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Wednesday, April 18, 2007
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Crosslake library a long story
Senior Reporter CROSSLAKE - If the story of the Crosslake Area Library was a volume on one of its hickory shelves it might be titled "Built by Community Volunteers."
Like many good stories that take time to write, the library was nine years in the making.
"If any of us would have thought it would have taken that long we all probably would have quit," said Alden Hardwick, chairman of the city's voluntary library committee. Nearly a decade ago mayoral action formed a committee to investigate the potential for a library. The desire was identified in the city's comprehensive plan. Fundraising began in earnest about five years ago. But it was a combination of the decision to include the library in the community center and help from major donors Kenneth and Virginia Merrill that propelled the project forward, Hardwick said.
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The Crosslake Area Library will officially open April 30. Jon Henke (left), city parks and recreation director, talked with Alden Hardwick, library committee chairman, Kim Larson, computer technician, and Mary Hardwick, volunteer coordinator. Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls
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Now looking at the result with the library's opening day at month's end, Hardwick quoted from another volunteer's reaction to explain his own thoughts.
"This is just beyond belief - the colors, the light from the windows, the high ceiling, the majestic cabinets. It does reinforce what volunteers can do," Hardwick said. "It gives you that feeling of being completely overwhelmed by how well it turned out."
Committee members visited libraries to get an idea what they wanted. Priorities included plenty of light, a welcoming environment and a central desk with a full view of the entire room.
By the numbers
Total cost for the Crosslake Community Center/library construction was $630,800.
The total budget for the entire project, including engineering and miscellaneous items, was $710,000.
The project was split between community center improvements and the library construction.
Donations of $355,000 went to build the library, and $355,000 was contributed from the city of Crosslake through park dedication funds, created when property is subdivided for future residents.
Read more about it
The Crosslake Library officially opens April 30.
A grand opening is planned June 3.
The library will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
A Tuesday story hour at 10:30 a.m. begins May 1 and is designed for 2- to 6-year-olds and includes puppets, finger plays and engaging stories.
A Summer Reading Club with magician, storytellers and weekly themes is planned Thursdays from July 12 to Aug. 16 for children grades K-6.
Library cards are available for $3 for adults and $1 for children younger than 18.
For more information, call (218) 692-7323 or e-mail crosslakearealibrary@crosslake.net.
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The 3,000-square-foot library includes paperbacks, hardcovers, books on tape, DVD and VHS titles. A neatly decorated entry features volunteer favorites, book club favorites, Minnesota authors and children's books. The library has an extensive cookbook section. Shelves near the fireplace seating area include reference books such as a 1970 Britannica Book of the Year signed by Hubert Humphrey and a student reader estimated to be at least 100 years old.
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Pat Tweed, Crosslake Area Library operations team leader, said library committee members looked at many libraries and consulted librarians to get an idea what they wanted. Good lighting was a key element. Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls
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About six computers with wireless Internet will be available. And people are donating magazine subscriptions. Donations of bestsellers, a children's encyclopedia and more teen books are still sought.
Nearly all the 15,000 books in the library were donated.
"So many people are part of this now," Hardwick said. "It's their book, their donation."
New furniture, a fireplace, a mantle - all were donated to the cause. Volunteer labor from roughly 100 people went into everything from cataloging books to interior design.
"We live and breathe the library," said Kim Larson, who joined the library volunteers in July. Now she hopes others will enjoy the option of not having to drive to another city to have access to what a library offers. "I want them to see the diversity of all the books we have here. It's beautiful, but it will be nice to have people come in and read."
Pat Tweed, library operations team leader, and Mary Hardwick, volunteer coordinator, spent much of the last year in the nearby warming house labeling books.
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Ginny Hersey, Crosslake Area Library children's program coordinator, displayed a book bag children can use to check out books. Community members made about 60 book bags for the new library. Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls
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"When we came here and saw it - it was like you couldn't believe it," Tweed said of the finished library.
The 3,000-square-foot library was constructed as part of a Crosslake Community Center expansion. The added space includes a fitness room and a community room for gatherings of residents such as card players. The community center provides senior meals, gymnasium, indoor and outdoor fitness programs and a new playground. About three miles of trails extend from the center, weaving back into pine stands.
Jon Henke, Crosslake parks and recreation director, said the trails can be tied in with the library's programming for children. They can read about nature and then go out and see it.
The city library, operated by volunteers, is not part of the Kitchigami Regional Library system. The library would have been limited to being open 20 hours if it were part of the regional system and the city wanted to have more hours available per week. Henke said the door remains open for a regional relationship in the future.
Crosslake City Administrator Tom Swenson said the library will draw people to Crosslake acting as a boost to area businesses as well as area readers.
"We are so proud of this facility and what it's going to do for the community," he said.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
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