- 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
Moon & Stars Origami Tutorial for Belgrade Public Library
Artists and Creatives Workshop Series with Central Minnesota Arts Board
Building your Audience, Branding & Social Media with Scarlette Revolver
Sessions held Saturdays from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., March 5, 12, 19, and 26.
We will meet virtually, via Zoom. Register for this series now!
4-session virtual series exploring 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 are free but have a limited number of spaces available. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.
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.
- Register by Friday, Nov. 19 by calling any library or our hotline 1-833-GET-GRRL (1-833-438-4775)
- Kits can be picked up at your library beginning Monday, Nov. 29
- Video with instructions is below or watch directly 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 | 7:00 p.m. CST
Free | Register Here
Kao Kalia Yang will take 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 here. More information on One Book, One Minnesota is available here.
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. Register to receive the Zoom link. For any technical issues with registering or receiving the link to attend, please contact the Buffalo Public Library at 763-682-2753. For adults. Made possible with Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Funds. Please let us know your thoughts via this feedback form link.
Doug Ohman, Pioneer Photography Presentations
Join author, photographer, and storyteller extraordinaire Doug Ohman for these upcoming presentations! Delivered via Zoom, follow the links to register for these events to receive the Zoom link and be able to talk to Doug and others who love to learn about Minnesota's history and landscape. If you attend one of these or his previous virtual events, please let us know your thoughts via this feedback form link. 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.
Register by August 23 by calling any library or our hotline 1-833-GET-GRRL (1-833-438-4775).
Kits can be picked up at your library now. Instruction video is now below or watch on YouTube.
This event is made possible with Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. Please let us know your thoughts via this feedback form link!
Tie-Dye Totes Tutorial for Belgrade & Paynesville Public Library
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 video instructions below or on YouTube. This program made possible with Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Funds. Please let us know your thoughts via this 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 (view below or on YouTube). Note: colors provided will vary. This program made possible with Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Funds. Please let us know your thoughts via this feedback form link!
Past performances
#OneBookMN - author Pete Hautman
The newest One Book, One Minnesota title is author Pete Hautman's "Slider." This statewide event will feature author Pete Hautman in conversation with moderator Alayne Hopkins of the Minnesota Center for the Book happened on Wednesday, April 21 at 1:00 p.m. Watch the conversation below.
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 below 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!
If you have viewed any of these programs, we'd love to hear from you via this feedback form! Let us know your thoughts to help us plan future events.
Part 3 now available! As of Monday, August 17, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
Available to view as of Friday, August 7, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.--watch Doug Ohman's presentation, Journey Down the Mississippi (part two)!
View Minnesota author/photographer Doug Ohman's presentation, Journey Down the Mississippi (part one), below. It just may inspire you to explore nature in your own part of Minnesota! RVSP in this event to receive the information to view this event from the comfort of your home.
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 will also be available to view later on this page. This concert is 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 gather your feedback on 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.