In November, the Jessie F. Hallett Memorial Library (JFHML) looks back at another successful year with gratitude. During 2017, along with the help of the Cuyuna Range community, the Hallett Trusts, the well-established JFHML Friends Foundation, neighboring cities & townships and a devoted Library Board and staff, the JFHML was able to raise over $35,000 by the beginning of October to offset the funding gap for the year. The funds raised help to provide an essential cultural and educational hub for the entire multi-generational Cuyuna Lakes Area. Vital services include the following: accessibility to programming and resources, up-to-date technology, and opportunities for life-long learners. Your community public library provided consistent success in serving youth, families, adults and seniors with high attendance at yearly programs (Preschool Story Hour, K-6 Summer Reading Program, Adult Hot Reads, Senior Tax Help, etc.) The Library provided high speed wifi connections in the “Le Connection” internet café area with an updated computer lab with 9 printer capable PCs, a coffee bar and expanded Backstreet Bookstore. Two Dell tablets served teens in the “Curbside” teen area, along with Xbox360 for Minecraft gaming. Several ipads were made available for 4 hour in-house checkouts and 2 LeapPads entertained the preschool set. With the generosity of the Otto Bremer Foundation, the successful “Access4All” technology/literacy grant has given Library patrons over 2750 e-book titles to choose for reading enjoyment. The Library is proud of the partnership with the C-I school district which continues to provide e-book access to elementary, junior & senior high students.
The 7th annual JINGLE BOOKS campaign will kick-off on Thursday, November 16 – AKA Give-to-the-Max Day. This JFHML Friends Foundation fundraiser is proud to announce a $10,000 MATCHING GRANT opportunity from the Hallett Charitable Trust. Beginning November 16th through the end of December, there will be a dollar for dollar match! The JINGLE BOOKS campaign will provide funding for the purchase of books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals & programming in 2018. Look for the Jingle Books display at the Library & watch the Donor Roll grow.
Donations can be made online at www.givemn.org (type in: Jingle Books or JFHML Friends) or in person at the Library.
ALL DAY on Give to the Max Day (Nov 16) a FREE Keurig beverage will be given to each person who makes a donation to JINGLE BOOKS (value $1.50). We thank you from the bottom of our boots!
Mark your calendars for an Author Talk and Book Launch with local author and gallery owner Amy Sharpe. On Tuesday, November
14 @ 6:30, Sharpe will present her newly published book Charles Beck: The Nature of an Artist. This literary program is open to the public, sponsored by the JFHML Friends Foundation, and refreshments will be served!
As 2017 comes to a close, we embrace the Thanksgiving spirit. We give thanks for our generous community, our access to knowledge, and the gift of the Hallett Legacy.
We also give thanks for the possibilities which lie ahead…the challenges and partnerships which will lead us forward. View our sign adjacent to the highway for upcoming Library news and events. Check out our web-site at www.hallettlibrary.org, friend us on Facebook, or call 218-546-8005 for more information about any of our programming. The Library will be closed Friday, November 10 in observance of Veteran’s Day and Thursday and Friday, November 23-24 for Thanksgiving.
