Personal Finances and Achieve Financial Freedom in The Next Ten Years

Matthew Paulson

The Retirement Savings Time Bomb . . . and How to Defuse It: A Five-Step Action Plan for Protecting Your IRAs, 401(k)s, and Other Retirement Plans from Near Annihilation by the Taxman

Ed Slott

Repair Your Credit Like the Pros: How credit attorneys and certified consultants legally delete bad credit and restore your good name

Carolyn Warren

Children’s Books

  

Money, Money, Honey Bunny!

Marilyn Sadler

Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday

Judith Viorst

The Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense

Stan & Jan Berenstain

Part 3: Library Patron Training

During Money Smart Week, April 22 – 29, 2017, state-level partners will offer trainings in libraries across the state directly to library patrons. 

Your local First Interstate Bank will come to your library and provide training and other financial literacy materials on a range of topics.  Librarians must contact their local First Interstate Bank directly and ask them to come offer a training.  First Interstate Bank offices have been made aware of this arrangement and look forward to working with libraries across the state. 

Additionally, the Montana Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection is willing to travel to libraries to offer training to Montana library patrons.  All presentations are provided free of charge.  Presentations consist of general Office of Consumer Protection outreach, but can also include specific subjects, such as current scams or identity theft; the Office of Consumer Protection can customize according to audience.  Because of budget constraints, the Office of Consumer Protection is not able to fulfill every request received for presentations. To request a trainer from the Office of Consumer Protection office to visit your library, please sign up here. 

Solid Finances

Webinar series from Montana State University Extension: webinar programming to share with your patrons; great for hosting a brown bag or evening program. More information here. 

NASA @ My Library

The Montana State Library is excited to have received a NASA @ My Library grant for 2019! MSL was selected to be part of Cohort 2 of the NASA @ My Library Program, a national Earth and Space Science Initiative that connects NASA, public libraries, and their communities.

The NASA @ My Library Program at Montana State Library seeks to increase and sustain the availability of NASA science-focused learning experiences for underserved audiences through:

  1. Building relations with NASA and other space science organizations
  2. Circulating multiple STEM Facilitation Kits to public libraries in their state
  3. Supporting professional development through  NASA@ My Library webinars and other training opportunities
  4. Serving as  NASA@ My Library advisors to offer advice, share insights, and lessons learned for other state libraries

Special thanks to these organizations for their help in providing and developing many of the materials used in this program!

Starnet Logo Astro Society of Pacific Logo

NASA @ My Library STEM Kits

NASA has provided the Montana State Library with two STEM kits that contain a variety of interesting and exciting space-related activities! Here is a short description of each kit:

Kit One: Sun-Earth-Moon Connections 

This kit focuses on activities and experiences that better help patrons understand their place in space, and how the Sun and Moon impact our planet. 

Kit Two: Be A NASA Detective: Expanding Your Senses

This kit focuses on activities and experiences that help patrons be more comfortable with using tools of science and making predictions based on their observations. This kit focuses on things we cannot see with our normal vision or sense with our normal senses. 

Coming Soon: The Montana State Library is developing copies of Kit 2 to be available for public libraries and their communities to use. We are looking to circulate the kits at public libraries in Montana through a hosting program. If you are interested in hosting Kit 2 at your library, please visit the 2019 NASA @ My Library STEM Kit Tour page (coming soon).

Museum of the Rockies Summer Reading Kits

The Montana State Library and the Museum of the Rockies are partnering up in honor of the 2019 Summer Reading Program theme, "A Universe of Stories." Through this partnership, MSL and MOR will be duplicating Kit One: Sun-Earth-Moon Connections to send out to public libraries to keep and use in their library programming. 

For more details on this program, please refer to the NASA @ My Library: Summer Reading Kits, Programming Ideas, and More! webinar that is scheduled for Wednesday, February 13th, 2019, from 2:30 - 3:30 pm. To register, please go to the NASA @ My Library Webinar ASPeN Registration Link.

Webinar Materials

Application for a NASA @ My Library Summer Reading Kit

To apply, please go to the MOR Summer Reading Trunk website and fill out the application form there. 

Application Deadline: Friday, March 1st, 2019

Materials in Kit One:

NASA @ My Library Program Evaluation

NASA will be collecting data on the NaML program for 2019, and using that information to better improve this program for the future. In order to help give feedback, we are asking librarians to fill out the NASA @ My Library: Sun-Earth-Moon Connections Evaluation Survey each time they use the STEM kit materials. 

The Montana State Library will also be using Project Outcome with the NASA @ My Library program to measure the impact that these materials have on Montanas across the state. Below are the links to the PDF and the online versions of the Project Outcome NaML survey.

Earth and Space Science Resources in Montana

The Montana State Library has connected with other earth and space science programs and resources in Montana. Here is a list of other organizations who focus on earth and space outreach and might serve as a valuable resource for offering this kind of programming at your library.

