Hennepin County Library News

13 LIBRARIES TO ADD SUNDAY HOURS

Hennepin County Commissioners approved a recommendation to expand Sunday hours to 13 additional libraries, beginning in June. The full board is expected to vote on the recommendation March 25.

AUTHOR ALERTS UPGRADE

Filter your author alerts by format! Only want to receive alerts on books? Or audio CDs? From the alerts page, click on Edit Settings to change your filtering options.

BOOKSPACE TURNS ONE YEAR OLD

Celebrate I Love to Read Month and the first birthday of HCL's BookSpace! Latest BookSpace feature: a personal profile page that brings together your comments and book lists, with an option to add info about yourself and your reading interests.

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR LIBRARY?

Do you have questions about your library card, loan periods, fines, locations and other services following the consolidation of suburban and Minneapolis libraries? Check out an updated FAQ on our Library Merger Updates page.

TAX HELP!

Let us help make tax time a little easier! Find tax forms, IRS and Minn. Dept. of Revenue contacts, learn about taxpayer assistance programs, electronic tax filing info and more! Access it during tax time via the sidebar link on the Reference and Research page

LIBRARY BOARD INCUMBENTS REAPPOINTED

Congratulations to Library Board incumbents John Gibbs and Holly Guncheon, who were reappointed to new three-year terms. Appointment of four new Library Board members (three of whom must be Minneapolis residents, and made in consultation with the Minneapolis Mayor and City Council) is on the agenda for the next County Board meeting.

INFLUENTIAL WOMEN ESSAY CONTEST

Teens in grades 6-12: it's time to put pen to paper, or rev up your computer -- the Influential Women...Then and Now Essay Contest is Jan. 1-Feb. 15 at all libraries.

RESOLVE TO BE A FRIEND AND VOLUNTEER

More than 1,000 Friends of the Library and volunteers contributed about 50,000 hours of service to Hennepin County Library last year. Find out how you can become involved at your library.

LIBRARY MERGER FESTIVITIES

Join us at upcoming events to celebrate the historic merger of the libraries of suburban Hennepin County and Minneapolis.

MERGER HIGHLIGHTS

The collections, technology and services of two library systems are now officially combined into one premier, 41-library system.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

Hennepin County Library and Minneapolis Public Library systems, with their shared heritage and complementary strengths and traditions, have merged to provide superior, world-class library service for readers, writers, listeners and thinkers of all ages and walks of life.

CALL FOR ART IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Artists are invited to submit qualifications for an opportunity to design, build, and install art in new libraries being planned for Maple Grove and Plymouth.

LIBRARY MERGER PUBLIC HEARING ON NOV. 27

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 27 at the Ridgedale Library in Minnetonka regarding the proposed consolidation of the suburban Hennepin County Library system and the Minneapolis Public Library.

HOME PAGE "REFRESHED"

New services and a lighter color palette will debut on the Library home page this week! Look for a new Downloads page and Newsroom site.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

On Facebook? Join the Hennepin County Library group for cool tools and more.

NEW! FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS

Check out and download great recordings of Vivaldi, Mozart, Brahms, Gershwin, and more via Overdrive Digital Catalog

LOL@HCL :)

Comedy and humor writing workshops, jokes, movie night and tons more fun activities during Teen Read Month. Did we mention fine waivers?

LIBRARY'S MYSPACE PAGE FEATURED

The Library's innovative MySpace website is featured this month by the American Library Association in their ilovelibraries.org Library Showcase.

HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD SEEKS APPLICANTS

Hennepin County is seeking applicants for two current openings and, potentially, four new seats on the Hennepin County Library Board. The four new seats are contingent on approval of a merger between HCL and the Minneapolis Public Library.

SAVVY SENIOR - NEW WEEKLY COLUMN ON 55+

Up-to-date information on a variety of topics of interest to older adults and those caring for them. Topics include strokes, assisted living, strength training, hearing aids and more.

BACK TO SCHOOL

![CDATA[Visit TeenLinks for homework help, reading suggestions and more. Get after school tutoring help at Augsburg Park and Brookdale libraries.]]

SIGN UP FOR ENEWS

Check out what's coming up at Hennepin County Library every season. Programs, author talks, new libraries under construction and new services.

