Plum Creek Library System Legacy Grant SFY 2016 - SFY 2017

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$99,969
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$97,912
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Plum Creek Library System
Recipient Type
Libraries
Status
Completed
Start Date
July 2015
End Date
June 2019
Activity Type
Digitization/Online Information Access
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Fund Administration
Grants/Contracts
Preservation
Research
Counties Affected
Cottonwood
Jackson
Lincoln
Lyon
Murray
Nobles
Pipestone
Redwood
Rock
Cottonwood
Jackson
Lincoln
Lyon
Murray
Nobles
Pipestone
Redwood
Rock
Project Overview

Minnesota’s twelve regional library systems, which encompass more than 350 public libraries in all areas of the state, can 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 library system is eligible to receive a formula-driven allocation from the annual $2.2 million Minnesota Regional Library System Legacy Grant. Plum Creek Library System (PCLS) is a federated regional public library system with central services located in southwestern Minnesota. PCLS has twenty-five member public libraries located in nine counties: Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock. With Arts and Cultural Heritage funds, PCLS 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. Projects contribute to the cultural vitality of the region and build a lasting legacy.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota for 2015 Chapter 2--S.F. No. 1, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 5
Appropriation Language

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 must be allocated using the formulas 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 must be distributed in ten equal payments per year. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2017, as grants or contracts in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2019.

2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$99,969
Other Funds Leveraged
$21,491
Direct expenses
$121,460
Administration costs
$17,936
Number of full time equivalents funded
.5
Measurable Outcome(s)

Total number of activities, programs, and/or events: 134

Total participation/attendance:  7,070

Total number of partnerships: 145
 

Description of Funds
STORY TIME WITH CURIOUS GEORGE - TRACY PUBLIC LIBRARY

In celebration of the goth anniversary of Tracy Box Car Days, the Tracy Public Library partnered with the Tracy Chamber of Commerce and Tracy Kiwanis Club to host "Story Time with Curious George." The library rented a costume from PBS and it was worn by a local volunteer, and families were invited to come and meet Curious George, enjoy story time and crafts and receive a book that the Kiwanis club purchased to distribute.

Partnering with numerous entities during this community's significant celebration was most beneficial for all involved and as a result the library was viewed as a vital resource for the town. The library had an impressive response to the entertaining and educational family activity with 150 adults and children taking part. Other community activities that ran concurrently with the library's program included a tractor pull and rock painting event and so families could take part in any or all of them. Best of all the event jumpstarted a new partnership between the Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis club as well as local business owners for future events such as this one.

Tracy Library Director Val Quist noted, "From the looks on the children's faces it was evident that the event was a success. We purchased 100 rocks and had only about 20 left, so many of the participants had a great time painting them to take home or to hide around town."

There were $241.98 in ACHF funds used for the program and in-kind donations totaled $1,052.19. Those contributions included half the cost of the costume rental,advertising,books for giveaways, and staff time. This was an excellent collaboration between the library and local businesses and groups.


THE ROARING 20S AND MINNESOTA'S GANGSTER PAST - CHAD LEWIS

The Nobles County Library in Worthington hosted Chad Lewis, renowned author and historian, for a unique and entertaining program held at the local Pioneer Village. Attendees arrived at the Old Barn in the village which was set up as a speakeasy and root beer was supplied in kegs and other 1920s and 1930s refreshments were served. There were vintage automobiles on display including some with ties to the gangster and prohibition era and the attendees were encourage to wear 1920s and 1930s attire.

The program was educational and entertaining for preteens through adults and members of the historical society especially loved the emphasis on Minnesota history. In planning the program, Nobles County Library Director Clint Wolthuizen noted that he anticipated those who participated to learn about Minnesota's rich

gangster and prohibition era and possible ties to the local community. "People will begin to understand that Minnesota wasn't a bystander in history," he commented.

Many library patrons and program attendees commented that they were unaware of the depth of the ties that Minnesota had with the gangsters during the prohibition era and that they were enlightened through Chad Lewis's rich retelling of history. Those who attended came away with a better understanding Minnesota history during the prohibition days.

