Library Happenings

Henning School

Growing up next to the biggest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River had many advantages.  Just like living here in Minnesota amongst all these beautiful lakes, opportunities were all around to be on the water as well as in the water. I spent many hours on docks and boats, pontoons, and floaties, as well as wading along the shoreline, but I never learned how to swim and coupled with the fact that I fell off a dock into the water at age two, I have a high fear of water.  Which makes no sense as to why I would be so interested in shipwrecks.  

I love to watch stories of shipwreck recoveries and see all the lost treasures that are laying at the bottom of the lakes and oceans. A friend of mine and her son took scuba diving lessons together and I loved to hear every detail. 

A student asked me one day what animal I would like to be if I could choose and I replied, “I want to say an Eagle because they are so majestic and strong, but I think I would choose to be a dolphin because then I would know what it felt like to be able to swim!”  

I see these amazing ships carrying heavy cargo floating on the water and how I wish to know that feeling of floating, safely, on water.

Our featured book this week is “Shipwrecks Along Lake Superior’s North Shore” by Stephen B. Daniel.  

The back of the book jacket states “Beneath the icy waters of Lake Superior lies a vast museum of maritime treasures, relics, and souls that in years past were lost to the crashing waves of this massive body of water. Today, those who remain on the surface can glimpse some of this sunken bounty, but most of it is accessible only to those who slip into scuba gear and  brave the darkness of the deep.  In Shipwrecks Along Lake Superior’s North Shore, veteran diver Stephen B. Daniel, in collaboration with the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society, provides in-depth tours of the many sunken ships submerged in the waters of this region of Lake Superior.  Readers will not only learn the maritime history and structural details of the original vessels, they’ll also find the fascinating stories of the wrecks themselves-how they happened, what actions were taken to save both crews and vessels, and the modern day efforts to preserve those sites.  With detailed descriptions and hundreds of photographs, charts, and diagrams that will impress even the most seasoned diver, this book will appeal equally to anyone who has ever wondered what nautical mysteries lie beneath the waves of the greatest of the Great Lakes.”

The State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society has awarded the Henning Public School Library a grant in the amount of $9,325. This grant will provide over 449 books to the Henning Public School Library.

This  grant helps provide a quality learning experience for our local Minnesotans by providing exemplary library bound (as much as possible) books that feature depictions of various aspects of the State of Minnesota.  Students will develop knowledge, skills, and understanding about many areas of Minnesota by reading about Minnesota, its geography, heritage, culture, people, landforms, arts, sports, and more.  Books will be purchased for all ages of people who frequent the library.  

This grant will help represent diverse ethnicities and people as we are purchasing books that feature a wide variety of people who have contributed to Minnesota. In addition, because Minnesota history is a vital component of our middle school curriculum, we want a strong selection of books that depict Minnesota history, industries, contemporary Minnesotans, immigration, the contributions of indigenous people, Minnesota authors/illustrators, and state bird/fish/foods, etc.