Russ Smith introduced his guest, Beth Sorenson, the new Director of the Cloquet Public Library.
Beth started by saying this was her first speaking engagement since joining the library staff in October 2017. At the end of last year, the Cloquet library checked out 105,000 items for the year and served an average of 1,500 people per month. Now they have their Summer Reading program going on and the library is very busy. But the library is more than books. They have up-to-date DVD's, audio books, music CD's, non- fiction DVD's, foreign film DVD's, biography DVD's, and large print materials. Nowadays you don't have to go to the library to use their services. E-Books can be downloaded free with a library card. You can request materials from 14 other libraries in the region through inter-library loan. You can even order books from foreign countries. Our library also has meeting space available at no charge, a 50 person room or a 12 person room. Programs coming up at the library include financial planning for college, a Norwegian- American musician, end of life planning, downsizing your home, funeral planning with Rob Nelson, and St. Croix Hospice issues. They started Carlton County Youth After School to address issues affection young people. We can support the library by visiting to see what they offer, attending programs, and using online services. You could volunteer with Friends of the Library or support the Library Foundation, which raises money for library needs. Next, the library plans a 7,000 square foot addition with construction starting soon.
Excerpts taken from the Cloquet Rotary log, edited by Rachael Martin