2026 Evy Nordley Finalist #3: Friends of Moorhead Public Library

When a community builds a new library, a grand opening event is almost par for the course. In contrast, far fewer take the time to celebrate the legacy library that is about to be decommissioned and replaced. In February 2026, the Friends of the Moorhead Public Library afforded Clay County residents an opportunity to do exactly this through a thoughtful event that looked back while also looking forward. 

“Turning the Page: Moorhead Public Library Building Farewell” grew out of a Fargo-Moorhead area philanthropic tradition called Giving Hearts Day. Every year on the second Thursday of February (always close to Valentine’s Day), charities of all types hold give-a-thons and other donor events in an effort to establish North Dakota and northwest Minnesota as “The Most Generous Region.”

The Friends of the Moorhead Public Library first marked Giving Hearts Day in 2024. However, the once-in-a-generation changes in store for 2026 provided the spark to think bigger.  “Once it became clear that the new library would open in March or April, we knew we wanted to hold an event to say goodbye to the old MPL location,” while simultaneously raising funds to furnish the new space, explained Friends secretary Pam Gibb.

As the anchor for this event, the Friends collaborated with the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County to conduct a history harvest. “Community members were encouraged to share photographs, documents and memories related to the Library and its role in local life,” Gibb said. HCSCC was on hand to capture these artifacts and stories for future generations.

Scheduling necessitated even more creative thinking, as HCSCC staff were unavailable on Giving Hearts Day itself (February 12). Instead of nixing the idea, the Friends opted to go bigger still and orchestrate two programs: one on Giving Hearts Day itself, followed by a dedicated farewell event on February 5.

The first, geared towards adults, featured a mini book sale, artifact displays, and a line-up of speakers (including current and former mayors, state representatives, and business leaders). In total, an astounding 327 people showed up to say goodbye to the old building and participate in history harvest activities. Organizers offered many ways to do so, including activities as simple as writing favorite library memories on a Post-It Note for the HCSCC to catalog for posterity.

Even the tie-in book sale carried a distinct sense of nostalgia. As part of clean-out efforts, library staff had uncovered piles of books officially weeded from the collection long before. These proved popular with residents who wanted to own a piece of their childhood library. 

While volunteers can generally rest on their laurels after a showstopper event like this, the Friends in Moorhead instead immediately geared up for their second planned event.

The Friends counted another 63 in attendance at the “official” Giving Hearts Day event the following Thursday. Unlike the prior week, this program had an intentional focus on children and their families. Signature attractions included a special story time and a visit by Lake Agassiz Regional Library mascot Booker the Owl.

Between the dual events, donations totaled just over $24,000. After expenses, this allowed the Friends to cut the City of Moorhead a hefty $22,000 check toward library construction expenses. {Click here to read an unabridged write-up around Turning the Page}

ICYMI: Register For Saturday Splash!

Join us on Saturday, October 3 for presentations by each of our 2026 finalists – followed immediately by the winner announcement!

Other highlights at MALF’s two-hour virtual conference will include a keynote by New York Times bestselling thriller novelist Brian Freeman and recognition for the ’26 class of Standout Friends! (And did we mention it’s all FREE?)