East Central Regional Library

News Bits Archives, January-March 2008

• Expanded Communication at North Branch: Sue Monroe, Branch Librarian at North Branch Area Library completed the 6 week course in American Sign Language. She very quickly found her new skill put to the test. Read more at East Central Libraries.    24 March 2008
  

• More Children's Books: East Central Regional Library received a gift of $274 today from the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management  to purchase children's books. The money was donated when Vickie Sorn, ECRL Community Services Coordinator, made a  presentation to  the AAHAM meeting in Hinckley. Thank you!  20 March 2008
  

• The Banner is Here! As part of Minnesota's 150th birthday party, a Sesquicentennial  Banner is being displayed in public libraries across the state. The banner arrived at East Central this week, and was unveiled at the first of our regional celebrations in Pine City:
  Community Services Coordinator, Vickie Sorn, is organizing Sesquicentennial events in each of the ECRL branch libraries.
  
  Steven Keillor, author of Shaping Minnesota's Identity:  150 Years of State History, talks about his book to the Pine City audience on March 13th.

• Sesquicentennial Days to be Celebrated at ECRL Branches: Each of the East Central Regional Library branches will be celebrating Minnesota Sesquicentennial Day at their library this spring. Patrons are encouraged to stop by their local ECRL branch, see the Sesquicentennial banner, take the Minnesota trivia quiz and test your knowledge of Minnesota.  You can also put your thought about living in great state of Minnesota down on paper by writing in the Sesquicentennial journal.  Plus while you’re visiting your local ECRL branch check out the many books about our state.  You might just discover something you just didn’t know about Minnesota.  Steven Keillor, author of the book, Shaping Minnesota’s Identity:  150 Years of State History, will also be visiting several of the ECRL branches.  Check out the schedule below for the Sesquicentennial Day celebration nearest you and wish Minnesota a Happy 150^th Birthday!

• Thursday, March 13	Pine City	Steven Keillor at 6:30 p.m.
  Wednesday, March 19	Hinckley	Steven Keillor at 6:30 p.m.
  Tuesday, March 25	Sandstone
  Thursday, March 27	Aitkin
  Thursday, April 3	McGregor
  Tuesday, April 8	Wyoming
  Thursday, April 10	Chisago Lakes	Steven Keillor at 6:30 p.m.
  Tuesday, April 15	North Branch	Steven Keillor at 6:30 p.m.
  Wednesday, April 16	Rush City
  Saturday, April 19	Mora	Steven Keillor at 10:30 a.m.
  Tuesday, April 29	Milaca	Steven Keillor at 6:30 p.m.
  Saturday, May 3	Mille Lacs Lake	Steven Keillor at 10:30 a.m.
  Tuesday, May 6	Princeton	Steven Keillor at 6:30 p.m.
  Thursday, May 8	Cambridge	Steven Keillor at 7:00 p.m.

  
  
  
• Spring Preschool Story Time to Begin At Cambridge Public Library: Children ages 3 ½ to 5 years of age are invited to join us on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am starting March 26 at the Cambridge Public Library  Story time will be held for 3 ½ to 5 year olds on Wednesday mornings through Wednesday, May 14.  Children must be 3 ½ by April 1st in order to attend. 
  
  Put on those galoshes and splash through the puddles and join us for a fun time at the library.  Story time will run from 10:00-10:45 am and consist of stories and fingerplays about spring, animals and more.  We’ll get up off the floor and do some exercise, too!  Story time offers an enjoyable group experience and a chance to develop listening skills, small motor skills, and social skills.  There is no pre-registration for the program.  If you have any questions regarding story time, call Vickie at 763-689-7390, ext. 13.  March 11, 2008
  
  
• Celebrate Sesquicentennial Day at the Hinckley Public Library: Join us on Wednesday, March 19 as we celebrate Sesquicentennial Day at the Hinckley Public Library.  Stop in and take the Minnesota trivia quiz and test your knowledge on Minnesota.  Then at 6:30 pm, join us as Minnesota author, Steven Keillor, visits the library for a book talk and book signing of his new book, Shaping Minnesota’s Identity:  150 Years of Minnesota History.  Books will be available for sale at the event.  Stop in and help us wish the State of Minnesota a wonderful 150th birthday!  March 11, 2008

• New Genealogical Resource for Library Patrons: East Central Regional Library recently purchased 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.  Ancestry Library Edition is currently available for in library use only at the following ECRL branches:  Aitkin, Cambridge, Chisago Lakes, Milaca, Mora, Pine City and Sandstone.
  
  Ancestry Library Edition has more than 1.5 billion names in over 4,000 databases and includes records from the United States Census; court, land and probate records; vital and church records; directories; military records; passenger lists and more! It continues to expand with new content added each day.
  
  According to a recent survey, 73% of Americans are interested in learning more about their roots.  The public library can help.  Ancestry Library Edition offers multiple resources, thus allowing patrons to put together the pieces of their family’s history and connect to the past.
  
