Last-Minute Election Information

If you’ve suddenly realized that you’re not quite prepared for the upcoming elections, your friendly local librarians are ready to help you out. Except where it’s noted otherwise, all of the following information comes from the Minnesota Secretary of State's web page.


Register to vote in Minnesota
http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=204


Find your polling place
http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/


Need a ride to your polling place?
http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=1631


Interested in absentee voting?
http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=211


Need to know how to return your absentee ballot?
According to the MN Secretary of State, there are four ways you can return your absentee ballot:
1.   Mail back your ballot in the pre-paid envelope provided by your local election official.
2.   Up until 5 p.m. on the day before the election, you may deliver your ballot in person to your local election official.
3.   You may also have someone else return your completed ballot, sealed in its envelope, to your local election official until 3 p.m. on Election Day. Persons delivering ballots may not do so for more than three voters.
4.  If you are worried about your ballot not arriving on time using First Class mail, you may choose to pay for package delivery service to return your ballot. Ballots must be received by your local election official by 3 p.m. on Election Day.


Find your local election official
(which will also tell you where you can submit an absentee ballot):
https://minnesota.overseasvotefoundation.org/vote/MN-ElectionOfficialDirectory


Find out which candidates and issues you’ll see on your ballot
http://myballotmn.sos.state.mn.us/Default.aspx


Interested in Political Fact-Checking?
http://www.factcheck.org/ (a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” organization
http://www.politifact.com/ (a project of the Tampa Bay Times newspaper)


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about elections and voting
http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=1530


Wondering about other voting and election topics that you don't see here? http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=134  (Main page for Minnesota Voting Info)



As always, if you need anything else, don't hesitate to contact your local ECRL library branch (http://www.ecrlib.org/branches.html). We're happy to help you find the information you need!

Robin Duple
Branch Librarian, Pine City Public Library

ECRL Blue Ribbon Reader Named

It’s fair time and everyone wants to win a blue ribbon! This year, the Minnesota Summer Reading Program and Youth Services Committee decided to recognize a Blue Ribbon Reader from each public library region in the State of Minnesota.

Each of the 12 public library systems in Minnesota was asked to submit the name of one child (K-12) who has shown great enthusiasm in the summer reading program, participation in summer reading events and who deserves to be recognized for their summer reading achievements.

Each of the 14 branch libraries, two link sites and the outreach program in the East Central Regional Library system submitted the name of one such summer reading participant. The names of the children nominated from each were put in a hat and a winner drawn from the nominations. Irene Oquist representing our East Central Regional Library Outreach program was named the Blue Ribbon Reader for the ECRL region. Irene is 12 years old and lives in Braham. She received a four pack of MN State Fair tickets plus her very own “Star Reader” blue ribbon!

Tim Olson, ECRL Outreach Librarian, congratulates Irene on being chosen East Central Regional Library’s 2012 Blue Ribbon Reader!

Vickie Sorn, Youth and Community Services Librarian

Local bookstore, library work together to promote literacy

This is a letter written by Judith Kissner, owner of Scout and Morgan Books in Cambridge. She says she wrote the piece for the upcoming issue of Bookwomen Magazine (Minnesota Women’s Press)which will have a feature in their next issue about supporting public libraries. She also sent the letter to the Isanti County News, where it was published last week.

Scout and Morgan Website
Scout and Morgan on Facebook



Local bookstore, library work together to promote literacy
Thursday, 26 August 2010

Dear Editor:

As the owner of an independent bookstore in a small community, I have noticed that people often think that we are somehow in competition with our local library, and that they need to offer an apology for checking a book out at the library rather than buying it from us.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

I can’t imagine wanting to live in a community that didn’t have a public library. In the same way that you can tell a lot about a person by the books on their shelves, you can tell a lot about a community by their public library. Do they have an active Friends Group? What kinds of services do they provide? Are there lots of new arrivals displayed? Do they have book groups? How about a City- Wide Read? Do they celebrate Banned Books Week?

Our bookstore is a business member of our Friends of the Library and I volunteer on the City-Wide Read committee. Many of our loyal customers and supporters are strong supporters and users of our local libraries. We often suggest to customers that they check a book out at the library first before making a decision to purchase a copy. We regularly promote our local library’s author events and book groups, as well as remind people of what a resource a public library is, especially in tough economic times. Public libraries are essential to a healthy democracy where everyone, regardless of income has access to information and ideas. Public libraries are often at the forefront in defending the First Amendment that guarantees freedom of the press and speech. We see public libraries as partners and librarians as colleagues.

