News from East Central Regional Library

February 2013

Volume 3, Issue 2

E-Connect

What's Your Queue Number?

If you are waiting on a hold list for a print copy of a new best-seller, you can now see what position you are in the holds queue. This feature is a long-awaited enhancement, and was implemented with the library system upgrade this past weekend.

To see where you are in the queue, log into "My Library Card Account" and go to the "Holds" tab. Your queue position is under the "Status" column. If it says "5 hold on 7 circulating copies" that means that you are number 5 on the list and ECRL owns 7 copies that are in circulation. Each time one of those copies is checked in, it will go to the next person on the waiting list. If you have email notification, you will receive an email telling you when your item can be picked up. Otherwise, you will receive a call.

For eBook and eAudio book readers, the queue position is also part of the holds display in your account.

ECRL's library service is managed through Evergreen, a complex data management system. Evergreen holds all the customer or patron records, and authenticates access to our online catalog of physical items, eBook service, MnLink, and subscription resources, such as Chilton's automotive information. Because ECRL has a small IT Department onsite and the headquarters facility is not equipped to adequately house servers, we partner with PALS at Minnesota State University at Mankato to operate Evergreen, an open source library system that originated with the Georgia Pines library consortium. PALS's programmers also run library automation systems for Minnesota State Colleges and the University.

Name ECRL's New Mascot Contest

ECRL is getting a new mascot and we need your help naming it. So put on your thinking cap and be a winner! To submit a name you may download an entry form or pick one up at any of our ECRL branches, link sites or outreach stops. The deadline to submit an entry is March 15! Other rules apply, so read the entry form carefully. Here is the entry form. The mascot is funded with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and part of our Mascot Mania Program.

Staff Recommendations

Recommended by Kathy Morrow, Mille Lacs Lake Branch Librarina

Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single by Heather McElhatton
Hilarious novel set in Minnesota--Jennifer is in search of a man and when she finds one, she's not so sure she wants him.

Recommended by Misty Anderson, Milaca Community Library aide

The "Library Lover's" mystery series by Jenn McKinlay

This is a cozy series that truely documents what it is like to work in a library. I found that the author was spot on with her ability to portray life as a library professional while giving a good laugh.

Recommended by Robin Yoerger Duple, Pine City Branch Librarian

150 Pounds: a novel of waists and measures by Kate Rockland
Though both women blog about body image and health concerns, Alexis (100 pounds) and Shoshana (215 pounds) live in very different worlds--Alexis obsesses about her caloric intake and spends hours at the gym, while Shoshana eats whatever she wants and devotes her blog to empowering overweight women. After both of them appear on Oprah together, each expressing a very different message about female body image, their life circumstances begin to change. Surprisingly, they both end up weighing 150 pounds, which changes everything for both of them.

Recommendations by Vickie Sorn, Youth & Community Services Librarian

Wonder by R. J. Palacio
A wonderful children's book about being different. Auggie has a facial deformity and goes to school for the first time in 5th grade. A story about family relationships, bullying and finding out what a true friend is. I personally think it should have won the Newbery over The One and Only Ivan.

Princesses of Iowa by M. Molly Backes
Great teen read about the relationship between three high school friends growing up in rural Iowa. One night the decision they make changes all their lives and makes at least one of them reassess what is truly important in her life.

Upcoming Legacy Programming

The Civil War: an Interactive Experience

with Arn Kind (most appropriate for older audience)

Sandstone Public Library Legacy logo

Saturday, February 16 - 10:00 am

Hinckley Public Library

Saturday, February 16 -2:00 pm

Chisago Lakes Area Library

Tuesday, February 26 - 7:00 pm

Rush City Public Library

Thursday, February 28 - 6:30 pm

Learn what it was like to really be a soldier in the Civil War through artifacts, uniforms, equipment and drills.

Mascot Mania

ECRL Board member, Margery Swanson, meets Clifford at Pine City Public Library!

Join us at the library for a short storytime and meet and greet with your favorite Children's Book Character. Don't forget to bring your camera!

Little Critter

Saturday, February 16
11:00 am - Hinckley Public Library

Olivia

Saturday, February 23
11:00 am - Mora Public Library

Llama Llama

Saturday, March 9

11:00 am - Princeton Area Library

Max the Bunny

Saturday, March 23

10:30 am - Aitkin Public Library

A Recipes to Remember Scrapbooking Workshop

Turn family recipes and photos into a family heirloom. Participants are welcome to bring pictures & memorabilia. Program is designed for adults. Class size is limited, so you must pre-register by calling the library.

