Hassler to be featured at library advocates' event

"Library Advocacy -- A day for library friends, trustees/board members and Jon Hassler fans" will be Wednesday at The Ramada Inn, Brainerd.

The event is sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Library Friends and Minnesota Library Trustees Association: Minnesota Library Association.

Events will begin at 10 a.m. with "Be Prepared for Success," discussing membership, fund-raising and other issues for area Friends' organizations. Topics will include recruiting new leadership, energizing new members to give of their time, grant writing and fund-raising. Sample materials are welcome.

Presenters will be Ruth Solie, director, Detroit Lakes Public Library; Muriel Mollberg, president, Friends of the Becker County Library; Chris Olson, executive director, Cooperating Libraries in Consortium and board member, Minnesota Association of Library Friends.

After a lunch buffet at 12:30 p.m., "Why Jon Hassler is an Important Author" will be the topic, covering the beliefs, writing, talent and wit of Minnesota novelist Hassler. The presentation by Joe Plut, English and Humanities instructor at Central Lakes College, Brainerd, and actor and former teaching colleague of Hassler, is based on interviews and the first-ever college course studying Hassler's nine novels.

The 1:30 p.m. workshop, "Library Advocacy Now!" will feature effective advocacy, training materials to share with others, Library Legislative Day on March 21 at the state Capitol or in each community, and developing a grassroots network of library advocates ready, willing and able to speak out for America's libraries.

Presenters (trained by The American Library Association) will be Audrey Betcher, acting director, Rochester Public Library; James Wroblewski, executive director, Metropolitan Library Service Agency; and Carol Zinda, Science and Engineering Library, University of Minnesota.

Meal reservation must be received by Monday. Registration fee includes any part of the events. To register, send name, address, phone, e-mail and check payable to MALF in the amount of $10 to: Minnesota Association of Library Friends, 1619 Dayton Ave. Suite 314, St. Paul, MN 55104. For online or fax registration and fee payment Monday, contact Barb Byers/MALF, (651) 227-0845, Fax (651) 227-2787 or Connie Crane/MLTA, (320) 252-0184.