Welcome to Kenmare

Feature Stories (Vol. 109 No. 23--6/06/2007)

Kenmare Library marks 10th year in "new" quarters

By Caroline Downs

Kenmare's book stop . . . Pauline Nielsen, left, Kenmare Branch librarian, and Jan Murphy, Ward County Public LIbrary administrator, take a moment to look over two library titles that focus on local history while standing in front of the crowded shelf that holds new books. The Kenmare Branch Library has served readers for 10 years in its present location on the west side of the Kenmare Memorial Hall.

Ten years ago, the Kenmare Branch of the Ward County Library moved into its new space in the Memorial Hall, much to the delight of librarian Pauline Nielsen.

"We didn’t have our own phone," she said. "We didn’t have our own restroom."

The new quarters have served the library well, as the Kenmare Branch continues to be one of the most active sites of the Ward County Public Library system. According to the county library’s 2006 annual report, patrons circulated 26,499 items from the Kenmare Branch, or a quarter of the more than 105,000 items checked out countywide, including the desk at the headquarters library in Minot (11,167 items) and the Bookmobile visits throughout Ward and Mountrail counties (67,550).

Nielsen believes the location has increased interest in the library. "We have a lot more patrons who check out more books," she said. "And people who have lived here for years are now starting to use the library." She sees an average of 30 people each day the doors are open, coming from Bowbells, Powers Lake, Tolley, Lostwood and Flaxton as well as Kenmare.

Jan Murphy, Ward County Public Library administrator, said the number of Kenmare Branch patrons has grown from 683 to 870 during the past 10 years. Monthly circulation has averaged 2000 items over that decade. "It seems this could be kind of a gauge as to whether Kenmare itself is growing, declining or staying the same," she said.

With three computers available in the present location for public use, the Kenmare branch drew 890 Internet users last year. Nielsen said she averages seven people a day on the computers. "The hunters come in to check their email," she said, "and in the summer, there are more travelers and kids."

Along with its own telephone and restroom, the new location allowed the Kenmare Branch to display and offer videos, DVDs and books on tape and CD for patrons, and to circulate more magazines. "We’re also involved in more things with the community," Nielsen said, listing the children’s games and activities the library sponsors both for Crazy Days and the annual Toy Show. "We never had done that before."

The library has also expanded its selection of materials for children and adults, including large print books. "What we don’t have, we try to get through Ward County or the North Dakota state lending library," Nielsen said.

When she isn’t busy filling requests for patrons--stacks of materials literally pile up on a shelf behind her desk--Nielsen stays busy getting other folks interested in what the library provides. She hosts residents of the Baptist Home on Wednesdays and offers Story Hour every Thursday morning, then visits the Little Learners Preschool class when those kids cannot come to her. She organizes a Read Across America event with the elementary teachers every March, reads once a month with the kindergarten students, and arranges a school visit by the Bookmobile each year.

Last summer, the Kenmare Branch hosted two discussions in the "North Dakota Reads" program sponsored by the North Dakota Humanities Council. And every July, boxes of books looking for new homes line the sidewalk for the library’s used book sale on Crazy Day, which will be held July 12th this year.

Nielsen credits the library’s success to the patrons and community groups. "We’ve got a lot of good support," she said. "We’re lucky."

Murphy agreed. "When I go to library convention and compare Kenmare library to other libraries of its size in the state, it’s definitely one of the more active," she said. "There’s very good city support here."

In fact, the circulation and activity at the Kenmare Branch directly influence the rest of the Ward County system. "I’ve noticed over the years that...it changed our purchasing policy," Murphy said. "We purchase what the Kenmare patrons want, and they demand the latest!"

Murphy, Nielsen, and substitute librarian Christie Condit are satisfied with current location of the Kenmare Branch. However, they would like to see another expansion, if possible, to promote more use and programs at the library.

"I wish we had more space here for sitting and reading, sitting and visiting," Murphy said. "The library itself is big enough for the traffic [we have], but not big enough for extra events."

Although the current schedule appears busy, Nielsen and Murphy are always open to requests and new ideas. "Please contact us with any suggestions," Murphy said.

Nielsen can be reached at the Kenmare Branch on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in person or by calling 385- 4090. Murphy is available at the Ward County Public Library by phone at 1-800-932-8932 or by email at library@co.ward.nd.us.

"We will continue to provide services as the community wants," Murphy said, "and look for ways to be involved in the community."

Summer Reading program begins
One of the beloved activities offered by the Kenmare Branch, the summer reading program, has just started again as readers are invited to "Get a Clue @ Your Library."

Super sleuths and daring detectives are invited to explore all the mysteries of the library by signing up for the program at the Kenmare Branch. Nielsen will provide a weekly packet of reading coupons that designate the amount of time spent reading. Each coupon returned to the library serves as an entry for weekly prizes, with the grand prizes drawn from all the "Get a Clue" entries.

The Kenmare Branch has teamed up with Ward County Public Library and Bookmobile, Minot Public Library and KXMC to sponsor the program for local readers. Grand prizes include a pool party, a Roosevelt Park Zoo membership, a $100 Target gift card, and four bicycles, including bikes donated by Kenmare’s Vets Gaming.

Readers at the Kenmare Branch will have their own fun with the summer theme. Nielsen has planned a few treasure hunts, with clues hidden around the library, and she will highlight mystery stories for all ages. "From Nate the Great up to Nancy Drew and even Hank the Cowdog," she said. "There are all kinds of mysteries!"

The program continues through the week of August 5th. Readers who are ready to "Get a Clue" and puzzle out the mystery of great books just need to sign up with Nielsen at the Kenmare Branch Library.