The results of an important study reported in Minnesota Public Libraries Return on Investment
are now available. Copies of the report are available from your regional library system or may be downloaded.
The study was completed over a two-year period by the University of Minnesota Duluth through the Labovitz School's Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER).
One of the findings reports that 68.9% of respondents to a statewide survey feel that libraries are important to have in every community. The study also estimates the total financial impact of public library services at more than $366 million.
Other questions the study sought to answer include:
- Do respondents feel that if libraries need additional resources to continue, those should come from user fees and/or reduced services or taxes?
- How much would the average household be willing and able to donate to libraries?
- What is the dollar return on investment in public libraries, as funded by Minnesota taxpayers?
Jim Skurla, BBER Director, will present the ROI study results at two public session on:
- Thursday, February 23, 2012 at the St. Cloud Public Library from 10 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
- Friday, February 24, 2012 at the Ramsey County Library, Roseville, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon.
The Minnesota Library Return on Investment report was made possible with funds from the Arrowhead Library System
ROI grant from the IMLS, a federal agency that fosters innovation, leadership and a lifetime of learning, along with State Library Services, the Minnesota state library agency, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.
| The Minnesota Children’s Museum has a history of creating exciting learning opportunities for young children, their parents and other significant adults in their lives through fun, educational exhibits and programs that promote and enrich early childhood development. They are happy to announce that with funding from the Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and through community matching funds, they now have the opportunity to build on this work by installing a permanent Smart Play Spot early literacy environment in up to 12 libraries and community sites throughout the State over the next two years. Sites will be selected through an application process. Click here to see the Request for Proposal for the project description, history, and application. Applications are due March 16, 2012. This project was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. |
 |
| Throughout the (often gray) winter months, libraries provide a welcoming environment especially when there are Hot Reads for Cold Nights. SELCO and libraries in the southeast region, as well as locations around Minnesota provide a seasonal break and fun activities for adult readers. The Hot Reads libraries offer activities of all kinds ranging from programs with visiting authors, trivia games, and even prizes and, of course, books. Check with your local library staff to find out if your library offers Hot Reads for Cold Nights. |
 |
Read It's adventures around Minnesota are underway with a visit to Carver Elementary School!
On February 1, Governor Mark Dayton and Department of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius, visited the North St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale ISD 622, to celebrate February as “I Love to Read” Month. The Governor and Commissioner, along with Read It, enjoyed story time with the Kindergartners and third graders.
The District shares a short video of the visit. Look for Read It!
| Act now! Volunteer to be a History Day judge – and ask a friend to join you. Judges don’t have to be historians. Let students teach you and use your skills to evaluate their research and presentation. As a judge, you will help students build real-world skills and learn about many historical topics at the same time. And, you will receive a History Day T-shirt or mug for your services. For the History Day invitational letter from the Minnesota Historical Society Program Coordinator, click here To apply to be a History Day Website Judge, click here or to be a History Day Research Paper Judge,click hereYou can also sign up online and specify your interest in judging in the area of exhibit, documentary, performance and even specify the day and location that works best for you. |
 |
CRPLSA invites public library staff and trustees to hear Jim Skurla, Director of the University of Minnesota-Duluth Labovitz School of Business and Economics Bureau of Business and Economic Research, present the findings of the Minnesota Public Libraries Return on Investment (ROI) report. The RIO report sessions will be:
- Thursday, February 23, 2012 at the St. Cloud Public Library from 10 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
- Friday, February 24, 2012 at the Ramsey County Library, Roseville, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon.
