86a. St. Paul Public Library, Rice Street Branch--Revisit

Here is another library that has had a recent facelife. There are no changes (that I am aware of) on the outside, but inside, oh my! I had some St. Paul books with me, so I had a chance to try the new book return. On the downside (in my opinion), books must be put in the return slot one at a time, and you have to scan the bar code. On the upside, and this can be very important, you have the option to get a receipt for books returned. Such a receipt could eliminate a lot of the difficult conversations that circulation staff can be involved it.

The service and reference desks have been combined into one, freeing space for one of the "living room" configurations I always enjoy seeing. There is a computer lab that is used for instruction and help with job applications, resumes, email, Office applications, and typing, as well as for Open Lab four days a week. There are four study rooms for one or two people, and a roomy laptop counter allows laptop users to spread out. I counted about 18 computers; five are near the kids' area, and two of those are designated as "family" computers. I forgot to ask whether that means Internet filters, or is simply a matter of priority.

The teen area is still in the corner with the attractive stained glass sections of the windows. Toddlers have a greatly expanded space directly across from the service desk. I estimate that it's about 10' x 20', with a magnetic white board on the long wall. There are interactive toys, a couple of tables with chairs, a dollhouse, and a computer. Large pencil drawings and stories created by students at the Washington Technology Magnet School are on one wall in the kids area. I was pleased to see that the stories were well-written and had been carefully edited before being displayed.

There are a lot of easy readers and series books, as well as several J fiction shelves; poetry and fairy tales have their own locations. [All non-fiction books are shelved together.] A bin labeled "Let us put it back for you" is in a central location. A world language collection includes material in Vietnamese, Hmong, and Spanish, as well as book and audio sets for learning various languages, including English. Talking books are available on cassette and CD.

Staff are friendly, and gave me a lot of information about the recent changes. When I visited, tables staffed by volunteers were dedicated to rocks, minerals, and fossils. Off the lobby, there is a large meeting room that can be divided into two rooms. In the picture below, the windows on the near corner of the library allow a view of two painted  "Snoopy" statues from a city-wide project some years ago.

For more about this library, go to http://www.sppl.org/about/locations/rice-street. Once there, click on "Collectors Corner Neighborhood Trading Place" to see what the rocks, minerals, and fossils were doing in the lobby! Also note that the site includes a map and information about bus routes!

11/3/13, car (I could have taken a bus, but I was on my way to work.)

216. Taylors Falls, MN, Pubic Library

Such variety in one half-day trip! The picturesque building, with its new yellow-and-white paint job, dates to the 1850s. The Taylors Falls Library Association served the town from 1871 to 1919. At first the book collection was housed in rental sites in the town; in 1887 the Association bought the small house where the library is still located. In 1919 the Association was dissolved and the Taylors Falls Public Library began. The building was remodeled in the mid 70s, and recently celebrated 125 years as a public library.

This is definitely the smallest library I've visited so far: two rooms, one behind the other. The first room holds the adult collection, the second has children's books, including many old, old volumes. The room felt cozy, with a nice rug and a few large stuffed animals. When I asked whether the old books circulated, I learned that children rarely come to this library. The exception seems to be a program at the local elementary school that brings kids to the library for story time several times during the summer.

The library is a slice of living history. There are no computers, the librarian has an electric typewriter at her desk, a 12-drawer card catalog is kept up-to-date, and book cards in pockets are used for check-out. But I stress living history. The librarian is dynamic, and three different patrons came or went while I was there. The library does not have its own website, but you can learn more about it at the town site, http://www.ci.taylors-falls.mn.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B91979FAB-71B9-49B5-9BD9-B812C6D2EE65%7D. Better than the website, though, I suggest you stop in. Bring the kids. Look for books you remember from your childhood. Sit and chat for a while.

10/30/2013, car

215. St. Croix Falls Public Library, St. Croix Falls, WI -- MORE

Now for something entirely different: the St. Croix Falls library is in a building that was once a grocery store! The conversion to a library has been artfully done, with many nods to the geological features in the area. The children's space is dominated by a large wooden "table," an irregular hexagon, one side against the wall and chairs along the edges. The table top has a "pit" that echoes the glacial potholes found here, though I doubt that the real potholes have cozy pillows. A large mosaic behind the service desk was a community art project, and reminds one of the St. Croix River. Thick, felted "banners" hanging from the ceiling to improve acoustics are designed to remind one of local rocks. This is all very cool, and it's clear that the staff is knowledgable about their special environment.

Other features of the children's area include book art projects using found objects and mounted on large sticks; these are visible from outside through the large windows and are very intriguing. Convex mirrors are mounted beside a metal section of wall provided with magnetic letters and pictures. A sensory table held dried beans, very small gourds of several types, and some plastic forceps; what a great chance to practice small-motor skills! When I was there, a rather small tiger was "helping" shelve picture books. The tiger turned out to be the child of a volunteer, and I suspect she had been there for a Halloween event earlier in the morning.

Shelving is angled in a way that makes the space seem intriguing, even a bit mysterious--what will I find if I go down here? The teen area has a computer with priority for AR tests and a sign that says "Keep calm and take an AR test." [Keep calm seems to be an important phrase here; I bought a T-shirt that says "Keep calm and carry a library card" that I'm looking forward to wearing to work this weekend.] Some origami projects that looked complicated to me were on various shelves in the teen area. There are also some nearly-round bowls make of papier mache (I think) holding small games and a set of magnetic words.

There are two small study or tutoring rooms each with a nice window to the outside. A broad upholstered bench looked like a nice place for a kid to curl up with a book.  An old upright L.C. Smith typewriter was on top of one shelf. The Friends have a sale shelf where I found a nice little pile of books that I bought for a quarter each, for Halloween treats. (No candy at my house.)

Finally, this is the first library I've found where patrons can check out...an amphibian! They have several of the small critters in cages, thanks to a local "frog man." Two were in-house when I was there, though one was "on reserve" for a nearby branch of the MORE system. Amazing. Nice friendly staff, too, though I truly haven't met any of the other kind in my travels. If they exist, they must hide in the back room when I walk in.

For more about this library, go to http://www.stcroixfallslibrary.org/.  Also take a look at https://www.facebook.com/#!/scflibrary!

10/30/2013, car

It's hard for a library to fill an entire grocery store; they share the space with a couple of dental practices and the St. Croix River Association.

