- In-person programs and events will be posted on the Events Calendar.
- Some libraries are offering Take & Make activities and other fun for pick-up--you can find these on our Events Calendar, or programs happening on Zoom. Find details for registering for these on our online Events Calendar.
- Activities and reading tracking are also available via the Beanstack app or website. Learn more about Beanstack here.
- Below are some virtual events you can enjoy from home.
Past events and videos available:
Belgrade/Paynesville Travel Pocket Tutorial video
Learn a few easy stitching and embroidery techniques with this felt pocket kit. Pick up kits at the library while supplies last. For teens and adults. First come, first served. Watch the travel pocket tutorial video on Facebook.
Moon & Stars Origami Tutorial for Belgrade Public Library
The Lyrid Meteor Shower will appear this year (2020) on April 16-25. Get in a stargazing mood and learn a bit of origami (paper folding) art by creating your own moon and stars to decorate your space. For teens and adults. While supplies last. Watch the Moon & Stars Origami tutorial video on Facebook.
Artists and Creatives Workshop Series with Central Minnesota Arts Board
Building your Audience, Branding & Social Media with Scarlette Revolver
4-session virtual series explored strategies to:
- Cultivate your audience
- Find a niche for your work
- Build a personal brand
- Promote and sell work through social media
Scarlette Revolver practices as a performing artist, visual artist, and tattooer. A self-proclaimed jack of all trades and master of none. A peculiar combination of a daydreaming adventurer and an organized spreadsheet lover. They are an arts entrepreneurship consultant and teacher; they also teach mindfulness & self-compassion as Hot Mess Mindfulness.
Co-sponsored by the Great River Regional Library and the Central MN Arts Board. Made possible by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Sessions were free but had a limited number of spaces available.
Past programs:
•Fringe Earrings• A Kit by Tawny Trottier Cale
Learn how to create beautiful, beaded fringe earrings with this craft kit with instructions and video by Tawny Trottier Cale, an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe as well as a descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and the Spirit Lake Nation. She loves to share her beadwork knowledge with others, creating custom beadwork with her sisters as Sister Beads. Create one pair of pierced earrings per kit with printed and video instructions which you can wear or gift. For ages 15 to adult. Limit 150. Colors may vary. Made possible with Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Funds.
- Kits can be picked up at your library
- Video with instructions is on YouTube.
One Book Sixth Chapter Author Discussion event Featuring Kao Kalia Yang
One Book Sixth Chapter Virtual Author Discussion
Featuring Kao Kalia Yang Thursday, December 9, 2020 | 7:00 p.m. CST
Free
Kao Kalia Yang took part in a statewide discussion about her book The Song Poet: Memoirs of My Father, the sixth featured title in our statewide bookclub. Download the free eBook and audiobook.
Moving Words Author Panel Discussion by Minnesota Book Awards - Thursday, Oct. 21, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a lively virtual discussion with three Minnesota Book Award-winning authors: Cary Griffith, Sue Leaf, and Jonathan Slaght. Moving Words is an opportunity for writers and readers to explore various themes together: the impact of literature in their lives, their connection as fellow Minnesotans, and the lens through which we read. Event is for adults. Made possible with Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Funds. Please let us know your thoughts on the panel discussion via our feedback form link.
Doug Ohman, Pioneer Photography Presentations
Join author, photographer, and storyteller extraordinaire Doug Ohman for these upcoming presentations! Delivered via Zoom, the event was a fun presentation for others who love to learn about Minnesota's history and landscape. If you attended one of these or his previous virtual events, please let us know your thoughts on our feedback form. Made possible with Minnesota’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Funds.
Leather Bracelets: a kit by Jen Anfinson
Leather jewelry is all the rage! Create a leather bracelet with this kit by Jen Anfinson. Colors and styles will vary. For ages 15 to adult. Limit 70.
Kits can be picked up at your library now. Instruction video is available to watch on YouTube.
The event was made possible with Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. Please let us know your thoughts on the kit through our legacy programs feedback form!
