Express Yourself At Your Library!

An art program, sponsored by Pioneerland-SAMMIE-Plum Creek Teen Cooperative, will be held at the Ortonville Public Library on Thursday July 2 and Thursday July 9 from 2 - 4 p.m. the goal is to introduce teens to the world of art, hone skills that may already be developing in teens, and have fun! Teens will be instructed in clay sculpture, sidewalk chalk murals, "Express Yourself" paintings using poster board, paint, markers and pens, drawing techniques and how to find creativity through use of art and pattern books. Please stop by the Ortonville Public Library by June 29 to sign up. We need to let them know how many teens to bring materials for. There is no charge for the program. Call 839-2494 if you have questions. The same program will be held at the Graceville Public Library on the same days but from 10 - 12. If you would like to attend in Graceville, please stop by the library there or call 748-7332.

New Position

I will be the new head librarian at the Graceville Library beginning on June 1, 2009. Ann Lauer, librarian for 30 years, will retire effective June 1, 2009. I will be spending approximately 8 hours a week in Graceville and the remaining 32 in Ortonville. I will be hiring an assistant in Graceville who will work the remaining hours. I look forward to the challenge of serving the two libraries in Big Stone County.

Storytime in the Park

We will again be doing Storytime in the Park starting on Tuesday, June 16th and running until August 11th. The storytime will be held at Lakeside Park at 10:00 a.m. each Tuesday. Parents are asked to make sure their children are supervised when attending the storytime. Please bring along a blanket or lawn chairs for the program.

Summer Reading Sessions

This year we will be having four sessions for the summer reading program. The first program will be on Mondays, starting on June 22nd from 1 - 3 p.m. and each Monday thereafter with the final one being on Monday, July 20. This program will be for all teens. The other programs will be held on Wednesdays starting with June 24th and running through June 22nd. First through Third grade will meet from 1 - 2 p.m.; Ages 3 through kindergarten will meet from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.; and Fourth through Sixth grade will meet from 4 - 5 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact the library at 320-839-2494.

Summer Reading Program

The Summer Reading Program is fast approaching. The theme this year is Be Creative @ Your Library. Registration will be held the week of June 8 - 13th at the Library. Our kickoff party will be at Lakeside Park on Wednesday, June 17 from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. The regular sessions will start the following week and run through July 24th. The final program "Imagineering At Your Library" will be held on Wednesday, July 29th at 1:00 p.m.

MnKnows - Dig Deeper @ Your Library

MnKnows - Dig Deeper @ Your Library (www.mnknows.org) gives Minnesotans one-stop access to five statewide library services: 1) Find books, CD's, DVD's, articles and more throught he MnLink Gateway and have them delivered to your local library; 2) Search trusted information resources in the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM) to find online articles and electronic books on a vast array of topics; 3) Discover photos, documents and maps related to Minnesota history through Minnesota Reflections; 4) Get real-time answers from a librarian 24/7 at AskMN; and 5) Use the Research Project Calculator to create sensible timelines for student's homework.
These online resources are funded through state and federal funds provided to Minitex and State LIbrary Services and are available at no charge to Minnesotans. They are the products of your tax dollars at work!

Monica Ferris to visit Library

Monica Ferris, author of many fiction books will be at the Ortonville Public Library on Saturday, May 16th from 1 - 3 p.m. Monica Ferris' real name is Mary Monica Pulver. She grew up in Terre Haute, Indiana. She then moved and fraduated from high school in Milwaukee. She published six medieval mysteries under the pseudonym of Margaret Frazer with Gail Frazer. In 1998, she began writing a new series featuring amateur needleworking sleuth, Betsy Devonshire. The books are set in Excelsior, MN. The first six were in paperback and the last six are hardcovers to be followed by paperback editions. She has taught courses on mystery writing. She has won a place on national and local best-seller lists. She is also a collectyor of exuberant hats and is often seen in them. Come to the library on the 16th and meet Mary (Monica Ferris) Monica Pulver. You will not be disappointed. Refreshments will be served by the Friends of the Ortonville Library.