Legacy

You're invited to the Minnesota Writers' Map reception!      Tuesday May 21, 6:30 p.m.      Minnesota History Center, Heffelfinger Room      345 Kellogg Boulevard West      Saint Paul RSVP by Friday, May 17 Beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Please join the Minnesota Book Awards, Explore Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society, and CRPLSA for a reception to launch our new writers' map of the state. The featured writers were chosen by the staff of the Minnesota Book Awards and the Minnesota Historical Society.  The selection spans historical to modern times and includes writers who have had a meaningful impact on the state, its writing life, and in many cases, on the world at large.

Minnesota Writers on the Map is made possible by funds from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage funds for Library Legacy activities, through a designation by the Council of Regional Public Library System Administrators and the people of Minnesota.

Twenty five years of the Minnesota Book Awards

A quick video rewind with some of Minnesota's most talented writers, illustrators, and literary figures at the annual Minnesota Book Award celebration.

The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library is pleased to announce the winners of the 25th annual Minnesota Book Awards announced and presented on Saturday, April 13.  More than 800 people gathered in St. Paul for the award ceremony hosted by author and comedienne Lorna Landvik.  The winners of the 2013 Minnesota Book Awards are:

	Award for Children’s Literature David LaRochelle -- It’s a Tiger!
	Award for General Nonfiction David Treuer -- Rez Life: An Indian’s Journey Through Reservation Life
	Award for Genre Fiction David Housewright -- Curse of the Jade Lily
	Award for Memoir & Creative Nonfiction Atina Diffley -- Turn Here Sweet Corn: Organic Farming Works
	Award for Minnesota Gwen Westerman and Bruce White -- Mni Sota Makoce: The Land of the Dakota
	Award for Novel & Short Story Louise Erdrich -- The Round House
	Award for Poetry Patricia Kirkpatrick -- Odessa
	Award for Young People’s Literature Geoff Herbach -- Nothing Special

The 25th annual Minnesota Book Awards is a project of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, with the Saint Paul Public Library and the City of Saint Paul. Statewide outreach partners include: the Council of Regional Public Library System Administrators (CRPLSA); the Loft Literary Center; Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA); Minnesota Department of Education---State Library Services; Minnesota Educational Media Organization; and Minnesota Library Foundation. Media sponsors include: Minnesota Public Radio, Pioneer Press, Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN), PSAV Presentations Services and TPT-Minnesota Channel. Major funding for the Book Awards was provided by The Harlan Boss Foundation for the Arts; The Huss Foundation; The Katherine B. Andersen Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation; The McKnight Foundation; a Library Services and Technology Act grant administered through the Office of State Library Services; Books for Africa; Education Minnesota; Leonard, Street and Deinard; Marvin Windows and Doors; Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle; Minnesota AFL-CIO; Sit Investment Associates; and Wellington Management, Inc.

Greetings!  To celebrate National Poetry Month, SELCO is hosting the Poets at the Library tour around the SELCO region.  Check out the updated schedule of events below -- there's still time to see some amazing poets!

Hope to see you there!

Please note that the next Community Collaboration grant deadline is rapidly approaching and is less than a week away. If you are considering applying or are working on an application currently, they are due next Wednesday -April 17th, 2013 at 5pm. Any accompanying print materials should be postmarked or sent in Delivery on or before the 17th as well. Please note that all applications require at least one partner organization.  The grant request limit is $7,000.00, except when involving multiple communities.  If you wish to request more than $7,000, please contact me at Legacy@selco.info prior to application date. This will be the last time to apply for this fiscal year.  Check back this summer for information about opportunities for the next year.

If you require assistance with your grant writing or experience technical issues with the online forms contact the SELCO office before the deadline. For additional information and/or assistance, please visit the Community Collaboration page or contact the Legacy coordinator.

All of our episodes for the Minnesota Book Award Finalists have been recorded, edited and made available to you via SELCOtv!  The 2013 winners will be announced on Saturday, April 13 at the MNBA awards celebration at The Hilton Minneapolis.  You still have a bit of time to hear what SELCO staff thought about all 32 titles in the running. 

