Thursday, December 29, 2011

Okee Dokee Brothers at Library Story Time in February

Music and fun for the whole family is coming to Story Time at the Cloquet Public Library at 10 a.m., Wed., Feb. 8, with the Okee Dokee Brothers. The program is free of charge and open to the public. The brothers have a mission to remind children (and adults) of their intrinsic ability to discover, imagine and create through music. Here's what their fans are saying about them:

"They have great lyrics. They're like the Pixar of music. Good for kids but good for adults." - Sally Leitch Shoreview, MN

“They engaged the entire crowd, kids and adults alike. The music is nice to listen to, even as an adult. I bought two CDs and catch myself listening to them even when my son is not around!" - Mom at The Overture Center's Kids in the Rotunda Series (Madison, WI)

"Shel Silverstein meets Woody Guthrie and they make a PB&J sandwich." - John Van Rooy

"The Okee Dokee Brothers - a jam band for the diaper crowd." - Kristina Ortega

"The Okee Dokee Brothers address issues of communication, cognitive, motor, emotional, and social skills in a fun, interactive, uplifting, and inspirational way." - Roberta S. Kagin, Dir. of Music Therapy, Augsburg College

"They're like the Wiggles, only cool." - Owen, Age 5

"Joe and Justin were engaging, professional, enthusiastic, and showed great interest in the site and children. I would highly recommend them to anyone!" – Shelley Steingraeber, Discover Club, St. Paul Public Schools.

This program is made possible by the Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund.For more information call the library at 879-1531.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Browser the Cat comes to Cloquet

Browser, the Library Cat at the Pine River Public Library in the Kitchigami Library System, visited the Cloquet Public Library this week (or at least a life-size reproduction of the sleek black cat turned up). He joined both LapSit and Preschool Story Times and was well-received by children and adults alike.

In 2002, when Browser was nine months old, library staff took him in, and he has been living at the library ever since. When the library moved to its current location, the kids who helped move the books also moved Browser!

Browser’s goal is to visit as many libraries in Minnesota as possible. Afterward, he will journey across the USA and eventually around the world. If you would like to track his progress, go to Browser’s Facebook page or blog site (www.facebook.com/browser.cat or http://library-cat.blogspot.com

Friday, November 4, 2011

Historic Schools of Carlton County

One-room schoolhouses of Carlton County are the subject of conversation and a book signing by Nancy C. Hanson on Saturday, November 12, at 10:30 a.m. Photographs of several schools will be displayed. Anyone with long-term roots in the area or with an interest in local history will enjoy this morning event. Coffee will be provided.

Ms. Hanson's book, … and the snows came up to here … Schools of Carlton County-Minnesota, provides descriptions of 120 schools and includes 190 black-and-white photographs and maps. It was recently published by Dovetailed Press LLC.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Documentary: Carl Gawboy

Local filmmaker Lorraine Norrgard will introduce a screening of her documentary film Carl Gawboy Portrait: The Art of the Everyday on Saturday, November 5, at 10:30 a.m. Carl Gawboy is a local artist whose work depicts his dual Native American and Finnish heritage growing up in northern Minnesota. He is a retired professor of American Indian Studies at the College of St. Scholastica. Ms. Norrgard was awarded a regional Emmy Award in 2002 for producing and directing on the PBS-8 series Waasa Inaabidaa (We Look In All Directions).

"The Grocer's Son"

The second Tuesday of the month's International Film Series continues on November 8 at 6:30 p.m. with a recent offering from France, The Grocer's Son (Le fils de l'épicier, 2007).

Antoine is a 30-year unmarried man making a living in Lyon when he is summoned home to his family's village to help with the family grocery business. The film chronicles the tensions with his family and his increasing feelings for a young woman from Lyon who accompanies him, all set against the beauty of the Alps of southeastern France.

