Library Storytime A Hit!

Every Tuesday and Wednesday mornings 10:30 am, the library has storytime for children Preschool to Kindergarten. Children's Librarian Mary Rose Mataitis is always ready with stories, a video, coloring activities and of course treats.

Our attendence has steadily been climbing since September. We have very dedicated moms and grandparents who feel the storytime and the socialization between children is very important. With so many new people moving into K-M area this is a great place to start making friends or renewing old acquintances. The mom's like to talk about what new stage their child is in or getting together after the storyhour. The children also like to pick out what new books they would like to have read to them.

Everyone also likes our library blog and pictures on it. They tell me that they like to share the stories and pictures with family and friends.

Library Presentation to the K-M Lions

I was invited to speak to the Kasson's Lions Club on Monday night and talk about the library. I was treated to a great meal and good conversation. It was fun to see the friendships that these men have with each other and how the Tailtwister is always on the lookout for any rule infractions.

My Powerpoint show was about 30 minutes and I had many questions on our databases and other information. It was asked how many of the appromimately forty Lion's present or spouses had library cards? Over 80% raised their hands. They were also interterested in our library statistics and were amazed how much is done in our small building. There were also questions on when would there be a different library location. I told then with the way of the taxes in the town, we are realistically looking a few years down the road. The library staff wishes it could be sooner because of the cramped quarters and problems with the building, but we also understand the economic conditions.

I wish to thank the Lion's for the invition to speak on a topic near and dear to my heart. After thirty six years working in libraries I see a bright future for the Kasson Library with a larger facility. I was also given a Lion's pin for my coming and talking about the library.

I took two pictures of the Lion's present:

Kasson Lion's Club-Library Presentation

The Kasson Lions have asked me to talk about the library, outreach services, and our concerns for the future of our library. I am very honored and proud to be asked to speak about our wonderful library and great staff. We also have an outstanding Friends of the Library which helps with fundraising for programs.

Pictures below are some of the outreach programs:daycare bi-weekly delivery, Prairie Meadows, and Opportunity Services. The 2008 library board and a picture of our library.

HOT READS FOR COLD NIGHTS

The Friends of the Kasson Library are sponsoring programs aimed at those who want to hear information on different topics one night each month during the winter. They had the first of three programs last night at the library.

ANTARCTICA -MY DREAM

Sybel Haugen, a local residents and former teacher in the K-M school district, gave a presentation of her trip to Antarctica two years ago. When asked why she chose to go to such a cold and uninviting continent she stated that in third grade her teacher received a globe as a prize. She showed the globe to the students and Sybel was fascinated about all the countries in the world but especially Antarctica. She stated that one day she was going to visit Antarctica. Sybel said her trip lived up to all her expectations and more.

There were about 20 people braved the cold night to hear information about Antarctica. One person present said he was glad he came as he learned a lot more about this continent. There was a drawing and five happy people left with souvenirs of penguins and tickets to the Eagle Center in Wabasha.

Our next Hot Reads For Cold Nights program will be about Jesse James and the Wild West on Thursday, February 28 at 6pm in the library. Minnesota Author John James Koblas ,who is an expert on the outlaw genre and has written many books and short stories on the topic, will be at the library to talk about the outlaw Jesse James. Mr Koblas will also have his books available for sale. If you like western literature plan on attending this great program.

Books On Wheels-K-M Daycare Providers

For the past two years the library's outreach program to daycares has been a great success for the K-M area daycare providers. We currently have eleven daycares that we visit bi-weekly to deliver books from our library collection.

The children look forward to our deliveries and eagerly check what books and activity pages we have included for them. The daycare providers say that this is a great service that supplements their curriculum or their book collections.

If you would like to take advantage of this service, call the library at 507-634-7615 to sign up or ask questions about this service. We look forward to your call.

Hot Reads For Cold Nights

Friends of the Kasson Public Library present their Hot Reads For Cold Nights Program schedule. This is a great opportunity to learn more about different countries or our Old West from local people who have traveled to these places or a local author who has made the western and outlaw his genre to write about. All programs will be at the Kasson Public Library.

