Author: Erin Kreeger

Eleven years ago the board and staff of the Duluth Library Foundation had a lofty idea to throw a fundraiser Gala at the downtown Duluth Public Library. At the library?

Yes! Imagine black tablecloths draping every surface, with candle-light and live jazz music playing in the background. The evening features delicious appetizers, a delectable assortment of wine and beer, and best of all, an evening of dazzling interactions with the best and brightest of Duluth, with time to meet and mingle in the stacks. Thus was born Learning & Libations at the Library!

In 2022 the event took a fun and fresh twist by replacing learning breakout sessions with local beverage tasting and book pairings curated in partnership with our librarians. This new format allowed for more time for guests to learn about the essential functions of our library, discover new book recommendations from the best experts in town, and sample locally made products–all while in the company of fellow library supporters. It was a true party in the stacks!

Book and beverage pairings were all made in the theme of banned books, in observance of Banned Books Week 2022. See the full recommendation list here >

Learning & Libations at the Library was a success on all accounts — raising $50,000 and counting and fully funding the West Duluth Re-Imagined project! See photos from the evening here>  

 

The Duluth Library Foundation, founded 30 years ago to enhance the library in its work of serving the community, is pleased to announce the election of two new officers and three new members on its Board of Directors.

David Moeller was elected President of the Board of Directors. David is senior regulatory counsel at Minnesota Power/ALLETE and has served as a board member for the past 5 years. David’s family are all avid library users. He has been an active library patron since obtaining his first library card during elementary school from his hometown Carnegie Library in Luverne, Minnesota.

Matt Rosendahl was elected Vice President of the Board of Directors. Matt is the Library Director of the Kathryn A. Martin Library at the University of Minnesota Duluth and has served as a board member for the past 5 years. He co-founded the Lake Superior Libraries Symposium and is a member of the Duluth Public Library Board.

Michael Altman will continue to serve as Treasurer of the Board of Directors. Mike served for thirty-five years as a partner with Wipfli, LLP, where he focused on nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and income taxes. He has served as a board member for the past 8 years.

Joining directors David Moeller (President), Matt Rosendahl (Vice President), Michael Altman (Treasurer), David Sproat, M.D. (Past President), Jennifer Berges, Leah Fisher, Susan Goltz, M.D., Sherry Hall, JeRay Johnson, M.D., and Theresa O’Gara are:

Douglas Bremer
Doug is a Commercial Loan Officer at Members Cooperative Credit Union and has called Duluth home for more than two decades. He is an active member of the local community and has enjoyed serving on the boards of several local business and community organizations. Doug’s father was a career librarian, and his mother was an educator, so the library was an integral part of his upbringing.  Doug lives in Duluth with his wife, their three children, and their two Old English Sheepdogs. His interests include linguistics, poetry, and plant care. He also enjoys martial arts, mountain biking, and traveling with his family as much as possible.

 

Craig Chilcote
Craig is a licensed CPA and the managing partner for Anderson Kuiti & Asuma PLLC. Craig claims reading is something he couldn’t live without. He reads 4-6 books a month and has subscriptions to over 9 business publications. Away from work, you will find Craig relaxing at the cabin with his wife, Kerri, and daughter, Gwen along with their cat, Sugar, and golden doodle, Ruby.

 

 

Greg Fox
Greg was lucky enough to live near the beautiful West Duluth Library and went there to study and meet friends several times a week when he was in school. After graduating from Denfeld High School he attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and later did graduate work at the University of Washington. He returned to UMD in 1974 and began a 38-year career first as the assistant director of Continuing Education and Extension and later as the Vice-Chancellor of Finance and Operations. He has been active in the community and served as chair of the DECC board, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Goodwill Industries board, and he has co-chaired the United Way annual campaign and the Damiano Center facilities campaign. He has been married for more than 50 years to Sheila. They have two children and four grandchildren. Each week they are at Laura MacArthur Elementary School working on reading with first graders.

 

Carla Powers, Library Manager, serves as a Member Ex Officio. Erin Kreeger is the Executive Director of the Foundation.

The Foundation regretfully acknowledges the departure of board members Amy Kuronen and Gerri Williams.

 

Thank you for all that you have made possible at the library this year and beyond. We hope you have a happy New Year!    Every Child Ready Duluth This is a very exciting time for Every Child Ready Duluth as we celebrate reaching funding goals a year earlier than anticipated! Despite the many challenges of the pandemic, our community responded—we are overwhelmed by your generosity.    Hoopla Digital Coming January 1st The Duluth Public Library will be adding Hoopla Digital in the new year. The service will allow DPL cardholders to instantly read, watch, and listen to their choice of more than 950,000 titles, for free. “We are excited to add this streaming service to the Duluth Public Library’s digital offerings, thanks to funding from the Duluth Library Foundation,” said DPL Manager, Carla Powers. Find out more ›› What you made possible… When we say your donations are life-changing, we really mean it! See how your support has impacted the world around you: 150 Free Storytime Kits for interactive online storytimes for children from birth to kindergarten. Each kit includes a ladybug egg shaker, ribbon dancer, stick puppets, felt board, scarf, and a booklet of favorite songs and rhymes. Winter Reading kits for Teens available at the West Duluth Library branch. Kits come complete with a book, two crafts, and a hot chocolate packet. Perfect for a snowy winter day in Duluth! Vital library services for 1,200 plus average daily patrons. This is how many patrons visited the Duluth Public Library daily, in-person or virtually this year to explore, read, dream and gain access to vital resources. Thank you to everyone who made a gift in support of the library this year, we are so grateful for your generosity. If you would like to make a donation to support the library in 2021, there is still time. Visit our website to make a gift online. All gifts are tax-deductible.  Make a Gift Today >