Albert Lea Public Library Newsletter 
January 2026
 
 
Hot Reads for Cold Nights
Jan. 5 to Feb. 27
 
Beat the winter blues by joining the Albert Lea Public Library for Hot Reads for Cold Nights, the adult winter reading program. Read five books between Jan. 5 and Feb. 27 to earn a prize and an entry into the grand prize drawing. One prize per person, but readers can continue to enter the grand prize drawing for every five books read. Stop by the library and pick up a reading log to join.
 
Learn more about Hot Reads for Cold Nights.


NEWS
         
Upcoming Closures
 
The Albert Lea Public Library will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 1 for New Year's Day. The library will also be closed on Sunday, Jan. 18 and Monday, Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
 
View all upcoming closures on our calendar.
 
Family Reads
 
There's still time to join us for Family Reads! Families with children can sign up as a team and record reading minutes. Teams have no limit, so get everyone involved in the fun! Teams earn raffle tickets for prize baskets for every 60 minutes read. Family Reads runs until Jan. 25.
 
Learn more about Family Reads. 
 
Children's Programs
 
 
Regular children's programming returns on Jan. 5 with Storytime, Nighttime Storytime, Music & Movement, Book Pals and more! 
 
There are still open spots in all Book Pals sessions. Book Pals, a book club just for kids, provides an opportunity for children to read a book and participate in activities related to the story. Registration is required.
 
Learn more about our children's programs. 
 
 
New SELCO App
 
Don't forget to download the new SELCO app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The old SELCO Libraries App is no longer supported.
 
Need help downloading or using the new app? Stop by the library and ask a staff member for assistance.



UPCOMING EVENTS
B.Y.O. Lunch and Learn: Seeds and Seed Catalogs 
 Thursday, Jan. 8, Noon
City Council Chambers
 
Learn more about B.Y.O. Lunch and Learn.
 
Family Event: Snowflakes
 Sunday, Jan. 11, 2 p.m.
Children's Library
 
Learn more about January's Family Event.
 
Pokèmon Club
Thursday, Jan. 15, 3:30 p.m.
 
Learn more about Pokèmon club.
 
 
Nailed It Challenge 
Thursday, Jan. 22, 4 p.m.
Registration Required
   
Learn more about the Nailed It Challenge.
 
For a full listing of our events, check out our online calendar.
 
STAFF PICKS
Looking for your next read?
Check out some of our recent favorites!
 
Evensong by Stewart O'Nan
Evensong
by Stewart O'Nan

The Humpty Dumpty Club is distraught when their powerhouse leader, Joan Hargrove, takes a bad fall down her stairs, knocking her out of commission. Now, as well as running errands and shepherding those less able to their doctors' appointments, they have to pick up the slack. Between navigating their own relationships and aging bodies and attending choir practice, these invisible yet indomitable women help where they can. They bake cookies, they care for pets, they pick up prescriptions, they sit vigil by the sick, and most of all, they show up for the people they've pledged to help. In the face of death, divorce, and the myriad directions our lives can take, the Humpty Dumpty club represents the power of community and chosen family.
The Owlympic Games: A Branches Book (Owl Diaries #20): Volume 20 by Rebecca Elliott
The Owlympic Games: A Branches Book (Owl Diaries #20): Volume 20
by Rebecca Elliott

Eva Wingdale is excited about competing in the Owlympic Games at school, but also nervous because in last year's contest she did not do well--so her brother offers to coach her.
The Art of Jacques Pépin: Favorite Recipes and Paintings from My Life in the Kitchen by Jacques Pépin
The Art of Jacques Pépin: Favorite Recipes and Paintings from My Life in the Kitchen
by Jacques Pépin

In celebration of legendary chef Jacques Pâepin's legacy and two premier passions in life, a ... curated collection of his favorite recipes and signature artworks--

Albert Lea Public Library
211 E Clark St.
Albert Lea, Minnesota 56007
(507) 377-4350
alplonline.org