  East Central Regional Library staff are in the process of setting up genealogy classes for patrons in 2008.   Classes will be held at each of the seven branches that have Ancestry Library Edition. Information on the dates and times of those classes will be forthcoming.
  
  Ancestry Library Edition makes family research easy for both beginners and advanced genealogists.   ECRL patrons are encouraged to visit one of the seven branches with Ancestry Library Edition (Aitkin, Cambridge, Chisago Lakes, Milaca, Mora, Pine City and Sandstone) and explore family history!
  
  
  Reference staff from ECRL will be presenting a class for the public to learn all about this new and exciting genealogical database.  The class will be held in the Cambridge Public Library computer lab from 6:00-7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 19.  The class is limited to 10 people and basic computer experience is necessary.  To register for the class please call the reference desk at the Cambridge Public Library at 763-689-7390, ext. 16.  You must call no later than Monday, March 17th to be included in the class. March 11, 2008
  
  
  
• Celebrate Sesquicentennial Day at the Pine City Public Library: Join us on Thursday, March 13 as we celebrate Sesquicentennial Day at the Pine City Public Library.  The sesquicentennial flag has been traveling throughout the State of Minnesota visiting each of the twelve public regional library systems.  The flag is now making the rounds to the fourteen branches of the East Central Regional Library system and Pine City is the first stop.
  
  Visit the library on Thursday, March 13 for the all day affair.  See the sesquicentennial flag, check out the display on Minnesota and Pine City history, write in the sesquicentennial journal, and have some refreshments.  Then to top off the day’s festivities at 6:30 pm, join us as Minnesota author, Steven Keillor, visits the library for a book talk and book signing of his new book, Shaping Minnesota’s Identity:  150 Years of Minnesota History.  Books will be available for sale at the event.  Stop in and help us wish the State of Minnesota a wonderful 150th birthday!  March 11, 2008

• Paws to Read at the Chisago Lakes Area Library:  Come join in the canine fun at the Chisago Lakes Area Library on Saturday, April 5 from 11:00 am to 12 Noon.  The Library is hosting a Paws to Read event at the library for young readers (preschool to grade 6).  Certified Paws to Read dogs and their volunteers will be available to help put young readers at ease.  They do so by letting the kids cuddle up with a dog and practice reading aloud.  Children involved in PAWS-TO-READ PROGRAMS nationwide have shown:
  
• Improved reading skills
• A sense of pride in their accomplishments
• Willingness to become involved in other positive activities
• More respect and kindness in their interaction with animals
• Found reading more enjoyable
• Check out more books from the library
The event will take place in the community room of the Chisago Lakes Area Library.  Children may sign up in person at the library on Saturday, April 5 for a 15 minute time slot beginning at 10:30.  Come early to ensure yourself a time slot.   March 11, 2008


• One Book One Community, Cambridge Community-Wide Reading Program
Get the Book: Checkout or reserve a copy of The Book Thief at the Cambridge Public Library or any branch of East Central Regional Library or purchase a personal copy of the book at Scout & Morgan Books in Cambridge.
Read! During the months of March and April, join your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and community residents in reading the same book – TOGETHER!
Discuss! Join one of the scheduled book discussion groups or organize your own book discussion at home, the senior center, or place of worship and discuss The Book Thief!
Attend one of the scheduled programs! Be a part of the inaugural One Book – Cambridge Community-Wide Reading Program.

Schedule of activities on Cambridge Reading Program website | Mayoral Proclomation

Cambridge Mayor Marlys Palmer proclaimed March and April 2008 to be the One Book One Community Reading Program. L to R: Judith Kissner, Vickie Sorn, Lorie Fetzik (seated), Barbara Misselt,  Mayor Palmer, Dave Maurer (seated), Jan Wheelock, and Mary Moline.
March 4, 2008

• Library Legislative Day 2008: Librarians and library supporters were at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 27th to talk to our legislators and encourage their support for libraries. Library Day is an annual event, but library communication with legislators goes on year round. In this bonding year, libraries are asking for money to fund the library accessibility and construction grants program. Six ECRL communities are planning to build or expand their branch libraries.
  
  Visiting District 17 Senator Rick Olseen were CMLE Director Patricia Post, ECRL Director Barbara Misselt, and ECRL Assistant Director Nick Dimassis.
  March 3, 2008 (photo 2/27/08)

We need your library story! ECRL joins libraries across the state to collect your stories about how libraries are part of the fabric of life. The Council of Regional Public Library System Administrators (CRPLSA) will compile the stories to give to legislators as part of Library Day at the Capitol activities. We will also use the stories for local efforts. Click here for form and/or how to E-mail your story.

• State Library visits Milaca:  Milaca City Manager Greg Lerud accompanied Bruce Pomerantz, Library Development Specialist at the Minnesota State Library, on a tour of the Milaca Library to view the completed construction which was partially funded through a Library Construction Grant funded by the Minnesota State Legislature and administered by the State Library.

