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AAALibrary News and Events
Summer reading finale: Community picnic & Parade!
Featuring Makwa the black bearFree and open to everyone
Friday, August 14 | 10:30 AM - 1:30PM
Celebrate the grand finale of the Grand Marais Public Library's Summer Reading Program with a free day of creativity, food, and fun for all ages. Whether you participated in Summer Reading or simply love books, everyone is welcome.
The celebration begins with a hands-on puppet-making activity led by Christopher Lutter-Gardella of Big Animal Productions. Participants will create a pollinator puppet to carry in the afternoon parade while learning about black bears and our natural world.
At noon, enjoy a free community picnic lunch and lawn games before gathering at 12:45 p.m. for a festive parade to Harbor Park led by Makwa, a giant wooden black bear puppet. Families are invited to take photos with Makwa overlooking Lake Superior—a lasting reminder of this summer and the stories that brought us together.
Attend the whole celebration or stop by for your favorite part. The event is free, open to all ages, and no Summer Reading Program participation is required.
Schedule
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Puppet-making activity
12:00–12:45 p.m. Free community picnic lunch & lawn games
12:45 p.m. Parade to Harbor Park and family photos with Makwa
Made possible through the generous support of the Library Friends of Cook County.
Donations
Donations of Books, magazines, and more
If space permits, the library accepts small donations of books, magazines and DVDs in good condition. Check in at the front desk with your proposed donation.
Do you have a box of books? A bag of magazines? We have suggestions! Call the library at 218-387-1140 to receive referrals on places that may be able to help give the materials a second life.
Please do not abandon unwanted materials in the library, but choose to take responsible action and deliver your items to places that can process them for you.
Self-service faxing, printing, photocopying, scanning
Grand Marais Public Library provides the public self-service access to a photocopier, printer, and scanner for small scale jobs.
Library Board of Trustees' meeting
The Grand Marais Public Library Board of Trustees convenes at 5:00 PM on the following dates. We are meeting in person at the library. The meetings are open to the public. Join us!
creative bug resources
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Do you have an ALS library card and Internet acess? Great! You now have unlimited access to more than 1,000 award-winning arts and crafts video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.
There are creative projects for every occasion with downloadable patterns, templates, and recipes. The easy-to-navigate website features classes on topics in art and design, sewing, paperwork, holidays and parties, knitting and crochet, quilting, jewelry, and more! Browse by skill difficulty levels, quick or multi-part classes, specialty techniques, or those video tutorials best suited for children.
state parks passes at your library
Through a partnership with the DNR, the library will be circulating two free 7-day vehicle parking passes to visit Minnesota's state parks. A library card is not required for participation.
The purpose of this program is to make state parks even more accessible to the public by eliminating the entrance fee. Passes are funded by the DNR’s Parks and Trails Legacy Amendment dollars. Folks who try the program will be encouraged to complete a survey. The data are needed to support the program’s continuation. For more information about Minnesota’s parks, visit mndnr.gov.
WOWBRARY email service
A welcoming way to see the newest additions to our collection
WOWbrary is a weekly email showcasing Grand Marais Public Library's newest books, audiobooks, movies, and magazines.
With WOWbrary, you can browse our latest arrivals from home or wherever you have Internet access. You'll learn about bestsellers, cookbooks, mysteries, science books, travel guides, histories, children's titles, health books, science fiction, and more. Read a summary of each title and screen consumer reviews. With links to our catalog, it's easy to place holds on the titles that capture your imagination.
Grand Marais Public Library provides the public self-service access to a photocopier, printer, and scanner for small scale jobs.
- Send a fax for 50¢ per page w/ a maximum charge of $5.
- Scanning to your own flashdrive: FREE
- Black and white copies: 20¢ per side
- Color copies: 80¢ per side
Library Board of Trustees' meeting
The Grand Marais Public Library Board of Trustees convenes at 5:00 PM on the following dates. We are meeting in person at the library. The meetings are open to the public. Join us!
- Thursday, January 23
Thursday, February 27
Thursday, March 27
Thursday, April 24
Thursday, May 22
Thursday, June 26
Thursday, July 24 -- Canceled; no quorum
Thursday, August 28
Thursday, Sept 25
Thursday, October 23
**Thursday, November 20
**Thursday, December 18
creative bug resources
Do you have an ALS library card and Internet acess? Great! You now have unlimited access to more than 1,000 award-winning arts and crafts video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.