  • Space Outreach Team (SPOT): The Space Outreach Team is part of the Montana Space Grant Consortium,  which is part of a NASA-sponsored national network that is dedicated to strengthening aerospace research and education across the States. SPOT focuses on outreach on Montana schools, youth programs, and community groups, and presenters from Bozeman, Missoula, and Billings travel around giving talks on NASA-related space topics. A new presentation is created each year, and the program is free, although there are some requirements (minimum audience size) and limitations (scheduling). The presentations run about 45 minutes, although there is time and age-appropriate content flexibility. If you are interested in having a SPOT presenter come to your library, please contact SPOT at spot.montana@gmail.com. You can also submit a presentation request through their website: https://spacegrant.montana.edu/spot.html.
  • Big Sky Astronomy: Based in Kalispell, the Big Sky Astronomy Association is available for presentations and astronomy programming at your library! Association members regularly give presentations on a variety of space topics, and can tailor content to different age levels and audiences. Scheduling and booking a speaker is free, although their area is service is limited to Western Montana. In the summer, Big Sky Astronomy also hosts Star Parties at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park where anyone and everyone is welcome to view the sky through their telescopes, and listen to stories and facts about the night sky (summer 2019 schedule will be available in May 2019). Other areas of interest for the Big Sky Astronomy Association include fighting light pollution and participating in the International Dark Sky Association. To contact Big Sky Astronomy Association for presentation bookings and general questions, please reach out to Mark Pauslon at mhpaulson@gmail.com. Note, availability is somewhat limited, so not all requests will be able to be met. 
  • Western Montana Astronomical Association: Based in Missoula, the Western Montana Astronomical Association works on public outreach to raise awareness and appreciation of space and the night sky. In particular, WMAA has worked with a few public libraries in Montana to create a telescope lending program, based off a lending model started in New Hampshire. Training, handbooks, and guidelines were provided to interested libraries and librarians, and public talks were also given to introduce the telescope and answer general astronomy questions. Additionally, WMAA co-hosts Star Parties and Viewing Sessions at the Blue Mountain Observatory with the University of Montana in the summer. These viewing sessions happen about twice a month, and are free to the public, although you will need to reserve a space in advance as the observatory has limited capacity. The schedule for the Star Parties will be released sometime in the spring, so make sure to check out U of M’s website for more details as summer draws closer. For more questions on the telescope lending program, or any of WMAA’s activities, please contact Nick Wethington at cycliste737@gmail.com, or you can check out their website at http://www.missoulasky.org/
  • Museum of the Rockies: The Museum of the Rockies is an excellent source of space-related educational materials! Not only do they have a wonderful planetarium in-house, they have the following programs:
    • Our Home, Our World: Discovering Earth and Space Science in Kumamoto and Montana Educator's Guide - This cross-cultural curriculum covers paleontology, geology, and astronomy and are designed to be effective in both Japanese and American classrooms and museums. The guide contains several activities regarding star stories, charts, constellations, paleontology, etc and is available online. 
    • Lending Library Outreach Kits - MOR has a variety of activity kits available for use, though you will have to pay a $25 rental fee, as well as shipping one way. Space-related kits include Cosmic Colors, The Moon, Living in Space, and Rockets. Other themed kits are also available in other science-related areas!
    • STARLAB Planetariums - MOR has portable planetariums available for public use! This resource is slightly pricier with a rental fee of $175/week or $50/day, as well as shipping costs one way, but it is a really cool way to bring the planetarium experience to your community. 
  • Stellarium: Stellarium is a "free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope. Stellarium is very simple to use, which is one of its biggest advantages: it can be easily used by beginners. (from Stellarium.org)
  • New Hampshire Telescope Lending Program:  From their website "The New Hampshire Astronomical Society, and particularly its Educational Outreach Committee, started placing telescopes and educational materials in selected libraries in New Hampshire beginning in December 2008." If you are interested in starting a program similar to this in your own library, this website has GREAT resources, from costs, set-up, circulation methods, and training, on how to do that.
  • Solar System Ambassador - Lynn Powers: Lynn Powers is part of the Solar Systems Ambassador network, and is a great resource for space-related programming and outreach. Her programs include toolkits for doing space outreach, solar telescopes for sun-viewing parties, and presentations on eclipses, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo landing, the geology of the moon, as well as an “Ask an Astronomer” program where people can come with questions to ask her, either in-person or through a webinar. Lynn has presented at libraries before, and much of her programming is scalable, according to the audience. If you are interested in bringing Lynn to your library, please feel free to reach out to her at l.powers@smasweb.org. Please note that Lynn’s schedule is more flexible during the summer, and while there is no presenter fee, she does charge for gas reimbursement.
  • STARNet - Science-Technology Activities and Resources for Libraries : This website is a GREAT way to look for STEM-related activities and ideas you can do in your library. The most useful section will be the STEM Activity Clearinghouse, where you can search and browse for high-quality and vetted STEM activities using a variety of filters such as audience, content level, difficulty, etc. Activities are also curated into collections, and STARNet has helpfully created a collection called "A Universe of Stories", for activities that are great for the summer reading theme. Other resources include webinars, a blog with news announcements, and opportunities to apply for traveling space science exhibits! 
  • Women in Science - Posters and Resources: Sponsored by the NASA Chandra X-Ray Observatory, this website celebrates notable women in STEM and the amazing contributions they made to the exploration of the world and Universe around us. You can read about these women's stories, find educational activities, as well as print out beautifully designed posters and materials to create your own bulletin board display in your library. 
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Infographics: JPL has AMAZING infographics available for free download! You can browse through a variety of available infographics on space topics, or create your own using JPL images and data! Use this to supplement a display that you make in your library. 

Other Resources

Summer Reading Programs

  • 2022 Program Theme: Oceanography

  • Slogan: "Oceans of Possibilities"

  • Artist: Sophie Blackall

2022 Summer Reading Trunk with MOR and FWP

Since 2012, MSL has partnered with the Museum of the Rockies to create a themed trunk full of activities that libraries can directly use with their patrons. This year's trunk focuses on Montana's aquatic life from the past and the present. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks also joined in to partner on this trunk - thanks to both organizations for all of their help and support! 

How to Borrow the Trunk

For 2022, MSL only created one copy of the Summer Reading Trunk, and will be organizing a tour of the trunk to libraries across the state that request to borrow it. Please use the form below to submit your borrowing request before May 13th. Priority will be given to libraries that partner with other organizations/libraries in their area, so that multiple entities have plans to use the trunk during the borrowing period. 

2022 CSLP News

  • 8/22/21: Check out the poster previews for the 2022 Summer Reading Theme from Sophie Blackall!CSLP Poster Preview
  • 8/25/21: Listening Sessions for Members
    • CSLP Updates and Listening Sessions for Slogans: Have you ever wondered how the summer reading themes and slogans are selected each year?  We plan several years in advance, to allow time to contract with quality illustrators. We are currently working on the 2024 slogan and the 2025 theme.  (Want a little CSLP Theme/Slogan history? – 30 Years of CSLP History [cslpreads.org]). You can campaign for your favorites or help us see possible issues or challenges to the verbiage and translations. We need your input and will use these sessions time to listen as you share your concerns or as you strive to build support for your favorite proposed 2024 slogans and 2025 themes. These 2024 slogan suggestions came from state reps and CSLP membership from across the nation and have been vetted by CSLP's attorney for possible IP/copyright conflicts.  There are nine strong candidates remaining after removing those with potential risk or conflict. Now is the time to identify the best possible slogans and themes.   Your input may influence the final vote by the state reps at the CSLP Annual Meeting on September 23. These sessions are open to all membership. If you have any insights and would like to help us avoid unfortunate translations in the future please add one of the listening sessions to your calendar. Please contact Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov for the Zoom links to each session.
      • Session 1 on 9/8 at 1 pm MT
      • Session 2 on 9/10 at 9 am MT
      • Session 3 on 9/13 at 10 am MT
    • CSLP Listening Sessions for Membership Input – Manuals, Website, and More: The CSLP Membership Committee will be asking members (public library staff and state reps) for feedback on the manual, website, and online store, amongst possible other topics.  Help us continue to improve and customize the CSLP resources to better meet your needs. Please contact Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov for the Zoom links to each session.
      • Session 1 on 9/14 at 12 pm MT
  • 9/21/21: The download code and instructions for accessing the 2022 Summer Reading Manual have been released! If your library has not yet received your code, please email Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov for a copy of the directions and code. 
  • 9/23/21: CSLP Summer Symposium!
    • CSLP is excited to announce our first Summer Symposium
    • Who is this conference for? All library staff that are interested in summer programming.
    • Where is the conference? Virtually anywhere with an internet connection.
    • When is the conference? Thursday December 2, 2021 ~  11:30 am – 4:30 pm (EST)
    • When does registration open? November 1, 2021
    • How much is the registration fee for this virtual symposium? FREE!!!!
    • Where can I learn more? Check out the CSLP Summer Symposium website
    • ​Schedule:
      • Summer Matters: Making All Learning Count
      • Keynote - Liz McChesney: Elizabeth (Liz) McChesney is the 2021 recipient of the Association for Library Service to Children’s (ALSC) Distinguished Service Award. This prestigious award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to library service to children and to ALSC.  McChesney is the Outreach and Partnership Consultant for Laundry Literacy Coalition and the previous Director of Children’s Services and Family Engagement at Chicago Public Libraries. She serves as Senior Advisor to the Urban Libraries Council and as the Library Advisor to the National Summer Learning Association.Summer Symposium Social Media Image
      • You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Flyer: Library Summer Program Marketing Crash Course: Cari Hillman, Community Engagement Director of the MidPointe Library System shares marketing tips and tricks to help make your summer a success. Scalable to libraries of all sizes, this session will outline the power of a comprehensive marketing plan and ways to use CSLP resources for your marketing.
      • What’s Great About Your Community: Extending your connections to youth and families: Join us in an informal conversation about how you can connect with the assets in your community - people, organizations, and places - to build summer services that benefit youth and families. We’ll share examples and provide an opportunity for you to explore your own community’s assets and to get feedback from others.
      • Catch the Programming Wave (with Oceans of Possibilities)! Dive into new programming and display ideas with CSLP!  We will provide oversight to the new 2022 Oceans of Possibilities manual, highlight ideas for all age groups, and delve into display concepts.