214. Centuria, Wisconsin Public Library, MORE

I set out on this gray, drizzly day to find a small cluster of libraries about 50 miles from home. My first stop was Centuria, WI, in a downtown storefront. The drizzle couldn't stand up to the bright yellow paint job on this small library! I received a friendly greeting as soon as I entered, explained my project, and wandered around. The children's area is a modest corner, but has a nice selection of books. In fact, I spotted two of interest that I've not seen before, and have requested them from the libraries I use, one from Hennepin County and one from St. Paul. Toward the end of my visit I chanced to look up at the ceiling and noticed that the plastic panel over the lights in the kids area is blue, with white clouds! Panels are available at big-box hardware stores, I was told.

The library has several computers and a scanner and printer. The book collection is small but the librarian tries to keep current with a clever system of dots on the spines. When she began here, patrons would sometimes comment on the lack of current books. So she placed a red dot on the spine of every book or AV material added to the collection that year. The next year it was a blue dot--each year a new color is used. These dots make it easy to shelve the new books together, shows patrons how much is being added, and aids in weeding. I mentioned this system at another library and the person I was speaking to thought it was quite a clever idea. So do I! [And of course, patrons have access to the entire collection of the MORE group of libraries in Wisconsin, and those further away through interlibrary loan.]

Favorite sign: "Cutting libraries in a recession is like cutting hospitals in a plague," attributed to Eleanor Crumblehulme. I thought that name was a joke; it's not. Google her!

Although this library is one of the smallest I've visited, it has a lot to see. Go to http://www.centurialibrary.org/ and try the video tour; the area that looks like a dining room/kitchen in a private home is really there; it's used for literacy classes and other meetings!

10/30/2013, car

90a. Rockford Road Branch, Hennepin County Libraries, Crystal, MN--Revisit

I returned to this library because they recently reopened after renovations. The first thing I noticed was the attractive and interesting ceiling, with open rafters made of wood and metal. Of course, when I talked to the librarian, I learned that this was not a change from last year! Some things that have changed include the placement of the service and information desks. I liked the visible workroom, but had the impression that perhaps staff doesn't find this so desirable. I'm probably influenced by the fact that where I work, the circulation workroom isn't even on the same floor. A "right there" workroom looks pretty good to me.

There are many windows, and some look out on a large park-like lawn with mature trees. Very nice. Two "living rooms" are by these windows, and there is a third right in the middle of the library. Teens have their own corner. There is a large alcove, more like a room, really, for reference materials, newspapers, and periodicals, plus a long counter with stools and electrical outlets for laptop users. I counted about two dozen public computers, and I overheard someone on staff telling a patron that there are "about the same number" as there were before the renovation.

The children's area has a science table, which today had two large magnifying lenses and a collection of insects embedded in plastic blocks. A sign suggests that parents explore science together with their children, and says that "When I use a magnifying glass, I am learning to use a science tool." There is also a light table, with neat wooden blocks with colored acrylic panels. There is a fire engine reading spot, similar to the one at Mounds View; this one also has a rack with several firefighter coats and hats for dramatic play. This is an interesting contrast, with one library stressing books about firefighting, the other stressing dramatic play. Both, of course, are worthy goals, and either space could be used for either purpose; it's just a matter of emphasis.

I saw 10 computers in the kids area, as well as couches, large plastic tubs of board books, and a Farmer's Market structure with many plastic fruits and vegatables--more opportunities for creative play. I almost missed the piece de resistance, a floor to ceiling beanstalk complete with Jack and part of the giant up at the top. Children's series books are shelved in baskets placed on the fiction shelves where they belong alphabetically by author's name.

A big activity cube is outside the kids area, near the self-checkout stations. This puzzled me for a moment, then I realized what a help it could be in occupying kids while the adult checked out. The library has a uniformed security officer, which surprised me  because the local police station is next door, just across the parking lot. The lobby displays a transit map and also provides a bin for recycling batteries.

For more about this library, go to http://www.hclib.org/AgenciesAction.cfm?agency=RR.

10/26/2013   car

Mounds View Library, Ramsey County, MN -- Revisit

One thing I really like about the Twin Cities / MELSA area is the respect for libraries. I recently saw a letter to the 9/15/2013 Library Journal that read in part, "We have succeeded in saving our three Miami Beach public libraries, but major cuts in days and hours open are on the horizon. ... As I write this, the archives at the main library--in Miami--are being removed..."

The difference here, where I live? I have on my list for this weekend three libraries that have recently been re-opened after refurbishing. I can think offhand of at least two with new buildings under construction, and several others in the planning stages. We who live here need to remember from time to time how very fortunate we are.

With that said, I drove up to Mounds View after my shift this morning, to see what changes have been made there.

My first impression was "it's so light!" This is not at all a sunny, bright day, quite the contrary, but new carpet and paint, light wood ends on the shelves and a faux-stone countertop at the service desk, both replacing bright-red predecessors, have made a world of difference.

 I don't recall seeing the meeting room or the two study rooms during my first visit, summer 2012, though they were surely there. Two sides of the building have large windows. There is a teen corner near these windows, with a modest sign asking that users "Respect yourself, respect others, respect the space." There are also a couple of "living room" areas by other windows. I counted about 10 public computers, and there is a wide counter along one wall for laptop use. I like the wall-mounted storage for Manga and periodicals.

Last year my favorite focal point in the children's area was the fire engine seating area with shelves of books on fire safety and firefighters. That is still there, and I still like it, but now my favorite has to be the rug with a map of the United States!

Congratulations to Mounds View for a make-over that seems to my eyes to be all positive!

No new picture, because I didn't have my camera. But you can head to http://www.rclreads.org/about/locations/rcl-mounds-view for more information. That site has a nice map of the area...I do wish it had information about access by public transportation!

10/24/2013, car

213. Carlton Library, Carlton, MN, Arrowhead Region

Carlton wasn't on my list for today's trip, but two things happened to change that. First, the librarian I spoke to in Cloquet said I "really should" visit; second, one library I had planned to visit frustrated me because parking meters took quarters only (and I didn't have any) and when I looked for alternatives I got messed up in the spaghetti pile of one-way streets, and I gave up. So on the way home, I stopped in Carlton. Good choice. I just have to like a library that shares its storefront entry with a barber shop! And there is a wood sculpture just inside the door that looks like a stack of rough-hewn airplane propellers; I really should have asked about that, and can only hope that the librarian or a patron will see this post and leave an enlightening comment.