Tie-Dye Totes Tutorial for Belgrade & Paynesville Public Library
Got your reserved kit from the library? Great! Let's get crafting! Follow along to create your tie-dye tote with supplies from your kit.
Dying tip: Remember to tie those rubber bands tight to prevent the dye from soaking under! Watch the tie-dye totes tutorial on Facebook.
Indigenous Loop Earrings with Sister Beads: a jewelry kit by Tawny Trottier Cale
This program is now full and kits are available for pick-up! Learn how to create beautiful, beaded loop earrings with this craft kit with instructions and video by Tawny Trottier Cale, an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe as well as a descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and the Spirit Lake Nation. She loves to share her beadwork knowledge with others, creating custom beadwork with her sisters as Sister Beads. Create one pair of pierced earrings per kit with the video instructions on YouTube. This program was made possible with Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Funds. Leave your thoughts on our feedback form link!
The Art of Tying Knots: a Macramé kit by artist Jen Anfinson
This program is now full and kits are available for pick-up! - The vintage art of macramé has made a comeback! Learn the basic knots of macramé and create a trendy micro macramé zipper pull with this fun kit from artist Jen Anfinson, which includes all materials, instructions + a step-by-step video (on YouTube). Note: colors provided will vary. This program was made possible with Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Funds. Please let us know your thoughts on the knot kit through our feedback form!
Other Past Performances
#OneBookMN - author Pete Hautman
The newest One Book, One Minnesota title is author Pete Hautman's "Slider." The statewide event featured author Pete Hautman in conversation with moderator Alayne Hopkins of the Minnesota Center for the Book happened on Wednesday, April 2, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Watch the conversation on Youtube.
Moving Words: Writers Across Minnesota
Great River Regional Library's Moving Words presentation with the St. Paul Friends of the Library turned virtual for 2020! Catch the discussion panel on YouTube with Minnesota Book Award-winning authors Shannon Gibney, Geoff Herbach, Bao Phi and Christopher P. Lehman. This project was funded in part with Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
Journey Down the Mississippi, Parts 1, 2 and 3!
Presented by Minnesota author/photographer, Doug Ohman, take a journey down the Mississippi River and get inspired to explore nature in your own part of Minnesota! The entire three-part series can be watched on YouTube.
Journey Down the Mississippi - Part 1: The First 400 Miles
Journey Down the Mississippi - Part 2: From Little Falls to St. Paul (August 7th, 2020)
Journey Down the Mississippi - Part 3: From St. Paul to the Minnesota/Iowa border (August 17th, 2020)
If you have viewed any of these programs, we'd love to hear from you on our feedback form! Let us know your thoughts to help us plan future events.
Minneapolis Guitar Quartet Virtual Concert - Saturday, June 20, 4:00 p.m.
Join the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet for a concert--virtually!
Program includes pieces by Joaquin Rodrigo, Prince, and special arrangements by MGQ member Maja Radovanlija. The concert event has passed, but can still be watched on YouTube (make sure to sign-in on YouTube first). This concert was made possible with funding from the Minnesota Arts Board and Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. If you've viewed this program, we'd love to get your feedback on the virtual concert through our feedback form!
#OneBookMN programs
Tune in via our Facebook page or watch below.
Author Talk with Kate DiCamillo
Thanks for reading together, Minnesota--now meet the author! Kate DiCamillo will host a statewide virtual discussion about her book "Because of Winn-Dixie," the first featured title in our statewide book club, One Book | One Minnesota. Kate will be in conversation with Saint Paul Public Librarian Eric Byrd, answering questions from readers across Minnesota in this one-of-a-kind event. This even has now passed, but you can still watch the archived discussion on YouTube.
Meet the Finalists Panels from the Minnesota Book Awards
The Minnesota Books Awards hosted video panels of all the finalists for each category. You can view these in the playlist on YouTube. You can find all the finalist and winning books in this list, available for request and curbside pickup at all locations.
Genealogy Basics
Learn more about how to do genealogical research with free library resources. Watch the Genealogy Basic video on YouTube.