Leap Into Reading At The Pine River Public Library

The Cat in the Hat Joins the Big Green Frog for

Leap Into Reading

Library's Cat in the Hat and Big Green Frog Book Display.

Happy Leap Day Everyone!

Browser

Fabulous February offers two author visits

Boozhoo! [“Greetings” in the Ojibwe language]


Browser the library cat here with news about February events. We could call this month fantastic February. First we have David Treuer at The Warehouse Friday, Feb. 17th at 6:30. He will talk about this book, “Rez Life”. Here are some excerpts from his biography on his website: (Well, the whole thing is interesting…)

“David Treuer is an Ojibwe Indian from Leech Lake Reservation in northern Minnesota. He is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize, the 1996 Minnesota Book Award, and fellowships from the NEH, Bush Foundation, and the Guggenheim Foundation. He divides his time between his home on the Leech Lake Reservation and Minneapolis. He is the author of three novels and a book of criticism. His essays and stories have appeared in Esquire, TriQuarterly, The Washington Post, the LA Times, and Slate.com.

The son of Robert Treuer, an Austrian Jew and holocaust survivor and Margaret Seelye Treuer, a tribal court judge, David Treuer grew up on Leech Lake Reservation. After graduating from high school he attended Princeton University where he wrote two senior theses--one in anthropology and one in creative writing--and where he worked with Toni Morrison, Paul Muldoon, and Joanna Scott. Treuer graduated in 1992 and published his first novel, Little, in 1995. He received his PhD in anthropology and published his second novel, The Hiawatha, in 1999. His third novel The Translation of Dr Apelles and a book of criticism, Native American Fiction; A User's Manual appeared in 2006. The Translation of Dr Apelles was named a Best Book of the Year by the Washington Post,Time Out, and City Pages.

His novels have been translated into Norwegian, Finnish, French, and Greek.”

This is something you don’t want to miss. This is about our area and the people we meet every day. It could be you or your friend.

“During a houseboat vacation on the remote Lake of the Woods, a violent gale sweeps through unexpectedly, stranding cork and his daughter, Jenny, on a devastated island where the wind has ushered in a force far darker and more deadly than any storm…”

Entranced? Our second event is William Kent Krueger, Minnesota author who will speak to us about his latest book, “Northwest Angle”. Visit Mr. Krueger’s website for more information about his writings. He has written eleven books of suspense about Minnesota. This promises to be a super experience. Mr. Krueger is a man of great charm and humor. Do not miss him Tuesday, Feb 21st at Pine River/Backus Media Center (The Library) at 6:30 PM. Signs will be posted in the high school.

For more information on these and other events, contact Pine River Public Library at 218-587-4639.

Baamaapii, [“until later” in the Ojibwe language]

Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 16 Feb 2012

Wine, beer tasting fund raiser Feb 10

Hello fellow patrons of the Pine River Public Library.

February isn’t just for Valentine’s Day anymore.

Our library has several events in this month of hearts and flowers. It is, it happens, also a month of wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres. On February 10th Friends of the Pine River Library are sponsoring a Wine and Beer Tasting featuring wines from around the world. These will be provided by Quality Wine and Spirits. Our own Friends will be preparing the Hors d’oeuvres. There will also be a silent auction. This wonderful event will take place Friday, 2/10/2012 from 6pm to 8pm at the VFW Post in Jenkins. Tickets are available at Pine River Library in advance for a mere $15 or $20 at the door. Friends of the Library receive $2.00 off. Being a friend has benefits! The proceeds from this event will help pay for the roof over my head - the one at the library.

Think of this as a preamble to Valentines Day. Bring your sweetheart or your favorite neighbor or anybody remotely close to you who likes a little something to drink from time to time and needs to get out of the house…Don’t drink? There is food and the silent auction to consider. Something for everyone except for me. I will be left behind to guard the library against miscreants. I really don’t mind at all. Just save some food for me.

