East Central Regional Library

News Bits Archives, October-December, 2008

• Weather-related closures: The following branches of ECRL are closed December 30, 2008
• Rush City Branch closed at 12:00 p.m.
• Pine City Branch closed at 3:00 p.m.

• Email, Internet & the ECRL Website Class #3 in the Digital Immigrants Series - Come to the Library in January for a hands-on computer class presented by Alyssa Prater, East Central Regional Library Project Coordinator.  The class will introduce terminology specific to email, internet use and web browsers.   We will set up a web based email account (for those who do not already use email).  We will use a search engine and browse websites including the ECRL site; and discuss email and online safety.  The class will be conducted on library computers - there is no need to own a computer to participate.  Participants are required to be familiar with using a mouse and have some computer experience.

  This class is part of the ECRL Digital Immigrants project. You are a “digital immigrant” if you didn’t grow up in the world of technology and are struggling to keep up with digital tools. Upcoming classes in the series will deal with digital cameras, scanners, MP3 players, and cell phones with text messaging. Space is limited and registration is required—Contact the library to register!

Dates and locations:

Aitkin Public Library, Thurs, 1/15, 2:00 p.m., 218-927-2339  rescheduled, date to be announced
Cambridge Public Library, Tues, 1/20, 10:00 a.m.,763-689-7390
Chisago Lakes Area Library, Wednes, 1/14, 2:30 p.m.,651-257-2817
Hinckley Public Library, Wednes, 1/21, 5:30 p.m., 320-384-6351
McGregor Public Library, Thurs, 1/15, 9:30 a.m., 218-768-3305 - rescheduled, date to be announced

Milaca Community Library, Fri, 1/9, 10:00 a.m., 320-983-3677
Mille Lacs Lake Community Library, Thurs, 1/29, 10:00 a.m., 320-676-3929
Mora Public Library, Thurs, 1/22, 1:00 p.m., 320-679-2642
North Branch Area Library, Wednes, 1/14, 10:00 a.m., 651-674-8443
Pine City Public Library, Wednes, 1/28, 1:00 p.m., 320-629-6403
Princeton Area Library, Thurs, 1/29, 5:30 p.m., 763-389-3753
Rush City Public Library, Fri, 1/16, 10:00 a.m., 320-358-3948
Sandstone Public Library, Wednes, 1/21, 10:00 a.m., 320-245-2270
Wyoming Area Library, Mon, 1/26, 6:30 p.m., 651-462-9001



Email, Internet, and the ECRL Website is Session #3 of the Digital Immigrants Project. This project made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Watch for additional programs in this series.

• Happy Holidays from East Central Regional Library. All branches will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24th and Thursday, Dec. 25th.
  
  All branches will close at 5:00 p.m. on New Years Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 31st and will be closed on New Years Day, Thursday, Jan. 1st.
  
  For regularly scheduled open hours for a specific branch, check that branch's web page.
  

• Teen Outreach -- Branch Librarians spent a day exploring the possibilities for teen library services on December 2nd. The workshop was funded through the LSTA grant project, Teens 2 B Seen @ the Library. Teen programs will begin in ECRL branches in January.
  
  The day started out with branch librarians being challenged to think like a 15-year old boy by Patrick Jones, nationally known teen services guru and writer of teen fiction.
  
  
  Jody Wurl, Hennepin County Teen Services Librarian, talked about starting teen advisory councils to help organize teen nights at the library.
  
  
  ECRL Systems Administrator Andy Nordin gives tips on using the new Wii equipment to branch librarians: Penny Olson, MacGregor; Sharon Strack, Milaca; and Robin Suhsen, Princeton. Wii games are one of the activities planned for Teens 2 B Seen @ the Library.
  
  

• Dimassis elected to MLA Board -- ECRL Assistant Director Nick Dimassis has been elected as the Chair-Elect of the Minnesota Library Association's Legislative Committee. Dimassis will work with the current chair, Mark Ranum, during 2009 and then assume the Chair for 2010. Ranum was Reference Services Coordinator at ECRL from 1989-2000 and is currently Director of the Plum Creek Library System.
  
  Dimassis's election was announced at the fall meeting of the Minnesota Library Association. In these tough economic times, Dimassis says, the focus of his tenure will be to “ensure that legislators, when making spending decisions with an eye toward economic improvement, understand that libraries are not superfluous to that goal—but essential.”
  

• Holiday Season rolls in -- ECRL's new red delivery van fit right in at Cambridge's Snow Flake Parade on November 22nd. Library staff and volunteers ran along side the van passing out candy and bookmarks.
  

Thanks to our Library Elves: Tammy, Cole, Jesse, Sam and Karla.
Another Elf, Karen (not pictured) drove the van.

