Are you struggling with a math assignment? Need help writing that essay? Ramsey County Library introduces Homework Rescue, powered by BrainFuse.
Starting this fall, students in grades 3 through 12 will be able to work one-on-one with online tutors for free. Homework Rescue uses real, expert tutors, including Spanish-speaking tutors, and covers all core subjects and basic skill building. Other features include writing lab specialists and test preparation.
Students can use Homework Rescue on a Ramsey County Library computer or on a home computer with Internet. All they need is a library card and a desire to learn.
Amendment Approved
Public libraries in Minnesota will receive $4.25 million for arts and cultural programs in the next two fiscal years.
The money is part of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment that state voters approved in November. The Amendment approved an increase in the sales tax to be dedicated to the environment and arts.
According to the bill, the funds from the Amendment "may be used to sponsor programs provided by regional libraries, or to provide grants to local arts and cultural programs for programs in partnership with regional libraries."
Look for arts and cultural programs sponsored by this fund at Ramsey County Library next year!
New Titles Available with One-Click Audio
Downloadable audiobooks from NetLibrary/Recorded Books have proven so popular with Ramsey County Library customers that the Library is expanding its downloadable collection.
New features include:
A new One-Click interface which makes downloading quick and simple
New titles by bestselling authors
New titles for children and young adults
Hundreds of iPod-compatible titles
You can browse and download titles from the comfort of home by clicking here or bring your personal media player to your local library to download titles from the Library's computers.
Ramsey County Library Policy Changes
Ramsey County is facing declining tax revenues and reductions to state aid as use of County services is steadily increasing. To meet today’s economic challenges, the Library is revising policies aimed at managing increasing workflow in times of decreasing staff levels.
Effective September 1, Ramsey County Library is making the following changes:
Circulation Services
Your library card will be required for all transactions.
The limit for requested items will be 25.
The limit for interlibrary loan requests will be 10.
Lost Items
Replacements in lieu of payment will no longer be accepted.
Items must be returned within four months from the due date to avoid replacement costs. Late fees will be applied.
Refunds will no longer be issued for lost items that were paid for and later found.
Fines and Fees
The fee for library card replacements will be $2.
Black and white printing will be 15 cents per copy and color printing will be 75 cents per copy.
Returned checks will be charged a $25 fee.
A $15 processing fee will be charged for customers entered into the Revenue Recapture program.
Customers with an account in Revenue Recapture will not be allowed Internet use.
Ramsey County Library has joined the world of social media! You can now find Ramsey County Library on the social networking Web sites Facebook and Twitter.
Become a fan of Ramsey County Library on Facebook to receive special updates, news, pictures and connect with other fans of the library! Also, be sure to follow @rclreads on Twitter for daily updates, fun facts and stories, and exclusive updates on the Roseville expansion project.
From research assistance to entertainment, Ramsey County Library offers many wonderful services. The best part? They're free!
1. Job Search and Resume Assistance
Search for a job online or update your resume using our word processing computers. There are also resources to help you with career planning and skills testing.
2. Computer Classes
Ramsey County Library offers free computer classes to teach you everything from how to use a mouse to how to start your own blog. See our computer class schedule on Page 4.
3. Free WiFi and Internet Workstations
Come in and use our Internet Workstations, or bring your own laptop and use Ramsey County Library’s free WiFi.
4. Books, Magazines, CDs, DVDs
Take home a new release DVD for just 50 cents a day or check out our great selection of free movies. We also have a huge selection of magazines, newspapers, CDs and, of course, books.
5. Databases and Research Assistance
Ramsey County Library has loads of resources and databases to help with genealogy, auto repair and other do-it-yourself projects. Just ask a librarian to point you in the right direction or visit our Web site, www.rclreads.org, and click on Online Resources.
6. Museum Adventure Pass
Check out free passes to a number of popular Twin Cities museums at any Ramsey County Library, through the Museum Adventure Pass program, presented by Macy's.
7. Entertainment for Children and Teens
Aside from offering books, DVDs and other ways to entertain your family, Ramsey County Library offers free programs for children and teens alike.
8. Homework Help
Starting this September, Ramsey County Library will offer free homework assistance to help students in a number of subjects.
