Wayzata Branch, Hennepin County Library -- Revisit

Last year I visited Wayzata library on a very, very hot day. Today was cool, and some threatened rain had blown through before the bus was out of downtown. I rode out to Orono, had lunch at Culver's, and stopped in Wayzata on the way back. We'll count Wayzata as a library with ice cream nearby; there is a Ben and Jerry's down the hill, near the lakeshore.

Approaching from the south this time, I started my visit with a set of 50 steps--yes, I counted them. They brought me up through a garden area with what to my uneducated eye appeared to be wildflowers on the hillside and cultivated flowers at the top. Very nice.

Inside, a wall of windows looks out across this garden to the lake. Each end of this wall has a "living room" area of comfortable chairs, one end for those browsing periodicals and newspapers, the other for general use, though the large print books are nearby. Between these two areas are four study tables, each seating four people. There are also several quiet study rooms for individuals or small groups. Each seating area and table was occupied on this beautiful afternoon; the view may have compesated for the need to be inside.

I saw about ten public Internet computers, plus eight in the children's area and four more for teens. The teen area was partially enclosed, and a sign indicated that it is only for teens after noontime in the summer.

The large "found art" piece is still on the wall in the children's area. Today I spotted its title: "Go to Your Room." Stepping back, I could see the similarity to a bedroom floor ringed by toys. The preschool area has toy food in a "shop" and a wooden "cook top" that sits on a table, so there is no need to have the space for the usual toy kitchen. There are bins of board books and many "E" picture books, some in alphabetical bins and some displayed by theme.

I like the DVD sign made of broken pieces of -- what else? -- DVDs. Clever.

Children's fiction is labeled "Children's" on the spine, not the typical "J"--I'm not sure I've seen that practice before.

There is a model of two shops on display behind the Information desk. I was told that it is on loan from the Historical Society. There is also a model of the train depot (I think) displayed in one of the reading areas.

For more information about this branch and its environs, go to http://www.hclib.org/AgenciesAction.cfm?agency=Wa.

7/24/2013, bus and walking

Riverview Branch, St. Paul Public Library--Revisit

My visit today was brief; I had requested a book and asked to pick it up here, just for fun.

I read my post from last summer where I noted that this was a very lively library. It was perhaps not so lively this year, but that was probably due to the time of day. I sat for a while and watched a young boy, perhaps 10, very competently using the online catalog. That was nice to see.

Outside there are two benches bracketing a small paved area with monarch butterfly designs. A couple of the designs are in color, others are dark sillouettes intended for counting.

I left quickly in order to catch a bus...which did not come. If I'd known the next bus would not come either, I would have gone back inside, but hope springs eternal when it comes to waiting for buses. I ended up waiting by the bus stop, reading, for about an hour...

For more information about this branch library, go to http://www.sppl.org/about/locations/riverview'

7/18/2013, bus

After seeing the pictures, it won't surprise you to know this is one of three Carnegie libraries in St. Paul.

17a. Hennepin County, Southdale Library--Revisit

When I visited last year, I never got to the top floor where non-fiction is shelved. This year I determined through the on-line catalog that a book I wanted was there, so I started at the top.

Most of the floor, especially the west wall, is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. From this level, you can actually see a long way to a tree-filled horizon, rare in an urban library. [Of course, the foreground is mostly parking lot and a large Target store--raise your eyes!]

There are many computers, plus tables for two or four, some with outlets for laptops. In addition to the extensive non-fiction stacks there is a very large reference section, quiet study rooms, and both circulating and reference periodicals. This is the first library where I've noticed bound back issues of some periodicals, though I'm sure St. Paul Central and Minneapolis Central must have them. This area includes paper editions of the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature through 2009 and the New York Times Index through 2004. The only other place I recall seeing these was LaCrosse, Wisconsin, though again I expect that St. Paul and Minneapolis have them.

Signs near a computer with special law software reminds users that "Print jobs must be picked up at least 15 minutes before library closes" and "Printing stops at 9 PM M-Th, 5 PM` Fri, Sat, Sun." Since these are the closing hours for the library, I'm not sure how a patron who can print until 9 pm, say, can pick up a print job "15 minutes before closing." Unless a print job is something someone else does for you? Perhaps someone will comment and clarify. Someone from the large Information and Services Desk, possibly?

A "living room" area near the elevators and top of the stairs provides comfortable and attractive seating for those browsing the newspaper and graphic novels.

Moving down to the lower level...I dealt mostly with the children's area last year, so I'll just make a few comments now. A number of large and small figures hang from the ceiling, providing an underwater ambience which is enhanced by a large mural with 3-D figures on one wall. As on the level above, the walls have many large windows. There are at least seven computers for kids. Central areas between Children and Teens have signs indicating that they are for "Kids and Families" or "Teens and families" after 3 PM and on weekends. I was there at 2:45 and noticed several unaccompanied adults using these areas; I almost wanted to stick around and see if they moved at 3 o'clock.

There were a number of teens in the teen area, and when I walked through, more or less by accident, I got some looks; the old lady didn't belong there!

This level houses the adult fiction collection. A living room-type area is near the world language corner, which holds books, DVDs, and periodicals for all ages in Spanish, Russian, Chinese, French, Somali, and Vietnamese. I even saw copies of the Harvard Business Review in Chinese!

Book returns on the first floor are labeled for books, media, and "children's and YA" books.

7/19/2013, bus and a bit of walking

Sorry, no new picture

70a. Hennepin County, Ridgedale Library -- Revisit

As was the case last year, I feel that kids have learning opportunities from the moment they start up the stairs: "Can you count to 30?" A number is posted on each step, 1 to 30 going up, 30 to 1 going down. A message to parents points out that counting up is preparation for addition, counting down is prep for subtraction. Interactive questions and materials abound. There is a "pond" laminated to the floor with a "wooden dock" out into it. A toddler was on the "dock" when I was there, looking closely at the pond life while carefully avoiding the "edges." Something not seen before: a scale beside the self-checkout in the kids' area, with a sign "How much do your books weigh?" Nobody was checking out while I looked, but I would think this would be irresistable. [I've mentioned this to adults at a couple of other libraries; for them it is very resistable.]

Adults are encouraged to learn, too. There is a vocabulary word with its definition on the end of each non-fiction shelf. Inveterate, soupcon, obstreperous, chthonic, quincunx -- they were all what I consider "SAT words." Very cool. A window wall along the non-fiction area looks out into the treetops in a park-like yard with a patio.

There is a glassed in office backing up the reference desk; it looks as if these staff workstations are used for reference phone calls. There are more than 20 computers in labs, and a patron can sign up for "computer lab" or "computer lab with scanner." An area where laptops can be plugged in is bright and cheerful under a skylight. There are at least four small study rooms for one or two people. (I say "at least" because I kept finding surprises!) The non-fiction area is lined with study carrels along a window wall. I spotted three microfilm/fiche readers and one magnifier for low-vision patrons.

There is a very attractive display of "altered books," each framed and ribboned. The browsing area by one corner is surrounded by window walls on two sides. There are many periodicals displayed, but some periodical shelves are empty; I wonder if this presages a move to Zineo or something similar?

Non-fiction DVDs are on their own shelves with labels like "musicals," "nature," and so forth. They appear to be labeled by topic, not LC.

