Movie Matinees for children at the library

CLOQUET, MN—The Cloquet Public Library launches its Movie Matinee for Kids with two special showings of Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure at 1 p.m., Tues., Dec. 29, and 1 p.m., Thurs., Dec. 31, in the Large Meeting Room.

The movies are free of charge and open to the public.

The library’s new Home Theater entertainment system, which includes a BLU-RAY disc player and a 55-in. flat screen television, was made possible through funding from the Kiwannis Club of Cloquet and Sappi of Cloquet.

Starting in the New Year, the Library will host after-school matinees for children beginning at 3:30 p.m., the second Thursday of each month. Feature films will also be shown in the evening of the same day. All matinees will be G rated. Evening shows will be PG rated.

For more information, call 879-1531.

Come to our Winter Dance Celebration

Come join the fun and learn a few folk dances at the Cloquet Public Library with Terrence Smith, who has been a Minnesota Roster Artist for over 20 years. Terrence will be at public libraries, schools, child care centers, and community dances throughout December. He enjoys songs and dance and talking with people, encouraging them to read aloud as a family. His program will include a little history of the dances. Everyone will learn a new dance and participate!

The program is being held at the Cloquet Public Library on Dec. 12, 2009, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., and is sponsored by the Arrowhead Library System and the Cloquet Public Library.

For additional locations and times of programs, see the Arrowhead Library System website at http://www.arrowhead.lib.mn.us/whats-new for the calendar.

This project is funded with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008, which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage.

For additional information, contact Rebecca Patton at Arrowhead Library System 218-741-3840.

Public welcome at Annual Open House

The Cloquet Public Library will host its annual Open House from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thurs., Dec. 3. Come and see what’s new at the library.

Harpist Mary Hagen will perform, and Disney holiday films for children will be shown in the Large Meeting Room. Light refreshments will be served.

The activity is free of charge and open to the public. For more information, call 879-1531.

Help out your library on November 17

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 – Give to the Max Day! On this day of giving, we hope you will think of Cloquet Shaw Memorial Public Library Foundation and that you will take advantage of this online matching gift program available only for gifts made on GiveMN.org or its sister site, Razoo.com, from 8:00 a.m. on November 17, 2009 until 8:00 am on November 18, 2009. http://www.razoo.com/story/Cloquet-Shaw-Memorial-Public-Library-Foundation

Every donation made during Give to the Max Day will receive a portion of the $500,000 match. This means the exact amount matched per dollar donated will be determined after Give to the Max Day concludes.*

GiveMN partners are paying the transaction costs for gifts made to Minnesota nonprofits through GiveMN on Give to the Max Day. These generous funds allow 100 percent of your gift to go straight to Cloquet Shaw Memorial Public Library Foundation!

What is GiveMN?

GiveMN.org is the smart way for you to discover, support and engage with the charities that are right for you. The online giving platform allows you to find and support organizations that match your philanthropic goals and easily keep track of your donations all in a single online location.

· Give local. Find your perfect Minnesotan match, such as Cloquet Shaw Memorial Public Library Foundation.

· Give fast. Make online donations quickly and easily via credit card to any U.S. nonprofit.

· Give smart. Record all online contributions and store receipts.

As you consider your charitable end-of-year giving this season, please consider giving on Give to the Max Day (Nov. 17). Max your contribution to Cloquet Shaw Memorial Public Library Foundation by making an online donation on Nov. 17. Go to GiveMN.org and click on Cloquet Shaw Memorial Public Library Foundation, Inc.

Thank you for your support!

Lonely Doll Finds a Home

Audrey L. of Cloquet won the essay competition which asked the question,"Why would you be the perfect friend for Edith the Lonely Doll?" As the winner, Audrey was able to take the Lonely Doll and her friend Mr. Bear home. Congratulations, Audrey. Her essay is printed here.

I think I would be perfect for Edith because I would be very responsible and take very good care of her. And if she is broken, I promise to give her the best doll doctor. And if I take her home, I will promise to do the following: I will never, ever, in a billion years, let her get dirty. I will take just as much care as if she was a real baby and just as much value. I will play with her every day and pass her down for generations and generations. And before I give her to the next generation, I will have them say a pledge.