For more information and a copy of the workshop publicity flyer, click here
To register, click here
| The Great River Regional Library (GRRL) is now using an automated phone messaging system to notify patrons when their hold items are available. Previously, those calls were made by staff and volunteers. The automated calling system is routed through a remote phone line. This provides privacy regarding reading selections and frees up the library’s phone line for incoming calls. The time-consuming task of compiling the phone lists and making the calls has disappeared as the library’s computers take over that work. The automated service is an improvement, but the best way to receive holds notices remains via email. For more details,click here . |
 |
| Northwest Regional Library (NWRL) invites library patrons to join Author Chad Lewis as he presents Minnesota’s Most Haunted Locations. This presentation will take the audience on a ghostly journey to some of the most haunted places in Minnesota. It covers the entire state, from Wandering Ghosts in the North Woods to the Haunted B&B in Wabasha. From Phantom creatures prowling the woods to backyard graveyard apparitions, no place in MN is without its own haunting. Complete with photos, case history, eyewitness accounts, ghost lore, and directions. |
 |
Sponsored by NWRL as part of regional Library Legacy activities with programs in Roseau on Wednesday, February 8 at 5:00 pm and Greenbush on Thursday, February 9 at 6:00 pm.
| The Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) has been working hard to create engaging, exciting programs that meet the needs of the library teen and family audiences. After spending time this past fall reviewing the results of children’s librarian focus groups and talking to library teen groups around the state, MHS is proud to unveil the Family & Teen Programming Catalog. |
 |
The programs in this brochure are available to take place in libraries anytime between April and August 2012. Library staff interested in any of these offerings should contact their regional library system.
Maren Levad, Museum Outreach Specialist, would like to highlight one particular WOW program, What If? An Alternate History Teen and Family Day. For this special library day at the Minnesota History Center the MHS staff are encouraging library groups to visit from around the state. Featured at this Minnesota science fiction and steampunk event will be items rarely seen from the MHS library and 3-D collections, an “Ask a Writer” panel of Minnesota fantasy authors for aspiring teen writers, and a special pre-visit packet for all library bus groups.
As a look to the future, there will be a brand new adult programming catalog (Fall/Winter) to arrive sometime in May 2012.
SELCO launched the second biennial traveling art exhibit, easel --- Experience Art in Southeastern Libraries. The first showing of easel was part of the Rochester’s quarterly ArtWalk on January 26. Then, the exhibit moved to the Preston Public Library where it will be showcased in the library’s newly renovated gallery and performing arts space.
The selection of easel artwork depicts the artists’ interpretation of books, letter, authors, reading, or the library and will tour libraries and galleries from January 2012 – June 2013. A number of easel artists, will be featured with short video clips on SELCOtv through YouTube. Visitors to the easel show will be able to view the artists’ video interviews after scanning one of five specially prepared gallery name tags by using a cell phone with a QR Code app. The easel promotional posters and bookmarks also sport QR Codes which, when scanned, direct the viewer to the general exhibit information.
Five brief easel videos are available highlighting these artists.
easel featured artist Susanne Crane
easel featured artist Francie Ginocchio
easel featured artist Sharon Nau
easel featured artist Mary Singer
easel featured artist Melody Stockton
| The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is pleased to announce the finalists in all eight categories for the 24th Annual Minnesota Book Awards, sponsored by Marvin Windows and Doors. Click here for the complete list. |
 |
| MELSA and Twin Cities area public libraries will host free screenings of films from the award-winning PBS series Independent Lens as part of its national engagement program, Community Cinema. Community Cinema pairs independent films with lively panel discussions featuring local experts and community leaders and moderated by hosts from tpt. These free screenings are presented in partnership with tpt and the Independent Television Service. Community Cinema screenings will be featured at the Merriam Park Library on:
|
 |
| East Central Regional Library (ECRL) is now offering pre-overdue email notices for all patrons with a valid email address. This new service began in late December 2011, when ECRL starting sending patrons courtesy reminders via email 3 days before the due date. This allows patrons time to either find the items and return them or renew the materials. For step-by-step procedures, check the ECRL blog post . |
 |
| In a new one-stop directory, MELSA’s dateBOOK shares information about hundreds of free programs, classes, and events taking place at the more than 100 public libraries in the Twin Cities metro area. The viewer can peruse several hundred possibilities at once or, following basic search tips, refine the search to a manageable number of great options at a time. |
 |
After moving to new library in December, the staff and Friends of the Grand Marais Public Library are continuing for refine the space. There are still a few boxes to unpack in the back, shelves to mount on the wall, technical challenges to solve, new furniture on its' way, and landscaping will be a spring task.
