Apr. 15, 2008 - Health Partners Supports Mothers' Lounge in New Library
Health Partners has made a gift commitment of $25,000 to the Library Plus You Fundraising Campaign. This gift will go to support the Mothers’ Lounge in the new library.
The Mothers' Lounge will be a private room for mothers with infants to go to nurse their children. Health Partners has been serving the St. Cloud area for more than 25 years, and is dedicated to improving the health and well being of their patients. The support of the Mothers’ Lounge is one way for Health Partners to maintain health outside their walls and in the community.
Apr. 10, 2008 - St. Cloud Times Highlights Features of New Library
The St. Cloud Times has posted an article about the features of the new St. Cloud Library, information is available on their site: http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080410/NEWS01/104100007
The Times has also posted a video segment from a recent tour of the new facility:
Apr. 10, 2008 - Bremer Announces Gift to Library Campaign
Bremer has announced their commitment of $100,000 to the "Library Plus You" Fundraising Campaign to help fill the library with books and computers and other technology. Tom Rickers, CEO and President of Bremer Bank, announced the gift at a media tour April 9.
Rickers said Bremer values the importance of public libraries and looks forward to being long-time neighbors of the new St. Cloud Public Library.
Bremer is the first "First Editions" donor to the library campaign, qualifying with a gift of $100,000 or more. With its gift comes the opportunity to exclusively support and name an area in the new library. Through this donation, Bremer has named a meeting room in the new library the "Bremer Community Room."
Dr. Bernice Berns, co-chair of the campaign, announced at the tour that the campaign is just over half way to meeting its phase 1 goal of raising $1 million by September 20. That is the date of the new library’s grand opening celebration, when the campaign volunteers plan to have the library equipped with additional materials and computers to fill the much-needed space.
Apr. 8, 2008 - Reading Room Society Gift
The Reading Room Society has made a gift of $15,000 to the Library Plus You Fundraising Campaign. This gift will go towards resources and technology that will be used in the new library.
In 1880 the Reading Room Society was formed, its purpose being to secure a reading room for the library and to carry on social and cultural activities for its members.
The Reading Room started the St. Cloud Public Library in 1901 after proposing a grant from Andrew Carnegie. The library opened on August 1, 1902.
The Reading Room Society has shown value in the importance of reading literacy, and continues to do so through their contribution to the library.
Mar. 31, 2008 - Women's Fund Donates to Library Plus You Campaign
The Women's Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation has donated $50,000 to the Library Plus You Fundraising Campaign. Their contribution will go to support the computer center in the new library.
The computer center will be an enclosed space in the new library, projected to be equipped with 20 computers. The library values the importance of technology and keeping up with advances. The room will be available for small and large group instruction on computer literacy.
The Women's Fund is an established organization with the mission to create and support programs that enhance the lives of women and children, involving women as leaders and donors in the process.
Mar. 21, 2008 - Make a Leaf with Barb Keith at the Library!
The St. Cloud Public Library is hosting an event on Saturday, March 29th from 2:30 to 4:30. Individuals, families, and children ages 5 and up are welcome to join glass mosaic artist Barb Keith at the St. Cloud Public Library (current location) to create a leaf for the new St. Cloud Public Library Children’s Room Window.
The leaf you create will be a part of Barb’s mosaic window for the new library. Every time you visit the Children’s Room in the new library, you will see the leaf you created in the tree of knowledge.
Materials and refreshments will be provided - just bring your creativity!
This public art opportunity is sponsored by the St. Cloud Arts Commission and the St. Cloud Public Library.
For more information, please contact St. Cloud Arts Commission Coordinator, Jennifer Penzkover, at 320-650-3952. You can also take a look at the Make a Leaf event poster.
Mar. 20, 2008 - Friends Support New Library in a Big Way
With the opening of the new St. Cloud Public Library scheduled for the summer of 2008, the St. Cloud Friends of the Library recently made two pledge commitments totaling $75,000 to the "Library Plus You" fundraising campaign.
$50,000 will go towards supporting the Friends Bookstore in the new library, and the remaining $25,000 will go to support Pat's Place, a north woods-themed interactive play area in the new children's library. It is named in memory of Pat Christianson, a former library staff member who died after battling breast cancer.
