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

Nov
21
Thu
Moving Words: Writers Across Minnesota | Saint Peter @ Saint Peter Public Library
Nov 21 @ 6:30 pm

Moving Words: Author Discussion
Thursday, November 21 | 6:30 p.m.
Saint Peter Public Library | 601 S Washington Ave, Saint Peter MN 56082
Free | Registration not required

Enjoy a lively discussion with three Minnesota authors: CM Alongi, VV Ganeshananthan, and Chaun Webster. 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, The Harlan Boss Foundation, and the generous support of Bernadette and Jeffrey Janisch.

 

 

 

Nov
26
Tue
Books & Bars: “Mercury Pictures Presents” by Anthony Marra @ Urban Growler
Nov 26 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Mercury Pictures Presents by Anthony Marra

Tuesday, November 26th
6:30 p.m. Discussion

Urban Growler
2325 Endicott Street
Saint Paul

This event is FREE and open to the public.

Born in Rome, where every Sunday her father took her to the cinema instead of church, Maria immigrates with her mother to Los Angeles after a childhood transgression leads to her father’s arrest. Fifteen years later, on the eve of America’s entry into World War II, Maria is an associate producer at Mercury Pictures. Over the coming months, as the bright lights go dark across Los Angeles, Mercury Pictures becomes a nexus of European émigrés. While the world descends into war, Maria rises through a maze of conflicting politics, divided loyalties, and jockeying ambitions. But when the arrival of a stranger from her father’s past threatens Maria’s carefully constructed facade, she must finally confront her father’s fate—and her own.


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.

Dec
17
Tue
Books & Bars: “The Future” by Naomi Alderman @ Urban Growler
Dec 17 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

The Future by Naomi Alderman

Tuesday, December 17th
6:30 p.m. Discussion

Urban Growler
2325 Endicott Street
Saint Paul

This event is FREE and open to the public.

When Martha Einkorn fled her father’s isolated compound in Oregon, she never expected to find herself working for a powerful social media mogul hell-bent on controlling everything. Martha may have left the cult, but if the apocalyptic warnings in her father’s fox and rabbit sermon—once a parable to her—are starting to come true.

Across the world, in a mall in Singapore, Lai Zhen, an internet-famous survivalist, flees from an assassin. She’s cornered, desperate, and—worst of all—might die without ever knowing what’s going on. Suddenly, a remarkable piece of software appears on her phone telling her exactly how to escape. Martha and Zhen’s worlds are about to collide. An explosive chain of events is set in motion.


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.

Dec
18
Wed
Books & Bars: “The Future” by Naomi Alderman @ Sociable Cider Werks
Dec 18 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

The Future by Naomi Alderman

Wednesday, December 18th
6:30 p.m. Discussion

Sociable Cider Werks
1500 Fillmore St. NE
Minneapolis

This event is FREE and open to the public.

When Martha Einkorn fled her father’s isolated compound in Oregon, she never expected to find herself working for a powerful social media mogul hell-bent on controlling everything. Martha may have left the cult, but if the apocalyptic warnings in her father’s fox and rabbit sermon—once a parable to her—are starting to come true.

Across the world, in a mall in Singapore, Lai Zhen, an internet-famous survivalist, flees from an assassin. She’s cornered, desperate, and—worst of all—might die without ever knowing what’s going on. Suddenly, a remarkable piece of software appears on her phone telling her exactly how to escape. Martha and Zhen’s worlds are about to collide. An explosive chain of events is set in motion.


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.

Jan
8
Wed
Fireside Reading Series: Taiyon Coleman @ Rondo Community Library or Zoom
Jan 8 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Traveling Without Moving: Essays from a Black Woman Trying to Survive in America by Taiyon Coleman | Memoir
Wednesday, January 8 | 6:30 p.m.
Rondo Community Library | 461 North Dale Street, Saint Paul

OR via Zoom | REGISTER HERE for Zoom event

About the Book

Coleman shares intimate essays from her life. She explores what it means to write her story and that of her family—an act at once a responsibility and a privilege—bringing forth the inherent contradictions between American ideals and Black reality.

About the Author

Taiyon J. Coleman is a poet, writer, and educator whose work has been anthologized widely. She is a 2017 recipient of a McKnight Foundation Artist Fellowship in Creative Prose and a recipient of a 2018–2019 Mirrors and Windows Fellowship. She is associate professor of English and women’s studies at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota.


About the Fireside Reading Series

Great authors by the fireside.

FREE
Wednesdays | January 8 – January 29, 2025 | 6:30 p.m.
Rondo Community Library | 461 North Dale Street, Saint Paul

or via Zoom
thefriends.org/fireside

Cozy up for four weeks of readings with great writers. In partnership with Saint Paul Public Library, Fireside Reading Series highlights some of Minnesota’s finest writers who have published new work.

Captioning will be provided for all four livestreamed events. ASL interpretation is available upon request 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.


All Fireside Events

Wednesday, January 8th
Taiyon Coleman, Traveling Without Moving: Essays from a Black Woman Trying to Survive in America
Memoir

Wednesday, January 15th
Jokeda “JoJo” Bell, Red Stained: The Life of Hilda Simms
Nonfiction

Wednesday, January 22nd
Naomi Cohn, The Braille Encyclopedia
Poetry/Memoir

Wednesday, January 29th
Pallavi Dixit, Edison
Novel

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library Blog

Opus Exclusive: David Wroblewski

We’re so thrilled that David Wroblewski will join us for this year’s Opus & Olives. In preparation for the big event, we asked David a few questions to help fans get to know him better. This is an #opusexclusive. Tell us something people might not know about you.  Motorcycling is a passion of mine– took it…
Read More

Opus Exclusive: Wanda M. Morris

We’re so thrilled that Wanda M. Morris will join us for this year’s Opus & Olives. In preparation for the big event, we asked Wanda a few questions to help fans get to know her better. This is an #opusexclusive. Tell us something people might not know about you.  I wrote my very first book, All…
Read More

Opus Exclusive: Tommy Tomlinson

We’re so thrilled that Tommy Tomlinson will join us for this year’s Opus & Olives. In preparation for the big event, we asked Tommy a few questions to help fans get to know him better. This is an #opusexclusive. Tell us something people might not know about you.   I worked at a drive-in movie theater for…
Read More

The need for a strong library is greater than ever.