The Minnesota Digital Library is thrilled to announce East Central Regional Library’s (ECRL) Kids Design Glass is a recent addition to Minnesota Reflections. This Library Legacy project is now fully documented in Minnesota Reflections with scans of the original 14 drawings, the artist statements, photographs of the sculpture, and a short video of each sculpture rotating on a turntable.
Kids Design Glass was funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Fund and began with a summer reading program art contest. The contest was open to kids ages 5 to 10. One drawing was chosen from each of ECRL’s 14 branches. The winning drawings were transformed into three-dimensional blown-glass sculptures by Anthony Michaud-Scorza of Cambridge, Minnesota.
Rochester Public Library’s BookBike is being recognized as one of Minnesota’s most innovative local government projects.
Each year, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs recognizes cities, counties and schools for redesigning how they do business through new initiatives and projects. The BookBike was the overall winner in the City Category, earning the library a $5,000 grant.
The BookBike, a little library on wheels, was pulled by library staff on bicycles to locations within a one-mile radius of the downtown library April through September. The BookBike offered library books for check-out, library cards, program information, assistance with digital materials, bike trail maps and fun incentives to visitors. “The BookBike program saw great success this summer,” says Head of Youth Services and BookBike Project Director, Heather Acerro. “We reached over 5,500 community members and visited over 100 sites.”
According to Jay Kiedrowski, senior fellow at the Humphrey School’s Public and Nonprofit Leadership Center, “These awards are helping to raise the bar for delivering excellent government services, and that’s very exciting.” The awards are organized in partnership with the Bush Foundation and co-sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities, the Association of Minnesota Counties, MN Association of Townships, and the Minnesota School Board Association. “Every year, we see more and more creative ways that governments are figuring out how to save money but still deliver the same high quality of services,” says Kiedrowski.
Rochester Public Library’s BookBike is the first bicycle-powered library in Minnesota. The BookBike project was funded in part with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, through a Community Collaboration grant from Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) in late 2014.
CRPLSA is seeking proposals for a creatively produced, visually compelling document covering 2 years (FY2014-FY2015) of public programs and activities funded by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, created by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment of 2008. Programs include statewide projects such as Once Upon a Reader and the Minnesota Book Awards literary map, as well as projects that have taken place in each of the state’s 12 regional library systems.
This Request for Proposal (RFP) provides the instructions for submitting proposals, the criteria by which a vendor may be selected, and the contractual terms by which CRPLSA intends to manage the relationship between CRPLSA and the selected firm.
Neal Shusterman, author of 2015 NBA Young People’s Literature Award winner Challenger Deep
Jason Reynolds, author of Boy in the Black Suit. All American Boys, co-authored with Brendan Kiely, is on the PW Best YA Books 2015 list.
Faith Erin Hicks writes comics & graphic novels. The Adventures of Superhero Girl won an Eisner Award in 2014.
Sabaa Tahir is the New York Times bestselling author of the young adult fantasy An Ember in the Ashes. It’s been optioned for a movie.
Featured Local Authors
Pete Hautman returns! His most recent book is Eden West. Pete won the Young People’s NBA in 2004 for Godless.
John Coy, author of Crackback & Box Out, has a new book Gap Year coming out in 2016.
Derek E. Sullivan’s first book is Biggie. He’s from Nebraska.
Monica Ropal When You Leave is included in the Publisher’s Lunch BUZZ Books 2015: Young Adult Spring.
Dawn Kiehr writes young adult thrillers: The Cutting Room Floor & If You Wrong Us.
S.A. Bodeen published two new books in 2015 Lost & The Detour. She has 5 previous novels.
In addition to this great line-up of author presentations, there will be more breakout sessions, fun stuff in the Exhibit Hall, giveaways for teens, and additional literary excitement than ever!
Mark your calendar for May 7, 2016 at Henry Sibley High School.
To stay up-to-date on Teen Lit Con announcements, follow us on Twitter @TeenLitCon and sign up for email notices about transportation awards & other info.