NEW MUSEUM PASS ADVENTURES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 6

Explore arts, culture, history, science and more. Check back on Sept. 6 for the complete list of Museum Adventure Pass destinations.

JOIN US AT THE FAIR

Stop by the Education Building at this year's State Fair and "Try Cool Tools @ Your Library," August 23 -September 3.

READING HARRY POTTER

Talk about the book with other readers or write a review.

WAITING FOR HARRY POTTER

While you're waiting, have fun with Harry Potter online! Enter to win a free copy of the new book, do O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. quizzes, try a crossword puzzle, join the Harry Potter online book club, and find more great books like Harry Potter.

$60,000 GOAL FOR AUDIO & LARGE PRINT BOOKS

More than half a million books in these very popular formats were checked out in 2006. See how you can help the Friends and Library Foundation add to this collection.

MEET RICHARD PECK

The award-winning author of books for kids and young adults visit several Hennepin County libraries this week, including the Guys Read kick-off event on Wednesday, June 20.

GO WILD AT YOUR LIBRARY

This summer teens "Go Wild at Your Library" with activities such as gaming events and book clubs, highlighted on TeenLinks. Share book lists and write reviews for a chance to win a book!

SUMMER READING FUN ONLINE

![CDATA[KidLinks has a new look, just in time for summer reading fun! Win prizes by entering Read to Win and the new Book Blast quiz. Join Book Clubs Online or come to a Design a Web Page workshop. Go Bananas at KidLinks!]]

GO BANANAS @ YOUR LIBRARY

Free events, workshops and performances for kids this summer at your library. Read to Win great prizes all summer long, join a book club and more!

FREE DOWNLOADABLE VIDEOS

More than 300 feature films, cartoons, and educational videos for adults and children. Download classics like His Girl Friday and The Little Princess directly to your computer.

NETFLIX LOOKUP TOOL

Neflix customers can use this nifty tool to find out if the Library owns a DVD before deciding to add it to your queue. Requires Firefox web browser.

LIBRARY MERGER FUNDING CUT

![CDATA[On May 30, Governor Pawlenty line-item vetoed a $4.5 million appropriation to support the merger of the Hennepin County Library and Minneapolis Public Library systems. This represents a significant challenge to a potential merger even though a bill that authorizes the merger and historic enabling legislation makes the merger possible.]]

LIBRARY SYSTEM MERGER AUTHORIZED

![CDATA[On May 24, Governor Pawlenty signed into law a bill that authorizes the merger of the Hennepin County Library and Minneapolis Public Library systems. This historic enabling legislation allows the transfer of employees, property and assets from Minneapolis Public Library to Hennepin County.]]!

LIBRARY CONSOLIDATION BILL MOVES AHEAD AT LEGISLATURE

![CDATA[On May 14, the Minnesota House of Representatives Tax Committee amended a bill to consolidate Hennepin County Library and Minneapolis Public Library. Further action at the House is anticipated while the Senate Tax Committee is scheduled to review bill this week. The full Legislature could consider the library consolidation bill by end of this week.]]!

MAY IS NATIONAL OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

Hennepin County Library is pleased to offer its customers the convenience of paying fines online.

PAY FINES ONLINE

Check out the many programs planned to help you age well, live smart. Take a quick survey and enter to win a free membership to Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Members can take free classes all year!

PRO & CON ONLINE

Get both sides of the story on current U.S congressional, U.S. Supreme Court, and world controversies. Available only on library workstations.

COUNTY BOARD DISCUSSION ON LIBRARY CONSOLIDATION CONTINUES

At the March 13 meeting, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners requested more information from staff on a range of issues related to the proposed consolidation of the Hennepin County and Minneapolis Public Library systems. The resolution to approve enabling legislation to proceed with a merger will come before the Board on Tues., March 20, at 1:30 p.m. in the 24th floor board room of the Government Center in downtown Minneapolis.

LIVE HOMEWORK HELP!

Get free help from expert tutors. The Library is offering this new service on a trial basis through March 17.

TEEN TECH WEEK

DDR at the Library, Be a Computer Game Designer, and more during Teen Tech Week March 4-10. Bring your friends to the library for amazing tech fun!