9. Programs for Adults
Ramsey County Library offers several book clubs and special programming, like diet and lifestyle seminars, writing workshops and author talks.
10. Access from Home
Many of the resources listed above are available from remote locations too. Don't forget you can request materials and receive an e-mail notice when they are ready for you to pick up.
Warrior to Citizen Exhibit
July 22 - 28
RCL - Maplewood
The Ramsey County Library in Maplewood will host "Warrior to Citizen: Stories of Minnesota's Most Recent Veterans," a multimedia exhibit featuring personal stories and artifacts gathered from 30 service members who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The exhibit captures an important piece of Minnesota history and offers a public space for thinking and talking about the ways military service impacts individuals and communities, and what veterans have to contribute.
The Warrior to Citizen Campaign is a grassroots effort to provide enduring support to Minnesota's returning veterans and their families. This campaign is organized by the Center for Democracy and Citizenship and the exhibit is sponsored by The Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries.
Quiet on the Set!
Metro Public Libraries Short Film Competition
Make a movie at your Ramsey County Library this spring and see it on the big screen this summer! Everyone's invited to direct a crew or collaborate with another to produce an entertaining, imaginative or even irreverent short film set in a local public library.
Experienced filmmakers, total novices, or any experience level in between -- get involved, have some fun, and even make some noise as libraries are transformed into movie sets. For those on the less experienced end, filmmaking workshops will be held at some of the metro public libraries. Melsa Information & Registration Page
"Quiet on the Set" is a brand new initiative designed to tap into images and experiences that people associate with their public libraries. Think of it as electronic storytelling.
Basic requirements:
• Films must be no more than 5 minutes long.
• Films must feature a library card at some point.
• Films must feature the exterior of a metro public library.
• Films must feature the interior of a metro public library.
Award categories: Emerging filmmaker; best use of a library card; best special effects; best acting; best original storyline; and best film overall.
Check out this YouTube video for more information:
Circulation hits a new record! In 2008, 4,589,151 items were checked out, an 8.9 percent increase from last year.
There were 1,878,350 visits through the doors of our seven branches, up 5 percent from 2007.
Library computers were used for more than 217,359 hours in 2008, up 38 percent. The wireless network also experienced significant growth; 72,936 people used the Library’s Wi-Fi, up 61 percent over 2007.
Overall in 2008, 111 computer classes were held for 1,049 students.
The Library continues to lead early childhood literacy efforts by holding 850 children’s programs with 37,648 participants. These efforts include 655 storytimes with 27,134 attendees and 48 teen programs serving 551 teens.
Services, including online credit card payment, e-mail pre-notification and computer queuing, were added in 2008 to improve our patrons’ experience.
Reminder Notices Available
You now have the option of receiving a courtesy e-mail reminder two days before your library materials are due.
This courtesy reminder service is only available via e-mail. You will still receive a receipt at the time of checkout as your official due date reminder. Please note that you are not exempt from overdue fees if the courtesy reminder is not received.
If you would like to sign up for this free reminder service, please visit the circulation desk at your Ramsey County Library.
Maplewood Nationally Recognized
Click on an image for original size (opens in a new window)
Fireplace
DVD Area
Kids Area
Since its opening in March 2007, Ramsey County Library in Maplewood has won several awards and been featured in several publications.
The building, designed by Minneapolis-based HGA architects, has received awards for its interior design and architecture, and has been nationally recognized for its modern, sustainable design.
In June, the library in Maplewood received the American Library Association (ALA) and International Interior Design Association's (IIDA) national award honoring excellence in library interior design for libraries over 30,000 square feet. The Library was also awarded the Best of Competition award from IIDA Wisconsin and the 2007 American Institute of Architect's Minnesota Honor Award for Design Excellence.
"The Library has become the living room for the community because of its easy access to reading materials, fireplace and artwork, comfortable chairs, and views to the trees and wetlands outside," says Jane Dedering, Library Planner and Senior Interior Designer with HGA.
In addition to these awards, the Library has been featured in local and national publications including Metal Architecture, American Libraries, Architecture Minnesota and Metro.
"The citizens of Ramsey County really enjoy the Library's welcoming design, its natural setting and how comfortable it is," says Ramsey County Library Director Susan Nemitz. "The library in Maplewood is a unique and valuable community asset."
Quiet on the Set!
