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
Events
Exhibit: “Gatsby at 100”
“Gatsby at 100” Exhibit September 13, 2025 - March 22, 2026 Minneapolis Institute of Arts 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis “Gatsby at 100,” opening in fall 2025 at the Minneapolis…
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.
Books & Bars: “Eight Billion Genies” by Charles Soule
When: January 27 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pmEight Billion Genies by Charles Soule Tuesday, January 27 6:30 p.m. Discussion Urban Growler 2325 Endicott St St. Paul This event is FREE and open to the public. — If you had one wish…what would you wish for? Now, what if everyone else had one wish too? At exactly the same moment, everyone on earth…
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.
Exhibit: “Gatsby at 100”
When: September 13, 2025 - March 22, 2026“Gatsby at 100” Exhibit September 13, 2025 – March 22, 2026 Minneapolis Institute of Arts 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis “Gatsby at 100,” opening in fall 2025 at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, will explore how F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel shaped and was shaped by the visual art of his time. The exhibition will bring…
Fireside Reading Series
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. Events take place Wednesday evenings in January at 6:30 p.m. at Rondo Community Library at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, 270 North Kent Street, Saint Paul, and via Zoom.
Wednesday, January 7th | Mindy Mejia, author of The Whisper Place | Fiction
Wednesday, January 21st | Debra J. Stone, author of The House on Rondo | Fiction
Captioning will be provided for all four Zoom livestream events; ASL interpretation 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 the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund and 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 2025 recordings here.
Watch the 2024 recordings here.
Watch the 2023 recordings here.
Watch the 2022 recordings here.
Watch the full playlist of events from 2020.
Listen to podcasts from previous years.
Fireside Reading Series: Greg Gaut
When: January 28 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pmGreg Gaut, author of The War at Home: Minnesota During the Great War, 1914–1920 Nonfiction Wednesday, January 28 | 6:30 p.m. New location! Rondo Community Library at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center 270 North Kent Street, Saint Paul Or via Zoom | REGISTER HERE for Zoom event About the Book Historian Greg Gaut focuses on the lives of individual Minnesotans to tell the dramatic…
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.
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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 2025 Series is "Songs for Our Fathers: A Series to Celebrate Fatherhood" This series includes two panel discussions that aims to bridge cultural, racial, and generational divides as single fathers, married fathers, stepfathers, and grandfathers gather to explore the songs and silences passed down by our fathers, and the stories we’re crafting now as we raise, support, and stand beside the next generation.
Moderators: Suleiman Adan and Ben Weaver
Click on an event to the right to learn more.
There are no upcoming events to display at this time.