The dolls that I have are Tim, Audreyana, five Raggedy Anns, Elaine, James, Harry, and 24 Barbie and Ken dolls. For Mr. Bear, I have Patty, Squeaky, Elle, Sammy, Purple Bear, Brown Eyes, Glitters, Tuffy, Scruffy, Dart, Bill, Trevor, Penny, George, El Tigre, Francis, Lindsey, Crystal, Crush, Angie, Underdog, Blossom, and Jack. I am funny and understanding. Even if I don’t win, it’s good that she isn’t lonely anymore.

Kiwanis Golden K supports Library Project

The Kiwanis Golden K of Cloquet has donated $250 toward an Early Literacy Station for the Cloquet Public Library. The all-in-one learning station comes preloaded with more than 60 top-rated developmental software titles for kids.

“The library currently has four outdated computer stations for young children. It is our desire to gradually replace them with literacy stations that encourage, engage, and challenge youthful patrons through a variety of interactive programs promoting literacy, math, science, and the arts,” says Lisbeth Boutang, Children’s Librarian.

“We have already received confirmation from a private patron who is willing to donate a substantial amount to our project. We are looking to organizations and others to provide the additional funds to make this purchase possible.”

The total cost for the Early Literacy Station is approximately $2,750.00. One patron has already pledged 50 percent of the cost of one station ($1,750.00) as a challenge to organizations and individuals to make their own contributions.

For more information on the project and how you can contribute, call 879-1531.

Pictured above is Lisbeth Boutang accepting the donation check from Milo Rasmussen, Golden K member.

Join us in viewing the film Alaska Far Away

Joan Juster and Paul Hill, the producers of Alaska Far Away, will also be present. The film will be shown on Saturday, November 14 at 10:30 a.m. in the meeting room of the Cloquet Public Library. Refreshments will be served.

Learn to navigate the library’s online catalog

Classes on how to use the library's online catalog will be held Tuesday mornings in November at 9 a.m. Call 879-1531 to register for the class.

Why are there so many churches in our area?

A panel of representatives from Queen of Peace, St. John’s Lutheran of Saginaw, Gospel Tabernacle, and the Rock will discuss why there are so many churches on Monday, November 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cloquet Public Library. Come for discussion and questions. Refreshments will be served. The program is free and open to the public.

Open Stage for Storytellers in November

As the nights draw in, the storytelling season begins. Bring a friend or your entire family and join us for two consecutive Thursdays evenings of storytelling at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 12 and 19, at the Cloquet Public Library.

The programs are free of charge and open to the public.

Everyone is welcome to share a story. Guidelines will be simple. The format is informal, similar to an open stage event. Keep stories under five minutes. They can be folktales, fairytales, ghost stories, tales from around the world, or from your own backyard. Only content suitable for families will be welcomed.

Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, call 879-1531.

The Darkest Evening

Author William Durbin will be here on Thursday, October 22 @ 6:30 p.m. to discuss his books, including the award winning The Darkest Evening about Finns who left here in the 1930s for the Soviet Union. This program is supported by the Minnesota Book Awards through grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in conjunction with State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, and the Minnesota Library Foundation.

Learn to navigate the library’s online catalog

The Cloquet Public Library will be offering classes on how to use the online catalog on Tuesday mornings in November. The class will teach you how to look up books and other library materials, reserve items, and renew materials online. Call 879-1531 to reserve a spot.

Kids' Talent Show returns to the Library

The Cloquet Public Library will host a Kids’ Talent Show at 4 p.m., Tues., Oct. 13. Children ages six through 14 are eligible. All types of talent are welcome: singing, dancing, dramatic reading, music, mime, gymnastics, etc. Cash prizes will be awarded to three winners.

Participants are encouraged to preregister for the show. Same day registration will begin at 3:30 p.m. on the 13th. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Cloquet Library. For more information, call 879-1531 and ask for Lis.

Election Process and Lessons Learned from Minnesota’s Historic Recount

Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie will be at the Cloquet Public Library to discuss the election process and lessons learned from the historic recount of the Senate race between Al Franken and Norm Coleman on Monday, October 19 from 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. Presented and organized by the Cloquet Public Library, the program is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

Fall Book Sale

The Friends of the Cloquet Public Library will host their annual Fall Book Sale from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m., Sat., Sept. 26, 2009. Everyone is welcome to come and browse through our ample selection of discarded library books as well as area donations, ranging in quality from used to next-to-new.

Proceeds from sales will go to library programs and new book acquisitions.

