Library Happenings

Henning School

According to Loonproject.org, “The Loon Project is a scientific investigation of population dynamics, reproductive success, and territorial behavior of common loons in the Upper Midwest.  There are approximately 105-110 marked breeding pairs in Wisconsin and 105-110 marked breeding pairs in Minnesota, located in Crow Wing and Cass counties.  This study began in 2021 and originally focused on territorial and nesting behaviors but has recently put attention on conservation.  

As stated on Loonproject.org, “Few wild creatures are so well loved as the common loon. Considering their status as a symbol of the northern wilderness, one might expect that we would know a great deal about loons. But it is not so. Despite the abundance of loon-themed currency, mugs, sweatshirts, hats, jewelry, and mailboxes, we know rather little about many basic aspects of loon biology.Our ignorance of loon populations and what sustains them is especially poor. 

“We know that huge numbers of adult loons die each year in Wisconsin and Minnesota after ingesting lead sinkers. We know that eagles kill some adults and chicks. In recent years, we have detected two more worrisome population-level patterns. Black flies, whose populations have increased in recent years, are sharply reducing the number of offspring that breeding pairs of loons produce in the Upper Midwest.  Declining water clarity in Wisconsin lakes during the past decade has reduced the ability of loon parents to feed their young and raise them to fledgling age. Still, we are not yet certain which of these causes — or what combination of them — can be linked to the population decline we have detected. Without knowing precisely what is causing the Upper Midwest loon population to fall, we cannot put together a plan to save it.”  

Being focused on loon conservation, because of the rapid decline in loons, the Loon Project has findings that are of great value. Loons were once believed to have mated for life, this is not the case, but both the male and female will return to the same lake or portion of a lake year after year and enjoy long lives.  It has also been discovered that nest sites are actually chosen by the male loon.  If you would like more information on how you can help the Loon population, please go to www.Loonproject.org.

“Finding Family, The Duckling Raised by Loons” written by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated byAlexandria Neonakis is our featured book of the week.  When this book came to the library, I read it to grades preschool through 4th grade. The students could not believe it when I told them this was a true story. Two Loon parents had sat on their eggs until they hatched.  

After a very short time, the two loon chicks were missing and a single  Mallard chick was floating nearby.  The loons adopted the Mallard duckling.  Overtime scientists watched as the mallard duckling took on many qualities of the loons, from what it ate to how it rode on its parents back.  Loons and Mallards are not relatives, they are natural enemies Loons and Mallards try to drive each other off of “their” lakes.  Loons commonly have 1-2 chicks in a family whereas 13 chicks is common for the Mallard family. This is a very cute book and worth the time to read it. 

Come on up to the Henning Public School Library and let us help you locate a wonderful book written by, or illustrated by a Minnesotan, or any number of topics about Minnesota.

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