Come play in the dirt with the East Side Seed Library at our seed sowing workshop! Learn about stratifying seeds & participate in a step-by-step tutorial. All participants will receive one seed sowing kit. Registration is required. Learn more and sign up here: library.metrostate.edu/spring-seed-...

As we continue to celebrate women's history month, this week we’re featuring 3 powerful reads by authors who illuminate history, challenge narratives, and inspire new perspectives. Stop by to explore these titles and celebrate the voices shaping our understanding of the past and present.

Thank you to everyone who shared your work with us last night! 🎤 We loved hearing your wonderful poems, stories, essays, and other creative works. Our last Open Mic Night of the semester will be Thursday, April 9, at 6:00 p.m., and whether you read, listened, or both, we hope to see you there.

Metro State writers are once again invited to join us and Haute Dish for Open Mic Night in the first-floor Fireplace Lounge! 🎤 Students, staff, and alumni are encouraged to share their poems and stories at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19. Sign up to read your work here: bit.ly/metroopenmic

During March, we’re featuring books by women writers to honor Women’s History Month. With Friday the 13th upon us, this week’s picks lean into the eerie, unsettling, and downright chilling. Stop by and pick up something spooky for the weekend…if you dare!

Metro State writers are once again invited to join us and Haute Dish for Open Mic Night in the first-floor Fireplace Lounge! 🎤 Students, staff, and alumni are encouraged to share their poems and stories at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19. Sign up to read your work here: bit.ly/metroopenmic

Join Michelle Filkins, one of our librarians, and her co-editor Margret Aldrich for Women's Her-story Month: Publishing Women's Voices. They'll talk about writing and publishing at Carver County Library's Chanhassen branch on Sat., 3/14, at 2p.m. Register here: carverlib.libcal.com/event/15542696

March is Women’s History Month & each week we’ll be highlighting titles from our collection that explore women’s voices. This week’s picks examine how data overlooks women, the fascinating history of words shaped by women & a powerful exploration of Black trans thought, identity & feminist theory.

Study rooms can be reserved by students, faculty & staff up to 2 weeks in advance! See our booking page: shorturl.at/KchwD. Pick a date, select a block of time up to 3 hours, click Book it! Community members can check out study rooms but advance reservations are limited to the MetroState community.

This month we observe the International Day of Zero Waste. This day invites us to take a closer look at what we throw away & how we might live more thoughtfully. Stop by our 1st floor display to explore titles on consumer culture, waste, ethical purchasing & sustainability.

Need to get caught up on studying? We’ll be open regular hours for spring break, so you’re welcome to come on in. Tutoring is limited to online help by appointment only, and reference and research help will not be available during the break. Wishing everybody a safe and fun week off! 🙂

Our newest book & DVD display is all about road trips — historical journeys, chaotic family vacations, soul-searching adventures, and everything in between. Your next road trip starts at the library!

Please join us this Wed. Feb. 25th from 12-1pm as we Stay Organized together! We’ll have supplies & monthly log stickers ready & waiting, so all you need to bring is yourself (& maybe that to-do list you’ve been meaning to tackle 😉). Hope to see you there!

We hope to "seed" you there! 🌱

All gardening enthusiasts are welcome to join our next Community Seed Circle on Wednesday, February 18, from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. We'll be teaming up with Saint Paul Public Library and Urban Roots to sort seeds, connect with neighbors, and tidy up the East Side Seed Library. 🌱

Thank you to everybody who attended our first Open Mic Night! 🎤 We loved hearing your powerful pieces and seeing how much talent Metro State's writing community has. We hope to see you at our next event on Thursday, March 12, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Most of all, we hope you keep writing! 🖋️

All of our services will continue to operate as usual on Presidents Day. Everyone is welcome to visit during our normal hours.

Papers & projects coming due? Don’t stress about it! Metro State librarians are here for you. Help is available in a variety of ways 24/7. Click here for all of the methods you can access assistance: library.metrostate.edu/help/

Open Mic Night returns on Thursday, February 12, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fireplace Lounge. 🎤 Students, employees, and alumni are all welcome to share their writing. If you signed up for the postponed January event, you’re good to go! If not, you can sign up to read your piece here: bit.ly/metroopenmic

Thank you to everyone who stopped by today’s Coffee & Connections event! Jasper, the therapy dog, was please to see you all! Don’t forget to stop by our next Coffee & Connections event, March 30th from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Both Jasper and Elite Espresso will be back with us. See you then!

Don't forget to join us on Monday, February 9, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. for Coffee & Connections! Enjoy free coffee from Elite Espresso, hang out with therapy dog Jasper, and connect with your Metro State community!

Too busy to read anything long or cook anything complicated? We’re showcasing short fiction and quick recipes in our first-floor display for everyone to enjoy during the shortest month of the year. Each title is available to check out. 📚📖

Open Mic Night returns on Thursday, February 12, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fireplace Lounge. 🎤 Students, employees, and alumni are all welcome to share their writing. If you signed up for the postponed January event, you’re good to go! If not, you can sign up to read your piece here: bit.ly/metroopenmic

Browse our Black Art History display for a glimpse at how Africans and Black Americans have transformed the world of theater, music, dance, literature, cooking, and more. You can borrow any of these titles with your Metro State ID or community borrower card.

