135 bicycle riders and approximately 40 support staff came into McGregor for the Habitat 500 - a 500 mile bicycle ride fund-raiser: Pedaling to build a cycle of hope.
They started in Sandstone and after passing through many other towns, end up in Cloquet.
They camped in the yard at the McGregor School in tents or slept on the floor in the BIG gym. The school is across from the library so I thought maybe we could offer them some connection to their family and friends. We opened the library for two hours (4-6 p.m.). They were waiting at the door to get in at four and I had to shoo several out of the community room, the WiFi center, at 6 p.m., for another group that had reserved the room.
There were approximately 65 that stopped in to use the internet, relax in the coolness or browse the shelves. Several bought books from the Friends' dollar cart; a nice surprise. One did a little research in a Consumers Report magazine and another requested the words to Home On The Range. ALL the computers were in use, and I figured we had it in one of our sheet music books, and sure enough we did. He was happy because they do a program on Friday night and he was incorporating the song into his act.
Although everyone was very laid back and shared, I was happy to have Branch Library Aide Norma stop in and help for an hour and a half.
They appreciated us being open "just for them" and thanked ECRL for opening up. It went very well for all.
The last bicyclist left town, followed by a support vehicle, at 7:09 a.m., with a temperature of 57 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday, July 13th.
Penny Olson, McGregor Branch Librarian
Bicyclists using wireless in the Community Room. Click on the photo for more photos.
