With the addition of a newly designed children’s area, there are even more reasons for patrons to visit the Clearwater Library.

“I saw the need to get all the children’s items in the same area,” said Librarian Cyrene Bastien. “We’ve been in this space for seven years now and I felt it was time to make a change.” 

She spoke with her supervisor about different possibilities and he told her to ‘dream big.’ After watching how patrons were using the library, Bastien created a plan and presented it to the Clearwater Area Friends of the Library.

With their support the children’s area was redesigned, with the original reading and play area opening up and leading to a larger area that now holds the rest of the juvenile collection that was scattered around the library before.

Bastien also made room for a ‘discovery table,’ where every month a new STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) related item will be placed to draw children into the new area to see what’s new.

While talking to Bastien about her new plans one day, patron and Clearwater resident Megan Larson told her she enjoyed painting murals and would love to create one in the new children’s space. She presented a half dozen ideas to Bastien who choose one that included animals and a pond.

“I used some of my favorite illustrators for inspiration for the animals,” said Larson. “I used all Minnesota animals, and each of them is reading a book that is tied to them.” (Such as a fish in the pond reading One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss).

During the week that it took her to paint the mural, kids that came into the library gave her ideas on which books to use.

An added benefit to moving the juvenile collection to the other side of the library was that Bastien was able to add three new shelving towers to the fiction section.

“We gained over 100 linear feet for fiction and an additional 45 linear feet for the audio book collection, which a big draw,” said Bastien. “We were also able to increase the DVD section.”

Bastien expressed how grateful the entire library staff was to the Clearwater Area Friends of the Library for their support in making the new area happen, and to the volunteers who helped shift all the books to different shelving units.

“We’re over the moon with the new look,” she said. “It’s a win, win, win.”

The Clearwater and Becker libraries have a number of events for all ages coming up in October. Minnesota author Lorna Landvik will be speaking at both libraries; Oct. 19 in Clearwater and Oct. 21 in Becker.

Becker has another Escape Room event Oct. 7 and a speaker on the Mississippi River  Oct. 31 called ‘Journey Down the River.’ Clearwater has an art event, ‘Baubles and Buttons,’ Oct. 5, and Clearwater firefighters are bringing one of their fire trucks  Oct. 12 and will be speaking about their job and the dangers of firefighting.

Both libraries have fun Halloween events for patrons to attend also. From Oct. 14 to the 26 Becker is hosting the Great Pumpkin Hunt, and Oct. 26 Clearwater is offering Spooky Storytime.

Becker and Clearwater Libraries are part of Great River Regional Library system (GRRL). To register or for more information on upcoming events at the Becker and Clearwater Public Libraries, visit your local library or griver.org.