| The Friends of the St. Paul Library still has funds to allocate towards expense reimbursement for Minnesota libraries (or affiliated non-profits) that sponsor programming featuring past Minnesota Book Awards winners. Funding of up to $500 is available to defray an author honorarium and/or any variable programming costs a library or Friends group may incur. Download the Author Event Funding Application Form . |
 |
| The University of Minnesota University Libraries seeks visionary, strategic, and creative senior leadership for the Director of Minitex, a regional information and resource sharing organization. Reporting to the University Librarian, the director provides administrative and programmatic leadership for a robust portfolio of services. |  |
For more information ---
| Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) sponsored a Teen Read Week Picture It! Contest and the winner is…I Love Reading by Krysti Warne, a grade 12 student from Hendrum, MN. This is what Krysti had to say about the Library:
LARL will print 5,000 bookmarks with Krysti’s design for distribution throughout LARL’s 23 locations. For a look at the runners-up which received honorable mentions in the Picture It! Contest, click here . |
 |
| Throughout Janaury 2012, Charlotte Wolf, musher and veterinary technician, will do presentations on the history of Minnesota dog sledding, and offer dog sled rides at branch libraries in the Kitchigami Regional Library. Wolf is a big supporter of the few dog sled races that run around the country, like the Iditarod in Alaska and the John Beargrease race along the north shore of Lake Superior here in Minnesota. Her dreams have been realized and she is as passionate as ever about her dogs, mushing and caring for other sled dogs wherever she goes. Program attendees will learn a bit about the dogs, the equipment, the history of dog sledding in Minnesota, and the commands to direct the dogs in their trail runs, and stops. You'll then have the opportunity to ride the sled while Charlotte or one of her assistants, drives the sled, and directs the dogs. What fun on a Minnesota winter afternoon. |
 |
Click here for dates and locations of this program.
This event is made possible with funding from the State of Minnesota Legacy Amendment, Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.
New Sculpture at the Calumet Public Library |
||
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Arrowhead Library System (ALS) supported the creation and installation of three (3) small pieces created for Calumet Library earlier this year with Legacy Amendment funding. All are identified as "cast works" by the sculptor/creator, Jeffrey Kalstrom.
One piece celebrates "Abby" the Reading Education Assistance Dog (READ) that worked at the Calumet Library. A second piece depicts branches of a tree (including birds) and can be used for displays that change with the seasons. The third piece sits above the entry door to the Library and states "Calumet Library" and appears to be a section of a log, along with a wood saw.
| The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) has issued its 2012-2013 Request for Proposal (RFP) for funding from Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund beginning July 1, 2013 and would appreciate your assistance in providing notification and access to the public. The RFP is available on the LCCMR website. The deadline to respond is Friday, April 6, 2012. |
 |
| The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library announced Cave Paper as the winners of the 2012 Minnesota Book Artist Award sponsored by Lerner Publishing Group. This annual award, presented by the Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) and the Minnesota Book Awards, recognizes a Minnesota book artist or book artist collaborative group for excellence throughout a body of work, as well as significant contributions to Minnesota’s book arts community. For more information about the 2012 Book Artist Award Winner, click here . |
 |
CRPLSA visits MDE and meets Read-It the Frog |
|
|---|---|
|
|
The Council of Regional Public Library Administrators (CRPLSA) were treated to a sneak preview of an upcoming reading promotion planned by Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. In the future, as the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education travels the state, visiting schools and libraries, Dr. Cassellius will be accompanied by Read-It the Frog. The cuddly frog will serve as a friendly early literacy champion supporting Governor Dayton’s 7-Point Plan for Excellence in Education.
CRPLSA members enjoyed an informative meeting with the Commissioner, listening to her vision for libraries as education collaborators and sharing information about the role of Minnesota’s regions.
Highlights include:
- Mark Ranum, Director - Plum Creek Library System and Acting Director at Pioneerland Library System offering examples of the vital role public libraries play in early literacy activities.
- Barbara Jauquet-Kalinoski, from Northwest Regional Library shared her experiences offering school support, both from the perspective of the regional library and a 12-year veteran of the Thief River Falls School Board.