In the adult fiction section, newsletters from Uncle Hugo's Mystery Bookstore are available on the Mystery shelves. Where the non-fiction shelves have vocabulary words, fiction shelves display artistic black and white photos of books.

The teen area was occupied by a number of teens (not often seen, in my experience, during these visits). Teens have six computers, lots of teen magazines and graphic novels, and bins of comic books. YA non-fiction books are shelved separately. I didn't look closely to see whether these are topics of particular inteerst to teens.

This is only the second, and by far the largest, library where a parent can get a diaper from the children's librarian; this is a sensible and potentially very helpful service. Entering the children's area I saw "Explore Science" stations about X-rays, magnets, and bugs. A "farmers' market" is near a sign saying "The Together Project: Play matters." Indeed it does, and it's very good to see this acknowledged. The media corner has plastic and wooden dishes and toys for play, and a sign, "Pick up after play to earn a sticker." I have mixed feelings there; rewards like stickers have been shown to be ineffective as motivators in the long run, but librarians need spaces kept tidy. Would "Please clean up after yourself" not work as well?

A long, low table in an alcove provides space for linking road segments, vehicles, and buildings. "When we play and talk together, you are teaching me all about my world."

The Friends have a self-contained bookstore in the lobby near the Dunn Bros. coffee shop. A very nice volunteer was staffing it when I was there. [Of course, all library volunteers, friends or not, are very nice, and invaluable.]

When I visited last summer I mentioned that the westbound bus stops directly across from the library, about equidistant between two traffic lights. It would be a good safety feature if a "zebra stripe" crosswalk were painted, and a "Yield to Pedestrians" sign displayed. No change this year. Eastbound, of course, is not problem, as the bus stops on the same side of the street as the library.

7/15/2013, bus

Sorry, no new picture.

2a. Washington County, Hardwood Creek Branch, Forest Lake, MN

This library shares a building with the town offices. This adds a large lobby, a fenced park area, and a snack room with vending machines--nice features to have nearby.

I think I would like to work in the round entry space which houses requests, new books, self-checkout stations, and a round circulation service desk. It feels nice, and the friendly person at that desk added to the good feeling.

The library space is very long and relatively narrow. On the right as you enter there is a ramp that runs most of the length of the building and leads to a reading loft with varied seating, some plants, and windows on two sides with a view to the nearby wetlands. The ramp overlooks the children's area on the right and the adult area on the left. There are about 16 public computers, and the ubiquitous carts with books for sale.

The adult area is anchored on the near end by a space for teens that features a funky window (see picture below), two round booths, and a neon sign. On the far end is a browsing area with big windows, a fireplace, upholstered chairs. Between these ends are the genre and general fiction collections and the non-fiction. All non-fiction is shelved together, which seems to be an increasingly common practice--and one that I support.

Passing under the high end of the ramp, one enters the children's area, which runs back the full length of the building. A program room is to the left. It has a restroom, storage space for materials, and windows that look out to the natural area surrounding the building. Walking the length of the space you pass three long rows of "Easy" bins and shelves, assorted small tables and chairs, and finally the children's fiction collection. Recessed areas under the ramp house low windows to the adult area, cubbies for bookclub-in-a-bag kits, and book/CD kits. Between the preschool and older kids' areas are two sand tables with clear covers, and magnets that can be used to move vehicles through the sand; fun!

My favorite bit of "passive programming" involved a shelf by the entrance to the children's area holding a stack of paper and a set of books about paper airplanes. The activity suggestion: take a sheet of paper and an instruction book, make a paper airplane...then see how far it will fly off the reading loft above! It was quiet when I was there, but there must be times when this gets very lively!

7/13/2013, car

For more information, go to http://www.co.washington.mn.us/facilities.aspx?page=detail&RID=2

There are nice places to walk around this library, and I set off for a meander after my visit. To my surprise, the walk prompted memories of the book I was listening to in my car last summer when I made a visit here, a John Sandford book about a horrendous fire. Memory is strange, indeed.

 

That tilted window below is in the teen area.

34a. Stillwater, Minnesota, City Library--Revisit

Stillwater's library began as a Carnegie library, as is clear from the pictures below. And although it is listed with Washington County libraries, it is actually a city library--never mind what I said about it last year. I was wrong, and a couple of very nice librarians sorted me out on the subject today.

If you put the library address into your gps and follow its directions, you will end up on the east side of the library, the side that features the parking garage. Instead, go one block further up the hill and park on the street. Then you can see the Carnegie "look" as you approach. Except that it's a bit more complicated, if I understand it correctly. Before the parking garage was added, the library faced east and the west side would have been the back door; the old front door can be seen from the rooftop patio atop the new part, which today was being prepared for a wedding reception. Confused? You'll just have to go and see for yourself!

From the west, through the door pictured below, you enter a rounded hall where a table of new books stands on a carpet-and-mosaic floor. This level has a variety of rooms. First on the right is the mystery room, where I found a good selection by some of my favorite authors, always a good sign. Then I passed a bust of Abraham Lincoln standing guard outside a library office. Then you come to a room holding science fiction and westerns, then the Murdock Room that faces east and houses a fireplace, large print books, and romance novels. Beyond this is general fiction, and you come back around to the entrance. This side of the library truly is the "back" now, and the desk is staffed by a volunteer greeter.

The old wooden shelves are graced by cast-iron ends in a fairly elaborate pattern. These are unlike anything I've seen in other libraries, and they are very attractive as well as utilitarian. There is art on the walls everywhere, and a sign points down a hallway (which I didn't explore) to a Gallery.

Down half a level I passed an antique wooden bookcase filled with classic books "for display, not circulation." This is reminiscent of the lower level of the library in New Hampton, NH.

Another half level down and I entered the adult non-fiction section. This area has large windows with stained-glass tops, matching the Carnegie part of the building. There are wooden carrels, several study rooms for individuals or small groups, and seating for browsers in a windowed corner near the periodicals. I liked seeing a sign telling where to go in case of severe weather (to the children's department). I got a kick from signs about the Dewey Decimal system that start, "Hi, I'm Mel...  Dewey have information..." There is a prominent cart labeled "Not checking it out? Please place materials to be re-shelved on this cart. Thanks." That sign faces forward. In case patrons miss it, each end of the cart says, "Please... Do not re-shelve books. Place them on this cart. Thanks." I hope this works!

There are about 15 public computers on some unusual curved tables, quite different from the typical carrels and very nice-looking. Near these is the reference section and the room that houses the St. Croix collection, which can only be used in that room. A teen area is large and welcoming, with interesting modern lighting hanging from the ceiling, four computers, and a teen study room. .

In the children's area, the bins and shelves of picture books and juvenile books are extensive and quite what one would expect. What I did not expect was the reading loft tucked into a corner, with "windows" that look into the children's area. Below the loft were painted "storefronts" representing the Bear Claw Cafe, Fire Fly Station No. 9, and Acorn Bank. A "fire truck" with seating for readers is parked in front of this "street." A storytime room has round cushions hanging from pegs--what a nice alternative to carpet squares! The carpet throughout the kids' area has a subtle alphabet pattern. And of course, the handsome puppet theater is still in the corner. (Find the other Stillwater entry to see the puppet theater.)

