Minnesota Library Association Legislative Day

Minnesota Library Association Legislative Day was held Tuesday, March 3 at the state capitol. Lori Hopkins, Library Board Chair and City Council, Earlene King, Library Building Committee Chair and Library Director Bonnie Adams traveled to the capitol with our regional library representatives.

Appointments had been made so all of the 22 house and senate representatives would hear library issues important to allof the 35 libraries in the Southern Minnesota region. Lori, Earlene and Bonnie and others met with Senator Senjem and had a very nice follow-up discussion from the February 25 conversation at our library. We also visited Rep Quam and voiced our concerns about the Legacy Grants being renewed and Libarary Maintenance of Effort funding not be repelled.

Senator Senjem

Represenative Quam

Lion's Storytime week of March 1

Children's Librarian chose Lion's as her theme this week. The children heard stories about lion's and colored a lion as part of this week's craft. Additional pictures can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kassonlibrary/

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