The speaker's fee was funded $300.00 through ACHF and there were in-kind donations totaling $560.00 including use of the Historical Society's space, staffing and advertising by the Friends of the Library, and local radio and newspaper advertising.



FULL STEAM AHEAD - MEINDERS COMMUNITY LIBRARY

The Meinders Community Library, in conjunction with the Pipestone Area Friends of the Library, hosted a community event with hands-on, multifaceted projects designed to bring literature to life in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.

Dubbed "Full STEAM Ahead", the four hour block oftime allowed participants to engage in the world of words and apply the knowledge gleaned to interact within their environments. Each of four stations was set up with a project and/or presenter and was paired with books from the library that spoke to the topic.

The four sessions included:
1) History of Wool,in which participants learned about yarn from sheep to sweater, and partook in aspects of processing wool and spinning it into yarn. Paired with this were sessions on crocheting and old fashioned doll making.
2) Book binding and kite making programs where participants learned the art of creating beautiful pieces out of recycled materials. There was also instruction on creating keepsakes for journaling, sketches or poetry.
3) Story Stones and Native American Storytelling paired together to create a dynamic presentation on art, local lore, Native American oral histories and pictographs. Participants learned about the cultural relationship between stories and listeners, heard a Native story and learned how to use stones to make pictographs.
4) Paper Crafts for Past, Present and Future demonstrated the cricut machine to show participants how to preserve the past through scrapbooking, creating decorations and programs for weddings and events.

The library introduced its STEAM room and showcased the types of programs that the library, local businesses and area organizations have to offer. One of the projects of the day was a "welcome" sign that participants helped to complete for the library's new STEAM room. The sign served a dual purpose: one as a hands-on craft project and two, as art that will be hung in the library.

Full STEAM ahead reached its goals with 113 individuals attending and over 30 different experiences ranging from technology to storytelling to fiber arts. Many participants reported having experienced an average of four new things that they had never heard of before.

Jody Wacker, Library Director, reported comments including, "The library has a lot to offer besides books," "The library is amazing and it allows kids to be kids," "It was so nice to see so many families - dads especially ­ interacting with their kids and doing things together," and "I wish we would have come sooner because there is so much to do and see and experience and Iwanted to try it all."

In all, $1,080.86 in ACHF funds were used and $3,690.50 in-kind donations were contributed including advertising, venue rental,staff time and local artisans.
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota for 2015 Chapter 2--S.F. No. 1, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 5
Appropriation Language

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 must be allocated using the formulas 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 must be distributed in ten equal payments per year. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2017, as grants or contracts in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2019.

2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$97,912
Other Funds Leveraged
$11,757
Direct expenses
$109,669
Administration costs
$24,366
Number of full time equivalents funded
Total FTE: .5
Measurable Outcome(s)

Total number of activities, programs, and/or events: 159 

Total participation/attendance: 5,561

Total number of partnerships: 181 

Description of Funds
The Redwood Falls Public Library invited Minnesota author Kent Nerburn to speak at an event at the Lower Sioux Recreational Center in the hopes of reaching out to a broad range of community members and getting conversation started around unity, diversity, community and collaboration between the Native American and greater Redwood Falls communities. Prior to the program, the library's book club as well as the school Indian Education students read and discussed Nerburn's book, "Neither Wolf No Dog", and came together to hear the author speak about his book and then watch the movie by the same title. In addition, the school staff read the book which provided momentum for conversation throughout the school and community.

The program was designed to provide better enlightenment of each person's role in changing their relationship between the Native American and White people in the Redwood Falls community as well as understanding of the history of the Native American people's resentment toward the manner in which they have been treated in the past. The goals set by the library included creating understanding and relationships between the two groups, shifting beliefs and attitudes, and to make the community a better place for everyone. The hope was that the event would be a great start of conversation, understanding and change needed to create a better place for the children and grandchildren to grown up.

The event was very powerful and some attendees got very emotional when talking about the impact that reading and discussing the book and watching the movie had on them. Some had never been to the Lower Sioux Community Center before and toured of the facility, pleased to have been invited and feel the start of new relationships. By beginning to create understanding and connections between the two groups, there was a shift in beliefs, attitudes and feelings of both. This event sparked conversation and a start on the road to making the community a better, more united one. There were 92 attendees that included students as well as adults for the program.

