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Bucking tradition

Pam Carswell, Minot Public Library Teen Librarian

This winter, the Minot Public Library is venturing beyond traditional library programing (and traditional hours) to connect people, enrich lives and inspire minds!

The first nontraditional library program of 2017 is an afterhours teen and tween mini-golf course on Friday, Jan. 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. No registration is required and teens are encouraged to bring their friends along. Those interested in joining us should arrive promptly at 7 p.m. as the doors will be locked shortly thereafter.

What will be included in the mini-golf course? Library staff are going all-out to construct temporary golfing stations throughout our MPL building for a great evening of mini-golf, music and a bit of exercise in the bleak North Dakota winter. It’s a chance to blow off steam, connect with your friends, listen to some music and have a nice walk in a centrally heated area. You will stroll through many sections of the library (some you may not have visited before) as we putt our way along while watching out for book traps. Feel free to cheer and groan as loud as you want since we’ll be closed to all other non-golfing patrons. No shushing will be allowed — mini-golf at the Library should have everyone feeling up to par!

Non-traditional library programs for teens and tweens continue at MPL as we work to bring our community’s youth some fun activities. Join us for “Water Bottle Challenge Videos” on Jan. 26 and “Trivia Mania” on Feb. 20.

Many of these events serve to help people (especially teens) learn and explore new avenues of interests. For example: through mini-golf in the library, teens and tweens will get to enjoy the library, hear some music and have a great time visiting with their friends in a safe and constructive way. At the “Water Bottle Challenge Videos”, we will film videos of this popular teen pastime and learn more about filming, cooperation and YouTube. “Trivia Mania” provides an outlet for fans of franchises to strut their stuff and meet others who share that same passion while also providing teens with more information about books they might like to read and a greater appreciation of literature as a whole.

MPL also has nontraditional events for adults: on Saturday, MPL hosts another afterhours event as the Minot Story Hour returns at 7 p.m. “This is the Minot Story Hour’s fifth time at the Library, but many people still don’t know what the Story Hour is,” said Library Director Janet Anderson. “The first thing I tell people is that the Minot Story Hour is NOT the same thing as story time for children. Kids are not discouraged, but attendees should know that these are adults telling adult stories related to a designated theme. These stories are raw and heart-wrenching and sometimes bawdy; I have laughed and cried at each one I’ve attended!”

The January theme for the Minot Story Hour is “Scars” and will feature stories about all kinds of scars – physical, emotional, spiritual or comical. Max Patzner of Wild Hands will be the featured musical guest and food and drinks are served. There is no charge to attend the Minot Story Hour events, but donations are accepted. “Thanks to a great partnership with the Friends of the Minot Public Library and the Minot Area Community Foundation, the Minot Story Hour is able to focus on finding great storytellers, but they are always accepting donations so that these events can continue to be possible,” Anderson said.

Why does the Minot Public Library encourage this departure from traditional programming? The mission of MPL is to connect, enrich and inspire and we believe that in order to do this we have to explore nontraditional services while also upholding the traditional services of libraries: books, research and information. Find out more by calling the Minot Public Library at 852-1045 or visiting us online at www.minotlibrary.org.

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