News from East Central Regional Library

June 2015

Volume 5, Issue 6

E-Connect

Outreach @ Hill City Expo

Outreach Librarian, Tim Olson,

waiting for the expo to begin

Outreach Librarian, Tim Olson, and Youth & Community Services Librarian, Vickie Sorn spent much of Wednesday, May 27 at the Hill City School District community expo. An exhibit table was set up in the gym alongside representatives from other local organizations and businesses. The expo was held from 2-7 pm. People signed up for ECRL cards and learned about not only the ECRL system and its services, but the Outreach program in more depth. Fun giveaways were handed out to those who stopped by as well. Over 40 people stopped and chatted with us. Many people were not aware that ECRL stopped at Hill City and that they could access databases, ebooks, eAudios, magazines and more by simply having an ECRL card.

Aitkin County Commissioner, Anne Marcotte, signs up for an ECRL card at the expo!

Princeton Branch Librarian Retires

Congratulations to Robin Suhsen, who ended her library career on June 5th concluding 28 ½ years of public service as the Branch Librarian at the Princeton Area Library. When Robin started her library career at the Princeton Area Library on January 6, 1987 it was in the former railroad depot several blocks west of downtown Princeton. The building was shared with the historical society and much too small for the growing community. True to the sign that hangs on the wall above Robin's desk "Anything is possible", a new Princeton library was built and Robin led the moving in 1995.

Throughout her career, Robin has provided library visitors with great customer service and a positive smile. Much has changed in the library, and Robin has eagerly embraced learning new ideas as they came along. She was selected for the 2005 inaugural Minnesota Library Association Leadership Institute.

Now Robin is ready for new challenges. With her trademark grin she quotes John Muir - "The mountains are calling and I must go." Best wishes, Robin. Thanks for all you've done.

Staff Reviews

A Deadly Wandering: A Tale of Tragedy and Redemption in the Age of Attention by Matt Richtel (print)

If you've ever wondered what impact technology really has on us, this is the book for you! It

alternates between scientific explanations about how technology affects the brain and the narrative of a 2006 fatal car accident that was caused by a texting driver, and it will have you reexamining your everyday behaviors when it comes to your smartphone, computer, etc. If you only have time to read one book this spring/summer, this should be the book.

Sarah Either, Wyoming Branch Librarian

A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II by Adam Makos with Larry Alexander (print)

I enjoyed this book even more than the wildly popular Unbroken. They are similar in that both are the result of extensive research that details a true WW II story involving characters from opposing sides. A Higher Call tells of two pilots -- an American bomber and a German fighter -- how their lives intersect in the skies above Europe and about their eventual meeting more than four decades later. I found it particularly interesting to learn about aerial combat and the daily lives of Luftwaffe pilots, whom many Germans considered heroes before and during the war but often as traitors afterward when they were unable to win the war for their countrymen. Highly recommended.

Donna Larson, Rush City Branch Librarian

The Wild Truth by Carine McCandless (print, bk on CD, eBook)

The book on CD is read by the author. She talks about her own life as well as her brother's, which was the subject of the book Into the Wild and his journey into the Alaskan wilderness and subsequent death. Very good.

Betty Evans, Milaca Community Library Branch aide

Upcoming Legacy Programming

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

Heebie Jeebies

2015 Read to the Rhythm

Summer Reading Outreach Program Kickoff

Glen Everhart's Heebie Jeebies Family Comedy Music show is perfect for the whole family. Kids will laugh, dance, and move their way through his show full of original kids comedy songs.

Monday, June 15

10:30 am - Braham Community Center

1:00 pm - Isanti Primary School Gym

Tuesday, June 16

10:30 am - Rolf Olson Center - Onamia

1:30 pm - McGrath Pavilion

Thursday, June 17

10:30 am - Hill City Community Room

1:00 pm - Jacobson Community Center

Friday, June 18

10:00 am - Duquette Hall

1:00 pm - Wagner Town Hall - Giese

Choo Choo Bob & Friends

Great Northern Depot - 101 10th Ave. South

Princeton, MN

Tuesday, June 23 - 7:00 pm

Love trains? Love music? Then you'll love this program with Choo Choo Bob & Friends (as seen on Antenna TV). Family fun entertainment! Bring a lawn chair or blanket! In partnership with the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce & the Mille Lacs County Historical Society.

Illusionist and Magician, Jared Sherlock

Wyoming Area Library

Tuesday, July 7 - 6:30 pm

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

This event is free and open to the public. Great program for teens and family friendly entertainment!

Old MacDonald Had a Banjo

Cambridge Public Library

Wednesday, July 8 - 10:30 am

Imagine a farm full of songs entertaining and educating the audience with singing, movement, and silliness. Folk musician Paul Imholte plays the part of Old MacDonald as he sings original and classic children's songs.