To candidates running for local and state offices, we ask, “What will you do to insure that our public libraries receive the funding they need to thrive?” The answer to that question speaks volumes.

Judith Kissner, Owner
Scout & Morgan Books

Used with permission of author
Posted by: Barbara Misselt, Director

ECRL PRESENTS: Fool in a Mask Productions !

From June 28th through July 9th the library will present Fool in a Mask Productions in "The Amazing Adventures of Stuart Lindman and Other Short Plays".

Four young actors will perform in four short plays commissioned for the "Minnesota's Greatest Generation Project". This program is made possible through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and results from a new partnership between the Minnesota Regional Public Library System (MRPLS) and the Minnesota Historical Society.

Danielle Bronshteyn, Jacob Budnick, Tylinn Fahrni, and Marshall Sonsteby will entertain ECRL patrons in the following plays, all of which are based on oral histories and original historical documents:

"The Amazing Adventures of Stuart Lindman" by Joseph Scrimshaw

"Parachute Silk" by Carson Kreitzer

"The Secret Storm" by Sheri Wilner

"Swell" by Craig Johnson

Please check the ECRL homepage for the dates and times of scheduled performances. The theatre troupe will perform at all branch libraries in the ECRL service area.

This FREE program is suitable for the entire family!

Bob Gray

Reference and Interlibrary Loan Librarian

It's TWELFTH NIGHT at Anoka-Ramsey!

William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night was first performed over 400 years ago on Candlemas night, 2 February 1602, in England. Some of the greatest names in 20th century English and American theatre have since performed in the play - Sir Ralph Richardson, Sir John Gielgud, Sir Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, and Helen Hayes, to name a few.

Twelfth Night, one of the Bard's most accomplished comedies, is currently being performed on the stage of the Performing Arts Center at Anoka-Ramsey Commmunity College in Coon Rapids.

I was delighted to attend opening night on April 16th. Scott Ford's inspired direction, the stark yet effective scenic design, and the striking costuming made for a memorable evening.

The young actors, by and large, did a commendable job of interpreting Shakespeare's intricate and complex prose. A few struggled, others should remember that they must react to action and other actors on the stage, but Marcus Coker (Sir Toby Belch), Jacob Budnick (Sir Andrew Aguecheek), and Emily Moulds (Feste) gave diverting and entertaining performances in their comic roles. Neal Skoy was outstanding as Malvolio.

Mr. Skoy is a remarkably talented young man, and the audience was captivated by his exceptional performance from the moment he first appeared on stage. Malvolio is a complex and fascinating character that he handled with assurance and aplomb, especially through the use of his rich and eloquent voice - which filled every corner of the auditorium, seemingly without effort.

The actors cavorted about the stage in some of the most intriguing, if not startling, costumes I've ever seen in a Shakespeare production. Special kudos to Costume Designer Barb Portinga for combining vintage evening gowns, fright wigs, and red high-top sneakers with more conventional ensembles recalling the 16th century. Lauren Haven was lovely in everything she wore, Mr. Skoy bore a striking resemblance to the young F. Scott Fitzgerald in many of his scenes, and Mr. Budnick looked like an escapee from the Court of Versailles throughout. It was all very strange, but it worked.

The public can enjoy upcoming performances of Twelfth Night at 7:30 pm on April 22, 23, and 24. Tickets are $8.00 at the box office.

Bob Gray
Reference and Interlibrary Loan Librarian

2010 STATE ONE-ACT PLAY FESTIVAL

On Friday, January 29, 2010, it was my privilege to attend the evening performance of "4 A.M.", presented by the Cambridge-Isanti High School Theatre Department as part of the 2010 State One-Act Play Festival.

An ensemble piece written by Jonathan Dorf, the play explores the question, "What's it like to be awake when the rest of your world is asleep?" Teen characters examine themselves, their relationships, and their place in the world through a series of vignettes and monologues tied together by the character of Frankie, a lonely and somewhat isolated radio DJ.

"4 A.M." premiered at a similar festival in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in April 2009. It is one of many plays and monologues written by Dorf, who holds a Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting from UCLA.

