These dog days of summer are a great time to walk the community labyrinth! Bring your pup, a friend, or simply yourself for a peaceful stroll to clear your mind and enjoy some quiet time in the sun. If you would like to learn more, visit the community labyrinth site: shorturl.at/6sXfh

The show must go on--to our display! This month, we're putting plays and theatre in the spotlight. These stage-worthy stories from diverse playwrights can make you laugh, learn, and cry. Your Metro State ID or community borrower card is free admission to some of history's greatest shows. 🎭

Minnesota's primary election day is two weeks away and early voting continues across the state. Check out the MPR News Build Your Ballot and hear from the candidates themselves. Go to: www.mprnews.org/election/vot....

Build your ballot: Minnesota's 2026 primary election

Learn who’s on your ballot for the 2026 primary election with MPR News. Enter your Minnesota address to see who's running and learn more about the candidates.

mprnews.org

The Saint Paul Fire Department invites homeowners in Saint Paul to take part in Project Safe Haven. With this FREE program, you will be able to obtain free smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors. Keep yourself and family safe with early detection of hazards. http://stpaul.gov/safe-haven

We’re excited to break out our bullet journals again at Stay Organized tomorrow! 📓 Anyone can join us in the first-floor Fireplace Lounge from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. and use our art supplies and monthly log stickers to decorate their journals. 😊 Learn more: libguides.metrostate.edu/getorganized

As the heat wave continues this week, your library is the perfect place to cool off! Chill out with a great book, check out a movie, or discover a new board game—all while staying comfortable!

July 24 is National Amelia Earhart Day when we celebrate the birth and remarkable achievements of pioneering American aviator Amelia Earhart. Born in 1897, Earhart made history as the first woman to complete a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Stop by your library to read more about her today!

In honor of #NationalCulinaryArtsMonth, our July blog is from one of our Cook Fresh Program Crew Leads, Sam. 🥘 In the blog, she shares how her experience as an intern at Urban Roots was a starting point for her journey in food and hospitality. 🍽️ Check it out 👉 urbanrootsmn.org/2026/07/20/j...

Sam’s Food Journey

In honor of National Culinary Arts Month, our July blog is brought to you by Samantha Murray, one of our Cook Fresh Program Crew Leads. About the Crew Lead Role In our progressive internship mo...

urbanrootsmn.org

As with humans, polluted air and smoke can adversely affect animals’ eyes and respiratory systems, which is especially concerning for those with pre-existing conditions. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

3 things to know about helping pets when the air turns bad

MPR News health reporter Erica Zurek talked to a Twin Cities veterinarian last year when skies were hazy. With conditions worse this year, she revisited her story to help pets and pet owners make the ...

mprnews.org

Some of the best ways to keep your pets cool during this prolonged stretch of hot weather include minimizing time outside in high heat, checking pavement temperatures and not leaving pets in a vehicle.

8 tips for keeping pets safe in Minnesota summer heat

A heat dome is fueling dangerous temperatures across much of the United States this week.

mprnews.org

Air quality in Minneapolis has been rated ‘very unhealthy’ for all residents due to wildfire smoke. Please limit time outdoors as much as possible. https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/air-quality-alert-issued-due-to-wildfire-smoke-for-wednesday-july-15-through-friday-july-17-for-east-0

Air quality alert issued due to wildfire smoke for Wednesday, July 15, through Friday, July 17, for east central, central, west central, southeast, north central, south central, northwest, and northeast...

Air quality is expected to reach the maroon AQI category in east central, central, southeast, south central, west central, north central, and northeast Minnesota, which is hazardous for everyone.

pca.state.mn.us

The East Side Seed Library is hosting Intro to Crop Art, a hands-on workshop on how to use seeds to make pictures. 🌱🖼️ We’ll be in Room 132 on Wednesday, July 29, at 6:00 p.m. with @urbanrootsmn.bsky.social and SPPL. Materials will be provided. Register here: forms.office.com/r/29y4AmfnE6

July 13 is Embrace Your Geekness Day! What better place to do that than at your library? Stream your favorite anime on our free Wi-Fi. Play one of our 100+ board games in the first-floor lounge or just find a cozy spot and curl up with a book. Whatever fuels your fandom, this is your time to shine!