There is more to like: a seating area with a corner that looks like standing books and benches labeled "Looking for a Moose" and "Antler, Bear, Canoe;" about 19 periodical titles for kids; tables and chairs placed at shelf ends; a low drinking fountain and a rest room for kids only; four internet computers, one Book Flix station, two catalog computers, and a self-checkout station. A flock of birds in flight hangs beneath the ceiling. I'll end with a sign I liked:

Welcome to the library.
At the library...
   ... I stay close to my adult
   ... I use my indoor voice
   ... I am gentle with books and equipment
   ... I stay safe by walking, not running or jumping
   ... I put away books and games when I am done

Each statement was accompanied by a photograph. Very nice.

7/13/2013, car

For more information, go to http://www.stillwaterlibrary.org/.

I didn't get close enough to show "Carnegie Library" and 1902.

61a. Hennepin County, Edina -- Revisit

The first time I visited here, last summer, I was in a rush...the bus I rode out on would sit in the nearby turn-around spot for just about 1/2 hour, and I really wanted to be on it for the return trip. Today, I made sure I had plenty of time. I was out here today because I read mysteries while riding buses, and I very much needed the next one in a series, which was available here. I had called the night before to be sure, and to have it set aside for me. So I was on a dual mission: get my book, and give this library its due.

I'm always intrigued by signs, and I saw one here before I even went inside. It was on the book drop, and it said "Caution, moving conveyor, do not put hands inside bookdrop." I hadn't seen that one before; the bookdrop inside the library, which I believe also has a conveyor, does not have this warning.

A meeting room off the lobby was full of bookcarts labeled "Reclassification Project." Seeing those reminded me that the Hennepin County and Minneapolis library systems merged a while back. Since the 70s, Minneapolis has used LOC, though they still have some older books with DDS in the stacks. The Hennepin County branches used DDS. Henceforth, all branches will use LOC. I talked a bit to a library staffer about this, and he said that the process has gone quite smoothly; there is a team that comes in, knows just what to do, and gets it done with dispatch. Sounds good!

A sign in the children's area makes me think that another change has been made, perhaps as part of the same project: "Children's Nonfiction books are now interfiled with Adult Nonfiction. Librarians at the information desk are happy to assist you." The chldren's area is fairly apart from the rest of the library, sort of around a corner. It extends along the side of the building, ending in a program room, The Chrysalis Room," with handsome stained glass windows that are up high, out of harm's way. There are three computers and a CD/tape player for elementary kids, three other computers for the preschool crowd. I like the colorful wooden chairs and tables. A notebook of Read-Write-Draw pages from the summer reading program is filling quickly.

Some STEM-based passive programming was evident at a table with magnets and assorted material to try them on, including a couple of sealed containers of iron filings. A sign on the wall provided ideas for parents and older children, and reminded parents that "When you use words like 'repel' and 'attract' I am learning science vocabulary." I like to find these reminders to parents that "play = learning"--especially if the parent helps out.

This is one of the few libraries where I have noticed carts of books ready for shelving, waiting at the ends of rows. Each cart I saw had a sign saying "Ready to Shelve." Perhaps these signs keep patrons from randomly moving books around that have been placed in shelving order. Perhaps.

Beyond the kids' program room is a teen area with comfortable chairs, several computers, and a wall of windows. Windows continue down the right side of the building area, with study tables and comfortable seating for browsers. There is also a handsome fireplace. Fiction and non-fiction shelves are abundant. Along the left wall are a conference room, study rooms, and a windowed alcove; the alcove seems to provide access to an emergency exit. I noticed that study rooms can be reserved on line, in two-hour intervals, once a week.

A sign by the car repair books in nonfiction says, "Repairing your car or truck? AllData Online is now available at all Hennepin County Libraries." This makes it unnecessary to keep shelves of large, floppy repair manuals. [Over in St. Paul, there is a library that prides itself on its paper copies of manuals, although the online resources are also available.]

It appears that biographies and travel books have their own areas, although they have LOC designations. There are a dozen adult computers in the middle area, along with a collection of music CDs. It intrigued me that I didn't spot DVDs until I was about to leave. In many libraries these days, media seems to be front and center, even upstaging books. Sometimes this seems to be done to prevent loss: keep the DVDs where you can keep an eye on them. Here, they are visible but not conspicuous.

The service desk is a single low, curved counter, allowing staff to sit. Library cards and circulation issues are at the left, librarian services to the right. I had a nice chat with one staff person who suggested that I add Elk Rapids, MI, to my list of "must visit" libraries.

On my way out I noticed one very nice feature, a courtesy phone for local calls (3 minute limit), and one not so nice, cubicle latches in the women's restroom that do not work very well. Kudos for the first, perhaps the second should be fixed? There was also a notebook with pages in page protectors, showing the work of the Friends of the Library. There's an idea for other groups: recruit by showing what you do.

For more information, and to learn about the art throughout the library, start here: http://www.hclib.org/AgenciesAction.cfm?agency=Ed.

7/10/2013, bus, train, walking

Transit and Libraries

I found something new to me on the Hennepin County site, and I wonder if it was there last year and I missed it?

I was looking at the HCL locations and hours and chose the first library on the list, Augsberg. I couldn't quite recall where it is (hey, I have at least 183 different libraries in here now!) so I was looking for the link to a map. Right next to that link I spotted a button called "Transit." I clicked on that and went to a map and a "trip advisor" similar to the one available within the Metro Transit site. Right there, I could put in my home address--or any address--and my departure time, and get times, route numbers, all the info I would need to travel to that library.

I tried this with a couple of other Hennepin County branches, and it worked just fine. Then I took a look at St. Paul's and Ramsey County's websites. Maps, yes. But no information about transit. I've sent email queries to both, asking whether I'm missing this feature on their sites. I'll update this when I get aswers.

Public transportation is one of my interests, along with libraries. I strongly suggest that libraries that can be reached by public transportation should make the needed information readily available.

Three cheers for Hennepin County for doing this.

Prompt response from St. Paul, see Comment below. Only response from Ramsey County so far (24 hours after my query), a librarian who says she's forwarded the question to Automation Services.

Over a week later, no further response from Ramsey County. All of their branches CAN be reached by bus, except White Bear Lake--unless you want to head out there with the commuters in the evening and go home the next morning!

48a. HCL Eden Prairie, MN -- Revisit

A visitor is welcomed to this soaring library by a raised planter, partially tiled, with native prairie plants (what else?) and a short poem by Emily Dickinson: "To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee. And revery. The revery alone will do, If bees are few...." That's a very nice start to a library visit. (And a bit sad, given the current state of bees.)

The large, uncluttered lobby has maps of the area in two scales, a very nice touch since I always get lost in Eden Prairie (pre-GPS, that is). I didn't spot any "you are here" indication, however. There are literature racks, a community bulletin board, drinking fountains, rest rooms, and the entrance to a meeting room that apparently can be accessed when the library itself is not open, a nice option.

Inside, my main impression was "What a great place to study!" Everywhere there are tables for one to four people, with outlets for laptops. Some tables are spaced around the open public area. There are also study rooms for up to three people, a quiet study room with six single and two double workspaces, eight "office cubicle" spaces with four-foot walls, and probably more that I missed. There appear to be at least 58 public computers, most (perhaps all) with MS Office. A sign near one meeting room says that if you are looking for a meeting room, you can reserve one on line. If you are looking for quiet study space, "Ask @ the Information Desk."

