State Library Services invested in activities intended to improve public and school library services for children and youth from birth through high school graduation. Our efforts enabled libraries to align their services and efforts to statewide priorities and identified needs, including reducing the achievement gap, supporting student literacy and school engagement, and preparing all youth for success in college and career. We provided high-quality professional development opportunities and resources that increased knowledge, skills, and resources for early literacy. Our efforts to create connections for public libraries, schools, and school libraries strengthened supports for students and generated new opportunities for engagement.

Our efforts centered on growing a network of local support for students by connecting school and public libraries. In bringing the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival, a national student competition, to Minnesota. We supported school and public librarians and teachers in working with students on projects that used and expanded 21st century skills. We brought 90-Second Newbery founder and middle-grade author James Kennedy to Minnesota to visit several schools and classrooms. We brought Mr. Kennedy to Minnesota to host the screening of submissions from Minnesota and across the country. We worked with the State Visual & Media Arts Education Coordinator, based at the Perpich Center for Arts Education, as well as a Literacy Specialist at the Minnesota Department of Education in order to ensure the project’s connection to state academic standards, and to spread the word about the competition.