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April & May 2026 | LIBRARY NEWS |
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Don’t Miss What’s Coming Up! |
Spring into April and May with us! Our brand-new program catalog is here, and it’s packed with something for everyone. Browse programs by age or interest, click through to learn more, and register in just a few steps.
From engaging classes and creative art workshops to movie nights, music celebrating Route 66, Detour Minnesota presentations, book launches, and hands-on help with genealogy, history research, and photo preservation—there’s an amazing lineup waiting for you.
Plus, don’t miss special outdoor events on the terrace, including World Tai Chi Day and World Amateur Radio Day.
Take a look, get inspired, and start planning your spring—your next favorite program is just a click away!
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| Browse Spring Catalog & Register for Classes
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Making an Impact |
Take a look back at an incredible year at the library! Our Year-in-Review highlights the numbers behind the stories—visits, checkouts, program attendance, and more. From packed events to growing collections, these stats reflect a community that reads, learns, and connects together.
“The library is a cornerstone that grounds our community. It is a fantastic avenue for education and personal growth, and stimulates and fosters a lifelong learning value. The library is priceless!” – Library Patron, July 2025
And stay tuned—later this spring, we will release a joint Impact Report with the Stillwater Public Library Foundation, sharing even more stories, insights, and the deeper impact the library has on the community. | |
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| Friends Spring Book Drive & Sale | Book lovers and bargain hunters—you’re in for a treat! The Friends of the Stillwater Public Library will host their annual Spring Used Book Sale, April 22–25. Every purchase helps support the library, with proceeds enhancing collections, programs, and services for the community.
Donate Your Books
Saturday, April 18, 10:30 AM–3 PM
Have gently used books to share? Pull into the library’s parking ramp on Third Street, and volunteers will unload your car for you.
Please note: We cannot accept encyclopedias, magazines, Reader’s Digest books, textbooks, religious materials, National Geographic, videos, cassettes, or items that are worn, stained, or mildewed.
Shop the Sale
Wednesday, April 22, 5–7 PM — Members-only preview sale (join at the door!)
Thursday, April 23, 10:15 AM–7 PM
Friday, April 24, 10:15 AM–4:30 PM
Saturday, April 25, 10:15 AM–4:30 PM — Bag Sale all day!
Cash or check only. Most items are priced $1–$2. Note: $35 charge for use of a scanner.
Can’t wait? Browse the ongoing book sale anytime on the library’s lower level. |
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| Get Ready for the NEA Big Read |
The NEA Big Read in the St. Croix Valley is a one book, one community program that brings together residents from throughout the St. Croix Valley. This year’s pick is The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson. “A haunting novel spanning several generations, The Seed Keeper follows a Dakota family’s struggle to preserve their way of life, and their sacrifices to protect what matters most.”
Through discussions, exhibits, workshops, and talks hosted by partner organizations across the valley, readers are invited to explore connections between story, place, and community. Stillwater Public Library is proud to be a participating partner in this valley-wide community read.
On April 11, the library will host author Tamara Dean, who will present fascinating stories of determined citizen scientists who battled government officials, changed policy, and set new standards to protect native mussels.
For more events in the valley, including a reading by the author Diane Wilson, visit artreachstcroix.org/bigread.
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| Learn More
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Upcoming Spring Reads |
Get a first look at some of the hottest titles arriving this April and May! From bestselling authors to buzzworthy new releases, there’s something for every reader to look forward to. See a cover that catches your eye? Simply click to place your hold and be among the first in line when these titles hit the shelves. For more reading recommendations, ask a librarian. |
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| Librarian Gertrude Glennon | Perhaps no one embodied the intersection of intellectual rigor and civic duty better than Gertrude Glennon.
This 1950s photograph captures a typical day at the Stillwater Public Library information desk, where Gertrude (far right) served as the Head Librarian from 1924 to 1962. Born in Stillwater in 1884 to John and Catherine Glennon, Gertrude was a lifelong educator. After graduating from Stillwater High School in 1904 and then St. Cloud Normal School, she taught at Lincoln School before finding her true calling at the library.
To Gertrude, the library was never just a building or a "collection of dead books," but a "living active agent of service" and a cornerstone of the American Republic. Her annual reports were stirring manifestos on the power of the printed word:"The library is in the strategic position of being a keystone of thinking in our democratic civilization... Teaching thousands to think is one of the most vital problems of education, and books are among our best allies in the fight for democracy." (1939 & 1951 Reports)
Despite her fierce advocacy for "high social intelligence," Gertrude was known for her immense personal grace. One resident fondly remembers her kindness when returning a book late after having a baby, while others simply recall her and her colleague, Mrs. Carlson, as the women who "knew everything."
Gertrude believed the "American creed" was the resolve that every human being should have the opportunity for their "utmost development." When she passed away in 1963 at the age of 78, she left behind a legacy that proved a library is not just about the books on the shelves, but the democratic spirit they inspire in the citizens who read them.
You can view this photograph in the John Runk Historical Photograph collection during regular library hours. | |
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| Behind the Shelves |
Follow and like us on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the loop! It’s a fun and easy way to discover our featured books of the month, learn about services you might not know we offer (like our collection of 2,500+ CDs across all genres—and yes, you can even borrow a CD player if yours disappeared with your last car), and get the latest on upcoming programs and events.
Plus, you’ll get a peek behind the scenes of library life. Our recent Library Olympics posts were a huge hit—and now we’re sharing another one of our favorites with you! Swipe through to see staff as you’ve never seen them before in our “This is who…” series, featuring cataloging superheroes, storytime superstars, and maintenance heroes in kid form.
Don’t miss the fun—join us online! | |
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