Lots to do at the library this week!

We are in the thick of our Summer Reading Program, but that's not all that's going on at the library this week. Some of our summer reading events required advanced registration and have filled up, so if you registered ahead of time, don't forget your appointment!

lHere's a quick overview of this week's events.

Tuesday June 17:
- Baby Storytime (11:00 am and 6:30 pm)
- Dog Day Afternoons (1:00-3:00 pm, registration filled)
- Friends of the Library meeting (4:00 pm)

Wednesday, June 18:
- Paint a Mural with Lynn Brown (10:30-11:15 am, registration filled)
- Dog Day Afternoons (Day 2, 1:00-3:00 pm, registration filled)

Thursday, June 19:
- Paint a Mural with Lynn Brown (10:30-11:00 am, registration filled)

Earth Day display for children!

We have a new special Earth Day display with a selection of children's books sitting on the Easy bookshelves near the Story Well. There are a lot of good ideas for how kids can do their part to keep our planet clean and healthy! Earth Day is April 22, 2008.

Warm Fuzzies

In addition to the warmer weather outside, I was treated to another "warm fuzzy" yesterday here at the library. An elderly gentleman was trying to call The Ride to get back home, but since their dispatching hours end at 5 pm, he was unable to get in touch with anyone. He did not have any money for a cab, and it would have been a very long walk home for him. A couple of our teenage patrons stepped in, almost from the start, to help him make the initial call to the dispatcher and then worried about him when they found out he was going to be unable to get a ride. One of them used her cell phone to call her dad and asked him to come and help out the stranded gentleman. When all was said and done, "dad" did come to pick him up and give him a ride home! What a heart-warming demonstration of kindness and caring, backed up by thoughtful action! Kudos to the girls who helped out (you know who you are)!

Free tax assistance!

Free tax assistance from the AARP tax aide service will be available at the Red Wing Public Library from February 1 - April 12 (except for March 28 and 29). The preparers will be here Fridays 1:00-3:00 and Saturdays 9:00-3:00. Call 651-267-3599 for an appointment; walk-ins are helped as time permits.

Minnesota by night

From the publisher: "Nocturnes, a beautiful collection of more than seventy tritone photographs, is a visual record of our world as few ever see it: during the nighttime hours.

With an affinity for certain old-world practices and tools, Faust works just with ambient light and uses no digital or electronic technology—only classic darkroom processing—allowing all the subtle textures and tones to emerge in his work. Faust’s photographs of the Midwest are shot in a panoramic format with wide, detailed images—spectacular in both their artistry and documentary impact.

Chris Faust, a resident of St. Paul, is one of Minnesota’s finest photographers. His award-winning images are widely collected and exhibited throughout the region and the country."

Wave Your Fines Goodbye!

For the month of January 2008, the Red Wing Public Library wants to give you a new start! If you have fines on your library card, you can come in from January 2-31, pay half the fine, and have the other half waived. When your fine balance is down to $0, we'll put your name in a weekly drawing for a $25 gift card for a local merchant.

Please note that fine waiving does not apply to missing, lost or damaged fees on your account and you are eligible to receive only one prize during the month.

Genealogists rejoice!

The library is pleased to announce that we have purchased and will provide public access to a pair of outstanding genealogical databases, Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest Online. Access to Ancestry Library Edition is only available from within the library, but Heritage Quest Online is available both from within the library and remotely, with your Red Wing Public Library card.

Internet news

In response to public demand, the library has added 2 new public Internet PCs, bringing the total number to 13. In addition, we have doubled our download bandwidth, from 5 Mbps to 10 Mbps (roughly the equivalent of 6 T1 lines or about 200 times the capacity of a 56 Kbps modem!)

Children's Holiday Display

A new children's display featuring books, music and videos for the winter holiday season is available in the library. The cube display is located near the Story Well. Come and share the celebration of the holidays!