Latest Skillbuilding Podcast Episodes

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Jeffers Petroglyphs

Linking Our Libraries - June 06, 2023 09:20 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
For our final episode on this topic, we admire the Jeffers Petroglyphs. It is home to about 5,000 sacred rock carvings, also called petroglyphs, made by the ancestors of today’s Native Americans. Celebrate this ancient site with a book about art.   In our show notes for this episode, we...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

BB Sibley Historic Site

Linking Our Libraries - May 30, 2023 09:50 - 12 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
Visit the Sibley Historic Site, home to the oldest structures still standing in Minnesota. From the center of the fur trade to the center of government, this site witnessed some of the key people and events at play in the tumultuous history of the early days of Minnesota statehood. Celebrate t...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: W. W. Mayo House

Linking Our Libraries - May 23, 2023 08:12 - 10 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This hand-built house held Dr. W. W. Mayo’s first medical practice, witnessed events of the US-Dakota War of 1862, and eventually served as the family home for another giant of Minnesota history — the Cosgrove family of the Green Giant Company. Celebrate this history and read a book with a med...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Historic Forestville

Linking Our Libraries - May 16, 2023 08:55 - 8 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
Historic Forestville was once the center of a thriving rural community until it fell into decline after the railroad passed it by in 1868. The historic town includes a fully-stocked general store, farm and homestead with original artifacts. Celebrate this history by reading a book about a smal...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Oliver Kelley Farm

Linking Our Libraries - May 09, 2023 11:05 - 9 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
Experience the story of farming, food and agriculture — past and present! Explore the original 1860s working farm, and get an up close view of the animals and gardens. Celebrate this farm by reading a book about farming plants or animals. In our show notes for this episode, we link each book t...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Traverse des Sioux

Linking Our Libraries - May 02, 2023 08:54 - 12 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
For thousands of years, the Dakota lived and worked at Traverse des Sioux, located on the lower Minnesota River. By the early 19th century, European American fur traders, missionaries, and adventurers were frequent visitors. Then in 1851, this site witnessed the signing of the Treaty of Traverse...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Harkin Store

Linking Our Libraries - April 25, 2023 09:51 - 12 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
Step into the Harkin Store, once the social center of the community where townsfolk and farmers gathered to buy groceries, barter for supplies, and exchange news. Many of the store’s original goods remain on the shelves. Get in touch with this history and read a book about a store or selling th...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Split Rock Lighthouse

Linking Our Libraries - April 18, 2023 09:35 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
Behold 1000 watts of ship-stopping power! Experience the sights, the history, and the technology behind this signature Minnesota landmark anchored on the rocky coast of Lake Superior. We encourage you to celebrate this and read a book about being on a ship. In our show notes for this episode, ...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Fort Ridgely

Linking Our Libraries - April 11, 2023 10:22 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
“From police station to Civil War training grounds to site of a siege during the US-Dakota War, Fort Ridgely witnessed the tumultuous history of 1800s Minnesota.” We suggest that you read a book about Native Americans. In our show notes for this episode, we link each book to one of our state’s...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Minnesota History Center

Linking Our Libraries - April 04, 2023 10:29 - 10 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
“Through inspiring exhibits, thought-provoking programs, live performances, and action-packed discovery, the History Center feeds your curiosity about Minnesota’s stories, people, and places.” To celebrate this center, we suggest that you read a book set in a museum. In our show notes for t...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Snake River Fur Post

Linking Our Libraries - March 28, 2023 09:17 - 10 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
"We tell the wider history of Native Americans, French voyageurs, and British fur traders in the early 19th century on the Ginebig-ziibi (Snake River)." Celebrate this history and read a book with furry animals. In our show notes for this episode, we link each book to one of our state’s great ...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Forest History Center

Linking Our Libraries - March 21, 2023 10:43 - 9 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
“People have long relied on the forests for food, shelter, and building materials. Today we also include recreation and enjoying the beauty of forests in that description. The Forest History Center tells the story of this changing relationship with the land.” To celebrate this relationship, re...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Minnehaha Depot

Linking Our Libraries - March 14, 2023 09:26 - 9 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
Minnehaha Depot, famous for its intricate “gingerbread” canopy, was an integral part of the first rail line out of Minneapolis. Known as the “Princess” by rail workers of the time, it served both local Minneapolis residents as well as visitors from “out east.” Read a book with a princess.  ...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Birch Coulee

Linking Our Libraries - March 07, 2023 09:39 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This week we remember the Birch Coulee historic site. This location was the site of one of the deadliest battles of the US-Dakota War, over 150 years ago. To commemorate this tragedy, we suggest that you read a book about a tragedy.   In our show notes for this episode, we link each boo...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Alexander Ramsey House

Linking Our Libraries - February 28, 2023 09:53 - 12 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
We will share six book suggestions to meet that prompt, to get you started on reading new books. You can also take that prompt and find any other book to meet the challenge!   This week we admire the Alexander Ramsey House. Alexander Ramsey held many offices in Minnesota, and he helped ...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Episode 10-10: Potpourri of Programs