The large Information desk is directly ahead as you enter the library. It has both low and high counters, allowing librarians and patrons to sit or stand, nice options for a reader's advisory interview or a quick inquiry. The service desk is against the wall, and appears to front the workroom where AMH materials arrive. From the very large number of books waiting to be picked up on the Request shelves, I'd guess that a lot of material is handled every day.

Children's, teens' and adults' non-fiction materials are shelved together. I've seen that a lot lately, but here it is clearly indicated on the end of each shelf, for example: 360 - 364 (Includes Children's Material). I like both of these practices, shelving and labeling. When I am looking for a non-fiction topic, I sometimes want an adult book, sometimes a simpler children's book. It is very nice to be able to compare the books on a topic together in one place.

A two-sided fireplace is near the browsing area, along with windows, easy chairs and more tables. Close by are the periodicals, newspapers, graphic novels, and new books. The wire baskets that sit on several tables have signs asking patrons to "Please leave unwanted library materials here. Staff will reshelve. Thanks!" The sign includes the HCL logo in red; my first impression was of a STOP sign, suggesting that I should stop and think about where to leave my reading material. It probably wasn't intended to give that message, but it's not a bad idea if it works that way.

A large area is set aside for teens. I saw eight computers, varied seating and tables, a TV (for video games?) and a large collection of teen fiction, including a Guys Read display. Painted on the wall: "When I was your age, television was called books," attributed to William Goldman, "The Princess Bride."

The first thing I noticed in the children's area was a shelf of world language books in Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Somali. The books appeared to be "easy readers" and general fiction, and each language had a bin or two of board books as well. A lot of easy readers in English were nearby on shelves and in plastic bins. The walls were papered with the beginning of the Bookawocky read-write-draw productions for the summer. I remembered from my visit last summer  the clever bent-wood stools with their interlocking legs, allowing them to be used separately or set up in a circle; today, they were in a circle.

There seemed to be a lot of parents, both dads and moms, with their children in this area, especially considering that this was close to noon on the day before a holiday. From the general tidiness of the area, I guess that they have read and taken to heart the sign on a cart nearby, "Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share./Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere."

A clear plastic jar on the Information desk invited me to "guess the title of this book." The jar was full of shredded strips of what must have been one of the Harry Potter books; I spotted the name Hagrid. While I was puzzling over the jar, a librarian offered help. I explained my project and gave her one of my "cards." She said she might tweet about it; I hope she does!

I chose to take out a book, and discovered what might be a small flaw: I only saw two self-checkouts, and both of them were busy with parents who were letting their (very) little ones help. I have no objection to little kids learning the correct way to scan a barcode, and I wasn't in a rush, but this did seem like too few checkouts for a library of this size. And there was only one book return of the "one at a time" type used for AMH, though I know there is another outside. On the other hand, the scanner had no problem with the wide picture book I checked out; at the Central Minneapolis library, I seem to have about a 50-50 chance of this kind of scanner/book combination working.

Finally, I didn't realize until I got home that I never saw any DVDs or CDs. They surely are there, but they must be keeping a low profile. This adds to my impression that this large branch library focuses on books and study. And I don't mind that at all.

For more information, go to http://www.hclib.org/AgenciesAction.cfm?agency=EP.

7/3/2013, car

Libraries and Telescopes

If you read my entries from my library visits in New Hampshire last month, you saw a number of references to telescopes. I finally went to the New Hampshire Astronomical Society's website to learn more about the program. Here's the link to that site. Wherever you are, you must have a state Astronomical Society of some sort. Wouldn't you like something like this at your library?

Here's the link: http://nhastro.com/ltp.php

181. Barron, Wisconsin Public Library

This was a serendipitous visit. With a friend, I'd already visited two Wisconsin libraries (and the annual tent sale in Glen Flora!) and we were headed for home in Minnesota. A needed stop in Barron put us right across the street from the library, and the sign about their 100th year. And they would be open for about 20 more minutes! I had to move fast!

In the lobby, I saw the old card catalog file, still filled with cards. I should have asked about it. Card catalogs have been turning up more and more--see the entry for Philips Exeter, for example. The lobby also held the Friends book sale; $1.00 for a bagful this week, but there was no time for shopping.

I headed upstairs, following a sign to the children's area. Moving and scribbling notes faster than I would have liked, I found a the kids' books shelved on classic wooden shelves, Playaways and recorded books in turntable slots, a cabinet full of shells and coral, kid-sized chairs and couch. Someone had made a large structure of Duplo blocks. A notice by the computer says that the library now has access to the Accelerated Reader lists. [Mixed feelings about that, folks.] A sign points out that parents are responsible for their children: "Do not leave young children unattended through age 11." This seems especially important since the children's area is on a separate level of the building.

Back downstairs I found the adult fiction and non-fiction collections, DVDs and genre paperbacks in spinners, lots of large print books, a section labeled "Inspiration Fiction," a microfiche reader, and four public computers. Although it was very close to closing time, a librarian was giving detailed technical help to one computer user. How the librarian's job has changed!

Clerestory windows add brightness to the browsing area. A free-standing shelf in this area holds books on languages, including ESL, and on citizenship. It was nice to see these featured. The reference section includes several 3-ring binders of Barron County history.

I talked to a very enthusiastic librarian who wanted to be sure that I realized I was in a Carnegie library--and I hadn't known that, although the older part of the building gives all sorts of hints, at least one of them not at all subtle--see second picture below. It's the Carnegie part of the building that is celebrating a centennial this year. The design was done, or at least influenced, by Frank Lloyd Wright; my notes are sketchy, perhaps someone reading this will clarify in a comment...please?

For more information, go to http://www.barronpubliclibrary.org/.

6/28/2013, car

 

 

 

180. Bloomer, WI, Public Library

The welcome here starts before you enter, with two very nice sculptures of kids reading (love the girl with her sandals beside her on the branch, bare feet dangling) and a very placid mallard duck sitting on a nest in the corner by the door. It's clear she's at home there and accustomed to the foot traffic nearby, as she didn't so much as twitch when we walked by.

A plaque inside says that this is formally the G. E. Bleskacek Family Memorial Library, built in 1987. I think communities are very fortunate when they have (had) someone who cared enough to ensure that they have a library.

There are summer reading programs for every age: The Rubber Ducky Club for infants through 35 months, Dig into Reading for age three through entering grade five, Tween 2 Teen for those entering sixth through 12th grade, and Groundbreaking Reads, a raffle for adults. The "Dig into Reading" theme is expressed in other ways, like a Mud Party! (sorry I missed that) and Worms & Mud! (not sorry that I missed the worms). There's also a Junior Gardeners program. This is clearly a library that is not afraid to dig in, at least on Tuesdays: "Book Bites: Children and caregivers, join us for a messy good time as we read stories and have some messy thematic fun. Wear old clothes or swim suits, and pack your towels and lunch! Water to wash off will be provided."

The inside of the library is fun, too. The children's area features a sturdy reading/playing loft. There are a few tables with chairs, a large soft chair, and some bean bags, plus a large TV for Wii games. Recorded books are showcased with a Seussian poster and rhyme: "On a train or on a plane, In the car, from near to far. Listen, listen, here they are!" Next to the service desk is a brown-paper volcano with red crepe paper lava flowing down its sides: Mount Biblioteca, erupting at a library near you. It's clear that this library has an energetic and creative staff.