"2008 is the 125th anniversary of the St. Cloud Public Library and a great time to join the Friends as they plan a birthday celebration," said president of the Friends, Sarah Gewirtz. "We are a group of community members from all different backgrounds who value our public libraries." Friends' membership is open to any individual, business, or organization that wants to help preserve and strengthen libraries. For more information or to become a member of the Friends, visit the Friends Bookstore in the St. Cloud Public Library for an application. Questions can also be directed to Gewirtz at (320) 363-2601.
More information about the Friends donation is available at the St. Cloud Times.
Mar. 14, 2008 - Emerging Leaders Forum Invites Teen Input
The Emerging Leaders Forum (ELF) is looking to create a space that meets the unique needs of teens. They will host a focus group to gain input on the materials and activities to be offered in the new teen space.
ELF and the Library Plus You Campaign encourage 6th-9th grade teens and their parents to attend the event from 11:30-1 p.m. on March 29th at the current St. Cloud Public Library.
The event will ask teens and their parents to share what they would like this new hangout to look like, how it could help with homework and what types of games, books and DVDs they would like to see.
ELF, affiliated with Central Minnesota Community Foundation, is a group of the next generation of community leaders who share a common vision of enhancing and improving the community through their financial, professional, and volunteer resources.
Register for the free teen event by March 26th by calling the Central Minnesota Community Foundation reservation line at 257-0251 or by emailing Reservations@CommunityGiving.org. Pizza and pop will be provided. For more information, click here
Mar. 13, 2008 - Emerging Leaders Forum Commits $50,000 to Teen Place in the New Library
With the help of The Emerging Leaders Forum (ELF), the campaign has reached its halfway point of $500,000. ELF has committed $50,000 to support a Teen Place at the new St. Cloud Public Library.
The donation from ELF will equip the 2,000-square-foot Teen Place with 10 state-of-the-art computers, a young adult collection, and other amenities in the space, which will also feature two quiet study rooms and two small group meeting rooms.
"Elf's commitment to the Teen Place at the new library is just the kind of project that ELF was looking to support," said Melinda Sanders, chair of ELF's Library Committee. "By pooling its resources, ELF donors will make a lasting mark on this community. Supporting the Teen Place is also a way for ELF to encourage kids to check out all the wonderful things the new library has to offer them."
Mar. 10, 2008 - Library Lovers Pavers will Leave a Lasting Impression
With the fundraising campaign for the new St. Cloud Public Library in full swing, there is an opportunity for supporters to become a part of St. Cloud history.
For a $1,000 tax-deductible donation, payable over a five-year period, a 4" by 8" legacy paving stone will be included as a permanent feature of the new library's outdoor plaza. Paving stones will be inscribed with personal commemorations. These could include a family name, a business/ employees, or an organization, church, school or club.
This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the community while leaving a lasting impression. Donations will assist in meeting the additional needs of the new library, including as many as 40,000 new books; self-service checkout kiosks; and 60 additional public computers.
To make your donation, download, and send your Library Lovers Registration form in to 405 St. Germain St. W., St. Cloud, MN 56301 (attn: Fund Development). For questions or comments regarding this giving opportunity, contact Diane Vosen at (320)650-2532 or email her at dianev@grrl.lib.mn.us.
Feb. 28, 2008 - Library Planning Art Chair Silent Auction
You are invited to be a part of the new Art Chair Silent Auction that will take place at the Grand Opening festivities for the new St. Cloud Public Library.
Each artist will be paired with a sponsor and will decorate a chair inspired by an author or book. The chairs will be displayed at various venues throughout the community for six to eight weeks before the auction.
The deadline for artists and sponsors to register is March 21st. The library board and supporters are planning a Grand Opening Celebration for September 20th, with up to 50 artists and 50 sponsors taking part in the Art Chair Silent Auction.
To become an artist download the form from this link. To become a sponsor or for more information about the event, download the brochure/sponsor registration form from this link. Registration forms and payment can be sent to Great River Regional Library Headquarters at 405 St. Germain St. W., St. Cloud, MN 56301. For questions or comments regarding the event, contact Diana Murphy-Podawiltz at (320)251-7811 or email her at dpodawiltz@charter.net.
Nov. 1, 2007 - Business Central Magazine Features New Library
The November/December issue of Business Central Magazine, published by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, features Great River Regional Library and the new St. Cloud Public Library in its "Regional Roundup" column. Authored by Dr. Marjorie Hawkins, co-chair of the "Library Plus You" fundraising campaign, the article on pages 18-19 promotes the value of a public/private partnership for this community initiative.