Kids get the best seats in the house, in the front near the windows. Display space features many three-D wooden puzzles of dinosaurs and such. The book and media collection is modest, but from the library website I learned that part of the video, audio, and large print collections rotate among the Arrowhead branches, and items from the entire Arrowhead Region collection are available on request, of course.

I enjoyed seeing two antique upright typewriters out where kids (or anyone) could give them a try. There was also a paper-tape machine of the sort I saw in the 40s when Dad was a volunteer fireman in NH.

I like seeing spine labels in a larger-than-usual font. And I was surprised and pleased to see that Kill-A-Watt meters are available to borrow.

There is framed art by local residents, including kids, on the wall, and the librarian would like more.

A friendly, welcoming place in this very small town. To learn more, go to http://www.cityofcarlton.com/Library.php.

10/10/2013, car

212. Two Harbors Public Library, Two Harbors MN

This library bills itself on its website as "The Little Library by the Big Lake." It's not so little, but it is definitely close to the big lake. And the original part of the building is a Carnegie library from 1909.

There are many ways to ask patrons to use cell phones respectfully, but this is the first library where I've seen a sign "Don't forget to Shhhh your phone!" I also saw "REMINDER! Please pad or rubber band dvds and cds when returning in the book drop to prevent separation and breakage." Good advice.

The newer building houses the teens' and children's areas. There are wide padded window sills in front of large sunny windows, and for the kids, an elaborate wooden train setup on a table; it even has a roundhouse! There is a "picnic table" made of birch, very nice. Apparently there has been some recent rearranging, and I was both pleased and amused to see a sign directing me to the new location for the books on CD. After telling me the new location, it says "Turn right, walk to the aisle, look straight ahead." I wonder if people follow the directions...or turn to staff and ask "Where are the books on CD?" Book and audio sets are shelved in a bin, rather than the usual hanging plastic bags, and a sticker on the cover of each book reminds the patron to "Check for CD."

Up the stairs into the Carnegie building, I found a staff person measuring the space above the mantle of the large fireplace. Holiday decorations coming, perhaps? A browsing area is in the fireplace room. Beyond that there are tall windows all around. A couple of study tables look as if they date to the original building, and a librarian confirmed this hunch. They are now protected with heavy glass tops.

Based on a sign, there seems to have been a recent change in fiction shelving, with all genres now shelved together with stickers designating mysteries, romances, sci fi, and western. Two exceptions I spotted: Star Wars and Danielle Steel seem to have their own special spots.

Back downstairs I saw this sign by the copy machine: "Copies are 10c a page--even for IRS forms." I can imagine the conversation(s) that prompted that sign!

The staff recommended Louise's and a couple of other places for lunch; I chose Louise's, and that was a very good bacon cheeseburger! I resisted the yummy-looking baked goods because I had other plans for dessert. Since I would be eating alone, I bought a book, The Report Card by Andrew Clements, from the library sale shelf. I got a good start on it while eating, and finished it last night. It's a wonderful condemnation, through kids' eyes, of the morass of testing our schools are in now.

For more about this library, go to http://www.twoharborspubliclibrary.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Two-Harbors-Public-Library/116508709803.

10/10/2013, car

211. Cloquet Public Library, Cloquet, MN, Arrowhead Region

I was surprised to learn that this library was built in the 80s, as it has a very open, up-to-date feel. Even before I entered, I noticed several features. First, a sign out by the street that is topped with translucent colored plastic...flying pages? Unfortunately, they don't show well in the picture I took. There appeared to be three electrical hookups for engine block heaters for staff, but I learned that these no longer function. Sad; that would be a nice perk! A sign announces that the entire property is smoke-free and asks near the door "Please extinguish cigarettes here"--but there didn't appear to be a place for a cigarette butt except in a general trash barrel. I didn't see any on the ground, so Cloquet is doing better with this policy than Minneapolis Central is!

I enjoyed several features of the children's area. First, the carpet is in large blocks with letters and numbers on each; this design segues in the teen and adult areas to carpet with the same color scheme but stripes instead of the alpha/numerics. This is a nice way to set off the space. There are four computers for kids set on a wide shelf, with a kid-sized "office chair" (birch seats and backs, five casters) in front of each one. I've never seen small chairs like this before, and I bet the kids love them. Various toys are available for the youngest patrons, and a sign thanks parents for "helping to keep the children's area picked up." It appeared that Easy Readers are shelved by grade...but after seeing a "Grade 1" sign, I didn't see signs for other grades. There were many books with stickers that indicate AR reading levels. Board books are in the bottom shelves, spine up, with PICTURE BOOK stickers.

There are two large furnished dollhouses on display in plexiglass enclosures; by one of them I spotted a "can you find it" list of items to look for in that house. Nice. There are a lot of special dolls and toys and a collection of carved wooden birds on the top of bookshelves, out of kids' reach. One large windowed corner for browsing is not quite "living room" in style, but looked comfortable.

The reference collection appears to have a strong emphasis on history and genealogy. I spotted small bound volumes of "Kirkollinen Kalenter" dating back to 1903; in 1984 the name changed to Suomi Conference Yearbook, and a quick Google search confirmed my guess that these are Finnish. There are at least four public computers for adults and four small meeting/conference rooms.

A teen area has computers, a couple of tables, and a huge beanbag chair. In addition to the usual media collections, there are spinners of foreign films. J nonfiction is shelved with general nonfiction, a practice I like. I spotted a cart full of books with a sign "Please do not place books on cart; weeding cart." Yes, patrons placing books on a weeding cart would create real problems! Another sign advises patrons that "This corner of the library is not a place for visiting," and enjoins them to refrain from bringing chairs here. They are advised that "To ignore this gentle request" can result in limitations on their right to use the library. It's a nice, quiet corner with sunny windows...and with no sight line from the service desk. The staff person I spoke to said that there "have been issues," which I can well imagine.

That staff person also made sure that I noticed the traditional Finnish native American boat, made of willow branches and willow twine, hanging from the ceiling in the lobby. Thanks, I would have missed it! She also gave me the address for the Carlton library, which came in handy later in the day.

To learn more, go to http://www.cloquet.lib.mn.us/, where you can take a look at the nifty logo formed of a flying book and a soaring arrow.

10/10/2013, car

 

210. Moose Lake, Minnesota Public Library, Arrowhead Region

This library shares space with the Moose Lake Community and Civic Center, and it's larger than I thought from the outside. Right inside the door is one of those comfortable "living room" configurations I like to see, with a large window, a lot of plants, and a couple of computers. A nice welcome, right from the start. There was also a cheerful welcome from the staff working this morning. In larger libraries, I often wander around on my own and then approach staff to say hello; usually in these smaller spaces I'm quickly spotted as a newcomer, and greeted. I'm happy either way!