In French with subtitles. For mature audiences.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Halloween Fright Film

Halloween night at 6:30 p.m. is the perfect witching time for a screening of the restored version of the cult-horror classic Suspiria on our 55” wide-screen TV. From acclaimed giallo director Dario Argento, this 1977 film presents a nightmarish dreamscape that has influenced a number of American directors. Suzy Bannion is a young American dancing student who finds that the historic building in Freiburg, Germany, housing the dance academy where she is enrolled, is also home to a horrifyingly murderous and supernatural sect. Besides its garish visuals and heart-pounding score, the film is also notable for featuring former MGM-star Joan Bennett (who was then starring in the gothic daytime serial “Dark Shadows”) and also one of Alfred Hitchcock’s stars, Alida Valli. This film is not recommended for audience members under 17 years old.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Artists’ reception and open house, Nov. 1, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.



An artists’ reception and open house will be held at the Cloquet Public Library, Tuesday, November 1, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., celebrating the completion of a sculpture by Sean Elmquist, commissioned by the Cloquet Public Library with a grant from the Minnesota Legacy Amendment funds appropriated to the Arrowhead Library System. In addition to the sculpture, the library has also received a donation of rock art from local artist, Bryan Schaap.

The sculpture evokes the power of reading and its ability to transform words into material reality- with a connection to the location. The iconography used in the sculpture: the pages of a book, a tree, a fish, a cloud, the St. Louis River- represent Cloquet, the region, and its ties to reading. The scroll-like forms extend from the Library’s sign as pages of a book, representing the act of reading and the texts contained in the library, and also the area’s ties to paper-making. The “pages” support and present the symbols, evoking the written word’s ability to manifest itself in reality- and to conjure images.

The tree, fish, river and cloud represent the natural beauty of the area, but each symbol contains its own meaning. The tree reflects the area’s forests, as well as its forestry traditions- the tree is also what books are made of. The cloud evokes nature while simultaneously representing thought and imagination. The river spanning the pages is the St. Louis, the main artery of Cloquet, but can also be seen as a “river of knowledge”- with the fish swimming in it a metaphor for the reader.

The sculpture is made from acrylic sheets that are bent, cut, and painted, and then attached to the site by a welded steel framework. Acrylic was chosen for its translucency, and will lend a more nuanced, visually interesting experience than opaque materials such as steel or wood might. Acrylic is also incredibly strong and lightweight, so it will still be structurally sound and long-lasting, but will also be moveable if any construction or expansion of the library is needed.

Bryan Schaap has etched designs into a couple of boulders that greet people as they enter the library. Bryan came up with the idea as a way to help divert the water runoff from the roof and make something attractive in that place. One boulder has a set of children’s hands and the other is a turtle.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Ghost Hunters at the Library

The Minnesota Paranormal Study Group (MinnesotaGhosts.com) will appear at the library on Tuesday, October 25, at 6:30 p.m. These real-life ghost hunters will tell about their investigations of hauntings in northern Minnesota. A slide show documenting some of their eeriest experiences will be followed by questions and answers from the audience. The group explains the reason behind hauntings and how paranormal events can be evaluated.

We're hearing that a number of locations around Cloquet may be haunted--maybe even the library! Come and find out what's really going bump in the night.

Author Connie Claire Szarke

Connie Claire Szarke will read from her novel Delicate Armor (North Star Press of St. Cloud) on Thursday, October 20, at noon. A question-and-answer session and book signing will follow. The event is co-sponsored by Our Savior's Lutheran Church's Cover to Cover Book Club and the library. Refreshments will be provided.

Szarke grew up in southwestern Minnesota, amid small towns, farms,lakes, and prairies. She graduated from St. Cloud State University and the University of Minnesota and was a teacher at Chaska Senior High School for 30 years. Delicate Armor is her debut novel. Her fiction, non-fiction, and poetry have appeared in numerous publications, including Stories Teachers Tell, Lake Country Journal Magazine, Community Connections, and The Minnesota Project.

