Executive order to eliminate the What?

An executive order seeks to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency dedicated to funding libraries. IMLS plays a critical role in providing public access to resources, technology, and educational programs nationwide. What would this mean for small, rural libraries like ours?

In Minnesota, federal IMLS funds go to Minitex, a state library services agency. Minitex enhances resource sharing and information access across the state, such as providing the eLibrary Minnesota database, which was accessed 55 million times in 2024. Other resources like Ebooks Minnesota and the Minnesota Digital Library would be at risk without this funding. Minitex also supports Library Services and Technology Act grants that help small libraries launch new programs to promote equity, workforce development, and information access.

Grand Marais Public Library patrons will be keen to know that Minitex runs MNLink, the statewide interlibrary loan system that extends our local collection of 24,000 items to over 10 million materials, including academic texts, specialty topics, and historical documents.

Grand Marais Public Library is funded directly with local tax dollars, ensuring our essential programs and services will continue. The specific impact of this executive order depends on future details. In the meantime, I encourage you to stay informed and join me in contacting Congress to advocate for the protection of the IMLS.

Learn about the issue: 

• The Executive Order.
• Summary from I Love Libraries
• Minnesota Library Association's statement.
• FAQs from the American Library Association.
• How federal funding affects Minnesota's libraries.
• How federal funding affects Minitex services like MNLink.
• Federal funding and Minnesota Libraries: What we know.

Take action, contact congress:

• 5 Calls -- the "easiest and most effective way for U.S. constituents to make a political impact." On this page, you'll see guidance listed under Save the Institute of Museum & Library Services. It provides a script for making phone calls.
• ALA's resources to contact officials electronically and sign up for news updates.
• More resources, information and ideas are available through the state library association.
• Share your experience with others.

 

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Your Three words

A public art project

Poet and artist Moheb Soliman is launching a public art project, supported by state grants and local collaborators, that begins in Grand Marais and circles the Great Lakes. The project starts by collecting three words from Cook County residents that capture what makes this place unique. As one of the project's community partners, Grand Marais Public Library is helping raise awareness and collect words from the community.

Moheb explains that the three most frequently mentioned words will form the core of an original poetic line, which will be embedded into a giant driftwood tree. This semi-permanent sculpture will be installed in the Grand Marais area. Made from locally sourced materials, the sculpture will reflect the area's special qualities while connecting the community to the larger Great Lakes region. Moheb's goal is to expand this project to over a dozen Great Lakes locations, creating a 'Poem of Sublime Proportion' that spans the entire region, one line at a time.

SHARE YOUR THREE WORDS WITH MOHEB HERE.

About the artist: Moheb Soliman is an interdisciplinary poet from Egypt and the Midwest. His work has been presented in literary, art, and public spaces across the US and Canada. This spring, you can find Moheb collecting words and sharing info through the library, Care Partners, Grand Portage National Monument, Grand Marais Art Colony, and other local hubs. Stay tuned for more project updates.
-Amanda St John, Library Director

Carving Your Clan with Jeffery Tibbetts

Library will host soapstone carving workshop



Carving Your Clan is an art and culture program with Minnesota artist and Ojibwe educator Jeffrey Tibbetts. This free workshop will happen from 10 Am - 1 PM on Friday, March 28. 

This art experience will be presented by Jeffrey Tibbetts M.Ed., enrolled member of the Fond du Lac (Nagaajiwanaang) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and current Program Director at the Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College. This special workshop blends ceremony, culture and art to deliver a unique hands-on experience. During this three-hour class, participants will carve a physical representation of their choosing from stone, while developing an understanding of the Ojibwe world view. 

Jeffrey Tibbett’s cultural values are at the forefront of his workshop. He writes: “I create a space of cultural sharing and celebration into all the places I have presented at. This I do to not only share my Ojibwe culture but also to help bring each participant’s gift of creativity to the surface.”

This program is meant for those age 10 and up. Adult supervision will be required for younger attendees as sharp objects will be used to carve.

Space and supplies are limited to fifteen participants. Visit us, call 218-387-1140, or email gmlib@alslib.info to reserve your spot!

This program, sponsored by Arrowhead Library System, was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACFH).
 

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Prize Drawings for the Winter Reading Program

Drawings will take place on Fridays at 3 pm.


To all you super-readers out there who have been participating in our Winter Reading Program, we're one week away from the first prize-drawing. When your ticket stub is drawn, we'll get in touch with you and you can pick up your prize.

Each drawing is on a Friday at 3:00 pm.

February 28: Date Night Bundle
March 7: Hygge Bundle
March 14: Maker's Bundle
March 21: Readers' and Writers' Bundle
March 28: Cozy Kitchen Bundle

The Winter Reading Program concludes March 28, so you can keep reading and playing marking your reading bingo card until then. If you have your heart set on the Date Night Bundle, you have one week to get those bingos in to us before we draw.

Email us or give us a call if you have any questions.

gmlib@alslib.org
218-387-1140

Good luck!
 

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snow better time to read!

All Ages Winter Reading Program, January 13-March 28, 2025

Library Bingo cards are now available for pickup at the library or, you can print one out by clicking HERE. Cards contain squares with categories of books to read, such as “Minnesota author” or “Published in the past year,” and activities, such as attending a library program or watching a movie based on a book.

For adults, every “bingo” (five squares in a row in any direction) earns a chance at a grand prize as well as smaller prizes like candy and coupons to local businesses.

For kids, the first bingo earns a certificate for a free book from Drury Lane, generously sponsored by the Library Friends of Cook County. Subsequent bingos earn small prizes and determine the size of the grand prize at the end of the program. The more bingos the bigger the prize!

Kids’ grand prizes include Lego sets, book-and-plush-toy sets, gaming accessories, and art supplies. For adults, there are five grand prize bundles: a Hygge Bundle, a Date Night Bundle, a Readers’ and Writers’ Bundle, a Maker’s Bundle, and a Cozy Kitchen Bundle. Grand prize bundles include themed books, accessories, toys, treats, and gift certificates to local businesses.

The Winter Reading Program is made possible by the Arrowhead Library System, funding from the Library Friends of Cook County, and donations from local businesses.

Book Bundles Available!
 

Just fill out one of the Google Sheets linked below, and one of our librarians will assemble 4-6 books customized for you.