The picture book shelves greet the user with a sign "Welcome to Picture Book Place." Picture books are shelved by topic, not by author. This practice seems very effective for a mid-sized collection. Spines are labeled with P for Picture Book and the category, for easy shelving: PANIMALS, PTRANSPORTATION, for example. And there is also a general category for those books that just will not be sorted. On the wall is a poster from the Indianhead Federated Library System that points out the scary statistic that a child who hears 11 million words per year knows about 1116 words by age 3, while a child who hears only 3 million words a year knows only about 525 words by age three. The message is clear: READ AND TALK TO KIDS!

OK, the library is for older patrons, also.  There are four public computers, a large window by a browsing area, YA books with the poster "US of YA," showing YA books with stories based in each of the 50 states. Adults can enter a raffle each time they read a book this summer. First prize, $100 gift card to Menards. Second and third prizes, $50 gift cards ditto. (For those not in this area, Menards is similar to Home Depot.)

The very good news about this library is that it's perhaps the busiest I've seen in my travels. The bad news is--it was so busy, I didn't have a chance to speak to anyone on staff. I left a note about this blog, and I hope it was found.

For more information, go to http://www.bloomerpubliclibrary.org/. Do take a look.

6/28/2013, car, with NJ

See the raised flower bed by the door? The duck has her nest in the corner. Here's a duck from another year, with her ducklings, thanks to Meagan. A bit more of the story is in the Comments below.

And here is this year's Quackers with her second brood, recently hatched. Doesn't she look proud of herself?! Thanks, Meagan!

179. Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

First library I've visited in the Indianhead Federated Library System of Wisconsin. There is a lot going on here! For starters, each week this summer features a different decade of the past century. This week is dedicated to the 1960s, and this is reflected in posters, 45 rpm records, trivia questions, and even the clothing on some staff members. A lot of work and care is going into this theme.

There is a summer reading program for every age. The two- to six-year olds work on the Wee Reader Reading Record, completing, with parents, a choice of activities that range from creating rhyming words and sentences to reading with your child to attending story times, and many, many other options. Activities completed earn an escalating series of prizes, from a sticker to a book or stuffed animal.

Kids seven to 11 years old complete a reading record and receive a prize for each of six levels (2 hours of reading per level). Additional options include reading three historical fiction books to earn a state park pass, and reading three dinosaur books for a pass to a cave. And this is a simplified description of all that is offered for this age. The prizes for all young children come from the Friends of the Library, parents who offer toys like unused Happy Meal toys from McDonalds, and other donations.

Young adults (12 to ?) have a bingo sheet with nine activities, including "Look up your birthdate on microfilm. Print out a news story from that day. Ask a librarian for help printing." All nine activities must be completed to win a prize. Other options can be completed for additional chances at prizes.

OK, enough with the summer reading program--what about the library? An area called The Lounge has art on the walls, a display of quilts, and plaques listing the names of library benefactors. One of three large, old-looking, rockers is in this area. The browsing collections of newspapers, magazines, and reference works are close by. A sign asks "Please, when finished reading magazines, retun them to collection basket or green cart." That's pretty standard. The unusual addition is "It helps us decide what magazines to buy." I think it helps compliance when people are given reasons.

There are creative display touches throughout the library. An especially neat one is an old TV cabinet, minus picture tube, used to display old movies on DVD. According to signs, the mezzanine level holds a collection for Wisconsin Studies and the Teen Cafe. I didn't go up, but I could see a couple of "diner booths" for the teens. A simple touch, but one I'm sure is helpful for some patrons, is a desk with a large lighted magnifier, the kind often used for crafts. There are at least eight public computers.

Over in the children's area, there is a large picture window framing a bird feeder. A couple of computers have these rules: Before six pm, to be used by kids aged 12 and under. An adult may use the computer only to help a child, if help is needed. Time limit of 30 minutes. After 6 pm, adults may use these computers, but they must give them up if a child needs one. Very interesting--and respectful of children. The final "rule" says that "We may change the rules if needed." In another part of the children's area a "game computer" may be used only by kids ages five to 12.

Conversations with the children's librarian and her assistant pointed out that the library sees great value in its role in helping parents who are home-schooling their children. Among other ways they help, they provide plastic bins with materials for the study of various themes, like Ocean, Human Body, and Math.

Finally, a sign in the preschool play area asks that you "Please put your toys away before leaving the children's area."

For more information, go to http://www.chippewafallslibrary.org/.

car, 6/28/2013  with NJ

15a. Hamline-Midway branch, St. Paul Public Libraries--re-visit

I used to visit this branch quite often; it's just on the margin of my walking distance, on a good day. Then I started taking classes at the U, and my bus goes right by another branch. So I haven't been here since last summer's visit, and a lot has changed! The friendly staff I recognized are still here, but...

Where I used to sit and read the comics in the daily papers, resting my feet for the walk home, there is now a pillar displaying new books. Where the new books used to be...the shelves are full of mysteries. The Requests have been displaced by periodicals, papers, and large print books; I found the new Request shelves on the other side of the first floor space, between the service desk and the children's area. I think there used to be about six public computers; that number has more than doubled.

There is a section labeled "Black Authors" that I haven't seen in many of the libraries I've visited. What I think of as the "back room" still holds most of the non-fiction collection, and a very helpful poster about the Library of Congress classification system. I need a copy of that; I'm much more fluent in Dewey than in LC. This area also has travel books, reference, language, and testing guides, plus the music CDs. There is a computer for word processing and a printer/copier. The non-ficiton books extend from this room across one wall of the children's area.

The children's area seems pretty much unchanged from what I recall, with a colorful rug, assorted toys, plenty of picture books and a good selection of fiction. Juvenile non-fiction is intershelved with adult non-fiction. Also, non-fiction DVDs are shelved with the books, a system I've seen in several places lately. The more I see it, the more I think it's a good way to go.

I'd never before been downstairs in the library, but today there was a children's program while I was there, so I followed the crowd to a fairly large room where a yoyo-ist was demonstrating his skill to an avid young audience. This room is down a set of stairs from the side door; the hallway inside the door was a complex parking lot for the strollers and wagons parents had used to transport their young charges. I've heard of a meeting room with a fireplace on this lower level; I didn't see it today, so I shall have to drop in again. Perhaps I should attend a program for adults, you think?

For more information, go to http://www.sppl.org/about/locations/hamline-midway.

6/27/2013, car (but only because I was out doing other errands; can be done by bus)

39a. Hennepin County, Westonka Branch, Mound, MN -- Revisit

A sign of how this project is evolving: I visited Westonka in July 2012 and again today. I just looked at my entry from last year, and my notes from this year, and this will be a totally different entry. Not that what was there last year is gone, but that what I see now is different.

From the lobby, I peeked into a multi-purpose meeting room with indications that it is used for programs for both kids and adults. It seems to me that libraries where the meeting room is separate from the library proper have a lot of flexibility, in that they can hold programs when the library is not open.

I headed for the kids' area first, and found a bright corner for the littlest patrons. There is a toy stove, lots of play food, a dishrack of toy dishes, dress-up clothes in a chest, and a full-length mirror. There must be times when this area is very lively! There is a bookcase full of board books and bin after bin of non-fiction and fiction picture books. A wooden structure, perhaps a barn, held dinosaurs and "community helper" figures when I was there--I'm sure that it changes often. The area is lightened by a long window wall--see windows to the left of the tree in the picture below.