Join your friends at the Cloquet Public Library's Fall Book Sale. For more information, call 879-1531.

Future of Newspapers

Pine Journal editor, Wendy Johnson, will discuss the current trends in journalism on Monday, September 21, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Cloquet Public Library.

H1N1: What you need to know

Join us on Thursday, September 17 @ 6:30 p.m. for a presentation on H1N1 (Swine Flu): What you need to know. Presented by health care professionals from Carlton County.

Fall Story Times at the Library

Preschool Story Times (ages 3-5) will be at 10 a.m. Wednesdays,
Sept. 16 through Nov. 25.

LapSit Story Times (ages 0-2) will be at 10 a.m., Thursdays,
Sept. 17 through Nov. 19.

The public is welcome free of charge to all children’s programs
at the Cloquet Public Library. For more information, call 879-1531.

Open Stage for Puppets spotlights Kids

This week's Be Creative @ Your Library activity was an Open Stage for Puppets. Everyone took turns on stage acting out skits, songs, jokes and other funny antics using dozens of puppets from the Library's collection as well as personal puppets that children brought from home. Participating children received prizes for their impromptu performances.

Eyes on the Sky

Join Mark Seeley, the University of Minnesota climatologist, on Thursday, July 23 @ 6:30 p.m. at the Cloquet Public Library. Seeley has been answering Minnesota's weather questions for three decades. He's a longtime St. Paul resident with a mind packed with obscure Minnesota weather history.

Creating with Collage

Children browsed through magazines, miscellaneous papers, and other materials selecting images used to create collages during a recent program at the library. A selection of their work is on display in the large meeting room.

Jugglers Cheney & Mills coming to Cloquet

The husband and wife juggling team of Cheney & Mills will entertain children of all ages at 1 p.m., Mon., July 6, at the Cloquet Public Library.

The program is free of charge and open to the public.

The event is part of the library’s “Be Creative” summer program of activities for children. Cheney & Mills have juggled, cavorted and thoroughly entertained audiences all across the U.S. Their high-energy style, combined with their skill and experience in many types of venues, has made them one of the most versatile, original and hilarious variety acts. The couple is touring the Arrowhead Library System this summer as part of Kids Stuff programs.

For more information, call 879-1531.

Legislative Forum

The Cloquet Public Library will be hosting a legislative forum with Rep. Bill Hilty and Sen. Tony Lourey on Monday, June 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the library meeting room. Come and find out what happened this past legislative session.

Count the dots and win at the library

Win big with this dotty cat. Guess the number of dots on the canvas to the closest number and win a $50 Gift Card to Michael’s Arts & Crafts store in Duluth. (Hint: Think 1000s.) Pick a cute name for the cat and win again. If your name is chosen, you will receive a $25 Gift Card to Michael’s. Winners announced July 31, 2009. The children in this photo take their time to come up with creative names for the cat along with thoughtful guesses for the number of dots on the canvas.

Mayer draws large audience

Hans Mayer recently entertained 125+ children and adults at the library. Mayer's program was part of the library's summer schedule of activities and reading incentives for children. Each Monday at 1 p.m. the library will host a children's program. Next week, kids will be able to stretch their creative powers by making masks. For more information, contact Lissie.

Library welcomes musician Hans Mayer

Singer/musician Hans Mayer will present a captivating performance of original music for children of all ages at 1 p.m., Mon., June 8, at the Cloquet Public Library.

The program is free of charge and open to the public.

Mayer’s song lyrics, sprinkled with his great sense of humor, have amused audiences nationwide. He sings and plays the guitar, the mandolin, and the Native American flute, entertaining audiences in the Midwest and on the East Coast.

Mayer's appearance is part of “Kids' Stuff” programming sponsored by the Arrowhead Library System and your local public library. A signing interpreter for children with hearing difficulties is available if requested one week prior to the performance. For further information, contact the Cloquet Public Library at 879-1531 or the Arrowhead Library System in Mountain Iron at 218-741-3840.

Be creative @ your library this summer

Studies show that children who read over the summer are more prepared for school success in the fall. The same is true about children who have opportunities to use their imaginations in new and exciting ways. This summer the Cloquet Public Library’s “Be Creative @ Your Library” Summer Reading Challenge promises to spark the imagination as well as a love of reading for all involved. Events will include a number of special activities, reading incentives, and extra surprises all summer long.

