The Friends of the Library are thinking about love – loving books, that is. The group is asking residents to answer a survey for what their favorite books are.
The library is offering an online survey friendslibrary2.pdf. Please print it out, fill it out, and then drop it into the library drop slot at the library, located by the city office building in Dassel.
Integral members are the group include Mechele Pitchford, Librarian Sandy Ward, Wayne Medcraft and City Administrator Myles McGrath. The group continues to look for new members. Please enquire at the library if you are interested.
Goals: a spot check
By Wayne Medcraft, Dassel council member
Following up on goals stated in the April 28 issue of the Enterprise Dispatch, the following is a report on the progress of the Dassel chapter of the Friends of the Library (FOL.)
• Constructed and installed two new 6-by-2 feet pine end caps for the Dassel Library to display new books or introduce seasonal programs. These locally built displays saved the City of Dassel hundreds of dollars for commercial library fixtures.
• Raised funds from non-traditional sources and has used these funds to purchase new chairs for the children’s area and ordered subscriptions to two daily newspapers.
• Supported the annual book sale, which is a major fundraiser for the library. The FOL volunteer support increased sales this year over 2007 sales.
• Lobbied successfully to get Pioneerland to replace the old fax and copier with a modem printer/copier/fax machine. This new machine will save space and reduce expenses due to repairs for the old machines.
• Met with Pioneerland directors at the October 2008 meeting to press them for supporting Dassel’s needs for greater hours and to be open on every Saturday.
• Held a successful fall open house November 1 to encourage citizens to visit the library and take up reading as a great hobby. Nearly 50 guests attended the open house, many whom had never or not recently been to the Dassel library.
• The FOL is currently holding an art exhibit of vintage books by local artist Priscilla Medcraft. This exhibit is unique and very interesting. Residents are encouraged to see her work, which will be on display in the library until Christmas.
Interested Dassel citizens and/or library patrons are encouraged to attend the FOL meeting (the last Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at the library). For details or information contact Wayne Medcraft at (320) 275-9200.
Dassel Area Friends of The Library responsive to patrons’ needs
The Dassel area Friends of the Library committee would like to thank the 33 individuals who completed the recent survey. Surveys were collected from cut-outs in the newspaper, several were completed online and others were completed at the library.
The purpose of the survey was to gather feedback in the effort to better understand the needs and wishes of the patrons and to serve the community more effectively and efficiently.
The majority of patrons indicated that the service provided by the library was excellent or very good. Some of the suggestions included expansion of the selection of books and a sign on Highway 12 to inform passersby of the library and its location. The question that drew the largest single response regarded the hours of operation. Many individuals indicated they preferred extended evening hours and nineteen of the 33 responses indicated they preferred Saturday hours.
The Friends of the Library appreciate the responses and have taken measures to address some of the suggestions. The library is currently open on Saturdays from 9-12.
Telephone number is (320) 275-3756.
The email for the Dassel Library is dassel@dassel.lib.mn.us.
Books, magazines and tapes are on hand at the Dassel Library, as well as more than 500,000 books, magazines, newspapers and pamphlets available through the system’s headquarters in Willmar, according to Librarian Sandra Ward. Library services include free use of the Internet, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint programs, summer reading programs for children, videos, DVDs, and books on tape to check out. The Dassel Library is affiliated with Hutchinson, Litchfield, and Willmar public libraries.
For the library’s page in the 2008 Dassel-Cokato Guidebook, click here.