Libraries are in the forefront of the effort to increase early childhood literacy, and I was glad to see reminders to parents of how play activities contribute to literacy. In addition to posters and brochures on the subject, one great example was a supply of half-sheets of paper with a very simple maze: help the stegasaurus find the strawberries--and a note to parents at the bottom of the page: "When I have fun with mazes, I am also practicing how to control a pencil. This will help me when I start writing letters and words on my own."

A sign by the juvenile fiction books asked kids to "Please check out some of these books today!" This reminded me of the "Pick Me!" book display that I saw in St. Cloud, MN, last summer.

The adults also get a long window wall with seating for browsing and study. All non-fiction is shelved together, except for picture books. In the genre fiction area I saw a sign by the Westerns: "Readers Advisory: Search the catalog by author, series, or subject heading WESTERN STORIES." This struck me as a helpful nudge to patrons looking for "more of these." They can always ask a librarian, of course, but this gives a bit of independence for those who want to search on their own but aren't sure how to start.

I believe there are at least eight public computers, plus six in the children's area and four in the teen corner, plus catalog (non-Internet) computers.

I had finished a HCL book on the bus ride and wanted to return it. When I asked about the book return, I had to laugh: it's at the end of the counter in exactly the same relative location as the book return where I work, and has a sign in the same place, about 8 feet up in the air! "Clear Only If Known" as a co-worker used to say.

I had a pleasant chat with the library staff who were at the desk. It was very nice to have one of them ask "Are you the one who has the blog "Every Library I Can?" Wow, she even knows the name of the blog! My heart was warmed.

For more information, go to http://www.hclib.org/AgenciesAction.cfm?agency=Wt.

6/25/2013, bus to the end of the line, then a bit of walking

59a. Dakota County Library System, Galaxie Library, Apple Valley--Revisit

Nice travel day today; the thunderstorms blew themselves out last night. A bus to downtown Minneapolis, light rail to the Mall of America, a free ride on the brand-new Red Line, a "bus rapid transit" route from MOA to Apple Valley. Visited the library, had lunch at Culver's, reversed the transit segments to get home.

OK, now for the library. This is a re-visit. The first thing I noticed was a sign on the door: This Facility is Under Surveillance." This interested me because last weekend I was discussing with my boss whether the library where I work adequately notifies people that video cameras are in use. And that discussion was based on a sign at an Anoka library.

Just beyond the lobby is a display of books called "Lucky U" books. These are similar to rental books in Ramsey County and Bestseller Express in Hennepin. But here (and I assume throughout Dakota County) these bestsellers go out for just one week, no renewal, and it didn't appear that there is a rental fee. Just beyond this is a separate room full of media, DVDs, CDs, and recorded books. A large alcove houses copiers, printers, a change machine, and a table for collating and whatever. The county law library is also here; there's a desk for a Law Librarian, but it was not staffed on this Saturday afternoon.

Continuing straight ahead I found the world language collection with Spanish books for kids and adults, Vietnamese and Russian books for adults only (I think) and an adult literacy section for those learning English.

Along the south side is a broad curved window wall with nine comfortable-looking chairs near the large-print books, periodicals, and newspapers. An interesting idea is that the current, 2013, periodicals are on slanting shelves, the kind where past issues are placed beneath/behind the latest), and older periodicals are in open bins classified by topic.

The teen area is quite large, with fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels. There are two "diner booth" seating areas, with a prominent sign reminding users that there is to be No Food, No Drink. The non-fiction collection includes "Know Your Money Resources for Teens and Adults." It strikes me as a good idea to emphasize this topic, and I recall seeing the same sort of display in DCL branches last summer.

The teen area didn't seem to have its own computers, but there is a computer lab with 12 computers, and about two dozen more throughout the adult area. There are also at least five one-person study rooms.

The picture book bins-and-shelves are standard, but I really liked the bold green letter labels. A separate program area has three semi-circular carpeted risers, and a sign, "Please remember that this is a reading area, not a playing area." Signs on the wall remind parents that they enhance literacy for their children when they Read, Sing, Write, Talk, and Play, with examples of how each type of activity contributes to literacy.

There are two catalog computers and six Internet computers for kids. A space-themed quilt and one that appears to have Dakota County scenes, plus a smaller quilt and some fabric banners, enliven the walls.

The Bookawocky reading program is in full swing. I missed the binder in the kids' area, but on the librarian's desk I saw a bulging binder of teen book reviews. I had a nice chat with several staff before I left.

For more information, go to http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/libraries/HoursLocations/Galaxie/Pages/default.aspx or look for the library on FaceBook.

6/22/2013, bus, train, bus rapid transit, walking

84a.. Roosevelt Branch Library, Minneapolis--Real Visit

SOMETHING NEW: Here's a link to a fine article about this well-loved library: http://southsidepride.com/roosevelt-library-and-its-friends/

I may have said in the past that I visited all of the MELSA libraries last summer. And in a sense, that was true. However, there was one that I could only admire from the sidewalk because it was closed for renovations. Today, I have truly completed by goal of visiting all of the libraries in the seven-county MELSA area.

This small library is nestled into a residential area, across the street from Roosevelt High School. The most interesting features architecturally are the window seats and corner posts around the outer walls, all with tile highlights. The corner posts are topped with lamps that I'm sure must be original, with glass shades. The lights hanging from the ceiling look original, too. I had the good fortune to be able to talk to the librarian about the renovations, and the first thing she mentioned was a no-longer-leaky skylight. They also downsized the service desk, moving some work functions to a back room, and put in main-floor restrooms. Some public art, a tile mural behind the service desk and some other tile features, will be installed later this summer. I hope to go back and see it in the fall.

The summer reading program has only been underway for a week or two, but already a three-ring binder of "Read-Write-Draw" pages is starting to fill. Picture books fill bins, with more on shelves beneath, a pretty standard practice, but the child-sized table shaped and colored like a leaf, with its four animal-themed chairs, is unusual and very nice. Beyond the chidlren's area to the rear of the building is a fairly large room with sliding glass doors, ready for children's programs or community meetings.

I like the metal signs that designate areas of the collection: Audiobooks, World Languages, Fiction, Nonfiction...  The World Languages available are Spanish and Somali. They have a classic look that fits well with the woodwork and tile.

The rest of the library has 12 public computers and several areas with tables and chairs for browsing and study. Teen novels, travel books, biography, and urban fiction have their own areas on the shelves.

I was intrigued to learn from the librarian that when Minneapolis was first laid out, the planners made sure that every home was within one mile of a public library. With urban expansion this has not been maintained, but it must be said that libraries are everywhere in this city.

Great WELCOME sign out front.

To learn more, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roosevelt_Community_Library or http://www.hclib.org/AgenciesAction.cfm?agency=Ro.

To read and see more about the public art mosaics, try this article: http://www.examiner.com/article/neighborhood-libraries-their-patrons-and-public-art

6/20/2013, bus, train, and walk

Bette Davis Movie

1. I started working as a library page at the age of 15, in the 1950s. One of my first memories of that job was having a tour that included "the tower," an isolated part of the stacks. I was shown boxes of books that had been donated and were causing a challenge for the library. The books were in German; World War II had ended barely a decade earlier. The challenge lay in the perception that these books must not be put on shelves where they might be seen; that would suggest that the library board/staff members were German sympathizers. On the other hand, they could not be discarded: what if the donor discovered them gone and extracted vengeance? This probably seems crazy in the light of the libraries I visit that pride themselves on extensive world language collections.

