East Central Regional Library Legacy Grant SFY 2016 - SFY 2017
Minnesota’s twelve regional library systems, which encompass more than 350 public libraries in all areas of the state, can benefit from a portion of the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Through State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, each regional library system is eligible to receive a formula-driven allocation from the annual $2.2 million Minnesota Regional Library System Legacy Grant. East Central Regional Library (ECRL) is a consolidated regional public library system in east central Minnesota. ECRL has fourteen branch libraries located in six counties: Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine. With Arts and Cultural Heritage funds, ECRL and its member libraries present an array of arts, cultural, literary, and Minnesota history programs in collaboration with arts and cultural organizations, independent artists, historical societies, and community organizations. Projects contribute to the cultural vitality of the region and build a lasting legacy.
These amounts are appropriated to the commissioner of education for grants to the 12 Minnesota regional library systems to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. These funds must be allocated using the formulas in Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, with the remaining 25 percent to be distributed to all qualifying systems in an amount proportionate to the number of qualifying system entities in each system. For purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying system entity" means a public library, a regional library system, a regional library system headquarters, a county, or an outreach service program. These funds may be used to sponsor programs provided by regional libraries or to provide grants to local arts and cultural heritage programs for programs in partnership with regional libraries. These funds must be distributed in ten equal payments per year. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2017, as grants or contracts in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2019.
Total number of activities, programs,and/or events: 137 Total participation/attendance: 6856Total number of partnerships: 37
These amounts are appropriated to the commissioner of education for grants to the 12 Minnesota regional library systems to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. These funds must be allocated using the formulas in Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, with the remaining 25 percent to be distributed to all qualifying systems in an amount proportionate to the number of qualifying system entities in each system. For purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying system entity" means a public library, a regional library system, a regional library system headquarters, a county, or an outreach service program. These funds may be used to sponsor programs provided by regional libraries or to provide grants to local arts and cultural heritage programs for programs in partnership with regional libraries. These funds must be distributed in ten equal payments per year. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2017, as grants or contracts in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2019.
Total number of activities, programs, and/or events: 70
Total participation/attendance: 10,218
Total number of partnerships: 49
Ross and Bart Sutter brought their Sutter Brothers program to the Wyoming community. During the program participants listened to and learned about music and poetry from the Scandinavian, Celtic and American folk traditions. They were also exposed to and learned about different traditional musical instruments. Through the music lyrics and poetry stanzas they also explored the experience and culture of Scandinavian immigrants and their descendants in Minnesota. Several of our attendees expressed that they themselves have Scandinavian heritage and commented that they enjoyed learning more about their heritage. While other participants greatly enjoyed learning about this culture and appreciated the artists skills in both music and poetry.
ECRL Reads
The program encouraged community members throughout our six counties to come together to learn about the life and culture of 1920s Minnesota. As part of the program we hosted a system wide read featuring the book Ice-Out by Minnesota author Mary Casanova. Mary also visited libraries in all six of our counties. During these visits participants were able to learn about the creative process of authoring a book, of developing the artwork for the book and life in Minnesota in the 1920's.
Rockstacking with Peter Juhl
Minnesota Author Peter Juhl led a workshop studying the creative skill of rockstacking and the photography of rockstacks at the Mora Public Library. During the program participants learned about the creative process of writing and publishing a book in Minnesota. They also learned the skills necessary to create their own stacked rock art sculptures and were able to make their own sculptures. Participants also learned about the creative process of photographing their finished sculptures. The feedback from the workshop was great and included the following comments: "Amazing info regarding the types and formations used in such a peaceful technique," "Learned about a totally new and beautiful art form that is easy and inexpensive to try" and "Great information, wonderful pictures; and loved the hands on rock balancing."