Call for applications! @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social and Simple Mobile invites public libraries in urban areas to apply for 'Connected Communities: Mobile Literacy in Action.' This grant provides funding to build adult & family literacy programs through a mobile-first lens. www.ala.org/news/2025/11...

Happy Holidays from MLA! Our offices will be closed for the holidays December 24–26 and January 1. We wish you all the best this holiday season, and look forward to a wonderful year ahead in 2026!

The next session in the Metronet Jobline Webinar Series is 'Bookending the Interview: Decoding What Comes Next' on Jan. 15th, at 10:00 am. This webinar will offer practical tips on how to follow up, how to evaluate & negotiate offers, and how to avoid common mistakes. us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Join State Library Services for 'Beyond a Cell Phone Policy: The Librarian's Role in Supporting Digital Wellbeing' on January 14, 4-5 pm. This webinar will highlight how to include digital wellbeing to further engage with your students, colleagues, and families: forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/respon...

ALA, @bookriot.bsky.social, @penamerica.bsky.social, @flfreedomread.bsky.social, @txfreedomread.bsky.social all track different aspects of the movement - no matter how you look at it, book bans are sweeping across the country. Don't miss our joint report: https://bit.ly/4qkTZh5

Take a look at the @newyorker.com's list, 'The Best Books of 2025!' This list includes a dozen essential reads in nonfiction and a dozen, too, in fiction and poetry: archive.ph/9g5fg

Check out the Minnesota Libraries Learning Network (MLLN) professional development opportunities for January-February 2026! MLLN is the Minnesota library community's source for professional development information. See the list of opportunities here: minitex.umn.edu/news/minitex...

PEN America Releases List of 52 Most Banned Books in Schools Since 2021 www.slj.com/story/PEN-Am...

Join Minitex for a statewide conversation on interlibrary loan and ADA Title II! We will discuss how these changes impact electronic delivery & how libraries are planning for compliance. Date: Thursday, January 22nd, 2026. Time: 1:00 pm, via Zoom. minitex.umn.edu/news/resourc...

Share your knowledge of the Twin Cities with PLA attendees! Volunteer to create social media videos and write blog posts & articles for PLA that showcases unique local highlights. Opportunities & timelines are outlined in this PLA 2026 content creation sign up sheet: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Check out the @nytimes.com's 100 Notable Books of 2025! This list of the standout fiction and nonfiction of the year is selected by the staff of The New York Times Book Review. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b...

Join MLA’s eBook Task Force for the second information session exploring the growing challenges libraries face in providing equitable access to eBooks and digital content. When: Friday, December 12th, at 10am. Where: Zoom. Register here: minitex.umn.edu/news/ebooks-...

Check out the Early Literacy Storytime Course! This beginner-level course is designed for library staff new to storytime, and it provides training for planning & delivering a high-quality library storytime program. Sign up here with the Minnesota Libraries Learning Network: mlln.org/2025/11/13/e...

Via @startribune.com: To follow Mississippi’s gains in literacy, Minnesota needs librarians. Minnesota has no statewide requirement for school librarians, and many districts have quietly eliminated these positions: www.startribune.com/opinion-to-f...

Bringing fresh, nutritious food to communities is a challenge that libraries are increasingly taking on

Join MLA’s eBook Task Force for an important information session exploring the growing challenges libraries face in providing equitable access to eBooks and digital content. When: December 9th, 2pm-3pm. Where: Zoom. Register here: www.mnlibraryassociation.org/events/Event...

From the Washington Post: All library grants reinstated at Institute of Museum and Library Services. Read more about the great news: www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/1... But the fight isn't over. We need to tell Congress to #FundLibraries: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag... #ForOurLibraries

The @ala-acrl.bsky.social Instruction Section seeks nominations for Online Learning Objects which ‘may include online modules/tutorials, videos, podcasts, or other relevant media created or substantially updated within the past 5 years.’ Nominations due by January 11th: acrl.ala.org/IS/is-commit...

The Jason Reynolds / Simon & Schuster Travel Grants are awarded annually to five black/African American youth/teen services public or school librarians for the purpose of attending the ALA Annual conference! Apply by December 15th (applicants must be members of ALA): www.ala.org/grants/jason...

Welcome back from the holiday! Do you know what we're grateful for this season? Library advocates like YOU who show up #ForOurLibraries! Show your thanks for everything libraries & library workers do, tell Congress to #FundLibraries in the federal budget: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

Join Metronet's next Library Leadership Forum discussion on December 18th at 3 pm: The Art of Intentional Gatherings. Discuss how defining purpose, excluding for inclusion, setting boundaries, & more can help create space for genuine, human connection. Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Despite conflicting opinions, evidence shows that listening to audiobooks has similar cognitive benefits to reading books.

Check out the Minnesota Libraries Learning Network (MLLN) professional development opportunities for December 2025-February 2026! MLLN is the Minnesota library community's source for professional development information. See the list of opportunities here: minitex.umn.edu/news/minitex...

Free ebooks to read for Native American Heritage Month (and all year long)! Ebooks Minnesota provides access to various titles that explore the diverse experiences of Native Americans throughout time and highlight indigenous voices and storytelling. Check them out: minitex.umn.edu/news/ebooks-...