2022 Summer Reading Planning Resources

  • Informational Websites about Oceanography and Water

    • National Oceanographic Data Center:  National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Government site archives and provides public access to a wealth of global oceanographic and coastal data, products, and information.

    • NOAA Count Down to World Ocean Day on June 2nd - Educational Graphics

    • Ocean Literacy - National Marine Educators Association 

    • NOAA Education: The NOAA Education Portal is your one-stop shop to connect with learning and teaching resources about the ocean and atmosphere. Discover curricula, lesson plans, and real-time data to bring NOAA science into your classroom. Explore opportunities for educators and students of all levels. Apply for competitive funding for education projects.

    • Earth Observing System (EOS): NASA. EOS is the Earth Observing System, in which satellites are used to monitor changes in climate on Earth from Space. The Educational part of this site provides free posters (one per teacher) about Ocean Processes, and how they relate to climate change, as well as a slide set (digital on-line) this topic. Great for on-line lectures. There are numerous other climate-related posters and slide sets, as well as links to educational products related to climate change.

    • Introduction to Physical Oceanography: M. Tomczak, Flinders University. Online lecture notes for college introductory physical oceanography course. Includes topography, sea water, salinity, heat and mass budgets, depth, thermodynamics, thermohaline processes, climate, waves, tides, estuaries, instrumentation, and exercises.

    • Oceanography, Earth & Marine Sciences, UC San Diego Library: The UC San Diego Library is recognized as having a world-class oceanography collection. Use the online guides, links, and resources below to discover the print and digital collections and resources in oceanography, earth and marine sciences, intended for the support of research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the world's premier oceanographic institution, researchers at the University of California and at other oceanographic institutions and centers around the world.

  • Informational Websites about Montana Water/Marine Life

    • Flathead Lake Bio Center: The FLBS Mission is to serve the Flathead Lake region, the state of Montana, the nation, and the world by advancing a cutting-edge research, monitoring, education & outreach platform for limnology, ecology, and environmental science at Flathead Lake. They have educational resources for K-12 on their website.

Adult Banner with Whale ImageTeen Banner image with SeahorsesChildren's Banner with Animal Images

Please check this page for updates on the 2021 Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP). You can also find information on the CSLP website. Please email akim@mt.gov with any questions you have.

Poster of animals

2021 Program Theme:

  • Theme: Animals and Stories
  • Slogan: "Tails and Tales"
  • Artist: Salina Yoon

2021 CSLP News

Image of a Lion
  • 10/1/2020: The CSLP Manual is now available! Please visit the CSLP website at cslpreads.org to access your library's copy of the online manual. If you are having trouble accessing your copy, or don't know how, please contact your CSLP state rep, Amelea Kim, at akim@mt.gov
  • 10/7/2020: Montana will not be receiving any print catalogs for CSLP materials this year. If your library would like to order CSLP materials, please visit the CSLP Store on the website and order directly from there. You can also download a PDF copy of the 2021 CSLP Catalog.
  • 10/10/2020:  2020 Summer Reading Report - For those interested in seeing how 2020 went, please see the following StoryMap with feedback and results from Montana libraries
  • 10/20/20: CSLP Tutorials - CSLP now has short video tutorials available on their website to help you navigate and find resources. Check them out on the CSLP Tutorial page, and check back in the future for other tutorials that will be added!
  • 10/22/20: CSLP Teen Video Contest Winners - Please check out the 2020 CSLP Teen Video Contest Winners and Honorable Mentions! The videos created are incredible and inspiring, and it's amazing to see what teens can create.
  • 12/2/20: Here are a few CSLP udpates:
    • November 2020 CSLP Newsletter
    • CSLP on Instagram – You can now follow CSLP on their official Instagram account @CSLPreads. Give them a follow!
    • CSLP President Elect – Our very own librarian, Cindy Christin, has just stepped into the role of President-Elect for CSLP 2021! Cindy was serving as the Secretary on the CSLP board, and due to personal circumstances, the President Elect for 2021 had to withdraw her candidacy. A vote was held among state reps, and Cindy was voted in to serve as President-Elect. Congrats Cindy!
  • 1/25/21: Some more resources from CSLP and Zoo Montana
    • CSLP Social Media Kit for CSLP Member Libraries - If you are interested in getting access to CSLP's social media kit, please email Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov for the link! This kit has sample captions, hashtags, images, and more, that you can customize to help spread the word about your summer reading program. 
    • Zoo Montana - Zoo Montana is excited to offer live-streamed programs for libraries! Their summer program schedule is available on Calendly, and interested libraries can sign up for a date/time that works for them. Please see the links listed below for more information, as well as supplemental resources from Zoo Montana:
  • 2/16/21: Programming Opportunities for Libraries from the Museum of the Rockies and Montana PBS
    • Digging Into Dinosaurs with Museum of the Rockies - Do you DIG dinosaurs? Join Museum of the Rockies for a three-part series all about PALEONTOLOGY! Museum of the Rockies has one of the largest collections of dinosaur fossils in the United States, and we want to share them with YOU! In this virtual series, you will learn about Montana’s dinosaurs and geology, take a virtual guided tour of the Hall of Horns and Teeth, and  ask questions to our paleontologists. Attend all three programs and receive a Junior Paleontologist certificate, signed by our John R. Horner Curator of Paleontology, John Scannella, Ph.D.! Each program will take place on Zoom and will be 30-45 minutes in length.
      • Cost: Free!
      • How to register: Visit the MOR Library Program website after 3/1
      • Dates: June 7th, 14th, 21st, and July 12th, 19th, and 26th
      • Topics: Montana Dinosaurs 101, Tour of the Hall of Horns and Teeth, and Ask a Paleontologist!
    • MontanaPBS Education: Summer Reading Program
      • Cost: Free!
      • Program Description: Request a fun program from MontanaPBS about lizards! 
      • Topics: Grip like a Gecko, Drink Like a Thorny Devil, Blend Like a Chameleon, Glide Like a Draco
      • Audience: Programs are focused on children aged 3 - 8, and families are encouraged to attend as a group!
      • To request a program: Please contact Deanna Mydland at deanna@montanapbs.org
  • 3/15/21: CSLP Teen Video Competition - The Annual CSLP Teen Video Competition is back! Please see the links below for information on competitions rules, submission guidelines, and prizes.
    • There will be five national winners, with cash prizes available! 
    • Librarian and teacher support is encouraged, and small teams can work together to submit a video.
    • There are logos you can use to promote the competition on your social media accounts - see the competition homepage link below.
    • Main Teen Video Competition Homepage
    • Teen Video Winners from Past Years
  • 4/5/21: CSLP March 2021 Newsletter
  • 4/19/21: Town Pump Grants for Public Libraries for Summer Reading
    • The Town Pump Charitable Foundation is offering $1,000 grants to public libraries in Montana to help fund summer youth-reading programs.
    • Libraries can apply now through April 30 at  www.townpumpfoundation.com using the Keep Kids Reading application. Grants will be awarded in May 2021.
  • 5/4/21: CSLP April 2021 Newsletter

