What's new at the library?

by Beth Cronk, Litchfield head librarian

Our library system is looking for local artists to design our adult winter reading program artwork for next year.  Every year we have a winter reading program for adults beginning in January.  When you sign up for the program at our library, you get a book bag.  When you turn in your book reviews, you get a coffee mug.  This year the items we give participants will feature a design by an artist who lives within the Pioneerland or Plum Creek library systems, since the two systems have begun collaborating on the program. 

The slogan is Book Your Winter Getaway.  We plan to continue using this slogan for years to come but feature different artwork each year.  The slogan needs to be incorporated into the artwork, along with “Winter Reading Program”. 

The artist whose design is chosen will receive a $500 prize, and his or her design will be used on our posters, bookmarks, reading logs, and incentives throughout southwestern Minnesota.  The winner will be chosen by a committee.  The deadline for submission is October 20.  You can pick up a copy of the guidelines and submission instructions at our library or follow this link: http://www.plumcreeklibrary.org/Online%20Docs/Art_Work_design_solicitation_2014.pdf

David Housewright

We are bringing Minnesota mystery author David Housewright to the area with Legacy funding this fall.  He will be speaking at the Dassel History Center on Saturday, October 11, at 2 pm.  Housewright won an Edgar Award for Best First Novel for Penance in 1996.  This is a national award from the Mystery Writers of America.  He also won three Minnesota Book Awards, for Practice to Deceive, Jelly’s Gold and Curse of the Jade Lily in 1998, 2010, and 2013.  The Devil May Care is his latest novel.

Housewright will be speaking on the third floor of the Dassel History Center & Ergot Museum.  This event is free to attend and you don’t need to sign up to attend.  The Friends of the Dassel Library will be serving light refreshments. 

New library cards

Our patrons have been asking for key-fob library cards.  These mini duplicate cards are like those you get from businesses that have rewards cards, a small version you can attach to your key chain.  I am pleased to tell you we now have them available.  Those who are getting their first library card will have the choice of a regular card or one with a key-fob card to go with it.  If you already have a card and you want to get the new style, we will have to charge you $3 for a replacement card like we would when your card is lost.  But you do have that option to make the change even if your card isn’t lost. 

This should be convenient for someone who uses their library card at home on the computer for ordering materials and leaves it on their desk, or for those who don’t bring their wallets or purses everywhere they go.  We do require the patron’s library card when you pick up their requested materials, so this may make dividing up family errand running easier for some.  How you use the new style of library card is up to you, but we hope it will make using your library card more convenient.

All of these things are happening at the library because someone had a great idea.  When you have an idea about what would make the library better, let us know. Maybe we’ll be able to make it a reality, too!

Ricky's Adventures at the Library

By Jan Pease

I’m trying something different at story times this fall.  We are repeating books.  Friday Story Hour is finishing our exploration of Leaf Man, by Lois Ehlert.  Our crafts have included water color leaves, dressing people in leaves, and finally we will make leaf creatures.  Toddler Time, on Wednesdays,  is reading It Looked Like Spilt Milk, by Charles G. Shaw.  In both story times, the children seem to be responding more and more to the familiar books, and there has been more interaction.  I love to watch young children use their words. 

creatures.     

I purchased a book by Betsy Diamant-Cohen and Melanie A. Hetrick, Transforming Preschool Storytime.  I also attended a workshop on this idea at Camp Read-a-Lot in August. The workshop presenters, and the book  both recommended repetition of stories for preschoolers.  I was skeptical, but I’m trying it.  Another workshop presenter, and the book, also both suggested using a puppet at story times. Again, I was skeptical, but decided to try.    So a raccoon that hides in a little garbage can now lives at the library.  His name seems to be Ricky, he just whispers in my ear because he doesn’t talk out loud, and the children love him.  They say, “He’s a puppet,” but they want to shake his paw or say goodbye.  So cute!

Beth Cronk asked me to put on a different hat this week.  She needed to be in two places at the same time, so she asked me to attend the Friends of the Litchfield Library meeting.  It was my privilege to sit with these wonderful people as they discussed their concerns and the work they do for the library.

I’m so grateful that they support children’s programming, especially the Summer Reading Program.  The incentives and books that we gave away were all supplied by the Friends of the Library.  They have also acted as the fiscal agent for Born to Read which benefits young children in our area from birth to age five.

The local friends group is able to support programming, in part, because of their monthly book sale.

 If you step into our delivery area, you will see books for the sale that are arranged like a separate little library.  If you’re interested in helping with the book sale, let Beth Cronk know.

 Jeanette Stottrup, former head librarian, is now the president of the group.  She is full of great ideas .  She and the other members of the group have decided that it’s time to attract new members to the group, which is a good place to meet other people who love books and libraries.  It’s also an organization that gives back to the community by helping support the public library.  Men are welcome too! 

I’d also like to thank   Hannah and Lori from Early Childhood Family Education.  They are helping me at the Friday story times, giving me some extra hands.  Laurie did the bulletin board in the children’s area, and she is incredible at craft and clean up time.  They say this collaboration is fun for them, and it’s helpful for me.  See you at the library!

Book event with local author Megan Kiffmeyer