This Past week I had the pleasure of attending the Minnesota Library Association Annual Conference in Mankato Minnesota. I went, representing the Friends Of The Brainerd Public Library, 4 Librarians from our Library attended as well.
I arrived on Wednesday afternoon and joined the rest of the Brainerd Group for what was called Parlor Games. A series of fun games from 6:30 – 9 pm. A mix of Balderdash, Apples to Apples, and a fun team game where we split the 90-some people in the room into two groups and we had to follow a series of clues to complete a task. It was fun!
On Thursday, along with hour-long sessions for the Librarians to choose from, there was an additional amount of sessions that were Friends Of The Library related. I had a list of choices for each hour, and spent my first hour of the day at the Library Friends Idea exchange. I picked up ideas there like a 5k, scholarship offering for seniors, character events for children, and more.
I spent the second hour of my day in the same room listening to the author of Beyond Book Sales, Susan Dowd, speak about the things the Friends groups can do to raise finds beyond the books. How to build membership, how to be listed in a will…
At 11:15 I went to a different room, a room where I would be speaking. Our local event that started in 2013 was up for an award for Best New Friends Event. This was exciting! I was up against a group who added on to their children’s area at their library and a Great Gatsby Event that raised $47,000. I was sure Gatsby had it. There would be two runner ups that would receive $250 each, and then the winner, who would receive the plaque and a thousand dollar check for their friends.
Each of us had ten minutes to talk about our project. In the end…
Friends Of The Brainerd Public Library took Best Project! I could not believe it!
Holy Smokes batman!!!!
The day then went to lunch where Tod Bol,the creator of Little Free Libraries spoke. It was really interesting to hear how this wave of little book exchanges have popped up all over the world! I did not realize Tod was from Wisconsin.
After lunch, Laurel from our Library spoke on Social Media and her talk was very interesting! After listening to her, I have some work to do. 🙂
All in all, a great couple of days hanging out in a Bookish World, just the way I like it 😉
I am adding this to Saturday Snapshot. Please check out what others are posting in pictures this Saturday. I am off to work with bees this morning and then home to work on my house… tomorrow, starts another adventure 😉
Book Journey 
Congratulations, Sheila!
Woo Hoo! Congratulations!
Congratulations on winning your project. Sounds like you had fun. Way to go.
Congrats on the win! Sounds like a fun event.
Sheila, I love EVERYthing about this post! My heart lifted as I kept reading about the wonderful things that take place at this conference, the whole “library kindred spirit” thing, and then I actually got choked up when I read about your award (I’m not one for awards so much, but the recognition of your hard work—and the wonderful prize!). Great stuff. How joyful! Congrats to all of you! 🙂
Thank you 🙂 We have a wonderful team that made this event successful. I wish my co-chair could have been there with me!
Sounds like you had a great time!
Thank you Kate 🙂 It was amazing!
Congratulations on your award! I’m sure you’ll put the prize money to good use.
It looks like the conference was inspiring to you and also lots of fun.
My Saturday Snapshots are from the Cinque Terre.
Good for you! Congratulations.
And it was so cool to hear the founder of the Little Library movement speak at the Yexas Library Association last spring.
Here’s my Saturday Snapshot.
really interesting!
Congratulations to you and your library, Sheila!. I know you put tons of work in your Wine and Words Event!.. Extra special to be recognized for it!
Congratulations Sheila! Have a great weekend.
Congratulations on your win! Sounds like you had a great conference.
Congrats on winning Best Project! You’ve put a lot into that — so great that it got recognition.
I adore my state’s library conference. So glad that you had fun at yours.
Congratulations on your award! I would have loved to hear the Little Free Library speaker. My sister has a library in front of her house in VT, and I contribute lots of my books after I’ve read them.