While the entire cast is commendable, special kudos go to Jake Budnick and Tylinn Fahrni. As Frankie, Mr. Budnick transcends the stationary nature of the part through the use of his very expressive voice, while Ms. Fahrni is remarkably natural and unaffected as Jane.

The Cambridge-Isanti High School Theatre Department hope to bring their interpretation of the play to the State Tournament, which will be held in the O'Shaughnessy Auditorium at St. Catherine's University on February 11, 2010.

"4 A.M." is directed by Kelly Fahrni.

Bob Gray, Reference and Interlibrary Loan Librarian

Cambridge Library Friends Awarded $1000

The Cambridge Friends of the Library received a $1000 cash award for the best Friends of the Library project in the State of Minnesota at the Minnesota Library Association convention in St. Cloud this past October. Lorie Fetzik, 2009 Cambridge Friends of the Library co-president, accepted the Evie Nordley Award on behalf of the Friends.

The Evy Nordley Award was presented by the Minnesota Association of Library Friends. The award recognizes the importance of Friends of the Library projects and the impact they have on their local libraries. Second and third place winners went to the Friends of the Lake City and Pelican Rapids Public Libraries.

The Cambridge Friends won the award for their 2009 Community Wide Read program which featured the Night Birds by Thomas Maltman, a book about the Sioux Uprising of 1876. The Community Wide Read Program included book discussion groups, a documentary and a hoop dance presentation by Dallas Chief Eagle. A companion children’s book about the Sioux Uprising, Battle Cry by Jan Neubert Schultz, was also part of the program. The award was judged on the impact of the project, the objectives, cost effectiveness, collaboration, planning, the target audience and funding sources.

Along with the $1000 cash award, the Friends were given a beautiful plaque representing their accomplishments. The award is on display at the Cambridge Public Library. Congratulations Cambridge Friends of the Library!

Vickie Sorn

Youth & Community Services Librarian

Organic Puppet Theater at the Cambridge Library

Maryauna, Aaron, Brandon, and Carson learned how to lead happy and healthy lives at the Cambridge Public Library on Saturday, May 9 when Linda Sorenson and her Organic Puppet Theater were here. The children made lung puppets and then presented a puppet show donning healthy organ props and costumes.

Nancy Dunbar, Cambridge Branch Librarian

First Cambridge Branch Librarian Named

Press Release



History was made at the Cambridge Public Library on Monday, February 2nd when local resident, Nancy Dunbar, started her position as the very first Cambridge Public Library Branch Librarian. The Cambridge Public Library is one of 14 branches that make up East Central Regional Library system, which provides library service in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine Counties in east central Minnesota. Thirteen of those branch libraries already have a Branch Librarian. Up until this month, the ECRL Director has also served as the Cambridge Librarian, as has been the practice since the regional library system began 50 years ago. Public service, reference service and programming duties were all divided amongst ECRL headquarters staff.

Nancy has lived in the Cambridge area for 25 years and worked for ECRL in circulation and reference services for 18 of those years. Nancy loves “learning new things everyday and helping others learn about what interests them.” Variety is one of the reasons she loves her job. It enables Nancy to work with all ages, genres and subjects. Plus one of the best things about working at the Cambridge Public Library and for ECRL, she says, is the “satisfaction I feel when I know a patron’s needs have been met and he/she leaves (the library) happy.”

When asked “Why do you believe libraries are an important part of a community?” Nancy replied that “libraries provide materials, activities and services that fulfill the lifelong learning needs of its patrons.” Considering that only 43% of Isanti County residents have a library card, Nancy believes it is important to “publicize library services, so patrons become aware of the diverse ways that libraries can benefit them.” With regard to public service, Nancy says, “It’s also important to provide good and helpful service. Satisfied users are great advocates for the public library.”

Library advocates are very important because providing services and funding libraries during these difficult economic times can be challenging. The biggest challenge Nancy sees at present is “providing for the needs of patrons and staff within” the “limited space of the Cambridge Public Library.” Thus, the biggest challenge for the future “will be funding and building a new library with adequate and functional space for patrons and staff.”

Nancy is spending the first few weeks as Cambridge Branch Librarian becoming familiar with her new duties, plus visiting several neighboring library systems for inspiration and ideas. ECRL Assistant Director, Nick Dimassis, will introduce Nancy to the Isanti County Board of Commissioners at their County Board meeting on March 17th.