Set in the Upper Midwest, Delicate Armor is the coming-of-age story of Callie Lindstrom, a cheeky eight-year old who shares a special bond with her father after the loss of his infant son. Delicate Armor is about lost time, the tenacity of the human spirit, a father-daughter relationship, and the feisty narrator’s emerging consciousness as she passes from young girl to self-possessed woman.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Vampires, Witches & Ghosts

Our haunting series of Halloween-themed programs begins Tuesday, October 11, at 6:30 p.m., with Robert and Lynn Halbrook's interactive theater presentation "Vampires, Witches and Ghosts." The program combines several forms of theater: illusion, hypnosis, and spook show, creating an evening of eeriness and chills.

Strange phenomena and manifestations occur as tales of mediums, murderers, and mayhem are recounted. Do the dead actually return? Classic and contemporary books on the supernatural are examined, from the Minnesota Road Guide to Haunted Locations to Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian. Can the characters that populate these books come back to "life"?

The program also features a display of artifacts gathered from around the world. A mummified finger bearing a very special ring, a Ouija board said to be possessed by its original owners, and an "Inquisitor’s Box" used to detect the blood of a witch are just a few of the relics haunting this show. Relics that may be touched by audience members … and, just maybe, audience members will be touched by these relics!

Audience level: Not for children under 12 years of age.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Many Faces of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is one of the most insidious infections around, sometimes mimicking other illnesses and resisting treatment. Lyme disease can mimic the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and may be a hidden cause of MS. Microbiologist Thomas Grier will be speaking about the complexities of Lyme disease and why this bacterium is so unique among the microbes on Saturday, September 17, at 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Grier comes from a research background of vaccine development and immunological methods of detecting infections. He will explain how the Lyme bacterium can enter the brain quickly and easily. Join us as we look at evidence of sequestered brain infections and Lyme disease.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

French Comedy "My Best Friend" Screens Tuesday Night

"My Best Friend" ("Mon Meilleur Ami"), a 2006 comedy from France, will be shown as part of the library's international film series on Tuesday, September 13, at 6:30 p.m. The film begins as a lighthearted comedy as François, an antiques dealer who is disliked by everyone, enters into a bet with one of his colleagues that he can come up with someone who calls him his best friend within a week. At stake is a priceless antique vase he prizes. In the meantime, Bruno, a taxi driver whose goal is to be a contestant on a television quiz show, crosses his path. It's a movie with flair and charm and also a bittersweet comment on the true meaning of friendship. Coffee and French biscuits (cookies) will be served.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Fall book sale set for September 24

Find the book of your dreams at the Cloquet Public Library’s Fall Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sat., Sept. 24, 2011.

Browse through hundreds of books gathered through donations or discards from the library. Conditions range from next-to-new to fair. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For more information, call 879-1531.

Monday, August 29, 2011

Help Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of September 11

Where were you on September 11, 2001? How did you hear about the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon? Had you previously visited the World Trade Center in person, or have you been to the site since then? How were you affected by the events of that day?

If you have a story to tell or simply wish to share your thoughts about 9/11, please join us in observing the 10th anniversary by writing a few lines of your personal thoughts. Brief comments of up to a paragraph in length are encouraged. A selection of patrons' submissions will be displayed in the library.

Please submit your written comment to the front desk, by e-mail, or post to our Facebook or Twitter pages, by Thursday, September 8. Include your name and contact information. Those comments selected for the display will be identified by the writer's initials only.

Above is an artist's rendition of the memorial currently under construction at the site of the former World Trade Center towers (click to enlarge photo).

Friday, August 26, 2011

Fall story times at the library


Fall Story Times at the Cloquet Public Library begin after Labor Day. Preschool (ages 3-5) Story Times are at 10 a.m., Wednesdays, September 7 to November 30. LapSit (ages 0-2) Story Times are at 10 a.m., Thursdays, September 8 to December 1.

