The Shakopee branch of the Scott County Library System is sponsoring a wreath fundraiser to to raise necessary funds for a matching grant for a children’s play area.

The library received a grant from the Minnesota Children’s Museum with funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund for a Smart Play Spot,an interactive “play and learn” exhibit specially designed for children birth to early elementary. The Smart Play Spot will be installed in the children’s area on the main floor of the library. Fulfillment of this grant is contingent upon the library raising a matching $20,000.

The library is requesting wreaths to auction off in a silent auction. Interested parties should create a wreath based on their favorite book or an important document. These wreaths will be displayed at the Shakopee Library for silent auction bidding beginning Monday, Nov. 26 through Saturday, Dec 1. Winners will be announced early the following week.

If you are interested in creating a wreath for the silent auction, please use an 18- to 24-inch artificial evergreen wreath as the base. Completed wreaths should be dropped off at the Shakopee Library prior to Nov. 25. (The library will be closed Nov. 22-23 for the Thanksgiving holiday).

People can also sponsor a wreath for $20. They should let the library know what book or document the wreath should represent.

Some examples of wreath designs:

“Freight Train” by Donald Crews: decorate wreath with toy trains in the colors of the rainbow.

“Essentials of Cooking” by James Peterson: decorate wreath with wooden spoons, measuring spoons, etc.

“NYPD Red” by James Patterson: decorate in shades of red (could include toy badges)

“Time Keeper” by Mitch Albom: decorate with clocks

“Angels at the Table” by Debbie Macomber: decorate with Angels