Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative Legacy Grant SFY 2018 - SFY 2019
Minnesota's twelve regional library systems, which encompass more than 350 public libraries in all areas of the state, can benefit from a portion of the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Through State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, each regional library system is eligible to receive a formula-driven allocation from the annual $2.5 million Minnesota Regional Library System Legacy Grant. Traverse des Sioux Library System (TdS) is a federated regional public library system providing central services located in southcentral Minnesota. TdS serves forty member public libraries in nine counties: Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, LeSueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan. With Arts and Cultural Heritage funds, TdS and its member libraries present an array of arts, cultural, literary, and Minnesota history programs in collaboration with arts and cultural organizations, independent artists, historical societies, and community organizations. Projects contribute to the cultural vitality of the region and build a lasting legacy.
These amounts are appropriated to the commissioner of education for grants to the 12 Minnesota regional library systems to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. These funds must be allocated using the formulas in Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, with the remaining 25 percent to be distributed to all qualifying systems in an amount proportionate to the number of qualifying system entities in each system. For purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying system entity" means a public library, a regional library system, a regional library system headquarters, a county, or an outreach service program. These funds may be used to sponsor programs provided by regional libraries or to provide grants to local arts and cultural heritage programs for programs in partnership with regional libraries. These funds must be distributed in ten equal payments per year. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2019, as grants or contracts in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2021.
Total number of projects: 27
Total number of programs and/or events (if different than total number of projects): 142
Total attendance/participation: 8,809
Some quotes from libraries:
"This was one of the best programs I've had. Such nice, down to earth people. They were awesome!" "Everyone absolutely LOVED this!" "The Punk skunks were a lot of fun and Energetic great program! I would love to have them back." "Shaskans were wonderful! They did a great presentation and were fun, age appropriate and gave us good energy (considering it was their final library show and it was Friday afternoon and there was a tiny group!) All of the kids have been at other library functions and they said they would come to hear them again! These families are quite active and plan to come to more library events. They really liked the singing (ABC song was a big hit!) and the toad hat that Steve wore when he read his book! I would recommend them for sure!"
These amounts are appropriated to the commissioner of education for grants to the 12 Minnesota regional library systems to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. These funds must be allocated using the formulas in Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, with the remaining 25 percent to be distributed to all qualifying systems in an amount proportionate to the number of qualifying system entities in each system. For purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying system entity" means a public library, a regional library system, a regional library system headquarters, a county, or an outreach service program. These funds may be used to sponsor programs provided by regional libraries or to provide grants to local arts and cultural heritage programs for programs in partnership with regional libraries. These funds must be distributed in ten equal payments per year. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2019, as grants or contracts in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2021.
Total number of projects: 4
Total number of programs and/or events (if different than the total number of projects): 153
Total attendance/participation: 9365
Total number of partnerships: 68
Blue Earth Community Library Population of Blue Earth: 3,135; Attendance: 65
Muir Public library
Population of Winnebago: 1351; Attendance: 57
"The single best program we've brought to the library."--Eva Gaydon, library director
100% of the audiences learned new information about rural African music, participated in making music, and had an opportunity to interact with a person from a culture very different from their own.
During their highly interactive program for kids and families, Siama and Dallas invite everyone on a journey to "The Land of Yangalele" ("happiness" in Lingala). Siama (see-AHH-maw) sings and plays acoustic guitar, mbira (thumb piano) and balafon (African marimba) while singer Dallas Johnson narrates stories and encourages everyone to sing catchy songs together in Kikongo and Lingala under a big imaginary sky brimming with stars. Towards the end of the program the kids get to play fun shakers and every show ends with an energetic dance party. The program is designed for kids but delights audiences of all ages, providing an immersive way to experience of the community-centered, celebratory nature of rural African music and culture. Learn more about Siama Congo Music program in libraries and see it in action: https://youtu.be/H3WDaJ666-c