Be Creative @ Your Library kicks off Mon., June 1, the first official day of summer vacation. Register for the Summer Reading Challenge, and stay for a library scavenger hunt, coloring contest, and additional fun.

Throughout the summer, the Library will host special programs for children. Performances will include musician Hans Mayer, Jugglers Cheney and Mills, and colorist Linnea Caldeen. Activities will feature fun art projects, open stage for puppets, music, and creative play.

Summer story times for preschoolers (ages 3-5) will be at 10 a.m., Wednesdays, June 16 through July 29. LapSit Story Times (ages 0-2) will be at 10 a.m., Thursdays, June 4 through July 30.

For tweens and teens, the Library will also host a collage workshop based on the Soulcollage process, a creative way of expressing yourself by creating a decorative deck of cards with special meanings just for you. Ages 11 and up can register for the workshop which will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesdays, June 16, 23, and 30.

For more information on the Library’s summer reading challenge and schedule of fun activities, call 879-1531.

Library earns Humanities honor

The National Endowment for the Humanities has selected the Cloquet Public Library to receive the 2009 We the People “Picturing America” Bookshelf. Cloquet was one of 4,000 libraries across the country to receive this year’s Bookshelf, a set of 17 classic books on the theme of “Picturing America." Three of the books are in Spanish translation.

The Library also received two bonus hardcover books, Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out by the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance, and 1776: The Illustrated Edition by David McCullough. Supplementary materials include bookplates, bookmarks and posters. The Bookshelf program is part of the Endowment’s “We the People” initiative, which supports projects that strengthen the teaching, study and understanding of American history and culture.


The “Picturing America” Bookshelf theme is inspired by the premise that a nation’s literature, as well as its visual art, can be a window into its history, aspirations and ideals. The 2009 Bookshelf is a literary complement to NEH’s Picturing America program, a free education resource that provides reproductions of 40 works of great American art to schools and public libraries to help educators teach American history and culture through our nation’s art. Last year the Library also earned the NEH’s Picturing America resource, which is currently on display throughout the building.

Songs and stories about the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

Michigan author, Bill Jamerson, will present a program of songs and stories about the CCC, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20 at the Cloquet Public Library. Bill will read excerpts from his novel, Big Shoulders, a coming-of-age story about a youth from Detroit who is sent to a CCC camp in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Bring Nature's Beauty into your Shade Garden

Local author, Clayton Oslund, will give a presentation on shade gardening at the Cloquet Public Library on Monday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Once upon a time there was a bead ...

Children learned that “every story has a bead” during a recent afterschool program at the library. Participants were able to make their own story bracelets using memory wire and a variety of attractive beads. The beads, in turn, helped the children tell original stories. For example, a striped orange bead may have introduced a tiger while a deep blue bead represented a river. Selecting beads and stringing them into a story or two proved both challenging and fun.

Library seeks input on adult programming

There will be a brainstorming session on Tuesday, April 21 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to generate ideas for programs at the library throughout the next year. If there is a program you would like the library to provide, please attend and share your thoughts.

Join us for spring story times at the library

Preschool Story Times for ages 3-5 at the Cloquet Public Library will begin at 10 a.m., Wednesdays, April 22 through May 20, 2009.

LapSit Story Times for ages 0-2 will begin at 10 a.m., Thursdays, April 23 through May 21, 2009.

Join us for stories, songs, fingerplays, puppet pranks, music movements and lots more. The programs are free of charge and open to the public. For more information, call 879-1531.

Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale

The Friends of the Cloquet Public Library will host their annual Spring Book Sale from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m., Sat., April 18, 2009. Everyone is welcome to come and browse through our ample selection of discarded library books as well as area donations, ranging in quality from used to next-to-new.

Proceeds from sales will go to library programs and new book acquisitions.

Join your friends at the Cloquet Public Library's Spring Book Sale. For more information, call 879-1531.

Memoir Writing Workshop

As part of the One Book, One Community read, the Cloquet Public Library is hosting a memoir writing workshop on Saturday, April 4 at 10 a.m. Katharine Johnson will conduct the workshop. This Memoir Writing Workshop is for everyone, no matter your age or your writing experience. A variety techniques will be used to fuse history and facts with memories, dreams, and emotional truths. Bring one or two photos that evoke an event or period in your life, also a notebook and your favorite writing
instrument.

If there are enough interested participants, the workshop could extend into a 3 or 4 week class.