Pint Size Polkas

Catchy sing-along polka songs and a lots of interaction including trivia questions, name that tune, the chicken dance and more! Plus learn how to do the polka. Family fun for all ages.

Wednesday, July 8 - 7:00 pm

Rush City Public Library

Thursday, July 9 - 7:00 pm

McGregor Public Library

Wednesday, July 15 - 1:00 pm

Pine City Public Library

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Bird-A-Wocky

North Branch Area Library

Thursday, July 16 - 2:00 pm

Learn about the differences between birds and other animals. For all ages.

Splashy, Flashy, Frogs

North Branch Area Library

Wednesday, July 22 - 10:30 am

Dive into the fabulous and noisy world of frogs. For all ages.

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.

Attention Chisago County Residents!

East Central Regional

Library is pleased to be a part of the Chisago County Blandin Broadband Community (BBC) Initiative, a group of residents who are actively seeking to improve Internet access for the people in Chisago County. The group's first step is to measure the current access, speed levels and determine interest in higher speed Internet access with a survey. The survey will only take you 10 minutes and contains 20 multi-choice questions. Complete the survey by June 30, 2015, and you will be entered into a drawing for an IPAD.

One survey per street address, please. The survey can be found online at www.chisagocounty.org

New ECRL

Overdrive Titles

(Search for any these in the Overdrive catalog)

eBook Titles

* Crossing by Michael Connelly

* Dietland by Sarai Walker

*Jesus Cow by Michael Perry

* The Keeper by John Lescroart

*Moonlight on Butternut Lake by Mary McNear

* Protector by Diana Palmer

*Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

* Steeped in Evil by Laura Childs

* Stripped: Jonathan Stride, Book 2 by Brian Freeman

* Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke

eAudio Titles

* Bound by Flames: Night Prince Series, Bk 3 by Jeanlene Frost

* Code of Conduct by Brad Thor

*Dead Ice: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Series Bks 24 by Laurell K. Hamilton

*Independance Day: Dewey Andreas Series, Bk 5 by Ben Coes

*Last One Home by Debbie Macomber

*Master: Game Maker Series, Bk 2 by Kresley Cole

*Silver Linings; Rose Harbor Novel by Debbie Macomber

*Stalked; Jonathan Stride Series, Bk 3 by Brian Freeman

*When You're Back: Rosemary Beach Series, Bk 12 by Abbi Glines

New DVDs in the ECRL catalog

Search for any of these in the ECRL catalog

*Blackhat starring Michael Mann

*Con Artist starring Donald Sutherland

*Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts

*Home Sweet Hell starring Patrick Wilson

*Kingsman: Secret Service starring Colin Firth

*One Day starring Anne Hathaway

*Pitch Perfect starring Anna Kendrick

*Second Best Marigold Hotel starring David Strathairn

*Son of a Gun starring Ewan McGregor

*Tracers starring Taylor Lautner

Forthcoming Print Fiction in the ECRL catalog

Search for any of these items in the ECRL catalog:

*Bazaar of Bad Dreams: Stories by Stephen King

*Brush of Wings by Karen Kingsbury

*Corrupted by Lisa Scottoline

*Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell

*Foreign Affairs by Stuart Woods

*Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen

*Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom

*Pharoah's Secret by Clive Cussler

*Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham

*Twice Blessed by Barbara Cameron

Forthcoming Print Adult Non-Fiction Books in the ECRL Catalog

Search for any of these titles in the ECRL Catalog :

*Everyday Super Food by Jamie Oliver

*Fast Food, Good Food by Andrew Weil

*Glenn Beck's the American Crisis by Glenn Beck

*Happy Cooking by Glada De Lauarentis

*Home: The Art of Effortless Design by Ellen DeGeneres

*Mark Bittman's Kitchen Matrix by Mark Bittman

*Plunder and Deceit by Mark Levin

*Simply Nigelia by Nigella Lawson

*Target Israel by Tim LaHaye

New Music CDs

in the ECRL catalog

Search for any of these in the ECRL Catalog:

TOP 40

*Beneath the Skin by Of Monsters and Men

*Before This World by James Taylor

*Dark Before Dawn by Breaking Benjamin

*Drones by Muse

*Everything is 4 by Jason Derulo

*The Original High by Adam Lambert

*Unbreakable Smile by Tori Kelly

COUNTRY

*About to Get Real by Easton Corbin

*Django and Jimmie by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard

*Now That's What I Call Country! Volume 8

*Southernality by A Thousand Horses

*Summer Forever by Billy Cunningham

ECRL's Mission

To strengthen communities by connecting people with resources, spaces, and educational experiences that enrich and empower their lives.

*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.