The Cambridge Friends of the Library invite the public, including local city officials and business leaders, to an open house for Dunbar on Tuesday, March 10, from 5-7 p.m. at the library to celebrate this history making event for the Cambridge Public Library.

New faces

Welcome to Julie and Frances, who will be working in the public services area of the Cambridge Branch of East Central Regional Library

Barbara Misselt, Director

Internship at Cambridge Branch

Cambridge library users were fortunate to receive enhanced services for 8 weeks this fall, thanks to Jennifer Larson, who did an internship as part of her degree requirements for Metropolitan State University. Jennifer worked 3 days a week in the computer lab, and twice a week she gave after-school research help to children and young adults in the youth section of the library. Jennifer also put together pathfinders (research or study guides) on Minnesota History and Health and Nutrition. Thank you, Jennifer!

Barbara Misselt, Director

After school pilot project

Long about mid-afternoon in most libraries, the activity pace picks up and the noise level becomes a little more noticeable as the kids get out of school and descend on the library. Many of them sign up for computers, and others head for the tables to work on their homework.

This semester, the Cambridge library has a pilot project for those kids needing help finding the sources they need to do projects or write papers. Jennifer Larson, on an internship with Metro State University, has implemented an after-school program to help kids find what they need to do school projects, work on a hobby, or enjoy recreational reading. Flyers were sent to middle school students, inviting them to come and ask Jennifer to assist them in the library.

After school help is available at Cambridge on Monday and Tuesday afternoons from 3:15 to 6:15. The program runs from October 27th through December 16th.



Barbara Misselt, Director

Building gets a facelift

As I walked into the building this morning a guy facetiously said to me, "gee, I thought I was in the wrong place." Well, the address hasn't changed, so I assume that he meant that the Cambridge library looks really different these days since Isanti County crews have undertaken a cleanup and redo project on the building exterior. For the last couple weeks visitors to the library have been greeted by chainsaws, backhoes, and trucks hauling away the overgrowth. Lots of days pedestrians and cars have been directed away from the front of the library in the interest of safety. Even the interior of the library is affected since the shrubs that covered the large windows are gone and light streams in. No longer is there a hiding place for all sorts of who-knows-what potentially threatening public safety.

While standing on the sidewalk conferring with the crews, I've talked to lots of people who are thrilled with the work on their library home. I've had the opportunity to provide information (that's what librarians do best, you know) about the system. In Cambridge, Isanti County owns the building, which is the home of Cambridge library (upstairs) and East Central Regional Library headquarters(basement). The city partners with the utility costs. In all of ECRL, the branch facilities are owned by the cities and/or counties. ECRL provides staff and materials to operate the branches. It's a good system and cost-efficient by partnering multiple funding sources.

All the ECRL branches have unique looks that fit their communities. Marketing begins at home, and attractive, well-kept libraries project the pride of their communities. Expectation of quality is greatly influenced by visual perception and atmosphere. Our libraries are attractive and welcoming community centers to residents and readers for all sorts of educational and recreational retreats.

All cleaned up and ready for a paint-job
>

Barbara Misselt, Director

What Book Would You Save?

The One Book, Cambridge Community Wide Reading program committee would like to know what book is important to you. In the book chosen for the 2008 One Book Cambridge Community Wide Program, The Book Thief, books are very important to the main character, Liesel. She takes many chances with her life to find books during a time when book burnings were a regular occurrence in Germany. She even takes one right from a smoldering pile! Would you take such a chance?

As we celebrate School Library Media Month in April and National Library Week, April 13-19, stop and think about what the freedom to read means to you. Stop in and take a look at the display in the window of the Cambridge Public Library depicting the book burnings of WWII and the propaganda used by the U.S. to protest the book burnings. Did you know that books by Helen Keller, H. G. Wells and Jack London were burned in Germany? Take a peek at this informative display.

How important are books to you? If you had a fire in your home and you could safely save only ONE book, what book would you save? Stop by the Cambridge Public Library and fill out a form with your answer. Students in the local middle schools and high school are also participating in this thought provoking activity. We will collect all the entries and hope to have some of them published in the newspaper. Your name is optional. Help us discover what makes a book important to you!

Plus, there’s still time to join the One Book, Cambridge Community Wide Reading Program. Check out The Book Thief at the Cambridge Public Library or purchase your own copy at Scout & Morgan Books. Visit our website at http://www.ca-reads.com/ for more information on the program.

Vickie Sorn, Community Services Coordinator

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