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...

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.

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

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! 📖💿

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.

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-...

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...

Join Urban Roots and St. Paul Public Library for a weekly storytime and garden activity at the Urban Roots Children’s Garden at the Rivoli Bluff Farm and Restoration Site! 📚🌱 📅 Thursdays, June 11-August 27 🕥 10:30-11:30am 📍 749 Arkwright St, St. Paul #ChildrensGarden #StPaul #SaintPaul

June is Immigrant Heritage Month and we're highlighting Minnesota's immigrant community stories. Immigrants have shaped the state’s culture, workforce, and civic life for generations. These memoirs, cultural studies, and community narratives celebrate the diverse voices that enrich Minnesota.📖

This Pride Month, we’re honoring the power of voice and identity through memoirs and poetry by LGBTQ+ authors. These works reflect the courage, resilience, and joy of living authentically. Join us in celebrating and uplifting LGBTQ+ voices. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ All books on display are available for check out.

🕠 Due to roadwork on E. 7th St., the library will close at 5:30 p.m. on Fri, May 29. Normal hours will resume on Sat, May 30. ⚠️🚧 Only local traffic will be permitted on E. 7th this weekend. Plan ahead and use side streets to access E. 7th and our parking lot. mndot.gov/metro/projects/e7th-arcade

After a nice holiday weekend, we're ready to start being productive again! 😀 Stay Organized welcomes bullet journalists of all experience levels to our first-floor Fireplace Lounge tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. Use our supplies to decorate your journal and keep track of all of your summer plans.

We’ll be closed for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, but you can access our e-services anytime. These include e-books, e-journals, databases, research guides, and more. We’ll reopen for in-person service on Tuesday, May 26, during our normal operating hours.

Everyone has a happy place. For many, it’s the library. Ever daydream about fictional libraries you’d like to visit? Perhaps the enchanted library in Beauty & the Beast? The Star Wars’ Jedi Temple Library with the knowledge of galaxies? Tell us about your favorite fictional library in the comments!

Happy World Bee Day! Today we celebrate these pollinators that play a vital role in our ecosystems, food systems, and daily lives. If you’d like to explore the world of bees, the Metro State University Library has many books on the topic! Featured here are just a few titles from the collection.

We’ll be closed for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, but you can access our e-services anytime. These include e-books, e-journals, databases, research guides, and more. We’ll reopen for in-person service on Tuesday, May 26, during our normal operating hours.

Happy First Week of Summer Semester! 😀 We’re excited to support Metro State University's students, faculty, and staff in their learning and teaching this week and all summer long. ☀️ Connect with us in person, over the phone, or online at library.metrostate.edu

Don't miss our annual Community Fun Day on Sat, June 27, 2026 starting at 2 p.m. on the grounds of Metro State and Dayton's Bluff libraries. Free activities include a puppet show, a story stroll, arts & crafts, free books, games, snacks, more! Visit: libguides.metrostate.edu/CommunityFun...

If you've written a story, poem, or other creative piece you're proud of, Open Mic Night is your chance to share it with a supportive audience. Our next one is on Thursday, May 14, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the first-floor Fireplace Lounge. 🎤 Sign up to read your work here: bit.ly/metroopenmic

Gardening season is officially underway! As you begin to plant yours check out some of the many resources available to you at your library! Stop by, browse the collection & take home a few ideas to help your garden grow! Don’t forget to stop by Dayton’s Bluff Library next door to get free seeds!

If you've written a story, poem, or other creative piece you're proud of, Open Mic Night is your chance to share it with a supportive audience. Our next one is on Thursday, May 14, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the first-floor Fireplace Lounge. 🎤 Sign up to read your work here: bit.ly/metroopenmic

May is National Bike Month and Bike to Work Week rolls through this week, May 11–17! Whether you ride for commuting, recreation, fitness, or advocacy, the Metro State Library has plenty of resources to support your cycling journey. Stop by, check out a title, and celebrate Bike Month with us!

The semester may be over, but your reading doesn’t have to be. Take some time to read just for yourself—no deadlines, no assignments, just good books! 📚 Need a little inspiration? Stop by and check out our new shelf to spark your next read.

The month of May is when the Community Labyrinth is in full bloom! 🌼We hope everyone gets a chance to visit and enjoy the beautiful weather. And if you ever need a nice book to bring out there, we have thousands of titles to choose from. 📖

The winners of the 2026 Minnesota Book Awards have been announced! Check out the list here: thefriends.org/minnesota-bo...

Our upstairs display celebrates the incredible stories and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as part of AAPI Heritage Month. From comics to memoirs and history, there's something for all readers, and each title can be checked out. We hope you take a look and learn something new!

This beautiful spring weather is ideal for outdoor exploration, and our new book display has field guides on Minnesota's trees, flowers, birds, bugs, and more. Check out any of these titles to learn exactly what you're looking at, or where to find what you've always wanted to see. 🐦🌳🌼🐛🦋🔍

We’re nearing the end of another semester, which means many library items are due back soon. You can return them at our first-floor desk. Books can go in one of our book drops on either floor or outside the building. Our staff is happy to answer questions about due dates, returns, or renewals. 😊

Stay Organized returns tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. in the first-floor Fireplace Lounge. Bring your bullet journal and get creative with our colorful stickers and other supplies to help you maintain productivity all year long. Both new and experienced bullet journal enthusiasts are welcome! 😊

As National Poetry Month comes to a close later this week, we’d like to remind you to check out our poetry display on the second floor. Also, don’t forget to try your hand at some magnetic poetry! We might even post your creations on our socials!

Thanks for celebrating National Library Week with us! There’s still time to come and win Metro swag by spinning our prize wheel! It will be up through Saturday. Win a tote bag, notebook/pen set, temporary tattoos, library card coaster, clip on book marker, book keychain, or candy!

Explore Minneapolis City Hall and Hennepin County Courthouse, plus more than 100 other spaces that shape our city, May 9-10 during Doors Open Minneapolis. Plan your visit: https://www.doorsopenminneapolis.org/venues-2026

Today is Take Action for Libraries Day, a time for learning about how to show support for the libraries in your community and beyond. We’ve outlined a number of potential ways for you to take action on our National Library Week LibGuide: libguides.metrostate.edu/nationallibr...

Happy National Library Week! Today's theme is National Library Outreach Day! It celebrates the library professionals who are meeting the needs of their patrons wherever they are. Don't forget to stop in for free snacks/beverages and to spin our prize wheel for free swag!

Happy National Library Workers Day! Metro State University Library is lucky to have a team of experienced, caring staff members who love using their knowledge to serve the campus community. Thank you to all of our library workers for everything you do, today and every day. ❤️