 

• Computer Basics -- Come to your ECRL branch library for a hands-on computer class for those with little or no computer experience.  The class will be presented by Alyssa Prater, East Central Regional Library Project Coordinator.  The class will introduce terminology specific to computers (hardware) and web browsers & other programs (software).  Participants will practice navigating a mouse, opening software programs & saving files.  We will access the Internet and set up an email account (for those who do not already have one).  The class will be conducted on library computers - there is no need to own a computer to participate.

  This class is part of the ECRL Digital Immigrants project. You are a “digital immigrant” if you didn’t grow up in the world of technology and are struggling to keep up with digital tools. Upcoming classes in the series will deal with more computer technologies, digital cameras & scanners, MP3 players, and cell phones with text messaging. Space is limited and registration is required—Contact the library to register.

• Used Book Sale at Chisago Lakes Area Library - The Friends of the Library are sponsoring a used book sale November 13-15.  Hours will be:  Thursday, November 13 – 12 noon-8:00 pm; Friday, November 14 – 12 Noon – 6:00 pm’ and Saturday, November 15 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.  Saturday only will include a $1.00 bag sale on paperbacks. 

  Please join us in the library community room and shop the huge selection of hardcovers, paperbacks and VHS tapes all at bargain prices.
  

• Library Planning and Building Workshop, featuring Jack Poling, Managing Principal, Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle. This workshop is for anyone thinking about building or remodeling a public library including elected officials, city & county leaders, Friends groups, foundations, and citizens. Thursday, November 6, 2008, 2:00-6:00 p.m. at ECRL Headquarters, Cambridge Library. Call 763-689-7390 X to register or e-mail ecregion@ecrlib.org

• DTV, HDTV, Blu-Ray, HD-DVD,Digital TV Conversion— What does it all mean? Join us at the Library to learn more about these terms and how they effect television & movie viewing options in the home. We will discuss the national conversion to Digital TV coming in February; covering general information about the options available to ensure you will still have TV service after February 17, 2009.
  

• Halloween Fun at Library - Children ages 4 and up are invited to visit the Chisago Lakes Area Library on Thursday, October 30 at 6:30 pm for a Halloween Party!  There will be Halloween stories, a pumpkin decorating contest, and treats for everyone!  Costumes are optional!
  

• Local Author & Genealogist at Chisago Lakes Area Library - The Friends of the Chisago Lakes Area Library and the Chisago County Historical Society are sponsoring an evening with Diane Wilson, author of Spirit Car.  Diane will read from her book at the library on Thursday, October 23rd at 6:30 pm.  Autographed copies will be available for sale following the program.
  

• Used Book Sale at Princeton Area Library - The Friends of the Library are sponsoring a used book sale on October 23-25 at the Princeton Area Library.  Hours will be:  Thursday, Oct. 23 - 3:00-8:00 pm; Friday, Oct. 24 - 10:30 am - 5:00 pm and Saturday - 9 am - 12 Noon.  On Saturday ONLY there will be a $2.00 bag sale.
  

• Weatherwatch at Mille Lacs - WCCO radio weatherman Mike Lynch will be visiting Mille Lacs Lake Community Library in Isle at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 4th.  He has written 2 books: Mike Lynch's Minnesota Weatherwatch: a complete guide for weather-obsessed Minnesotans (2007) and  Mike Lynch's Minnesota Starwatch: the essential guide to our night sky (2004) and will give a talk about those subjects.  His visit is jointly sponsored through a grant from the Minnesota Book Awards and by the Mille Lacs Lake Friends of the Library.

• New Library - St. Cloud dedicated its new 118,000 square foot library on September 20, 2008. The library is part of Great River Regional Library and home to regional headquarters. The theme for the day was For our children's children forever.

• Aitkin Friends of the Library Book Sale - Visit the Aitkin Public Library during library open hours the week of November 8-15 for the Friends of the Library book sale.  (Books - .25; Magazines - .10; Harlequin/Silhouette paperbacks - $1.00 bag)
  

• Local Author, Roger Schoenecker - Join us on Saturday, October 18 at 10:30 am at the North Branch Area Library as Roger Schoenecer discusses his book, Opposite of Darkness.  Mr. Schoenecker is a former journalist and retired college writing instructor.

• Lefse & Books - Join us for the real stuff (lefse) and a presentation/discussion of the book, Life-Times Six by Margaret Olson at the Aitkin Public Library on Tuesday, October14 at 6:00 pm.  Signed books and prints will be available for sale.
  

• Teen Program at Aitkin Public Library - Hey, Teens!  Meet at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, October 14 at the Aitkin Public Library to answer the question, "Do All Heroes Hafta Wear Tights"?  A short 30 minute discussion about the book, Are All the Heroes Gone by Margeret Olson, will follow?