- Ann Hutton, SELCO Executive Director, emphasized delivery – both the volume that moves within the regions as well as around the state all with a goal of making sure that information reaches people who need it regardless of the geographic challenges.
- Jim Weikum from Arrowhead Library System offered real-life examples from life-long learners working on college degrees from remote locations assisted by their local library.
- Chris Olson, MELSA Director, highlighted the diverse selection of recent Library Legacy programs and projects, as well as state collaborative ventures with the Minnesota Historical Society.
For more photos of the CRPLSA visit to MDE, click here:
Photo credits left hand picture:
Back row - left to right: Jim Weikum, Arrowhead Library System, Dayle Zelenka, Traverse des Sioux Library System, Barbara Misselt, East Central Regional Library, Mark Ranum, Plum Creek Library System and Acting Director at Pioneerland Library System, Chris Olson, MELSA Director, Marian Ridge, Kitchigami Regional Library, Kathy Fredette, Lake Agassiz Regional Library, and State Librarian, Nancy Walton
Front row - left to right: Barb Jauquet-Kalinoski, Director at the Northwest Regional Library, Commissioner Brenda Cassellius, Ann Hutton, SELCO Executive Director, Rose Wan-Mui Chu, Assistant Commissioner, and Kirsty Smith, Great River Regional Library
In the chair, holding a children's picture book --- Read-It the Frog
Photo credit right hand picture:
Commissioner Brenda Cassellius holding Read-It the Frog and Rose Wan-Mui Chu, Assistant Commissioner
Sculpture at ALS and Bike Racks in Duluth |
||
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Library Legacy projects in the Arrowhead Library System (ALS) have added a host of well-designed signage and public art at libraries throughout the region. A new sculpture sits on the broad expanse of green space surrounding the ALS headquarters in Mountain Iron and, with homage to Lake Superior, the Duluth Public Library sports a new bike rack.
Once again Anoka County Library (ACL) has collaborated with the Coon Rapids Senior Center to provide seniors and their grandchildren with a Legacy program over MEA break with positive results. Mary Oliver, the Library's Youth Services Manager offers this report.
45 people attended the program at the Senior Center, 30 seniors and 15 of their grandchildren. The program was Ghosts of Anoka County and was presented by the Sarah Given, from the Anoka County Historical Society.
Many of the seniors attending the program used walkers. One of the ladies using a walker made it a point to thank the library for providing the program at the Senior Center. She had always wanted to go on the Ghost Walk in Anoka, but wasn’t able to handle the distance. She couldn’t believe she could finally take the tour virtually! She really enjoyed the program as did the rest of the audience. The history program was 80 minutes long but the children stayed attentive and many adults stayed after the program to talk about their “ghostly” adventures. Personally, I was intrigued by the local Anoka history that was mixed in with ghost stories. I can’t wait to go the 7th floor of the government center for an aerial view of City Hall---I had no idea the building is shaped like a handgun and I want proof!
This has been a valuable collaboration for the library. One of our goals for our Legacy funding projects was to bring our Library to unexpected places. Many of the seniors I spoke with at the program were not library users, but they took our hours brochure with them as well as the flyers for the upcoming history programs.
For more information about this successful collaboration, contact:
Mary Oliver , Youth Services ManagerAnoka County Library (763)785-3695 x234 |
 |
Minnesota Reflections is easier to use and contains many new features!
- The homepage for Minnesota Reflections now features a window that allows people to scroll through all of the contributing organization collections in this database.
- Clicking on the collection name or on the thumbnail picture by the name will take users into the collection page. From there you may browse the individual collection. Patrons may also search either the entire collection from the homepage or search individual collections from their pages
- Zooming in on objects is now controlled by a slider above pictures, maps and document pages. Moving around an image takes only a click and a drag of the object. New features include built in commenting and tagging tools and easier to find information about each object.
- Visitors to Minnesota Reflections may now easily browse a pre-selected set of 18 topics. On the right side of the new homepage, below the welcome message, is a list of frequently use topics. Click on a link to go to a results page on agriculture, crime and punishment, and more.
