Grand Marais Public Library, Grand Marais, Minnesota

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Library News and Events

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR May

We're hiring: Part time library clerk

Open until filled

The Grand Marais Public Library is seeking a part time Library Clerk. When you share your excellent customer service skills, attention to detail, interest in libraries, and technology skills with the library, you help inspire a sense of community belonging in Cook County. You also encourage literacy and support the lifelong love of learning. Starting wage is $19.16 per hour.

Job description and application forms are available at ci.grand-marais.mn.us/apply.

author mary seifert: how I found my right-fit publisher

Wednesday, May 8 at 6 PM

Mary Seifert has something to share with local writers seeking publication, and fans of fiction: an author talk highlighting her journey to finding the right-fit publisher for her cozy mystery manuscripts. There will be time for questions after the presentation.

Mary is a Minnesota girl and has always loved a good mystery, a brain teaser, or a challenge. Her cozy mystery series, Katie and Maverick, occurs in outstate Minnesota, peppered with intricate puzzles, a bit of history, a geocache, and a tasty cocktail recipe. Mary’s book Rescues, Rogues & Renegade was an award finalist with the American Book Fest. Fishing, Festivities & Fatalities, and Halloween, Hound & Housesitting were both chosen as semi-finalists for Chanticleer International Book Awards. Mary will have copies of her mysteries available for purchase and signing at the event.

A Road Trip Around Minnesota: Barn Quilt Trails Legacy Tour

Saturday, May 11 at 1 PM

The Grand Marais Public Library is pleased to host "A Road Trip Around Minnesota: Barn Quilt Trails with Jay Grammond," a free program being offered on Saturday, May 11, from 1-2 PM.

Minnesota is fortunate to have several Barn Quilt Trails across the state – pieces of art that adorn the side of barns and buildings that are created to not only pay homage to heritage or interests, but also to bring people into an area. Instructor Jay Grammond will lead attendees around the state to give folks a sampling of what is out there in hope that they will create their own road trips. This free program is an hour long and is geared towards ages 12 and up.

Sponsored by the Arrowhead Library System, this program was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACFH). To learn more about Arrowhead Legacy Events, please see our calendar at www.alslib.info or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alslibinfo.

HELLO, MNLINK USERS

Starting on April 1st, 2024 we will be lowering our borrowing limit to 5 items at a time per patron. We will also not be asking for renewals at this time.

This is just a temporary change so that Arrowhead Library System can transition over to a new statewide internal computer system that we will now use to keep track of MNLINK items.

Thank you for your understanding.

City hall is closED while rebuilding:
here's How to Pay your utility bills

Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission

The City of Grand Marais will be rebuilding City Hall and the Liquor Store. Starting in February, the best way to pay your utilities will be online.

Create an account here.

***3/15/24: FYI***
The company that created an app for this service has discontinued new downloads of their mobile app. Customers who currently have the app can continue to use it but new customers will not be able to download the app. The library offers free public access to computers and the Internet. You're welcome to access the portal online in the library.

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.

Click here to request an adult book bundle.

Click here to request a children's book bundle.

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.

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

When printing more than 100 sheets, or many professional-quality posters, please use an online service or professional printer. Paper Hog, ProPrint, Arrowhead Printing are a few that other community members have recommended.

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 25
Thursday, February 22
Thursday, March 28
Thursday, April 25
Thursday, May 23
Thursday, June 27
Thursday, July 25
Thursday, August 22
Thursday, Sept 26
Thursday, October 24
**Thursday, November 21
**Thursday, December 19

The Library is located at 104 2nd Avenue West, Grand Marais, MN 55604. Meetings are streamed live and archived on the City's YouTube channel.

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

Listen to this short WTIP audio clip

County folks, we know it can be difficult to return books to Grand Marais Public Library on time. Did you know you can borrow paperback books and other materials from the Arrowhead Library System via u.s. mail free of charge?

The items come to your mailbox; you return them through your mailbox. The same is true for city residents in assisted living. ALS Executive Director Jim Weikum joins Tracy Benson on WTIP to explain:

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.

Focus Area 2: The Library leadership uses financial resources wisely to honor public and private contributions

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

Focus Area 3: The Library provides staff and leadership the environment and resources they need to provide quality service

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.

Focus Area 4: The Library provides service to underrepresented and underserved parts of the county.