Jesse James and John James Koblas

Last night outlaw genre author John James Koblas was a guest at the Friends of the Library Hot Reads for Cold Nights program in the library. Mr.Koblas is an expert in the field of outlaws and has written 55 books about them. He has also started a series of three books depicting the Sioux Uprising of 1862 with his first book Smoke.



Although it was a cold and stormy night ten people came to hear Mr. Koblas talk about Jesse James and the Younger gang. He explained their backgrounds, ages of Jesse James and Frank James and how the James-Younger gang became bank robbers. He also spoke on how the bank robbery in Northfield was planned and executed. He talked about the Younger's in Stillwater prision and how well they were liked by the warden and guards. Questions from the crowd were answered very well by Mr. Koblas.


Refreshments were provided by the Friends and a drawing for four Wabasha Eagle Center tickets. The next Hot Reads For Cold Nights will be Pat Coy presenting A Glimpse of Ireland on Thursday, March 13 at 7 pm in the library.

Jesse James Wild West with John J. Koblas

Kasson Public Library Friends will present a special Hot Reads For Cold Nights event tonight at 7 pm. in the library.

Author John James Koblas will speak about Jesse James and the Wild West. Mr. Koblas is a prolific writer in the outlaw genre and the foremost authority on the James-Younger gang exploits in Minnesota.

Mr. Koblas will speaking on the Sioux Uprising of 1862 at the Dodge Center Public Library on Monday, March 10 at 7pm

Free will offering will be taken in support of the activities of the Friends of the Kasson Public Library. Refreshments will be served.

The next Hot Reads for Cold Nights will sponsor Pat Coy and a Glimpse of Ireland on Thursday, March 13 at 7 pm in the library.

2008 Friend of the Year

Each year at the Friends' of the Kasson Public Library annual meeting a person is honored for doing an outstanding job for the organization during the past year. This year the Friends' decided to honor two people, Children's Librarian Mary Rose Mataitis and Bookkeeper Nancy Bauman. These two women exemplify what it is to help the organization with their unique talents. Congratulations to Mary Rose and Nancy.

In the two pictures below Friends' President Clint Patterson is awarding the plaques to the 2008 receipents.

Mary Rose has worked at the Kasson Public Library for the past eight years. Mary Rose was honored for her behind-the-scenes work for the Friends organization as well as her work with children's programming.

Nancy Bauman has been a member for the last few years and was honored for her work on the Friends By-Laws and accounts.

2008 Friends' Annual Meeting

The Annual Friends' of the Public Library meeting was held on Saturday, February 23 at the Hubbell House in Mantorville. There were seventeen people in attendence for the meeting, as always an excellent meal. Mantorville resident Jill Foley graciously accepted our invitation to play several selections for us on her violin.

The highlight of the meeting was the Friend of the Year award. This year two people were selected to receive this award, Children's Librarian Mary Mataitis and Bookkeeper Nancy Bauman. Friends' Chair Clint Patterson handed out the award plaques.

Valentine Cookies at Prairie Meadows

Library Director Bonnie Adams went to Prairie Meadows on Thursday, February 7 at 10 am to decorate cookies for Valentine and share Valentine stories from the past. Twelve residents participated and enjoyed frosting cookies and sharing stories.

As part of the Kasson Public Library Books on Wheels outreach program the library goes to Prairie Meadows twice a month with a program and deliver library items for the residents. This service is in it's third year and is very popular with the seniors and the library.