Princeton Area Library - Thursday, February 21 - 4:00 pm

(763-389-3753)

Pine City Public Library - Saturday, February 23 - 10:00 am

(320-629-6403)

Mora Public Library - Saturday, March 16 - 1:00 pm

(320-679-2642)

Larry Yazzie and the Native Pride Dancers

Chisago Lakes Area Library

Educational Program - Monday, March 4 - 4:00 pm

Chisago Lakes High School Performing Arts Center

29400 Olinda Trail, Lindstrom, MN.

Performance - Monday, March 4 - 7:00 pm

ebook classes

*All events are free and open to the public!

*All programs funded with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Call your local ECRL branch for more information about each program.

Plus there are lots of other activities going on throughout ECRL. Simply check the NewsBits at www.ecrlib.org or our Google calendar.

ECRL's Mission

Connecting and strengthening communities

through the power of knowledge.

*East Central Regional Library is funded by the counties of Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine.

ECRL also receives state and federal funds.

Author of the Month: Jeff Shaara

Shaara published his first novel, Gods and Generals, in 1996. Many bestsellers followed, including The Last Full Measure (1998) and The Rising Tide (2006). Blaze of Glory was published in 2012 and received superlative reviews ("Brilliant....riveting....a work to be embraced" -- Bookreporter). A Chain of Thunder chronicles the siege of Vicksburg and will be released in May. Jeff is the son of Michael Shaara, who won the Pulitzer Prize for The Killer Angels in 1975.

Forthcoming Titles in the ECRL catalog:

Search for any of these items in the ECRL Online Catalog:

*Tapestry of Fortune by Elizabeth Berg
*Parlor Games by Maryka Biaggio
*The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier
*Killer Ambition by Marcia Clark
*A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan
*Sleight of Hand by Phillip Margolin
*Chain of Thunder by Jeff Shaara
*Aftershock by Andrew Vachss

Forthcoming DVDS to the ECRL catalog:

Search for any of these in the ECRL Online Catalog

*The Big Country (1958) starring Gregory Peck
*Born Free (1966) starring Virginia McKenna
*Hemingway & Gellhorn (2011) starring Nicole Kidman
*Anna Karenina (2012) starring Keira Knightley
*Life of Pi (2012) starring Suraj Sharma
*The Master (2012) starring Joaquin Phoenix
*Ripper Street (2012) starring Matthew Macfayden
*The Sessions (2012) starring Helen Hunt

Forthcoing Non-Fiction in the ECRL Catalog

Search for any of these titles in the ECRL Catalog

*What My Mother Gave Me by Elizabeth Benedict
*Murder at the Supreme Court by Martin Clancy
*Your Child's Path by Susan Engel
*Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversation by Peter Evans
*Harold E. Stassen by Alec Kirby
*Mafia Summit by Gil Reavill
*Storm Kings by Lee Sandlin
*Lone Wolf Terrorism by Jeffrey D. Simon

New Juvenile DVDS

added to the catalog:

Search for any of these

in the ECRL Catalog

*Hotel Transylvania
*The Aristocats
*Penguins of Madagascar: Operation Antarctica
*Arthur Christmas
*Chugginton: Traintastic Adventures
*Caillou's Mysteries and Adventures
*Veggie Tales: Robin Good and his not-so-merry men
*Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters
*Pete's Dragon (35th Anniversary)
*Pirates: Band of Misfits
*Magic School Bus: Super Star Power
*Cinnamon
*Bugs Bunny Superstar
*Mickey and Donald Have a Farm
*Happiness is....Peanuts: Team Snoopy

Remaining eBook Classes Scheduled

There are still eBook classes available at five of our ECRL branches. This class will be an hour demonstration and lecture followed by up to two hours of individual help time. Participants should bring their devices if they wish as the instructor will address individual issues during that help time. Pre-registration is required. The class will have a maximum of 30 participants. A waiting list will be available. Call your local East Central Regional Library branch to see if room remains in each class and to preregister:

February 22 at 10:00 am Sandstone Public Library

February 22 at 2 pm - Hinckley Public Library

February 26 at 1 pm

Mora Public Library

March 1 at 10 am

Cambridge Public Library

March 1 at 2 pm

Chisago Lakes Area Library

Holiday Library

Closing Schedule!

All East Central Regional Branches will be closed for President's Day as follows:

The Aitkin, Cambridge, Chisago Lakes, Mora, North Branch, Princeton branches and the ECRL HQ will be closed on Monday, February 18.

The Hinckley, McGregor, Milaca, Mille Lacs Lake, Pine City, Rush City and Sandstone branches will be closed on Tuesday, February 19.