Category Archives: Uncategorized

What to do when you’re stuck at home

Uncategorized, , , , ,

Hello friends,

I hope you’re all staying safe during these tough times.  I expect a lot of you are stuck at home, with or without kids.  What can you do to keep entertained and enlightened?  Here are some resources that may help.

Read ebooks:

As I hope you already know, you can use your library card to check out ebooks and e-audiobooks from our collection.  Use the free Libby app to download.  Want to get started with electronic content?  Check out this user guide that will talk you through the process on your type of device.

You can find more free content on Ebooks Minnesota, a collection of books from Minnesota’s independent publishers.  Get started by browsing by category.

Classics are available to download or read online from Project Gutenberg.

Desperate for wifi?  Our network is still up and available.  You should be able to pull up your vehicle and use it from the parking lot.

Physical books and more:

We have carts in the entryway of the library loaded with books, puzzles and activity sheets.  They are all free for the taking.  There is also a little free library downtown by the Veterans’ Memorial.

Online learning and entertainment for kids and adults:

Scholastic Learn At Home has lots of free projects by grade level.

Junior Library Guild has opened access to their ebooks for kids and young adults.

Educational publisher Abdo has provided free access to all of their ebooks and databases through June to keep kids reading.  Find books for PreK-8 and 5-12.  Also, check out the Zoom research database for beginning readers.

Nickelodeon has a site with activities including Spongebob’s handwashing lesson.

Why not take a virtual tour of the world’s great museums?

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can start a free online course from an Ivy League University.

Lots of streaming services are offering special content.    Amazon Prime is offering free kids content even to non-subscribers.  Other services are extending their free trials to 30 days.  Explore this list from Slate.

This NPR article lists more, including theater, learning and workout sites.

Coffee and Conversation

Uncategorized, , ,

Coffee and Conversation

Second and fourth Wednesday of each month
11 am – 1 pm

Starting in September, drop in to the library for a hot beverage and a chance to meet new friends or visit old ones.  Bring your knitting or your book, a board game or an article you want to talk about.  We will provide the coffee and tea, you provide your own lunch or a treat to share.

Does this all sound a little vague?  Good.  This will be your group, and we want you to shape it.  Everyone is welcome!

Summer Reading Program update

Events, Uncategorized, , , , ,

We are approaching the halfway point in our Universe of Stories summer reading program.  We have 284 kids registered, but our goal is 325 so tell your friends!

Let’s take a look back and then a look forward.

June 7th: Pizza Party kickoff

We welcomed 133 people.  Kids signed up for the summer reading program and trained like an astronaut.  Everyone enjoyed pizza cooked and served by the Lonsdale Lions.  Thanks, Lions!  And thanks to the anonymous donor who provided the pizzas!  And thanks to Mackenthun’s for helping us out with drinks and ice!

June 20th: Eagle Bluff Starlab Planetarium

An amazing 142 people visited the planetarium to learn about the universe.

June 25th and 26th: Escape room

A space pirate escape room for kids 10 and up attracted 18 kids to five separate sessions.  They all escaped!

Weekly events

Maker Mondays encourage school-age kids to explore their creativity.

Tuesday evening family movies are fun for all ages.

Teens ‘n Tweens do crafts and activities just for them.

Coming soon

Wednesday, July 10, 1:00 pm: Remarkable Reptiles

Your friend and mine, Jim Gerholdt, will be back with his snakes, lizards and turtles.

Friday, July 19, 1:00 pm: Ice Cream Social

We will close the program again with ice cream and good company.

Weekly events will continue every week through the end of the program on July 19th.

We’ve given out 167 prizes, but we have LOTS more, so keep reading!  Thanks to Subway and Casey’s for our delicious third prizes!

 

Closed February 20

Uncategorized

The library will be closed today, Wednesday February 20th due to ongoing severe weather.  The book group and library board meetings planned for today are also cancelled.

If you have to go out, take it easy.  If you can, stay home with a good book.

Library closed

Uncategorized

UPDATE:  The library will be closed today.  Sorry for the trouble.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the library will be opening late today, Saturday February 9.  We will open the doors as soon as possible.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

Winter Reading Program

Events, Uncategorized, , ,

WINTER READING PROGRAM
January 14 – February 22

It’s time again for our annual reading (and other fun stuff) program for adults. It’s open to anyone 18 or older in the Lonsdale area with a library card.  Don’t have a card?  We would be glad to sign you up for one.

We will be playing book bingo: Collect fun giveaways like tea or mini candy bars for every bingo. Plus, each bingo gets you another entry in our grand prize drawing.

We are also retiring the Hot Reads for Cold Nights name, so we’re looking to you for a replacement.  Submit your recommendation to the library by Saturday, February 2nd.  The library staff will pick our favorites and let the public vote in person and online.  The winner will get a fabulous prize and the honor of knowing that next year their name will grace our winter reading program.  Enter as often as you like.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Learn Something Tuesday, Beginning Crochet – Tuesday, January 8th, 6:30-8:00

Have you ever wanted to learn to crochet but were intimidated?  Sign up for our free, no-stress introduction.  The library will lend out crochet hooks and provide a limited selection of yarn.  You are free to bring your own if you prefer.  Come on down!  We will provide snacks.

Friends of the Library — Thursday, January 17th, 6:30-7:30

Your library needs you!  The Friends of the Library is an independent group of volunteers who support the library through fundraising, advocacy and sponsoring programs.  Come to this informational meeting and consider getting involved.  Commit as many or as few hours as you like.

Social Hour – Tuesday, January 22nd, 6:30-8:00

Join us for a fun night out for grownups.  Bring your own craft project or enjoy some of our coloring pages.  It’s a chance to relax and chat with no kids allowed.  We will provide snacks.

Escape Room – Thursday, January 31st and Friday, February 1st, 6:30-8:00

The Earth is in danger of being invaded.  Only you can prevent it by solving a series of puzzles before time runs out.  Ages 12 and up.  Space is limited.  Please call the library to pre-register.

Learn Something Tuesday, Bad Art Night – Tuesday, February 12th, 6:30-8:00

Not everybody can be a great artist, but we can all create bad art.  Use our art supplies to create mixed-media disasterpieces, then vote for the worst of all.  We will provide snacks.

 

Win a Mackenthun’s gift card!

Uncategorized

We are doing some strategic planning to make sure we continue to meet community needs.  To that end, we have a brief survey we would like you to fill out.  Please contribute if you use the library or if you don’t use the library.   We are interested in hearing from all adults in Lonsdale and the surrounding area.  Tell your friends!

We wouldn’t ask you to do this for free.  We will be having a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to Mackenthun’s Fine Foods.

TAKE THE SURVEY

If you prefer a physical survey, you can pick one up at the library or City Hall.  Please complete or return by August 3rd.