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Library News and Events

The library will be closed Saturday, august 15th


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The library and pickup window will be closed on Saturday, August 15th, for carpet cleaning.
 

Regular Meeting of the Library board of trustees

Monday, August 24, 2020 at 5:30 PM

The Library Board of Trustees is convening remotely during the emergency. During the emergency declaration, comments will be collected via email or mail. The meetings are live streamed with the link appearing here prior to the meeting. They are recorded and archived here, on the City of Grand Marais' Youtube Channel.
 


MNLink is back!




MNLink inter-library loans are available again. Learn more and request materials at https://mnlink.org/
 

Introducing summer stacks--A grab bag for adults!

Going on July through September 2020




A Summer Stack is a grab bag of library materials that we hand-select for you based on the interests and preferences you specify when you sign up. It’s a fun way to connect with library staff, stretch your reading habits, and explore the collection this summer.

Your grab bag automatically includes 4 – 6 books. Then, you can choose to stack on audiobooks, DVDs, and/or magazines for up to 12 items. Come back each month, July through September, to receive a fresh mix of content.

Ready to stack it up? CLICK HERE to sign up, or call us at (218) 387-1140. 

Under 18? Sign up here Summer Reading book bundles.
 

Summer reading program



It's time to Read, Investigate, and Discover with Grand Marais Public Library's Summer Reading Program.

Kids ages zero to 18 can choose between three styles of reading logs, and the welcome packs can be mailed or prepared for pick up at the library based on your preferences. This year, families have the additional option of receiving regular book bundles curated by a librarian for each child!

Sign up in one of two ways:
  1. Register online.
  2. Register by phone: Call 218-387-1140
Summer reading isn’t just a great boredom buster. Studies show children who participate in programs like these tend to score higher on reading achievement tests at the beginning of the next school year and read more confidently.

Follow the library on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GrandMaraisLibrary/) and the library’s youth services Instagram @gmlibraryyouth to keep up with library events and more. 

Tumblebook library for kids and families!



TumbleBookLibrary, geared towards youth in grades K-6, is a collection of animated talking picture books, read-alongs, eBooks, quizzes, lesson plans, and educational games that can be accessed 24/7 with an Internet connection. Patrons can use computers, tablets, or mobile phones to access the collection -- a library card number is not required.  Books are streamed right to the device at the click of a button!  

Library Services during the Stay Safe order




To protect public health and slow transmission of COVID-19 the library building is currently closed to the public. Many services are still available including circulation via our pickup window.



 

 

Customer Service:
  • Available Monday through Friday, 10 AM until 5 PM and Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM.
    • By phone: 218-387-1140
    • By email: gmlib@alslib.info
  • We can help you
    • Find information
    • Manage your account
    • Download digital books, audios, and magazines
    • Place requests using our online catalog
  • Contact Library Director Amanda St John at amanda@grandmarais.city 
Physical Materials (books, DVDs, audiobooks, etc.):
  • Pickup Window is available for borrowing library materials. Learn more.
  • You may return items to our outdoor drop box.
Digital Collections and 24-Hour Services: Links for Federal, State and County updates:

One Book | One Minnesota: Chapter 2!

A statewide community read now


 

One Book | One Minnesota is a statewide book club that invites Minnesotans of all ages to read a common title and come together virtually to enjoy, reflect, and discuss. The featured book for Summer 2020 is A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota, edited by Sun Yung Shin (Minnesota Historical Society Press).

One Book | One Minnesota is presented by The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, as the Minnesota Center for the Book, in partnership with State Library Services. Wrote The Friends, "When we started this program ... with Because of Winn-Dixie, it was in response to the isolation and resource gaps created by the COVID-19 pandemic.... Since then, the Minneapolis police murdered George Floyd, and led by Black community members and activists, the world erupted in grief, protest, and perhaps finally a reckoning that we must confront institutional and systemic racism – and that means all of us."

Reading this book in community offers some Minnesotans the opportunity to see their experiences broadly shared and others a chance to educate themselves—and to discover ways to act on their convictions. We are fortunate that Minnesota is home to many talented writers whose work can inform and guide us on this journey. 

Participate:


HWY 61 reconstruction project


Learn more about the HWY 61 project through the series of short video conversations below, which address the scope of the project and upcoming work.



You can also join MnDOT's weekly Thursday 1 pm update. Instructions are available at:

https://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/hwy-61-grand-marais/meetings.html

Information about the 2020 census

Going on through October 31, 2020



The 2020 Census has begun. The official website, provided by the Census Bureau, is prepared with information about the process and value of participating in the survey, which happens once every 10 years. This is the first year that the Census will be offered online in addition to response by paper or phone. The survey can be accessed by nearly any personal computing device (laptop, tablet, smart phone, etc.) connected to the Internet.

Additionally, Grand Marais Public Library will act as Cook County's Questionnaire Assistance Center. As such, we will supply Wi-Fi access, as well as support in accessing the online survey site. Library staff are not Census Bureau employees. Our aim is ensuring everyone who wants to access the survey can.

Questions about how to answer the 2020 Census can be directed to Census Bureau staff at 844-330-2020 from 6AM to Midnight Central Standard Time or visit our Language Support page for help in additional languages.
 

mail-a-book program for county residents

Listen to this short WTIP audio clip

County folks, we know it can be difficult to return books to Grand Marais Public Library on time. Did you know you can borrow paperback books and other materials from the Arrowhead Library System via u.s. mail free of charge?

The items come to your mailbox; you return them through your mailbox. The same is true for city residents in assisted living. ALS Executive Director Jim Weikum joins Tracy Benson on WTIP to explain:


 

online tech help videos

Try these!


Over 40 Tech Support videos offer short, straight-forward instructions on a variety of topics, including:

  • Copy and paste
  • Make a phone call from your GMAIL account--for free.
  • Attach a file to your email
  • Crop your photos

Library gets a New strategic plan, mission, tagline

Winter 2017



With much help from the community, the Grand Marais Public Library completed a strategic planning process this year that will guide our actions for the next five years.

Our new mission is:
The Grand Marais Public Library increases knowledge, inspires creativity, removes barriers, and builds community across Cook County.

Our tagline is:
EXPLORE.  LEARN.  CREATE.  CONNECT.

Our priority goals are:
  1. The community will increase understanding and appreciation of the full range of human diversity.
  2. The community will have increased knowledge and utilization of library resources and programs throughout the county.
  3. People will enjoy a comfortable environment that gives them a sense of community belonging.
  4. Young children will develop a love of reading and improve their literacy.
We invite you to review the Strategic Plan for more information.