There are creative projects for every occasion with downloadable patterns, templates, and recipes. The easy-to-navigate website features classes on topics in art and design, sewing, paperwork, holidays and parties, knitting and crochet, quilting, jewelry, and more! Browse by skill difficulty levels, quick or multi-part classes, specialty techniques, or those video tutorials best suited for children.
state parks passes at your library
Through a partnership with the DNR, the library will be circulating two free 7-day vehicle parking passes to visit Minnesota's state parks. A library card is not required for participation.
The purpose of this program is to make state parks even more accessible to the public by eliminating the entrance fee. Passes are funded by the DNR’s Parks and Trails Legacy Amendment dollars. Folks who try the program will be encouraged to complete a survey. The data are needed to support the program’s continuation. For more information about Minnesota’s parks, visit mndnr.gov.
WOWBRARY email service
A welcoming way to see the newest additions to our collection
WOWbrary is a weekly email showcasing Grand Marais Public Library's newest books, audiobooks, movies, and magazines.
With WOWbrary, you can browse our latest arrivals from home or wherever you have Internet access. You'll learn about bestsellers, cookbooks, mysteries, science books, travel guides, histories, children's titles, health books, science fiction, and more. Read a summary of each title and screen consumer reviews. With links to our catalog, it's easy to place holds on the titles that capture your imagination.
mail-a-book program for county residents
County folks, we know it can sometimes be challenging to get to Grand Marais Public Library in person, or to return your items on time. Did you know you can borrow and return paperback books and other materials from the Arrowhead Library System via u.s. mail free of charge?
The Arrowhead Library System's Mail-A-Book (MAB) program is designed to supply library services to rural and homebound residents. Patrons who qualify may order materials which will then be mailed to them at no cost. Mail-A-Book is not an eBooks or downloadable materials service, and it is available to rural residents in Cook County. It is also available to all home-bound city residents, whether the situation is short-term or long-term. This tax-supported program provides library service directly to your home. ALS pays return postage for the items they own.
Find out more here, or call 218-741-3840 to speak directly with an Mail-A-Book librarian.
**To order books by mail, be sure to call the number above, which connects you to a librarian at the Arrowhead Library System office, which is set up to serve this mail-based program.**
Library Strategic Plan
On February 22, 2024, the Library Board of Trustees adopted the following strategic plan to be carried out over the next three years, or fiscal years 2024 - 2026.
Focus Area 1: The Library inspires robust community involvement.
County folks, we know it can sometimes be challenging to get to Grand Marais Public Library in person, or to return your items on time. Did you know you can borrow and return paperback books and other materials from the Arrowhead Library System via u.s. mail free of charge?
The Arrowhead Library System's Mail-A-Book (MAB) program is designed to supply library services to rural and homebound residents. Patrons who qualify may order materials which will then be mailed to them at no cost. Mail-A-Book is not an eBooks or downloadable materials service, and it is available to rural residents in Cook County. It is also available to all home-bound city residents, whether the situation is short-term or long-term. This tax-supported program provides library service directly to your home. ALS pays return postage for the items they own.
Find out more here, or call 218-741-3840 to speak directly with an Mail-A-Book librarian.
**To order books by mail, be sure to call the number above, which connects you to a librarian at the Arrowhead Library System office, which is set up to serve this mail-based program.**
Library Strategic Plan
On February 22, 2024, the Library Board of Trustees adopted the following strategic plan to be carried out over the next three years, or fiscal years 2024 - 2026.
Focus Area 1: The Library inspires robust community involvement.
- The Library attracts a wide range of stakeholders to participate in its vitality, by establishing relationships with the next generation of library users, strengthening relationships with communities and groups that have cultural or physical barriers to enjoying the library, and forging new strategic partnerships with local businesses.
- Library Leadership uses contributions in combination with levied funds to ensure the continuous development of services, supporting personal development of all Cook County residents. To honor public and private contributions the plan will include commitments to 3 key areas:
- Professional board training on their role in capital planning
- Regular review of contributions and levied funds to achieve strategic goals
- Publicize the plan and results
- The Library supports staff in providing quality service to the community by investing in staff training and development opportunities, as well as the facility, its furnishings, and technologies.
- Every community member feels welcome and encouraged to take advantage of library services that meet their needs.
Tutoring and Online Learning!
Library Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10-5Wednesday 10-8
Saturday 10-2