Join us for stories, songs, play and good times. For more information, call 879-1531.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Norway's "Troubled Water" Film Screening


Our international film series continues on Tuesday evening, August 9, at 6:30 p.m., with a 2008 film from Norway. One of Norway's rising young actors, Pål Sverre Valheim Hagen, gives an outstanding performance as Jan, a musically gifted but troubled young man recently released from prison for a crime he committed as a teenager resulting in the death of a child. The film examines the ripple effects of the child's death and Jan's search for redemption. Also notable among the cast is Denmark's famous Trine Dyrholm as the child's mother.

As one viewer commented to Film Movement's distributors, " WOW! Such a powerful film. This film is truly 'flawless.' Great performances, incredible cinematography... and the music... Beautiful. [Director] Erik Poppe is a true master."

The film is in Norwegian with English subtitles. Co-sponsored by Cloquet's Sons of Norway Heimsyn Lodge, who will be serving refreshments. A discussion guide to the film will be available.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Minnesota's Roadside Geology


Are you planning on driving around the state this summer? Perhaps a trip up the North Shore with a stop at Gooseberry Falls? Your enjoyment of the Arrowhead region's best-known waterfall will be enhanced when you learn that the rushing water is falling over three ancient lava flows. Learn other surprising geological facts about the state, such as why shark's teeth can be found on the Iron Range, where volcanoes were once active in the state, and how the Mississippi River was formed.

Professor emeritus of geology at UMD Richard Ojakangas will talk about Minnesota geological formations on Tuesday evening, July 19, at 6:30 p.m. Ojakangas's most recent book, Roadside Geology of Minnesota, part of the popular "Roadside Geology" series, serves as the basis for his PowerPoint slide presentation.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

International Film: Mother of Mine, July 12


“For as long as I’ve lived and worked with films I have wanted to tell the story of war children and the exceptional phenomenon where the totally different histories of the Second World War in Finland and in Sweden converge. Naturally it’s impossible to tell 70,000 unique stories in one film. Through the fictive framework we can, however, capture something universal in the feelings of exclusion and rootlessness that we associate with the experiences of the war children. The themes are strongly relevant to any child who has been separated from his/her parents, to anyone for whom growing up has generally been hard due to the secrets they carry in their heart."
- Klaus Härö, director, Äideistä Parhain ("Mother of Mine").

During World War II, 70,000 Finnish children were sent by their families to live in Sweden and elsewhere in Scandinavia as the Soviet Union prepared to attack Finland. Mother of Mine tells this story in microcosm through the eyes of one boy, whose father is killed on Finland's front line of defense and whose mother sends him to Sweden for safety. His rejection by his Swedish host mother upon his arrival is followed by his own mother's plan to leave him in Sweden. Although reconciliation occurs, the painful experience of the war years marks his reflections on his early life. The film was winner at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Cairo International Film Festival, as well as having screened at the Toronto and Seattle international film festivals.

The film will screen at the library on our 55" Samsung widescreen TV in the large meeting room on Tuesday evening, July 12, at 6:30 p.m. Cloquet's Sons of Norway Heimsyn Lodge is co-sponsoring the screening and will be serving refreshments. Join us early for conversation and refreshments.

Kids' Stuff Presents Dazzling Dave

Dazzling Dave, a full-time professional yo-yo performer, will be at Cloquet Public Library at 1 p.m., Thurs., July 28. Dave is one of 13 officially recognized National Yo-Yo Masters. He has circled the globe since 1998, storming audiences everywhere with his freakish tornado of whirling tricks and tips.

Kids will love his high energy, and his freestyle performance. Each show lasts about 30 to 45 minutes, followed by a question-and-answer session. The show is best for school-age children, but younger audiences will enjoy it as well. After the program, Dazzling Dave will have yo-yos for sale.

