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Bundle up for winter and spend some cold dark nights with a good book or two! Winter Jackets, Anoka County Library’ s winter reading program for adults, begins January 17th and runs through February 29th, 2012. Celebrate reading this winter by participating in Winter Jackets and add even more enjoyment to your reading!

Participants in Winter Jackets receive a bookmark, a Winter Jackets pen, and a short review form to complete about a book they’ve read during the program. When submitted, the review form serves as an entry into a drawing for small prizes. All library users age 17 and older are encouraged to participate.

To help celebrate reading this year, Anoka County Library will host programs with 6 popular authors: Monica Ferris, Kevin Kling, Terry Mejdrich, Larry Millett, Sarah Stonich, and the Hartless Murderers group (Brian Landon, Jessie Chandler and Joan Murphy Pride).



February 4, 2012: Terry Mejdrich
Author of the Charlie Johnson mystery series set in Minnesota forest country (A Mammoth Resurrection, The Bog Lady, The Devil’s Kettle, and Ghosts in the Heart), Terry Mejdrich has also been a lumberjack, farmer, carpenter, freelance reporter, and math/science teacher, sometimes all at once! Check out Thoughts From the Deep Woods, his collection of original poetry.

February 11 2012: Hartless Murderers
Brian Landon, Jessie Chandler, and Joan Murphy Pride (The Hartless Murderers) are the authors of silly, satirical, and downright funny murder mysteries. They have been writing together since 2005. All three authors contributed to a collection of mystery short stories, Why Did Santa Leave a Body? Look for Joan Murphy Pride’s Double Cross Country, Jessie Chandler’s Bingo Barge Murder and Brian Landon’s The Case of the Unnecessary Sequel and A Grand Ol’ Murder.

February 18, 2012: Kevin Kling
Best known for his popular commentaries on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, Kevin Kling delivers hilarious, often tender and autobiographical tales that are as enchanting as they are true to life: hopping freight trains, getting hit by lightning, growing up in Minnesota, and eating things before knowing what they are. Check out The Dog Says How or Kevin Kling’s Holiday Inn in print or eBook.

February 25, 2012: Monica Ferris
Using the pseudonym Monica Ferris, Mary Monica Pulver writes the Betsy Devonshire mystery series, which is set in Excelsior, Minnesota and features an amateur needleworking sleuth. She’s won a place on national and local best–seller lists. She collects, and is often seen, in exuberant hats.

On Jan. 21, 2012 you missed : Larry Millett
Known as an architectural historian and the author of Lost Twin Cities, Twin Cities Then and Now, and AIA Guide to the Twin Cities, Larry Millett’s most recent work, Once There Were Castles, offers a richly illustrated work of the lost mansions and estates of the Twin Cities. He has also written a popular Minnesota mystery series featuring Sherlock Holmes and Shadwell Rafferty.

On Jan. 28, 2012 you missed : Sarah Stonich
Author of Shelter, a memoir set in northern Minnesota, The Ice Chorus, and the international best-seller, These Granite Islands, Sarah Stonich has recently completed Vacationland, a collection of stories connecting a dozen characters to the same remote resort near the Canadian border. When describing Sarah’s writing, award–winning author Colum McCann said, "One of the joys of reading is coming across books in which language is perfectly wedded to story."

Join in the Winter Jackets fun and meet some of Minnesota’s most talented authors. These author events are free and open to the public, although seating is limited. Books will be available for purchase, with signing by the authors.

Share the Warmth:
This year during Winter Jackets, Anoka County Library will "Share the Warmth" by collecting packages and cans of hot beverages (coffee, tea, hot cocoa) to benefit Anoka County residents through their local food shelves. Each library will have a box to collect these donations through February 29th.

"By combining Winter Jackets with support of our local food shelf, readers in Anoka County can feel twice as good about spending some time with their favorite book," said Anoka County Commissioner and Library liaison Jim Kordiak.

Events are co–sponsored by MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Association) and are funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

For more information about Winter Jackets, author events, or other library programs, call (763)712–2322 or visit your local Anoka County Library or the website at www.anoka.lib.mn.us.
See all Winter Jackets info here.

