Stop hibernating and come to the library

Fellow hibernators and library lovers all,


Are we to spend our entire winter sleeping with the bears? It is tempting, but wishing or sleeping our lives away is wasteful in the extreme. I have been analyzing this and have a couple of solutions. First of all, of course, is taking this time to read, whether fiction or non-fiction. The process of reading is good for us all. Log on to krls.org and check all the features available to you, library patrons. The catalog is full of books on every subject. If you do not happen to have a home computer – some people don’t – call Pine River Public Library and reserve computer time or simply come into the library and look through the catalog computers and request reading material.

“Not active enough for me” you say? How about this: Start your garden now. What? You may ask. It’s cold and frozen outside. Yes it is, but that doesn’t need to stop you. Start some seeds growing inside. Peppers should be started now, anyway, but what about herbs? Start some and use them for house plants. My friend, Cora, at her website www.gardensbycora.com has a page under “calendar” that will help you to do this. The krls.org catalog lists 1087 printings under the search word “gardening”. Are you wondering what you might grow? There are untold numbers of seed companies, most of which have websites. Gurneys.com; burpee.com; gardensalive.com; jungseed.com; burgessseed.com; raintreenursery.com; parkseed.com; waysidegardens.com; kitchengardenseeds.com; dutchgardens.com. These are just a few of the sites that not only sell seeds but have information available on their sites.

Not for you? What about getting out all those boxes of photos and other keepsakes and do a little scrapbooking? krls.org lists 59 publications on this subject. Why not motivate yourself by inviting a few friends to join you. Bake something, make a pot of coffee or tea, get together a few simple supplies, and have some fun.

Winter won’t last forever. Make the most of it while you can.

Stop by Pine River Public Library and visit me.

I remain,

Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 26th January 2012

International Falls Library on the coldest morning of the year!

Hello Readers,

My latest visit was to the International Falls Library on the coldest morning of the year so far. I was very glad for my thick coat as the temperature was -23. But 14 children (only 9 were willing or interested in being photograhed) and their parents or grandparents came out for storytime! We heard stories about winter and then they wanted a picture with me and the storytime cat Tabitha.

I also got to spend a few minutes talking with the new American Girl doll McKenna. She is a door prize when the author Mary casanova, who lives in International falls, when she comes to talk at the library on January 24th.

And then I went and spent some time with all the animals in the comfy, cozy reading area in the junior room of the library. It was fun chatting with them about their favorite stories and who they like to have read them stories.

The Librarian said she was tempted to have me visit one of the second grade classes at the elementary school as they had just read Flat Stanley and created their own flat.

As always,

Browser

Visit to the Hoyt Lakes Library

Our snowy owl took Browser under his wing during Browser's visit. He showed him the Teen area where they joined in a game of Wii Resort.

They visited a couple of kids coloring in the children's area. They napped on the giant foof chairs and then said their goodbyes.

Sue at the Hoyt Lakes Library was nice to send these pictures along to me. I hope your enjoying my journeys. My next stop just happened to take place on the coldest day of the year. Will keep you posted....

As always,
Browser

Good afternoon from the Hibbing Public Library

Browser the Library Cat has come to us from the Pine River Public Library in Pine River, MN and has been traveling around to the different libraries within the Arrowhead Library System.On January 5th Browser made his way to the Hibbing Public Library and joined up with all the children at Story Time. Browser had a wonderful time playing with all the children in our indoor play park.

Attached are some pictures taken on his visit to the Hibbing Public Library.

Thank you for the wonderful visit Browser, we hope to see you again!

April

I would like to thank the Hibbing Public Library and April for having me at their library. I had great fun with all the kids!

Off to my next adventure,

Browser

'Snow Time' begins, WiFi available

Hello friends,
Okay, so it’s winter with no snow. For me this is a definite plus. I get around a lot more easily, plus I am less visible. This situation may prove temporary, however. It is, after all, north central Minnesota. For this reason, many of us may be inside a lot. Time to read! Snow Time to reading starts January 1st, 2012, and ends March 31st, 2012. Since it’s called “Snow Time”, my guess is it will soon snow. I’m not sure how this works. It may be a case of which came first, the chicken or the egg? Bet we get a swell new cup if we read enough books! I still have all of mine from past years.

The operative word this winter is “change”. I typed in this word in the KRLS.org catalog. There were 1895 results for this search. Here some interesting entries:
• Change anything: the new science of personal success by Kerry Patterson
• Small Change by Sheila Roberts
• Change your brain, change your body by Daniel G. Amen
Here are some changes coming to Pine River Public Library in January 2012:
• WiFi: We have secured this. Patrons who wish to use WiFi will now need to put in their library card number and PIN to connect to the Internet with their laptops or other wireless devices. If a person does not have a library card they can get a guest card that will only work with the WiFi and not be used for checking out items. An ID will be required to get the guest card the same as when using one of the computers in the library
• Request pickup: You will not have 7 days instead of 10 to pick up requested items.
• Overdue items: Notices for overdue items will be sent after items are 29 days overdue. If the item is not returned, a bill will follow 14 days later.

•Loan periods:
-DVD’s 1 week, 7 item limit
-Magazines: 2 weeks
-Books on CD: 2 weeks, 7 item limit
-Playaways: 2 weeks, 7 item limit
-eAudiobooks: up to 3 weeks. Patrons choose the loan period
-Books: 4 weeks.

We at your Pine River Public Library hope all of you have had a wonderful holiday, whatever it was for you and with whomever you spent it. We hope you will enjoy our library for the coming winter season.

Sincerely,
Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 5th Jan 2012