I remain,
Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 2 February 2012

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

Browser enjoyed his visit to the Carlton Library

Browser enjoyed his visit to the Carlton Library. He met Georgia the giraffe. They spent the week getting to know each other. They played by the videos and watched everyone go by. They took many journeys into all the different books they read together.

Our guest Browser also got to participate in the tour the 3rd grade classes from South Terrace. He helped to tell 40 students about everything you can do at the library such as researching, games, hanging with friends, and reading fun books!

We look forward to hearing about Browser’s other visits!


Jodie Johnson
Library Director
Carlton Area Public Library

My visit to the Gilbert Public Library

I loved padding my way through the Community Center which houses the Gilbert Public Library. Everyone flattered me with the attention due a special feline of my caliber. There is a bank of computers just purfect for a cat to stretch out on, which is just what I did.

As you can see, I made a new friend, Rudolph and I enjoyed our visit and he hopes to visit me next year.

Thank you Su and Ty for showing me around.
Until next time, Browser

Visit to Ely Public Library

I had a great time exploring the Ely Public Library. The Staff there gave me the complete tour of all the different rooms in their old building, and the best place for a nap was on top of the sunny windowledge in the children's area that's right above the radiator.

My favorite moment of this visit is captured in the photo... meeting Amelia, the resident painted turtle. We exchanged tips on how to best greet library patrons - Amelia thinks waving your feet is best, while I like to purr and flick my tail.

Thank you Rachel and Ely staff for showing me around.

Off to my next adventure....

Browser

The library offers indoor winter activities

It’s beginning to look like winter, friends and neighbors.

Because the temperatures are dropping, all my little furry and feathery friends are more difficult to find. Winter is a wonderful time, however, to do big things in doors. Here’s a stupendous example. On Friday, December 9th at the Warehouse at 7:00 PM, Tim and Cindy Rogeenkamp will perform an acoustic country and bluegrass music concert! What a way to spend a winter evening! Fine music played in the style when folks loved to stay indoors and entertain each other. Don’t miss this. Tim and Cindy founded the Lakes Bluegrass Festival. They know what they’re doing. Tickets are free at the Pine River Public Library, my home. Free is always good, but this is even better.

Soon the library will be erecting the Giving Tree. This is your chance to donate to your library so that we may offer you even better materials. Hard to believe, isn’t it? Even better!

There are some changes coming in January,2012, but since we’ve just entered December, the month of mid-winter celebrations, I’ll wait another month to drop these on you like so much snow.

Enjoy! Read some books. Listen to some music or books. Watch some videos and DVD’s.

Until later, I remain,
Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 8 Dec 2011

Browser in Cloquet, MN

At the Cloquet Library in the Arrowhead System of Northern MN.

Browser sat in on lapsit story time. Here he is with a few of our friends.

National Gaming Day @ Pine River Public Library

National Gaming Day @ your library was November 12th, 2011.

Here are some pictures of patrons who stopped in to play!

My Visit to the Chisholm Public Library

It was a bumpy ride so I was thrilled when I arrived at my destination, and even more thrilled when I saw all the books! Books stretched from wall to wall, floor to ceiling! Could this be Kitty Cat Heaven???

The librarians in Chisholm were so helpful. First, they offered me a bowl of milk to help me warm up. Next, they led me to the Children’s Room where I could sprawl out and read books while being petted and played with by the visiting children.

I’ll be sad when its time to leave, but the ladies here reassured me I will have just as much fun at the next library I visit.

Until next time,
Browser the library cat

Join us for Gaming Day at your library

Greetings, friends and neighbors!

National Gaming Day at your library is Saturday, Nov. 12. I have given thought to this from a feline point of view. Game? That would be "...wild animals, birds, or fish, hunted for food or sport..." [The American Heritage Dictionary]. My kind of game. Apparently, though, this is not that sort of game. I get vision of dozens of wild animals turned loose in the library and everybody chases them. Fun! But no, this isn't what is meant at all. "A way of amusing oneself; pastime; version." [American Heritage Dictionary]. Same thing, isn't it? Muriel say not. She says, "The library will have games out on every table on this day, so if you sit at a table we ask you to play a game." Come to the Pine River Public Library from 10 am until 1 pm on Saturday, Nov. 12 and have fun playing games. I'll be there trying to figure out why this is more fun than chasing wild animals, birds or fish.

