Arrowhead Library System Legacy Grant SFY 2014 - SFY 2015

Three activities of particular note:

Partnerships in Programming - Minnesota History Player Virginia Mae Hope presented her program about being a pilot during WWII at the Mesabi East School, Cook, Gilbert, Grand Marais, and Grand Rapids public libraries. Many of our smaller libraries choose to partner with local schools as outreach for the services available through libraries and to provide extra educational programming that is beyond school budgets. The Aurora Public Library partnered with the Mesabi East School district to present this interactive history program to 76 students providing an opportunity to see and touch historical artifacts related to this historical period. In Grand Marais, the WTIP North Shore Community Radio station conducted a live interview with the Virginia Mae Hope character advertising the library program and providing a bit of Minnesota history live on the air and that continues to be available for streaming on their website. The Grand Rapids program coincided with a local book group reading of the All Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg and included a local woman Marine who served during WWII. The combination of live history portrayal, artifacts from that time period and the contribution of a local woman veteran combined to make this an exciting opportunity to learn about the role Minnesota women played in World War II.

Theater and Poetry in Children's Programming - The Duluth Playhouse presented the Boogers in Yard Bizarre at 15 libraries and 3 schools to a total of 1,266 people. This interactive program exposed children to a variety of short poems and included many poems students had just memorized as part of a poetry unit. In fact, one student noted that the aspect they liked best about the program was "When they did a poem that I knew." Bringing in the live theater not only brought a new theatrical experience , but also brought poetry to life in a creative memorable way, allowing students to see it as more than words on paper. This connection of poetry, creativity and interactive theater engaged the audience and was the best liked aspect of the program at all the locations. Comments included that poems are fun and I should make one, poetry is awesome , I should read poems to my kids, [and] how to have fun playing with words . One Babbitt student commented that "this was an inspiration to young actresses and actors in theater." And a Marble teacher thought that students learned that they can turn off the television, start reading and use their imagination.

Music Appreciation and Technique - Jazz Guitarist Briand Morrison presented a program of smooth, warm, and innovative jazz guitar music at 14 Arrowhead libraries. The goal of this program was to provide an opportunity for people to hear a style of music that is not commonly heard in this part of the state. Briand is from the Grand Marais area and drew nearly a hundred people to the program at that library while smaller more intimate audiences were common at the other libraries. While many commented on his talent and knowledge of musical history; surprisingly many also commented on the guitar techniques, chord transitions, and smooth finger movements they learned. Briand provided an informative presentation about the musicians and composers that created the music he played; he also shared skills many in the audience could immediately use in their own music. A notable comment "Keep the artists coming, please! It's the best way to expose our small town to what is out there!"

Arn Kind, Minnesota Firsts was an interactive history experience about all the times in history where Minnesotans were first to participate in the historical event. Patrons thoroughly enjoyed this very engaging, informative and entertaining look at history, Without Legacy funds, patrons in the Arrowhead Region would never be able to experience this program.

State Fair Stories with Keri Huber brought the history of the great Minnesota "get-together" to the Arrowhead Region. Keri showed photographs, maps, and discussed the changes and advances at the State Fair through the years. Keri shared personal stories as well as the stories of many others who have been instrumental in creating a quality State Fair year after year.