Only a few weeks left! Nominate a librarian you love for the 2026 I Love My Librarian Award - they could win $5,000 and the recognition of a lifetime. Nominations close December 15! Submit yours here: https://bit.ly/3yiyT9C

Deadline to apply for Metronet's PLA scholarships is next Monday! The Public Library Association (PLA) Conference will be April 1-3, 2026 in Minneapolis. The Metronet Board has designated funds for a special scholarship program to attend the conference. Apply here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Grant reviewers needed! Volunteer to review Mary C. Murphy Library Construction Grant applications; volunteers will meet in December 2025 & January 2026 approximately twice. Included in one of those meetings will be a reviewer training. Sign up here: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

Consider donating. Together, MLF and @mnlib.bsky.social assist Minnesota libraries, as the Foundation sponsors MLA’s MILE program, career development scholarships for library staff, the Minnesota Author Project, and other MLA special projects. www.givemn.org/organization...

The Minnesota Library Foundation is participating in Give to the Max Day today! The Foundation funds programs for leadership and professional development across the Minnesota library community. Please consider sharing MLF's request for Give to the Max Day donations! www.givemn.org/organization...

Are you passionate about public libraries in Minnesota or know someone who is? Nominate yourself or someone else for MLA's 2026 Public Libraries Division Board! Open positions include: Chair-Elect, and Member-at-Large. Submit nominations by December 5th: docs.google.com/forms/d/1Vsn...

The next session in the Metronet Jobline Webinar Series is 'On the Record – Interview Dos & Don’ts' on November 20th, at 2:00 pm. This session will provide insight into what interviewers are looking for and how to present yourself clearly & confidently. Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

There's no better time to join MLA than right now! PLA is coming to Minneapolis for the 2026 Conference April 1–3, and your MLA membership allows you to register at a discounted rate. Joining MLA can save you over $300 on PLA registration. Join/renew now: www.mnlibraryassociation.org/page/JoinorR...

Email your legislators to support libraries: speakupforlibraries.us

Apply for a special grant opportunity for small & rural libraries: the Libraries Transforming Communities grant! If your library serves a population of 25,000 or less & is located at least 5 miles from an urbanized area, apply by Dec. 11th: www.ala.org/tools/librar... via @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social

Mary C. Murphy Library Construction Grants are available! This state of Minnesota funding is available to public library jurisdictions for renovation, construction & improvement projects that result in more accessible library facilities. Apply by December 1st: education.mn.gov/MDE/DSE/Gran...

Join Metronet's next Library Leadership Forum discussion on November 19th at 3 pm: Choosing Your Battles. How do we as leaders choose our battles, resolve conflict, and collaborate when we don't agree? Learn more and register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

"I hope that people can have this opportunity to be lured in by this beautiful food and actually learn something and maybe, hopefully, develop some empathy where there might not have been." Read our Newsmaker interview with award-winning chef Sean Sherman. https://bit.ly/3LgoIN7

MLA's Intellectual Freedom Committee has a new, easy-to-use form, 'Minnesota Libraries Censorship/Materials Challenge Support,' for library workers to ask questions or request support—on anything from displays & policies to staff training & materials challenges: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

In honor of the debut of the “Purple Rain” musical at State Theatre in Minneapolis, the Hennepin County Library System introduced a limited-edition Prince library card Friday.

Email your legislators to support libraries: speakupforlibraries.us

The next session in the Metronet Jobline Webinar Series is 'Write on Track – Résumés & Cover Letters' on November 13th, at 2:00 pm. This webinar will provide you with the tools to create polished, targeted application documents that get noticed. Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

"In Praise of #Librarians in Dangerous Times: Sarah Weinman on the Awesome Responsibility of the Seekers and Keepers of Truth" (via @lithub.com.web.brid.gy) lithub.com/in-praise-of... #libraries

Free webinar! Join the MN Association of Library Friends for 'Warm Reads For Cold Nights' on Wed. Nov. 12th, 12-1:30 pm. The webinar features Graywolf Press, Minnesota Historical Society Press, and surprise guests from Minnesota's own homegrown writer community! mnlibraryfriends.org/programs/web...

Share your story with the Minnesota Digital Library's (MDL) new creative writing contest! Using any item in MDL as a prompt, participants will write a short story, poem, or other creative piece. Winners will be published in an online exhibit. Deadline is Nov. 30th: minitex.umn.edu/news/minneso...

Looking for new reads to help teach your young patrons about civic engagement this election season? @wearealsc.bsky.social & @ala-booklist.bsky.social have a booklist for that! Check out the Inspiring Future Voters Booklist, with recs for all ages: www.ala.org/alsc/publica... #ReaderVoterReady

The Twin Cities Book Festival is this Saturday, November 8th! Come to Union Depot in St. Paul from 10am to 5pm and check out all the activities and events here: twincitiesbookfestival.com #tcbf

Carnegie libraries, including three in the east metro, will each get $10,000. The Carnegie Corporation of New York announced the gifts last week: www.twincities.com/2025/10/28/c... via @pioneerpress.bsky.social

Report: “They Hold These Truths: Minnesota's Archive of Endangered National Park Signs Tops 11,000 and Counting” #saveoursigns #nationalparks #archives @datarescueproject.org

The next session in the Metronet Jobline Webinar Series is 'Circulating Connections: LinkedIn and Public Presence' on Nov. 6th, from 2:00-3:30 pm. To stand out, combine networking, volunteering, & exploration of opportunities beyond your comfort zone. Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

AI-Generated Video and Media Literacy Librarians’ news literacy lessons are vital to teaching students to identify AI and misinformation on social media. www.slj.com/story/AI-Gen...