As MELSA wraps up the 2015 Club Book season, the regional wants to thank all the incredible authors who visited the Metro this fall, as well as the wonderful libraries who hosted events. The guests shared inspiring stories about their work, writing process, and journey to become bestselling and award-winning writers. MELSA hopes everyone enjoyed these Club Book events as much as they did, and encourage readers to take a listen to the more than thirty free podcasts created over the past four seasons.
Speakers include Louise Penny, Elizabeth Berg, Amy Thielen, Dave Zirin, Lev Grossman, J. Courtney Sullivan, Amanda Coplin, Sue Miller, Jon Ronson, Ron Rash, Sara Paretsky, Mitchel Zuckoff, and Nikki Giovanni to name just a few.
MELSA will announce the new season of authors in January, so stay tuned!
Minnesota Book Award author Jack El-Hai toured three of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) branches to talk about his book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Goering, Douglas M. Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of the Minds at the end of WWII. These events had the highest attendance of LARL’s Fall Series and attendees raved about it.
Local author, Eric Bergeson was at the event in Fertile, MN and shared this amazing story of a Minnesota man and this infamous Nazi . A 90 year old audience member, Art Olson, had been a guard at the prison where Goering had been held.
East Central Regional Library (ECRL) is excited to announce that its first digital collection is live in Minnesota Digital Library’s Minnesota Reflections, courtesy of the Digital Public Library of America’s Public Library Partnerships Project. DPLA has collaborated with MDL in the Public Library Partnerships Project (PLPP), funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
About Minnesota Digital Library…
Minnesota Digital Library (MDL) provides access to unique digital collections shared by cultural heritage organizations from across the state of Minnesota.
Minnesota Reflections is the first online project of MDL. It is a collection of more than 215,000 photographs, postcards, maps, documents, letters, and oral histories depicting the history of Minnesota and includes digital content from more than 157 participating organizations including historical societies, special archives, universities and colleges, and public libraries from across the state who have shared their original materials with the MDL.
ECRL’s contribution to Minnesota Reflections provides insight into the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. The collection includes images used in ECRL’s history book, East Central Regional Library: Fifty Years of Connections, 1959-2009 by Marilyn McGriff, of ECRL. These photographs include library buildings (past and present), retired library services such as the bookmobile, and ECRL staff members over the years.
Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) is excited to announce its design for a new mascot!
During spring and summer 2015, library staff and community members were engaged in this endeavor. In April, LARL’s 95 employees voted on a list of five possible mascot characters/animals: Owl, Squirrel, Raccoon, Fox, and Eagle. From May through July, LARL presented the Drawing Together: A regional community art and storytelling experience in every LARL branch. Drawing Together featured drawing classes for youth, a chance to vote on which character should represent LARL, as well as suggesting the mascot’s favorite book and telling stories about the mascot. A Drawing Together form was available on the website and in all 22 LARL locations. Over 200 entries were received from LARL customers of all ages. An owl was ultimately chosen and LARL is still in the process of voting on a name.
LARL worked with Minnesota artist, Janette Louden, to create images of the new mascot for promotional purposes. Minnesota based company, Vee Corporation, was chosen to
create the costume, which should be ready by the end of 2015.
The final task in CRPLSA’s partnership with The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library and tptwill be the distribution of 84 DVDs to be shared among Minnesota’s public library collections.
The Art and Life of George Morrison: A Beyond the Book cultural documentary was based on the Minnesota Book Award-winning book, Modern Spirit and features the unique story of a great American artist. From his early life near Grand Portage, training in Minneapolis and Paris in the 1940s and 1950s to his success as an abstract artist, Morrions’ life revolved around his artistic vision, intellectual drive, and creative energy. As a Native American artist with strong connections to his Ojibwe roots, Morrison brought together his passion for modern art with a deep respect for the natural world – the spirit of the water, land, sky, horizon. Making he documentary so dramatic is the inclusion of interviews with the artist and footage from his studio filmed in 1991, as well as original music by his son, Briand Morrison.