Wrote Hawkins, "As lifelong educators and co-chairs of the fundraising campaign, Dr. Bernice Berns and I know the striking impact libraries have on the intellectual, financial and social capital in a community." The article also points out how citizens' information needs don't stop with books.
The full text of the article is available here
Oct. 31, 2007 - Help Select Sculpture Quotes
Artist Stuart Keeler has been commissioned to create a sculpture for the new St. Cloud Public Library and GRRL headquarters. It will be more than 30 ft. long and, according to Keeler’s proposal, it "appears in person as a three dimensional floating painting on glass." The glass will have shades of blue suggesting the various shadings found in the waters of the Mississippi River. Etched into the glass will be three quotations about reading, books, water or libraries. Keeler will select the quotations from choices provided by the Great River Regional Library Board, St. Cloud Library Board, library staff and the public. A preliminary selection has taken place, and the public is invited to help.
Oct. 30, 2007 - St. Cloud Public Library Launches Fundraising Campaign To Foster Learning At New Facility
Library Will Host Kickoff Event Nov. 1 for Business Community.
The Great River Regional Library and the St. Cloud Public Library announced Thursday it is launching a community fundraising campaign, called "Library Plus YOU," for the new St. Cloud Public Library facility. Donations will help fill the library's expanded shelf space with books, DVDs and other media, and equip it with upgraded, state-of-the-art technology.
The library will host a kick-off "Library After Hours" event for the business community from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the current library, 405 St. Germain St. W. Campaign leaders will give an update on the building project and talk about the goals of the new facility. The new library is expected to open next summer.
"Through this fundraising campaign, our community has a wonderful opportunity to showcase progress, growth and commitment to learning," says Dr. Bernice Berns, campaign co-chair.
Voters in St. Cloud in 2004 overwhelmingly approved building a much larger, modern library in downtown St. Cloud with a half cent sales tax. This tax, however, can only fund construction of the facility and cannot be used to purchase materials or technology.
The Library Plus YOU campaign hopes to raise $2.5 million before the new facility opens next summer. The campaign aims to provide a grand opening collection with 20 percent more books and other print materials and 25 percent more DVDs, audio books and other such media. It also seeks to add additional public-use computers with Internet. Private donations also could provide an automated return system that electronically recognizes and sorts books, CDs and DVDs by barcode and places them on carts ready for shelving.
"The health and vibrancy of our community will be reflected in this magnificent center of information and learning," Berns says. "It is truly a community center, built with community ideals and community focus on leaving a learning legacy to our children."
Register for the event by emailing kickoff@grrl.lib.mn.us or by calling Julie at (320) 650-2515. Limited space is available.
Oct. 13, 2007 - St. Cloud Library Taking Shape
- Photo 1: This view shows the gray granite cladding in place on sections of the exterior and granite stacked waiting to be installed.
- Photo 2: This is taken from the entrance, looking out into the parking lot.
- Photo 3: The building is large and open at this time.
- Photo 4: Here's the view over the parking lot.
- Photo 5: This is where the reading alcoves are.
- Photo 6: Natural light will come in from this window that reaches across the center of the roof.
Oct. 11, 2007 - Thanks to the Friends of St. Cloud Library
Special thanks to the Friends of the St. Cloud Library, who have committed a $25,000 gift to Library Plus You. The Friends' gift will support Pat's Place, an interactive play space for children in the new Children's Library. The space is named in memory of Pat Christianson, who worked for Great River Regional Library for 35 years before retiring in 2004 as Deputy Director.
Oct. 8, 2007 - Reading Room Society Holds Fundraiser
More than 100 people attended a fundraising benefit for the new St. Cloud Public Library on Monday, October 8. The event, organized by the St. Cloud Reading Room Society, featured author and Technical High School graduate Rebecca Haile.
Haile's family moved to St. Cloud from Ethiopia in the 1970s after her father was shot and seriously injured during civil unrest. Her book, Held At A Distance, is about her experiences after she returned to Ethiopia for an extended visit in 2001.
The Reading Room Society originated during the pioneer days of St. Cloud, when eight women organized a Library Association in 1865 to purchase and share books. The Association later organized the Reading Room Society to secure a reading room for the library and to carry on social and cultural activities. The Reading Room Society was instrumental in persuading St. Cloud city officials to establish the first St. Cloud Public Library -- the seventh public library in Minnesota.
Monday's event raised more than $2,000 for the Library Plus You fundraising campaign.
