East Central Regional Library

Welcome!

East Central Regional Library serves as a source of information to the residents of the region through 14 libraries and Outreach Services. The Library provides materials and programs that will promote an educated citizenry and enriched personal lives.  Materials and programs are provided to help meet the educational, informational, recreational, and cultural needs of the region.

ECRL Calendar - what's happening?

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News Bits

• North Branch Area Library Kids Book Club -Children in grades 4-6 who enjoy reading are invited to join our new book club.  Meetings will be held the first Thursday afternoon of each month at the library from 3:30-4:30 pm.  The  first meeting will be on Thursday, March 4.  We'll be discussing the book, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi.  Call the North Branch Area Library at 651-674-8443 for more information. 

• Holiday:  All branches and the ECRL Headquarters office will be closed on Monday, February 15 in honor of President's Day.

• Shop Online?  Bank Online?  Why Not Library Online?  - What’s better than snail mail?  Voice mail?  And saves taxpayer dollars?  It’s email notification at your local East Central Regional Library!  During the month of February, ECRL is marketing its email notification service.  Patrons looking for a quick way to find out when the items they put on hold are available and when they are overdue, should take advantage of this time and cost saving service.  Contact your local ECRL branch for information on how to sign up.

• Grand Opening Celebration - It wasn't too cold for people to come out to the Grand Opening of the Isanti Link Site yesterday, January 27.  An open house was held from 10:30-4:00 with a short program at 1:00 pm led by Susi McCune, president of the Isanti Friends of the Library.  Many dignitaries, ECRL staff, Friends and patrons came to celebrate the grand opening.
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• Wyoming Area Library Valentine's Party - Hey Kids!  Come and decorate cookies, make valentine cards, crafts and listen to stories with residents of Meadows on Fairview on Saturday, February 6 from 12:30-1:30.  Ages 5+ welcome.  Please sign up at the front desk at the Library.
  

• Snowflake Used Book Sale - The Chisago Lakes Friends of the Library invite you to their used book sale on Friday, January 29 from 12 Noon till 6:00 pm and on Saturday, January 30 from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm.  There will be a wide selection of hardcovers, paperbacks, childrens books and VHS tapes.
  

• Pine City Reads - Join the Pine City Reads community wide discussion of the book, Tortilla Curtain by T. C. Boyle at the Northwest Company Fur Post on Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 pm.

• Isanti Link Site Open House - The Friends of the Isanti Link Site cordially invite you to their celebration on Wednesday, January 27.  An open house will be held from 12:30-4:00 pm with a short ceremony at 1:00 pm.
  

• Holiday:  All branches and the ECRL Headquarters office will be closed on Monday, January 18 in honor of Martin Luther King Day.
  

• Twilight Saga:  the Official Guide by Stephanie Meyer - We have received notification that this title has been canceled.  Thus all holds for this title on the ECRL catalog have also been canceled. 
  

• Hot Reads for Cold Nights -Need a cure for those cold, winter blues?  The Cambridge and North Branch libraries invite all adults, 18 years and older, to participate in the Hot Reads for Cold Nights adult winter reading program. Don't be left out in the cold, check out our Hot Reads winter reading programs for adults. 
• @ the Cambridge Public Library - To participate, simply checkout an item any time between January 11 and February 19.  When you return it fill out a review and entry form.  Drawings for prizes will be held on Fridays starting January 15, with the grand prize ($25 gift certificate from Scout & Morgan books) drawing on Saturday, Februrary 27.
• @ the Chisago Lakes Area Library - To participate, simply checkout an item any time between January 11 and February 26.  When you return it fill out a review and entry form.  Drawings for prizes will be held on every other Friday starting January 22, with the grand prize ($25 gift certificate from Many Voices Booksellers) drawing on Friday, Februrary 26.
• @ the North Branch Area Library -  To particpate, simply read any library book between January 4 and February 27.  Stop in the library and fill out the back of the Hot Reads for Cold Nights bookmark for each book you read.  Turn it in weekly to the library.  A drawing for prizes will be held each Monday. 
  

• Chisago Lakes Area Library - Chisago Lakes Area Library and the Chisago Lakes Area School District Present the “Author Live Series” featuring Julie Kramer MN. Book Award Winner and author of Missing Mark and Stalking Susan on Thursday, January 14 at 7:00 pm at the library. Tickets will be available starting January 2 at the Chisago Lakes Area Library or through Chisago Lakes Area School District. A suggested donation of $5.00 will go to support future author visits in the “Author Live” Series.

