Lake Agassiz Regional Library Legacy Grant SFY 2014 - SFY 2015

Activity highlights:

Lake Agassiz Regional Library offered a variety of programs to the customers of the regional library system. Three programs offered with great success include Minnesota History Center Bus Trip: Toys of the '50s, '60s, and 7O's; Vickie Wendel's Soldier's Aid Society; and Poitin.

The Detroit Lakes Library, in conjunction with the Becker County Museum, led a bus trip with 58 individuals to the Minnesota History Center to visit the Toys of the '50s, '60s and '70s exhibit. Many of the attendees had never visited the Minnesota History Center and appreciated having the opportunity to visit and learn about the mission and services of the organization. Many participants commented on the quality of the toy exhibit and appreciated the conversation and memories shared regarding the toys. Others commented that they always enjoy an opportunity to learn about Minnesota history. Evaluations reported that the trip was very well organized and participants appreciated the travel arrangements and transportation. Many commented that without the bus four opportunity, they would never have the opportunity to visit the museum. Due to the success of the trip and the comments on the evaluations, LARL will pursue future bus trip opportunities.

Vickie Wendel of the Anoka County Historical Society traveled to nine communities within the Lake Agassiz Regional Library system. Vickie's program was well attended and well-received with glowing evaluations. Participants appreciated her thorough knowledge of the topic, and enjoyed her level of enthusiasm and participation with the audience members. Many of the evaluations contained comments about the interesting props and visual aids that were used during the event.


The Irish band Poitin played at the Fosston Community Arts Center, which is adjacent to the Fosston Public Library. This state-of-the-art theater, draws crowds from not only the Fosston Community, but neighboring communities as well. Over 85 individuals attended the event, overwhelmingly expressing how much they enjoyed the enthusiasm of the musicians, in addition to the music and the energy. Many of the attendees who filled out the evaluations asked for the band to return and for more bands like this to play in their community.

Lake Agassiz Regional Library offered a variety of educational and enriching programs to the residents of the rural regional library system. Programs offered with great success include a bus trip to the Minnesota History Center, an educational program by a Minnesota musician, a local author with a gripping story to tell, and an award-winning Minnesota author with a story and program with an unexpected connection to the region.

The Moorhead Public Library hosted a bus trip of 54 passengers to the Minnesota History Center. The trip was wildly successful. Participants praised the experience and have asked for more. The participants included individuals who do not drive, who do not feel comfortable driving in a metropolitan area, who are disabled, and who do not feel comfortable visiting the Minnesota History Center on their own. For many of the participants, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The participants reported that they loved the historical/educational stories related to Minnesota. Others reported that they loved learning about the different cultures residing in Minnesota. Shortly after the trip, we received a thank you card from a couple who recently moved to the United States. They heard about the trip through Adult Basic Education. They woke up extremely early, and without transportation of their own, walked over an hour to catch the 6:00 a.m. bus for St. Paul. They appreciated the transportation to the History Center, in addition to the experience of learning about the new state in which they reside. Upon return, they went back to their local ABE classroom and told the rest of the students about their amazing experience.
Minnesotan musician, Paul Imholte traveled to nine rural communities and offered an educational and entertaining program on a variety of stringed instruments. Hundreds of community member of all ages attended the programs and reported positive feedback. Imholte demonstrated how to play a number of rare and not-so-rare stringed instruments, along with talking about the history each item. Some participants reported that they appreciated seeing and hearing the instruments for the first time, while others reported their appreciation for historical aspect of the program. This intergenerational program was a huge success in all nine locations.

Annelee Woodstrom traveled to seven libraries in the region to tell her gripping story as a child who lived in Germany during the time of Hitler. Annelee, a local Minnesota resident, has written two books about her experience and is a wonderful storyteller. Her storytelling includes the experiences of a common citizen during WWII. Attendees appreciated her ability to tell the story, in addition to hearing a unique perspective of the war. Hundreds of individuals of all ages attended the programs and almost everyone reported that they would like to hear her again. We appreciate Annelee 's willingness to share her story. Hearing her speak is a reminder that there are so many Minnesotans with important stories to tell.

Minnesota Author, Jack El-Hai made three stops around the LARL region. El-Hai discussed his book, "The Nazi and the Psychiatrist: Hermann Gearing, Dr. Douglas M. Kelley, and a Fatal Meeting of the Minds at the End of WWII" in the Moorhead, Fertile, and Bagley Public Libraries. Each program had a strong attendance with evaluation forms rating the program as a very worthwhile and interesting event. Many attendees appreciated the thoroughness of the topic and the historical nature of the program. While presenting in Fertile, MN, one of the program attendees spoke up and stated that he had been one Gearing's guards in the Nuremberg prison. The conversation among the attendees and El-Hai took an interesting turn when Art Olson of Mentor, MN, age 90, spoke of his experience with Gearing in 1946. The group of audience members, who thought they knew everything there was to know about their fellow community members, learned that one of their own had played his own part in history. From award winning Minnesota author, to making a personal connection with a Minnesota soldier, this program was a huge success.