2021 Summer Reading Planning Resources

  • 2021 Summer Reading Brainstorm Session 1 on January 22nd, from 2 - 3 pm
  • 2021 Summer Reading Workshop with Sherry Norfolk Part 1 on January 29th, from 2 - 4 pm:
    • Come and join Sherry Norfolk, storyteller and former children's librarian, for a fun virtual summer reading workshop based on CSLP 2021's theme of Tails and Tales! Sherry will go through various activity ideas with ideas for virtual and socially-distanced options and help you start thinking about what programs you want to offer in Summer 2021! 
    • Part I on January 22 will focus on programming for toddlers, perschoolers and children with special needs, along with some brief ideas for promotion, kickoff programs, and decorations.
  • 2021 Summer Reading Workshop with Sherry Norfolk Part 2 on February 5th, from 2 - 4 pm: 
    • Come and join Sherry Norfolk, storyteller and former children's librarian, for a fun virtual summer reading workshop based on CSLP 2021's theme of Tails and Tales! Sherry will go through various activity ideas with ideas for virtual and socially-distanced options and help you start thinking about what programs you want to offer in Summer 2021!​
    • Part 2 of Sherry's workshop session will focus on programming for elementary, tweens and teens.
  • 2021 Summer Reading Brainstorm Session 2 on February 11th from 12 - 1 pm: 
    • Come join your fellow librarians from around to state to learn more about the CSLP Theme for 2021, talk about ideas for Summer Reading 2021, and ask/share any questions or comments you may have! In this webinar, we will do the following:
      • Give a brief overview of CSLP and the resources offered to MT public libraries through our statewide membership
      • Review Sherry Norfolk's Summer Reading Webinars from January, and discuss the ideas mentioned
      • Share potential ideas and programs that libraries are thinking of doing
  • 2021 Summer Reading Brainstorm Session 3 on March 24th
  • 2021 Summer Reading Brainstorm Session 4 on April 17th, from 9 - 10:30 am (MLA Conference): Recording available through the Montana Library Association. Please email Debbi Kramer at debkmla@hotmail.com for access to the recording. 
  • 2021 Summer Reading Brainstorm Session 5 on May 26th, from 3 - 4 pm
  • 2021 READSquared Webinars

2021 Summer Reading Evaluation

At the end of each summer, the Montana State Library evaluates the summer reading program to learn more about what went well, what was challenging, and what can be improved for next year. MSL uses a survey created by CSLP that uses a mixture of standardized questions that libraries all around the country will answer, and state-individualized questions that are only relevant to Montana. Once evaluation of the summer reading program is complete (typically around September) a Storymap summary will be created and posted on this webpage. For more information about the evaluation survey, please contact Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov.

MSL also hosts a reflection webinar, which will happen on August 26th, Thursday, from 3 - 4 pm. Please see the Summer Reading Reflection ASPeN Event page for more information.

 

Imagine Your Story Main Poster

2020 Program Theme:

  • Theme: Fairy Tales/Mythology/Folklore
  • Slogan: "Imagine Your Story"
  • Artist: LeUyen Pham

2020 CSLP Resources and News:

  • CSLP Artwork Announcement: CSLP sent the following email on 7/11/19 in regards to 2020 CSLP Artwork:

    • "CSLP has revised its Rules of Use and has granted more freedom to its member libraries! Starting in 2020 libraries can:

      • Use CSLP artwork and slogans on any paper good including; Jack and the Beanstalkbookmarks, posters, reading certificates, newsletters, press releases, and activity sheets. If it is printed on paper, you can create it!
      • Use CSLP artwork as long as you like! Member libraries no longer have to worry about pulling images from their websites after the program year. All CSLP artwork created after 2017 can be used indefinitely!
      • Use CSLP artwork and slogans on any "one-of-a-kind" item. Paint the slogan on the library's windows? Yes! Create a quilt based on the artwork? Yes! Use your topiary skills and transform the library's hedge into one of the characters from a CSLP poster? Absolutely, and please send photos!
      • The revised Rules of Use can be found here:  https://www.cslpreads.org/membership-information/rules-of-use/

2020 Summer Reading Planning ResourcesAnimals Reading Books

2020 Museum of the Rockies Summer Reading Kit

The Montana State Library is partnering again with the Museum of the Rockies to create Summer Reading Kits for public libraries to use in their summer reading programs. The kits will contain four activities that draw on both the CSLP theme of "Imagine Your Story" as well as the holdings and educational topics that the Museum of the Rockies supports. Libraries will be able to keep the kit permanently and will not be expected to send it on to other libraries, or return it to MOR after use. 

To find out more information about the 2020 MOR Summer Reading Kit, please attend the "Imagine Your Story: Museum of the Rockies Summer Reading Kit" webinar on February 13th, 2020, from 2:30 - 3:30 pm. The webinar link and registration can be found on the webinar event description page in ASPeN.

You must apply for the 2020 Summer Reading Kit. Limited supplies are available, so not all applicants will receive a kit. 

Applications are due on Friday, February 28th, 2020. If you have any questions, please reach out to Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov or Jaime Augst at MORoutreach@montana.edu.

2020 Summer Reading Supplemental Materials

Here is the list of supplemental materials from the 2/13/20 "Imagine Your Story: Museum of the Rockies Summer Reading Kit" webinar.

2020 Summer Reading - READSquared

Starting in May 2020, the Montana State Library has signed a two-year contract with READSquared for up to 40 public libraries to use the software to run reading programs online with their communities. If you are interested in participating, please contact Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov for more information. 

For more information about READSquared, please see the following resources:

This program is funded by CARES Act and IMLS funds.

2020 Summer Reading - Final Report

For those interested in how 2020 Summer Reading went, please view the following StoryMap with feedback and reflections from Montana libraries.

2020 Summer Reading Final Report

2019 Summer Reading: A Universe of Stories

2019 Summer Reading Program Materials: A Universe of Stories

  • 2019 CSLP Ordering Catalog (PDF) - A hard copy version is available through the Montana State Library. Contact Amelea Kim if you want one!
  • NASA Downloadable Posters (PDFs) - High quality, beautiful, and FREE posters of space! This 14-poster "Vision of the Future" series was designed by 9 artists, designers, and illustrators to celebrate and inspire scientific imagination. 
  • STARNet - Universe of Stories Website (STEM Programming Ideas) - STARNet has partnered with CSLP to share science and technology-related resources with libraries for 2019! Check out their website for resources and ideas on STEM-related activities.
  • NNLM Summer Reading Health Programming - The National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) has partnered with CSLP to bring health programming ideas for the summer! Check out their website for ideas about exploring DNA and family history, making stardust, discovering astronaut food, and more!

2019 CSLP Resources and News

  • Summer Meals at the Library - CSLP has created two resources to support and facilitate public library participation in the Summer Food Service Program.
  • 2019 Teen Video Challenge from CSLP - Do the teens in your library like to make videos?  Encourage them to participate in the Collaborative Summer Library Program 2019 Teen Video Challenge this summer! This year's Teen Video Challenge will be a NATIONAL contest and five winners will be chosen to receive a $200 cash prize plus $50 worth of summer reading materials for their library. *New* this year, the challenge will run through the summer, so you can hold video making programs in June and July.  Videos can be submitted June 1-August 2, 2019.  These 60 second-or-less videos should be their interpretation of the 2019 slogan "A Universe of Stories." For more information, including complete contest rules, visit the 2019 Teen Video Challenge link. 

2019: Earth and Space Science Resources in Montana

The Montana State Library has connected with other earth and space science programs and resources in Montana. Here is a list of other organizations who focus on earth and space outreach and might serve as a valuable resource for offering this kind of programming at your library.

