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.

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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

McGregor Library Supports Habitat for Humanity

McGregor Library for opened up for Habitat for Humanity on Monday, July 12, 2010.

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.

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