There Will Be Nonsense with Leah Ode Kiser
Wednesday, July 12 at 2PM
St. Charles Public Library

Let your imagination run wild with magical realist painter, Leah Ode Kiser. Leah will share a book of her whimsical paintings and lead a drawing activity that will be entertaining for all ages.  In her book, There Will Be Nonsense, Leah’s fanciful and carefully composed paintings are paired with short thought-provoking questions. The proceeding drawing activity will encourage participants to come up with their own imaginative drawings and questions.  Leah grew up in St. Charles, MN, and currently lives near Phoenix, Arizona.

Fish Printing with Whitewater State Park
Wednesday, July 5 at 2 PM
St. Charles Public Library

Come try your hand at an ancient art form while learning more about the fish that live in southeast Minnesota.  On Wednesday, July 5 at 2 p.m. the St. Charles Public Library will host a special Fish Printing program.  A naturalist from Whitewater State Park will share information on Minnesota’s fish, after which we’ll paint rubber fish to make fish prints you can keep.  This program is free of charge.  Ages 3 and older.  A parent or caregiver must be present.

Fairy Tale Storytelling with Tom Muschler
Wednesday, June 28 at 2 PM
St. Charles Public Library

In a special storytelling program on Wednesday, June 28 at 2PM, Tom Muschler will visit the St. Charles Public Library to tell both classic and “brand new” fairy tales.  Preschoolers through young elementary kids are especially welcome.

Texas 4000 for Cancer
Thursday, June 22 at 6PM
St. Charles Public Library

This summer, a group of students from the University of Texas at Austin are biking from Texas to Alaska to raise awareness on the fight against cancer.  During their lengthy trip, they will make a stop in St. Charles.  On Thursday, June 22 at 6PM, the Texas 4000 for Cancer will speak at the St. Charles Public Library to share information about their journey and on cancer.

The Texas 4000 is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit supported by the students at the University of Texas at Austin.  The organization is committed to cultivating student leaders and engaging communities in the fight against cancer.  Each year, students spend 18 months volunteering in the Austin community, learning about developments in cancer research, and fundraising for cancer research and support services.  They then embark on a 70-day, 4000+ mile bike ride from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska, spreading hope, knowledge, and charity across North America.

In their program at the St. Charles Public Library, the Texas 4000 will discuss cancer risk factors, such as smoking and sun exposure, the importance of healthy eating and exercise, and available resources that people can use for support.

For more information on the Texas 4000 and their route through North America, check out their website at www.texas4000.org.

Snakes of the Blufflands
Wednesday, June 21 at 2 PM
St. Charles Public Library

On Wednesday, June 21 at 2pm, Whitewater State Park will visit the St. Charles Public Library for the program, “Snakes of the Blufflands.”

Fifteen of Minnesota’s 17 species of snakes, including the timber rattlesnake, live in the blufflands of southeast Minnesota.  Come learn about these fascinating creatures and how we can live, work and play alongside them.  Bring your camera for photos of live snakes.

Making Minnesota Pat Bauer & Dave Geister 
Wednesday, June 14 at 2PM
St. Charles Public Library

Enjoy hands-on activities while learning more about the great state of Minnesota!  Author Pat Bauer and illustrator Dave Geister will visit the St. Charles Public Library on Wednesday, June 14 at 2 PM to share “Making Minnesota,” an activity book recently published by the Minnesota Historical Society.  The book will be available for free at this family event, thanks to generous funding from the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment.

The activity book explores Minnesota’s history, people, landscapes, wildlife, and culture.  It is full of information and activities for kids and celebrates all things Minnesota.  The book offers activities to help young readers engage with Minnesota’s history, people, and places by encouraging them to make their own illustrations, maps, lists of favorite places, and other ways to make Minnesota great.

Patricia Bauer is the author of “B for Battle Cry: A Civil War Alphabet.”  Dave Geister provided the illustrations for Bauer’s book, as well as for many other historically-themed picture books.

The program at the library is geared towards kids ages 7 and up, as well as families that have newly immigrated to Minnesota.

Coffee & Conversation
Every Monday, 10:30-11:30 AM
St. Charles Public Library
**Special Program: Wills & Trusts: Estate Planning Basics, Monday, June 12**

On Monday, June 12, at 10:30 AM, Attorneys Judi Wilson and Will Rasschaert from Wagner Oehler will provide a free information session on “Wills & Trusts: Estate Planning Basics” at the St. Charles Public Library.  Learn about wills and trusts, the foundation of many estate plans.  Come away with an understanding of why it’s important to plan ahead and how to get started.  A representative from the St. Charles Area Community Foundation will also speak on ways to support the organization for the benefit of future generations.

The information session is part of the St. Charles Public Library’s weekly Coffee & Conversation program.  Looking for something to do on a Monday morning?  The library is offering free coffee, hot chocolate, and apple cider every Monday, 10:30am – 11:30am.  Drop by the library for a hot beverage and a chat with your fellow community members.

Friday, June 9 at 2 PM
St. Charles Public Library

On Friday, June 9 at 2 PM, local author Jamie Becker will visit the St. Charles Public Library for a special story time.  Becker is the author of the children’s books Wise Grandma B, Creative Grandma J, and Calm Grandma M.

During her visit to the library, Becker will read from her books.  Afterwards, kids will complete a craft and receive a small treat.  Becker will also have books available for purchase.

The St. Charles Public Library’s Summer Reading Program will kick off on Tuesday, June 6. Registration will be held from 5 – 8pm.  At that time, families can pick up copies of the summer schedule, reading logs, and book bingo sheets.  Click here for more information on the 2023 Summer Reading Program.

At 6pm, special guests Z Puppets Rosenschnoz will perform “A la Carte: In a Fool’s Kitchen.”  The show includes a comic battle between a clown French Chef and a wily lobster set to live accordion music.  This playfully interactive comedy will feature clowning, puppetry, music, and a few unruly vegetables.

One-half Monty Python and one-half Sesame Street, Z Puppets Rosenschnoz delights children and their adults with feats of imagination, mixing hand-crafted puppetry and zany comedy with live music.

Z Puppets has earned many awards, including support from the Jim Henson Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Puppeteers of America and Minnesota State Arts Board.

Based in Minneapolis, Z Puppets tour their family-friendly comedies across the country. Appearances have included the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, the National Puppetry Festival, the Walker Art Center and Boston’s Puppet Showplace Theatre.

Z artists have an extensive background teaching classes, workshops and residencies for students of all ages and abilities. Creative Directors Aronson and Griffith have served as arts education specialists for the Perpich Center for Arts Education, Children’s Theatre Company and the Educational Theater Association.

This program is made possible by a Library Legacy Grant.  All programs are free.

Coffee & Conversation
Every Monday, 10:30-11:30 AM
St. Charles Public Library
**Special Program: Vietnam, Then & Now with Lee Carlson, Monday, May 22**

On Monday, May 22 at 10:30 am, Lee Carlson will visit the St. Charles Public Library to talk about Vietnam, then and now.  From September 1968 to August 1969, Carlson served as a Marine Corps Rifleman in Vietnam.  In 2006, he returned to the country with the D.O.V.E. Fund, an organization that undertakes humanitarian projects, while also helping veterans come to terms with their experiences.

Lee Carlson’s visit is part of the St. Charles Public Library’s weekly Coffee & Conversation program.  Looking for something to do on a Monday morning?  The library is offering free coffee, hot chocolate, and apple cider every Monday, 10:30am – 11:30am.  Drop by the library for a hot beverage and a chat with your fellow community members.