2. About a year ago I chanced upon a book at the Minneapolis Central Library, The dismissal of Miss Ruth Brown : civil rights, censorship, and the American library / by Louise S. Robbins.
The book tells the story of a librarian in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, who was dismissed from her job because she refused to remove books about Communism from the library. [She also believed that African Americans should have the same access to library services as anyone else.] At the end of the book, I learned that in 1956 a movie had been made about her story, Storm Center, starring Bette Davis.

3. I found that the movie is available for sale on the Internet for about $20, mentioned it to a librarian where I now work (again, as a page), and she agreed to try and order it. It finally worked its way through the ordering and cataloging process. To my surprise, by the time it was available I was the
first of seven people on the request list--and I was headed out on my big road trip, so I had to suspend the request. I'm back, I got the movie yesterday, and it was well worth watching. I recommend it if you have any interest in the life of a librarian facing issues not far from some we face today. Yes, it is a black-and-white 50s movie; don't let that stop you!

Have your library get a copy, or try ILL; it's available through Ramsey County Library System in Minnesota. You are probably clever enough to find it through some online service, too. If you watch it, leave a comment to let me know what you think.

31a. Anoka County Library, Johnsville Branch, Blaine, MN--Revisit

First thing I noticed was a sign inviting me to look for Wally the Walleye, who is hiding in the library in a new place each week. If I found him and told the librarian, I would get a sticker. I didn't find him. I usually can't spot the rabbits at Trader Joe's, either. *sigh* I did spot the "word cloud" poster, however. This week's question: favorite ice cream flavor. Hope it isn't just for kids, because I added mine.

The children's area has a bright windowed alcove with an Art Cart, a play kitchen, and a table with "placemats" laminated onto it. (These tables seem to be ubiquitous in Anoka County this summer.) I made notes of several books on display that were new to me, and I want to look for them in my home system. A couple of young teens were shelving; very nice to see that.

The adult area has carrells along one wall, at least eight public computers, comfortable seating for browsers in a couple of areas, and a table with a built-in chess/checkers board. No game pieces, however. Oversized books are shelved flat, a practice I'm seeing (or noticing) more and more.

This write-up seems slim. Perhaps that is because this was the fourth library in the ACL in one afternoon; it's hard to stay fresh. It may also be because I spent a good chunk of time talking to the librarian, a transplant from Arizona. Among other things, we talked about the Bookawocky summer reading program kickoff last weekend. The theme here was "bubbles" and she showed me pictures of kids (and adults) standing on a plastic "milk crate" in the middle of a kiddy pool of powerful bubble stuff, while a hula hoop was used to pull a bubble up and around them. The looks on their faces: priceless. I expect that the faces of staff were also priceless when they realized that one thousand people had turned out for this event!

For more information, go to http://www.anoka.lib.mn.us/about/locations/acl-johnsville. Perhaps they'll post some of those bubble pictures.

6/14/2013, car

29a. Anoka County Library, Rum River Branch, Anoka MN--Revisit

A sign as I entered informed me that during my visit I might be photographed, videotaped, or recorded, by library staff or contractors, and the results displayed at the library. Well, forewarned is forearmed; I resolved to behave even better than usual during this visit!

I also saw a sign that is probably displayed at all of the Anoka County branches: kids 17 and under can "read down your fines" through the whole month of June, at the rate of 15 minutes of reading to forgive $1.00 in fines. Nice deal!

The oldest thing in the library? The walls, which are made of 450 million year old Kasota limestone from Mankato, MN, [I was told "kerasota" limestone and 400 million years; after some on-line checking, I made a couple of revisions.]

I really like the custom here of shelving audio books along with "real" books. They are not totally interleaved, as I've seen in at least one other place, but sort of in clumps: Books by authors whose last names start with A, for example, would be together, with any audio books that go with them on the same or a nearby shelf..

There are at least three murals in the kids' area, including one in a room that is used for programs. There are lots of windows. A "fire engine" provided a cozy seat for one young boy; shelves nearby featured many books about fire fighting. There are three computers for chidren.

Moving over to the adult area, there are vending machines for hot drinks and soda. A sign in the rest room says that if one needs a diaper for "your baby's emergency," to speak to staff in the children's area. That's a wonderful service.

There is a windowed corner with a computer, the YA collection, and seating for teens.

Large window bays are used for seating areas for browsing; these look out on a natural area with bluebird houses nearby and a forested parkland beyond. Very nice. Newspapers are displayed in an unusual way, in large hanging folders. There are many carrells and about a dozen computers for adult use; a detailed Internet Use Policy is displayed near the station used to reserve a computer. There are at least ten Archer Mayor mysteries, which earns bonus points!

On the non-fiction shelves I spotted a couple of issues of Say it in Writing a Creative Writers Newsletter. "If you are willing to share your writings, your expertise or opinions, or if you are just interested in improving your skills or vocabulary, even if you just want to listen and enjoy the fellowship of others from varied backgrounds with the same interests, come join Creative Writers Connection at 1:00 PM every Monday at the Coon Rapids Civic Center." The validation of having their writing printed and placed in the library where anyone can read it must be very validating for members of this club.

6/14/2013, car

 

When I visited in 2012 it was too darned hot to do anything outside; this year I took a long walk in the park and took this picture looking back at the library.

28a. Anoka County Library, Crooked Lake Branch, Coon Rapids, MN--Revisit

"Bookawocky" is the summer reading program throughout the Twin Cities metro and suburban area--a nicely vague label that different libraries interpret as suits them. Here, the display is of old-timey luggage and piles of books wrapped in maps. Very nice. I also liked a bulletin board titled "It's Raining Cats and Dogs" (which it has been lately), with 3D clouds at the top, pictures of cats and dogs at the bottom, and plenty of related storybooks nearby.

The children's area has a large window that is low enough for the toddler set to look out. An Art Cart had pattern blocks, and there are a number of signs telling parents how various activities help their kids develop. (A wall shelf labeled "Early Literacy Toys" was empty...hmmm.)

I spotted about 10 public computers. A shelf labeled "Reference" holds non-fiction books on CD--signage hasn't kept up with some furniture rearrangement, perhaps. All non-fiction, including J, is shelved together.

The request shelves have signs explaining how to pick up holds, and points out that if you have many, they may be on the bottom shelf. All items circulate for three weeks; interlibrary loans, rental DVDs, and books that have been requested may not be renewed. Although everything can be borrowed for three weeks, the signs point out that "early returns are appreciated."

For more information, go to http://www.anoka.lib.mn.us/about/locations/acl-crooked-lake.

6/14/2013, car

26a. Anoka County Library, Mississippi Branch, Fridley--Revisit

I've been home for a week, so I'm getting restless. Seemed like a good day for a little drive up to Anoka County. I started with the Mississippi Branch in Fridley. Several signs thank the Fridley Lions Club for maintaining the attractive grounds. A Lion (I assume) was treating weeds to some kind of poison as I walked in. The lobby area is quite large, which probably comes in handy when the two meeting rooms are in use. The "wall booth" for a payphone is still on the wall, but the phone has been removed. I guess the assumption is that everyone carries a cell phone now; since I've started carrying mine, that may be a safe assumption.

There's lots of room to study here, with a row of 4-person carrells. (Someone who should have known asked me the other day what "study carrells" are. In this case, it's tables with low walls on three sides so your stuff doesn't scootch over to someone else's space. To see some really nice ones, look at the Phillips Exeter Academy Library in this blog.)