Finlandia Beach book signing

Celebrate St. Urho's Day at the Cloquet Public Library. Jean Randall will be signing and selling the Finlandia Beach Cookbook on March 16 from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The eye of the beholder

Danielle Melin of Cloquet, a student at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, spent an afternoon at the Cloquet Public Library photographing a permanent exhibit, the library’s dollhouse. The elaborate dollhouse, constructed and donated by Helen Strom of Cloquet, fascinates Melin, who has a dollhouse of her own. Danielle describes herself as a traditional illustrator (many are digital nowadays). Does that mean she’d like to illustrate children’s books? “Possibly,” she smiles.

Grap your hat and read with the Cat

The National Education Association's "Read Across America" event is now in its twelfth year, motivating children to read and helping them to master basic skills. The nationwide reading celebration will take place at 4 p.m., Mon., March 2--the birthday of Dr. Seuss--at the Cloquet Public Library. Children of all ages can join the fun by reading from their favorite book or from one of ours. Everyone who reads aloud will receive a free book.

Join the thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers across the country that are participating in this worthwhile event, bringing together kids and books and you! The event, like all of our programs at the library, is free of charge and open to the public.

Soar like a bird! Walk like a penguin!

Children of all ages attended the WonderWeavers' program. The storytelling team of Colleen and Tina from Eden Prairie, MN, inspired children to join in their folktales from around the world--including Antarctica and Africa. Everyone had a great time, thanks to funding of the Kiwanis Club of Cloquet.

How do I install my Digital Converter Box?

David Poirier, operations manager at WDIO-TV, will demonstrate how to set up your digital converter box and answer questions about the digital conversion on Tuesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. in the library's meeting room.

WonderWeavers will perform in February

The WonderWeavers, a storytelling team whose creative folktales make all ages both laugh and think, will perform at 6:30 p.m., Mon., Feb. 23, at the Cloquet Public Library. The program, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Cloquet, is free of charge and open to the public.

"The great thing about the WonderWeavers is that they combine songs, stories, and audience participation in a way that kept me and my three-year-old daughter Sarah engaged from start to finish," says parent and storyteller Kevin Strauss.

After more than 15 years as a dynamic duo, Tina Rohde and Colleen Shaskin were recognized for their volunteer and storytelling accomplishments on the national level when they received the 2006 Oracle Award from the National Storytelling Network. The National Storytelling Network, based in Jonesborough, TN, presents awards based on nominations from members in each region. The WonderWeavers received a service and leadership award.

"One thing that I love about Tina and Colleen is how hard they have worked to promote storytelling in Minnesota and the region," says Michael Mann, Minnesota Story Alliance Director. "Without the WonderWeavers, we would have fewer storytellers and fewer storytelling events in our area. They are the kind of people who do the hard work to make things happen on stage."

Tina and Colleen, as part of the working collaborative Cygnus Storytelling, were recently commissioned by the National Institute on Media and the Family to create a storytelling CD "U Tell a Tale". The CD is a blend of five storytelling artists and includes family activities to extend the stories.

The library program, “Passport to Fun,” is a fast paced storytelling event taking participants on a trip around the world through stories. Using audience interaction, song and magic, Tina and Colleen will spark imaginations and tickle funny bones. Join in this exceptional program designed to bring enjoyment to the whole family.

Library children perform "Mitten" folktale

Children participating in Cloquet Community Education's afterschool program came to the Library to hear "The Mitten." The children also picked parts from the story and acted out a play. Three children became narrators, while others chose to be the animals: mole, rabbit, hedgehog, owl, fox, badger, bear, and mouse. Afterward, the kids colored their own mittens and went on a "mitten" hunt in the Library. Everyone who found the hidden mitten received a prize. Following the program, parents joined their children to look for books.

Artist to share the art of birch bark weaving

Join us on Saturday February 7 at 10 a.m. at the Cloquet Public Library, for a presentation on the art of birch bark weaving by John Zasada of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Zasada is a retired forester turned artist. He started making things out of birch bark more than 10 years ago, inspired by a class he took from Charlie Mayo at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais. Now he teaches his own classes.

Zasada works in a traditional style used by Finns, Swedes, and Russians. "When you split bark before weaving, what you're splitting off is an annual growth layer of wood. You are stripping away - touching and feeling - the life and history of this tree." quoted by John Zasada in the book Celebrating Birch.