The Minnesota Digital Library created tutorials for using the new Minnesota Reflections. Follow the links on the right side of the homepage to learn about “Browsing & Searching,” “Viewing an object,” “Special features” and “Advice on newspapers.”
In addition, the Minnesota Digital Library will be offering a live virtual overview (webinar) on the new features of Minnesota Reflections. Watch for announcements about this webinar, or check the training page on the Minnesota Digital Library website.
 |
The Minnesota Historical Society has proven an invaluable CRPLSA partner throughout the 2010-2011 Library Legacy collaboration and that productive partnership continues. Recently, MHS conducted two focus groups – one for youth programmers and one for adult programmers from across the state. |
The purpose of these sessions was to identify the elements of a successful program for youth and adult library audiences, and to better understand the needs and interests of those audiences as well as the librarians who serve them.
The focus group discussions illustrated the differences in library needs and services between MELSA and outstate libraries, the interest in a diversity of history topics, and an overall failure to serve the youth librarians with the current partnership. Major recommendations from the focus groups include:
- Seasonal and audience targeted catalogs
- Nore streamlined marketing efforts
- Additional discussions on how to provide programs to MELSA libraries.
For a complete summary of the April MHS programming focus groups, click here.
The new Strategic Plan for the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) focuses on five Learning Services. MELSA adopted its new strategic planning document in June. With the new plan, MELSA will assist its member libraries to deliver:
|
 |
These areas will be the baseline for any new program developments for the region and will be considered as current activities are evaluated.
 |
The 90-minute workshop will be presented by East Central Regional Library (ECRL) in conjunction with Central Minnesota Jobs & Training Services. Make sure to contact your local ECRL branch to register and for more information. There are no fees for the class. The classes are made possible with an LSTA grant from the Institute of Library and Museum Services. October Classes will be held in Milaca, Princeton, Mora, North Branch, Chisago Lakes, and Wyoming. November Classes will be held in Aitkin , Sandstone, Mora, Princeton, Pine City, McGregor, Cambridge, and Milaca. Check your library for more details or the ECRL website . |
 |
Help us better serve your libraries by participating in the quick survey described below.
The Minnesota Book Awards (MNBA) is seeking feedback on its programming and outreach activities. The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and will help gauge how well the Book Awards is serving the Minnesota library community and helping readers connect with local authors. The survey remains open through
Tuesday, November 1. Please click here to participate.
The Minnesota Book Awards is still accepting applications from public libraries and public schools interested in funding reimbursement for a 2012 program featuring one or more Minnesota Book Awards finalist or winning authors. Applicants may apply for up to $500, and programs can feature any finalist or winning author(s) from the Book Awards’ 24 year history. Applications will be accepted until all funding has been allocated, although interested parties are encouraged to apply by Tuesday, November 15. More information, including the MNBA Author Program application form, is available on the MNBA website.
Thank you for your participation in and support of the Minnesota book community.
For more information contact Ann Nelson, MN Book Awards Coordinator
The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library
325 Cedar Street, Suite 555
Saint Paul, MN 55101
(651) 366-6497 – direct line
(651) 222-3242 – main line
(651) 222-1988 - fax
| Pioneerland Library System (PLS) went live with downloadable audio books and eBooks via Overdrive on June 15. As of October 12, there are 528 items in the collection (with additional items being added on an ongoing basis) and 1,843 checkouts by 704 registered patrons. |
 |
| Contracting with the Manpower employment agency, Arrowhead Library System (ALS) has secured the services of Miriam Kero as our new Legacy Coordinator. Legacy-related duties will no longer be part of the still-unfilled Public Library Consultant position formerly occupied by Rebecca Patton who retired in June. Miriam comes to ALS with extensive training and background in communications and marketing, including a recent stint as faculty (marketing and branding) at the Hibbing Community College. ALS is thrilled to have Miriam working on Library Legacy projects and hopes there will be an opportunity for her to meet and/or communicate with Legacy staff in other regional library systems. |
 |
The Cloquet Public Library sports a new library sign incorporating public art. The sculpture was made possible through a Arrowhead Library System Library Legacy project.
