Saint Paul, MN – Saint Paul Public Library will kick off the New Year with a number of free events for all ages highlighting the library's new Read Brave Saint Paul program. First announced in August 2018, Read Brave Saint Paul is the library's citywide reading program that shines a spotlight on community issues through the lens of literature. This year, Read Brave Saint Paul focuses on housing insecurity. The public is invited to the following events:
Film Screenings
- Rondo Movie Club presents "Poverty, Politics, And Profit": Rondo Community Library (461 N Dale St.): Thursday, January 10, 5:30-8 p.m.: Rondo Movie Club presents a special screening of PBS's Frontline documentary Poverty, Politics, and Profit that investigates the billions spent on affordable housing and why so few get the help they need.
Book Clubs
All book clubs welcome new members.
- Hayden Heights Book Club discusses Evicted (1456 White Bear Ave.): Thursday, January 17, 1-2:30 p.m.
- Arlington Hills Book Club discusses Evicted (1200 Payne Ave): Tuesday, January 22, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
- Highland Park Book Club discusses Burn Baby Burn (1974 Ford Pkwy.): Wednesday, January 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- West 7th Book Club discusses Evicted (265 Oneida St.): Thursday, January 24: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Hamline Midway Library's Novels at Night book club discusses Burn Baby Burn (1558 W Minnehaha Ave.): Thursday, January 31, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Storytimes
- Read Brave Storytime with Mayor Carter at Highland Park Library (1974 Ford Pkwy.), Saturday, January 26, 11-11:30 a.m.: Mayor Carter and Librarian Rose lead a storytime with the Read Brave title, "Shelter" by Celine Claire, to introduce young children to age-appropriate themes around what home means.
Volunteer Opportunities
Care Brave with HandsOn:
Drop in and help put together hygiene kits and sock bundles. Presented in partnership with HandsOn Twin Cities, celebrating 100 years of leading the way in volunteerism
- Dayton's Bluff Library (645 E 7th St), Saturday, January 26, 2- 4 p.m.:
- Highland Park Library (1974 Ford Pkwy.): Sunday, January 27, 1-3 p.m.
Facilitated Discussions
- Evicted discussion at Saint Anthony Park Library (2245 Como Ave.), Thursday, January 31, 6:30-8 p.m. Facilitated by Paul Fate, retired President & CEO of CommonBond Communities, the Midwest’s Largest Nonprofit Provider of Affordable Housing. This event is sponsored by the Saint Anthony Park Branch Library Association.
The library will continue to offer free Read Brave Saint Paul programming through February. Read Brave will culminate in a visit to Saint Paul by Meg Medina, the 2019 Read Brave Saint Paul fiction author of Burn Baby Burn, from February 19-21. Medina will present a public book talk at Rondo Library (461 N Dale St.) on Wednesday, February 20, 6-7:30 p.m.
For complete list of events and to subscribe to our Read Brave Saint Paul newsletter, visit ReadBrave.org.
Read Brave Saint Paul is presented by Saint Paul Public Library, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, and the City of Saint Paul. Read Brave is sponsored by Bremer Bank, and supported by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, the Katherine B. Andersen Fund, the Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation, and the Saint Paul Saints.