One way The Friends invests in the library is by connecting readers and writers statewide through a range of programs. For more than 30 years, we have offered programs that entertain, enrich, and nourish curious minds.
Our events are always open to the public and most are free. Browse our calendar below.
Captioning is provided for our livestream events; ASL interpretation is available upon request with at least seven days’ notice. To request ASL interpretation or other accommodations, contact [email protected] or 651-222-3242.
Full Calendar of Events
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Books & Bars: “Librarianist” by Patrick deWitt 6:30 pm Books & Bars: “Librarianist” by Patrick deWitt @ Sociable Cider Werks Aug 21 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm  Librarianist by Patrick deWitt Wednesday, August 21 6:30 p.m. Discussion Sociable Cider Werks 1500 Fillmore St. NE Minneapolis This event is FREE and open to the public. — Bob Comet is a retired librarian passing… One Book | One Minnesota – Twelfth Chapter – Virtual Author Discussion 7:00 pm One Book | One Minnesota – Twelfth Chapter – Virtual Author Discussion Aug 21 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm 
Virtual Author Conversation: Kawai Strong Washburn in conversation with author V.V. Ganeshananthan Wednesday, August 21, 7:00 p.m. | Zoom Register here | Captioning will be provided. Reading Period: July 29 – September 22 One Book… | ||||||
| Books & Bars: “Librarianist” by Patrick deWitt 6:30 pm Books & Bars: “Librarianist” by Patrick deWitt @ Urban Growler Aug 27 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Librarianist by Patrick deWitt Tuesday, August 27 6:30 p.m. Discussion Urban Growler 2325 Endicott Street St. Paul This event is FREE and open to the public. — Bob Comet is a retired librarian passing his… |
Ongoing Series
Books & Bars
With The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, moderator Jeff Kamin brings his unique take on a public book club show to our computer screen every first Wednesday of the month.
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.
Wellness by Nathan Hill
Tuesday, September 17
6:30 p.m. Discussion
Urban Growler
2325 Endicott St
St. Paul
This event is FREE and open to the public.
—
When Jack and Elizabeth meet as college students in the gritty ’90s Chicago art scene, the two quickly join forces and hold on tight, each eager to claim a place in the thriving underground scene with an appreciative kindred spirit. Fast-forward twenty years to suburban married life, and alongside the challenges of parenting, they encounter the often-baffling pursuits of health and happiness from polyamorous would-be suitors to home-renovation hysteria. For the first time, Jack and Elizabeth struggle to recognize each other, and the no-longer-youthful dreamers are forced to face their demons, from unfulfilled career ambitions to childhood memories of their own dysfunctional families.
—
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.
Wellness by Nathan Hill
Wednesday, September 18
6:30 p.m. Discussion
Sociable Cider Werks
1500 Fillmore St NE
Minneapolis
This event is FREE and open to the public.
—
When Jack and Elizabeth meet as college students in the gritty ’90s Chicago art scene, the two quickly join forces and hold on tight, each eager to claim a place in the thriving underground scene with an appreciative kindred spirit. Fast-forward twenty years to suburban married life, and alongside the challenges of parenting, they encounter the often-baffling pursuits of health and happiness from polyamorous would-be suitors to home-renovation hysteria. For the first time, Jack and Elizabeth struggle to recognize each other, and the no-longer-youthful dreamers are forced to face their demons, from unfulfilled career ambitions to childhood memories of their own dysfunctional families.
—
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.
Fitzgerald in Saint Paul
The Friends stewards F. Scott Fitzgerald’s legacy through programming that celebrates the life and literature of the revered author and inspires people to reflect on both his historical and contemporary significance. Learn more here.
McDermott Lecture: “‘I want to write something new—something extraordinary:’ 100 Years of Gatsby”
Tuesday, September 24 | 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Highland Park Community Center Auditorium
1974 Ford Parkway, Saint Paul
Free and open to the public
A livestream will be available. Register below to receive the link.
Join The Friends for the annual McDermott Lecture, featuring Dr. Anne Margaret Daniel. Dr. Daniel teaches at the New School University in New York City. She has degrees in American history and English literature, and has published widely on F. Scott Fitzgerald and the work of Bob Dylan.
ASL interpretation is available upon request with at least seven days’ notice. Contact [email protected] or 651-222-3242.
The McDermott Lecture is named for Richard P. McDermott, who helped restore Fitzgerald’s birthplace in the 1970s and remained an avid supporter of Fitzgerald activities before passing away in 2012.
This program is made possible in part by the State of Minnesota through an appropriation to the Minnesota Department of Education, funding The Friends as the Library of Congress-designated Minnesota Center for the Book.
Livestream Registration
McDermott Livestream Registration 2024
Registrants for this event will receive the livestream link ahead of time.
Fireside Reading Series
Cozy up for four weeks of readings with great writers. Fireside Reading Series, in partnership with Saint Paul Public Library for 30 years, highlights some of Minnesota’s finest writers who have published new work. Events this season took place Wednesday evenings in January at 6:30 p.m. at Rondo Community Library and via Zoom.
Watch recordings of the 2024 events by clicking the links below.
January 10 | Nigar Alam, Under the Tamarind Tree
January 17 | Mona Power, A Council of Dolls
January 24 | Jody Lulich, In the Company of Grace
January 31 | Raymond Luczak, Far From Atlantis
Captioning will be provided for all four Zoom livestream events; ASL interpretation will be provided for the 1/31 event and is available upon request for the other events with at least seven days’ notice. Contact [email protected] or 651-222-3242.
These programs are made possible in part through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature to The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library as the Minnesota Center for the Book.
Previous Seasons:
Watch the 2023 recordings here.
Watch the 2022 recordings.
Watch the full playlist of events from 2020.
Listen to podcasts from previous years.
Read Brave Saint Paul
Read Brave is Saint Paul's annual citywide book club hosted by Mayor Carter and Saint Paul Public Library. Read Brave taps into the power of books to bring residents together to read and talk bravely across generations about an issue critical to Saint Paul and its future. The 2024 Read Brave book pick is the young adult novel Man o’ War by Cory McCarthy.
Sign up for the Read Brave e-newsletters or visit the Library's Read Brave webpage to learn how to access books and events.
More Than a Single Story
More Than a Single Story is a series of panel discussions/public conversations where writers of color discuss issues of importance to them in their own voices and in their own words.
The 2024 Series is called "Songs for Our Fathers: A Series to Celebrate Fatherhood" This series of three panel discussions and three writing workshops aims to bridge cultural, racial, and generational divides as single fathers, young married fathers, and grandfathers reflect on their unique journeys, share perspectives, and connect over the joys and challenges of fatherhood.
Panel Discussions
Event 1: In Praise of Single Fathers
Event 2: The Unsung Realities of Fatherhood
Event 3: For the Love of Our Grandfathers
Workshops
Workshop 1: Unpacking “Single” Fatherhood
Workshop 2: The Unsung Realities of Modern Fatherhood
Workshop 3: Father and Son