Check out Dazzling Dave's website: http://www.dazzlingdave.com/index.html

Dazzling Dave is sponsored by Arrowhead Library System Kids' Stuff and the Cloquet Public Library. If you need a sign language interpreter, please contact the Arrowhead Library System two weeks before show.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

"Alaska" Filmmaker to Attend July 14 Screening


San Francisco Filmmaker Joan Juster will introduce her film Alaska Far Away at the library on Thursday, July 14, at 6 p.m. The film chronicles the lives of northern Minnesotans and Wisconsinites who pioneered settlement of Alaska’s Matanuska Colony as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal" economic recovery program during the Great Depression. It was also one of the largest scale socialist experiments in U.S. history. The film is narrated by television veteran Peter Coyote. Ms. Juster will also introduce a segment from her accompanying film Where the River Matanuska Flows, which shows northern Minnesota's connection with the project through recent interviews. More than 200 struggling farm families were resettled in the region, which ultimately helped fuel the expansion of Palmer, Alaska, home to Republican Sarah Palin. A question-and-answer session will follow the screening. The event is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

African drums travel to the library

Come dance and drum with the Titambe West African Dance Ensemble at 4 p.m., Tues., July 5, at the Cloquet Public Library. The program is free of charge and open to all ages.

A great multi-generational program, performers will teach specific rhythms, dancing and drum techniques, featuring the dress and cultural protocols of West Africa. Between drumming and song, the program will include stories and history about Ghana and other African tribal cultures.

The event is part of the Library’s summer program, “One World, Many Stories,” sponsored by the Arrowhead Library System. For more information, call 879-1531.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

International Film Series Debuts Tuesday, June 21


Every year dozens of movies from other countries escape the detection of American audiences. Many of them have won awards from prestigious film festivals around the world. The library is taking steps to address this oversight with its new foreign film series. Once a month, a recent movie will be shown that hasn’t appeared in our local theaters or has been otherwise unavailable.

Our premiere screening is on the first day of summer, Tuesday, June 21, at 6:30 p.m. The film selected is Academy Awarding winning director Jane Campion’s Bright Star, an intimate look at the last three years in the life of English Romantic poet John Keats and his relationship with a young woman of higher social standing, Fanny Brawne. One of the most influential poets of all time, Keats was inspired in his life and art by Fanny, though friends and family on both sides tried to keep them apart. Keats perished from tuberculosis at age 25.

The series continues with the Finnish-Swedish Mother of Mine, scheduled for July 12, and the award-winning Norwegian film Troubled Water, which will screen on August 9. More films are planned for fall.

Movies will be shown on our 55” widescreen Samsung TV in the large meeting room. Join us a few minutes early for coffee and conversation.

Computer Classes Continue with Special Topics

The library's basic computer classes continue on three Monday evenings in June with topics focused on areas needed for becoming computer literate. June 13's class is on how to set up an e-mail account using hotmail or Yahoo. June 20's class is important for job seekers - in this class you'll learn how to create a resume and portfolio online that can be accessed by potential employers. June 27's class looks at social networking - how to get started on Facebook and Twitter. Also covered in the class is the all-important topic of internet safety. All classes are from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Class size is limited to 10, so you must call or stop in the library to sign up. 879-1531.

Seeking: Teen Advisory Board

We’re looking for motivated teens to help us plan a space especially for teens in the library. What after-school activities would you like to do? What sort of contests or events do you think would interest teens and help make the library a good resource for after school? Let us know if you’re interested in helping come up with new ideas. The group will meet once or twice during the summer. Call 879-1531.

Teen Summer Writing Contest

Teens who have completed grades 6 through 12 are invited to enter the library’s summer writing contest.

Choose any book, fiction or non-fiction, published in the past year (any book with a copyright date of 2010 or 2011). Write a personal essay of 1-2 pages (250-500 words) explaining “What this book means to me.” You might want to address how the book’s subject affects you, or has expanded your horizons, or how you relate to a character.

Submit a printed copy of your essay to the library’s front desk by August 22. Be sure to include your name, phone number, and last grade completed.

One winner will be chosen from middle school and one from high school age groups. Writers of the best essay will receive a $30 gift certificate to Wal-Mart. Winners will be announced in the fall issue of the library’s newsletter.

