Mona Draheim is Named 2011 Friend of the Year

The Friends of the Library annual meeting was held on Saturday, February 19 at Daniels in Kasson. The Friends chose Treasurer Mona Draheim, a very active long-time member of the Friends organization, as their 2011 Friend of the Year. Congratulations Mona!





Clint Patterson outgoing Chair of Friends was honored with a plaque for his dedication many years of service to the Friends of the Library. Under Clint's tenure many innovative ideas have come forth and made the Friends and the Kasson Library a much better place. The Library Staff (Bonnie, Ingvild, Mary and Donna) would like to thank Clint for his help and many kindnesses.





Dianne Pinney, Library Director of the LeSueur Public Library and Sally Olson of LeSueur Friends, were featured as the special guest speakers. LeSueur Public Library has a new building thanks to the Friends raising over $500,00 for the new library. They spoke on the value of fund raising and what events have worked best for them.



Twenty three Friends attended the meeting and learned of past and present programs and learned of new challenging issues facing the Kasson Public Library.

The Friends held their annual elections and 2011 Executive Board Officers are:
President-Judy Wagener
Vice-President- John Talcott
Secretary-Kristy Turner Treasurer-Mona Draheim
Member-At-Large-Joyce Redfern
Membership Chair-Paul Curtiss
Program Chair-Rita Buehler

Additional pictures of this event an other may be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kassonlibrary/?saved=1

Presidents Day

The library will be closed on President's Day

Monday, February 21, 2011.

Minnesota Senator Senjem Visits

You are invited to attend a

morning conversation with

Minnesota Senator David Senjem

at the Kasson Public Library on

Friday, February 25, 2011 at 10 am.

Minnesota Library Legacy, Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funding to local libraries, state budget concerns are just some of the discussion items for the Senator.

Friends of the Kasson Public Library will provide refreshments.

Friends of the Library Monthly Visit to Senior Center

Arlene Wallin, coordinator of the Friends of the Library monthly visit to Prairie Meadows Senior Living. She chose Presidents Day as her February theme. Library Director Bonnie Adams was also present to take pictures and talk about additional trivia questions about the presidents.
She had some trivia questions for the seniors to answer i.e. Who was the first president that you voted for-most seniors said FDR. Also asked which President was your favorite-Kennedy and FDR.























Additional pictures of this event and others may be found
at :http://www.flickr.com/photos/kassonlibrary/

This past summer the Rose Ensemble performed at Prairie Meadows Senior Living and over 100 people attended their performance of The Last Queen of Hawaii. One resident was so moved by the performance she left crying, stating it hurt to much to hear the music and remember the wonderful years she spent in Hawaii. All that attended this free performance ,sponsored by Kasson Library and Prairie Meadows , agreed how great it was to not only hear the music of Hawaii but learn more about the history of the Hawaiian Islands.

The Minnesota Library Legacy is a extremely worthwhile endeavor to keep for all residents of Kasson and Minnesota and is up for renewal during this legislative session. The Minnesota Library Legacy amendment needs your help and support to be able to continue for many years.
The Minnesota Library Legacy is part of the Clean Water & Legacy Amendment Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund voted on by Minnesota Taxpayers in November, 2008.

Without legacy funds all libraries but especially small/medium sized libraries would not be to offer these programs. All of the programs have been a huge hit with our residents and they were especially happy to discover that they were free.

The Kasson Public Library renewed and formed many new partnerships with area business and sponsored six programs and three region-wide programs through Minnesota Historical Society. The library also offered free access and first-time experiences to audiences of all ages. These programs created stronger stronger communities by raising awareness of Minnesota arts, culture and history.

This initiative must continue so that libraries can support great arts and cultural experiences that are so enjoyed by all Dodge County and state residents. The Kasson Library would like to look forward to forming additional partnerships in the coming years so that many more of our residents can take advance of this great cultural opportunity.

Another example of a Library Legacy children's program sponsored by the library.
Last August the Kasson Public Library sponsored Touch of Magic-Treasure Beyond Measure program held in Veterans park. Over 100 children and adults thoroughly enjoyed the performance. The children were especially excited with the audience participation of greedy Pirate Capt'n Curly and efforts to get his hands on a hidden treasure chest.

