Library Honors Armed Forces Day May 19th

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense.

Kasson Public Library honors military men and women on their special day. Thank You for all that you do for us.

Minnesota Storytime Books & Guides

Developed by the Minnesota Humanities Commission and the Minnesota Library Association, Minnesota Storytime is a free, online collection of reading guides featuring children's picture books (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc.) written or illustrated by Minnesota authors and illustrators. Developed for use by librarians, teachers, child care providers, parents, and others interested in reading and related literacy activities with children and families. The guides contain suggestions for sharing stories in a consistent, easy-to-read format.

We have purchased about half of the books and also have the guides available. Parents who have used the guides have enjoyed the related activities such as art, science, math, etc. and the additional book suggestions that further discuss the topic. Stop by the library to take part in this wonderful program. website:http://www.thinkmhc.org/Literacy/library.htm

Books On Wheels Outreach Program

Kasson Public Library recognized that the library is not accessible to a variety of groups and they needed to help create reading opportunities for all ages.

The Library Board decided to launch a Books On Wheels (BOW) Program and hire a outreach librarian to provide service to this new and exciting program. BOW started a little over a year ago and participants are very happy with the books, and media materials along with a small program brought to them bi-weekly.

We currently have ten daycares who already use and enjoy our program. They all like the idea of new materials in the house to read to the children and the best part they are delivered and picked up! Children get excited when the books, audio books, cd's, and board books arrive and they get to choose what they want to read or hear first.

The seniors at Prairie Meadow and Sunwood enjoy the books, magazines and eagerly look forward to the monthly theme programs.

If your group loves to read, but can't come to the library, then Kasson Public Library will bring the library to you. Just call 634-7615 and sign up for this great program.

Free WI-FI...@your library

In response to patron’s requests, the library now offers wireless internet access for users with wireless enabled laptop or notebook computers or PDAs. The library network is open to all visitors free of charge. No special settings, user names or passwords are required.

What’s in it for you?
Access to the internet from the public areas in the library.

No waiting for a library computer and no time limit.
Faster access than you might experience at home.
Access to you personal software and data on your own laptop or PDA.

How can I connect?
Your personal wireless device must be equipped with a wireless card that supports WI-FI standard. Many wireless cards will detect the network automatically. If your does not, you will have to know how to use your wireless devices’s network.

Policy Statement
The Library’s Policy for Public Electronic Information Services and Network applies to the wireless network as well as all internet access in the library.

Spring Minnesota Library Director’s Forum

Friday, May 11th, Director Bonnie Adams, attended a directors forum at the beautiful Stillwater Public Library. This semi-annual forum is an excellent way for library directors to get together and discuss issues and find possible solutions for current or future concerns.

Library Director Lynn Bertalmio, gave a tour of the newly remodeled building. The library is a wonderful blend of the old Carnegie Library with the new library. Technology was added to make the library run more efficiently. The roof terrace is second to none as well as the parking garage. The stained glass windows were kept and so were the original wrought iron designs on the bookshelves (that are still being used in the fiction section) throughout the rest of the library. I thought one of the best new technologies is RFID (Radio Frequency ID). This allows a stack of books to be checked in or out all at once instead of one at a time. This is a great time saving measure.

Everyone in attendance enjoyed the discussion items and the library tour.

Books On Wheels Mother's Day Program

The library's Books on Wheels Program (BOW) goes bi-weekly to Prairie Meadows Senior Living to deliver library materials and present a small program. Paula Talbert, Outreach Librarian and Library Director Bonnie Adams presented a small Mother's Day program complete with tasty muffins and juice.

As part of the program there were Mother Taught Me sayings such as: Mom Taught Me About ANTICIPATION-Just wait until you get home and others I know we have all heard from our moms. The residents appreciated the treats, poems, plus other literary gems.

Senior Living resident Doris attends and enjoys our programs is pictured with her daughter.

Opportunity Services Weekly Visit to the Library

Kasson Public Library partnered with Kasson Opportunity Services last summer to provide library services for their clients. Every week, two or more clients come to the library, take part in a special program just for them and bring back materials to share with the others. This partnership has been very beneficial to both the library and Opportunity Services. Unlike other agencies, Opportunity Services encourages involvement within the community and offers a variety of programs for their clients, matching abilities in order to meet needs.

Opportunity Services clients enjoying a program at the library.