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|  As the Crosslake Area Library turned one year old, Library volunteers pose for a picture with Park and Recreation Director Jon Henke (back left) - photo by Beth Larson  | Crosslake Area Library Celebrates One Year of Success, Considers SustainabilityBy Beth Larson, Staff Writer A first year anniversary celebration was held at the Crosslake Area Library on Sunday, June 29. Jon Henke, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Library Services presented statistics on library usage. At this time there are 1789 library patrons. As the population of Crosslake is just over 2000 this indicates that the library is drawing participation from a larger geographic area. There are 22,194 materials in circulation. The average check-outs per day are 57, with an increase in summer months. Henke states that the goals for the library are sustainability, community education, to bring new events and programs to the community, to continue to develop volunteerism and community partnerships, and curriculum development. The library’s Chautauqua session is an example of a very successful program. Ginny Hersey, Children’s Librarian, gave an enthusiastic presentation on children’s programming at the library. Over 200 children have been served. The Summer Reading Club is now in full swing; this program not only promotes reading, but also provides some fun entertainment, including presentations by a “critter guy”, a local juggler, a rock specimen collector, and others. Other successful activities include Dad’s NFL (Night for the Library) and reading events for preschoolers. Ginny states that the library has been successful in receiving grants for children’s programs. Sustainability is a major issue for the Crosslake area library. Only $6600 is received from the City of Crosslake. The library is staffed by volunteers; Kim Larson, Vista volunteer, Ginny Hersey, and Mary Hardwick are the Operations Team. Circulation materials have been donated. A 501(c) 3, the PAL foundation (Parks and Library) is being established. This provides tax-exempt status, and will be helpful in applying for grants. At this time the City of Crosslake, through Crow Wing County pays over $71,000 to the Kitchigami Regional Library System, and Ideal pays $49,000. This is over 20 percent of the total county library levy of $548,044. The minimum levy established by state statutes for each county is based on a formula involving county population, adjusted net tax capacity, and dollars provided for library service two years previously. The county then makes the decision on how this amount is allocated to the individual cities; it is based on property tax. Henke wonders if the community of Crosslake is getting enough back from the Kitchigami library system. The nearest branch libraries are in Brainerd and Pine River, and the bookmobile visits the Crosslake area a total of 4 hours each month. He is hopeful that the funding structure can be reworked, or at some point it may be necessary to consider pulling out of this system. At present the Crosslake Area Library does not meet the statutory definition of a public library. In the words of Kim Larson, “This is just too nice of a facility to be called a reading room.” | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northland Press | P.O. Box 145 | Outing, MN 56662 | (218) 692-5842 Email: news@northlandpress.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