  • Space Outreach Team (SPOT): The Space Outreach Team is part of the Montana Space Grant Consortium,  which is part of a NASA-sponsored national network that is dedicated to strengthening aerospace research and education across the States. SPOT focuses on outreach on Montana schools, youth programs, and community groups, and presenters from Bozeman, Missoula, and Billings travel around giving talks on NASA-related space topics. A new presentation is created each year, and the program is free, although there are some requirements (minimum audience size) and limitations (scheduling). The presentations run about 45 minutes, although there is time and age-appropriate content flexibility. If you are interested in having a SPOT presenter come to your library, please contact SPOT at spot.montana@gmail.com. You can also submit a presentation request through their website: https://spacegrant.montana.edu/spot.html.
  • Big Sky Astronomy: Based in Kalispell, the Big Sky Astronomy Association is available for presentations and astronomy programming at your library! Association members regularly give presentations on a variety of space topics, and can tailor content to different age levels and audiences. Scheduling and booking a speaker is free, although their area is service is limited to Western Montana. In the summer, Big Sky Astronomy also hosts Star Parties at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park where anyone and everyone is welcome to view the sky through their telescopes, and listen to stories and facts about the night sky (summer 2019 schedule will be available in May 2019). Other areas of interest for the Big Sky Astronomy Association include fighting light pollution and participating in the International Dark Sky Association. To contact Big Sky Astronomy Association for presentation bookings and general questions, please reach out to Mark Pauslon at mhpaulson@gmail.com. Note, availability is somewhat limited, so not all requests will be able to be met. 
  • Western Montana Astronomical Association: Based in Missoula, the Western Montana Astronomical Association works on public outreach to raise awareness and appreciation of space and the night sky. In particular, WMAA has worked with a few public libraries in Montana to create a telescope lending program, based off a lending model started in New Hampshire. Training, handbooks, and guidelines were provided to interested libraries and librarians, and public talks were also given to introduce the telescope and answer general astronomy questions. Additionally, WMAA co-hosts Star Parties and Viewing Sessions at the Blue Mountain Observatory with the University of Montana in the summer. These viewing sessions happen about twice a month, and are free to the public, although you will need to reserve a space in advance as the observatory has limited capacity. The schedule for the Star Parties will be released sometime in the spring, so make sure to check out U of M’s website for more details as summer draws closer. For more questions on the telescope lending program, or any of WMAA’s activities, please contact Nick Wethington at cycliste737@gmail.com, or you can check out their website at http://www.missoulasky.org/
  • Museum of the Rockies: The Museum of the Rockies is an excellent source of space-related educational materials! Not only do they have a wonderful planetarium in-house, they have the following programs:
    • Our Home, Our World: Discovering Earth and Space Science in Kumamoto and Montana Educator's Guide - This cross-cultural curriculum covers paleontology, geology, and astronomy and are designed to be effective in both Japanese and American classrooms and museums. The guide contains several activities regarding star stories, charts, constellations, paleontology, etc and is available online. 
    • Lending Library Outreach Kits - MOR has a variety of activity kits available for use, though you will have to pay a $25 rental fee, as well as shipping one way. Space-related kits include Cosmic Colors, The Moon, Living in Space, and Rockets. Other themed kits are also available in other science-related areas!
    • STARLAB Planetariums - MOR has portable planetariums available for public use! This resource is slightly pricier with a rental fee of $175/week or $50/day, as well as shipping costs one way, but it is a really cool way to bring the planetarium experience to your community. 
  • Stellarium: Stellarium is a "free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope. Stellarium is very simple to use, which is one of its biggest advantages: it can be easily used by beginners. (from Stellarium.org)
  • New Hampshire Telescope Lending Program: From their website "The New Hampshire Astronomical Society, and particularly its Educational Outreach Committee, started placing telescopes and educational materials in selected libraries in New Hampshire beginning in December 2008." If you are interested in starting a program similar to this in your own library, this website has GREAT resources, from costs, set-up, circulation methods, and training, on how to do that.
  • Solar System Ambassador - Lynn Powers: Lynn Powers is part of the Solar Systems Ambassador network, and is a great resource for space-related programming and outreach. Her programs include toolkits for doing space outreach, solar telescopes for sun-viewing parties, and presentations on eclipses, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo landing, the geology of the moon, as well as an “Ask an Astronomer” program where people can come with questions to ask her, either in-person or through a webinar. Lynn has presented at libraries before, and much of her programming is scalable, according to the audience. If you are interested in bringing Lynn to your library, please feel free to reach out to her at l.powers@smasweb.org. Please note that Lynn’s schedule is more flexible during the summer, and while there is no presenter fee, she does charge for gas reimbursement.
  • STARNet - Science-Technology Activities and Resources for Libraries: This website is a GREAT way to look for STEM-related activities and ideas you can do in your library. The most useful section will be the STEM Activity Clearinghouse, where you can search and browse for high-quality and vetted STEM activities using a variety of filters such as audience, content level, difficulty, etc. Activities are also curated into collections, and STARNet has helpfully created a collection called "A Universe of Stories", for activities that are great for the summer reading theme. Other resources include webinars, a blog with news announcements, and opportunities to apply for traveling space science exhibits! 
  • Women in Science - Posters and Resources: Sponsored by the NASA Chandra X-Ray Observatory, this website celebrates notable women in STEM and the amazing contributions they made to the exploration of the world and Universe around us. You can read about these women's stories, find educational activities, as well as print out beautifully designed posters and materials to create your own bulletin board display in your library. 
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Infographics: JPL has AMAZING infographics available for free download! You can browse through a variety of available infographics on space topics, or create your own using JPL images and data! Use this to supplement a display that you make in your library. 

2019 Giant Map Tour Information

10 libraries will host the map over the course of a year starting in January 2019, with each library hosting the map for a month and allowing for transfer time between libraries. 

What are the main responsibilities for hosting the map?

Depending on where your library is, please be prepared to do some driving to pick-up, or drop-off the map at the beginning and end of your hosting period. We will do our best to minimize the transportation burden when organizing the tour, but it might be necessary in some cases.

Other responsibilities include: 

  • Be responsible for inventory and care of the map while hosting it. We will include an inventory checklist for you to use to make sure the contents of the trunk are kept intact.
  • Be willing to do at least one program with the map at your library.
  • Be willing to publicize and share the map as a resource with your community
  • Be willing to conduct evaluations of the map activities and report to MSL ( Project Outcome Giant Map Survey PDF )
  • Be willing to familiarize yourself with National Geographic as an educational resource, and think about how you can promote geo-literacy in your library
  • Be willing to share any creative activities you think of with your colleagues!

Informational Webinar

Visit MSL's Vimeo Channel to view the webinar recording.

Interested in Becoming a Host?

To apply to become a host, please fill out the Giant Montana Map Hosting Application survey (survey closed for 2019). 

Deadline to sign up for 2019 Tour Cohort: December 24th, 2018

Tour Information

For 2019, the Montana State Library has 2 Maps that will be circulating around Montana. Here are the following hosting locations, and contact information.

Note: Please make sure you fill out your reservation request for the correct map! There are two maps, and they go to different locations.

