Thanks to the FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY we have new shelves in the children's area!

Aren't they lovely!? This shelving unit replaces those pesky spinners the books on tape/cd used to be on. These are one of the benefits of the Friends of the Library's Spelling Bee in 2007. The couch and music CD holder are the other new elements from the Friends!

It took a team to get the shelves together! Thanks to Bill North, David Geist, Steve Schmidt, Larry Morgan and Bernie Shakel for helping Leesa and me.

Kathy Here's the link to the Friends you can thank them if you'd like!

THANKS to the Cocoa Bean!!!!

Eileen and Marvin from the Cocoa Bean present a $400 check for Booker the Book Bus to library staff members Leesa, Kathy and Diana.

Thanks to all who purchased Hawaiian Shaved Ice at Books and Stars this summer it was a great way to help keep Booker rolling!

Thanks Cocoa Bean!

Children's programs

Patty Cake Infant Lapsit
10 am Tuesdays
Infant Lapsit is specially designed to encourage development of language and motor skills by incorporating books with simple songs, rhymes and fingerplays.
For ages 6-18 months with parent or caregiver.

Toddler Rhyme Time
10 am Wednesdays
Is a time to encourage development of language and motor skills by integrating movement, songs, books and rhymes for kids ages 2-3 with parent or caregiver.

Story Time for 4’s and 5’s
10 am Thursdays
Stories and a craft for the “just about ready for school crowd.”
For those who are ready to sit and listen to a picture book, sing songs and create a small art project.

Carleton ACT Story Hour
TBA Saturdays
Saturday morning stories and crafts. during Carleton’s school year.

First Steps Early Literacy Center
Monday, Friday and Saturdays 10 am to noon
A parent or caregiver-directed activity center where toddlers and preschoolers are surrounded by alphabet manipulatives, concept books, board books and puzzles, all designed to be a fun learning experience. In the library’s meeting room.

HELP WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO KEEP 1ST STEPS OPEN!
call 645-1804 or email Kathy

Lemonade for Booker!

Click on picture to inlarge.

Thanks Jane!

The last Books & Stars of the year featured "Tales with Tails" naturalist Kevin Strauss

Books & Stars featured naturalist Kevin Strauss!

He told stories that took us to the forests of long ago and into a world where animals can talk. A rather small but appreciative audience enjoyed the stories and the beautiful evening.

Many thanks go a grant Southeastern Arts Council that made this year's Books & Stars possible. Thanks also to Marvin & Eileen from the Cocoa Bean who where back supporting Booker with their sales of the cool Hawaiian shaved ice!

Thanks also goes to the Northfield Parks & Street crew for setting up the showmobile. Diana on Booker checked out and in LOTS of books on Booker. Thanks Diana! Thanks also go to Kelly, the community services intern and Ana, Nicholas, Tate, Claire and other library pages who helped at Books & Stars. We had a great 2008!

Fun at the pool with Hans Mayer!

We had a beautiful summer evening at the pool with talented musician Hans Mayer. Over 300 people enjoyed the entertainment and free admission to the pool - thanks to a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council with support from Northfield Public Schools Community Services Division and the City of Northfield Library.
Click here and here see more photos!

Our last MN History Player Virginia Mae Hope

We met Virginia Mae Hope, and heard exciting stories of women flying airplanes and serving their country during World War II.

Virginia Mae Hope, a native of Winnebago, Minn., was a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II. The WASP performed wartime duties in the United States, thus freeing male pilots for combat. Hope was one of only 1,074 women to recieve the WASP silver wings after completing rigorous training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. After graduation, she was assigned to the Weather Wing and stationed at Patterson Field in Dayton, Ohio. She died on Dec. 7, 1944, in Omaha, Neb., when the plane on which she was a passenger crashed after takeoff.
Virginia Hope was known to say, "Isn't it just wonderful!" about her WASP career, though she and other female pilots faced blatant discrimination simply because they were women. Not until 1977, 33 years after the program was disbanded, did Congress recognize the WASP as military pilots and grant them veteran status.

Her visit was our last in our series celebrating Minnesota's Sesquicentennial. The Minnesota History Player visits where made possible by a grant from the Northfield Area Foundation.
Thank you!