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Experience the music and learn the folklore, history and dance rhythms of Ireland and Scotland with "Willow Brae". Enjoy an afternoon of reels, jigs, airs and hornpipes played on an array of wind instruments and harp at Rum River Library on Saturday, March 3rd at 2:00 pm. Rum River Library is located at 4201 6th Avenue in Anoka.

This entertaining and educational performance is free and open to the public, but seating may be limited. "Willow Brae" consists of Andrea Stern on harp and Celtic harp and Laura Mackenzie on bagpipes, whistle, wooden flute, concertina, voice, and percussion.

With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, this is a great program to get you in the spirit of Irish and Scottish culture.

"The instruments of Irish and Scottish music are some of the most haunting at times, and at other times, the most jubilant," said Anoka County Commissioner Robyn West. "With the mastery that comes from MacPhail, this is certain to be a program that not only educates but entertains."

"Willow Brae" is presented by the MacPhail Center for Music and Anoka County Library in partnership with MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency) and is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

For more information call 763–571–1934 or visit your local library or the website at www.anoka.lib.mn.us.

See all Live at the Library – Events here.

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Battles did not occur every day in the Civil War, especially in the winter months when Southern rain and snow made dirt roads nearly impassable for marching armies. The life of Civil War soldiers has been described as long months of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror.

Anoka County library invites you to come to Circle Pines City Hall located at 200 Civic Heights Circle in Circle Pines, on Saturday, February 11th from 10:30 – 1:30, to find out what soldiers did during the long and often grueling yet boring months of winter. Authentically costumed re–enactors from the Second Minnesota Battery of Light Artillery will "take over" Circle Pines City Hall to share their in–depth knowledge of the Civil War with visitors. They’ll share how they kept themselves busy, warm, and ready for battle when the armies began to move in the spring.

"I can think of no better way to learn about the harsh realities of history than through re–enactments like this," said Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah. "These soldiers not only battled the enemy, but the elements as well."

The Second Minnesota Battery included more men from Anoka County than from any other county in the state. A special Anoka County Historical Society exhibit is part of this program and highlights men from the Battery and others from Anoka County who served during the Civil War.

"The Civil War in Winter" is sponsored by the Anoka County Library and is presented by the Anoka County Historical Society. This program is free and open to the public and is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

For more information about this and other library programs, call 763–717–3294 or visit your local Anoka County Library or the website at www.anoka.lib.mn.us.

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Need help getting free eBooks from the library? Beginning February 13th, you can drop in at the following times and locations for assistance.

   •  Centennial Library
      (100 Civic Heights Circle in Circle Pines):
      Mondays 12pm–2pm –Meeting Room

   •  Northtown Library
      (711 County Road 10 NE in Blaine):
      Mondays 5:30pm–7:30pm –Conference Room

   •  Johnsville Library
      (12471 Oak Park Blvd. in Blaine):
      Tuesdays 3:00pm–5:00pm –Meeting Room

   •  Rum River Library
      (4201 6th Avenue NW in Anoka):
      Thursdays 3:30pm–5:30pm –Meeting Room

Free assistance will be provided on a first come, first helped basis. Remember to bring your device, your user account and password associated with your device, and your Anoka County or Columbia Heights Public Library card.

"Hundreds of people have already taken advantage of our eBook classes in the past month," said Anoka County Commissioner and Library Board liaison Jim Kordiak. "It only makes sense that we make these a regular part of the library offerings so that more people can take advantage of the ease and mobility of eBooks."

Anoka County Library offers a wide variety of eBooks for adults, teens, and children – both fiction and nonfiction. More titles are added every month, so visit the library website often to find the latest eBook additions. For library locations or more information about drop–in help, please call 763–712–2322 or visit the website at www.anoka.lib.mn.us .

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Adults wanting to improve their English language skills are welcome to join the Conversation Circle at the Crooked Lake branch of the Anoka County Library. The Conversation Circle will provide an opportunity to practice English skills with other learners in a comfortable, relaxed environment.

Volunteer facilitators guide the informal sessions which will give new English speakers a chance to practice every day conversational skills and learn new words. The program is free and open to all. Participants are welcome to come whenever they are able. The Conversation Circle is a great way to interact with others in the community and get to know the public library.

