Jeanne Aske (at left) is working with Friends of the Library to welcome patrons to the annual Spring Social from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. At right is library director Megan Krueger. (Photo/Nancy Hanson.)Nancy Edmonds Hanson
It’s become a rite of spring at the Moorhead Public Library – a festive social gathering of friends.
Or Friends, that is. The Friends of the Moorhead library are welcoming the community to their third annual Library Spring Social from 1 to 4 Sunday afternoon. The free event features a silent auction of fine art and rare books, accompanied by the jazz guitar music of Twelve Strings and an array of appetizers by Open Table Catering. A mini sale of used books is planned, too, so guests can go home with their arms full of spring reading.
Jeanne Aske, who serves on the Friends board as its fund-raising chairman, points to the art auction as a new attention-grabber. “In years gone by, the library loaned framed artworks, as well as bags of toys, to bring home for three weeks or so,” she explains. Over many years, the library’s collection grew, with paintings and drawings donated by artists at every stage of their careers, from college students to creative talents with regional (and even national) repute.
The loaned-art program ended 15 years ago when the cost of storing, moving and curating the art became unaffordable. Rather than let the dozens of artworks languish, the board decided to (in Jeanne’s words) “find them new homes.”
The selection up for bids Sunday includes works ranging from an exquisite set of five portraits of Native American dancers by Sandi Dahl to works by David Norstad, Barbara Groth, Ross Zirkle, Paula Sundvor, Lula Brown, Vernyl Peterson and more. A separate collection of five works contributed by local collectors will also be on the docket.
The silent auction will also include some especially valuable books donated to the library. Jeanne notes that the selection will be much smaller and easier to consider than the mammoth major books sales the Friends group hosts several times a year. The next full-scale marketplace will be at the end of the month.
Jeanne adds that preparations include aprons inviting guests to help themselves to the goodies that will be served: “People are so polite here. We’ve seen that they hang back from the table until they’re invited.”
The Spring Social and regular book sales fit into the main mission of the Friends, a 300-strong roster of local library allies and patrons, supports the library’s efforts to continue to offer something special for Moorheaders of every age, from the infants and toddlers whose mothers bring them to Baby Bounce to the older adults now gathering at 10:30 on Thursday mornings – the same time as the babies – to socialize and play games over coffee.
Director Megan Krueger says her staff aspires to provide programming tailored to the interests of all ages among the 500 patrons who come through the local library’s doors every day. Middle-schoolers (ages 10-13) are invited to the new Reading Renegades Book Club, holding its first meeting at 6:30 Tuesday, April 9. Other regular events include Storytime for preschoolers on Wednesday; the Waiting for “Outlander” Book Club for sci fi fans of all ages; reading to therapy dogs (“A Pup-tacular Time to Read”) on Thursday; Curious about Careers Storytime” for elementary and middle school students on Saturday; and other regular dates like Lego Club and Spanish Immersion Storytime, a Pokemon Trainers party. For the full schedule, go to www.larl.libnet.info/events.
One-off events are tailored (you could say) to other ages. Young Swifties gather April 15 for a special Taylor Swift-inspired Eras Party. They’re encouraged to dress up in the style of their favorite Taylor eras. Dancing, singing, crafting and games are planned from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Over the years, the volunteers have raised money to sponsor and support the mobile Book Truck; add tablets, toys, games, furnishings and art supplies and other amenities to the children’s area; purchase tables and chairs for events; fund performers and presenters for special events; and provide prizes for the library’s summer reading program.
They help the library staff with special events and arrange displays of books and themed vintage collections. This month, that display features Kelly Wambach’s volumes and collectibles related to “The Wizard of Oz.” Recent exhibits have included prized dolls from the Red River Doll Club and Gloria Lee’s vintage valentines.
The group’s first year with Giving Hearts Day was a success as well. Says Jeanne, “We had no idea what to expect.” At the end of the day, a total of $9,300 had been contributed by some 300 donors. “Quite a few were new to us,” library director Megan Krueger notes.
With its move to new quarters downtown coming up in 2026, Krueger says, community support is more valuable than ever. Membership in the Friends organization is free, enabling members to receive early word of library programming, opportunities to volunteer and get to know others who share their interest in literacy. For more information, go to www.friendsofthemoorheadlibrary.com.
