July 2014

Volume 4, Issue 7

E-Connect

Welcome Elizabeth Shirek -

Chisago Lakes Branch Librarian

ECRL would like to welcome new Chisago Lakes Branch Librarian, Elizabeth Shirek. Elizabeth will be replacing Sarah Hawkins who has been promoted to the position of ECRL Resource Librarian (see story below).

Elizabeth received a Master of Library and Information Science with a focus on Youth Services from Simmons College in Boston. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Writing Intensive English from the University of Marquette in Milwaukee. She recently started working on a Children's Literature Certificate at Hamline University.

Elizabeth joins ECRL with experience as a school librarian, first in Cambridge, Massachusetts and then in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Most recently, she spent the 2013-14 school year working with the Minnesota Reading Corp in St. Paul.

Elizabeth says she is excited to return to the public library as that's where her education was focused and where her true passion lies. She loves working with members of the community of all ages. She is training this week and will start full-time at the Chisago Lakes Library on July 21, 2014. Stop by and let her know what you love about the library.

Former Branch Librarian Promoted

Sarah Hawkins (l) & Elizabeth Shirek (r)

Former Chisago Lakes Branch Librarian Sarah Hawkins has been promoted to the position of Resource Librarian for the region. Sarah has been a Branch Librarian at East Central Regional Library since July 2011 when she began her duties at the Pine City branch. She moved to the Chisago Lakes branch in April 2012.

Sarah's responsibility as Resource Librarian is to oversee, facilitate, and connect people with the resources they need. She manages ECRL's digital library as well as the physical adult and media collections; provides reference service to the public and library staff; and facilitates training for staff and the public to connect with resources. She also supervises interlibrary loan and represents ECRL in statewide library resource and reference initiatives.

Prior to coming to ECRL, Sarah had a broad library experience in reference, circulation, interlibrary loan, and technical services. She previously worked at the Anoka County Library, libraries at the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University, Great River Regional Library and St. Cloud State University.

Sarah is excited for this new challenge. She looks forward to the opportunity to play a positive role in ECRL service region wide, including exploring new avenues of service that provide information at the public's point of need. In this, she hopes to expand ECRL's reach beyond traditional library hours and buildings. Sarah also plans to continue building relationships in ECRL's communities, serving as a resource for both staff and the public.

Upcoming Legacy Programming

(events funded with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund)

Illusionist and Magician, Jared Sherlock

Princeton Area Library

Teen Summer Reading Program

Tuesday, July 15 - 2:00 pm

(appropriate for ages 12 and up)

Join us as Jared Sherlock, an award-winning illusionist and comic magician, blends his modern magic with comedy and audience interaction.

Stages Theater Company Workshop

Rush City Public Library

Tuesday, July 29 - 2:00 pm

Stages will lead two programs lasting one hour each. The Create a Play program will take the book, Taxi Dog (7-9 year olds) and move it from the page to the stage. The Games R Us program (10+) will explore theater games and exercises designed to develop acting skills. Call the Rush City Public Library at 320-358-3948 for more information and pre-registration information.

Funky Possum Dance Party

Funky Possum Dance Party is a high-energy, fun, and interactive show for children and families featuring the stars of the Emmy Award winning "The Zinghoppers Show", as seen on over 100 PBS Kids member stations nationwide. The program is geared toward families and kids 8 and under.

Funky Possum sings, dances, giggles and she'll have you and your family joining in the fun. Funky Possum will be accompanied with her pals, the goofy breakdancing rapper, Coconuts the Kangaroo and friendly Sunny Fixalot on the turntable.

Thursday, July 31
10:00 - McGregor City Hall
1:00 - Princeton Area Library

Monday, August 4
10:00 am - Aitkin High School Choir Room
1:00 pm - Mora Public Library
3:30 pm - Cambridge -Isanti High School Cafeteria

Tuesday, August 5
10:00 am - Mille Lacs Lake Community Library
1:00 pm - Milaca Community Library
3:30 pm - Rush City Public Library

Wednesday, August 6
10:00 am - Pine City Elementary School Auditorium
1:00 pm - Sandstone Public Library
3:00 pm - Hinckley Public Library

Thursday, August 7
10:00 am - North Branch Area Library
1:00 pm - Chisago Lakes Area Library
3:30 pm - Wyoming Area Library

Plus check out all the other activities going on throughout ECRL. Simply check any of the following spots on our website: NewsBits at www.ecrlib.org, Google calendar, ECRL Facebook page or follow us on Twitter@ecrlib.

What Does the Fox Say? Got a Question for Sherlock, the ECRL Mascot?

This summer

as part of our "Paws to Read" summer reading program, we asked kids to write to Sherlock, the ECRL Mascot and tell them about themselves, ask him a question, or tell him a story. Staff at each ECRL branch that participated would then have a staff member write back an answer and post it for the child to read.

Here are a few from our North Branch Area Library (answers courtesy of staff member, Chris Bicay). Enjoy!