Thursday, January 24 at 7 pm My Antarctica with Sybel Haugen

Thursday, February 28 at 7 pm Jesse James & the Wild West with John James Koblas

Thursday, March 13 at 7 pm A Glimpse of Ireland with Pat Coy

Plan on attending these exciting programs with your family or friends. Refreshments will be provided.

Federal Holiday on Monday, January 21, 2008

Kasson Public Library will be closed on Monday, January 21st Martin Luther King Day.

Lookybook

While looking for something to put in my blog today, I went to some of my usual websites that I visit to find interesting items for my blog and I found this site recommended by Donovan Lambright, Automation Librarian.


Here's one for Children's Librarians, parents and grandparents out there. Lookybook is a new website that allows anyone to browse through hundreds of picture books and peek inside. Actually, it's more than a peek. If you want to, you can flip through the book and see each and every page.

Caldecott and Newbery Book Awards

American Library Association announced it yearly awards for the best books in children's literature. And it looks like another librarian won the Newbery this year.

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature. “Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village,” written by Laura Amy Schlitz, is the 2008 Newbery Medal winner. Three Newbery Honor Books were named: “Elijah of Buxton,” by Christopher Paul Curtis, “The Wednesday Wars,” by Gary D. Schmidt, and “Feathers,” by Jacqueline Woodson.

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children. “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” illustrated by Brian Selznick, is the 2008 Caldecott Medal winner.

Four Caldecott Honor Books were named: “Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad,” illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Ellen Levine, “First the Egg,” illustrated and written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger, “The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain,” illustrated and written by Peter Sís, and “Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity,” illustrated and written by Mo Willems.

New Books For January

Our automatic list of fiction best sellers is displayed by the new books. The following are new fiction best sellers for January 2008.

Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky, Duma Key by Stephen King, The Secret Between Us by Barbara Delinsky, Beverly Hills Dead by Stuart Woods, Light of the Moon by Luanne Rice, The Killing Ground by Jack Higgins, Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich, The Purrfect Murder by Rita Mae Brown.

Proctor For Tests

The Kasson Public Library is part of the post secondary/college system proctor for tests. What does this mean? The Library Staff is responsible for students who need an alternative to taking tests at the school especially for the students who are doing Distance Learning. During Distance Learning students are taking online courses and the college need a secure place for tests and quizzes to be sent, monitored, and returned.

Kasson Library is proud to be part of this program and have proctored about a dozen students. If you are in need of a site for your school's tests or want to take tests when it is convenient for you. Come or call the library and set up a time to talk to the director about this great program and how it can benefit you

Pictured (l-r) Director Bonnie Adams and Lisa Foxen who took a class from St. Cloud State last semester and decided to come here to take the online test instead of a testing center at RCTC. Lisa said it is much more convenient for her to come to the library because she could chose the date and time that worked best for her.

Antarctica-My Dream by Sybel Haugen

Friends of the Kasson Public Library are proud to sponsor Hot Reads For Cold Nights Program. This year they have an exciting line-up of local people and a national western writer to entertain you January thru March.

This month they are featuring retired teacher Sybel Haugen who will share her adventures as she traveled to Antarctica. The program will be January 24, at 7 pm in the library. There will be refreshments by the Friends. A free will offering taken in support of the activities of the Friends.

On February 28th Twin Cities western author John James Koblas will talk about his books on the Old West featuring Jesse James and the Daltons. On March 13th, Pat Coy will talk about her trip to Scotland and Ireland.

So remember when the weather outside is COLD, get HOT this winter and join our winter programs.

John Talcott Receives Recognition Certificate

John Talcott was honored by the Kasson City Council at their meeting last night for his nine years of service on the Library Board. John has been a dedicated volunteer library board member since 1999 and during John's term there has been many great changes in library service to patrons. We as library staff, board, and Friends organization wish to thank John for his years of service to the library and the community.


(l-r) John Talcott & Mayor Tim Tjosaas

2008 Library Board Members

At their monthly Library Board meeting on Tuesday, January 8th election were held for officers. Secretary King was re-elected and Lori Hopkins was chosen as chair. New library board member Eric Brennan was welcomed to the board.

l-r Chuck Coleman, Secretary Earlene King, Eric Brennan, Chair Lori Hopkins, Lois Gardner.