Edible Island gives a sneak peak at summer

Come and see our Edible Island display. This year our summer reading theme is "Look What's Cookin' at the Library." Inspired by that theme, we've created an edible island for your viewing pleasure. See how many items you can recognize that are, indeed, edible. It's a sweet tooth's Eden. Feast your eyes on our savory world. See how many fairy tale characters you can find too.

American Masterpieces Coming to Library

Great art speaks powerfully, inspires fresh thinking, and connects us to our past. The Cloquet Public Library recently received notice of an award from Picturing America, an exciting new initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), conducted in cooperation with the American Library Association (ALA). Picturing America brings masterpieces of American art into classrooms and libraries nationwide. Through this innovative program, students and citizens will gain a deeper appreciation of our country’s history and character through the study and understanding of its art. The program uses art as a catalyst for the study of America—the cultural, political, and historical threads woven into our nation’s fabric over time.

An official award letter from NEH Chairman Bruce Cole will come in September 2008, along with award materials, including 40 laminated reproductions of American artworks and a teachers’ resource book. Additional educational resources will be available on the NEH Web site. In return for receiving the award, the Library will keep as many of the reproductions as possible on continual exhibit during the September 2008 through May 2009 grant term, and to retain the reproductions for future display and educational use.

This fall, join us as we picture America at the Cloquet Public Library!

Library receives Humanities Award

The National Endowment for the Humanities has selected the Cloquet Public Library to receive the 2008 We the People “Created Equal” Bookshelf. Cloquet was one of 3,000 libraries across the country to receive this year’s Bookshelf, a set of 17 classic books on the theme of “Created Equal.” The Library received four of the books in Spanish as well, along with a resource kit on Abraham Lincoln. 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.

To enhance the Bookshelf, the Library purchased the 14-volume set, The U.S. Government: How It Works, which introduces young readers to the major branches and key players of the federal government. These books will come in handy during a presidential election year as students explore the history of our government and the election of a new president. In similar news, the Library plans to host an activity in the fall that will give youth the opportunity to explore the voting process.

Look What's Cookin' at the Library

Studies show that children who read over the summer are more prepared for school success in the fall. The Cloquet Public Library likes this kind of research. To spice things up, we’ll take you from chilies to chocolate with our 2008 summer reading challenge, “Look What’s Cookin’ at Your Library.”

Entrées will include a number of special activities, reading incentives and extra treats all summer long. We’ll also take our Look What’s Cookin’ theme into the community, teaming up with the Cloquet Community Education summer program schedule. Highlights include a What’s Cookin’ Scavenger Hunt, Art in the Park, and two international food parties.

Look What’s Cookin at Your Library kicks off Mon., June 9, with a kids’ get-together from 2-4 p.m. Drop by and register for the Summer Reading Challenge, but that’s only the start. The first clue in the Scavenger Hunt will be given out, along with fun activities and treats.

Throughout the summer months, the Library will host special programs for children. Performances will include well-known artist/author Deb Frasier, Sparky the Clown, and storyteller Carol Beckstrom. Activities will feature games, art projects and other delectable doings.

Summer story times for preschoolers (3-5 year olds) will be at 10 a.m., Wednesdays, June 11 through Aug. 6. LapSit Story Times (0-2 year olds) will be at 10 a.m., Thursdays, June 12 through Aug.7.

For more information on the Library’s Summer Reading Challenge and activities, call 878-1531.

Spring Story Time Hours

Preschool Story Times (ages 3-5) will be at 10 a.m., Wednesdays, April 23 through May 21. LapSit Story Times (ages 0-2) will be at 10 a.m., Thursdays, April 24 through May 22. Questions? Call 879-1531.

Summer fun for children begins on June 9. Watch for future details.

Spring book sale this April

The Friends of the Cloquet Public Library will host their annual Spring Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat., April 19, 2008. Everyone is welcome to come and browse through the ample selection of discarded library books as well as area donations of books, ranging in quality from used to next-to-new.

Proceeds from sales will go to children’s programming and new book acquisitions.

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

Free kantele lessons for adults

Adults and teens can learn to play the kantele (Finnish lap harp) from musician/songwriter Barb Hanka at the Cloquet Public Library this spring. Hanka will conduct a four-session workshop, Tuesday afternoons, from 4:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., April 15 through May 6.

Lessons are free of charge and open to the public. Enrollment is limited, so pre-registration is a must. Learn to play songs, melodies, and chords on the 5-string Finnish kantele. You can bring your own kantele or borrow one from the instructor.

The last class, May 6, will include a special concert by the students playing the tunes they learned over the past three sessions. Hanka previously taught a kantele class for children at the library.

This wonderful opportunity to learn the basics of kantele playing is sponsored by the Cloquet Public Library. To register or to learn more about the lessons, call the Library at 879-1531.