Dear Sherlock,

What is your favorite book - Sonja, age 8

Dear Sonja,

When I was just a kit one of my favorite books was Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss. It's very tongue-twisty and loads of fun

to read out loud. Best regards, Sherlock Fox

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Sherlock,

Are you real? Rebekah, age 5

Dear Rebekah,

I can't wait until we meet someday here at the library so I can shake your paw, ahem, hand and introduce myself so you can see just how real I am. Maybe we can even get our picture taken together! Yours truly, Sherlock Fox

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dear Sherlock,

What does it feel like to be a maskot? You must be proud! Do you read books too? What are they about? You must be a nice guy! Sincerely, Hannah, age 8

Dear Hannah,

In the morning I spring out of bed brush my teeth (for 2 minutes), and beam with pride as I put on my vest and head off to one of the 14 East Central Regional Library branches where I meet so many amazing library patrons. All my friends think I'm the luckiest fox in the forest and fields because I, Sherlock, was to be chosen to the ECRL mascot! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to read! My favorite book is "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" by Roald Dahl (available through the North Branch Library).

Sincerely, Sherlock Fox

Help Us Plan

What kind of services should

East Central Regional Library

provide in the next few years?

Telling us what you think is important and helps us set the goals for our new Strategic Plan.Take the survey online or pick up a print copy in one of our branches.

Go to: Focus Group Survey

Come and tell us what you think at a Focus Group session at one of the following branches or outreach sites:

Outreach - Onamia Depot

Tues, Jul 15, 1:30 p.m.

Mora -

Tues, Jul 15, 6:30 p.m.

Sandstone -

Thurs, Jul 17, 4:30 p.m.

McGregor -

Thurs, Jul 17,4:30 p.m.

Milaca -

Tues, Jul 22, 12:00 noon

Pine City -

Tues, Jul 22, 6:30 p.m.

Wyoming -

Wed, Jul 23, 6:30 p.m.

Cambridge -

Thurs, Jul 24, 6:30 p.m.

Chisago Lakes -

Tues, Jul 29, 6:30 p.m.

Princeton -

Tues, Jul 29, 6:30 p.m.

Aitkin -

Wed, Jul 30, 4:30 p.m.

Rush City -

Wed, Jul 30, 6:30 p.m.

Outreach -

Jacobson Community Ctr. Thurs, Jul 31, 9:00 a.m.

Outreach -

Hill City Community Room - Thurs, Jul 31, 10:00 a.m.

Outreach -

McGrath Pavilion -

Thurs, Jul 31, 12:30 p.m.

Mille Lacs Lake (Isle) -

Thurs, Jul 31, 6:30 p.m.

Hinckley -

Tues, Aug 5, 4:30 p.m.

New ECRL

Overdrive Titles

(Search for any these in the Overdrive catalog)

eBook Titles

*The City by Dean Koontz

*The Collector by Nora Roberts

*Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury

*Concealed in Death by J. D. Robb

*Kiss and Tell by Fern Michaels

*Philomena by Martin Sixsmith

*Power Play by Catherine Coulter

*Silkworm by Robert Galbraith

*Top-Secret Twenty-One by Janet Evanovich

*Uncommon Marriage by Tony Dungy

eAudio Titles

*Against the Ropes by Sarah Castille

*All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

*The Big Fat Surprise by Nina Teicholz

*Busted by Karen Slaughter

*Convictions by Marcus Borg

*Cop Town by Karen Slaughter

*Family of Jesus by Karen Kingsbury

*Have a Nice Guilt Trip by Lisa Scottoline

*Invisible by James Patterson

*Take Me Home by Dorothy Garlock

Forthcoming Print Fiction in the ECRL catalog

Search for any of these items in the ECRL catalog:

*Courting Catherine by Nora Roberts

*Insatiable Appetites by Stuart Woods

*Love Gently Falling by Melody Carlson

*Marriage Charm by Linda Lael Miller

*Private India by James Patterson

*Private Vegas by James Patterson

*Shots Fired by C. J. Box

*Steadfast Heart by Tracie Peterson

*Sweet Surprise Romance Collection by Wanda Brunstetter

*Trust No One by Jayne Ann Krentz

Forthcoming Print Non-Fiction in the ECRL Catalog

Search for any of these titles in the ECRL Catalog:

*@War by Shane Harris

*Complete Book of Juicing by Michael Murray

*Hoops Whisperer by Idan Ravin

*Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy by Karen Abbott

*Neil Armstrong by Jay Barbree

*Power of Noticing by Max Bazeman

*Soldering Made Simple by Joe Silvern

*Walter Potter's Curious World of Taxidermy by Pat Morris

*Why We Lost by Daniel Bolger

*Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! by Bob Stanley

Forthcoming Children's Teen Books to the ECRL catalog

Search for any of these in the ECRL Catalog:

*Anatomy of a Misfit by Andrea Portes

*Complicit by Stephanie Kuehn

*Cyberbullying: Safety Online by Tracy Brown

*Feral by Holly Schindler

*Killing Ruby Rose by Jessie Humphries

*Rule of Thoughts by James Dashner

*Rumble by Ellen Hopkins

*Sanctum by Madeline Roux

*We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

*Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Stolarz

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.