June 2025

LIBRARY NEWS

Youth Summer Reading

Read, write, and discover with Ranger Owliver and his team of owlie guides during our summer reading program for kids, a collaboration between Stillwater and Bayport public libraries.

Pick Up Your Trail Guide

Young adventurers can blaze new trails with our Summer Forest Explorers program. Starting June 7, stop by either Stillwater or Bayport library to register, choose a free book to keep, and collect your Trail Guide (with a tracker gameboard inside) to chart your journey through reading and learning activities. Prefer to track your progress virtually? Use the Beanstack app or website.

Set Your Sights on Discovery

With Summer Forest Explorers, kids can set personal reading goals, take on challenges, and uncover a forest of fantastic stories. Return your completed tracker to the library - or show us your 10 Beanstack badges - to earn recognition as a Gold Star Reader. Celebrate your achievement on our summer reading stage: pose for a picture with your tracker, your gold star, or a favorite book from the trail.

Explore Programs & Events

Each Wednesday through early August, enjoy live performances on the library lawn featuring returning favorites such as Brodini Comedy Magic and Bill the Juggler, plus new acts from Science Heroes and The Bazillions. And don’t miss the grand finale – a puppet rendition of The Three Little Pigs, crafted and presented by our talented staff.

Watch our calendar for more special events like Silly Survival Challenges and Drop-in Forts. Don't miss the chance to register for art and STEM classes tailored for different age groups. Visit our calendar for full details and registration information.

And, especially for teens and tweens, try out classes from the Textile Center. Try Make Your Own Merch on June 10 and Mending for Teens: Refreshing Your Clothes & Adding Personality to Your Closet on June 24. Teens and tweens are also invited to join Chess Club (for ages 8 - adult) on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

Thank You to Donors

Summer Forest Explorers is made possible through generous support from the Stillwater Public Library Foundation, the Friends of the Stillwater Public Library, and the Foundation for Bayport Public Library. This strong community support allows us to provide enriching programs and opportunities for all young explorers. 

Adult Summer Reading

Lace up your boots and hit the trail! We invite you to explore new stories, ideas, and experiences with our adult summer reading program, inspired by the spirit of forest exploration. Whether you're a seasoned reader or just beginning your literary trek, the library is your trailhead for discovery.

Read & Win: Just for Adults

The ever-popular Read & Win returns June 7 through August 9! It's simple: read or listen to a book and submit a short review - online through Beanstack or in person at the library. Each week, one entry will be drawn at random to win a prize, including gift cards for dining, shopping, or local adventure experiences. The more books you log, the more chances you have to win. So keep reading, keep exploring, and keep entering! 

Trail-Worthy Classes & Events

This summer, adults can enjoy a rich variety of free programs that spark creativity, inspire reflection, and encourage lifelong learning:

• Explore the vision of legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick in a thought-provoking lecture.

• Hear from former Wisconsin Governor Marty Schreiber, who shares his deeply personal story of caregiving and love through his wife Elaine’s journey with Alzheimer’s.

• Join celebrated author Kent Nerburn as he discusses his newest book—an emotional tale of two boys on a quest across South Dakota to restore a broken sacred pipe.

• Unleash your inner artist in hands-on painting workshops with local instructor Karen Chan.

And don’t miss our live music events, including:

• Valley Concert Winds performing outdoors on the terrace

• Malt Shop Melodies bringing classic tunes to life in the Margaret Rivers Room

Some programs require registration. Visit library.stillwatermn.gov/calendar or stop by the library to sign up and learn more. 

We're proud to be part of a community that values reading and connection. Celebrate summer with us - read, explore, and discover something new at Stillwater Public Library.

From Our Archives

Remembering the Civil War 

The origins of Memorial Day lie in remembering those lost during the Civil War. Established as a national holiday in 1971, Memorial Day now serves as a solemn occasion to honor all American service members who have given their lives in battle. The day holds particular significance for Stillwater, Minnesota, where local history intertwines with the broader story of the Civil War.

In 1861, when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina, President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 men to bolster the Union Army. Minnesota answered that call with pride, becoming the first state to offer 1,000 troops. Among those who volunteered were 89 young men from Stillwater, who marched to Fort Snelling on April 21, 1861, to form Company B of the First Minnesota Regiment. Tragically, only 43 of them would return home after the war, their sacrifice etched into the town's history.

In poring through the St. Croix Collection’s journals, scrapbooks, official documents, and books for photographs of Stillwater’s Civil War involvement, we were stopped by a book of Civil War photographs and in particular, the story behind how they were taken: Original Photographs Taken on the Battlefields During the Civil War of the United States by Mathew B. Brady and Alexander Gardner. This collection features photographs of pivotal Civil War battles, some of which Company B played a significant role, including Bull Run, Antietam, and Gettysburg.

The story behind these photographs is as compelling as the images themselves. During the Civil War, photography was still in its infancy. Cameras were large, cumbersome, and required long exposures. To capture the chaos of battle, Brady and Gardner created special "What is it?" wagons (pictured above)—so named by soldiers because of their strange appearance.

Brady, Gardner, and their assistants had unprecedented access to the frontlines, and their work was integral in documenting the horror of the war. Their ability to gain the trust of military leaders on both sides was crucial, and it often put them in grave danger. Despite the risks, these photographers and their assistants documented the bloodshed and brutality of the war, ensuring that future generations would remember its human cost. Brady and Gardner’s efforts became known as the first instance of comprehensive photo-documentation of a war.

As we observe Memorial Day in Stillwater, Minnesota, it is important to reflect not only on the bravery of the local men who fought and died in the Civil War but also on the powerful images that preserved their sacrifice. Through the lens of history and photography, we remember their courage, and we honor the men who gave their lives to shape the nation we live in today.

UPCOMING EVENTS

READ BAGS

Read Bags Are Back!

Sometimes we need a little extra reading inspiration. You can find your next favorite read or author in one of our Read Bags. Read Bags are bags of three books within the same genre or theme carefully chosen by our staff members. They’re a great way to experience books and authors you might not have on your lists.

Here’s how it works: Visit the Read Bags cart on the lower level outside of the St. Croix Collection Room. Choose a genre or theme listed on tags attached to the bags. Grab a bag and check out each of the three books individually. Read all or some of the books and return the books and bag to the public service desk. The books are due in three weeks and will automatically renew if there isn’t a hold on them. Your library account will show each of the three books individually.

IN THE GALLERY THROUGH JUNE

Art by Friends of the LOMCP

A new and meaningful art exhibit is on display, showcasing a wide variety of artwork created by friends of the Lyn Olson Medical Crisis Program (LOMCP). Viewable now through June 25, the exhibit highlights the diverse artistic talent in our community and is a testament to the spirit of collaboration and support for those in need.

Local artist and art instructor Deb Korluka is the founder and executive director of the LOMCP, and many of Deb’s friends in the art community have come together to create the Friends of LOMCP Art Exhibit. LOMCP is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families in the Stillwater community facing medical emergencies. The program was established in memory of Lyn Olson, a compassionate woman whose legacy of kindness, loyalty, and faith continues to inspire her family and friends.

Visitors to the gallery are invited to place bids online for any of the unique pieces they admire. All of the artwork on display has been generously donated by local artists, and the pieces are available for auction at onecau.se/2025-art-auction. Eighty percent of the proceeds will go directly to LOMCP, helping those in need, with the remaining funds benefiting Stillwater Public Library.

Stillwater Public Library Gallery’s purpose is to provide education and arts enrichment through exhibits and displays, to increase community involvement in the library, and to provide an enjoyable environment for the library’s users. Gallery exhibits typically change every two months and feature the work of contemporary area artists.