"The best way to learn a new language is to use it," said Anoka County Commissioner and Library Liaison Jim Kordiak. "Conversation Circles at the Library provide a safe and supportive environment for people to become more comfortable speaking and understanding everyday English. They are also an opportunity to meet new friends and become more familiar with what the Library has to offer."

The Conversation Circle will meet Saturdays, January 21 through February 25, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. The Crooked Lake Library is located at 11440 Crooked Lake Boulevard in Coon Rapids.

This program is presented in partnership with the Minnesota Literacy Council. For more information contact Jenn Straumann at the Crooked Lake Library at 763–576–5972 or visit the website at www.anoka.lib.mn.us

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Anoka County Library is presenting several classes in March and April for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and those planning to start a small business. Classes are free to participants, but seating is limited.

The following classes will be held at the Rum River Library, located at 4201 6th Avenue in Anoka and at the Northtown Library, located at 711 County Road 10 NE in Blaine:

Business Orientation – Learn what it takes to start and finance a business before you invest your time and money. Offered at:
• Northtown Library on Sat, Mar 3rd from 10:30 – 11:30 am
• Rum River Library on Sat, Apr 7th from 10:30 – 11:30 am

How to Write a Business Plan – Explore the components of a business plan that can distinguish your business in a positive, concise and persuasive way, with tips for planning a feasible and viable business model. Offered at:
• Northtown Library on Sat, Mar 10th from 10:30 – noon
• Rum River Library on Sat, Apr 14th from 10:30 – noon

Understanding Business Accounting – Learn the basics of simple bookkeeping and understanding financial statements. Offered at:
• Northtown Library on Sat, Mar 17th from 10:30 – 12:30 am
• Rum River Library on Sat, Apr 21st from 10:30 – 12:30 am

How to Get a Lender to Say Yes – Get tips on small business financing, underwriting guidelines that determine whether a loan will be approved, as well as what makes an effective business loan proposal. Offered at:
• Rum River Library on Sat, Apr 28th from 10:30 – noon

"Being your own boss is the dream of many people," said Anoka County Commissioner Dan Erhart. "These classes can help an entrepreneur make the dream a reality."

For more information about these classes and other library programs, call 763–571–1934 or visit www.anoka.lib.mn.us.

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You asked and we listened! Our Discover Your Roots programs have been booked to capacity, so we’ve added more sessions of this free hands–on computer class. These classes will help you get started in researching who’s on your family tree.

Discover your roots at Anoka County Library with the help of the Anoka County Genealogical Society. Join us from 2:00pm – 4:00pm on March 31st in the Rum River Library computer lab. The Rum River Library is located at 4201 6th Avenue in Anoka.

Class size is limited to 15 for each of these free classes. To register, call 763–576–4695 or visit www.anoka.lib.mn.us and click on our Calendar of Events.

Learn how to begin researching your family roots in this basic genealogy class, which includes hands–on computer instruction. You will learn about software programs you can use to document and keep track of your ancestry and discover genealogy resources the library has to offer, including Ancestry Library Edition. The differences between Ancestry Library Edition and Ancestry.com will be explained and tips will be offered about how to best navigate these resources. Time is allowed at the end of the class to explore your own ancestor’s state and federal censuses, immigration records, military records, and other documents that can prove your ancestor’s existence in a particular place and time.

"Part of knowing who we are is knowing those who came before us; their struggles and their successes," said Anoka County Commissioner and Library liaison Jim Kordiak. "This is a wonderful way to get in touch with your heritage using proven tools and tips."

This program is presented by Anoka County Library, in partnership with Anoka County Genealogical Society and is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. For more information about this program or the Anoka County Library, call 763–712–2322 or visit www.anoka.lib.mn.us.

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Change in Friday Hours

Starting Sept. 16, Anoka County Library's Friday hours are changing to Noon to 6pm.
All ACL branches will be closed on Friday mornings.
Sunday hours return to Northtown Library on Sept. 11 and Saturday hours to St. Francis Branch Library on Sept. 10. Visit us 24/7 on the web at:
http://www.anoka.lib.mn.us.

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