Holiday Gift Ideas for Teens

In my family, everyone looks forward to two gifts under the Christmas tree -- pajamas and a new book. (For a peak at my family opening their books, check out my blog post from 2 years ago.)

The Cambridge Library has teamed up with Isanti County Family Services and generous library folks to give kids and teens new Christmas books through the Gift of Reading tree.


A bookmark is available in the library with suggestions for teen reads. If you want to give the teens in your life a new book, check out these book list suggestions -- thanks to Chisago Lakes Branch Manager Angela Smith and Community Services Coordinator Vickie Sorn.

Holiday Gift Giving Ideas for Teens
Ages 14 & up!

Girls
Bloody Jack by L. A. Meyer
Trickster’s Choice by Tamora Pierce
Girl, 15, Charming But Insane by S. Limb
13 Little Blue Envelopes by M. Johnson
Great & Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Uglies by Scott Westerfield
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Series by Anne Brashares
Princess Diary Series by Meg Cabot
Jingle Boy by Scott Kiernan
Any Gossip Girl OR It Girl series by Cecily Von Ziegesar
Cut by Patricia McCormick
Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock
Diary of a Teenage Girl series by Melody Carlson
Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Boys
Stormbreaker by Alex Horowitz (or any Alex Rider books)
Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer
Cirque Du Freak series by Darren Shan
Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
Godless (or Invisible) by Pete Hautman
Nailed by Patrick Jones
Holes by Louis Sachar
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
Feed by M. T. Anderson
Crackback by John Coy
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Hoops by Walter Dean Myers
Nonfiction bks (sports, rockstars, cars)
Graphic Novels (Bone Series, any DC or Marvel superheros)

Barbara Misselt, ECRL Director

Kurt Daudt and Bob Boese Receive MLA Awards

The Minnesota Library Association held its annual meeting recently in Mankato. Two local residents were presented awards at the MLA Awards banquet held on Thursday, October 25 on the Minnesota Sate University-Mankato campus.

Kurt Daudt, Isanti County Commissioner, was presented with a Certificate of Merit by MLA. The Certificate of Merit is presented to one citizen, or an entire Board of Trustees or Friends group that has made a noteworthy contribution to library services in the State of Minnesota.

Heidi Hoks, current MLA president, presented the award to Kurt with the following introduction. “Kurt has been a library supporter throughout his career in public service. He has served as President of the East Central Regional Library Board in 2006 and 2007. Commissioner Daudt was instrumental in the creation and promotion of the county resolutions in support of increasing Regional Library Basic System Support. Isanti County was the first to pass this important resolution in the fall of 2006. Kurt’s work on this project resulted in more than 70 Minnesota Counties approving resolutions in support of this legislative initiative. His ongoing advocacy on behalf of libraries and library funding has been one of the catalysts that resulted in this year’s passage of a bill that increased Regional Library Basic System Support for the first time in 16 years.”



Also that evening, former director of East Central Regional Library, Bob Boese, was presented with the Minnesota Library Association 2007 Distinguished Achievement Award. The Distinguished Achievement Award is presented in recognition of distinguished service to the profession and for active and innovative leadership in the development of libraries and the improvement of library services. Nine leaders in the library community nominated Bob for the award.

Nominators spoke of his professionalism, dedication, and active participation in MLA. “Whenever making decisions, he has always looked at what is fair and right.” “His knowledge of, and passion for, libraries has benefited all.”

Bob was also a true mentor for those in the library profession. “He gives freely of his time no matter how busy things are at the office.” Many mentioned his interest in collaboration and innovation. “Bob thinks in terms of what will benefit libraries across the state…..Bob has never been unwilling to be the first to try a new idea.” Plus one regional library director noted, “I think of Bob as Minnesota’s ‘Library Historian.’ He can recall a monumental amount of library history and facts.”



Congratulations to Kurt and Bob! We thank you for your dedication and service to East Central Regional Library, its staff and the patrons it serves.

Vickie Sorn, Community Services Coordinator

Cambridge Friend of Library Becomes State Board Member

Recently at the Fall 2007 Minnesota Library Association convention in Mankato, local resident, Lorie Fetzik, was named as a board member on the Minnesota Association of Library Friends. Lorie is currently co-president of the Cambridge Friends of the Library organization and is an avid library user and supporter.

The mission of the Minnesota Association of Library Friends is to promote excellence in library services by working with and through Friends of the Library organizations and the libraries they represent. They assist in legislative efforts, sponsor programs and workshops, help new Friends groups get started, and serve as a clearinghouse for advice and information.

The MALF board meets 4-5 times throughout the year and is made up of individuals from various communities throughout Minnesota. Lorie says, “This will be a worthwhile learning experience and I hope to bring lots of ideas and enthusiasm back to our local Cambridge Friends of the Library organization.”

Vickie Sorn, Community Services Coordinator