Published with assistance from CRPLSA and Library Legacy funding, Kevin Clemens has a new book about Minnesota’s Carnegie libraries. Clemens documents the history of the original 66 stately buildings built in Minnesota of which 22 are still in use as libraries. True to the general concept of Andrew Carnegie, the buildings, then and now, inspire a love of reading and knowledge with open stacks, high ceilings and a studious environment, as well as a deep commitment by each local community.
Carnegie Libraries of Minnesota was published by Demontreville Press and is illustrated with 425 photographs. Libraries around Minnesota received copies of the new book for local collections.
SELCO’s travel art exhibit, easel, was installed at the University Rochester Center (URC) on September 7, 2011 for public viewing by students, faculty, and community members. A reception and gallery talk highlighted the easel exhibit at the University Center Rochester (UCR) Gallery on September 14, 2011. Past SEMVA Presidents Andrea Costopolous and Richard Hutton shared remarks about how the show moved from conception to reality. Planning for this cooperative endeavor between SEMVA and SELCO began in February 2010, the first installation of the traveling art collection launched in October 2010 and the show will run through December 2011 having visited 17 locations.
For more photos from easel at URC,click here.
For more information about easel, including a videotape from SELCOtv, check the easel website.
| As part of the Minnesota Legacy Fund, artist and welder, Margie Iraci, of Bemidji, was contracted to construct sculptures for the two public libraries in Virginia and Babbitt. RangeNewsNow offers an online report of the project, as well as photographs of the new pieces of library art. Check out: Northern Artist Goes Looney for Libraries. |
 |
Minnesota's Regional Library Systems have been awarded funds from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF) to continue programming throughout libraries across the state. Over the last two-years, Minnesotans have enjoyed a wide variety of arts and cultural heritage programming including musical concerts, authors, historical presentations, writers' workshops and a wide variety of children's and family fun events. Without the Legacy program, many residents would have had to travel to the Twin Cities area and purchase expensive tickets to see many of the events libraries sponsored at no cost to attendees. Through a grant from the Minnesota State Legislature, these community building events will contine.
Library Legacy programs are made possible through funds from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
 |
As reported by Brian Strub, Communications & Government Relations Director with the Minnesota State Arts Board |
On July 21, 2011, the Minnesota State Arts Board reopened following the state government shutdown. We are pleased to be back at work and are ready to serve your needs and answer your questions. We regret any inconvenience the shutdown may have caused our constituents.
Community Arts Schools and Conservatories deadline changed
The previously stated July 22 deadline for the Community Arts Schools and Conservatories grant application deadline has been extended to August 31, 2011.
Application deadlines for FY 2012 may be adjusted
Grant application deadlines for fiscal year 2012 that are currently posted in on the Minnesota State Arts Board Web site, under the deadlines/calendar tab may be adjusted. Any revised deadlines will be posted online soon.
Reminder, reports are due July 31
Please note that all final reports and any required statistical reports that were due in July 2011 are still due by the dates indicated in grantee contracts. This impacts in particular those grantees with statistical reports due July 31, 2011. Those reports are still due on that date. Please see your individual contract for specific reporting requirements and deadlines.
SELCO’s proudly announces the completion of Public Art at the Library. Undertaken as part of this year’s Library Legacy activities, five READ bike racks were installed. Locations include the SELCO office and the Rochester and Spring Grove Public Libraries.
 |
SELCO The first rack was installed at the SELCO office in November 2010 and served a dual purpose. First and most important to provide a bike rack for those (albeit infrequent) biking visitors and secondly to offer a visual prototype of the steel hardware that would be available for library installations. SELCO’s READ bike rack was the final detail of the 2010 remodeling job to shift the dual front doors and make the entrance under the long covered approach to the building. The adaptation allows staff and visitors cover from the weather rather than dashing between raindrops or snowflakes. | |
|
 |
Rochester The Rochester Public Library installed three bike racks in June 2011. The READ bike racks sparkle in a range of colors --- red, blue, and green. The Library offered a complimentary presentation focusing on Bike to Work Day. Click here for more photos of the READ bike racks at the Rochester Public Library. |
|
 |
Spring Grove The Spring Grove Public Library installed a single red READ bike rack. The Library also displayed information on eco-friendly projects and books, as well as craft projects using recycled-items. More photos of the READ bike rack and the Library's informational display are on SELCO's Flickr page . |
The genesis of the Library Legacy Public Art at the Library project is the result of recommendations from library directors and community residents interested in blending functionality and public art. SELCO’s FY 2011 project goals included installing small pieces of public art at libraries and offering architecturally distinctive, high security bike racks.
