March
 2017
Volume 7, Issue 3
ECRL Newsletter Logo  

E-Connect 


Barbara Misselt views retirement as next chapter in service to community
 
Barbara Misselt recognized by Mike Warring on behalf of ECRL Board.
Isanti County Commissioner Mike Warring was right on the money when talking about Barbara Misselt during a special recognition of her retirement at this month's East Central Regional Library Board of Directors meeting. "We always admired how Barb treats people, the staff and the board with respect," he said.
 
That statement meant a lot to Barb because it reflects her philosophy -- "We need to work together, even if we don't always agree" - the same philosophy she put into action throughout the past nine years as director of Minnesota's first regional library system. Overseeing a staff of 80-plus at 14 branch libraries and eight outreach sites, she strived to make sure people worked together across the east central region.
 
She also has full confidence in the new Executive Director, Carla Lydon, whose first day on the job is April 2, 2017.
 
"My career at ECRL has been fulfilling and enjoyable because of the professional staff team, at Headquarters and across the branches and the committed Board of Directors," Barb said. "I am confident in the abilities of Assistant Director Carla Lydon who has been appointed to be the new ECRL Executive Director."
 
Branch mtg 3-2017
Barb pictured with branch librarians and ECRL headquarters staff at this month's branch meeting in Cambridge.
For Barb, working with the counties and cities in the ECRL region, along with the state's 11 other regional library systems, is important for the success of the library system. Such collaboration is done for the citizens of Minnesota, and so is advocacy, which recently brought Barb to the state Capitol to testify for Legacy funding. "One success helps others succeed," she said.
 
Find a way to say "Yes" is not just a sign found at ECRL headquarters, it's an expectation that Barb put on herself and staff in service to the public. The ECRL Board highlighted Barb's adoption of this mindset, which she later explained. "You find a way to attain what goal people want to accomplish," she said. "Instead of saying no, let's get creative and find a way to accomplish what you need."
 
While Barb's last day as ECRL's lead administrator is fast approaching, she is not viewing retirement in the traditional way. "It's a passage to the next chapter, a transition to the next phase in service to the community," she said. Barb and husband Ron are moving back home to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where family and a new home await.
How do I talk to children about their safety?

How do I talk to children about personal safety without scaring them to death? Parents, grandparents, youth leaders, and teachers who ask this question are encouraged to attend a presentation by Alison Feigh, program manager of the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, from 6:30-8 pm Thursday, March 30 at the Mora Public Library

Alison Feigh
Her presentation, Teachable Safety Skills: Replacing Myths with Facts, also will be held 6:30-8 pm Tuesday, April 11 at North Branch Area Library. Audiences will be provided with current information about various safety concerns children and teens are facing today, both in-person and online, and how to educate youth on those concerns in a positive way.

As a classmate of Jacob Wetterling, Alison learned early on how important it is to protect children and youth from exploitation. Through working in the sexual abuse prevention field for more than 15 years, she believes in avoiding fear-based approaches to empower children and teens to walk around smart and not scared. Her high-energy presentations reflect her passion for working with children and youth. 

This program is funded with a grant from Resource Training and Solutions and presented by the East Central Regional Library. For more information, visit www.ecrlib.org or call 763-689-7390.
Upcoming Legacy Programming
(Events funded with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund)

Check out the following events, and don't forget about all the other activities going on throughout ECRL. Simply check the Events Calendar on our website, ECRL Facebook page or follow us on Twitter@ecrlib.

Joel Karsten to discuss Straw Bale Gardens
 
Joel Karsten  will discuss his book,  Straw Bale Gardens Complete, at 3 pm Sunday, March 19 at Mora Public Library.  

Register now for Penny Rugs workshop

Saturday, March 25, 10:30 am
North Branch Area Library

Thrifty homemakers in the Civil War era used scraps of wool or felted wood from old clothing, blankets and hats to make designs for mats or rugs. Coins were used as templates, and circular pieces were stitched in blanket stitch fashion. Learn all about it at this two-hour workshop. Pre-registration required; contact the North Branch Area Library at 651-674-8443 or in person to register.

Find your dancin' shoes for Finn Hall in Askov

Saturday, April 1, 1 pm
Pine County Historical Society, Askov

The East Central Regional Library and Pine County Historical Society are pleased to present a series of folk dance instruction and live performance, free and open to the public. Don't miss this month's talent, the Finnish-American group Finn Hall. Dance workshops for ages 14 and up. Singles and couples welcome. No registration necessary. For more information, contact your local ECRL branch or visit www.ecrlib.org.

Cambridge Writer's Workshop Series explores poetry; all backgrounds and abilities welcome

Rachel Moritz
Tuesday, April 11, 6 pm
Cambridge Public Library

In this introductory workshop, participants will read free-verse poetry to act as a springboard and inspiration for generating their own new writing. Talk about some of the essentials of poetic language. Explore the way poetry calls people to use words and order to capture personal experiences. Poets of all backgrounds and abilities welcome; no prior experience necessary. Pre-registration is required; contact the Cambridge Public Library by phone (763-689-7390) or in person to register.

