Free Seasonal Activities at Hennepin County Library

Take part in free holiday events and activities at Hennepin County libraries from Nov. 24 to Dec. 27, 2012.

Editor’s note: Information provided by the Hennepin County Library.  The following winter/holiday-themed programs are scheduled at Hennepin County libraries. All programs are free, some require registration. For Hennepin County Library’s complete program and exhibit schedule Schiffelly Puppets: No Nose for Rudolph Excelsior Library Saturday, Nov. 24, 10:30 a.m. For families. Preschool-grade 2. The famous reindeer has had his nose taken by Hank the Greedy Hog. Join Slurrpy the Snowman, Santa Claus and a host of other holiday characters as they try to get back Rudolph's nose. Part of the Excelsior "Christkindlsmarkt" celebration. Sponsored by Friends of the Excelsior Library. Crafty Minnesota: Handcrafted Creatures For adults. Stitch a tiny …

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Free Homework Help Available Through Local Library

In their fall 2012 catalog, Hennepin County Libraries offer programs, including free homework help, for children and teens.

The first day of school has come and gone St. Louis Park students, and as the homework starts coming home, it's not too early to think about ways to help your child succeed. According to the Hennepin County Library's "Autumn at the Library" catalog, Homework Rescue, LearningExpress Library and the Homework Hub can all be valuable resources to students. Note: The following information was provided by Hennepin County Library: Homework Rescue is a daily, online tutoring service that runs from 1 to 11 p.m. and is for students between third and twelfth grade, and adult learners. Qualified tutors help with math, science, social science and writing. There’s a Skills Building section where students can ask specific questions from your assignments …

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New Poetry From Prisoners Hits Shelves

The poems were the result of creative writing workshops led by the Hennepin County Library System.

Hennepin County inmates recently attended a series of three creative writing workshops led by the Hennepin County Library at the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility (ACF). The inmates' poems have been collected in a published collection called “Poems from the Inside.”  Ninety-five inmates signed up for the workshops led by creative writing instructor Steve Healey, according to a news release from the Hennepin County Library system. "Each workshop included an exercise designed to help the participants write poetry, such as using narrative or storytelling to write a poem, or repetition to emphasize ideas or images, or writing a poem to a specific person," according to the news release. Healey said, “Many of the men and women I’ve …

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Hennepin County Libraries Will Be Closed July 4

If you want to check out the latest bestseller, you’ll have to pick it up before or after Independence Day.

The libraries in the Hennepin County system will be closed on Wednesday, the Fourth of July. They will be open regular hours July 3 and July 5. For hours at each library and more information, see the links below:

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Want Some Used Library Furniture?

Hennepin County Library furniture is up for online auction through June 19.

Hennepin County Purchasing and Contract Services periodically hosts auctions of county items that are no longer needed. There is an online auction of library furniture going on now through the website Municibid.com scheduled through Tuesday, June 19. The 19 items for sale include many different sizes of library chairs and tables. The county has seen a significant increase in the number of items to be auctioned off, according to Senior Contract Services Analyst Jacki Boeke.  “It’s an easy process,” says Boeke. “Anyone can go to the website and click on ‘stores,’ then the Hennepin County icon.” To bid on an item, you must first register. For further information on all auctions conducted by the county, go to the Hennepin County website or …

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Hennepin County Offers Classes for Recycling, Reducing Waste

Looking to become a little greener at home? A series of Hennepin County Library classes might help.

Learn how you can help the environment by recycling more and reducing waste in this series offered at the Hennepin County libraries. For details and to register, visit www.hclib.org, keyword search “Master Recycler” under events and classes tab, or call the library. Classes will be taught by Hennepin County Master Recyclers.  Recycling Learn what can and can’t be recycled and where can you find new homes for your unwanted stuff. Green celebrations Learn how you can reduce the amount of waste created from entertaining with a little planning ahead of time. Curbside Challenge Learn how to reduce your household garbage down to one curbside-can a month. Editor's note: Information provided by Hennepin County.

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What's Open and Closed on MLK Day?

The federal holiday is pushing back a St. Louis Park City Council meeting one night.

With today being Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr., Day, a number of places in St. Louis Park are closed. A quick look at notable closures: Remaining open locally are major grocery stores, such as Cub Foods. With banks, it is best advised to check ahead of time. Metro Transit buses and trains will be on their regular weekday schedules. Know of other closures, including at local businesses? Add them to the comments below.

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Hennepin County Library's Twitter Account Restored

Library officials say their account was hacked Wednesday morning.

(Update) July 7, 1:40 p.m. — The library's Twitter account is back up and running. After temporarily switching over to a new account, staff has restored the library's previous page, @hclib. Still no word on who hacked the account, and how. July 6 — Hennepin County Library's Twitter account was apparently hacked on Wednesday by an unknown party who proceeded to post a variety of "non-library" messages. Ali Turner, division manager for communications and community engagement with the library system, said the account was broken into early in the day. Library officials became aware the account had been compromised when they saw messages popping up online that weren't from Hennepin County Libraries. "We've taken the link down from our website …

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Snapshot: St. Louis Park

Bookworms Come in All Sizes

The St. Louis Park Library is a popular spot as some people seek to escape the winter weather.

The St. Louis Park Library and the rest of the Hennepin County library system offers a variety of resources and activities for people of any age, including youngsters like Audrey and Claire Hough.

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Twins Stadium Tax to Fund St. Louis Park Ballfield Improvements

Rotary Northside Park is getting $200,000 for the second straight year.

Amid all the controversy several years ago over a special sales tax in Hennepin County to fund the Twins’ new Target Field, little notice was given to a provision that required portions of the tax be returned to local communities for an array of projects, such as funding for youth programs and libraries. Last week, several local municipalities — including St. Louis Park — were the beneficiaries of that mandate. For the second year in a row, St. Louis Park received an annual allotment from the county of $200,000, which will be earmarked for improvements at Rotary Northside Park at Louisiana Avenue and Cedar Lake Road. City parks and recreation director Cindy Walsh said the funds have been, and will be, used to make several noticeable …

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