DERO, a Minneapolis-based company, was selected as the bike rack fabricator. The company offers works of public sculpture that are easy to install and use, and whose creations include flexibility to libraries, riders, and the community. In conjunction with the installation and unveiling of the new bike racks, each participating library agreed host a program or series of programs on such topics as: public art, architecture, green environments, or healthy living practices.
SELCO's Library Legacy program, Public Art at the Library, was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Live at the Library featured local artists displaying, presenting, and demonstrating their craft, as well as encouraging participating by library patrons. Hosted at each of the nine Anoka County Library locations, Live at the Library highlighted the talents of local artists in a countywide celebration that, hopefully with continued Library Legacy funding, will be an annual event and grow each year.
View a 30--second Live at the Library promotional video
View a 4-minute video montage of the Anoka County Library‘s Live at the Library
The Babbitt Public Library hosts new artwork through ACHF Library Legacy funding. from the Arrrowhead Library System. Two new collages depict children’s favorite characters from their favorite books. For more details and and a photos,click here.
| More Library Legacy public art funded by Arrowhead Library System. |
 |
Duluth artist, Sarah Brokke, recently completed original work on a mural at the Hoyt Lakes Library, a member of the Arrowhead Library System. Her artistic theme includes families, reading, and the beauty of northern landscapes. Click here for a full look at the mural with details. A large glass sculpture graces the opposite wall above a library alcove and brightens the environment as seen below.
The Viking Library System (VLS) in partnership with the Kaddatz Galleries offered “art history for real people” through their Bluestocking Salon series. The guest speaker for 15 programs was Lorene McIntosh, a Minnesota artist and art educator who works from her CanvasDancer Studio in Fergus Falls.
From January to May, the five public libraries in Alexandria, Fergus Falls, Morris, Perham, and Wheaton, each hosted three seminars covering the most influential periods in art history: Greek and Roman, Renaissance, and Impressionist. The project name, Bluestocking Salon, combines the historic concepts of Victorian era literary study and the gathering of people for intellectual conversation.
Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) is pleased to announce award-winning poet Mark Vinz will read his poetry accompanied by renowned jazz musician David Ferreira on keyboards and Jeremy Cahill on bass. The LARL Events webpage offers more details.
Print & Share the Event Poster!
Tuesday, June 28
3 p.m. - Twin Valley Living Center
6 p.m. - Halstad Living Center
The Legacy of Elmer L. Andersen celebrates the life and contributions of Elmer L. Andersen, whose participation in the Princeton community was instrumental in the creation of the library. The exhibit consists of a series of ten 16-inch painted and glazed earthenware medallions, created by local artist Amy Sabrina. The exhibit will open at the Princeton Area Library tomorrow evening, June 22, with musical entertainment provided at 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and a program at 6:00. The Friends of the Princeton Area Library and the Princeton Area Library Society will host the hors d’oevres reception. Click here for a copy of the event flyer.
The Legacy of Elmer L. Andersen exhibit was wholly paid for with Legacy Funds.
Viking Library System (VLS) went live with OverDrive eBooks and audio books in May. All 11 member libraries and the bookmobile voted to join forces to offer the service throughout the region.
After final training and changes to the website, VLS launched this new service with a low-key opening and then offered a major announcement a couple of weeks later.