Check out Art and Life of George Morrison at a library near you.
The Detroit Lakes Public Library’s Once Upon A Time sculpture by Becker County resident, Hans Gilsdorf was unveiled on September 10th. Over 100 community members were in attendance for the community art celebration. Gilsdorf will serve as a guest presenter at the Library Club kickoff meeting on October 27, 2015.
The Library has received overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding the sculpture, which was funded in part by the Detroit Lakes Library Fund and LARL’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Funding for Library Legacy activities. The sculpture is comprised of re-bar and over 24 Tons of concrete with a a special sculpting epoxy that gives it a bronze-like finish. The sculpture depicts a child lying on the ground, reading a book.
CRPLSA is pleased to announce the second season ofOnce Upon a Reader, a statewide one-book program. The program, which focuses on children aged 0-6, will highlight the importance of reading and sharing books with children. The program is funded through the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage for Library Legacy activities.
The book selected for the 2016-2017 Once Upon a Reader program is Ten Pigs: An Epic Bath Adventure. The book is written and illustrated by Minnesota resident, Derek Anderson. The program will feature original music by local singer/songwriter, Tom Lieberman.
CRPLSA’s partnership with The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library and tptgenerated a September Emmy nomination. In the category of Documentary – Cultural the first ever Beyond the Book production, The Art and Life of George Morrison: A Beyond the Book Special was one of four 2015 production that was considered.
The other nominees within the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences were:
On Eagle’s Wings: Minnesota’s Sacred Music– KSMQ-TV
Richard Bresnahan: The Taste of the Clay– Prairie Public Television
Tears to Water– WKBT-TV
The one-hour TV special, Tears to Water, produced by WKBT in LaCrosse highlighting water well construction in Uganda was the 2015 Midwest Documentary – Cultural recipient.
All good things must come to an end, and that includes Cow’s MOO! Trunk Show in Minnesota. This past week Mike and I and Cow gave our last OUR shows in some beautiful north central towns. What a grand time of the year to be up north.
On Monday, September 28, we headed to the tiny library in Pine River where we presented to 13 attendees and the library cat, Browser. We then headed to Brainerd for an evening show where 100 folks turned up to see Cow (and to try their hands at the mechanical milkingcow on the library’s front lawn). Among the attendees were another Dairy Princess and two boys from dairy farms who came dressed in cow costumes.
Pine River library staff welcome Cow
Cousins dressed to meet Cow in Brainerd
On Tuesday morning we performed in one of our most unique venues, a church in Wadena. 25 attendees showed up for our show (and free books and milk). We had to restrain Cow from giving a sermon on the importance of pasteurization. In the evening we gave a presentation for 11 attendees at the Frank White Education Center in Park Rapids.
Mike, Cow & David with Paul & Babe the Blue Ox in Bemidji
Cow was beginning to worry that she was losing her popularity, but we ended our tour on Wednesday with two full houses. Wednesday morning we performed for 170 attendees atthe Bemidji Library. Colleen the librarian had done an amazing job preparing for our visit, with “Cow Chow” snacks for the kids and bottles of “Thirsty Cow” water, not to mention clothespin cows to take home. It was a wonderful way to start our last day. Cow’s swan song was in the small library in Walker, but we filled the venue with 60 attendees. Carrie had lots of prizes to give away, and all the families enjoyed pizza after.
Wow. What a year this has been! We can’t thank you enough for giving us this opportunity. Over the past year we have met some magnificent librarians, seen some fascinating libraries, met lots of friendly families, and created enough memories to fill a silo. To sum it all up, there’s only one thing we can say:
Moo!
Ever your Bovine Buddies,
David LaRochelle, Author
Mike Wohnoutka, Illustrator
and of course, Cow, the star!
It’s hard to tell who was more excited to meet the other, Ann Hutton or Cow. Definitely a Mutual Adoration Society.
Hello Once Upon a Reader Fans!
