What a fantastic group of volunteens at the Rosemount Parade!

Temps in the mid-90s and a heat index of 102 degrees, didn't stop the Library Reading Divas from participating in the annual City of Rosemount parade!

Three volunteens arrived to help decorate the carts and to learn the book cart drill team routine.




The Bookmobile was one of the last entries in the parade, so there was a lot of hurry up and wait going on, but that didn't stop these Divas from smiling! Finally, almost an hour after the parade began, it was our turn. Four of the Divas pushed the carts, while other Divas passed out candy to the parade goers and spritzed the Divas with water to help them keep their cool during the parade.

The group, led by veteran Divas Laura and Linda, marched in front of the Bookmobile, stopping on occasion to perform the ever popular pinwheel book cart maneuver, complete with a surprise "shhhhh" to the audience!

As usual, a Library Reading Divas Book Cart Drill Team was a hit with the parade goers.

Macy's Media Event - changes and updates

More changes are underway for the Library Reading Diva's appearance at the August 17 media event. Remember, the media event is the announcement of the new Museum Adventure Pass program that will be available at all metro area libraries in early September and only the media will be invited to this one.

While the Library Reading Divas Book Cart Drill Team concept peeked Macy's interest, there was a concern raised that the our formalwear "costumes" will not be instantly recognizable as LIBRARIAN and LIBRARY.

Sally, with MELSA, is meeting with them again early next week and will pitch our new idea of being dressed in stereotypical librarian attire (skirt suit or blouse and skirt, reading glasses and hair pulled into bun) to see if this would work.

I've always thought that part of the message we want to convey with the formalwear and the Library Reading Divas is "look at libraries and librarians in a new way!" We all know that we offer so much more than books! It would have been fun to continue with the "diva" theme for the media event, but I think we can make this other look fun also.

Will keep you posted as I hear more information!

Another Thank You From Festival Organizers!

In my opinion - they are a class act! I am amazed at how much fun they were to work with and how appreciative they were of our participation.

Each and every one of you helped the Reading Divas Book Cart Drill Team to sparkle! You all rock!

Updated DCL Summer Parade Information

I'm reposting this message from Diva Linda with updated information for the Hastings Rivertown Days parade - which is this Saturday, July 15 at 7 p.m. - and the Rosemount Leprechaun Days parade - which is coming up fast! It is Saturday, July 29 at 11 a.m.

If you want to volunteer, but don't wish to participate in the drill team - well, we have tasks for you too! We always need two people to carry the banner announcing who we are! And we could use someone to carry the megaphone to call out greetings and to lead the drill team. Or we could use a Diva or Dude to assist in handing out candy. Or we could have a Diva or Dude walking along side the Bookmobile greeting the crowd with waves and smiles. There's plenty to do so join us!

Greetings from Diva Linda! I have gotten quite a few phone calls and names of volunteens that want to be a part of our fabulous drill team. That is SO exciting! I would like to take a moment to mention some of the "housekeeping" for being a part of the drill team.

If you are interested in representing the library at any of the parades, please contact me. I gave you my contact information in the email messages and letters I sent to you. (I will try to answer any call "live" from 7-3:30 p.m. or leave a message 24/7 on voicemail.) If you're not sure how to get ahold of me, you can always ask your contact at the library where you signed up as a volunteen.

What do you wear for the parades? A formal or suit would be great for a diva or dude. Nothing expensive or special. Most of our gowns were bought at Goodwill. We do have some gowns that could be worn on the day of the parade. Call and check on availability a few days before the parade. We also have extra tiaras and sashes to wear as well. Otherwise, a white t-shirt and khaki pants or shorts would be appropriate.

What should you bring? Be sure to bring water and sun block (sun glasses?) as well as a smile and enthusiasm! We are representing the Dakota County Libraries.

What will you do in the parade? We will be walking the length of the parade in front of the bookmobile. We will smile and wave 'royally' at the masses gathered to catch a glimpse of us and may also PASS out candy (divas never, ever THROW candy) or carry a banner announcing that we are representing the library.

Remember, these are volunteer hours that you could use for church, school, scouts, etc. !!! We had one volunteen who volunteered as a Diva a few years ago that actually received some scholarship money for college because they were impressed with the way she choose to volunteer and do outreach to the community.

Here is the most updated schedule that we have for this summer's parades.

2006 Parade Dates
For the volunteer Reading Divas and Dudes Book Cart Drill Team

Hastings Rivertown Days Parade
Saturday, July 15
7 p.m. parade starts
Meet at the Hastings Library at 6 p.m. and ride on the Bookmobile to the parade route! The Bookmobile leaves at 6 p.m. sharp so if you're not there you'll need to meet us at the parade route.

Our unit number is 99 and we will enter the parade route on 15th Street (off of Highway 61).

The parade begins at 7 p.m. and it is a loooooooong parade - One Mile Long! - so please be sure to bring water and comfortable walking shoes.

Call the Hastings library or Linda if you have questions on the ending location of the parade.

Rosemount leprechaun Days Parade
Saturday, July 29
11:00 a.m. parade starts
10:30 a.m. line up

This community loves the library! And we love them! It is a very heavily attended parade and we want to have a huge number of Reading Divas and Dudes at this parade so please consider being a part of this one! The line up location is in the parking lot of the Rosemount High School. The lot can get very hard to get in and out of, and has very limited parking, so you may want to be dropped off or park elsewhere and walk to the line up location. The parade ends at the middle school.

Inver Grove Heights Days Parade
Saturday, September 9
11:00 a.m parade starts

More details will follow as we get them.

Another successful parade for the DCL Reading Divas

The weather this past Saturday turned out to be the perfect weather for a parade! Sunny, low 80s with a warm, gentle breeze. This parade is the shortest one of the season - only two blocks long - but filled with "throngs of well-wishers lining the streets" (per Diva Linda).

Three Library Reading Divas, along with Princess D. Clown, marched in front of the library's Bookmobile pushing their book carts abnd waving to the crowd. They also performed a few drills to the crowd's delight. The pinwheel maneuver, as usual, resulted in cheers and loud clapping to which the Divas turned to the crowd with an exaggerated "sshhhh".

Another crowd pleasing appearance by the DCL Reading Divas. Next parade is Saturday, July 15. Hope to see you there!

Book Cart Drill Team ArtMoves Parade Photos

A few photographs of the metro-wide Library Reading Diva Book Cart Drill Team in action during the Art Moves Parade. As noted on MELSA's website, John Reger from WCCO's evening news referred to the Divas as "A Crowd Favorite!"

Mendota Parade Details - Saturday, July 8

The next parade on our summer schedule will be in Mendota on Saturday, July 8. This is a great parade! Only Two blocks long but filled with throngs of well-wishers lining the street!

The parade begins at 12 noon. Please arrive for line-up between 11 and 11:30 a.m. The line up location is St. Peter's Catholic Church off of Highway 13 in Mendota.