Bruce and Greg measured doorways to ensure they complied with handicap accessibility requirements. They are pictured below in front of Milaca's cozy fireplace.
February 28, 2008 (photo taken Feb. 26th)

• McGregor Storytime: Storytime for toddlers will begin on Wednesday, March 5 at 10:30 am.  Children ages 18 months to preschool are welcome to attend.  Remember!  It’s never too early to discover a love for books!  Call the library at 218-768-3305 for more information. February 28, 2008

• Poetry at North Branch: The Friends of the North Branch Area Library invite you to attend a poetry program in the community room at the library on Saturday, March 8 at 10:30 am.  Our speaker will be Douglas G. Wilhide, MA, Poet Laureate from Arden Hills.  His book is “Between the Lakes:  The Poets of Linden Hills.”  Refreshments will be served. February 28, 2008
  

• New Book Club Kits added: Did you know that ECRL has multiple copy kits for your book club. New titles this month are Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle and Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Erik Larson. More info on book club kits.  February 28, 2008

• ECRL Libraries closed: Monday, February 18th in observance of Presidents Day. February 13, 2008.

• ECRL Branch Librarian Testifies: The bonding bill to fund Library Library Accessibility and Improvement Grants, HF 2558 (click here for bill), was introduced February 12 in the House K-12 Education Finance Division by Rep Mary Murphy (DFL - Hermantown). Co-authors are Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL - Minneapolis), Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL - Roseville), Rep.Sondra Erickson (R - Princeton) and Rep. Bud Heidgerken (R - Freeport).  Sharon Strack, Milaca Branch Librarian, testified at the hearing about the how the Milaca Library benefited from a previous bonding bill.

• The bill will be introduced in the Senate on Tuesday, February 19 in the Senate E-12 Education Finance Division at 8:30am in Room 112, at the Capitol. . The chief author in the Senate is Senator Dan Skogen (DFL - Hewitt). Sharon Strack will also testify in the Senate.

Preparing for the hearing are testifiers Sharon Strack, Milaca Branch Librarian, ECRL; Nate Mathews, City Administrator, Staples; John Bowden, Marshall-Lyon County Library Foundation. 

• Board Training: The East Central Regional Library Board of Directors attended trustee training  conducted by Nancy Walton from the Minnesota State Library on February 11th. The training followed the regular monthly meeting of the ECRL Board which was held at the Kanabec County Courthouse in Mora. The ECRL Board will next meet at 9:30 a.m. on March 10th at the Pine County Courthouse in Pine City. February 12, 2008

• Library Funding Workshop: County, city, and library leaders attended a day long workshop,  Minnesota Library Funding: Minimum Level of Support and Maintenance of Effort,  January 23rd at the Hardwood Creek Branch of the Washington County Library. The workshop was sponsored by the Council of Regional Public Library System Administrators (CRPLSA). 3 of the ECRL attendees are pictured below: board members Wayne Zaudtke (Kanabec County), Paul Bailey (Aitkin County), Ron Drude (Isanti County).

• North Branch Special Storytime: Sunrise Seniors Story Tellers Theater will lead Story Time on Wednesday, February 20th at 10:30 a.m. in the North Branch Library Community Room. Come enjoy the fun entertainment as the Story Tellers perform The Cat in the Hat and Jack and the Beanstalk. February 8, 2008

• Caucus Locations: Use this tool to find the locations for Minnesota precinct caucuses which meet today, February 5, 2008. Minnesota Election Caucus Finder from the Secretary of State site. February 5, 2008

• North Branch Loves to Read!  February is “North Branch Area Loves to Read!” month and is a time for everyone to recognize the importance of reading and being read to. Several literacy activities are planned by the North Branch Area Community Education and North Branch Area Library. Info about all programs is on the North Branch page. January 31, 2008

• Rush City Book Club: Join the Not Your Mother's Book Club discussion group at the Rush City Public Library beginning Monday, Februrary 11 at 7:00 pm. All adults welcome. We will discuss non-fiction and informative materials. January 24, 2008.

• North Branch Book Discussion: Please join our book group as we discuss Last Man Standing by David Baldacci on Monday, February 4th at the North Branch Library. January 24, 2008.

• ECRL Libraries closed: Monday, January 21st in observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

• MnLINK unavailable: From January 15th at 4:00 p.m. through January 16th and possibly 17th due to planned upgrade. January 14, 2008

• Author visits in Pine County: Booktalk and signing by Minnesota author William Kent Krueger, author of the popular Cork O'Connor mystery series.  Saturday, January 26th at 10:30 a.m. at the Sandstone Library and 1:00 p.m. at the Hinckley Library. January 14, 2008.

• Reading Rants in Chisago Lakes: Teen book group meets monthly. More info on Chisago Lakes page. January 14, 2008

• Local Illustrator: Stephanie Mirocha from Aitkin has been touring ECRL libraries, talking about her experiences as an illustrator and reading from the book My Little Book of Manatees, which she illustrated. January 14, 2008
  
Stephanie at Chisago Lakes Library