July 10 is Clerihew Day! A clerihew is a humorous, biographical four-line poem with an AABB rhyme scheme, where the subject’s name appears in the first line. It’s designed to be playful & is named for English novelist, Edmund Clerihew Bentley. Let’s make some poetry! We’ll start. (Add yours below!)

Summer is a season of playtime, and we’re celebrating that with a display on the history of the toys we love(d) to play with! From teddy bears to building blocks, there’s something here for anyone with fond memories of childhood. Each title can be checked out to bring the fun home! 🧸🎮🎲📖

Got World Cup fever? ⚽ Keep the excitement going between matches with a book or video from the library! Dive into the history, legendary players, and international importance that make the soccer a global passion. Stop by and check one out!

Interested in the publishing industry? Want to connect with authors and publishing professionals? Sign up for INFS 338: The Craft & Commerce of Book Publishing! For more info, visit the course description page: shorturl.at/Ktq52

We're closed this weekend for the holiday, but you’re welcome to browse our US history book display on the second floor all month long! 📖💿

Metro State Library & Learning Center@metrostatelib.bsky.social · last mo.

Metro State Library is closed during Independence Day weekend, but we reopen on Monday, July 6, at the usual time. Our e-services continue to be available 24/7. We hope you enjoy this historic holiday weekend!

We’re honoring the USA's semiquincentennial with a display that highlights our nation's history from the beginning to the present day. Each book or DVD details how diverse people and historic events have shaped our country, and how we can learn from the past to create a better present and future.

This week is going to be a scorcher so why not come on down to your library and beat the heat in the AC? Find a cozy book nook, play a board game, use a computer, or just “chill out” and relax. We’re always happy to see you!

A big thank you to all of you who attended Community Fun day this past Saturday! We had a great time and we hope you did, too! See you next year!

Metro State Library is closed during Independence Day weekend, but we reopen on Monday, July 6, at the usual time. Our e-services continue to be available 24/7. We hope you enjoy this historic holiday weekend!

Friday is the start of early voting for the 2026 Minnesota primary election and election officials are expecting a spike in turnout. Here's what you need to know.

Early voting starts Friday. What do voters need to know?

This Friday is the start of early voting for the 2026 primary election and election officials are expecting a spike in turnout.

mprnews.org

Check out Ebooks Minnesota! This collection supports summer reading by providing free, anytime access to a diverse digital collection of engaging fiction, nonfiction, and Minnesota-focused titles for readers of all ages: minitex.umn.edu/news/ebooks-...

Summer reading with Ebooks Minnesota: Stories to inspire every reader

Ebooks Minnesota supports summer reading by providing free, anytime access to a diverse digital collection of engaging fiction, nonfiction, and Minnesota-focused titles for readers of all ages.

minitex.umn.edu

Don't forget to join us this Sat, June 27, at Community Fun Day for activities, food, and entertainment beginning at 2pm! Activities include a puppet show, face painting, lawn games, crafts, and more! Free and open to the community! For complete info: shorturl.at/EgsJa

Between holiday celebrations, camps, and road trips, summer is a busy time! Stay Organized is here to help you keep it all together. We’ll be in the 1st-floor Fireplace Lounge at 12 p.m. tomorrow with monthly log stickers and art supplies for your bullet journal. All experience levels are welcome! 📓

We are closed during the Juneteenth holiday on Friday, June 19, but our services will return on Saturday, June 20, for our regular hours. All of our online resources like e-books and databases will still be available 24 hours a day. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

Next week is National Pollinator's Week! Get a head start by stopping by our Seed Library to pick up FREE flower seeds that can help create pollinator-friendly spaces in your yard, garden, or patio. Also, don't forget to check out our collection of books on bees, native flowers and gardening.

We are closed during the Juneteenth holiday on Friday, June 19, but our services will return on Saturday, June 20, for our regular hours. All of our online resources like e-books and databases will still be available 24 hours a day. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

Don’t forget to join us for Community Fun Day Saturday, June 27 with family-friendly festivities starting at 2 p.m. Free food, games, a puppet show, face painting and much more! All are welcome to attend. Additional information can be found here: libguides.metrostate.edu/CommunityFun...