Please take time to write to your legislators and request that the Minnesota Library Legacy continue. Governor Mark Dayton mark.dayton@state.mn.us Senator David Senjem sen.david.senjem@senate.mn Representative Duane Quam rep.duane.quam@house.mn

Valentine Storytime week of 2/14

This week's theme was Valentine's Day. The children enjoyed the books that were read and the great bookmark they placed heart stickers were a big hit. Additional pictures of this evnet and others may be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kassonlibrary/

KM Lion's Club Donate Money for Children's Books

The KM Lion's Club graciously donated $500 to the Kasson Public Library for the purchase of children's books.
Children's Librarian Ingvild Herfindahl was
excited to look for children's titles that would enhance the children's collection. Ingvild has purchased 75 new books that the children are currently enjoying.


The KM Lions Club donated money to the Kasson Library children's area for the second year in a row. Last year the library purchased a small table and 8 chairs for the children to do crafts, read books or put puzzles together.

Without the generosity of service groups, library patron etc. the library would not be able to provide all of the services needed for the KM Library service area. A Huge Thank You to all that have helped us in the past years.

Free Bus Tour to MN Greatest Generation Exhibit

MN Greatest Generation Exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, St. Paul, MN Thursday, March 10, 2011

Community Education phone # for KM is 507-634-4464/Triton Community Education # is 507-374-2808. Everyone will have to call to reserve a seat asap for themselves. Deadline for registration is Thursday, February 24th. We will stop for lunch on the way up. you will be responsible for paying for your own lunch.


COST: Bus and admission to the exhibit is FREE thanks to a grant secured by the Kasson Public Library. This FREE trip in partnership with KM/Triton/Hayfield Community Education. This FREE event is part of the Minnesota Legacy Grant program.


Members of Minnesota's Greatest Generation are people we know, they are our grandparents, our parents and our next door neighbors. Yet, we may have never heard their stories. These remarkable people * who grew up during the Depression, came of age during World War II and participated in the post-war boom*created a legacy that has shaped all of us who have came after. This is a guided tour with a History player presentation. View classic movie clips in a 1930*s style movie theatre, get behind the counter of a 1930*s soda fountain, watch a recreation of a World War II combat flight in a C-47 plane, and join *Rosie the Riveter* on the assembly line!



Limit 53 people.





Bus Leaves and Returns Kasson Sunwood Manor 8:45 AM 5:45 PM



Hayfield Senior Citizen's Center 8:45 AM 5:45 PM



Triton High School North Parking Lot9A M 5:30 PM

Pets Storytime Week of Feb 8th

Children's Librarian Ingvild chose Pets
as her theme this week. She read stories
about the usual pets and very different kinds
of pets. The children enjoyed the puppets
she used during the storytime.
The craft was making a dog puppet.
Additional pictures of this weeks storytime
can be viewed at:http://www.flickr.com/photos/kassonlibrary/




Ingvild with different kinds of pets.

Working and finished dog pet projects.

Bedtime Storytime Guest Reader

The Bedtime Storytime (every Monday night at 6 pm) was honored to have a guest reader at last Monday's storytime, KM School 4th grader Destiny Anderson (Grand-daughter of Alton & Jane Anderson). She volunteered to read about Pets to the children last Monday Night and the children enjoyed her story. Thank you Destiny for your dedication to reading and the Kasson Public Library. A few weeks ago we had another 4th grader Chelsey Hagedorn read to the children.

Story readers in the making. (sisters of Destiny).

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Thursday, Feb 10th 10-6
Friday, Feb 11th 10-5
Monday, Feb 14th 10-7 Bag Sale
Tuesday, Feb 15th 10-12 Bag Sale
Wednesday, Feb 16th 10-7 Bag Sale

Groundhog Storytime Week of Feb 1-3

News Flash-Yeah!!! Punxsutawney Phil 2011 prediction is for early spring he did not see his shadow.

This week theme was Groundhog's Day. Children's Librarian read wonderful stories about groundhogs and made a special puppet to look like Punxsutawney Phil . Our version of Phil was created by Children's Librarian Ingvild and she introduced him to the children.the children. One child was SURPRISED (he did not want to touch the puppet, no matter what was said to the contrary) to see a critter come out of the cup. The children made their own groundhog and pushed the groundhog up to see if today was sunny or cloudy. Additional pictures may be viewed at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kassonlibrary/