• North Branch Area Library - The North Branch Friends of the Library Present "Grandma Kept It Going: Quilts from 1900-2010"  By Bev Proulx on Saturday, January 9 at 10:30 am.  Bev will use quilts, quilt tops, fabrics, and quilting ephemera from her collection as she talks about how our quilting Grandmas kept the art form going through the wars,  the Great Depression, and the tremendous changes of the 20th century into the 21st century.

• Happy Retirement! 

  
  New Year's Eve will not be just the last day of the year for Jeanette Monthye, but her last day as Branch Librarian at the Rush City branch of East Central Regional Library.  Jeanette became Branch Librarian at the Rush City branch in October 1983.  Jeanette was the first president of the Rush City Friends of the Library.  Plus four years prior to that she was the library's storyteller, did library outreach to the Rush City schools and worked as a sub at the library before becoming Branch Librarian.

  Congratulations, Jeanette, on your many years of service to the people of Rush City and East Central Regional Library.  Here's to a happy and healthy retirement!

  

• Holiday:  All branches and the ECRL Headquarters office will be close at 5:00 pm on New Year's Eve, December 31 and be closed on New Year's Day, January 1.
  

• Holiday: All branches and the ECRL Headquarters office will be closed on Christmas Eve, December 24 and Christmas Day, December 25.
  

• Position available - Branch Librarian in Rush City. See jobs page.

• Give the Gift of Reading @ ECRL 

  Cambridge Public Library – The 9^th Annual Give the Gift of Reading program sponsored by the library and Isanti County Family Services is now underway.  Pick a tag off the tree with the age and gender of a needy child in Isanti County and purchase a new book for the child or teen.  Books must be returned by Wednesday, December 16 to the library.  Cash donations also accepted.

  Wyoming Area Library – There are three ways to give this holiday season at the library.  Simply pick a tag off the tree and buy a book; buy a book and donate it to the red tub; or donate cash to purchase a book.  The Giving Tree is sponsored by the library and Chisago County Health and Human Services.

• Sandstone Holiday Booksale - Join us for our holiday booksale for children and teens on Saturday, December 12 from 10:00 am to 12 Noon.  The sale is sponsored by the Sandstone Friends of the Library.  For more information call 320-245-2270.
  

• Princeton Holiday Tea/Book Signing - Enjoy refreshments, crafts and holiday music in the Library Community Room from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 12.  Plus join us for book signings at 10:30 am - Linda Buturian, author of World Gone Beautiful:  Life Along the Rum River and at 12:00 pm - Sherry Winter and Nancy McCreight, authors of Celebration Circles:  A Guide for Celebrating and Honoring People and Events in Our Lives.  The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and Bremer Bank
  

• 6th Annual Pine City Reads  - You are invited to join us for an Open House on Thursday, December 10 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the library.  Pick up your books, Tortilla Curtain by T. C. Boyle and Mercy Falls by William Kent Krueger along with the discussion guides.  Coffee, punch and cookies will be served.
  

• Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO): Minnesota juniors and seniors may earn college credit while still in high school. Read this publication to find out how. (large .pdf file)

• Holiday: All branches and the ECRL Headquarters office will be closed on Thanksgiving, November 26. 
  

• Happy 50th! Join the party at any of the ECRL branches through November 21st. see schedule below
  3 Mayors and a Senator party at Chisago Lakes branch: Senator Rick Olseen; Mayor Kyle Johnson (Shafer); Mayor Keith Carlson (Lindstrom); Mayor Don Taylor (Chisago City)
  

• Holiday: All branches and the ECRL Headquarters office will be closed Wednesday, November 11 in honor of Veterans Day.
  

• East Central Regional Library Celebrates 50th Anniversary and You're Invited to Help Us Celebrate!

   East Central Regional Library will be celebrating the entire month of November.  It’s our 50^th Anniversary and each of our 14 branch libraries will be having a celebration.  Patrons, local City and County officials are invited to join State Legislators, State Librarian, Suzanne Miller, and present and former library staff for this momentous occasion.

  Below is a list of all the celebrations and entertainment scheduled at each of ECRL Branches throughout the month of November.