Questions? Call 879-1531

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Meyerson joins summer spotlight

Musician/songwriter Robi Meyerson will give a children's performance at 1 p.m., Wed., June 15, at the Cloquet Public Library. The program is free of charge and open to the public.

Meyerson plays a wide variety of musical styles, including folk, swing, pop, rock, and blues. Her song selection includes originals, many genres, old standards, and, of course, children’s music. Kids love to sing and dance with Robi. For more information, call 879-1531.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Dark Tales for Teens

Mentalist and motivational speaker Robert Halbrook will bring his teen-oriented program “Dark Tales of Mystery and Intrigue” to the library on Thursday evening, June 26, at 6:30 p.m. Audience participants will experience strange phenomena such as telekinesis and mindreading. Macabre objects such as an Inquisitor’s box will be on display. The program draws from works by authors such as Stephanie Meyers (author of the “Twilight” series) and Edgar Allan Poe. If you are in middle school or senior high, join us for a heart pounding and fascinating journey into the unknown.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Harp adventures kicks off summer fun

Musician Christina Cotruvo will present Harp Adventures, a program full of travel, harps and music at 10:30 a.m., Thurs., June 9, at the Cloquet Public Library.

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

The program, based on the book, Harp Mouse Adventures, will introduce the inner workings of harps and provide an opportunity to play one and enjoy music from many nations following the travels of Harp Mouse. The author of the book is Diane E. Dunn.

Cotruvo’s appearance is part of the Library’s program of summer activities for youth. This year’s theme is “One World, Many Stories.” Children will travel the globe exploring places from Oceania to Russia through stories, crafts, music, games and other activities.

The Library’s Summer Reading Challenge is open to young people, preschool through young adult, with programs, prizes, story hours and special events. Additional performances will include African Drums, Dazzling Dave and his Yoyos and popular musician Robi Meyerson. All children are eligible to participate in the summer reading challenge. Preschoolers will receive credit for books read aloud to them.

Registration officially begins on Mon., June 6. To participate, children fill out a Reading Log by listing books or pages read and present it to the children’s librarian for credit. Incentives will be awarded as readers make progress.

Story Times for preschool (ages 3-5) children will be at 10 a.m., Wednesdays, June 15 through August 3. LapSit Story Times (ages 0-2) will be at 10 a.m., Thursdays, June 16 through August 4.

Tween and teens will learn the basics of Haiku (a form of Japanese poetry with three phrases) writing through imaginative exercises, games and fun examples during a two-day workshop at 1 p.m., Thursday, June 16 and 23. Interested youth must preregister by calling the library before the class begins.

This year, children will answer the question, “Where’s Jacques?” as they search weekly for the roving yet cuddly polar bear puppet. An end-of-the-summer drawing will determine who takes Jacques home. Children can also look forward to weekly scavenger hunts. For more information, call the Library at 879-1531.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

News to Me: Journalist and Minnesota Book Award-winning Author Laurie Hertzel

Former Duluth News-Tribune reporter Laurie Hertzel has just been announced as winner of the 2011 People’s Choice Award from the Minnesota Book Awards. On Saturday, May 7, at 10 a.m., Ms. Hertzel will be at the library to read from her new memoir, News to Me: Adventures of an Accidental Journalist, published by the University of Minnesota Press.

Irreverent and insightful, Ms. Hertzel’s story vividly captures the changes taking place in the male-dominated world of journalism in the early '70s and society at large. Her journalistic endeavors covered the Twin Ports area up to the Iron Range and ultimately to the Soviet Union during the Gorbachev era. In Duluth’s sister city of Petrozavodsk, she met American-born Finns who had come as children with their parents to build a worker’s paradise under Stalin. The dream became a nightmare for many Finnish-Americans as they fell under suspicion and were rounded up at night for clandestine execution under Stalin’s purges.

Despite this grim and touching subject matter in later chapters of the book, Ms. Hertzel’s authorial voice from the first page shows her overwhelmingly humorous take on life. She is heir to James Thurber in her comic vision and to Mark Twain in her ironic observations of society and people.

