News from East Central Regional Library

July 2011

Issue No. 6

E-Connect

Yes, We're Open

Since the Minnesota government shut-down began, we've been repeatedly asked "Are you open?" suggesting that the questioner was thinking that the library was a state-funded service.

While we do receive some funding from the state of Minnesota (20% of the 2010 budget), the majority of our funding (67%) comes from the six counties of Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, and Mille Lacs. For over 50 years, these signatory counties have been part of a Joint Powers Agreement that collaboratively operates branches in 14 communities as one library with multiple locations, known as East Central Regional Library or ECRL. The counties share the operating costs for the library according to a formula based on population of each county, net tax capacity of the counties, and library use of county residents. Each community provides a facility for its library branch and maintenance of that facility. Besides that, 9 additional communities without official libraries receive ECRL Outreach services in stop locations or link sites provided by those communities.

Volunteers in many communities have founded organizations, each with a commitment to provide support for their library in order to enrich the quality of life for residents of their community. The groups take several forms such as boards, societies, or friends and provide services like providing oversight of the library facility, raising funds to enhance library services, and providing task support for many library programs and activities. Many of the groups have even undertaken fund-raising to build or renovate libraries.

East Central Regional Library is truly a community endeavor - made possible through the contributions and cooperation of local and state resources. As the oldest of Minnesota's 12 regional library systems, we are proud to operate community library centers that hosted 585,000 visits last year. Every day we are committed to living the ECRL Mission: Connecting and strengthening communities through the power of knowledge.

Fire Destroys Historical Treasures

The Isanti County Historical Society Heritage Center, containing the historical documents, photos, and archives of Isanti County, was destroyed by fire in the early morning of July 8^th. Staff members from the Minnesota Historical Society are leading the reclamation efforts of staff and volunteers for items that have been saved. Information about the fire is on the Historical Society's webpage at: www.ichs.ws. Note especially their Facebook page with timely information about recovery efforts. The staff of East Central Regional Library expresses our sorrow at this tragic event and our best wishes for recovery.

Historical societies are recognized as "special" libraries - one of the four types of libraries (academic, public, school, and special). Libraries of all four types regularly work together, each sharing their unique expertise to form an infrastructure that supports the information needs of residents of our communities. ECRL values and partners with historical societies across the region as well as the Minnesota Historical Society to share information and sponsor programs.

Summer Reading Still in Full Swing!

Summer reading program

Images are copyrighted

There's still plenty of time to enjoy the 2012 children's summer reading program, One World Many Stories at your local East Central Regional Branch Library. Below are events that you can still attend before the program comes to a close in early August:

Aitkin

Thursday, July 28 - 1:00 pm - Kid's movie - call library at 218-

927-2339 for more information.

Tuesday, August 2 - 1:00 pm - Aitkin High School Choir Room -

Magician Star Michaelina

Friday, August 5 - 2:00-5:00 pm - Libray Lawn Party

Cambridge

Wednesday, August 3 - 10:00 am - Cambridge Intermediate

School Gym - Magician Star Michaelina

Chisago Lakes

Thursday, July 21 - 1:00 pm - Kid's movie - call library at 651-

257-2817 for more information

Thursday, August 4 - 10:00 am - Magician Star Michaelina

Hinckley

Tuesday, July 26 - 3:00 pm - Professor Marvel's World of

Wonders by Robert & Lynn Halbrook

Wednesday, August 3 - 3:30 pm - Magician Star Michaelina

Mille Lacs Lake (Isle)

Tuesday, July 19 - 1:00-2:30 pm - How We Live (call library at

320-676-3929 to register)

Tuesday, August 2 - 10:00 am - Magician Star Michaelina

Mora

Wednesday, August 3 - 1:00 pm - Magician Star Michaelina

North Branch

Tuesday, July 26 - 2:00 pm - Kid's movie - call library at 651-674-

8443 for more information

Tuesday, August 2 - 12:00 noon - Lunch Bunch Book Club (ages

8-11); Call 651-674-8443 by July 19 to register

Princeton

Wednesday, July 20, 27 -1:00-4:00 pm - Craft Day

Friday, July 22 - 1:00 pm - Kid's movie - call the library at 763-

389-3753 for more information

Tuesday, July 26 - 1:00 pm - Explore the Forest World

(Ages 6 & up)

Thursday, August 4 - 1:00 pm - Magician Star Michaelina

Rush City

Thursday, August 4 - 3:30 pm - Kid's movie and final summer

program - call library at 320-358-3948 for more information

Plus storytimes are still in full swing at most ECRL branches. Call ahead for dates and times!

Last month's trivia question:

What is the "most popular" dog in the United States, based on AKC registration statistics?

Answer to last month's trivia question:

Retrievers

ECRL's Mission

Connecting and strengthening communities

through the power of knowledge.

*East Central Regional Library is funded by the counties of Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine counties.

ECRL also receives state and federal funds.

Author of the Month

James Patterson

His latest, "10th Anniversary", is currently on the bestseller lists. If you enjoy Patterson's books, try these authors:

Adult Non-Fiction Titles

Search for any of these items in the ECRL Online Catalog and place a hold!

*American Immigration: a Very Short Introduction by David Gerber

*Can You Get Hooked on Lip Balm?: Top Cosmetic Scientists Answer Your Questions About Products You Use Every Day by Perry Romanowski

*How I Planned Your Wedding: The All-True Story of a Mother and Daughter Surviving the Happiest Day of Their Lives by Elizabeth Wiggs Maas and Susan Wiggs

*Powering the Dream: The History and Promise of Green Technology by Alexis Madrigal

New Novels Soon to Appear in the ECRL catalog:

*The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

*Burnt Mountain by Anne Rivers Siddons

*The Magdalena Curse by Francis Cottam

*The Measure of the Magic by Terry Brooks

*Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

*The Secret of Crickley Hall by James Herbert

New Music CDs Soon to Appear in the ECRL Catalog

If you enjoyed the recent Legacy program, "Divas of the Through the Decades" held in Pine City recently, the following CDs should be of interest:

Andrew Sisters