• ECRL Headquarters/Cambridge Public Library - Kickoff Celebration
  
• Thursday, November 5 – 2:00-6:00 pm
• Refreshments and Harpist, Sally Ahlgren 
• Special Program at 4:00 pm with Guest Speaker, Bill Asp, former ECRL director from 1967-1970 and State Librarian  

• Sandstone Public Library
• Tuesday, November 10 – 1:00-4:00 pm
• Refreshments with flute player, Sara Harris & violinist, Jamie Tvedt
  

• Mora Public Library
• Tuesday, November 10 – 2:00-5:00 pm
• Refreshments and Acoustic Guitarist, Caleb Jacob

• Rush City Public Library
• Thursday, November 12 – 2:00-5:00 pm
• Refreshments and Instrumental Trio, the Spinoffs

• Mille Lacs Lake Community Library
• Thursday, November 12  - 3:00-6:00 pm
• Refreshments and Strolling Violinist, Douglas Curnutte
  

• Chisago Lakes Area Library
• Thursday, November 12 – 6:00-8:00 pm
• Refreshments and Harpist, Valerie Brunnette

• Hinckley Public Library
• Saturday, November 14 – 9:00 am-1:00 pm
• Refreshments and Violinist/Guitarist, Catrina Campbell

• North Branch Area Library
• Saturday, November 14 – 10:00 am-2:00 pm
• Refreshments with Author/Musician, Karen Swanson; Musician Phyllis Keating; Author/Musician, Katherine Salverda

• Wyoming Area Library
• Sunday, November 15 – 2:00-4:00 pm
• Program at 3:00 pm
• Refreshments and Harpist, Mike Kline

• Aitkin Public Library
• Tuesday, November 17 – 2:00-4:00 pm
• Refreshments and the Great River String Ensemble
  

• McGregor Public Library
• Thursday, November 19 – 3:00-6:00 pm
• Refreshments and Coyote & the Crow

• Pine City Public Library
• Thursday, November 19 – 4:00-7:00 pm
• Refreshments and Piano/Classical Guitar with Jennifer Hannsmann and Paul Bacigalupi

• Princeton Area Library
• Saturday, November 21 – 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
• Refreshments and Ensminger Family Bluegrass

• Milaca Community Library
• Saturday, November 21 – 1:00-3:00 pm
• Refreshments and Tunes of Our Lives with Bob & Marilyn Wig

• More Halloween Fun @ at the Wyoming Area Library - Meadows on Fairview Campus (Life-long Learning Program) and Giese Memorial Library are sponsoring a Halloween Party on October 31st from 12:30 to 1:30 for 6-9 year-olds and Meadows residents in the Meeting Room.  Painting pumpkins, decorating cookies and hearing stories are some of the planned activities.  Pre-register at the front desk at the library or call 651-462-9001. 
  

• Halloween Fun @ the North Branch Area Library - Kids, ages 5-8, are invited to the library on Friday, October 30 from 4:00-5:00 pm for some books, games, crafts and snacks all with a Halloween theme.  The North Branch Youth Advisory Board teens will be presenting the program.  The event is free, but space is limited.  Register by calling the library at 651-674-8443 beginning Friday, October 16th!

• Halloween Party @ the Chisago Lakes Area Library - Kids ages 12 and under are invited to join us for a Halloween party at the Chisago Lakes Area Library from 6:30-7:30 pm on Thursday, October 29.  There will be stories, treats and a chance to decorate your own pumpkin.  Costumes are encouraged and the event is sponsored by the Chisago Lakes Area Friends of the Library.
  

• October Computer Classes at Aitkin Public Library - The library will be hosting three separate computer classes in October including Basic Computer on Tuesday, October 20 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm; Basic Internet on Monday, October 26 from 10:00 am to noon; and Basic Microsoft Word on Wednesday, October 28 from 1:30-3:30 pm.  Class size is limited and you must call the library at 218-927-2339 to register.  No fee.

• Chess Extravanga at Princeton Area Library - chess events for children, teens, parents and adults include Traps to Beat Your Chess Playing Child on Tuesday, October 20 from 6:00-7:00 pm and an all day chess event on Saturday, October 24 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm that includes a huge chess set, a simultaneous exhibition, a chess tournament and more.  Call the Princeton Area Library at 763-389-37543 for more information.
  

• Sneaky Chess for Teens at Princeton Area Library - Professional Chess teacher Ms. Daa presents a variety of hands on activities for beginner through intermediate chess players Including Sneaky Moves, Secret Battle Pans and other Tricks and Traps. FREE  - Tuesday, October 6 from 6:00-7:30 pm.
  

• Aitkin Public Library Closed for Memorial - The Aitkin Public Library will be closed on Saturday, September 26 to honor the memory of Mary Ellen Moriarity.  Mary Ellen was a Library Board Chair, past Friends of the Library President, Aitkin Library Building Task Force Chair, Library Advocate, ECRL staff member from 2002-2003 and an organizer of countless library programs.  She will be missed.
  