Just beyond the living room is a second large window and the children's area. Priority for the computer there is given to patrons 16 and under. There is a wide, wooden window sill, with a message: "Please do not allow children to walk or run on the window sill." It would be tempting! The corner has a triangular set of three carpeted steps that provide seating for children's programs. A large poster painted on brown paper has a scarecrow and pumpkins; somebody here is artistic! There are book and audio sets and lots of VHS tapes as well as DVDs. A very nice touch in this area: three framed drawings created by author and illustrator Nancy Carlson during a visit some years ago. [Works by local artists and historic photographs are found throughout.]

Beyond the children's section I realized that the space extends back much farther than you can see in the picture below. A reference section is followed by shelves for oversized books, a section for exercise videos (nice to give them their own spot), two computers for word processing (without Internet access), and a special reader for those with low vision (provided by the Lions). Paperback fiction is shelved on spinners. A sign invites patrons to "read a classic" from the Library of American Classics. The walls are lined with nonfiction books, with fiction stacks in the center. In the 900's, I spotted a five-volume History of Minnesota, published in 1935.

The staff, as I mentioned, is very welcoming. One of the women is also great at selling, witnessed by the fact that I left with a large book about classic toys from their sale shelf!

To learn more, go to http://www.moose-lake.lib.mn.us/.

10/10/2013, car

Banff Public Library, Alberta, Canada

My sister gets around more than I do, and she has taken up library visiting, too. Here's her report from a recent vacation to Banff:

We visited Banff Public Library on Wednesday. It is a nice, smallish library that was very open and welcoming to vacationers like ourselves. It is located right below the Senior Center and like Whistler's library, is on prime real estate in this resort town.

There were 8 public computers and always at least 6 being used. I noted a children's area, a junior section and a teen section as well as the usual adult services. They have a good section of foreign language books and I noted, French (of course), Spanish, German and several Asian. There may have been others. They also have many music CD's and movies as well. A whole section was on documentaries.

There were a variety of places to sit and read including a periodical area and sofas and chairs scattered about. The day we were there the place was very busy and a local I spoke to says this is always the case.

 

 There was a sign that said food and drink is allowed in the library! I thought this unusual, is it? It went on to say they reserve the right to ask you not to if you are not being tidy with it, or if it was being consumed in such a manner as to disturb others or damage books etc.
 

I'm sorry I didn;t get a better picture. We were heading out of town and I almost forgot!

 

[Thanks, Jean. It looks like a fascinating building, and the address, Bear Street, is cool. Right up there with one I visited on Silent Drive!]

 

As for the food and drink, I've seen just about every variation. I was roundly scolded at Minneapolis Central for nibbling on M&Ms, but they allow beverages so long as they have lids. Other libraries have coffee shops, food banned near computers, vending machines, you name it. My favorite so far is a specific ban on sunflower seeds. Perhaps we'll get some comments about local practices.

For more about this library, go to http://www.banfflibrary.ab.ca/ or https://www.facebook.com/banfflibrary. Or both!

 

 

209.. Traverse de Sioux Library Cooperative, Madelia Branch Library, Madelia, MN

Madelia was my fifth stop on a day that started at a conference in Sioux Falls...therefore, I may not do it justice. I hope I'm not too far off the mark.

As at St. James, J means Junior books here. One set of shelves is labeled New Reader Fiction, New Reader Non-fiction and Reader Fiction, Reader Non-fiction. I haven't seen things done quite this way before. It seems to provide good guidance to those who aren't yet ready for Junior books. The children's area has picture books also, of course, and a Little Tykes computer station set up right beside the adult computers.

There are three large windows that you can see in the picture on the library website (and below, when I get the pictures added).

A study room is just right for one or two people, and a large collection of Chilton and Motor auto repair manuals had its own wide desk-height shelf. A computer near the manuals suggests the possiblity of accessing on-line repair information, also. There is a computer designated for games, and another for Rosetta Stone language courses. Patrons must sign up to use these two computers. There are also about eight other computers for general use.

Two items I rarely see: a scanner, and a fax machine, $1.00 a page.

For more information, see http://tdslib.org/madelia-branch-library/.

9/27/2013, car

208.. Watonwan County/St. James Public Library, St. James, MN

Timing is everything! As I drove into town at about 2:30 I noticed people collecting on the sidewalks, adults and kids, all wearing red. It happened that my gps was not being helpful (not its fault, I had told it 5th Street North and what I needed was 5th Street South), so I left the car and walked up to where the action was. Here I met a former school teacher who let me know that I was about to see the high school homecoming parade. I like small town parades, and I wasn't disappointed. The high school band was followed by floats with what must have been most of the sports teams in town, at various levels; the junior high band brought up the rear. They were on their way to the stadium to crown the Homecoming Queen and King; in the evening, they would play New Ulm. (I checked this morning: St. James won, 30 to 14!)

Once the parade had passed, I quickly found the library--where every window was decorated for homecoming. I was impressed that library hours and restroom designations are in Spanish and English. I don't recall seeing that courtesy before, even in small towns with good-sized Spanish populations.

The children's area has two Little Tykes computer stations apparently donated by 3M. Puzzles were set out on a table, ready for small patrons. There is a puppet theater, and stuffed animals are standing by to be reading buddies. Accelerated Reader tests can be accessed through library computers. A focal point on the wall is an American Girls quilt, which I learned was made by a fourth grade class about 10 years ago.

The "J" that I grew up thinking of as "Juvenile" here stands for "Junior" books. A good choice, I think.

There are five "living room" bays by the windows; it appears that one is for teens, two for the Spanish collection, and two general browsing areas. Drawings of local landmarks are on the walls, and I think framed art is also available for loan. There are about 10 public computers.

I couldn't resist asking about "The Family Rowdy Reading Program" that will run September 30 through November 2. A brochure describes the program, and it sounds great. A "family" is at least one adult and one child under 18, and participation is limited to 50 families. A family that registers will have up to $50 of fines (accrued before 9/30) forgiven--that's huge! Families that recommend a book will receive a free book, as will a kid who creates a picture of a favorite book. A family adult must check in once a week, in person or by phone. Seven weekly events include a concert, pizza and bingo night, pumpkin decorating, and several craft activities, including one at which families will create tray favors for Meals on Wheels. Literacy, community service, participation at the library...someone has put a LOT of thought and time into this program.