If you have any questions about the map, please feel free to reach out to the host at your nearest location, or to Amelea Kim at the Montana State Library (akim@mt.gov)

Map 1 - Eastern Montana

Hosting Locations and Contact

  • Miles City, Miles City Public Library (Jan 1 - Feb 4)
    • Contact: 
  • Helena, Montana State Library (Feb 5 - Feb 28)
    • Contact: Amelea Kim, akim@mt.gov
  • Belgrade, Belgrade Community Library (Mar 15 - May 15)
    • Contact: Meghan Salsbury, msalsbury@mtlib.org
  • Billings, Billings Public Library (June 1 - July 31)
    • Contact: Cortney Reedy, reedyc@ci.billings.mt.us
  • Red Lodge, Red Lodge Carnegie Library (Aug 15 - Oct 15)
    • Contact: Jodie Moore, rlibrary@bresnan.net
  • Baker, Fallon County Public Library (Nov 1 - Dec 31)
    • Contact: Stacey Moore, moores@falloncounty.net

Interested in reserving the map? Look at the calendar below, and request dates with the Map 1 - Eastern Montana Reservation Survey

Checklist for Giant Map Borrowers

After you receive confirmation from your local host regarding your reservation request, please make sure that you do the following:

  1. Confirm transportation logistics for picking up the map
  2. Fill out the Giant Map Inventory Form BEFORE using the map
  3. Print out copies of the Project Outcome Survey to give to your program participants, or have the Project Outcome Online Survey link ready to go to send to participants.
  4. Lead an awesome program with the Giant Map!
  5. Fill out the Giant Map Inventory Form AFTER using the map
  6. Drop off the map with the host, or at next destination
  7. Fill out the Giant Map Facilitator Survey and give us feedback so we can improve this program in the future!

Calendar

Map 2 - Western Montana

Hosting Locations and Contact

  • Missoula, Hellgate High School (Jan 15 - March 15)
    • Contact: Shaun Gant, slgant@mcps.k12.mt.us
  • Browning, Medicine Spring Library (Apr 17 - June 15)
    • Contact: Aaron LaFromboise, alafromboise@bfcc.edu
  • Kalispell, ImagineIF (July 1 - Sept 15)
    • Contact: Ellie Newell, enewell@imagineiflibraries.org
  • Great Falls, Great Falls Public Library (Oct 1 - Dec 31)
    • Contact: Katie Richmond, krichmond@greatfallslibrary.org

Interested in reserving the map? Look at the calendar below, and request dates with the Map 2 - Western Montana Reservation Survey

Checklist for Giant Map Borrowers

After you receive confirmation from your local host regarding your reservation request, please make sure that you do the following:

  1. Confirm transportation logistics for picking up the map
  2. Fill out the Giant Map Inventory Form BEFORE using the map
  3. Print out copies of the Project Outcome Survey to give to your program participants, or have the Project Outcome Online Survey link ready to go to send to participants.
  4. Lead an awesome program with the Giant Map!
  5. Fill out the Giant Map Inventory Form AFTER using the map
  6. Drop off the map with the host, or at next destination
  7. Fill out the Giant Map Facilitator Survey and give us feedback so we can improve this program in the future!

Calendar

Giant Map Activity Materials

Each Giant Map Trunk comes with a "Map Materials Binder" as well as a "Map Accessories Binder". Here are the materials that are in each of those binders if you would like a preview:

Map Materials Binder (updated Apr 2019)

Map Accessories Binder  (updated Apr 2019)

Earth Day 2020

April 22, 2020 is the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, a celebration of the importance of the environment, and the preservation and conservation of nature. Public libraries can help celebrate Earth Day through a variety of outreach, educational, and programming activities using the resources listed below:

Space Science Institute - Our Planet: Earth

The Space Science Institute and NASA have created a great suite of programming resources that public libraries can use to celebrate Earth Day. Check out this website for fun and engaging activity ideas, educational videos, amazing space photographs, and other great information you can use for Earth Day at your library!

Resource Highlights from the Our Planet: Earth Website
  • Earth Campaign Video Collection
  • NASA Earth Day Posters
  • STARNet Activity - Windy City Tower
  • STARNet Activity - Edible Destruction

Citizen Science on SciStarter

April is also Citizen Science Month, and SciStarter is a great place to get involved! SciStarter is an "online community dedicated to improving the citizen science experience for project managers and participants." You can search for over 3,000 projects, using a variety of filters like location, topic, and age level. If you create an account with SciStarter, you can track which projects you are involved in, see what your contributions are, and give feedback!

Popular Citizen Science Projects
  • Globe Observer - Help scientists track changes in clouds, water, plants and other life in support of earth science research
    • Globe Observer Trees
    • Globe Observer Clouds
  • Stall Catchers
  • Stream Selfies
  • Globe at Night
  • CoCoRaHS - Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network

For the Globe Observer Project, there are actually book lists for books related to the Globe Observer. Check them out and see if any look interesting to you!

Citizen Science Kits in Public Libraries

Some public libraries have created kits for specific citizen science projects that patrons can check out to participate in. To read more about these kits, their contents, and how they are used, check out the following website from SciStarter:

Montana Citizen Science Project: What We Value About The Land

Led by faculty at Montana State University, WAFERx (Water Agriculture Food Energy Research Nexus) is a research project that seeks to evaluate the implications of adopting Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage in the Upper Missouri River Basin. Part of the research grant includes outreach, community involvement and land observation, both of which can happen with the Globe Observe Land Cover App. 

Participants of all ages will consider how our lands are used (for agriculture, energy, recreation, cultural/spiritual sites, etc.) and how those uses impact us personally. Participants will also think about how land use in their community has changed over time and will have the opportunity as citizen scientists to share land cover data with NASA Earth scientists.

For more information, please see the WAFERx Website.

To stay updated with MSU Citizen Science opportunities, please sign up for their mailing list

Montana Citizen Science Project: Yellowstone Phenology Project

Phenology is the study of nature’s calendar, especially in relation to climate, and the timing of plant and animal life cycles. Help park staff research environmental change in Yellowstone. The Yellowstone Phenology Project, in collaboration with NEON, is now in its third year again seeks to engage youth and adults from all backgrounds to collect essential data to help park scientists and managers better understand how the Yellowstone ecosystem is responding to changing environmental conditions.

To learn more, you can:

Other Citizen Science Resources

MSL Webinar on Earth Day

The State Library is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, January 21st, from 10:30 - 11:30 am. You can find an event description and the webinar link at the Earth Day Webinar Event page.

A recording of the webinar will also be posted to the Montana State Library's Vimeo for those who wish to view it.

 

Lawyers in Libraries

As part of Law Day 2022, Montana public libraries are participating in a statewide "Lawyers in Libraries" event where a local lawyer comes to the library to give a talk about the importance of the law in modern society, as well as share information on where to find reliable legal information.

For Librarians:

For librarians interested in hosting this program at their library, please review:

  • Library and Lawyer Event Responsibilities
  • Finding a Lawyer for the Event
    • The State Library is working with the Montana Legal Services Association to find volunteer attorneys to work with libraries for this event. The State Library will try to match an attorney with each interested library, but it is not guaranteed.
    • You are welcome to reach out to local attorneys in your community and find a volunteer that way. 
  • Presentation Materials for your Event
    • Lawyers in Libraries Presentation Template: This is the PowerPoint template that you and your partner attorney can use to structure your program. You are welcome to make any changes or additions, depending on what you and your attorney decide to do. Thank you to the State Law Library for helping to edit, revise, and update the PowerPoint for 2022!
    • Where to Find Legal Information in Montana Handout: This is a Word document handout that accompanies the PowerPoint presentation above. You can edit/add to this document if you have additional resources that you would like to highlight.
    • Patron Evaluation Survey: This is an evaluation survey from Project Outcome. Please print out copies of this and give them to any patrons who attend your program. You can then scan and email the completed surveys to the State Library when you are finished.