• William Kent Krueger to Visit Chisago Lakes Area Library - Popular Minnesota mystery writer, William Kent Krueger will be at the Chisago Lakes Area Library on Thursday, October 8 at 7:00 pm.  Mr. Krueger's latest book about Cork O'Connor is Heaven's Keep and was recently released. 
  

• Holiday: All branches and ECRL Headquarters office will be closed Monday, September 7, Labor Day.

• Cambridge Friends of the Library Garage Sale - The Cambridge Friends of the Library will be holding a garage sale in conjunction with the Cambridge City-Wide Garage Sale day on Saturday, September 19 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. We've cleaned out the library and there will be tons of books and lots of miscellaneous items from the library for sale.
  

• Minnesota Book Award Winning Author - Barbara Sommer will be visiting the Cambridge Public Library on Thursday, September 17 at 7:00 pm.  Ms. Sommer was awarded the 2009 Minnesota Book Award in the Minnesota category for her book, Hard Work and a Good Deal:  The Civilian Conservation Corps in Minnesota.
  

• Bookmobile for Sale - (click graphic for larger version)
  

• ECRL Blue Ribbon Reader Named - Each of the 14 branch libraries in ECRL nominated one child as their blue ribbon reader. A drawing was held and Jonathan Chinn representing the Rush City Public Library was named the Blue Ribbon Reader from the ECRL region.  Jonathan will receive a four pack of MN State Fair tickets and will be recognized on stage at the Great MN Read-Together on Wednesday, September 2 at the State Fair.  Congratulations, Jonathan!

• The Cat Who Smelled Smoke - We have received notification that publication of this book by Lillian Jackson Braun has been cancelled. All holds on the ECRL catalog have been cancelled.

• Read & Ride at the Minnesota State Fair - Wednesday, September 2nd. Show your library card for reduced gate admission. Activities and entertainment all day west of the Grandstand Ramp in Carousel Park. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Create your own story on a stick; Learn to yo-yo; Author Will Weaver; Songs and games; Bill the Juggler; Non-stop story time; Book giveaways; Trivia prize wheel; Temporary tatoos.  Complete details, click here
  

• Explore Your Family History Classes - East Central Regional Library recently expanded access to one of the premier genealogical databases available to users, Ancestry Library Edition.  It provides instant access to a wide range of unique genealogical and historical resources. Reference staff from East Central Regional Library will be presenting classes for the public to learn all about this new and exciting genealogical database.  Basic computer skills are mandatory and class size is limited to 13.  Register by calling the library you plan to attend at least 3 days prior to the date of the class.
  • McGregor Public Library - Thursday, August 20 at 4:00 pm
  • Pine City Public Library - Wednesday, September 2 at 10:00 am
  • Wyoming Area Library - Tuesday, September 8 at 7:00 pm
  • Hinckley Public Library - Thursday, September 10 at 10:30 am
  • Rush City Public Library - Monday, September 14 at 7:00 pm
  • Sandstone Public Library - Tuesday, September 15 at 10:00 am
  • Chisago Lakes Area Library - Thursday, Septemer 17 at 1:00 pm
  • Aitkin Public Library - Monday, September 21 at 2:00 pm
  • Mora Public Library - Tuesday, Septemer 22 at 1:00 pm
  • Mille Lacs Lake Community Library - Wednesday, September 23 at 7:00 pm
  • Princeton Area Library - Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 pm
  • North Branch Area Library - Thursday, October 1 at 10:00 am
  • Cambridge Public Library - Tuesday, October 6 at 6:30 pm
  • Milaca Community Library - Thursday, October 8 at 7:00 pm
    

• New Outreach Services Underway - Heidi Cava was recently named the new ECRL Outreach Librarian.  Heidi will be serving as the Outreach Librarian at the new Onamia Library Link Site on Saturdays (beginning July 18) and serving patrons in northern Pine and Aitkin Counties with the new Outreach Services delivery van. 
  

• Holiday: All branches will be closed Saturday, July 4th
  

• Author Presentation at Milaca Community Library - Dennis Weidemann, author of This Water Goes North, will be visiting the Milaca Community Library on Saturday, July 25 at 1:00 pm.  The book is about four Iowa farm boys who hatch a plan to paddle 1,400 miles from Minnestoa to Hudson Bay.  Join us for a slide show presentation and book signing. 
  

• Chisago Lakes Booksale - Stop by the Chisago Lakes Area Library on Friday, July 10 from 12 noon to 6 pm and on Saturday, July 11 from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm for our booksale.  Lots to choose from and bargains for everyone!