Happy New Year

The Library is closed early 10-2
on Monday, December 31 st .


We are closed on Tuesday, January 1st.


Have a great holiday. See you on
Wednesday, January 2nd.

Library Holiday Closed Dates

Kasson Public Librarywill be closed

on the following dates:

Monday, December 24th

Tuesday, December 25th

Closed Early Monday, December 31st 10:00-2:00

Tuesday, January 1st Closed

Jill Foley Violinst at Praire Meadows

The library, as part of our Books on Wheels program, had Violinist Jill Foley play at Prairie Meadows today. The residents thoroughly enjoyed her performance of Christmas songs. Her daughter Sydney played a few songs with her mother and her sister Kayleigh picked up her toy violin to try to play along with them. We felt very privileged to have Jill and her children take time to entertain all of us.

Jill and her family are new residents to our area and currently live in Manorville. She started playing the violin at nine years old and has played for the past twenty four years. Jill has played with the Peoria Symphony and has a Masters in Suzuki Violin Instruction. She is available for lessons, weddings, and special occasion and you can contact her at 507-635-3437 or fiddlejill@yahoo.com.

I took pictures of the residents, Jill and her children.

Christmas Activity 12/19/07

Today was the second of our Christmas storytimes and many children came to hear stories, watch a movie, make Christmas cards and receive treat bags.

Christmas Activity 12/18/07

Our library has storytime twice a week for preschool and kindergarten children. We have about 25 children between the two story hours. On holidays we have special programs and crafts that the children really enjoy. Below are pictures of the Tuesday group for Christmas crafts.




Children's Librarian Mary Mataitis is talking
with the children and their moms during Christmas card craft.

Moms help their children with Christmas cards.

Mary Mataitis hands out treats after the holiday storytime.

Wreaths Across America

I and my family were privleged to participate in the first annual Wreaths Across American last Saturday, December 15th at New Life Worship Center and Soldiers Field in Rochester.

My brother Terry was the MC for the program and my brother Jan Throndson carried the wreath and family members followed in honor of our father Warren Throndson who served in the Merchant Marines in World War II. KAAL covered this event. Go to the website and view the video. kaaltv.com/article/stories/S286664.shtml?cat=10151

All of these specially made wreaths are donated by Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine. It's a holiday tradition in honor of those who gave their lives for our country.
Ten-thousand Christmas wreaths were laid on headstones at Arlington National Cemetary today for the annual "Wreaths Across America" celebration. The tradition began 16 years ago when the "Worchester Wreath Company" in Maine began donating wreaths to honor fallen soldiers. Two years ago that annual tradition spread throughout the country, and now it's here in Rochester. http://www.blogger.com/www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ . View the video of the national event and the history of behind the event.

"Wreaths Across America" is being celebrated in more than 260 veteran cemetaries and memorials across the nation.

Definr-A Fast Dictionary

Definr bills itself as an "incredibly fast dictionary." Just start out typing in your word and Definr will try to guess what word you are looking for. If it guesses it, just stop typing and click on the term. You will get a concise definition without a page load to wait for. Very slick!

I found this on Tasha Sandecker's website, Sites and Soundbytes at www.greenlakelibrary.org/blog/.
Check it out!

Holiday Decorations

This month the library is decorated with a holiday village and snow people theme. This is a result of one of our talented staff, Donna Kirchgatter who used all of her own decorations to create a festive atmosphere in the library. We have heard many postive comments on the overall look of the library throughout the year.

GO GREEN INSTITUTE

I just got back on Wednesday, December 12th from my trip to Chicago for Library Journal's Go Green Institute at the Chicago Public Library. (CPL). I am pictured with the Editor-in-Chief of Library Journal, Francine Fialkoff on the left.

This full day seminar of architects, planners, and librarian shared the latest developments and options, addressed concerns about the cost of going green, and revealed cutting edge solutions now being adopted. Very lively discussions from architects and the librarians.

I learned a lot about green architecture at this workshop and plan to implement green as much as possible in the new library.

I just have to say something about the Chicago Public Library. This library takes up 1 1/2 city blocks and has 10 full floors with everything imaginable inside. The outside of the library is unique with all of its green copper gargoyles and brass doors. Very Impressive. Didn't have much time to explore, but managed a few floors. A must see if you are ever in Chicago. It is on State Street and takes up 1 /2 city blocks.

Olde Fashion Christmas at the Library

There were many activities at the library during the Olde Fashion Christmas on Main Street Kasson last Saturday. We had some great volunteers to help us with the activities. Children could chose to listen to stories , write a letter to Santa, create Christmas cards, or color some holiday pictures. There were many chances for prizes for both children and adults. Some of the prizes were wreaths, books, memory card games, stuffed animals. Everyone who attended had a great time as did the staff and volunteers.


Library employees Donna Kirchgatter and Bonnie Adams could not have done this alone we had excellent help. Volunteers Pat Coy read stories, Pastor Clint Patterson help with registration, Mary Schilling worked with children to create cards. Library employee Paula Talbert was not present, due to a broken leg, designed the wreaths for the drawing.

Internet Radio Site

This is even better than Pandora radio. This web radio has the best sub-groups. My favorite is the oldies with sub group
1953-63.

AccuRadio is an Internet radio site definitely worth visiting. They not only have a wide variety of channels for rock, pop, jazz, classical, country, oldies, Latin, world music and more, but each channel is broken into even more specific channels. Even when you are listening to a channel, you can customize it and de-select artists you don't want to listen to. This is one of the most intuitive and fun interfaces I have seen in awhile.

Santa Hats and our Storytime

Today at our Wednesday Storytime, a mom brought her two girls dressed for the holiday season.

What Book Got You Hooked on Reading?

FirstBook, which gives away books to children, asked people to tell them what book got them hooked on reading. Find out what the poll revealed about the top 50 books - you may be surprised by some of the results!

Did your book make the list? Mine did!

Number 12. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

Old Fashion Christmas Main Street Kasson

Saturday, December 8, 2007

We encourage families to take this time together to enjoy some sights, sounds, and activities of an Old Fashioned Christmas. This event is sponsoredby the Kasson Chamber of Commerce and several downtown businesses.

10-12 Storytime at the Library

10-2 Activities at Jimmy's Pizza decorating a Christmas cookie, 1 free picture when you visit

Mrs. Claus.

10-2 String popcorn at the Kasson Dollar & Video.

10-2 Bring a parent and make an ornament at Kasson Variety.

10-2 See one of Santa's reindeer in the parking lot of (former building of Miller's Antiques).

10-1 Santa will be at the State Theater, pictures will be taken by Copycat Printing

Bring your homemade ornament to decorate the tree outside of Kasson Liquor.

Holiday treats available at some businesses. Special holiday drawings in select businesses. Hometown Singers will be caroling in and out of Main Street Businesses.