Kitchigami Regional Library Legacy Grant SFY 2014 - SFY 2015
Minnesota’s 12 regional public library systems, which encompass 350 public libraries in all areas of the state, benefit from a portion of the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Through State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, each regional public library system receives a formula-driven allocation from the annual $3 million Minnesota Regional Library Legacy Grant.
Kitchigami Regional Library (KRL) is a consolidated regional public library system in north central Minnesota. KRL has nine branch public libraries located in five counties: Beltrami, Cass, Crow, Wing, Hubbard, and Wadena. With Arts and Cultural Heritage funds, KRL and its member libraries present an array of arts, cultural, literary, and Minnesota history programs in collaboration with arts and cultural organizations, independent artists, historical societies, and community organizations. Programs contribute to the cultural vitality of the region and build a lasting legacy.
These amounts are appropriated to the commissioner of education for grants to the 12 Minnesota regional library systems to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. These funds shall be allocated using the formula in Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, with the remaining 25 percent to be distributed to all qualifying systems in an amount proportionate to the number of qualifying system entities in each system. For purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying system entity" means a public library, a regional library system, a regional library system headquarters, a county, or an outreach service program. These funds may be used to sponsor programs provided by regional libraries or to provide grants to local arts and cultural heritage programs for programs in partnership with regional libraries. These funds shall be distributed in ten equal payments per year. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2015, as grants or contracts in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2017.
Total Number of Programs Held: 24
Total Attendance: 5,976
Total Number of Partnerships: 0
Ride into Pine River History
A stagecoach toured over 300 people on Fridays throughout the summer to Pine River locations that were identified with historic site markers. History reenactors at each location brought prominent names from the past to life. The responses from the public were enthusiastic. One parent wrote "I think all the children that take the ride are realizing how relatives came here years back." Another person wrote "This was truly an amazing experience! I come here every year and learned so much about Pine River history."
National bestselling author of Orphan Train, Christina Baker Kline, visited four branches throughout the region giving an enthusiastic and informational presentation on her book, research methods, and writing process. This program was able to reach 458 people within the region and was given high reviews by those that attended. 100% of attendees who filled out a survey for the program indicated that they had an enjoyable time at the event and furthered their understanding about orphan trains in Minnesota history. One attendee included the comment on their survey that, "My time was very well spent--Educational and made me cry...VERY MOVING," summing up the impact of this program nicely.
Lauraine Snelling, bestselling author of over 80 books toured the region making stops at ten different locations by the end. Snelling told stories about her books and experiences and shared inspiring information about the writing process to attendees. This program allowed over 350 people throughout the region to listen to Snelling's presentation and an opportunity to get their books signed. One attendee wrote that their favorite part of the presentation was "Simply meeting an author whom I enjoy so much." Another attendee commented after the presentation that, "Lauraine Snelling is my favorite author. Reinforces [my] resolve to write down parent's and our stories." Many similar comments were also left on surveys with 97% of survey respondents indicating that they had an enjoyable time while also learning about the writing process.
These amounts are appropriated to the commissioner of education for grants to the 12 Minnesota regional library systems to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. These funds shall be allocated using the formula in Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, with the remaining 25 percent to be distributed to all qualifying systems in an amount proportionate to the number of qualifying system entities in each system. For purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying system entity" means a public library, a regional library system, a regional library system headquarters, a county, or an outreach service program. These funds may be used to sponsor programs provided by regional libraries or to provide grants to local arts and cultural heritage programs for programs in partnership with regional libraries. These funds shall be distributed in ten equal payments per year. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2015, as grants or contracts in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2017.
Total number of activities, programs, and/or events: 135
Total attendance/participation: 6,677
Total number of partnerships: 5
The Brainerd Public Library asked the community to bring in old photographs of cityscapes, buildings, and community memories of the past so that they could be scanned and donated to the local historical society in their project For the Love of Minnesota: Brainerd Historical Photograph Project. During the project, the library had 24 scanning sessions in which 19 community members donated photographs and a total of 1,362 photographs were scanned in addition to the community photos a special collection of over 3,000 images from the former Brainerd Paper Mill were scanned with the assistance of a volunteer to the project. All of the scans have been donated to the Crow Wing County Historical Society along with a database of the scans metadata. The project will continue to benefit the community well into the future.
The Wadena City Library was also able to add two beautiful pieces of locally made artwork to their library. Amber Fletschock, local artist, created two art pieces reflecting the relationship between the library and its community specifically for the Wadena city Library. One of the pieces, a three dimensional diorama located in the children's area of the library, is a great introduction to artwork for children, incorporating many different objects, landscapes, and animals. The other piece, located in the adult area, incorporates favorite quotes submitted by local library patrons in large 30 sculpture of an open book. These art pieces will remain a part of the Wadena City Library for many more years.