What's Happening at ACL?
Holiday Closures
All Anoka County Libraries will be closed Friday, July 4th through Sunday, July 6th. We will also be closing early on Thursday, July 3rd at 5:30 pm. Normal hours resume Monday, July 7th.
July 19 Fringe Festival Preview at Rum River Library
Anoka County Library Hosts Summer Fun for Children and Teens
"Look What's Cookin' at Your Library" and "Plug In To Your Library," summer reading programs for children and teens, get underway at Anoka County Library beginning June 2, 2008. Children from preschool through grade 5 are invited to "Look What’s Cookin'" and older children and teens can "Plug In" through August 31.
Children and teens may register for summer reading at any Anoka County or Columbia Heights Library during June, July or August.
Children who register for "Look What’s Cookin'" will receive a bookmark and a reading record to help track their reading during the summer. Those who read a minimum of 5 hours during the summer will receive a free pass to Bunker Beach Water Park at Bunker Hills Regional Park. The special Bunker Beach Water Park passes may be used after 4 pm from June 2 through Labor Day. Those who continue reading will earn other incentives. The library offers many entertainment programs as part of summer reading. These programs are presented at libraries and other sites throughout the county and are sponsored by several of our area's generous clubs and organizations.
Minnesota author and artist Debra Frasier’s illustrations are used for the "Look What’s Cookin' at Your Library" program. Frasier is well known for several books, including "On the Day You Were Born" and "A Birthday Cake is No Ordinary Cake." Her illustrations enliven the reading records and other materials used in the program for children.
This year's theme for teens is "Plug In To Your Library." "Plug In" features special incentives for participation, the annual bookmark design contest sponsored by Friends of the Anoka County Library and other activities centered on reading and the library. Teens will receive a free pass to Bunker Beach Water Park when they read a minimum of 5 hours during the summer. The special Bunker Beach Water Park passes may be used after 4 pm from June 2 through Labor Day.
In addition to the summer reading programs, library storytimes are available during the summer. Check with your local library for details about storytimes.
Teens are invited to volunteer at the library and should contact library staff soon about summer volunteer opportunities.
For more information about summer reading call your local Anoka County Library. A full schedule of events is available here.
Celebrate Summer Reading at the Minnesota Twins vs. Seattle Game on August 17
The Minnesota Twins are offering a special discounted price on Upper Club seats for the Sunday, August 17 game. Orders should be placed directly with the Twins using the special Order Form.
Dedication of Art Mural in Rum River Library’s Story Room
The delightful new mural in the Children’s Storyhour Room at the Rum River Library was dedicated on May 28, 2008. Anoka County Library honored the mural’s artist, Diane Gronewold, her student assistants, Hirshfield’s, and Dr. Terry and Adrienne Yeager, funders.
The Library is located at 4201 6th Avenue in Anoka, MN.
The charming addition to the Children’s Room was conceived and principally funded by Dr. Terry and Adrienne Yeager, long-time Anoka County residents and Library Board members. The mural was the vision of Diane Gronewold, an art teacher at the Anoka High School. Gronewold created a lively scene that highlights a host of creatures reading. Anoka High School art students assisted Gronewold in painting the mural across the 23 foot back wall of the children's storyhour room.
Enchanting animals, a farm scene, cityscape, and fairy tale castle capture the attention of everyone entering the Children’s Room. Gronewold and her artistic students painted the mural using household latex paint donated by the Coon Rapids Hirshfield's for the project. Mansetti’s on Round Lake Boulevard in Coon Rapids and Subway in Anoka donated food to help keep the artists going in their marathon painting sessions.
Visit the Rum River Branch of the Anoka County Library in June to experience the whimsy for yourself. Perhaps you will find one of the young artists there, admiring their creation. The art students who painted the mural are: Katelyn White, Michelle Stryker, Katy Orth, Ashley Masog, Megan Ward, Danielle Fredrick, Jamie Olson, and Lysa Ducharme. Or, you may find Commissioners Dan Erhart and Dennis Berg revisiting the room. They joined the Yeagers and Library Board President, Jane Daniels, in enjoying the great new art at the Rum River Library.
Help Create Natural Beauty at the Mississippi Branch Library
The Mississippi Branch Library in Fridley is getting a face lift! Spearheaded by Commissioner Jim Kordiak’s fundraising and landscape artist Betty Ann Addison’s vision, the project will create a garden oasis at this Anoka County Library branch. Both the interior courtyard and the building grounds are slated to be replanted. The landscape design features unique trees, shrubs, and perennials that will not only thrive but bring long-lasting beauty to our Minnesota climate.
The Library is relying upon community supporters to provide the funding for this distinctive project. Gardens of Rice Creek, the Fridley/Columbia Heights Rotary, the Fridley American Legion Post #303, the Wal-Mart Foundation, and RAO Manufacturing have contributed over $1,000 each; while Commissioner Kordiak, Ashley Furniture Outlets USA, Schaafs, Inc., CM Information Specialists, and Optometric Eye Care Center have all contributed as well. Work is slated to kick off on Wednesday, April 23rd and will proceed in two phases, as additional funding is received.
While over $6,000 has been donated, more is needed to complete the project. “I am pleased to support the library in this fundraising project,” said Commissioner Kordiak. “Your donations will offer a lasting benefit to the community which you and others will long enjoy.” If you are interested in making a tax-deductible contribution to create a beautiful spot to read, surf the Web, or just enjoy connecting with your neighbor, please call the Anoka County Library at 763-785-3695 and ask to speak to Bonnie Dishon or Marlene Moulton Janssen. Donors will be recognized on a permanent commemorative plaque and at the dedication ceremony. Thank you for considering a gift to the Fridley community and the Anoka County Library.
For more information please contact Marlene Moulton Janssen at 763-785-3695.
Internet classes for adults
Adults can learn to use the Internet at several branches of the Anoka County library. Taught by librarians, the one-hour private classes give participants a basic introduction to the Internet.
There is no charge for the classes, but pre-registration is required.
Call the individual branch libraries listed below for specific class times or for more information.
Centennial 763-717-3294
Crooked Lake 763-576-5972
Mississippi 763-571-1934
Rum River 763-576-4695