Linking Our Libraries - February 23, 2023 09:19 - 22 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
Check out this week's show notes right here! This week, to wrap up the series, we are looking at a potpourri of different kinds of programs. As has been true all season, there probably isn’t anything too wild and radical here - just suggestions for things to try. Once you see that other people...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Episode 10-09: Romance and Romance-Adjacent Programs

Linking Our Libraries - February 16, 2023 09:12 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This week we are feeling a little mushy from the effects of Valentine’s Day! Of course, we do not limit ourselves to some forced idea of romance - how dull. Instead we take the expansive definition of relationships and love and happiness! We love libraries and books so much; but other readers an...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Episode 10-08: Cooking Programs

Linking Our Libraries - February 09, 2023 10:03 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This week we are discussing the tasty program of cooking in the library! This is another set of programs that you can easily do either in person or virtually. (It is, of course, best to make all of your programs available virtually; this week just lends itself to that pretty well.) Check out o...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Episode 10-07: Physical Programming in the Library

Linking Our Libraries - February 02, 2023 09:55 - 24 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
Check out our show notes page here, with links to libraries and programs! This week we are looking at physical programs - those programs that make you get up and dance and move and do some fun things while in the library. Our usual programs involve people sitting still. Sure, those are fun to...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Episode 10-06: Technology Programs in the Library

Linking Our Libraries - January 26, 2023 10:00 - 22 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This week we are looking at Technology programs! You might incorporate some of these into the programs we talked about a couple of weeks ago, with crafting and making. There are a variety of different kinds of technology you might want to use or to create here; and your budget can be either pret...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Episode 10-05: Writing and Publishing Programs

Linking Our Libraries - January 19, 2023 09:45 - 31 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This week we are talking about different programs for your patrons to do some writing and some publishing work. Of course, we are known for books and reading material; so this kind of programing fits in perfectly with our mission. Encouraging people to not just be consumers of books but to also ...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Episode 10-04: Outdoor programming

Linking Our Libraries - January 12, 2023 10:17 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This week we are shaking off the winter blah feelings, and planning to get outside for a while! Everyone is tired of being cooped up, and we need to think through some ideas to help you and your patrons to get outside and to get moving.   We talk about going outside and doing fun things out ...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Episode 10-03: Crafting and Making in the Library

Linking Our Libraries - January 05, 2023 10:10 - 26 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This season we are talking about library programs - giving you some ideas about different ideas you can try in your own library. It is always good to share ideas across libraries, and we are all better! Each week we will look at a different theme of programs.   This week we are talking about...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Episode 10-02 Book Groups

Linking Our Libraries - December 29, 2022 10:02 - 31 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This season we are talking about library programs - giving you some ideas about different ideas you can try in your own library. It is always good to share ideas across libraries, and we are all better! Each week we will look at a different theme of programs.   This week we are talking about...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Episode 10-01: Citizen Science in the library

Linking Our Libraries - December 22, 2022 10:00 - 37 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
Welcome to Season Ten of Linking Our Libraries! We are so happy to have you join us again! This is the Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange, and our members are all types of libraries and their staff. In this podcast, we talk about the skills library staff need to be successful and to help them ...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Red Lake County

Linking Our Libraries - December 13, 2022 08:44 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This week we admire Red Lake County. This county contains Equality Township. To celebrate this county, we suggest that you read a book about equality in any way.  We are wrapping up our final season looking at Minnesota counties! Thanks for being with us as we admire all the counties, and last...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Redwood County

Linking Our Libraries - December 06, 2022 07:40 - 12 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This week we admire Redwood County. This county contains the Delhi State Wildlife Management Area. To celebrate that, we suggest that you read a book set in India or with an Indian character. We give you links to each of these books on our show notes page, taking you to Amazon.com. If you clic...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Renville County

Linking Our Libraries - November 29, 2022 07:38 - 15 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This week we admire Renville County. This county was named after Joseph Renville (1779-1846), interpreter for early explorations of the Louisiana Purchase. To celebrate this county, we suggest that you read a book with a bilingual character.  We give you links to each of these books on our sho...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Rock County

Linking Our Libraries - November 22, 2022 08:36 - 14 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This week we admire Rock County. In honor of the very cool county name, we suggest you celebrate it by reading a book about geology. We give you links to each of these books on our show notes page, taking you to Amazon.com. If you click on any of them, and buy anything at all - including a nic...

Linking Our Libraries artwork

Browsing Books: Roseau County

Linking Our Libraries - November 15, 2022 08:31 - 14 minutes ★★★★★ - 8 ratings
This week we admire Roseau County. This county contains Canadian National Depot, 1914 station of the Canadian National Railway on U.S. soil, used by many immigrants leaving for Canada. To celebrate this county, we suggest you read a book about the experiences of immigrants. We give you links t...

Related Skillbuilding Topics