Friday, Nov. 11 is Veteran's Day. Our library will be closed that day. Honor your veterans. They have put their lives on the line for you.

As always,
Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 3 Nov 2011

My visit to the Calument Library in MN

Browser the Library Cat arrived at the Calumet Library on the day of our Halloween Costume Party. The teen book club was helping with the party sothey showed Browser around the party. Browser enjoyed all the games and the children's costumes.

Thank you for coming to the Calumet Library.

I like to thank the Calument Library for having me. The Library is located in Northern Minnesota in the Arrowhead System.

As always Browser

Happy Halloween, lost and found

Helloooooo!

Halloween once again. for a black cat this is my big day! Unfortunately for me, the Pine River Public Library will not have a haunted library this year. I'm bummed! The library will, however, be participating at the Haunted Hallways at the AmericInn on Halloween night from 4-7 pm.

The important reason for this posting: Lost and Found. You lost stuff. We found it.

1. One pair really lovely purplish pink prescription eye glasses with lace design in the temples. found in the parking lot of the library.
2. Viking Jersey in kid's large, #28.
3. Black headband with black bow. My favorite!

Come to the Pine River Library and get your stuff!

Have a wonderful fall, or "autumn" if you prefer, It's fine weather for playing in the leaves.

Enjoy!
Browser, the library cat

My visit to the Buhl Public Library

The Buhl Public Library is very pleased to have met the library cat named Browser, from the Pine River Public Library in the Kitchigami Library System.

Browser has had a wonderful time visiting us, he took a little nap in the Teen section on the bean bag chair.

Then after waking up from his nap he jumped up on top of the veterans case and stood in between the American Flags and posed for a picture, he seemed very proud!

After his picture being taken he met a library patron and volunteer Shayla.

They sat by the fireplace and she read him her favorite book The Last Straw )Diary of a wimpy Kid series) by Jeff Kinney, and had a wonderful time together doing so.
Thank you for visiting the Buhl Public Library Browser! We hope to see you again soon!

Reporting on my travels is April Larson, Library Director of the Buhl Public Library in Buhl, MN.

Thank you April for having me!

As always, Browser

My visit to Haywood County Public Library

Browser and the Space Shuttle Tire at the Haywood County Public Library. "Purrrrrific"

The library is located in Waynesville, North Carolina

Browser in Babbitt, MN

Greetings from the Babbitt Public Library!

What a great place! They have an impressive garden,

which is quite handy for a cat.

Their newly installed outdoor art was an ideal
place to test my camouflage skills for hunting.

Meowing under the library moon at night was fun but the temp dropped to 20 degrees last night. That said, I am ready to move on, maybe to a library with a nice fireplace.

As always,

Brrrrowser

My visit to the Eveleth Public Library, MN

Maggie McLaughlin was nice enough to share her book with me while she was visiting the Eveleth Public Library in the Arrowhead System.

The Arrowhead Library System covers seven counties in northeastern Minnesota. There are 29 member public libraries and I hope to visit as many as possible.

Until next time, Browser

We are lucky to have the library in Pine River

Greetings, Friends, and especially all you young people:

As summer winds down and we all prepare for autumn and winter, let us take time to reflect upon the success of our summer reading program. “One World Many Stories” ended with a pizza bowling party for those young people who finished all eight weeks of the reading program. They didn’t invite me, which is, I feel, rude, but I’m getting to an age where pizza doesn’t sit well and bowling isn’t really my game, so I guess it’s okay.