• General Nonfiction reviewed by Rachel Gray, Information Services Librarian
• Poetry reviewed by Michael Scott, Assistant Director
• Children's Literature reviewed by Ann Hutton, Executive Director
• Novels & Short Stories reviewed by Aimee Lake, Finance Manager
• Minnesota reviewed by Donovan Lambright, Automation Librarian
• Memoir/Creative Nonfiction reviewed by  Cheryl Hill, Technology Services Librarian
• Young People reviewed by Mollie Stanford, Regional Librarian
• Genre Fiction reviewed by Tyler Irvin, Technology Support Librarian

The SELCO Legacy team is proud to announce 3 new and additional performers to the SELCO vetted catalog.

Katie Knutson is a professional storyteller and teaching artist.  She has 4 story telling programs for children as well as a workshop for librarians.  All of her shows are customizable and she's happy to work with you to bring the best performance to your library.

Laura MacKenzie has studied music on both sides of the Atlantic and has been recognized as a master folk artist.  Laura performs and teaches an array of wind-powered instruments: wooden flutes, whistles, pipes, horns, and many more.  Laura has several shows available to our region.

Norm Barnhart has presented comedy and magic full time across Minnesota, Wisconsin and in all fifty states. He has offered to bring his entertainment and teach his workshops. He performs for all ages and tailors his show for your needs.

Please see the Vetted Catalog for further details to book these and all our other great performers:

We are also happy to announce that libraries are now able to request up to *4* vetted performances for the 2013 fiscal year.

Greetings!  To celebrate National Poetry Month in April and the release of the 2013 Poetic Strokes anthology, SELCO will be launching the Poets at the Library tour on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at the University Center, Rochester. Poet Su Smallen will be speaking to attendees about her Minnesota Book Award Poetry finalist, Buddha, Proof, and her other works. Four other locations will host Su and two other poets during the month of April. Please see the schedule of events below:

Copies of the 2013 Poetic Strokes anthology will arrive at libraries by the end of the week.  Click HERE and click on the Poetic Strokes tab for contest winners, a contest report and more!  Happy Poetry Reading!

easel on display at the Hokah Public Library

Nestled among the book collection, easel – Experience Art in Southeaster Libraries – is on display at the Hokah Public Library.  The Hokah location is the smallest community on the traveling art exhibit schedule.  The exhibit will be on display from April 5 through May 16 and includes 33 original pieces featuring a wide variety of artistic styles and media formats.  Whether an oil painting, fabric art, and/or a ceramic piece, each depicts the artist’s interpretation of easel’s theme — books, letter or letters, authors, or the library.
More easel photos.

easel is funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage fund through a Library Legacy grant to SELCO from the Minnesota Legislature for Library Legacy programs and services.

You're invited!!  SELCO is hosting a regional Minnesota Book Award 25th Anniversary Gala on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, 5-9 p.m. at the Rochester Civic Theatre.  Join acclaimed authors for an evening of readings and discussion, with music as well as book sales, book signings, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and a cash bar provided by the Rochester Civic Theatre.  Featured Minnesota Book Award authors:

• Catherine Friend
• Erin Hart
• Anton Treuer
• Musician Paddy O'Brien

If you are interested in attending, please let us know at mnba13@selco.info by April 30th, 2013.  This event is FREE and open to the public.  SELCO thanks the following co-sponsors:  Rochester Civic Theatre, Rochester Public Library, Friends of the Rochester Public Library, Rochester Public Library Foundation and the SELCO Library Foundation.

We are also accepting monetary donations to the SELCO Library Foundation and Silent Auction items for the Gala.  Please click HERE to view the donation form!  Questions?  Give us a call!  We hope to see you there!

This activity is made possible by money from Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund for Library Legacy activities and through a designation by the Council of Regional Public Library Systems Administrators.

Michael Scott continues our SELCOtv series featuring the finalists of the 2013 Minnesota Book Awards with the Poetry selections.

