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Building Libraries
ECRL is founded on partnerships between counties and cities. County governments in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine Counties share the cost of staff, materials, and equipment for library services in 14 cities plus an additional 9 where the Outreach van goes. The services are provided in buildings provided by the cities.
Several cities are in the process of building new or expanded facilities and are at various phases of their project:
On August 5th, the Aitkin City Council accepted a $341,968 state construction matching grant. The funds will partially fund an addition of 2,490 square feet to the existing 5,640 square foot branch. The additional space will be used for public programs, technology use, early literacy experiences, teen activities and needs of the community well into the future.
On August 7th, the Sandstone City Council heard the report of the LHB Inc. library consultant concerning the needs of the city for a new library. The Council voted to continue the process by identifying and assessing existing buildings and building sites for suitability for a new library.
On August 9th, the City of Cambridge kicked off its library feasibility study, being led by the Leo A. Daly design firm. There are two public meetings scheduled for citizens to discuss their wishes for a new library in Cambridge. Mark these dates - September 12th or September 17th at 7:00 p.m. at the Cambridge Library.
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New Pine City Branch Librarian Begins Work
Welcome to new Pine City Branch Librarian, Andrea Hermanson, who began work on Monday, July 29. She trained with ECRL HQ staff and then worked at several of ECRL branches her first week so she could visit different libraries and staff in the region.
Andrea recently moved back to Minnesota from Seattle, Washington, where her most recent job was at the South Central Community College. She also worked at the Seattle Public Library and the University of Washington as an Institutional Giving Officer, as well as several other jobs. She attended the University of Minnesota and has an MLS from the University of Washington. She brings a variety of gifts to the ECRL team. ECRL would like to welcome Andrea back to Minnesota.
 | | Andrea gets a "lift" from Mixed Nuts at their Pine City performance! |
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Upcoming Legacy Programming
Mascot Mania Tour Presents Sherlock, ECRL's New Mascot Monday, August 19
10:30 am - Mora Public Library
2:00 pm - Princeton Area Library
Tuesday, August 20
10:30 am - Mille Lacs Community Library - Isle
1:30 pm- Aitkin Public Library
4:00 pm - McGregor Public Library
Wednesday, August 21
10:30 am - Sandstone Public Library
1:00 pm - Hinckley Public Library
3:30 pm - Rush City Public Library
Thursday, August 22
10:30 am - Milaca Community Library
2:00 pm - Pine City Public Library
Friday, August 23
1:30 pm - Wyoming Area Library
Monday, August 26
10:30 am - Cambridge Public Library
1:00 pm - North Branch Area Library
Wednesday, August 28
10:30 am - Chisago Lakes Area Library
*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. |
The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir by Kao Kahlia
Yang
If family is important to you.....or you wish it was, this is the book for you. The book traces the Yang family's journey from the hills of Laos to several refugee camps in Thailand to Minnesota and California, with family being the central theme, especially reverence for the elderly. The audio book (I listened to the downloadable audio version) is particularly poignant, with the author narrating her own story.
Recommended by Mary Beth Woodrow, Aitkin Branch Librarian
The Devil's Bed by William Kent Krueger
Best known for his Cork O'Connor series, the talent of Minnesota author William Kent Krueger really shines in this stand-alone novel. My choice for vacation weekend reading, I was not disappointed in the well-paced plot of political intrigue and the believable characters that were so enjoyable, I hope to see them again! ECRL has this title available in softcover print format.
Recommended by Donna Larson, Rush City Branch Librarian
Vacationland by Minnesota author Sarah Stonich
Beautifully and cleverly written, it is a series of tales about a multitude of characters whose stories intersect and all have some connection to a historical resort in northern Minnesota along the Canadian border and near the Laurentian divide. Stonich has an incredible talent and ability to insert sharp humor and startling details into the narrative without disrupting the story. This book should be nominated for the Minnesota Book Awards!!
