JuLY Calendar of Events

Click here for our July calendar of events.

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Brian malloy: writer in residence 

Writing Workshop - Funny Stuff - July 9, 6-8 PM 



Funny Stuff

A frequent criticism of “serious” literature is that it is often humorless, with a narrow emotional range that begins with ennui and ends in despair. If you want to write with a broad emotional range, this session is for you. We'll read story excerpts that ably mix comedy with heartbreak, and absurdity with terror, as we work towards convincingly adding humor to our own writing.

Other workshops are coming up for the remainder of the year! All times are from 6-8 PM unless otherwise noted.

8/20: Work-in-Progress Reading | 7 PM
9/10: Point of View
10/22: Nature Writing
10/29: Personal Essay
11/12: Novel Structures
11/19: Novel Subplots

Brian Malloy is the author of novels The Year of Ice (St. Martin's Press), Brendan Wolf (St. Martin's Press), After Francesco (Kensington), and the young adult novel Twelve Long Months (Scholastic). His novels have been a New York Times New and Notable title, an Oprah Daily pick, a Women's National Book Association Great Group Reads selection, and a Book Sense Pick. His nonfiction has appeared in Minnesota Monthly, OUT, and the Lambda Award winning anthology, The Man I Might Become: Gay Men Write About Their Fathers (Marlow & Co.). Honors include the Minnesota Book Award, the American Library Association's Alex Award, the Bloomsday Award for Irish American Literature, the Loft Literary Center’s Excellence in Teaching Fellowship, and grants from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, de Groot Foundation, Jerome Foundation, and the Minnesota State Arts Board.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. 
 

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Dinosaurs with the science museum of minnesota

Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 1PM - 2PM



Families are invited to a prehistoric adventure at Grand Marais Public Library on Tuesday, July 22 at 1:00 PM, as the Science Museum of Minnesota brings their interactive program “Dinosaurs” to town. This event is free and open to the public as part of the library’s Summer Reading Program.

In this engaging, hands-on experience, children and families will discover what fossils teach us about dinosaurs. Learn how scientists compare the physical features left behind by dinosaurs in fossils to animals we know today—then help uncover the past by assembling a life-size dinosaur skeleton puzzle! This 50-minute program is designed for children ages 5–8 and their families, though all ages are welcome.

Thank you for the Arrowhead Library System for sponsoring this show!

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summer reading program is here!

Going on June 9 - August 16, 2025


Kids and teens ages 0–18 are invited to LEVEL UP AT YOUR LIBRARY this summer with the 2025 Summer Reading Program.

Starting June 9, participants can pick up reading logs to track reading and learning activities in flexible ways, earning rewards like free books and treat coupons—no registration required!

Grand Marais Public Library is committed to supporting kids and teens year-round—and that includes helping prevent summer slide, the learning loss that can happen when school’s out. Our program is designed to keep young minds engaged through reading, creativity, and community events. 


Watch for these related events:

• Brodini Comedy Magic Show on Tuesday, June 17 at 3:30 PM.
• Haiku with Sandra Hisakuni – Saturday, July 19 at 10:30 AM
• Dinosaurs with the MN Science Museum – Tuesday, July 22 at 1:00 PM
• Summer Reading Celebration Picnic – Saturday, August 16 (time TBD) 

Come read, play, and explore this summer at your library!

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Now Hiring: Children's Librarian 
Date Posted: Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Compensation: 23.66 per hour
Hours: 40 hours per week – Full Time


The Grand Marais Public Library is seeking a creative, community-oriented Children’s Librarian to join our team in a Librarian I capacity. This position plays a vital role in promoting early literacy and lifelong learning by providing inclusive, engaging library services for children and teens (ages 0–18), as well as their caregivers, educators, and families.

Duties and Responsibilities
Our Librarian I position supports the successful operation of the library by performing a broad range of services for the public starting with direct customer service at the front desk and leading up to assisting with long range planning. The Librarian I may develop and facilitate programs, purchase materials for the collection, maintain the library’s social media platforms, create publicity and marketing materials, and classify and catalog library materials within its focus area—in this case, youths services.

Minimum Requirements
1) Bachelor’s Degree. 2) One year of experience working with the public.
 
Desirable Training and Experience: Professional experience as a children’s or youth services librarian, or transferable experience in child-focused education and programming. Other work experience in public library environments; high level of computer and digital literacy, experience working with youths and families; experience classifying and cataloging library materials.
 
Cover letter and resume encouraged. Completion of the City's application forms is required and can be accessed at City Hall or the Grand Marais Library, or at ci.grand-marais.mn.us. Submit applications by 4:30 PM on June 13, 2025 for first review of applications. Contact: Amanda St. John at 218-387-1140 or Amanda@grandmarais.city with any questions.  

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Your Three words

A public art project

Poet and artist Moheb Soliman is launching a public art project, supported by state grants and local collaborators, that begins in Grand Marais and circles the Great Lakes. The project starts by collecting three words from Cook County residents that capture what makes this place unique. As one of the project's community partners, Grand Marais Public Library is helping raise awareness and collect words from the community.

Moheb explains that the three most frequently mentioned words will form the core of an original poetic line, which will be embedded into a giant driftwood tree. This semi-permanent sculpture will be installed in the Grand Marais area. Made from locally sourced materials, the sculpture will reflect the area's special qualities while connecting the community to the larger Great Lakes region. Moheb's goal is to expand this project to over a dozen Great Lakes locations, creating a 'Poem of Sublime Proportion' that spans the entire region, one line at a time.

SHARE YOUR THREE WORDS WITH MOHEB HERE.

About the artist: Moheb Soliman is an interdisciplinary poet from Egypt and the Midwest. His work has been presented in literary, art, and public spaces across the US and Canada. This spring, you can find Moheb collecting words and sharing info through the library, Care Partners, Grand Portage National Monument, Grand Marais Art Colony, and other local hubs. Stay tuned for more project updates.
 

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Book Bundles Available!
 

Just fill out one of the Google Sheets linked below, and one of our librarians will assemble 4-6 books customized for you.