News & Events

On a very rainy Wednesday morning (June 11), twenty four people gathered for the Pequot Lakes Library’s second presentation in the Conversation With....... series. Alan Bohme made a presentation on “Summer Skies Over Pequot Lakes”. James Hardy, a professional astronomer, was there also with photographs he had taken with his telescope.
Bohme, a long time physics and chemistry teacher, talked about constellations, their origins and how to enjoy what you see in the night sky. All that attended were given a sky map as well as printed information about constellations.

The library will be celebrating its fourth birthday this July 2nd. As we hope many of you know, the city provides our space, but we must raise funds to cover all operating expenses (including heat, electricity, etc.), purchase of new materials, and an endowment fund that will be used to ensure the future of the library. The budget is bare-bones: it has been around $15,000 for three years. Of this amount, $5,000 is used to purchase new materials, including all those best sellers that everyone enjoys. Many of you will be receiving a letter asking for support; if you don't receive a letter, please consider making a donation to support the library. Believe us when we say, "Every donation is important, it doesn't matter the amount!" You can send a check to the library, 4638 County Road 11, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 or you can come by - if we're not open, there is a wonderful drop slot available.

"CONVERSATION WITH....."

Wednesday morning, May 14, 2008, the first 'A CONVERSATION WITH..." took place at the library. Dr. Stacy Sjoberg, of the Crosby Eye Clinic in Baxter, gave a interesting and informative presentation on Macular Degeneration for approximately 34 people. A medical doctor, Dr. Sjoberg also earned a PhD from the University of Wisconsin and her research and dissertation were on this subject, Dr. Sjoberg left pamphlets and brochures on eye issues at the library for patrons who were unable to attend.

ASTRONOMER SCHEDULED FOR SECOND "CONVERSATION WITH....."

The second in the series of "Conversation With...." programs will be Wednesday, June 11th at 11:00 a.m. at the Pequot Lakes Library.
The program will feature Alan Bohme, astronomer. He will present information on "Summer Skies Over Pequot Lakes".
Mr. Bohme taught physics and chemistry for 31 years in Chicago. He has worked with the Academic Olympics and science fairs. Most recently he has done substitute teaching in Pequot Lakes and Pine River.

FUTURE CONVERSATIONS WITH..... will include:

Wednesday, July 9th - 11:00 a.m. A conversation and book signing with Arvid Lloyd Williams and Bonnie Shallbetter, authors of the "Hawk Series": Hawk's Valley, Sophie's Hawk, Spirit of the Raptor, and Hawk's Quest: A Superior Persuit.

Thursday, August 14th - 7 p.m. A conversation with Bonnie (The Plant Lady) Hiniker, Master Gardner and owner of Sunshine Gardens, Pine River.

1. There is a one-time charge for library cards:
Individual = $4.00
Family = $5.00
Additional family cards = $1.00
Copies per page = $.20

2. Material check-out limit = 5 materials for first-time users.
No limit for regular users.

3. Overdue materials:
- As a courtesy to others, please return all materials promptly.
- If 5 or more materials are overdue, additional items may not be checked out
or renewed until overdue materials are returned.
- While the library does not have fines, payment for lost materials is
expected in a timely fashion.

4. Please turn off cell phones or remove yourself from the
library should you receive a call.

Your library is working on completing two very popular series. If you can help us by donating any of these books we would appreciate it.

Books by Diane Mott Davidson:
Catering To Nobody (1990) We have this on tape but not the book.
Dying For Chocolate (1992)
Sticks And Scones (2001)

Books by Robert B. Parker:
God Save The Child (A Spenser novel)
Mortal Stakes (Spenser)
Promised Land (Spenser)
The Judas Goat (Spenser)
Looking For Rachel Wallace (Spenser)
Early Autumn (Spenser)
Ceremony (Spenser)
Taming A Seahorse (Spenser)

The Pequot Lakes Community Library has been serving its patrons for three years. The number of card holders has increased to over 1,500, the number of materials has increased past 18,000, the number of shelving units has increased from 52 to 69, and we have increased the number if internet accessible computers to four. All of this growth has taken place within the original 1,850 square feet of space. Library usage continues to increase, but we are out of room.
Library Board President, Nancy Adams, made a presentation to the City Council on July 3rd. She asked the Council to understand the crowded conditions, the high patron usage, and the need for additional space to serve the community.
We hope the City Building Committee and the City Council will approve the use of additional space by the library. The architectural firm of Widseth Smith Nolting, on a voluntary basis, has completed a proposal and cost estimate for expansion of the library into a storage space that is adjacent to the library. This expansion would allow the library space for a new non-fiction room, thus allowing the current non-fiction/computer room to be used for AV, Books on Tape, and two additional computers. The remaining new area would be used as a heated workroom. Something totally lacking at the present time.
Mayor Cathy Malecha appointed Councilmen David Sjoblad and Tom Ryan as a committee to meet with the Library Board to work on a plan for possible expansion to be presented to the Council at a later date.
Expansion, to be better able to serve our patrons, is a priority of the Library Board. Any help meeting this goal would be appreciated.