Library News

What's new and news at the Aurora Public Library?


THREE "STORY TIME IN A BAG" KITS AVAILABLE TO CHECK OUT

The Aurora Public Library now has four circulating “Story Time in a Bag” kits.  Each bag has several books, along with puppets or other story telling aids, a music CD, a brochure about early literacy, and a tip sheet on how the contents of the bags can be used by parents and caregivers to read, write, sing, play, and talk with young children.  The bags may be checked out for 3 weeks, and are intended to be used by parents and caregivers to enjoy story times with their children.  Thanks are due to the Aurora Friends of the Library, who funded and/or made the bags and their contents.

 
AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD MAKES CHANGE TO MOVIE BORROWING POLICY

Aurora Public Library patrons may now check out 4 (raised from 2) entertainment movies per card.  Late fees on entertainment movies have been reduced to $1/day/movie.


FOUR KINDLES NOW IN CIRCULATION AT THE AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY


The Aurora Public Library now has 4 Kindles in circulation, each loaded with 40 books.  One Kindle contains nonfiction titles; another mystery/suspense/thriller/horror novels; a third has general/historical/romance/Christian fiction titles; and the fourth contains an assortment of science fiction/fantasy/western/teen novels.  Currently all four Kindles are on hold or checked them out--but you may search their contents and place a hold in the Aurora Public Library catalog.  They may be checked for three weeks by any Aurora Public Library card holder age 18 and older.  Please note that fines are $5/day, and the Kindles MUST be returned to the Aurora Public Library during open hours; they may not be returned in the book drop.  Three Kindles and their titles were donated through the generosity of individual donors to the Aurora Public Library; the fourth Kindle and its titles were donated by Harp Construction.

STRATEGIC PLAN PROGRESS REPORT

The Aurora Public Library has completed the strategic planning process, and has approved a strategic plan which will guide library priorities through 2015. The library's misison statement, revised to reflect the current library goals is as follows:

The Aurora Public Library contributes to an informed, connected community by providing books, technology, and special programs that support early literacy and academic achievement, and encourage people of all ages to become lifelong learners.

The current library goals are as follows:

Residents, newcomers, and visitors are informed of available resources and inspired to participate in local events and groups.

• Library staff put together a "GetInvolvedAurora" brochure featuring local service and special interest organizations that wished to be listed. The brochures is accompanied by a web site, linked from the library's web page, which includes the organizations' listings and a community calendar of meetings and events held by those organizations which wished to be listed. The community calendar is now also printed on the back of the library newsletter, which is mailed to all City residents each month and is also available at the library and the Loon Lake Community Center, and is posted at various other locations. Displays in the library display case in the past year have included a display of Amish dolls, a display by the Range Women's Advocates, a display by the "Angel of Hope" committee for the children's memorial park in Virginia, a historical display relating to the Boy Scouts, a display by the Care Partners, and a display by the Mesabi East Early Childhood Coalition.

People of all ages will nurture their curiosity and obtain knowledge to enrich their lives.

• Utilizing funding available through the Legacy Fund, funds raised by the Aurora Friends of the Library, and in partnership with other organizations, the library has been able to offer a variety of lively, educational programs, including a folk-dancing program with Terrence Smith, a harp and flute concert, an art event for children by the Creativity Tank, a concert by the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet, a class on playing the American dulcimer, a presentation on and demonstration of weaving, a presentation by the Minnesota Crime Wave, and free passes to various regional museums and events available to check out at the library. Several more events are scheduled for the summer months.

Children will develop enthusiasm for reading and learning, and caregivers will develop social connections and gain tools for increasing literacy in their homes.

• The library continues to offer weekly preschool story times featuring music, action rhymes, and songs. Story times are planned around the six pre-reading building-block skills, and early literacy information is available for parents and caregivers. The library will again partner with 2 local day cares this summer to offer on-site story times and story time kits in conjunction with the summer reading program.

Students will have the out-of-school support needed to increase their academic achievement and successfully complete their education.

• The library hosted a series of "Minnesota History Mornings at the Library" for grade-school homeschooled children, a pilot project using kits developed by the Minnesota Historical Society. We will again encourage reading and learning throughout the summer with the children's "One World, Many Stories" and teen "You Are Here" reading programs.

A full copy of the strategic plan and its supporting documents can be found at the Arrowhead Library System web site or by clicking here.
DOWNLOADABLE E-BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE

Downloadable ePub ebooks are now available to anyone with a library card from the Arrowhead Library System. To access the list of available titles, click on the "Downloadable audiobooks and ebooks" link under the links section on the right side of this web page. To learn more, you may click here for a list of frequently asked questions.

WE NOW HAVE WI-FI!

The Aurora Public Library now offers wireless internet access, funded by monies raised during the Spring Library Technology Fundraiser Meatball Dinner. Many thanks to everyone who helped out with the meal and purchased tickets! If you have a laptop with wireless access, you may now access the internet at the library on your own computer. (Library patrons accessing the internet via the library’s wireless network are responsible for abiding by the library’s internet use agreement; please stop by the front desk to view and sign the form if you have not already done so.) The wireless network is available 24-7; its range extends several feet in front of the library and about 1/3 of the way back in the parking lot behind the library.

NEW! AURORA PUBLIC LIBRARY PAGE NOW ON FACEBOOK®

Do you use Facebook®? So do we! Become a fan of the Aurora Public Library to receive updates about library news, events, and new releases! Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.
Friends of the Library NewsThe Aurora Friends of the Library support the Aurora Public Library through fund-raising efforts and through volunteering at the library.

The Friends of the Library do not meet over the summer, although many volunteer with the summer reading program. Regular, non-summer meeting dates are the first Tuesday of each month at 1:30. New members and volunteers are always welcome!