Monday, October 15, 2007

Minnesota celebrates its 150th birthday!



Come to the Cloquet Public Library and sign the journal that is traveling around Minnesota.

Journey of the Sesquicentennial Banners
Two official Sesquicentennial banners are on tour, making stops at libraries across the state.

As the state’s Sesquicentennial draws closer, two ambassadors are making their way across Minnesota spreading the message that 2008 will be a year to reflect upon and celebrate. These emissaries are 3’ by 5’ banners that began their journey on May 11th, 2007 and will make stops in libraries in every county in Minnesota before returning to St. Paul on May 11th 2008 for the 150th anniversary of statehood. The banner is currently visiting the Cloquet Public Library.
Each banner is accompanied by a leather-bound journal in which visitors can write thoughts about Minnesota and the Sesquicentennial. Please come and sign the journal at the Cloquet Public Library. The banners and the journal will be presented to the Governor at Statehood Weekend next May, and eventually find a new home with the Minnesota Historical Society.
In addition to drumming up interest in the Sesquicentennial, the banners’ journey is intended to highlight the importance of public libraries in Minnesotans’ daily lives. “We picked libraries to be the official host of this special Sesquicentennial banner and journal because libraries are essential to our civic and economic life as a state and in our local communities,” said Sesquicentennial Commission Executive Director Jane Leonard. “Public libraries are lifelong learning labs, filled with the information and knowledge we need to grow as individuals, to start and grow businesses, and to share a civic life with our fellow citizens who gather in those public spaces."
The first banner began its journey this past May at the Rural Summit in Brainerd. Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Former First Lady Jane Freeman (whose husband, Governor Orville Freeman, was governor during the state's centennial in 1958) and Sesquicentennial Commission Vice Chairperson Reatha Clark King were among the first to sign the accompanying journal.
The banners were made and donated by Visual Impact Signs, Inc., which is helping the Sesquicentennial Commission develop the Sesquicentennial Community Spirit program to debut in August 2007. To find out more about the Sesquicentennial visit http://www.mn150years.org/.


info@mn150years.org Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission http://www.mn150years.org/
James J. Hill House 240 Summit Avenue St. Paul, MN 55102 - (651) 296-1870 info@mn150years.org

Great fun was had by all at our 20/20 celebration









Over 200 people dipped into the chocolate.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

New Story Time Starts Oct. 31st

The Cloquet Public Library will add a new Story Time for preschoolers (3-5) on Wednesday afternoons at 1 p.m., beginning October 31 through December 5. The regular Wednesday morning Story Time at 10 a.m. will continue, as well as the LapSit (0-2) Story Time at 10 a.m. on Thursdays. The new story time is in response to requests for an afternoon session for preschoolers who have commitments in the morning. Please join us at this new time. All children's programs at the library are free of charge and open to the public.

Kickoff The Big Read Carlton County Oct. 15

Join us at the Carlton County Courthouse on Monday, October 15 @ 5:30 p.m. for refreshments and readings from To Kill a Mockingbird by County Seat Theater. The Cloquet Public Library and Carlton County Historical Society are co-sponsoring Carlton County’s The Big Read along with the Arrowhead Library System and area libraries. Look for activities around Carlton County throughout October and November.

The Big Read is an initiative of the
National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the
Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. www.neabigread.org

Finnish Genealogy using HisKi Oct. 13

On Saturday, October 13, at 10 a.m., members of the Finnish Genealogy Group of Minnesota will be available in the library meeting room to help people learn how to use HisKi. For more information, contact Mary at the Cloquet Public Library.

Join us for our 20/20 celebration October 11!