East Central Regional Library Events
Join Winter Tales: Our Winter Reading Challenge for 2021!

Winter Tales Reading Challenge 2021 is geared toward adults and runs from January 11 – March 6.

Read books, write book reviews, and complete reading activity challenges for your chance to win prizes!

Here’s how:

  1. Register for a Beanstack account online 
  2. OR on the Beanstack Tracker mobile app (Android or Apple)
  3. Enroll in the Winter Tales Reading Challenge.

For each badge earned, you receive one entry into a Grand Prize drawing, with one winner drawn from each library branch.

The program is sponsored by East Central Regional Library, local Friends of the Library groups, and other local organizations.
Blind Dates, Restful Retreats, Arts & Crafts

BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK

6 Locations Participating!

With Valentine’s Day coming up, why not go on a date...with a book? Here’s how it works:

  1. Pick up a wrapped book at one of the six participating library branches (see below).
  2. Read at least 50 pages (or the whole thing!).
  3. Fill out the “Rate Your Date” slip so we know if you hit it off or not.
  4. Return your slips by Feb. 28th to be entered  into a drawing to win fun prizes! Slips can be put inside the book drop, as well.

Blind Date with a Book is recommended for ages 14 and up. Registration not necessary. You can also participate via curbside pickup. Visit the Events Calendar at ecrlib.org for more details.

Branches starting Monday, Jan. 25th:

Starting Wednesday, Jan. 27th:

This program is sponsored by local Friends of the Library groups,

CRAFTING HYGGE

Claim your kit containing DIY crafts to warm your senses in the spirit of Hygge (Hue-gah), which is Scandinavian for the art of creating cozy and comfortable spaces. Recommended for kids and adults. Registration required.

Registration is open, and space is available! Kits -- limited to two per family -- will be ready for pick-up at the Mille Lacs Lake Community Library in Isle the week of January 25th.

This kit is the first in a series of upcoming “Dabble Kits.” Dabbling gives you an opportunity to experience various types of DIY projects so you can decide if you enjoy a craft enough to invest in more supplies and materials. Included is a resource list for books that can be found at the library and a list of online tutorials to learn more.

This program is sponsored by the Mille Lacs Friends of the Library.

BOOKS 'N' BOXES

Regionwide Event!

Enjoy a fun family or friends night at home throughout the month of February with Books 'n' Boxes from the Rush City Library.

For those who register, a shoebox containing a storybook and miscellaneous household and craft items will be sent to your home library. Take the box home, and on your chosen day or evening gather participants, uncover the box and -- Voila! -- Fun for Everyone!

Read the book, then collaborate to create something related to the story you just read using the items in the box and basic at-home supplies like glue, tape and scissors.

Send a picture of the finished product by email to rcmail@ecrlib.org. Make sure to include your name, the book title and your home library, and you may see it featured online! Bonus: You get to keep the book!

All ages welcome. Registration (one per family or group) is required.

Registrations will be accepted as supplies last. (Supplies may be sent to other locations.)

This program is sponsored by the Rush City Friends of the Library.

AT HOME SPA KIT

Create a restful retreat with an At-Home Spa Kit from one of three participating branch locations.

Each kit will provide you with materials and instructions to create your own spa experience, including bath bombs and body scrubs, and help you relax and re-charge in the comfort of your home. Each kit provides enough materials for two people. Limit one kit per household. 

The At Home Spa Kit is recommended for teens and adults. Registration required. Common household ingredients as well as liquid ingredients (coconut oil and essential oils) are not included and will need to be provided by the participant. 

Kits will be available for pick-up Monday, Feb. 8th, at these locations:
Cambridge Public Library during open hours (9am-6pm)
Mora Public Library during curbside service hours (10am-3pm)
North Branch Area Library during open hours (10am-6pm)

The program is sponsored by Friends of the Library groups for Cambridge, Mora and North Branch.

FOOD ALLERGY DISCLAIMER: East Central Regional Library is not responsible for adverse reactions to foods consumed or items one may come in contact with while participating in this event. Those concerned with food allergies should participate at their own risk.

SPOOL KNITTING KIT

Regionwide Event
Monday, Feb. 22nd
Registration open & required for each participant

Claim your kit containing a small spool knitter and yard to get you started. Don't know how to knit? That's OK! Spool knitting is perfect for beginners. Included is a resource list for books at the library and online tutorials to learn more about this craft. Kits will be delivered to your branch of choice.
Get Your Shakers and Scarves Ready!

VIRTUAL STORYTIME 2021

Tuesdays & Wednesdays
10:30am-11:00am

Join us for Virtual Storytime! Together we will have fun, sing songs, read books and learn!


Kirsten is our Librarian for Tuesday. Amelia is our Librarian for Wednesday. You will need your shakers and scarves!

Each week we will spend 20-30 minutes working on our early literacy skills while we all spend time at home. Video will be accessible for a week so you don't have to watch at 10:30 a.m.
Join a Virtual Book Club
Our Virtual Book Club discussions are held on the Zoom platform -- a great way to see friends face to face while social distancing. If you've never used Zoom before, all you need is internet access and a computer or smart phone with audio and video capabilities. Don't have Wi-Fi? You can also call into the meeting.

Registration is required for each Virtual Book Club. Please register on the events calendar at ecrlib.org, and you will be contacted by the library with further instructions.

Questions? Email us at ecregion@ecrlib.org or call your local library Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
NORTH BRANCH AREA
MONDAY, FEB. 15TH
11:00AM-12:00PM

Join Branch Librarian Amelia for the North Branch Library book club, held on the third Monday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. This month, we are reading Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks. 

Copies of the book will be available through a book club kit at the library. Stop by and speak with staff about getting a copy or call 651-674-8443 to arrange a pick-up. For current services and hours, visit the North Branch Area Library page at ecrlib.org.
PINE CITY AREA
THURSDAY, FEB. 18TH
10:00AM-12:00PM

Join us virtually for Book Group, held on the third Thursday of every month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The meeting will be hosted by Pine City Branch Librarian, Heidi. This month we will be reading The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead.

Copies are available in a book club kit at the Pine City Library. Stop by and speak with staff about signing out a copy, or call 320-629-6403 to arrange a curbside pick-up. You can also request to have a copy sent to your local East Central Regional Library branch. For current services and hours, visit the Pine City Public Library page at ecrlib.org.
CHISAGO LAKES AREA
THURSDAY, FEB. 18TH
5:00PM-6:15PM

Join Branch Librarian Kerstin for the Chisago Lakes Library book club, held on the third Thursday of the month. This month, we are reading A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.

Visit the Library Catalog for copies of this title. You can also call the library at 651-257-2817 or email Kerstin at kfinsness@ecrlib.org. For current services and hours, visit the Chisago Lakes Area Library page at ecrlib.org.
CAMBRIDGE AREA
THURSDAY, FEB. 18TH
6:30PM-7:30PM

Join the Cambridge Public Library book club for a discussion of Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton. Books are available for pick-up at the library.

For current services and hours, visit the Cambridge Public Library page at ecrlib.org.
All library events are made available at no cost and are open to the public.