For more information about this library, go to http://tdslib.org/st-james-public-library/.

9/27/2013, car

St. James Jr. High Band

St. James High School Band

207. Mountain Lake Public Library, Mountain Lake, MN

The first challenge was getting into the library, because of road work and new curbing--but it was totally worth the effort. The lobby has a large display window that featured a Fall Harvest theme, with books from the adult, children's, and picture book collections. A meeting room off the lobby appears to have a very nice small fireplace.

The children's area features an octagonal table with a wooden train set. Picture books are designated E, and easy readers are also E, but they have a large green dot on the spine and are on their own shelves. There are "floor chairs" for young browsers. A few graphic novels were classified 741.5, the same as the Charlie Brown comics.

 A small living room area is near the windows and handy to the periodicals, new fiction and nonfiction, and large print books. There is an awesome collection of westerns! Young adult books are on shelves and spinners near a game table. Reflecting the local community, there is a collection of Mennonite publications. There is also a n area for people doing local genealogy research, and a number of public computers.

And the newspapers are on sticks!

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

206. Windom Public Library, Windom, MN

This is the first library I've visited that occupies a former bank building. It's an interesting and challenging space, that appears to be utilized to the max. The main area is for adults, with a browsing area by each of the front windows, one side for periodicals and newspapers, the other for genre fiction. Bookshelves are functional metal, made attractive with handsome wooden ends.

At the back of the space where the safe once stood is a large display window, currently decorated for Halloween with a large bat cave and many seasonal books. From there I walked through a side door lobby (this is just like the banks in my hometown, back in the day) into the old office area, which now houses the youth department. There is a bright ocean-themed rug on the floor and a colorful curtain at one window. With the yellow walls, the space felt very light and cheerful despite the clouds outside. A tiny area holds teen books and a TV/DVD player mounted high on the wall. The older children's area has, among many other books, large (perhaps complete?) collections of Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Boxcar Children, and even Thornton Burgess!

For more information, go to http://www.windom-mn.com/city-facilities/windom-public-library/.

9/29/2013, car

Yes, the library building was once a bank!

Across the street is the handsome Cottonwood County Courthouse.

205. Nobles County Library, Worthington, MN

I entered the kids area to the left from the lobby. Kids have a colorful fabric puppet theater, a cozy couch by the big windows, toys, and many book and media sets. Older children seem to have an especially large non-fiction collection. An open area with tables and chairs made me wonder if perhaps there had recently been a program; there was a "pushed back" look that gave me this idea. Several small children were present when I was there; one who could not have been more than three years old greeted me nicely and showed me the book he had chosen. There was a lively, energetic, unhushed but controlled feeling in this space.

Back issues of periodicals are in boxes with slanted sides; I'm sure these have a specific name, but I can't find them in the Demco catalog. Anyway, what impressed me was a library book pocket glued to the front of each box, with a card indicating the title and year of the publication. This simple method allows boxes to be "relabeled" by simply changing the card. Slick!

New books, papers, and current periodicals are in a "living room" browsing area with windows. The "coffee table" looks like a pile of three enormous books, Canturbury Tales on top.

The Reference collection is in a separate corner with a desk for the librarian by the entrance. Some of the oldest reference books had DDS numbers on the spine that looked as if they might have been done with transfer paper and a woodburning pen, as I used to mark books long ago! [To be clear, these are classic reference books, and it is appropriate that they are "old."] This area of the library also has Spanish books and media, many audio materials for learning English, and a collection of large print books. There's a microfilm reader and files of newspapers back to at least 1892, a real treasure for research. I saw four or five public computers, and of course wi-fi is available.

For more information, go to http://nclibrary.org/.

9/27/2013, car

204. Augustana Mikkelsen Library, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD

I visited this library during a tour sponsored by the Tri-Conference in Sioux Falls, September 2013. The tour was to showcase a recent renovation that served to join a 1954 building with a 1980 addition to make a unified building, and it appears to have been very successful. We were fortunate to have top library staff and the architect present for the tour.

The most visually impressive feature is a glassed-in staircase, brightly lighted and stunning from outside after dark--and we were there after dark for the full impact. There must be an elevator, too, but I didn't spot it.

A tour of an academic library while it is open (and it's open a lot) is a bit strange, because of course the place is full of students trying to concentrate. The second time we passed one young man who was sitting alone, obviously trying to tend to his reading, I felt like whispering "It's OK, we're leaving now!" There is clearly a culture of quiet, quite unlike many public libraries.

All there was to see made the tour a bit overwhelming, but here are some highlights that made it into my notes: Compact shelving for back issues of periodicals. A main level with a very high ceiling and a handsome tall fireplace with an extension to that ceiling. An upper level that is open to the main level, as a balcony. Cork floors and bamboo ceilings in some areas, sound-muffling and environmentally green. Many study rooms and varied seating arrangements, but few carrels; our tour guide says that carrels are neither wanted nor used. Study rooms have screens so that a group of students can look at a laptop display in comfort. A collection of children's literature that I wanted to look at more closely, but I didn't remember to look for it during the time I  could have wandered around. A climate-controlled special collections room. Lots of art on the walls, much of it created by alumni--and presumably alumnae. A large staff area with glass walls that serve to connect staff to the rest of the library visually while minimizing the impact on students of essential work-related sounds. A phone room where students can make and take phone calls without having to leave the building.

Something I would not have noticed if we had not been told: Features on walls that look like chair rails but actually hold power outlets for laptops. Our guide said that these must be pointed out to new students, too.

One member of our group asked at the end of the tour whether anything had not turned out quite as hoped during the renovation. I appreciated that our guide did not try to duck this question. The only area, it seems, that was not quite right at first had to do with lighting. The project was done just as LED lights were coming into use, and some lighting was improved by making this change. Also, some areas have lights that are motion controlled or on timers, and these required some tweaking. That's a very short list for such a large project.

For more about this library, go to http://library.augie.edu/. There is a video tour button in the center of the page.

9/25/2013, car and big yellow school bus

No pictures, sorry. You'll just have to go to the library website!

203. Siouxland Libraries, Prairie West Branch, Sioux Falls, SD

This was a different experience, because I was part of a tour during the Tri-Conference of the South Dakota Library Association (SDLA). So instead of driving up and slipping in to wander around, I was in a group of 35 library folks, here to look at a brand-new library.

