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
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Books & Bars
Urban Growler 2325 Endicott Street, Saint Paul, MNTuesday, May 26 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Urban Growler 2325 Endicott Street, Saint Paul Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar Cyrus Shams is a young man grappling with an inheritance of violence and loss: his mother’s plane was shot down over the skies of the Persian Gulf in a senseless accident; and his father’s life in America…
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Rhythm & Revolution Poetry Discussion
Arlington Hills Community Center 1200 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul, MinnesotaRhythm & Revolution: Poetry Panel Discussion Where: Arlington Hills Community Center Community Room 1200 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul When: Wednesday, June 3 6:30 p.m. Join the winners and judges of the Rhythm & Revolution: The America 250 Poetry Project competition for a presentation of the winning poems! The poets will engage in a short, moderated conversation followed by a Q…
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Books & Bars
Utepils 225 Thomas Avenue North, Minneapolis, MNWednesday, June 17 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Utepils Brewing 225 Thomas Avenue North, Minneapolis Fifteen-year-old Lauren Olamina lives inside a gated community with her preacher father, family, and neighbors, sheltered from the surrounding social chaos and anarchy caused by climate change and economic crisis. In a society where any vulnerability is a risk, she suffers…
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Books & Bars
Urban Growler 2325 Endicott Street, Saint Paul, MNTuesday, June 23 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Urban Growler Brewing 2325 Endicott Street, Saint Paul Fifteen-year-old Lauren Olamina lives inside a gated community with her preacher father, family, and neighbors, sheltered from the surrounding social chaos and anarchy caused by climate change and economic crisis. In a society where any vulnerability is a risk, she…
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Moving Words: Writers Across Minnesota | Sandstone
Sandstone Public LIbrary 106 Main Street, Sandstone, MNThursday, June 25, 6:00 p.m. Sandstone Public Library 106 Main Street, Sandstone Free | Registration not required Enjoy a lively discussion with three multi-genre, Minnesota authors: Jennifer Eli Bowen, Anika Fajardo, and David Hakensen. Moving Words is an opportunity for writers and readers to explore various themes together: the impact of literature in their…
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Books & Bars
Utepils 225 Thomas Avenue North, Minneapolis, MNWednesday, July 15 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Utepils 225 Thomas Avenue North, Minneapolis At the moment when Voyager 1 is launched into space carrying its famous golden record, a baby of unusual perception is born to a single mother in Philadelphia. Adina Giorno is tiny and jaundiced, but she reaches for warmth and light. As…
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Hamline Midway Grand Opening Community Celebration
Hamline Midway Library 1558 W Minnehaha Ave, Saint Paul, United StatesHamline Midway Grand Opening Community Celebration Saturday, July 18, 2026 Hamline Midway Library | 1558 W Minnehaha Avenue, Saint Paul Celebration: 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Ribbon cutting: 11:15 a.m. (Library hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.) Celebrate the grand opening of your new state-of-the-art library with a day of activities for all ages. Explore the building,…
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Books & Bars
Urban Growler 2325 Endicott Street, Saint Paul, MNTuesday, July 28 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Urban Growler 2325 Endicott Street, Saint Paul At the moment when Voyager 1 is launched into space carrying its famous golden record, a baby of unusual perception is born to a single mother in Philadelphia. Adina Giorno is tiny and jaundiced, but she reaches for warmth and light.…
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Books & Bars: “Skydaddy” by Kate Folk
Urban Growler 2325 Endicott Street, Saint Paul, MNSkydaddy by Kate Folk Wednesday, August 12 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Urban Growler Brewing 2325 Endicott Street, Saint Paul This event is FREE and open to the public. --- Linda is doing her best to lead a life that would appear normal to the casual observer. But on the last Friday of each month, she…
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Fitzgerald in Saint Paul | Short Stories with Klecko
Merriam Park Library 1831 Marshall Ave, Saint Paul, MinnesotaThursday, August 20 | 6:30 p.m. Merriam Park Library 1831 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul 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…
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Books & Bars: “My Friends” by Fredrik Backman
Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative 1712 Marshall St NE Suite 100, Minneapolis, United StatesMy Friends by Fredrik Backman Wednesday, September 16 6:30 p.m. Broken Clock Brewing 1712 Marshall St NE Suite 100, Minneapolis This event is FREE and open to the public. --- Most people don’t even notice them—three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous…
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Moving Words: Writers Across Minnesota
Paynesville Community Education & PACC 801 Business 23 W., Paynesville, MN, United StatesFriday, September 18th 6:30 p.m. Paynesville Community Education & PACC 801 Business 23 W., Paynesville, MN 56362 Free|Registration not required Enjoy a lively discussion with three Minnesota authors: Shannon Gibney, Mary E. Roach, and Varla Ventura. Moving Words is an opportunity for writers and readers to explore various themes together: the impact of literature in…
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.
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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.
Fitzgerald in Saint Paul | Short Stories with Klecko
When: December 10 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pmThursday, December 10 | 6:30 p.m. Merriam Park Library 1831 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul 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…
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 this year took place Wednesday evenings in January at 6:30 p.m. at Rondo Community Library at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center.
The 2026 featured authors were Mindy Mejia, Ricardo Levins Morales, Debra J. Stone, and Greg Gaut.
You can watch recordings of all four events here.
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.
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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.