We recently sat down with Library Director Michelle Seil to discuss how this unique rural library provides everything from high-tech Makerspaces to fun youth robotics clubs.
How long have you been the director at the library, and what drew you to it?
I have been library director for 6 1/2 years. I was a school librarian before that and have loved books since I was young. After I retired from teaching, I was asked to apply for this position. I like to see people of all ages and to read such a wide variety of books.
What is unique about the Carrington library?
Carrington’s library is unique because it is one of the few city libraries in rural North Dakota. Most small libraries are county libraries. It’s also very unique in the amount of space we have. The building used to be a grocery store! We have a large library area, but we also have a reading room, a Makerspace room, lots of storage, and the community room that we can use for meetings and activities, and that we can rent out for showers, parties, graduations, etc. We host a number of activities during the week catching all age groups, including Reading Club, Coffee Klatsch, Toddler Story Time, Homeschool Power Hour, After School crafts and games, and Robotics Club. It’s unusual for a small rural library to have the variety of resources we have, including STEAM-to-Go kits, robotics, games and activities for all ages, learning tablets, Wonderbooks (audio and print books together), a 3D printer, etc.
How do Dakota Central’s services help the organization?
We use Dakota Central’s telephone service, and are able to utilize the state network for internet service in cooperation with North Dakota Information Technology Department. Assisting patrons who call is still one of our most valuable services. Patrons also use our fax services, which are provided by Dakota Central telephone. Finally, we have a complete system of security cameras, which were installed by Dakota Central staff two years ago (they were truly wonderful and very professional and knowledgeable). The cameras provide a safe and secure environment for our staff and patrons. Through Dakota Central, we can access the security system remotely should the need arise. This has been a vitally important addition to our library.
How important is it for you to work with a local company like Dakota Central?
The key to our success is being part of a community with support and partnership. We have this with Dakota Central. Their staff is part of our community and because so many of them are library supporters and users, they understand and value our role in the community. It is this support that is vital and unparalleled.
What are some future plans and activities at the library?
So much is going on! Our theme this year is Celebrating America’s Birthday. We will have a full slate of summer reading activities, including STEM, arts & robotics camps and weekly activities, movies, story times and Fun and Fit activities. We are sponsoring a writing workshop. We have two lunch and learns: “It’s a Horse, of Course” – learning about horses with Holly Inglish of Therabarn, and “Saluting our Veterans” – a panel of veterans will share their experiences. We also have a Zoom session with a paleontologist from the Dickinson Dinosaur Museum. The new story walk will be in place in Carrington, and we’ll be sharing stories written by and artwork created by our local youth, stories, and information about local and North Dakota history, and our state’s importance in the nation. We have also been selected as a site to host the Freedom 250 Traveling Museum. Five semis packed with information about our nation’s history will be in Carrington at Arrowood Prairie Co-op June 17-19 (during the county fair). It’s free! And we’re hoping people from all around will visit the museum and celebrate our history and freedoms.
