Invest in Your Community
Invest in Your Library

We support libraries through fundraising, advocacy, and programming.

We Believe in the Library. We Invest in the Library.

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library believes that libraries are essential. We act as a catalyst for libraries to strengthen and inspire their communities. Learn more in this short video about our work.

Books and so much more

Libraries are the best way to strengthen communities because they connect individuals of every age, ethnicity, and background with resources that enrich and improve lives.

Maker Spaces

The library provides technology and space for innovation. Saint Paul resident, Rachel created a package prototype at the George Latimer Central Library.

Small Business Resources

The library helps the local economy. Darren and Oie were able to start their own company using small business resources at Central Library.

Homework Help

The library provides educational support. Ramla's daughter improved her grades thanks to homework help at the Arlington Hills Community Center.

Digital Literacy Training

The library provides opportunity to grow your skills. One of our patrons, Nancy got promoted after taking a digital literacy class at the Rondo Library.

Has the Public Library Made an Impact in Your Life or Community?

Here's How The Friends Invests

Even in a city that loves its libraries, public funding isn’t enough for libraries to provide all the important resources that residents seek.

The Library, part of the City of Saint Paul, depends on The Friends to support those resources. As an independent nonprofit, The Friends invests in libraries so that they, and the communities they serve, thrive.

We Raise Money

We Advocate

We Produce Programming

We Consult

Stronger Libraries for Stronger Communities

“I don’t know how to help my child with their homework, so this helps them. We love it here, and the kids want to come.”

– Safiya, mother

“This storytime means so much to me because my kids get to learn their native language.”

– Po, parent

“The library brings people together. It’s a place to come together around community and information.”

– Darren, small-business owner

“The best thing about this program is that it has all the resources a low-income student may need to do well in school… along with a safe learning environment for students to work.”

– Mai Xee, student

The need for a strong library is greater than ever.

Upcoming Events

Mar
19
Tue
Books & Bars: “Olga Dies Dreaming” by Xochitl Gonzalez @ Urban Growler
Mar 19 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

Tuesday, March 19
6:30 p.m. Discussion

Urban Growler
2325 Endicott St
St. Paul

This event is FREE and open to the public.

It’s 2017, and Olga and her brother, Pedro “Prieto” Acevedo, are boldfaced names in their hometown of New York. Prieto is a popular congressman representing their gentrifying Latinx neighborhood in Brooklyn, while Olga is the tony wedding planner for Manhattan’s power brokers.

Olga and Prieto’s mother, Blanca, a Young Lord turned radical, abandoned her children to advance a militant political cause, leaving them to be raised by their grandmother. Now, with the winds of hurricane season, Blanca has come barreling back into their lives.


With The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, moderator Jeff Kamin brings his unique take on a public book club show to Saint Paul. Even if you don’t like the featured book, he “guarantees a good time at our entertaining discussions.” All are welcome to try this moderated reinvention of the book club.

Apr
11
Thu
Fitzgerald In Saint Paul: The St. Paul Stories with Klecko @ Highland Park Library - Community Room
Apr 11 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Fitzgerald In Saint Paul: The St. Paul Stories with Klecko
Story: Winter Dreams

Thursday, April 11 | 6:00 p.m.
Highland Park Library – Community Room | 1974 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116


Explore F. Scott Fitzgerald’s St. Paul stories in a casual environment with St. Paul and Fitzgerald enthusiast, Klecko. Your host will take advantage of his eclectic network to shine a light on the present-day resonance of the themes in Fitzgerald’s short fiction. Special guests in April are: Julie Pfitzinger and Kate St. Vincent Vogl.

ASL interpretation is available upon request with at least seven days’ notice. Contact [email protected] or 651-222-3242.

Apr
25
Thu
Moving Words: Writers Across Minnesota | Aitkin @ Aitkin Public Library
Apr 25 @ 6:00 pm

Moving Words: Author Discussion
Thursday, April 25 | 6:00 p.m.
Aitkin Public Library | 110 1st Ave NE, Aitkin MN 56431
Free | Registration not required

Enjoy a lively discussion with three Minnesota authors: Kao Kalia Yang, Sheila Packa, and Tashia Hart. 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.


Moving Words is a program of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library as the Library of Congress-designated Minnesota Center for the Book. This program is made possible in part by the State of Minnesota through an appropriation to the Minnesota Department of Education and the generous support of Bernadette and Jeffrey Janisch..

May
7
Tue
36th Annual Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony @ Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
May 7 @ 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Celebrate the state’s best books at the 36th annual Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony, sponsored by Education Minnesota. Readers, writers, and booklovers from across Minnesota are invited to gather and celebrate the stories of Minnesotans that inspire and connect us.

6:00 p.m. – Preface
Meet the finalists and mingle with your fellow book lovers. Enjoy book sales and signing and a cash bar.

7:30 p.m. – Awards Ceremony
Awards are presented to winners in nine categories and to the recipient of the Book Artist, Hognander Minnesota History, and Kay Sexton awards, with special guests. The Ceremony will include ASL interpretation and live captioning on large screens.

9:00 p.m. – Epilogue
Celebrate with friends, buy featured books, and grab a treat when you leave.

Learn more about the 2024 Minnesota Book Award and purchase your tickets today at https://thefriends.org/minnesota-book-awards

May
20
Mon
Moving Words: Writers Across Minnesota | Wadena @ Wadena City Library
May 20 @ 2:00 pm


Moving Words: Author Discussion

Monday, May 20 | 2:00 p.m.
Wadena City Library | 210 1st St SW, Wadena MN 56482
Free | Registration not required

Enjoy a lively discussion with three Minnesota authors: Janna Knittel, Jeremy Norton, and Margi Preus. 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.


Moving Words is a program of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library as the Library of Congress-designated Minnesota Center for the Book. This program is made possible in part by the State of Minnesota through an appropriation to the Minnesota Department of Education and the generous support of Bernadette and Jeffrey Janisch.

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library Blog

We’re Hiring!

Position Opening: Development Operations CoordinatorOverview  We are seeking a colleague who wants to use their technical aptitude, digital literacy, and knowledge of data management to join our team as Development Operations Coordinator. Our vision is a dynamic library at the heart of every community, and we’re looking for someone who will help us build and…
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Opus Exclusive: Sadeqa Johnson

We’re so thrilled that Sadeqa Johnson will join us for this year’s Opus & Olives. In preparation for the big event, we asked Sadeqa a few questions to help fans get to know her better. This is an #opusexclusive. Tell us something that people might not know about you.  I started my career in publishing as…
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Opus Exclusive: Scott W. Berg

We’re so thrilled that Scott W. Berg will join us for this year’s Opus & Olives. In preparation for the big event, we asked Scott a few questions to help fans get to know him better. This is an #opusexclusive. Tell us something that people might not know about you. Hmmm. Probably that I’m a publisher…
Read More

The need for a strong library is greater than ever.