In addition to her journalistic writing, Ms. Hertzel has also been the recipient of the Thomas Wolfe award in short fiction.

Copies of News to Me will be available for purchase after the reading.

This program is supported by the Minnesota Book Awards through a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education – State Library Services and the Minnesota Library Foundation. The Minnesota Book Awards is a project of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, in partnership with the Saint Paul Public Library and the City of Saint Paul. For more information on the Minnesota Book Awards, visit http://www.thefriends.org/.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Author of Boo Boo Bear's Mission to speak

Soldiers with the Cloquet-based Crazy Troop 1-94 Cavalry Unit of the Army National Guard are about to be deployed for a year to Kuwait and Iraq. Before they leave, the soldiers and their families, along with all interested others, are invited to a free Boo Boo Bear's Mission "Connecting Hearts" workshop at the Cloquet Library.
Mary Linda Sather, author, Boo Boo Bear's Mission The True Story of a Teddy Bear's Adventures in Iraq, will give a program at 6:30, Thurs., May 19. Sather will read the story she wrote about how her son and granddaughter stayed connected during a recent deployment. The retired educator will also discuss ways other families can stay connected when they have to be apart for a long time.
The real Boo Boo Bear, who went along on several missions while in Iraq, will be at the event. Original artwork from the book, created by the children of military families from throughout the Northland, will be on display. Books will be available for purchase. For more information, call 879-1531.

Folk Dance traditions at the library



American folk dance caller and musician Terrence Smith will be at the Cloquet Public Library at 3:30 p.m., Thurs., May 5, after performing a Maypole dance at Washington Elementary School. Smith will be available to share information on music traditions and the instruments that he uses for dances and Maypole events. For more information, call 879-1531.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Friends of 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 30, 2011. 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.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Workshop in Digital Photography

Learn the techniques of digital photography in a workshop presented by John Gregor of ColdSnap Photography and Waterfront Gallery of Two Harbors. This five-hour workshop will be held at the library on Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a half hour lunch (not provided). The workshop will combine classroom instruction in theory and technique as well as outdoor instruction and shooting. Bring your digital camera. If you do not have a camera, please mention that you would like to borrow one for the class when you call to register. The class is open to all skill levels and is offered free of charge. There is a limit of 15 adults; advance registration is required. Call the library at 879-1531 to register.

ColdSnap’s photography has appeared in Fine Gardening, Minnesota Monthly, and Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, among other publications and organizations. For more information, see John Gregor’s website at: http://www.coldsnap.com/. This workshop is made possible through funds provided by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Wanted! Minnesota Crime Wave

There's little truth to the rumor that the three authors comprising the “Minnesota Crime Wave” met because they have the same parole officer. Established in 2000, these three specialists in fictional crime and mystery have toured the country several times. Among them, they have published more than 30 novels and have received nearly two dozen local, regional and national book awards. The three writers will talk about their work at the Cloquet Public Library on Saturday, April 2, at 10 a.m.

"Minnesota Crime Wave" members are Ellen Hart, Carl Brookins and William Kent Krueger. Hart is author of the "Jane Lawless" mystery series, which features a culinary detective (Hart is also a trained chef). Her newest book in the series is Cruel Ever After, which was published last December.

Brookins is a former academic--and an avid sailor--who has authored three mystery series. The "Tanner-Whitney" series features a married pair of sailing sleuths. Devil’s Island is his latest mystery.

William Kent Krueger writes the "Cork O'Connor" mystery series, set in the Northwoods and featuring a protagonist who is part Ojibwe and part Irish. His stories often deal with the clash of cultures. Krueger’s latest Cork O’Connor book is Vermilion Drift.

The authors will have their books for sale and will autograph copies. The event is free and open to the public.

“Minnesota Crime Wave” is sponsored by the Arrowhead Library System, the Minnesota Library Legacy Fund, and the Cloquet Public Library. The program is funded by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.


