Library news

We miss you, library patrons, but we still have plenty to offer while we are all sheltering at home.

Many of these web pages require a library card, but don’t worry, if you don’t have a card you can apply for one online. There is a link on the card catalog page on our website, http://www.cloquetlibrary.org.

Check out our web page for links to great resources for learning and entertainment.

• Ebooks: Overdrive/Libby are the same thing but Libby is a friendlier interface. You will need your library card to access ebooks and audiobooks. When downloading audiobooks, you are sometimes given a choice to download an MP3 file. Be sure you have an MP3 player to do this. Usually you will want to download the WAV files to most devices.

• Ebooks Minnesota: This is an online ebook collection for all Minnesotans. The collection covers a wide variety of subjects for readers of all ages, and features content from our state’s independent publishers, including some of our best literature and nonfiction. Ebooks Minnesota is brought to you by Minitex and made possible in part by funding from the Minnesota Department of Education through a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This site requires you to set up a profile but doesn’t require a library card.

• Magazines: Requires a library card. RBdigital’s eMagazines offer full-color, iterative digital magazines for anytime, anywhere reading on desktops, mobile devices, and apps. Library patrons can browse the collection of over 120 popular magazines with no holds, no checkout periods, and no limit to the number of magazines you can download at no cost.

• Homework Help: Check out BrainFuse. Ask questions, talk to real-time experts, 24 hour writing lab, tutorials and more. A library card is required.

• JobFuse: Live help with interview coaching, resume experts and job search and assistance tools.

• KidZone: Along with our great collection of Tumble Books, online books for kids, there is also a great set of story time videos read by authors and celebrities. There is more homework help and free online class links on this page as well. Library cards are not required for most of these sites.

Our youth services librarian has some book talks and library information for teens on Instagram.

Mail-a-book, Interlibrary Loan and our curbside pick-up services have been suspended. Any holds that have been placed on our online catalog will not be filled until at least May 4 depending on when the governor lifts the “Shelter in Place” order.

There are more resources available on our website as well as links to local and state government information, genealogical research and health information.

Our Wi-Fi service is active and available in our parking lot. No password is required. Please use this resource responsibly and be aware that it is illegal to download copyrighted materials such as music or movies.

Once the City of Cloquet allows the staff back into the library, we will again be offering our curbside pick-up. This service allows residents to call the library at 218-879-1531 or place a hold for Cloquet Public Library materials on our online catalog. We will retrieve the materials within an hour, check them out to your library card and place them in plastic bags in our lobby for you to pick up during the hours of 9:30 am to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until noon. We will also offer printing from your device and copying in our lobby during that time period.

Since March 17, all fines for overdue and lost fees have been suspended. Due dates on materials have been extended until May 2. Materials may be returned in our book drop but materials will not be checked in during the stay-at-home order. Your returned items will still show up on your account until we return to the library.

The library staff has received a lot of support from the Cloquet community and greatly appreciates the opportunity to serve. We look forward to returning soon.

Stay safe and be well.

Writer Beth Sorenson is the director of the Cloquet Public Library.