This past week saw Mike and me and Cow edging closer to the end of our incredible tour.
On Tuesday morning, Sept 22, we presented to 120 attendees at the gorgeous Winona Public Library. Cow was thrilled to meet one of her biggest fans, Ann Hutton. And Ann certainly knew how to treat a diva like Cow; ever since, Cow has been asking why WE don’t treat her with such adoration. That afternoon we traveled to the small town of Houston and presented to 120 preschoolers to second graders at the elementary school. It was our last SELCO show, were taken care of at every SELCO venue where we performed. Thank you so much, ladies.
On Thursday we headed north to present to 90 preschoolers who filled our room at the Grand Rapids library. Another gorgeous site, right on the Mississippi River, and Darla and Tracy could not have been more enthusiastic and helpful. We then wound our way to one of the most secluded sites of our tour, South Ridge School outside of Culver. Cow wanted to take part in the volleyball game that was going on next to us, but we convinced her to perform for the 50 attendees that the Head Start folks had brought in that evening. There were lots of crafts to do and every family got to bring home a book, which is always great to see.
In the wonderful play area at the Grand Rapids Rapids Public Library, Cow spells out one of her favorite words.
And now we are packing our bags for the FINAL leg of our tour. What an amazing adventure we’ve had this past year!
The Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF) created an unprecedented opportunity for libraries to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. The regional library systems receive a biennial ACHF appropriation for Library Legacy activities.
For the first time, all in one place, the regional libraries now have a single source of information ranging from the history of the library appropriation to reporting schedules and clear definitions. The new ACHF Grant Guidelines for Regional Public Library Systems was prepared by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and issued with the FY2016 Official Grant Award Notifications.
Club Book is proud to announce the new lineup for the Fall 2015 Season. Club Book brings best-selling and award-winning national and regional authors to libraries throughout the seven-county Twin Cities region. A program of Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) and coordinated by Library Strategies, Club Book is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. All events are free and open to the public!
Podcasts of this season’s discussions will be available a few days after each event at www.clubbook.org and on iTunes. Past seasons’ podcasts are available for streaming and download, so check them out!
Applications for judging the 28th Minnesota Book Awards (MNBA) are now open. Judges will be selected from across the state, with a variety of professional experiences, as well as representing different ethnic and age groups. Apply today!
Mike and I and Cow just returned from two successful days in the Plum Creek region of southwestern Minnesota, visiting Marshall and Windom. Cow attracted an audience of about 80 admirers at each stop. She particularly enjoyed taking advantage of the hotel amenities which gave her a chance to show off the latest wardrobe fashions created for her by Kim Faurot.
Once again the librarians at each stop made us feel udderly welcome. It’s hard to believe that it has been less than a year ago when Cow made her first appearance. What a full year we have all had!
We hope that you are enjoying these dog days of summer, whether you are traveling on vacation or staying cool at home.
CRPLSA is seeking proposals for a comprehensive report covering seven years of public programs and activities funded by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, created by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment of 2008 Programs include statewide projects such as Once Upon a Reader and the Minnesota Book Awards literary map, as well as projects that have taken place in each of the state’s 12 regional library systems. This Request for Proposal (RFP) provides the instructions for submitting proposals, the criteria by which a vendor may be selected, and the contractual terms by which CRPLSA intends to manage the relationship between CRPLSA and the selected firm.
In the puppet world, The Puppetry Journal, is big news. Moo!, Once Upon a Reader, and our very-own star- studded team of David LaRochelle, Mike Wohnoutka, and, of course, Cow are featured.
Nearly 5,500 students participated in a History Day filed trip, Hullabaloo or Help Session which took place at 20 libraries across the state during this year’s MN History Day activities. This is nearly 1,000 more students than the previous year. Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) staff coordinated the events at each library, working with individual librarians to schedule research open houses and provide supplemental training materials. Evaluations from students indicate 72% of students feel more confident doing research in a library as a result of the History Day library experience. And, 88% believe their library visit improved their ability to do research for this project and future academic studies.