For Lawyers:

For lawyers interested in participating in this program, please review:

  • Lawyer and Library Event Responsibilities
  • Please see the "Presentation Materials for Your Event" in the section above to preview the PowerPoint Template, and handout. You are welcome to work with your partner library and alter/change the presentation according to your area of focus, or interest of the community.

Legal Resources in Montana:

Outreach Materials:

Library Events for 2022

Please contact each library for more information on their specific events.

  • Livingston Park County Library, June 11th, 1 - 2 pm in-person

  • Drummond School and Community Library, May 12th, 4 pm in-person

  • Seeley Lake Branch of Missoula Public Library, May 25th, 3 - 5 pm in-person

  • Stillwater County Library, May 21st, 1 - 2 pm in-person

  • North Valley Lake Library, May 11th, 6 pm in-person

  • Dillon Public Library, June 9th, 2 pm in-person

  • Red Lodge Carnegie Library, May 25th, 5:30 pm in-person

Lawyers in Libraries Logo

As part of Law Day 2020, Montana public libraries are participating in a statewide "Lawyers in Libraries" event where a local lawyer comes to the library to give a talk about the importance of the law in modern society, as well as to help connect patrons to legal resources. 

For Librarians:

For librarians interested in hosting this program at their library, please review:

  • Library and Lawyer Event Responsibilities
  • Finding a Lawyer for the Event
    • The State Library is working with the Montana Lawyers magazine to find volunteer attorneys to work with libraries for this event. The State Library will try to match an attorney with each interested library, but it is not guaranteed
    • You are welcome to reach out to local attorneys in your community and find a volunteer that way. 
  • Recommended Resources to Provide to Patrons

For Lawyers:

For lawyers interested in participating in this program, please review:

Legal Resources in Montana:

Outreach Materials:

  • Lawyers in Libraries logo
    • You can right click on the logo at the top of this webpage and save it to your computer to use.
  • Example press release (coming soon)
  • Lawyers in Libraries Poster (coming soon)
  • Law Day materials from American Bar Association
    • The ABA has lesson plans, activities, book club suggestions, and a variety of other programming ideas that you can use for events in your library.

Ready 2 Read

2021 Virtual R2R Rendezvous

Ready 2 Read Logo

Welcome to the information page for the 2021 Virtual Ready 2 Read Rendezvous! This page will be updated with information relevant to the 2021 Ready 2 Read Rendezvous, so please check back often. If you have any questions regarding the Rendezvous, please email Amelea Kim!

Last updated: 7/1/21

Conference Description

The 2021 Virtual Ready 2 Read Rendezvous is an opportunity for librarians from across Montana to receive additional training to strengthen their role in serving families with young children in their communities. Librarians who work with children directly will benefit the most from attending the Rendezvous.  

The 2021 Rendezvous will be held virtually through Zoom, with a morning and afternoon workshop option. Attendees can apply to attend both workshops, or just one, depending on their interest. It is free to attend the workshop, but each session will be limited to 20 participants. 

CE credit will be given for the Rendezvous through ASPeN. 

Conference Information

Dates: Thursday, September 30th, 2021, from 9 am - 4 pm

Deadline to Apply: July 30th, 2021. Notification of selected participants by August 6th, 2021. 

Application Link: Ready 2 Read Application

Conference Schedule and Workshop Description

9 am - 12 pm: Pamela Martin-Diaz, Foundations of Early Literacy

For those of you who are new to children's services, or want a refresher on foundational concepts, this workshop is for you! This session will cover the basics of early literacy training, and participants will:

  • Learn about the major milestones of baby brain development from ages 0 - 5
  • Learn why it's important for the library to provide resources to families of very young children
  • Explore ideas and examples of what libraries do to promote early literacy from birth on.

1 pm - 4 pm: Allynne Ellis and Molly Ouellette, Why Montana Kids Need Diverse Books

Allynne Ellis and Molly Ouellette from the Billings Public Library will lead a discussion-based workshop focusing on creating inclusive and diverse collections in your library. After this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Explain why it's important for Montana kids to have access to diverse books
  • Analyze and reflect on their library's collection development policy, and think about how that might affect efforts to diversity the collection
  • Analyze and reflect on different books/materials in their collection through a lens of diversity, welcoming, and inclusion
  • Implement creative ways to spark interest and demand for diverse books in their patrons

Conference Speakers

Pamela Martin-Diaz

Photo of Pamela Martin DiazPamela Martin-Díaz is an Early Childhood Literacy Consultant whose workshops are shaped by decades of experience as a children’s librarian and branch manager. She is currently working with Head Start in rural Ohio on a project to expand and deepen the impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Her workshops are framed by her belief that librarians can help improve young children’s educational outcomes by influencing and inspiring the adults in young children’s lives to share books with them interactively and with intention. Pamela is co-author with Saroj Ghoting of Early Literacy Storytimes@your library: Partnering with Caregivers for Success, ALA Editions, Chicago, IL 2006 and Storytimes for Everyone! Developing Young Children’s Language and Literacy, ALA Editions, 2013. She has a MA in Library Science from the University of Chicago.

Allynne Ellis, Children's Librarian at the Billings Public Library

Picture of Allynne EllisAllynne Ellis has worked at Billings Public Library for fifteen years, gaining experience in technical services, circulation and children’s services.  She has brought her passion for inclusivity and diversity to her job as the Children’s Librarian.  In addition, Allynne is also involved in early literacy and community outreach.  Outside of the office, Allynne enjoys reading, gardening and her pets.

Molly Ouellette, Children's Librarian at the Billings Public Library

Picture of MollyMolly Ouellette is an Assistant Children’s Librarian at Billings Public Library. A position she has held since the summer of 2019. Prior to that she was a kindergarten teacher in beautiful Kalispell, MT.  Her degree is in Elementary Education and Reading. Molly is a fierce advocate for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (DEI). Literature and storytelling are powerful tools to engage with these concepts in ways that lead to important conversations, compassion, and action.  Molly was born and raised in Montana. She is a member of the Little Shell Tribe. In her spare time, she likes to explore, read, write, and do yoga.

2019 Ready 2 Read Rendezvous

Welcome to the information page for the 2019 Ready 2 Read Rendezvous! This page will be updated with information relevant to the 2019 Ready 2 Read Rendezvous, so please check back often. If you have any questions regarding the Rendezvous, please email Amelea Kim!

Last updated: 7/16/19

Conference Dates and Location

Location: Helena, MT, at the Holiday Inn Express

Dates: Friday, September 6th - Sunday, September 8th, 2019

Deadline to Apply: July 28th, 2019. Notification of selected participants by August 2nd, 2019

Application Link: Ready 2 Read Application in ASPeN (make sure to log into ASPeN first before clicking the link)

Conference Schedule

Friday, September 6, 2019

1:00 - 2:00 pm: Welcome and Introductions

2:00 - 4:00 pm: Mike Jetty, OPI Indiant Education for All

4:00 - 4:15 pm: Break and Snack

4:15 - 5:15 pm: Panel with Other Child-focused Organizations in Montana

6:30 pm - 8 pm: Dinner at Lewis and Clark Library

Saturday, September 7, 2019

8:45 - 9:00 am: Reflections and the Day Ahead

9:00 - 12:00 pm: Betsy Diamant-Cohen, Mother Goose on the Loose

12:00 - 1:30 pm: Lunch

1:30 - 5:30 pm: Betsy Diamant-Cohen, Mother Goose on the Loose

6:30 pm - 8 pm: Dinner at the Holter Art Museum

*Betsy will give breaks during her session when it fits best with her workshop flow. Snacks will be provided during the breaks.