Stride's Duluth: Brian Freeman Author Tour
(RESCHEDULED)

Thursday, April 20, 6:30 pm 
Aitkin Public Library
 
Join Minnesota author Brian Freeman for his Stride's Duluth slideshow presentation, profiling real-life places in the Northland that have been featured in his thrillers. You'll never look at Duluth the same way again.

The Raptor Center comes to Pine City

Saturday, April 22, 10:30 am
Pine City Public Library

It's Earth Day, so why not take advantage of an opportunity to learn about and explore the different raptors found in Minnesota and their role in the environment? Many topics will be addressed, from the success stories of a peregrine falcon and bald eagle to protecting raptors and the world we share.

Arn Kind on the Civil War Experience

Monday, April 24, 6 pm
Cambridge Public Library

Learn about the causes of the Civil War, important events leading up to the war, the reason men volunteered to go off and fight, the daily life of the typical soldier, their uniforms and equipment, and how the war was fought.

Sit Down with a Stand-up, comedy performance with Scott Novotny

Saturday, April 29, 3 pm 
(Sit Down with a Stand-up program)
McGregor Public Library

Saturday, April 29, 6:30 pm 
(Comedy performance)
McGregor School Auditorium

Sit Down with a Stand-Up is a program that incorporates the history and culture of stand-up comedy in Minnesota and its development since the 1970s. Scott Novotny guides participants through stand-up comedy, improvisation, and comedy writing as well as live demonstrations of a comedy routine. This program for teens and adults will last 60-90 minutes. Pre-registration is required and will start April 4. Contact the McGregor Public Library at 218-768-3305 to register. The comedy performance at 6:30 pm is free and open to the public.
New ECRL 
Overdrive Titles
 (Search for these titles 
  
Adult eBook Titles
* A Perfect Obsession by Heather Graham
* The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs
* A Dangerous Place by Jacqueline Winspear
* Isaac's Storm by
Erik Larson
* The Ex by Alafair Burke
* Marathon by Brian Freeman
* The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff
* Forever a Hero by Linda Lael Miller
* The Millionaires by Brad Meltzer
* Fortune Hunter by Jana DeLeon

Adult eAudio Titles
*16th Seduction by James Patterson
*The General's Women by Susan Wittig Albert
*Into the Fire by Jeaniene Frost
*Relentless Spirit by Missy Franklin
*The Shimmering Road by Hester Young
*If Not for You by Debbie Macomber
*Man Overboard by J.A. Jance
*Raging Heat by Richard Castle
*The Lost Girls by Heather Young
* The Cutthroat  by Clive Cussler
March CDs 
  (Search for titles 
i n the  ECRL catalog)

TOP 40
*Into the Fog by The Black Crowes
*Divide by Ed Sheeran

COUNTRY
*Baptized in Bourbon by Moonshine Bandits
*The Breaker by Little Big Town
*WildHorse by  RaeLynn
* Live from Austin, TX by Steve Earle
*Make America Great Again by various artists
Forthcoming 
Adult Fiction Books
(Search for these items 
in the ECRL catalog)

*Paradise Valley by C.J. Box
*Seeing Red by Sandra Brown
*The Late Show by Michael Connelly
*Gone Gull by Donna Andrews
*Sweetbriar Cottage  by Denise Hunter
* Look Behind You  by Iris Johansen
* The Boy by Tami Hoag
*Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber
*Exposed by Lisa Scottoline
*Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer
Forthcoming  Adult 
Non-Fiction Books
(Search for any of these titles in the ECRL catalog)

*4-Minute Fit by Siphiwe Baleka
*The Black Hand by Stephan Talty
*Caesar's Last Breath by Sam Kean
*Salvage Style by Leslie Linsley
*DNA Is Not Destiny by Steven J. Heine
*Ice Cream & Friends by the editors of Food52
*Grace Notes by Katey Sagal
*Homegrown Pantry by Barbara Pleasant
*My Fellow Soldiers by Andrew Carroll
*The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
New Teen Books
(Search for any of these 
i n the ECRL catalog)

* #famous by Jilly Gagnon
* Beautiful Broken Girls by Kim Savage
* Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza
* The Great Pursuit by Wendy Higgins
* Lifeblood by Gena Showalter
 

* One Blood Ruby by Melissa Marr
* Sad Perfect by Stephanie Elliot
* The Ship Beyond Time by Heidi Heilig
*Ultimatum by K.M. Walton
*Wonderful Feels Like This by Sara Lovestam
Welcome & Farewell
(Recent staff changes reported to the ECRL Board)

Welcome to staff members new to positions:
Carla Lydon, Executive Director, begins April 2.

Farewell to Emilee Petersen, Technical Services Assistant II (Cataloger), Headquarters.
join_our_team_sign.jpg
For employment opportunities at East Central Regional Library, v isit our Jobs page.
 
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.  

 

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