Cow & the McLeod County Dairy Princesses in Glencoe
Hello Once Upon a Reader fans,
Cow took a day off from her summer vacation to visit two libraries in the Pioneerland Library System (PLS) yesterday. Mike and I went along to act as her assistants.
In Glencoe, she presented to a group of 100 kids and adults in the beautifully renovated old high school. She was beside herself with joy when she was made an honorary Dairy Princess, but then again, she also felt is was only a matter of time before her regal nature was recognized. Thanks to Slade for making the trek out to Glencoe to film the show for posterity.
On the western edge of Minnesota in Dawson, Cow gave an evening presentation to a small, but receptive group of 30 in the high school performing arts auditorium. It was wonderful that every family was able to go home with their own free copy of the book.
Cow is already back in vacation mode, at the beach in the new swim attire designed by Kim Faurot. If the paparazzi can get close enough to her, you might be subjected to some lakeside photos of Cow later next month. In the meantime, here are a few photos from yesterday.
To celebrate Short Story Writing Month, the Great River Regional Library (GRRL) sought short, short stories of 32 words or less inspired by this historical photograph from the Minnesota Digital Library.
Patrons were asked, “What’s the story here?” and then encouraged to download the submission form to write a short, short story. Writers could submit their short story online or in person at any GRRL between November 15 to December 15, 2014.
Stories were posted on the library’s website or in local branch library locations during last year’s Winter Reading Program in January and February, 2015.
Click below for two more samples as highlighted on the GRRL Facebook page.
A travelogue from Minnesota Author, David LaRochelle as he travels the state with Minnesota Illustrator, Mike Wohnoutka and the Once Upon a Reader star performer – Cow and their adventures in SELCO.
Hello Once Upon a Reader folks!
June is National Dairy Month so Cow was in high demand for guest appearances, but she took time from her busy schedule to join Mike and me as we visited six more SELCO libraries Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week. Once again the wonderful folks at SELCO (Amy, Amy, Reagan, Cindy and all the great librarians we met) did a fabulous job of welcoming us at each stop.
Monday’s rain didn’t keep the 125 attendees away from joining us at the Rochester Public Library. Despite some bad driving from David (I wish I could blame it on Cow), we made it to our second stop just in the nick of time, which was one of our most unusual venues to date: the weight room at the Rochester Family YMCA. 80 day camp kids and their counselors, spanning a very wide age-range, joined us in this unique location. Cow being the star that she is took it all in stride.
Tuesday was a beautiful day for a drive to the small town of Dodge Center where 50 kids packed the cozy meeting room in the library. It was then on to Spring Valley where Jenny Simon and her crew had the entire library decked out for our visit, with cow balloons, milk cans, window paintings, the Moo! Story Walk, dozens of cow books, and after our show, milk and cookies and a LIVE COW. 200 kids and their caregivers joined us under the storybook tree in the children’s area for our show.
Wednesday morning we had an audience of 150 at the Austin Public Library. We bypassed the Spam Museum (we were afraid it might hit a little too close to home for Cow), and headed to Albert Lea for a performance to 100 in the afternoon. Both libraries had beautiful lake views and the librarians in both stops were well prepared for our visit.
Thanks to all the librarians and the wonderful women at SELCO who made these visits so successful. We are glad that we get to work with you again in September.
Cow is out touring on her own at the moment, but I thought I’d pass along some of the photos from her appearances this past week.
Special events abound for Once Upon a Reader –
a statewide one-book program designed for Pre-K children to promote early literacy skills. Even walking and reading at the same time in the East Central Regional Library (ECRL) !
Once Upon a Reader encourages young children and their parents or caregivers to read together. The featured title for the inaugural two year event is MOO! by Minnesota author David LaRochelle and Minnesota illustrator, Mike Wohnoutka. The program is being promoted in public libraries throughout the state.
