Blog
"The Great North Star Read Together" will take place in 15+ library locations spanning all across our great state, from Crookston to Luverne, Duluth to Red Wing. The premise is delightfully simple. Simply show up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. with a good book (or find one there at the library, of course), and read in companiable silence with other library lovers like yourself.
The Minnesota Book Awards is currently seeking reader-judges for the program’s 38th year (2025-26). Each year, more than 50 judges are involved in this evaluation process. Panels are comprised of Minnesotans from many walks of life who have interest in and aptitude for critical appraisal. Judges commonly include authors, editors, educators – and yes, librarians and Friends.
The fall conference of the Minnesota Library Association is fast approaching (October 9-10), and with it comes the Minnesota Library Foundation’s annual silent auction. Money fundraised helps MLF to underwrite valued programs like the Minnesota Institute for Leadership Excellence (MILE) and annual Minnesota Author Project contest.
ICYMI: MALF member organizations have until Friday, July 25 to submit one of their own for the 2025 cohort of Standout Friends in Minnesota. Click here for full details, including eligibility requirements and the application form. Recipient perks include a gift package with a thematic tie to MALF’s fall programming; a matted and frameable certificate; commendation letter to the mayor and county commissioner in each recipient’s hometown; and a written featurette in an upcoming MALF e-newsletter.
Labor Day is already fast approaching, and with fall comes the traditional “busy season” for Friends book sales and marquee programs! If your group is holding a fundraiser or other special event, MALF wants to hear about it. We maintain a statewide, crowdsourced Friends calendar for just this purpose.