Founded in 1996 and based in St. Paul, Minnesota, The Rose Ensemble entertains with music that strives to stir the emotions, challenge the mind and lift the spirit. They will be performing in McGregor and Cambridge this June. The dates/times of the And Glory Shone Around: Early American Hymns, Ballads and Spiritual Songs programs are:
- Monday, June 20 at 7:00 pm in the McGregor School Auditorium
- Tuesday, June 21 at 7:00 pm in the Richard G. Hardy Performing Arts Center of the Cambridge-Isanti High School
The Viking Library System (VLS) hosted CLIMB Theatre to present Return to Honor. The play depicts the challenges of post-deployment life during World War II. The performances ran from April 30 through May 7 in seven VLS communities. Print and share the event poster.
- April 30 at the Pelican Rapids Public Library and the Wheaton American Legion Post 80
- May 1 at the American Legion Post 29 in Morris and in Barrett
- May 6 at the New York Mills City Hall Ballroom
- May 7 at the Fergus Theatre in Fergus Falls
Scott Murphy, Artist, standing in front of the new mural painted with Library Legacy funding from the Arrowhead Library System
Artist's work is one for the books by Lisa Baumann as printed in the June 11, 2011 Duluth News Tribune
A new pop of literary color has come to the library plaza in downtown Duluth. In the form of a giant bookshelf, Proctor artist Scott Murphy´s 23.5-foot tall "Books on the Plaza" mural was dedicated Friday by Duluth Mayor Don Ness. "The thing I love about it is that it features a number of local artists," Ness said of the book titles featured on the mural. "It´s part of our heritage and culture. It´s fantastic." Murphy said he was excited to work on a large-scale project again, having spent 17 years painting billboards. He came up with the idea to paint books on the central pillar on the plaza after the original idea to paint on one of the flat walls nearby wasn´t feasible. "That wall had moisture problems," Murphy said. "So we moved it to the rounded pillar, which was a really nice surface." The pillar outside the library located at 520 W. Superior St. now is adorned with the spines of 18 books. Titles range from Dr. Seuss´ "Green Eggs and Ham" to an organic gardening book by local author Ellen Sandbeck called "Eat More Dirt" to literary classic "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger. The books depicted are clearly from a library, complete with Dewey Decimal System numbers used by libraries to classify books. Murphy said his main goal for the design was to make the book titles legible from a distance. Up close, Murphy wanted the mural to look "brushy" and obvious that it was hand- painted. "There´s so much machine-made stuff in the world," he said.
"I think it´s comforting to see something made by a person." The project took Murphy about five weeks to complete starting in May. He used about nine gallons of paint and several coats of UV protectant. Besides working in some inclement weather, selecting the books proved to be the biggest challenge for all involved, according to Nancy Eaton, a community services representative for the library. Library staff, Murphy and members of the public had a say in the titles. They chose books that showed the range of the library´s collections, books with local significance and books that had interesting spines. Murphy had final say if he didn´t think a book would work and on the order of the books. Funding came in the form of a $12,000 grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. This money was made available when Minnesota voters approved a three-eighths-of-a-percent sales tax increase in 2008 to support environmental programs, parks, the arts and cultural heritage initiatives. No city money was spent on the painting. State Rep. Mary Murphy of Hermantown, who serves on the Legacy Funding committee that decides how to spend the sales tax money, said she wanted to make sure some of the funds went to libraries. "Libraries are the centers and heart of communities," she said. "We want to encourage the use of this plaza and this will help," Ness added. Libraries in Babbitt and Calumet also received the same amount of funding and are using it to create public art at their sites.
The SELCO Library Tour traveled south and east on Thursday, June 2 to visit Library Legacy art locations. The visiting group included SELCO staff, members of the SELCO/SELS Board and library representatives.
Beginning the day at the SELCO office, the touring group visited the Mabel and Spring Grove Public Libraries. Doc’s Blue Moose hosted the group for lunch before moving to the Bluff Country Artists Gallery. With SELCO’s traveling art exhibit, easel (Experience Art in Southeastern Libraries) on display at the Gallery and at the library, the touring group was able to encounter a Legacy program at the local level. The round-trip loop concluded with a stop at the Chatfield Public Library, one of the libraries featured in the new Libraries of Minnesota book published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.