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Hanska library meeting draws interest

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Hanska Mayor Daniel Vee talks at a Hanska City Council meeting to discuss Hanska Community Library use in the Hanska Community Center Monday.

HANSKA — More than a dozen people attended a Hanska City Council meeting to discuss the Hanska Community Library at the Hanska Community Center Monday.

Mayor Daniel Vee said the purpose of the meeting was not to close the library but to try to get more people to use it.

“I’d like to see more people use it. It’s not something you want to lose,” Vee said.

“All of us want to keep the library. Closing it was never the intent,” said city councilor Mark Strom.

A woman said she thinks kids will go outside more this summer and visit the library.

“Having a library in a town this size is a big asset,” said another woman.

Darlene Nelson said library events that drew dozens of people in recent years included a magician, illustrator from Detroit, an historian, dancers from Minneapolis, a Lower Sioux Agency group, three visits from New Ulm musician Dick Kimmel and his bluegrass band, other singers and guitarists, WCCO radio meteorologist Mike Lynch and others.

Hanska Community Library Director Lisa M. Doege wrote a two-page letter that was circulated at the meeting. Doege wrote she regretting not being at the meeting, since her child had a Minneapolis medical appointment she had to schedule months in advance.

“Interest in the library has not waned. Health concerns have simply taken priority. Story Time and Kids Night Out participation has been low and sporadic with parents stating COVID concerns,” wrote Doege.

In addition, Doege wrote that despite a nearly 50% decrease in library hours between 2019 and 2020, patrons checked out more than double the number of physical and electronic books and audiobooks, despite pandemic restrictions.

“The Hanska Community Library continues to be an important service to community members, especially in this recent time of crisis,” Doege wrote.

She added that Brown County provides more than 61% of the library annual budget.

“Last summer, business owners along Broadway participated in the library’s summer reading scavenger hunt,” Doege wrote. “The Hanska Herald featured a hidden picture for young readers to find each week throughout the summer reading program. Community members supported the library with gifts of Thrivent Action Team dollars.

“Individuals and businesses know that a library brings people downtown, gives children and youth a safe engaging place to spend free hours, and offers those without Internet service at home, WiFi access, which is good for community spirit and good for business.”

Ruth Wellmann said she believes all Minnesota library attendance is down.

“Having raised two kids here, the library was a strong resource here. My daughter volunteers at the library because it had such a strong impact on her life,” Wellmann said. “The library is an important community hub, like the post office. We just have to give the library director and library board an opportunity to keep the library. Let’s move in a positive direction.”

Councilor Strom said he thinks library numbers will pick up as more people get vaccinated and feel better about coming out.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.

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