Friday, March 11, 2011

One Book, One Community Read for 2011 is Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford


Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is an extraordinary story of commitment and enduring hope. Author Jamie Ford depicts the heartwarming friendship between Henry Lee and Keiko Okabe, a Chinese American boy and a Japanese American girl—both American citizens—whose ethnic backgrounds impact their destinies in drastically different ways during World War II. When the United States government orders all persons of Japanese ancestry to evacuate their homes and submit to voluntary internment, Keiko and her family are forced to leave Seattle and live in an internment camp in rural Idaho. In Keiko’s absence, Henry must come to terms with what it means to be Chinese, an obedient son, a trustworthy friend, and a loyal American.

One Book, One Community events in Cloquet:

The Best of Jazz from the 1930s and '40s
Thursday, April 7, 2011 6:30 p.m.
Encore Performing Arts Center and Gallery, 2035 S. Hwy 33, Cloquet
Check out free tickets at the library to hear Twin Cities jazz singer Christine Rosholt and her band celebrate the best of jazz from the 1930s and '40s.

Funded by the Minnesota Regional Public Library System (MRPLS) and the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) made possible by MRPLS’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds.

Brown Bag Lunch with Jamie Ford

Thursday, April 14, 11:30 a.m.

Cloquet Public Library

Bring your lunch and listen to Jamie Ford talk about his book, The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. The Friends of the Cloquet Public Library will provide dessert and refreshments.

Funded in part by Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund, Friends of the Cloquet Public Library, Friends of the Duluth Public Library, Duluth Library Foundation, and Arrowhead Reading Council.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Basic computer classes at library

Interested in learning to use a computer but don't know where to begin? Or have you been using a computer but still haven't mastered the basics? We will explore the basics of computer technology in this free class. Open to beginners and all skill levels. Attend one session or all four. Presented by e-folio Minnesota. Basic Computing Skills: Thursdays, March 17, 24, and 31, 6-8 p.m. Class size is limited to 10. Registration is a must. Call 879-1531.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Read Across America at the Library

The nationwide reading celebration "Read Across America" will begin at 3:15 p.m., Wed., March 16, at the Cloquet Public Library. Children of all ages can join the fun by reading from a favorite book or from one of ours. Everyone who reads aloud will receive a free book.

The National Education Association's "Read Across America" event is now in its 14th year, motivating children to read and helping them to master basic skills. Join the thousands of schools, libraries and community centers across the country participating in the worthwhile event, bringing together kids and books and you.

The event is in honor of the hugely popular children's author Dr. Seuss whose birthday is in March. Like all of our programs at the library, "Read Across America" is free of charge and open to the public.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Gail Johnson's Last Supper (Break) 01/06/11


Here is Gail Johnson enjoying her last supper break at the Library after 28 years of service.

Her choice of meal? Chocolate cake and Dr. Pepper! Plus a good book. Here's looking at you, Gail!

Draw Cartoons with illustrator Chris Monroe

Learn how to draw cartoons with Chris Monroe, author and illustrator of Monkey with a Tool Belt, at 10 a.m., Sat., Feb. 19, at the Cloquet Public Library. The program is free of charge and open to the public.

Both children and young adults are invited to this hands-on session where they will actually draw a cartoon. Pre-registration is a must. For more information, call Lissie at 879-1531.

Chris Monroe's humor and intricate illustrations for Monkey with a Tool Belt and Monkey with a Tool Belt and the Noisy Problem drew high praise from reviewers and bloggers alike. Chris is also the illustrator of Totally Uncool and both author and illustrator of Sneaky Sheep. In addition, she is the creator of the long-running comic strip Violet Days and the book Ultra Violet: Ten Years of Violet Days. She lives in Duluth.

This program was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Winter Story Times at the Library

Preschool Story Times (ages 3-5) will be at 10 a.m., Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 12 through March 30.

LapSit Story Times (ages 0-2) will be at 10 a.m., Thursdays, beginning Jan. 13 through March 31.

Join us for stories, songs, play and good times. For more information, call Lissie at 879-1531.