We saw the automated materials handling (AMH) equipment in action. It looked quite different from what I've seen in Ramsey County and Minneapolis, even allowing for the fact that it has, I believe, 5 bins, compared to 20 or more at the larger sites I'm familiar with. (I liked hearing that it was made in New Ulm, MN. High tech manufacturing is good.) A couple of differences between here and Ramsey County: DVDs and cases both have RFD tags, and they are coupled in the computer. Therefore, if a case comes in without a DVD, the machine knows that a part is missing. Also, if DVDs are switched in their cases, the machine will signal an exception. Items coming in that have a Request cause a slip to be printed, and a person has to put the slip in the right book. Other than this, it appears that the equipment can run for long periods unattended.

The self-checkout kiosks are white, free-standing, and very space-age looking. They combine the laser card scanner with the RFD reader in one unit. One of the kiosks has a credit card scanner for payments. When check-out was demonstrated, I noticed that each item checked out caused an audible "ding" and the change in status was very conspicuous on the screen; I think this might minimize problems I've seen at home of patrons who do not "wait until the title has turned green" and thus set off the security.

The tour group was allowed a long period to wander around, and for that I took notes as I usually do. I also took a few interior pictures. This new building reminds me of the Roseville, MN remodeled library: very open, very green (colorwise). Decorative touches suggest grass (curviness) and I noticed that meeting spaces are named after prairie grasses and plants. The space is large and open, with a curved wall of windows that seemed to form a 90-degree arc. Picture a large square space with one corner curved.

The most fun amusing, interesting feature of the interior for many of us was the presence of large square floor tiles scattered throughout. I call them "lava lamp tiles" because when you step on them, colors inside squish around and change. They are very, very cool!

The children's area has curvy benches and shelves in a zigzag arrangement; it seems that this might prompt "pause and look" behavior, as opposed to "walk on past." It worked that way for me! There are many hooks on one wall for outerwear.

Over by the curved window wall there is a "living room" area for browsing, but it is not a cozy living room, as I've seen many other places, but instead is rather cool and modern. Comfortable, I'm sure, but I probably have a bit of bias toward "cozy." I spotted some chairs like one I had in a classroom at the U of MN, with a wheeled "snow saucer" sort of base (a place to put your backpack) and a swivel chair with a swivel armrest. I recall from that class that these chairs are very neat, so long as all the wheeling and swiveling goes in the directions you expect; in other words, they take some getting used to. I noticed that all the shelving is white enameled metal, another very "space age" look.

The teen area is in a large "alcove" set slightly apart from the main space. The outstanding feature when I was there was a bookcase of banned books, liberally wrapped with yellow and black CAUTION tape. What could be better to attract a teen to a book?

I spotted at least 18 public computers, plus some for catalog searches only. There is a service desk near the entrance (staffed by a friendly young woman when I was there) and a reference desk further over toward the adult and reference collections. And I noticed that all fiction is shelved together, with stickers on the spine to indicate the genre volumes. I haven't seen that in a long time.

For more information about this library, go to http://www.siouxlandlib.org/contactus/Branches/prairie-west.aspx.

9/25/2013, car to Sioux Falls, big yellow school bus from the conference to the library)

Step on one of these squares, and the colors squish around and change.

202. Meinders Community Library, Pipestone, MN

This is not unique, but it was new to me: a combined school library and public library, in the local high school. The area nearest the entrance is for the public, while the other end is for the school. Each area has its own service/circulation desk and staff.

In the children's area, the walls are painted to suggest castle walls. There are several computers for kids, as well as a CD player and a cassette (!) player with headphones. Big windows were shaded against the sun when I was there. Picture books are in bins, sorted by theme, main character, or author. Kids fiction includes graphic novels. All non-fiction, J and adult, is shelved together.

An adult browsing area is "living room" style with tall windows. A large card catalog was brought from an earlier building. It is not used at this time, though it still holds the old cards, but I like it for the continuity of history. If card catalogs intrigue you, take a look at the entry for the library at Philips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. I also found a library that is using old catalog drawers to house (old) music cassettes, an intriguing blending of old technologies.

The school library area has a large reference section, as you would expect where kids will be working on reports and homework. An interesting graphic on the wall above the shelves includes gears and some large shapes that suggest freight train cars; the words with this graphic are "Beneath the Surface," which could have a lot of connotations. There is a computer lab, and eight study tables, each seating eight kids--that looks as if it would accommodate two classes at a time. When I was there, two tables were occupied by kids who seemed to be engrossed in their tasks.

Although this is the Plum Creek district, I didn't see anything special about Laura Ingalls Wilder. Did I miss it? Perhaps someone will add a comment about that. [I DID hear about this, but not in the form of a comment. Plum Creek district is very large, and this library is in a part of the district that is not connected to the Wilders. I overgeneralized!]

I had a wonderful time chatting with staff. A sign on the staff office door (public side of the library) assured me that this is a velociraptor-free zone. Whew! Then they pointed out that it isn't, really, as there is a sculpture with two v-raptors on top of a low bookshelf.

For more about this library, go to http://www.plumcreeklibrary.org/pipestone/.

9/25/13, car

201. Marshall-Lyon County Library, Marshall, MN

As a fan of public transportation, I was happy to see this sign as I entered: The MAT bus now stops at the library. First, I was pleased that Marshall has public transportation; second, of course, I was glad that the library is on its route.

There is a magazine exchange in the lobby, and a courtesy phone. This two-year-old building has a small separate room for a Friends bookstore. Material was sorted and shelved; I got two books and two recorded books on cassette (for listening in the car) for a total of $1.00! (They were on sale, these are not their regular prices!) A large red wagon outside the bookstore is used for donations, and there is a polite sign indicating what is not wanted--like old textbooks.

There is a technology classroom with 10 computers and a ceiling-mounted projector. Nearby, I enjoyed a collection of small posters with quotations about libraries and books, most of which were new to me.

Shelves from the old library were reused when this bulding was constructed, but they were spiced up with wooden ends with an incised design suggesting a branch with leaves. These are very attractive and the idea of "reuse with upgrade" appeals to my inner recycler. I noticed that part of the stacks are parallel to the wall while others are oriented like a fan, or spokes; this gives good sightlines from the service desk.

A window wall in the browsing area looks out at the middle school across the way, and a rack with dozens of bicycles; it is good to know that there are still places where bikes can take the place of buses or Mom's car, at least in good weather. A jigsaw puzzle was underway on one table. Newspapers are stapled together, a practice I've seen before but I don't know where; I do know it was a long time ago. A sign asks patrons to please leave them stapled together.