A CRPLSA sponsored Library Legacy activity with funds from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
The Grand Marais Public Library, an Arrowhead Library System (ALS) member, hosted a sculpture dedication on Friday, June 5 to celebrate the installation of a new work of public art. The local artist and sculptor Tom Christiansen,was on hand at the dedication as were other local and regional dignitaries.
The sculpture is constructed of spun aluminum. Arranged around the top of the 17-foot tower are a number of large puzzle pieces in bright red, blue or yellow primary colors. It is easily visible to residents and visitors traveling along Minnesota’s north shore as the new art piece is located on the the lawn between the library and Highway 61.
Christiansen was selected from a group of fourteen submissions to the initial request for proposal from the library board. There were four finalists, the other three being Nancy Seaton and Sharon Frykman both of Grand Marais and Ann Klefstad of Duluth.
This new addition to the public art presence in Grand Marais was paid for by the Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment through Library Legacy funds made available to the Arrowhead Library System.
The Library Legacy appropriation provides grant funds to the 12 Minnesota regional library systems with the intent “to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota.”
As distributed by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) these funds “may be used to sponsor programs provided by regional libraries or to provide grants to local arts and cultural heritage programs for programs in partnership with regional libraries.” To support these efforts, MDE outlines the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund priorities and outcomes for libraries.
Cow (and Mike and David) have had a very successful month of May, mooing from the top to bottom of Minnesota.
On May 8 Cow traveled far north, to visit 140 K, 1st, and 2nd graders at the Warren elementary school in the morning, and then performed for 70 folks at the Thief River Falls Public Library in the afternoon. A few days later she made a southern tour of the state, visiting over 200 kids at the Owatonna Public Library in the morning of May 11, and over 200 kids at the stunning Buckham Memorial Library in Faribault in the afternoon. The next day she was eager to visit with 120 day care kids at the Plainview Public Library and then had one of her largest crowds to date, over 250 kindergarteners at the Red Wing Public Library in the afternoon. Her final show of the month was on “da range,” visiting 170 attendees in Mountain Iron.
Once again librarians were incredible, providing lots of activities and handouts for kids to enjoy, and making our job very easy.
All this traveling can be exhausting, even for a seasoned veteran like Cow. She’s now on hiatus for over a month, at a location she’d rather not disclosed for fear of being mobbed by her adoring fans, but she’ll be ready to resume her road tour at the end of June (which she is quick to point out is National Dairy Month).
Doug Ohman has traveled the state to document historic sites and structures that are quickly being lost to history. During a tour of Viking Library System (VLS) libraries, Doug will share personal stories and the captivating history of some of Minnesota’s most treasured buildings, sites, and monuments featured in his book series “Minnesota Byways.”
The Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) has been working hard to create engaging, exciting programs that meet the needs of the library adult audience. They are proud to release the newest Adult Programming Catalog. The programs in this brochure are available to take place in libraries anytime between September 2015 and March 2016.
Last year, MHS tested offering the historic craft offerings as a series. This was very popular and therefore that option is back. Libraries can book just one, or if they are interested in hosting a series – all three. Participants of the workshop this year will learn the art of letter writing, everything from hand lettering to DIY monograms to beautiful pop-up cards.
The lecture offerings highlight favorite topics and speakers: the History of Baseball in Minnesota, WWI and its impact on Minnesota, and back by popular demand – Arn Kind! He’ll be using his highly interactive presentation style to the topic of Minnesota’s Firsts.
Finally, MHS will share a third and final offering that will make a huge impact on local communities — a Dementia Friends Training and Workshop. This training will educate participants in the basics of dementia, tools to be a better “friend” to those caring for or living with dementia, and techniques for creating conversation and connection through historical objects and photographs. MHS hopes you will decide to share this training and spark an important conversation about preparing Dementia Friendly communities in Minnesota.
