Tuesday, February 1, 2011

New Rush City Branch Librarian Named


“People who subscribe to a personal philosophy of ‘living to learn’ have, I think, a natural affinity for the library, “says the new Rush City Branch Librarian, Donna Larson. Donna, who recently accepted the position in Rush City, previously worked at the Princeton Area Library, so she is familiar with the East Central Regional Library system. Being with and serving people who want to and love to learn is her favorite part of working at the library. Witnessing that sense of desire and anticipation when a customer comes into the library is invigorating.

Donna’s love of reading started early in her life. Being somewhat of an insomniac, Donna found that reading novels at night helped her sleep. Reading books helped direct her mind away from the activities of the day and allowed her to vicariously experience other people’s lives and experience the world from its pages.

Donna hopes to become more acquainted with the Rush City community and ascertain how the library can best serve its patrons. She is eager to become involved in the children’s storytime, summer reading activities and other library events. As she starts her new position, Donna is also excited about working with the Rush City Friends of the Library and developing a larger volunteer base to benefit the library.

Donna hopes to use her overriding enthusiasm plus all the tools the library has to offer including its collection and its network of people to best serve the community. So be careful, she might just infect you with her enthusiasm. Donna believes as Charles “Tremendous” Jones once said, “You will be the same person in five years as you are today but for the people you meet and the books you read.”

Stop by the Rush City Public Library and take a moment to meet Donna and check out something from the library. Who knows….you might just be a different person the next time you come back to visit.

Vickie Sorn, Youth & Community Services Librarian
Press Release

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Minnesota Book Awards Nomination

East Central Regional Library: Fifty Years of Connections 1959-2009 has been nominated for the 23rd annual Minnesota Book Awards. The book was written by recently retired Technical Services Librarian Marilyn McGriff as part of the observance of ECRL's fiftieth anniversary. The book has been nominated in the category titled "Minnesota." You can check out a copy from any ECRL branch. Reserve your copy in our online catalog.

Preliminary round finalists of the 23rd Annual Minnesota Book Awards will be announced after judging on January 29th. Winners will be announced at the Book Awards Gala.

The list of all 2010-2011 nominees is here.

If you're looking for a good read, check out the list of past Minnesota Book Awards honorees. Minnesota is the home of some of the best authors, and many of their books are about Minnesota or are set in locations you'll recognize.

Anniversary Book

Barbara Misselt, Director

Monday, December 20, 2010

Holiday Spirit Alive!

The Grinch did not steal the holiday spirit from Wyoming Area Giese Memorial Library patrons this year. Branch Librarian, Rebecca Hostetler, collaborated with Heidi Neff of Chisago County Human Services, to create a list of names for the library Giving Tree. This year 31 children requested books. First names and ages of the children were written on tags. Children, teens, and adults chose names and purchased a book for each of them. Monetary donations of nearly $350 purchased an additional 66 books providing roughly 100 children with the gift of reading.


In this second year of the Giving Tree, based on the book by Shel Silverstein, I wish to express my sincere thanks to all who helped make this another successful year. The generosity of the community to these children is indeed a sign that the Grinch is not welcome here!
Rebecca Hostetler
Branch Librarian
Wyoming Area Giese Memorial Library