Sunday, September 8, 2019

8:45 - 9:00 am: Reflections and the Day Ahead

9:00 - 12:00 pm: Sherry Norfolk, Storytelling

12:00 - 12:30 pm: Wrap-Up, Evaluation, and Follow-Up

12:30 pm: Boxed lunch to go

*Sherry will give breaks during her session when it fits best with her workshop flow. Snacks will be provided during breaks.

Conference Description

The 2019 Ready 2 Read Rendezvous is an opportunity for librarians from across Montana to receive additional training to strengthen their role in serving families with young children in their communities. Librarians who work with children directly will benefit the most from attending the Rendezvous.  

The Rendezvous will feature nationally-known experts on storytelling and early literacy programming, as well as how to be culturally respectful when choosing stories to share with children. For more details on workshop descriptions and speaker bios, please see below.

The librarians who are selected to attend will have the following expenses related to the Rendezvous covered: 

  • Two nights hotel (September 6th and 7th)
  • Food (September 6 – Dinner, September 7 – Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, September 8 – Breakfast and Lunch)
  • $50 towards travel expenses such as gas (Car pooling is encouraged and if your library is able to pay for your travel expenses, please do so as that will provide us with additional money for other materials/resources.)

As we have limited funding and space, we will be setting a cap on the number of attendees selected for the 2019 Rendezvous. We anticipate being able to accommodate about 35 librarians, and we encourage multiple people from the same library to apply!

If selected for the Rendezvous, your library’s representative must agree to attend all trainings and events related to the Rendezvous, to participate fully in the discussions, and to complete evaluation forms related to the event.
 
An additional expectation for Rendezvous attendees is to design a project that addresses a child/family-focused need in their community using what they learn at the conference . We expect this project to be:

  • Purposeful: Why have you chosen this need? What data do you have to support your decision?
  • Impactful: What goals and outcomes do you want for your project? How will your project explicitly address this need?
  • Measurable: How will you evaluate your project? How will you reflect on what you can improve while the project is ongoing, as well as when the project has concluded? How will you evaluate the impact on your patrons/community?

Please note that we expect this project to take significant time and effort on your part. If you are not prepared to commit to a long-term project for this next year, we encourage you to apply a different year when you are ready. 

As of July 2019, all funding for the Ready 2 Read Rendezvous has been generously provided Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) money from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.

CE credit will be given for the Rendezvous, as well as follow-up trainings and meetings for Rendezvous projects. 

Conference Speakers

Sherry Norfolk - Storyteller, Author/Artist, Former Librarian (St. Louis, MO)

Picture of Sherry Norfolk

Sherry Norfolk is an award-winning storyteller, author and teaching artist, performing and leading residencies and professional development workshops nationally and in SE Asia. She was a children’s librarian for 9 years with Miami-Dade Public Library System, and Youth Services Coordinator with DeKalb County (Georgia) Public Library for 8 years, receiving awards from the Urban Libraries Council, the National Association of Counties, American Library Association, and Florida Library Association for developing and implementing innovative and creative library services. 

A popular workshop leader, Sherry has led SRP training for Kansas State library systems, Missouri State Library, Utah State Library, Louisiana State Library, Georgia Public Library Services, Arkansas State Library and Florida State Library, as well as countless professional development workshops for libraries across the country.

As a performing artist, she is a dynamic storyteller, telling well-crafted and age-appropriate folktales from around the world. As a Kennedy Center Teaching Artist and a Wolf Trap Teaching Artist, she uses storytelling as a strategy for teaching preK-12th grade curriculum. She is co-editor with Lyn Ford of Storytelling Strategies for Reaching and Teaching Children with Special Needs, and with Jane Stenson of The Storytelling Classroom series (four books that explore rigorous, standards-based storytelling strategies for learning across the curriculum). Her new book, Boo-Tickle Tales: Not-so-Scary Stories for Ages 4-9 (August House, 2016) is lots of fun for little listeners!

Mike Jetty - Indian Education for All, OPI (Helena, MT)

Picture of Mike Jetty

Mike Jetty is an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Dakota Nation and a Turtle Mountain Chippewa descendant.  Mike is currently working at the Montana Office of Public Instruction as an Indian Education Specialist. He has been working with Indian Education issues for the past 28 years and has teaching experience at both the K-12 and University level. He has a B.S. in History Education, a Master’s in School Administration and an Education Specialist Degree. Since 2004 he has provided over 200 Indian Education workshops for over 4000 educators.

Betsy Diamant-Cohen - Mother Goose on the Loose Creator (Baltimore, MD)

Picture of Betsy Diamant-CohenDr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen’s extensive experiences as a children’s librarian in public libraries, an elementary school and two children’s museums; a preschool teacher, a daycare provider, and a parent of three children support her work in creating award-winning early literacy programming for young children and families. 

A renowned national speaker, trainer, consultant, and accomplished author, Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen is best known as the creator of Mother Goose on the Loose®, an award-winning method for planning and presenting early literacy programs. Her charismatic presentations always include an easily-understandable combination of research and practice, since she believes that the best way to learn is by doing. She co-authors the “Research Roundup” column in Children and Libraries Magazine and has just released two books published by ALA Editions, Mother Goose on the Loose, Updated! and Mother Goose on the Loose: Here, There, and Everywhere.

Betsy was named a “Mover and Shaker” by Library Journal, has been recognized by the ASCLA Leadership and Professional Achievement Award for “revolutionizing the way librarians work with children from birth to age 3” and received the 2018 Vattemare Award for Creativity in Libraries.

Conference Workshops

Sherry Norfolk: 

1,000 STORIES: THE POWER OF STORYTELLING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

“Experts tell us that children need to hear a thousand stories read aloud before they can learn to read for themselves.” – Mem Fox, Reading Magic (Harcourt, 2001)

Recent research provides new insights and perspectives on the ways storytelling helps lay the best possible foundation for learning in early childhood. Participants will explore relevant research and its practical applications, putting theory into practice as they learn how to tell stories with confidence and style! This fun-filled, fast-paced, hands-on workshop will bring out the natural storyteller in each person as they discover creative and effective ways to use voice, body language, gestures and facial expression to bring stories to life effectively for young listeners.

Mike Jetty:

INDIGENIZING EDUCATION: INDIAN EDUCATION FOR ALL IN MONTANA LIBRARIES

This workshop will provide examples of best practices for implementing Indian Education for All in your library work and show how culturally relevant literature can have a positive impact for students and communities.  Workshop participants will be provided with hands-on opportunities to see how IEFA curriculum resources can be utilized to promote culturally respectful and creative programming in your library.

Betsy Diamant-Cohen:

USING THE MGOL METHOD TO PLAN AND PRESENT HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LITERACY PROGRAMS

This workshop will focus on how to use the Mother Goose on the Loose method to aid in the creation and execution of early literacy programming. Workshop participants will:

  • UNDERSTAND the research on childhood development
  • MASTER the structure, formula, and principles of Mother Goose on the Loose®
  • LEARN to create fun, high-quality early literacy programs
  • ACQUIRE techniques for engaging infants and toddlers
  • DISCOVER new ways to educate and involve parents and caregivers
  • INTERACT with colleagues to share knowledge and ideas

Ready 2 Read Playspace

The Ready 2 Read Playspace program was launched in July 2012 and provided materials and support for 21 libraries across Montana to create high-quality play areas in their spaces. Playspaces have developed in even more libraries in Montana and provide an important space for children to explore and grow. 

For more information, please look at the following:

Publicity Materials (all PDFs)

 



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