A handsome fireplace has this quotation from Winston Churchill: "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life from what we give." This is apt, since the bookshelves beside the fireplace have many identically-bound books with donor names on the spines, along with a designation of the level of support: Philanthropist, Founder, Benefactor, Author, Patron, Sponsor, Reader. There is plenty of room for more of these recognitions. Classic titles are shelved adjacent to the fireplace; as a frequent shelver, I appreciated the fact that these have "Fireplace" on the spine as a reminder of where they should be shelved.

Public art includes etched glass panels mounted in front of the windows. Each one has a pattern of vertical and horizontal lines backing a drawing of a landmark from somewhere in the town or county. They are very attractive and unusual.

The Teen area has computers, four booths, soft chairs, and plenty of books. There are three study rooms nearby, and I also spotted what looks to me like a very modern microfilm and -fiche reader.

The chldren's area is a large room separated from the rest of the library by glass walls. I learned that this is intended to be the adult media space, as soon as an addition can be built. For now, it has an area for the youngest patrons and their parents, with books, toys, and a collection of parenting books. Plenty of picture books, and fiction and non-fiction for school-age chidlren. There is a delightful antique school bench and desk with a sloping top. Two computers are reserved for children age three through grade four, and two others for kids in grades three through six. For the latter two, a sign advises that the child must have his or her own library card and there is a one-hour limit.

I also had a chance to see the large staff workroom with several offices along the side. I can only hope that when the library where I work is remodeled, we get a workspace nearly as nice.

To learn more and see an interior picture, go to http://marshalllyonlibrary.org/mlclweb/Welcome.html.


9/25/2013, car

Great bike racks!

200. Redwood Falls Public Library, Redwood Falls, MN

Each library I've visited has something I have seen nowhere else. There are several "new" things here, and the first is a sign, "No sunflower seeds in the library." There is also a near-full-size Orca hanging from the ceiling in the kids area, and large cutouts of animals on a ledge over the exit. See the picture (when I get it posted) of the animals. I was told that they were made by a local artist for prom decorations! There is also a paper chain looped from the ceiling that begins over the Children's Librarian's desk and extends down to the Teen area--so far. Each link bears a patron's name, adults as well as kids, and the goal is to "see how far it will go." And then there is the artificial evergreen tree by the circulation desk. It must be at least 12 feet high and is decorated seasonally. Today, it was decked in a fall theme with lots of orange.

The children's area has a large window bay with a cushioned seat running the whole length. A science table is set up for the study of insects, especially cicadas. A "writing center" is designed like an adult office desk, with cubbyholes that hold writing and art supplies. The walls are decorated with nursery rhyme murals that line the window bay and continue around behind the librarian's desk. A sign reads "In order to promote responsible behavior, please have your child put materials they have been using away and straighten the area. We appreciate your cooperation. The Library Staff." I like this sign, and think every children's area should have some variation.

Teen Territory looks like a real living room, with a big window bay, chairs and sofa, a coffee table (with "coffee table" books); there are also a couple of study rooms and three "diner booths."

For the adults, a large curved window area at the corner of the building offers a pleasant place for browsing. There is some Spanish material and a collection of Native American books and art. There are two study rooms nearby, and a third reserved for genealogy work. A row of spinners holding paperback fiction separates the browsing area from the stacks. Star Trek and Star Wars books have their own shelves, as do Minnesota authors. There are about a dozen public computers. A sign reminds us to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month.

On one table, a jigsaw puzzle was in progress, and there are many more puzzles, each in a hanging plastic bag, available for loan. Art may be borrowed, as can a revolving collection of cake pans shared with other libraries in the Plum Creek region. Cake pans seem to be the "in" thing these days--and I once thought they were only in Osage, IA!

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

9/25/2013, car

 

 

199. Hector Public Library, Hector, MN

Today I drove to Sioux Falls, SD, for a library conference, just for the fun of it. On the way, I visited four libraries, and my first stop was in little Hector, MN, where a sign gave the population as 1100 plus change.

Usually I wander around a library and take notes before I talk to anyone, but here there was just Jill, the librarian, and me, in a fairly small space...no patrons yet. So we talked quite a bit. The lobby has  a set of wooden plaques with metal tags for each donor to the library; I believe $100 gets you a tag with your name. Here's the cool part: Once you have a tag, you get an annual call asking if you would like to add a star this year! Many people and businesses have multiple stars, showing sustained support of their library.

Inside, there is a very nice "living room" area by the windows, for browsers, and a parallel children's area that includes a dollhouse and other appealing materials. There are many, many plastic storage boxes with themed contents. Jill admitted that she "went a bit overboard" with these, but since they are used by day care, preschool programs, and families, it sounds to me like a worthwhile investment.

Toward the back are the "stacks" -- well, there are parallel shelves of books. These include a substantial collection of Large Print books; Jill says that a patron donates a lot of LP books every month, how cool is that? There is also a new Teen collection. Near this area I spotted a framed list of the names of the Friends Charter Members from 1987. The Friends are still active today, and provided the computers, four I think, that are available for the public.

A table right in the middle of the action holds craft supplies for the 15 or so kids who come in after school to wait for their parents to pick them up. This is a wonderful service for parents, but one that could easily be abused. A sign makes it clear that "The Library is Not Responsible for Unattended Children."

By the way, Jill and her husband are photographers. She showed me a set of pictures she made recently of the businesses in Hector, with the proprietors (except two who were unwilling) standing in the doorways. It's a neat way to capture a slice of town history. See the pictures at www.zenfolio.com/markandjillski.

For more about the library, go to http://www.pioneerland.lib.mn.us/hector/ or https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hector-Public-Library/139347582778832.

9/25/2013, car

Libraries Are...Everywhere?

A couple of weeks ago I was chatting with a voluteer in the Friends of the Hennepin County Library bookstore and we got onto the subject of libraries in other countries; she follows this blog, and she wondered whether other countries have libraries as we do. Link that conversation with an article on American exceptionalsim that a friend posted on Facebook today. Then try Googling "public libraries in ___" and name the country of your choice. We are not alone--there are wonderful libraries just about anywhere you look. Even this one:
http://www.booksforwallsproject.org/2010/05/antarcticas-library-and-walking-in.html

Check that link...there are pictures.

There is no frigate like a book: Libraries and Boats

I haven't yet found a library with a frigate, though I'm sure there is one somewhere. Until I find it, take a look back at my posts for La Crosse, Wisconsin (river boat) and Escanaba, Michigan (sail boat). Then go to https://www.facebook.com/Durham.NH.Public.Library#!/Durham.NH.Public.Library. Scroll down to mid-July (the 19th, I think) and see their gundalow. Durham has a fantastic new library building that I hope to visit in December.