Partnerships:
The total amount of ACHF dollars used to fund this program was $2,268.31, and the library drew in a variety of partners for this program who provided $1,052.64 in partner contributions:
Lower Sioux Recreation Center/Tribal Council: venue for the event and lodging for the author Redwood Falls Gazette - publicity
KLGR Radio - publicity
Friends of the Redwood Falls Library -volunteers
Redwood Area Library Foundation - transportation expenses
ANTIQUES APPRAISALS - MARK MORAN

Expert Antiques appraiser Mark Moran appeared at 19 libraries where he performed appraisals for up to forty items in a three-hour long program. Moran, author and co-author of 25 books on antiques and collectibles, was formerly a guest expert on the PBS series Antiques Roadshow provided an entertaining and educational program for all who attended.

It was expected that those attending would gain new knowledge about a variety of collectibles and antiques from a trusted and knowledgeable source and the presenter did not disappoint. He instilled an appreciation for even the smallest, most incidental objects, and provided information as to origin, history and value. Each three hour session that he provided drew large numbers of interested people and their cherished objects. There was one man in particular who attended every one of the 19 programs throughout the library system, bringing with him each time a different item for Moran to appraise.

Comments from the evaluations included: "It's a generous offering of the library to have this!", "We live in a day and age where value of home items and may other things just don't have value in proportion to our memories!", "Old doesn't mean valuable. I learned how to use the Internet for information of the value of collections and learned different things to look for in determining value of old items."

Evaluations overwhelmingly stated that the attendees strongly agreed that without the library they would not have been able to have the experience, rating the overall program as "great". Everyone who attended the events came away with something, whether it was information about their own antique or someone else's.

Everyone took away a bit of history. They learned about some of the tools used in appraising, and were able to connect with others over shared interests in antiques and history. This program also increased the Plum Creek Library System's visibility in the communities.

In all the antiques appraisal programs exceeded our expectations. The presenter was knowledgeable, humorous and easy to work with. He obviously is a professional and has an organized system to put these programs together. Many attendees asked that the libraries invite Mr. Moran back for more appraising programs.

Partnerships:
The total amount of ACHF dollars used for this program and there were $1,775.00 in-kind donations. Partnerships numbered 15 and included Friends of the Library groups (refreshments), media (publicity), communities (venue), and extra staff time provided by libraries. Total attendance for the 19 programs was 962, averaging a cost of $12.62 per attendee.

SUTTER BROTHERS: NORTH COUNTRY CHARACTERS - ROSS AND BARTON SUTTER
The Sutter Brothers explore the experience of Scandinavian immigrants and descendants through their original music and poetry. Their performance is a blend of music, storytelling and poetry, highlighting their small home town of Petersburg, Minnesota, preacher's kid roots and Scandinavian heritage. They performed at nine locations in the Plum Creek Library System at large and small libraries and other venues including a retirement home and several community centers with a total of 607 children and adults attending.

It was anticipated that attendees might learn about Minnesota culture through the music and poetry and gain an appreciation for folk music and original songwriting by the skilled artists. The most apparent outcome was the appreciation of two very fine artists and their ability to create a sense of "home" and Midwest life that was accessible, honest, humorous and vibrant. Programs such as these bring awareness to the Legacy program and how libraries are able to use the funds to benefit community members.

Partnerships:
One library established a new partnership with their town's Multi-Purpose Center and anticipates co-hosting future programs together. The event also drew in people who did not usually attend library programs in the past. In all there were 19 partnerships with a total of $750.00 in contributions that included venues, refreshments, publicity and meals.
Project Manager
First Name
Jim
Last Name
Trojanowski
Organization Name
Plum Creek Library System
Street Address
290 S. Lake Street, P.O. Box 697
City
Worthington
State
MN
Zip Code
56187-0697
Phone
(507) 376-5803
Email
jtrojanowski@plumcreeklibrary.net
Administered By
Administered by
Location

1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 55113-4266

Phone
651-582-8200