The winners of the grand prize drawing for the Summer Reading Program are: Lydia Johnson - $50 gift certificate from Alco; Carson Travis – Portable DVD Player; Rosalie Larsen – Ipod Shuffle. Congratulations, winners! Thank you everybody for participating. You are all winners!

Moving right along, school is starting. This can be really exciting for some and a downer for others. Let’s think about this a little. School is where your friends are. It is also someplace where you get to learn all sorts of cool stuff. Your library, Pine River Public Library, can help. Need reference materials? If we don’t have them on the shelves, we can get them for you. Need access to the internet for research? We have your computers. They are there for you. Missing anything? Make suggestions in writing and give them to your librarian. We are here because of YOU.

Have a wonderful year, everybody.
Browser, the library cat

Printed in the Pine River Journal 1 Sept. 2011

My Visit to the Margaret Welch Memorial Library in Longville, MN

When I arrived at the Longville Library, I found out that I was going to be part of their very last storytime of the summer. It was hard for me to wait until Thursday, but I knew it would be worth it, cuz I love books!

Storytime was really sweet because I got to sit with all the kids and listen to some great stories! Actually, I'm pictured with the kids surrounding me while the story reader holds me. After the reader was finished, we all enjoyed a tasty snack and then it was time for me to go.

I'm sure my visit to the next library will be fun too!

Until next time,

Browser

Where the Wild things are!

At my Library!

Found this snake outside the library. I played with it for awhile but got bored and walked away. When I came back it was gone and I've been looking for it ever since.......

My Visit to the Blackduck Library in Blackduck MN

Here in Blackduck I was able to help at the front desk with all the books!

I got to join the journaling workshop out on the outside deck of the library.

I joined the kids at the coloring table.

Of course I couldn't miss snack time!

I helped out volunteer Alex with the mancala games.

And I couldn't miss Storytime!

Volunteer Brock appreciated my help of course!

Nance and Jolene were very glad that I came to visit their small library in MN.

Off to my next adventure! Hope you're enjoying them as much as I am!

Until next time,

Browser

Kitchigami Library gets laptops for public use

Hello, Friends all,

Our library – that would be Pine River Public Library – is certainly on the cutting edge of technology. Guess what we have to offer you now. Oh well. You don’t have to guess. I’ll just tell you. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has once again given our library a giant step in technology. Last year it was three touch screen computers. This year it is three laptops for in-house use! They are connected to the printer so you can, of course, print directly from them. They can be checked out for an hour at a time. Staff – the people who feed and house me – will answer your questions if you have any. You will need to leave your library card and personal ID at the desk until you return the laptop, but that is no big deal. Nobody can say our library is a day late and a dollar short.

Which comes to my next message. “A Day Late and a Dollar Short” is an amazing book by Terry McMillan, author of such books as “Waiting to Exhale” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”. It is the story of a family headed by a matriarch with strong opinions about her grown children and what is wrong and right with each of them. Though the family as a whole may not be a reflection of your own, each of you will take away new insight into your family dynamics. That’s a promise. As the story line progresses, the point of view shifts from one family member to another, skillfully exposing knowledge and misinformation each has about the other. This is a good summer read, as it can be taken in small doses, each chapter taking only a few pages. The impact, however, is not small. Read this book. You won’t be sorry.

I remain,
Browser, the library cat

Bemidji Public Library and B.A.R.C.

I really enjoyed my stay at the Bemidji Public Library, everyone is sooooo nice there! I got to hang out with famous authors of children's books, listen to a live concert by Paul Nye, watch a magic show and help out with the B.A.R.C. program. Now, even though B.A.R.C. (Bemidji Area Reading Canines) is where dogs come into the library to read with the kids...those canine cuties were so laid back and gentle they allowed me to snuggle right up with them so I could listen to the kids reading too!








I would encourage anyone traveling through Northern Minnesota to stop by the Bemidji Public Library and say hello to all of my new friends there.























Well...on to my next adventure. I'll tell you all about it soon!




Meeeoowww!
Browser