Winter 2015 Programs @ Your Library

We have had some wonderful programs this past year.  They ranged from Minnesota author Peter Geye in January and Master Gardener Carol Borich in March to musicians Briand Morrison in August and Sara Pajunen in September; from wonderful children's programs throughout the Summer Reading Program to Digital Photography 101 in October and our final 2014 program, a Henna workshop which will be at 10:30 on December 30th.


There is already a great line-up of programs slated for the Winter 2015 season.  Hot Reads for Cold Nights, the adult winter reading program, begins on Friday, January 2nd.  The Friends of the Library will be hosting Hot Reads Tuesdays during the program.  They are providing yummy goodies for everyone who visits the library on Tuesday mornings between 10:00 and noon.  Of course, this is first come, first served!

Travels & Tribulations

During the two months of the Hot Reads program, there will be a number of Brown Bag lunch and other programs for you to enjoy.  On January 15th at noon, local author Melody Swenson will be back with author--and Chisholm coaching legend--Bob McDonald.  They will be promoting their new book, Travels and Tribulations--A Coach's Journey. 

Cornets & Pickaxes

St. Olaf College professor Paul Niemisto will present a Brown Bag lunch at noon on January 29th.  His book, Cornets and Pickaxes -- Finnish Brass on the Iron Range, is about Finnish musicians who moved to the Arrowhead region.  It "measures the value and influence these Finnish bands had on cultural life of the early twentieth century Iron Range..."  Musicians and history buffs alike should enjoy this program!

Chris Monroe

Looking forward to Valentine's day?  Don't miss the Book Lover's Tea on Thursday, February 12th, at noon.  This year's speaker will be Chris Monroe, Duluth artist and author/illustrator of several children's books. This program has become so popular that we are forced to require reservations.  They can be made by calling 748-7525 before February 6th.  Space is limited to the first 50 participants. 

Moving on to March, we will have a program brought to us by the Arrowhead Library System with funding from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Legacy Fund.  Northern Gael, which is comprised of Laura MacKenzie and the Sutter Brothers, is sure to have everyone's toes tapping with their traditional Irish and Scottish tunes.  They  will be presenting their program in the library lobby on Wednesday, March 18th at 1:00. 

One Book, One Community

The month of April brings us the annual One Book, One Community program.  Working with the Duluth, Cloquet, and Superior public libraries, we will be hosting NE Minnesota author Linda Grover as we read The Dance Boots, her collection of short stories.  The program kick-off will be on Monday, April 13th, in Duluth.  The author will be here in Virginia at noon on Thursday, April 16th.  Stay tuned for information on other programs related to the 2015 One Book, One Community program.

Straw Bale Gardens

We will close the winter 2015 program season late, with a gardening program on Thursday, April 30, at noon.  Minnesota gardener and author Joel Karsten will tell us all about straw bale gardening.  This program is brought to us by the Arrowhead Library System with funding through the Legacy fund.

For more information on individual programs, check our website and online calendar.  You can also call us for more information at 748-7525.

--Susan Hoppe, Adult Services Librarian

National Library Week at VPL

Of course, everyone knows that National Library Week is pretty high up on my list of happy weeks.  I decided to be a librarian in the 7^th grade and hardly ever wavered -- just a little blip of thought when I discovered that degreed librarians are required to go to college for at least 5 years.  But, dedication persevered and here I am, more than 30 years later, still a librarian who enjoys National Library Week.

This is the week to celebrate our libraries and their role in our communities.  Coming on the heels of the 2012 MN Bureau of Business and Economic Research report which concluded that the return on investment for every dollar spent on libraries brought $4.62 back into our communities, I say it’s a pretty good role. After all, not many people can say they quadrupled their money. 

This year, Virginia Public Library is once again planning some great events: 

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

April 10^th – Noon in the Library Auditorium: Not only is this National Library Workers Day, but it is also the day for our community discussion of this year’s One Book, One Community book selection.  So, on the way to the auditorium, give your favorite library worker a hug and continue on to discuss The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot.  Everyone is encouraged to read this riveting book and discuss its many themes. Like all of the library's Brown Bag Programs, this one is designed to fit into the work week, so feel free to bring a lunch and enjoy the discussion during your lunch hour.  To make our week even more festive, the Friends of the Library will provide coffee 'an!

Poetry of Place

On April 11^th – Noon in the Library Auditorium:  What a great opportunity! Poets Sheila Packa and Michelle Matthees will lead a poetry reading and workshop. The reading will feature the poets’ work as related to place. Sheila Packa grew up south of Biwabik and has a deep understanding of how place helps define identity and can be celebrated in poetry. Michelle Matthees shares how place informs her poetry, especially as it relates to travel—including her recent trips to Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Local poets are encouraged to share their poetry as well.

The workshop will immediately follow the reading and will explore and celebrate the role of place in our lives. Using guided writing exercises, participants will explore themes like memory, tradition, pride and even alienation. This workshop is designed for everyone, from beginning to more experienced writers.

Sheila Packa is the author of Echo & Lightning and Cloud Birds, editor of Migrations: Poetry & Prose for Life's Transitions, and served as Duluth’s Poet Laureate from 2010-12. Michelle Matthees is a current Minnesota State Arts Board Fellow and the author of Served, Outside, and Junket.

This informative and interactive program is geared toward all audiences. Admission to the event is free thanks to sponsorship by the Arrowhead Library System and funding by money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Blue Guitar Highway

On April 12^th – Noon in the Library Auditorium:  Local folk singer-songwriter Paul Metsa, who creates not only folk music, but also music in most styles to be found in America, will present a fantastic program for our Brown Bag Series. Bring a lunch and listen to Paul discuss his new memoir, Blue Guitar Highway which will be available for purchase and signing. (BTW, we're hoping he will also bring his guitar!) Once again, coffee an' will be generously provided by the Friends of the Library.

For more information on these events or others, please call 748-7525 or visit the event calendar at www.virginia.lib.mn.us.  And remember, during this week especially, that your library is at the heart of your community.

--Dawn Heisel, Public Services Librarian