Stop by Coffee & Connections in the library's 1st floor lounge on Mon, Feb 9th: 11:30-1pm. Enjoy gourmet coffee beverages from Elite Espresso while spending time with your colleagues. Meet Jasper, the therapy dog & even make some crafts!

Don't forget to save the date this Wednesday at 6pm to come and sow seeds with us!

Due to the extreme weather conditions, Metro State Library will close at 5:00 p.m. tonight and remain closed on Friday. We expect to resume normal operations on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Open Mic Night is postponed to Thursday, February 12. Limited online services will be available.

Metro State writers are welcome to share their work at Haute Dish’s Open Mic Night on Thursday, January 22, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni can read their work in the first-floor Metro State Library Fireplace Lounge. Sign up here: bit.ly/metroopenmic

How to Identify City of Saint Paul Employees Guide: With multiple federal agencies in the area, it may be helpful to know what City of Saint Paul staff uniforms look like — from police to animal services. Here are examples. Find immigration resources at stpaul.gov/immigration-resources.

Here’s the link: stpaul.gov/immigration-...

Learn how to stratify seeds and what you can use to do it at Winter Seed Sowing, our free workshop co-hosted with SPPL and @urbanrootsmn.bsky.social. We'll meet in the GROW-IT Center on Wed., 1/28 from 6-7 p.m., and everyone will get a winter sowing kit. Register here: forms.office.com/r/Q2PcD6x2xg

Metro State University Library is closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Digital services such as e-books, e-journals, and databases remain available 24 hours a day. Our normal hours continue on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Save the date! January 21, come Get Organized with us at the Metro State Library! We'll demonstrate bullet journaling as a way to get your life and schoolwork in order. Everyone who attends will receive a free bullet journal!

With increased federal immigration enforcement activity in the Twin Cities, it’s important to know your rights. If immigration agents come to your home, take steps to protect yourself and your family. Learn what to do and find trusted local resources at: stpaul.gov/immigration-resources

Spring semester has begun, and we’re ready to serve our new and returning students, faculty, and staff to help everyone get off to a good start. Visit us in person or online at library.metrostate.edu to learn about all the many resources Metro State Library can offer you. 📖💻

The Oscar noms will be announced Jan.22, 2026. Celebrate award-winning cinema with this selection of Academy Award–winning films & screenplays from our collection. These movies represent excellence in acting, directing, writing & more. There are dozens more in the AV stacks.

Metro State writers are welcome to share their work at Haute Dish’s Open Mic Night on Thursday, January 22, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni can read their work in the first-floor Metro State Library Fireplace Lounge. Sign up here: bit.ly/metroopenmic

With continued federal operations in our city, it’s very important to know your rights, be prepared, and contact an immigration attorney if needed. Resources are available. ➡️ https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/racial-equity/know-your-rights/

Ready for a fresh start in the new year? January 3 is International Mind-Body Wellness Day, a reminder of how closely our mental, emotional, and physical health are connected. This month, get inspired with our 1st floor book display featuring titles to help you find balance, reset, and reconnect.

If you plan to ring in the new year under a cozy blanket with a good book, we've got (more than) a few recommendations for you:

What's your favorite library memory from 2025? 😀📖

Each year, the MPR newsroom shares staff picks of the best books we read in 2025. From a familiar Minnesota romance author to Dust Bowl-era historical fiction with a dash of magical realism, here’s the books we couldn’t put down.

Metro State Library will be closed for winter break from Wed., Dec. 24, 2025 – Thurs., Jan. 1, 2026. Our normal hours resume on Fri., Jan. 2, 2026. Digital offerings like e-books, databases, and e-journals will remain available 24/7 during the closure. Have a safe and happy holiday season! ❄️

As we turn the page on 2025, we’re looking back at how we served our Metro State community throughout the year. It’s always a joy to see just how many people use our services, and we hope to see you again for more library experiences in 2026! 😄

We're all familiar with Little Free Libraries. But have you heard of Little Free Pantries? Metro's own Michelle Filkins has recently transformed hers into a Little Free Pantry as she sees the needs of her community change in these uncertain times. tinyurl.com/3frmm22t

Happy 250th birthday to Jane Austen! 🥳🎉 These titles can entertain you with a Regency romance or teach you about Austen’s incredible contributions to literature. Feel free to check them out with your Metro State ID or community borrower card. 📖💿

Check out the @nytimes.com's 100 Notable Books of 2025! This list of the standout fiction and nonfiction of the year is selected by the staff of The New York Times Book Review. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b...

With continued reports of active federal operations in our city, it’s very important to know your rights, be prepared, and contact an immigration attorney if needed. Resources are available: ➡️ https://mylegalaid.org/in-the-community/community-clinics ➡️ https://www.vlnmn.org/help/clinics

Metro State Library will be closed for winter break from Wed., Dec. 24, 2025 – Thurs., Jan. 1, 2026. Our normal hours resume on Fri., Jan. 2, 2026. Digital offerings like e-books, databases, and e-journals will remain available 24/7 during the closure. Have a safe and happy holiday season! ❄️

Perfectly timed for the winter weather blowing in on Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation kicked off its annual Name a Snowplow contest. It’s the agency’s sixth annual contest to name the beloved road-maintenance machines.