Any tips for other libraries with boats?

4a. Washington County Wildwood Branch Library, Mahtomedi, MN -- Re-Visit

I've wanted to come back to this library, I think because I remembered the large, rounded, windowed areas and wanted to see them again. They are still there, and just as fine as I recalled.

The first circular area, to the left of the entrance, is for children. Picture book bins radiate through the space...think of spokes, with the window as the rim of a wheel. After the J fiction area, a long, straight window seat faces the teen fiction shelves; several tables and a collection of table games are nearby.

Continuing around the library, there are windows everywhere. Most windows have a table and chair and a nice relaxing view to the greenery outside. Looking around the non-fiction area, I was surprised to see Reference books shelved with their circulating cousins. "R" on the spine and a "Library Use Only" label mark their special status. I can't think of another library where I have seen these shelved together, but perhaps I haven't looked in the right place. Something to watch for, going forward.

I spotted some interesting books in a series called Women's Adventures in Science, labeled "J". I discovered when I got home that Ramsey County does not have this series (must speak to someone about this, they look good); Hennepin County has them, but they are designated as adult books, or at least not J. They looked like "high J" to me; I will get hold of a couple and read them to see what I think. I've recently had a little chat with some folks about books labeled J that I think are for older readers, now here I find the opposite case. [Yes, I am probably a bit of a thorn in the side of a few people, on this subject and others.]

For more information, go to http://www.co.washington.mn.us/facilities.aspx?search=1&CID=2&RID=6&Page=detail

9/12/13, car

Bayport Public Library, Bayport, MN -- Re-visit

This library is in a building that once (twice, actually) was a restaurant of some note; if you visit, be sure to see the framed menu near the library office; I'll take the sirloin steak dinner for $2.00!

I made this revisit in part because a co-worker tried to convince me that this is a small space, just the front of the building. No, my memory was correct on this one. The library uses the entire first floor, and has meeting rooms on the second. (An elevator is available.)

Even before entering I noted special touches, including flower gardens, a statue of a girl reading, and small patios with tables and chairs to either side of the entrance. Inside, the room to the left is the Mary Stout Reading Room, intended for quiet reading and housing the newspapers and periodicals. There is living room seating with a handsome fireplace. Old books are used as decorative elements throughout the room. A small adjoining room provides kitchen facilities, and it is easy to imagine a book club meeting here, with cookies and tea!

My favorite space is the less formal "log room" at the rear. It has a huge fireplace--the mantel is higher than my head, and I'm not short! There are study carrells and a study room with a two-hour limit. A note pointed out that the computer in this room is intended for special uses, like resume writing, major school projects, or proctored tests; the other public computers should be used for other purposes. It's good to spell that out, in my opinion. A glass-front bookshelf (we had one like it when I was a kid) holds what looks like a complete set of Agatha Christie mysteries.

A teen corner actually housed a teen when I was there, and he gave me a "hey, this is for teens" look when I peered around the corner. I moved on to the children's area, which has a long bay window with cushioned window seats and picture book bins. A prominent sign says that "Small children must be supervised at all times." I admired the sign and the librarian admitted that it doesn't always work as one would wish. I figure, however, that it must be nice to have it there to point to when it is needed.

A corner in the back houses the media collection and has a large window and a number of upholstered chairs. The staff office and service desk are in the middle of the building.

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

9/12/2013, car

5a Washington County, Valley Branch Library, Lakeland, MN -- Re-visit

This library impressed me even more this year than last year. As you enter, the children's area is on the left, a long, uncluttered area bookended by broad, carpeted window sills/seats on one end and a cozy couch on the other. The window sill holds display books as well as some games and toys, and the floor area is set off by a large "Arctic Ocean" rug with the message "Chillin' with a good book." (Given the nature of Minnesota winters, I can't help but wonder if there is another rug for "warming up with a good book" during the cold months.) I like the poster that says, with a nod to Numeroff,

"If you give kids good books...
they'll want to read them
again and again."

After the J Fiction shelves, the back of the space holds an adult browsing area with what I call a "living room" setup. Teens have a small corner for themselves, with a modest collection of fiction, including some graphic novels and manga, and a table and chairs.

I saw four public computers, not counting catalog computers. A shelf near the service desk holds free literature of local interest, and a set of increasingly-rare phone books. The storefront window on the "adult side" held a display that must be effective--because I noted one of the titles and have just put a request in at one of my local libraries!

To learn more about this branch, go to http://www.co.washington.mn.us/facilities.aspx?page=detail&RID=5

9/12/2013, car

.

Washington County, Oakdale Minnesota -- Revisit

It was impossible to miss the fact that something major was going on involving the parking lot and the grounds. The answer was provided on a bulletin board in the lobby: it's a stormwater management project, an admirable thing to do. It's too bad that the parking lot had to be redone for this purpose, but the result should be quite handsome.

Six tables in the middle of the library were standing ready for the homework crowd, and they started to arrive while I was there. In the meantime, a man and a young girl had a chess game set up on one table. Ten public computers were mostly busy, with some adults and some kids. In the children's area, a middle-school boy was working out some ideas with a board and gears designed for younger children but serving his needs at that point.

A very large poster, perhaps 4' x 8', made of paper and felt, graced the children's area with the message "Dive Into School." The children's area is brightened by a large bow window with a long padded window seat. A small bookshelf held J and YT series books. This reminded me that last summer it was at a Washington County library that I had a discussion about the YT designation. I like it, since so many Y or YA books seem very grown up. [OK, I went back to the comment about YT; last August, someone from Oakdale told me that it was a designation no longer used. Really?]

All non-fiction is shelved together here. I like this approach in general, but today I saw a couple of books that seemed to be borderline E or J; that is, they were appropriately marked J, but they seemed quite young. That made me wonder whether younger kids are sometimes missing the non-fiction they would enjoy. This libary appears to have the sort of staff that would deal skillfully with such a situation--so long as the child's need was known.

Meetings can be held in a quiet study room that seemed well-designed to use a long, triangular space; a conference room for up to 10 people, and a meeting room off the lobby for up to 90.

This is one of the quietest libraries I've been in!

For more information about this library, go to http://www.co.washington.mn.us/index.aspx?NID=467.

9/12/2013, car

I'll go back for a new picture next spring, when the grass is in.