It appears that the whole Anoka County Library system has simplified its lending policies, with everything circulating for 3 weeks. Rental DVDs are $1.00 for three weeks. That sounds like a real bargain for a new release--where I work, rental DVDs are $1.00 a day.

One service I haven't spotted anywhere else is described on this sign, in the appropriate non-fiction area: "To create authorized, customized legal forms, ask your librarian for Gale LegalForms."

A teen corner has four upholstered chairs, a good-sized collection of YA fiction, and a nice display of suggested "good reads," "non-fiction," and "true stories."

The browsing area for papers and periodicals faces an attractive courtyard, and the  booksale cart was selling with a BOGO policy: buy one, get one of equal or lesser value.

The children's area has a window wall facing the courtyard. There were some kites hanging near the ceiling, but at first glance the space seemed uninspiring. Fortunately I talked to the children's librarian and learned what was up: Later this summer the area will get a "Creative Play Spot," courtesy of the Children's Museum. This will be wonderful, but in the meantime a lot of work goes into weeding the collection, rearranging the space, and so on. I will try to get back in the Fall to see how the project comes out

A series of "Story Walks" will be available in Anoka County parks this summer. Here's a description from the brochure: ". Stroll leisurely while following the pages of a story laid out before you on the path. Walk at your own pace to discover what happens next. Enjoy book, nature, and realth related activities after your walk. Perfect for the whole family!" This sounds very similar to a program in North Woodstock, New Hampshire, near the Loon Mountain ski area, except their story is there for a long time, not just on a specific day.

For more information, go to http://www.anoka.lib.mn.us/about/locations/acl-mississippi or http://fridley.patch.com/listings/anoka-county-library-mississippi-branch.

6/14/2013, car

178. Forest Lodge Library, Cable, Wisconsin

I saw a picture of this library on the Internet a few months ago and knew I had to work it into my travels. From the library brochure: "The Log Cabin Library in the Wisconsin North Woods. Free Internet Access (Wireless, too!) Unique Natural History and Wisconsin collections. On-line Databases. One Library Card for 29 Libraries. Member of NWLS [Northern Waters Library System]. Experienced & friendly staff. A Joint Public Library of the Cable & Namakagon Communities." The library motto is Free People Read Freely. All libraries could well adopt that statement.

That pretty well sums it up, but I'll add some things that I noticed. It truly is a log cabin, so of course there is a wonderful stone fireplace. Above the fireplace are pictures of the founder and her mother. On the mantle, a remarkable carved clock. Shelves along the walls are split logs; you have to visit and see them to understand how cool they are. The long reading table in the middle and the librarian's desk are original, dating to 1925. But while the library is rooted in the past, it is also modern, with three public computers, wi-fi, and access to the collections of the NWLS and beyond. The computers are in wooden carrells especially designed and built to fit the space available, adding to the human scale and feel of this library.

The top shelves hold very old books, with a sign stating that "Books on this shelf are not catalogued for circulation." In the children's area, however, the top shelf holds Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books, and a large collection of the stories of Thornton Burgess that do circulate--"ask the librarian for assistance". I don't recall seeing Thornton Burgess books in any other library lately, though Minneapolis Central probably has them in the stacks. My Dad read all of these to me when I was very young.

Also in the children's area are a low shelf with crayons, paper, and coloring books, and a modest collection of every type of book (picture books, easy readers, fiction, non-fiction) that one would expect to find. There is a collection of puppets and a bench (by the same person who made the computer carrells) can serve as a puppet theater. Mesh "discovery bags" provide collections of books and games on various topics.

There is an especially large collection of field guides, witness to the period when the library and the Cable Natural History Museum were merged. (They are now separate again.) There is a room with fiction, some shelves of mysteries, and books for sale in the vestibule. What I did not see (perhaps I missed them?) were romance novels and science fiction.

If you're in northern Wisconsin, stop in; you'll find the library staff to be friendly and welcoming. To learn more, go to http://cable.wislib.org/. [When I went to that site I saw a notice about Library Chocolate. How I missed that, I can't imagine. I did buy a canvas totebag with "Free People Read Freely" on it, however.]

6/7/2013, car

177. Bayliss Public Library, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, USA

Interesting lobby with the entrance to a Community Room, coat racks, a couple of benches for waiting, putting on boots, what have you, and a Lions' collection box for eyeglasses. Outside, a bikerack shaped like a bike--cool.

The adult area has 10 computers, a public fax machine ($2 for the first page, $1 each for additional pages), two readers for microfilm/fiche, a cabinet with, among other things, newspapers back to 1846 on microfilm. There seems to be a lively interest in history and genealogy across the UP.

Media includes both VHS and DVD. A gorgeous quilt on the wall is the "EUP Peace Quilt." I'll take a guess that EUP stands for Eastern Upper Peninsula; if I'm wrong, I hope someone will leave a comment to correct me. Please. I like the quotation displayed with the quilt: "There is no way to peace. Peace is the way."

There are dozens of puzzles and a shelf of paperback books that are not marked on the spine. They puzzled me until I saw paperbacks in the fiction collection with a sign reminding patrons that "These books must be checked out." In the genre collections, the number of mysteries and romances didn't surprise me, but the fact that there are as many westerns as romances blew me away! I must have missed the sci-fi collection; there surely is one. There are a lot of audio books on CD, large-print books, and a good-sized non-fiction section. This is another library that shelves oversized non-fiction flat on the bottom shelves. Good idea!

A sizable area for browsing and study has large windows that look out on a park-like area. Very nice.

The teen area has a number of the small, low, round chairs that I started seeing early in this trip. The advantage I see is that they will make the area definitely for teens: teens can get in and out of these low chairs; most adults wouldn't even try.

A yellow dot on the spine of a book indicates that it is a new book and circulates for three weeks. A red dot indicates a best-seller, one week only.

The children's area houses a delightful miscellany. The tops of shelves are used for storage (floor chairs) and display (a prize-winning doll from 1993--happy 20th anniversay to the doll--and a LEGO construction). There is a large section of biographies, a bench with hooks for outerwear, a changing table. Four round tables with 24 brightly colored chairs made me wonder if school classes come here.

The pre-school crowd has a bright area with a large window and many toys. Sign: "Did you remember to pick up the toys?" A wonderful semi-circular amphitheater with a mural and a storyteller's chair is a great place to host programs. One program I saw described is the Brown Bag Family Book Club for kids ages eight through 12, each with an adult. Participants bring a sandwich; the library provides fruit, veggies, and a beverage. The summer reading program started today, and judging from the name cards posted on the amphitheater walls, at least 80 kids have already signed up. That's great!

There are three computers for kids, and a fourth that is labeled "Sorry, there are no games on this computer. This is the card catalog. Look it up here!" An adjacent sign explains three levels of availability: the local library, UPCat (Upper Peninsula Catalog) and MeLCat (Michigan Electronic Library Catalog. It seems to me that explaining it clearly like this empowers patrons in their searches.

Finally, I like the large full-color poster showing a local middle school teacher exhorting the viewer to READ. It's from 2009--I hope she's still teaching, because someone who is willing to be on a poster is probably dynamite in the classroom.

For more information, go to http://www.uproc.lib.mi.us/bpl/.

6/6/2013, car