April Calendar of Events

Click here for our April calendar of events.

---

Take Climate Action with Let’s Plant Trees

Earth Week Educational Presentation at Grand Marais Public Library with Let’s Plant Trees



In celebration of Earth Week, the Grand Marais Public Library, in partnership with Let’s Plant Trees, will host an educational presentation on Friday, April 18, from 5-6 PM.

The event will highlight the importance of planting diverse native trees to support healthy forests and combat threats like climate change and the spruce budworm.

Let’s Plant Trees, a Lutsen-based nonprofit, promotes reforestation by giving away free native tree seedlings to area residents, along with information on how, when, and where to plant them.

Attendees will learn the basics of forest ecology, the role of trees in supporting wildlife, and how to select, plant, and protect native tree species. The presentation will focus on simple, actionable steps that homeowners and landowners can take to improve the health of their woodlands.

This free event is open to the public—all are welcome to join in learning how to make a lasting, positive impact on our local forests!

All attendees will be entered into a raffle for a tree-themed book giveaway as part of the library’s celebration of Earth Day.

For more information, visit www.LetsPlantTrees.org.

This program was made possible by a generous donation from the Library Friends of Cook County.

---

Executive order to eliminate IMLS

**Original post**
In March, an executive order sought 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 10 million materials, including academic texts, specialty topics, and historical documents.

The Grand Marais Public Library's operational budget is funded with local tax dollars. While our essential programs and services will continue, the specific local impact of this executive order depends on future details.

**UPDATE: April 1, 2025**
The American Library Association's Public Policy and Advocacy Office notified us that action is being taken to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Nearly all staff were placed on administrative leave yesterday and, as a result, all processing of grants has been suspended.

Here's how you can help: All library supporters can call their members of Congress and urge them to protect federal funding for libraries by preventing the dismantling of the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). 5 Calls below is an easy way to go forward. 

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.

 

---

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

---

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.