February is "Love Your Library" month. Now, more than ever, your library needs your help. Whether your gift be financial, materials or volunteer, it is all valuable to us. Like us on Facebook or follow our blog and Twitter feeds.
During the month of February, those who donate to the Foundation will have their names placed in a drawing for a gift certificate to Cloquet Greenhouse. We also would like for our fans to illustrate what libraries mean to them. Show us in the form of a picture your love for libraries by submitting a picture for our Facebook page. Send your picture to cloquet.library@gmail.com .
Libraries are changing with the advent of e-books and new technology. We continue to aspire to meet your needs but we need your help. Here's how you can help:
+ Learn about your library - Talk to your librarians, trustees and others involved to learn about current needs and issues.
+ Become a Library Friend - Friends make the difference with supporting library programming and staff. They raise money through book sales and other activities. The Friends volunteer their time and talent toward many activities in the library. You can make a long lasting and significant difference for your library by becoming a Friend. Membership is free. Please ask at the circulation desk for a membership form.
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+ Support the Cloquet Shaw Memorial Library Foundation - Become a board member or donate money to the Foundation. The Foundation was created as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 1982 for the purpose of increasing the size of the Cloquet Public Library. As a result, a new building was opened in 1987. The Foundation continues to support the needs of the public library beyond what the City of Cloquet can provide for the budget. Contact library staff or other Foundation members for information on how you can help.
+ Become a Library Trustee - Trustees play an integral role in advocacy for their library. The quality of a library's services ultimately rests with the library's board of trustees and, therefore, it is critically important that they do everything they can to ensure that the library has the resources it needs. Trustees can be powerful advocates for their library.
+ Become a Library Advocate - At its most basic level, advocacy is simply voicing your support for something you believe in and encouraging others to do the same. In the world of libraries, this might be as simple as telling your friends and neighbors about the great things happening at your local library, or talking to decision-makers about how your public, school, academic or special library is in need of additional funding or a new or improved facility. Your voice counts! As a library patron, you are the heart and soul of the library community, and you have a crucial voice in making the case for libraries.
We look forward to seeing you at the Cloquet Public Library.
Mary Lukkarila is the director at Cloquet Public Library. She can be contacted at 218-879-1531.