Recommended by Ceci Cross-Maser, Hinckley Branch Librarian
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
Orphan Train, correlates the problems of modern day orphans in foster care, to the orphaned children that were placed in Midwest homes from New York City, via the Orphan Trains. Molly, a 16 year old, is assigned service hours after stealing a book from the library, to help Vivian, a 90 year old widow. The memories flow from Vivian as they go through boxes of memorabilia in Vivian's attic. Molly goes from an insolent teenager, to a caring, thoughtful young woman during her time with Vivian. I recommend this book to teens through adulthood. The characters are believable and lovable. The story helps us see how many children were terribly mistreated years ago and are still being used and abused, today.
Recommended by Patty Thompson, Ass't Legacy Fund Coordnator
Canada by Richard Ford
"First, I'll tell about the robbery our parents committed. Then about the murders, which happened later." Thus, Ford draws us into this story of twin fifteen-year-olds, whose lives are irrevocably changed in an instant. We hear Del's voice, as he goes to Saskatchewan and an unimaginable life. This book, by Pulitzer prize-winning Richard Ford won the first Andrew Carnegie medal, given by the American Library Association last month. I read the eBook - one of the best I've read in a long time. ECRL also has it in print.
Recommended by Barbara Misselt, Director
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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.
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Author of the Month:
Stephen King
Dr. Sleep, the sequel to King's 1977 bestseller, The Shining, will be released in September.
If you enjoy King's novels, try these authors: John Saul, Bentley Little, Peter Straub, Joe Hill and Dean Koontz.
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Forthcoming Print Fiction in the ECRL catalog:
*The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom
*Rutherford Park by Elizabeth Cooke
*Andrew's Brain by E.L. Doctorow
*Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding
*Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford
*Wolves of Midwinter by Anne Rice
*The Art of Joy by Goliarda Sapienza
*Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield
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Forthcoming DVDs to the ECRL catalog:
*The Uninvited (1944) starring Ray Milland
*Losing Isaiah (1995) starring Jessica Lange
*Bates Motel: Season One (2013) starring Freddie Highmore
*The Great Gatsby (2013) starring Leonardo Dicaprio
*Mud (2013) starring Matthew McConaughey
*Oblivion (2013) starring Tom Cruise
*On the Road (2013) starring Garrett Hedlund
*Star Trek - Into Darkness (2013) starring Chris Pine
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Forthcoming Print Non-Fiction in the ECRL Catalog
*Cotton Tenants by James Agee
*Guns of the Old West by Charles Chapel
*Secrets of the Notebook by Eve Haas
*Johnny Cash: The Life by Robert Hilburn
*Sweet Corn Spectacular by Marie Porter
*Football Nation by Susan Reyburn
*The Great War by Hilary Roberts
*Building Your Backyard Homestead by David Toht
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New ECRL Overdrive Titles
eBook Titles
*Ashes to Ashes by Tami Hoag
*Dark Coulee by Mary Logue
*High Heat by Lee Child
*Lost and Found in Cedar Cove by Debbie Macomber
*Sacrifice by Beverly Lewis
eAudio Titles
*Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
*Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
*Mistress by James Paterson
*My Father's Secret War by Lucinda Franks
*Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
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Did You Know?
*Lizzie Borden Took an Ax...." On August 4, 1892
*Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961
*The atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945
*Richard Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974
*The Berlin Wall was erected on August 13, 1961
*Paris was liberated on August 25, 1944, ending German occupation
*The Wizard of Oz was released on August 25, 1939
*August 26th is "National Dog Day"
*Martin Luther King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech on August 28, 1963
*Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a car crash on August 31, 1997
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Renew Your Library Card Every Two Years
A new feature in "My Library Card Account" on the website lets you know when it will expire. Sign in and select "Account Preferences" tab. If necessary, renew it at any branch or outreach site. Don't wait until some night when you want to download an eBook and you find out then that you need to renew.
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