The Poetry Finalists are:

• The First Day of Spring in Northern Minnesota by Jim Johnson (Red Dragonfly Press)
• Odessa by Patricia Kirkpatrick (Milkweed Editions)
• Pitch by Todd Boss (W. W. Norton & Company)
• Salt Pier by Dore Kiesselbach (University of Pittsburgh Press)

Watch the video here!

SELCOtv launched a new series for this year’s Minnesota Book Awards (MNBA).  The first episode features the four general nonfiction finalists as booktalked by Rachel Gray, SELCO Information Services Librarian.  In the weeks leading up to the 2013 Award Gala on April 13, SELCOtv will produce seven additional videos.  Each will offer a short synopsis of the finalists in the other literary categories.  Check out the MNBA general nonfiction titles and stay tuned for upcoming MNBA SELCOtv episodes.

The general nonfiction video highlights:

• Debating the End of History: The Marketplace, Utopia, and the Fragmentation of Intellectual Life by David W. Noble (University of Minnesota Press)

• Forward: The First American Unsupported Expedition to the North Pole by John Huston and Tyler Fish (Octane Press)

• Holding Our World Together: Ojibwe Women and the Survival of Community by Brenda J. Child (Viking/Penguin Group)

• Rez Life: An Indian’s Journey Through Reservation Life by David Treuer (Atlantic Monthly Press/Grove/Atlantic, Inc.)

While winter may seem to be unending in 2013, easel - Experience Art in Southeastern Libraries - adds a spark of brightness in the newly painted Bell Art Room of the Winona Public Library.  The traveling art exhibit will be at the Library from February 21 through April 4.  Stop in!

The works feature the artistic interpretation of easel's library-related themes: books, authors, letter or letters, or libraries as presented by artists living in the 11-southeastern Minnesota counties.  The art work was submitted in December 2011 and judge by a select panel.  The easel tour began January 2012 and will conclude June 2013.  After six weeks in Winona, easel will be installed at two remaining public libraries.

Tim Hoogland, the Director of Education Outreach Programs at the Minnesota Historical Society, shared this very sad news about the passing of Laura Zeccardi, History Day Library Coordinator.  Many of you may have known of Laura as Southeastern Minnesota was a part of the state that she worked with as part of her duties at MHS.  Laura grew up in Chatfield.  We at SELCO are shocked and saddened by her sudden passing as her enthusiasm for History Day was infectious.  Tim can be reached at tim.hoogland@mnhs.org

We are sad to report the sudden passing of History Day Outreach Specialist, Laura Zeccardi.  Over the past five days, University of Minnesota physicians discovered that Laura had an undetected bone tumor that ultimately triggered a blood clot into her lungs.  Laura died peacefully early Sunday morning at the U of M hospital while she was being comforted by her family.

Although many of you have met Laura, I don't think that her background as a History Day student was widely shared.  Laura grew up in Chatfield, Minnesota, and began participating in History Day as a 6th grader.  She is one of the few students who participated in the program in every year she was eligible and went on to represent Minnesota at the national competition multiple times.  As a student at Macalester College, Laura served as a History Day intern and eventually joined the MHS Education staff after completing graduate school at NYU.

Laura excelled at providing classroom support to students and teachers and truly enjoyed the challenge of coordinating the expansion of student research support services at public and university libraries.  Through our partnership with CRPLSA thousands of students have benefited from her dedication to share the love of learning that she experienced through History Day.  She was extremely proud of the way that our statewide services were expanding to meet the needs of students, and her evaluation data shows that our hopes for the partnership were being met:  Kids were using more books, their interest in using libraries was growing, and their research skills were improving.  Whether it was through her classroom lessons, library field trips or hullabaloo events, Laura was making a difference in the academic achievement of Minnesota students.  A fitting testament was when  Laura's father shared with me that her work at MHS brought her tremendous joy as she "was doing the work she was born to do."

A celebration of Laura's life is being planned for Sunday, March 3rd, in Chatfield.  We are working with her parents on the establishment of a memorial fund at the Minnesota Historical Society.

Please share this note with any of your staff who have worked with Laura and thank you all for making this partnership possible.  If you have any messages that you would like to share with her parents, contact me via e-mail and I will pass them along.