Since she was in Vikingland, Cow wanted to dress the part
Hello MOO! Followers,
Cow (and Mike and David) were out on the road last week, visiting six libraries in the Viking Library System (VLS). All three of us were very, very happy to have Tom Lieberman with us, playing live music before, during, and after our shows. What a rich experience his music made these presentations. We were chaperoned by Gail Nordstrom who joined us at every library, brought us treats, and made us feel like royalty (which of course Cow thinks she is). Thank you, Gail, for your planning, organizing, and thoughtfulness which made this such a successful trip for all of us.
We began our tour on Monday, April 27, with 200 kindergartners and preschoolers joining us in the gym adjacent to the Douglas County Library. Our evening presentation was at a gorgeous old Carnegie Library in Glenwood, where Leslie Randall rolled out the red carpet for us. 70 attendees squeezed into the children’s area for our show. We had a great dinner with Gail and Leslie sitting outside along a lake, watching the sunset and listening to loons. Spring had arrived.
Cow was speechless (almost) when she met Big Ole in Alexandria
Tuesday, April 27 we were in the basement of the Thorson Memorial Library. Like all the libraries we visited on this trip, they were very prepared for our visit. 110 kids showed up to see Cow (and Tom and Mike and me). In the evening at the Fergus Falls Library, 105 attendees pulled themselves away from the beautiful spring weather to hear our show.
On our last day, April 28, it was standing room only at the Morris Public Library where 210 attendees crowded in to see us. Our final presentation was to 70 attendees at the Charles M. Dale Elementary School in Browns Valley. We were serenaded by Native American drumming as we left, an opportunity we doubt whether we will have again.
Cow picked out some of her favorite photos to send you. We hope you enjoy them. She is packing again, because we leave tomorrow for Thief River Falls and Warren.
Moo! to one and all!
David, Mike, and Cow
Once Upon a Reader, the Moo! Trunk Shows, and all of Cow’s Adventures are made possible with money from Minnesota’s Art and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.
Arn Kind visited libraries across the Arrowhead Library System (ALS) to share information about the American Civil War in this final year of the sesquicentennial commemoration.
Through drama, role-playing and living history experiences, Kind gives participants an understanding of this turbulent time and brings history alive. He dresses as a Union soldier and describes the uniform, equipment, and weapons used by soldiers.
A very important part of Arn’s presentations are the artifacts, uniforms and equipment that participants handle as part of this hands-on history experience. At the end, audience members may choose to play an active role in historical events by becoming recruits in the Union Army as they are sworn in and learn some of the rudiments of Hardee’s Light Infantry Tactics Drill Manual while handling wooden replicas of Civil War muskets.
Arn Kind is a member of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment; a reenactment group based out of Fort Snelling. Because this group is noted for its authenticity, they have appeared in many documentaries and historical feature films such as The Blue and the Gray, North & South, Glory, Gettysburg, Dances With Wolves, and Gods and Generals.
The winners of the 27th Annual Minnesota Book Awards (MNBA) were announced at the Gala Awards Ceremony on April 18, 2015 in St. Paul. This year’s selections include:
Winter Bees and Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman & Rick Allen (Children’s Literature)
Harriet Beecher Stowe: A Spiritual Life by Nancy Koester (General Nonfiction)
The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen (Genre Fiction)
Tailings: A Memoir by Kaethe Schwehn (Memoir & Creative Nonfiction)
Dangerous Goods by Sean Hill (Poetry)
West of the Moon by Margi Preus (Young People’s Literature)
Her Honor: Rosalie Wahl and the Minnesota Women’s Movementby Lori Sturdevant (Minnesota)
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James (Novel & Short Story)
For more information about the 2015 MNBA winners, please click HERE.
The 27th Annual Minnesota Book Awards Gala is just days away. In anticipation of this unique literary event, SELCOtv features booktalks by the SELCO staff reviewing the four finalists in each of the eight categories.
MELSA libraries throughout the Twin Cities metro area will host creative writing workshops, First Pages, for budding authors of all ages with teaching artists from The Loft Literary Center.
Made possible with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.
ginal 14 drawings, the artist statements, photographs of the sculpture, and a short video of each sculpture rotating on a turntable.
