Friends of Morton Mandan Public Library

06/05/2026

We had so much fun this afternoon at the MMPL’s Summer Reading Kickoff. Thank you to everyone who attended (it was a great turnout)!

Also, a big shout out to the band who lit up Dykshoorn Park. I mean, I don’t know that I have ever heard the song”Baker Street” performed so well (the saxophone player was awesome) 👏 👏👏.

Here’s to an amazing summer at the MMPL!

06/04/2026

Head to Dykshoorn Park now, from 430-630pm to celebrate the Morton Mandan Public Library’s Summer Reading Kickoff! There are so many great organizations, awesome food, and fun activities!

Morton Mandan Public Library

06/03/2026

Join us on Thursday from 4:30-6:30 pm at Dykshoorn Park to celebrate the MMPL Summer Reading Kickoff!

And stop by the Friends table for some Dino-myte activities and prizes!!!

Register for the reading challenge by using the Beanstalk App. If you have any questions about how it works, let me know since I am currently logging my daughter’s reading minutes so am a bit of an expert on it 😎.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E4x2YMDLH/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Summer is here, and so is our annual summer reading challenge! Log on to Beanstack (or create an account) and register for the "Unearth a Story" reading challenge to start logging minutes and activities. Earn rewards along the way, including a registration reward for youth ages 0-12! Registration reward can be collected at the circulation desk, the Bookmobile, or at the summer reading kick-off on June 4th.

Beanstack login website: https://mortonmandanlibrary.beanstack.org/reader365

Don't forget to celebrate the beginning of the summer reading challenge with us in Dykshoorn Park this Thursday, June 4th from 4:30-6:30pm. Register for the reading challenge, collect registration rewards, listen to live music, enjoy some good food, and participate in activities with community partner organizations!

More info on the June 4th Kick-Off Event here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Btdsp2kc3/

05/31/2026

Good evening, Friends!

A special Sunday announcement to our winners of the National Library Week contests:

Aiden Heinle, congratulations again for winning the guessing contest. Your $50 prize awaits you at the MMPL front desk (please come with a parent anytime after Tuesday to pick it up, so we can make sure to inform the front desk personnel 🙂).

The three winners of the scavenger hunt drawing, as drawn by my son, Sheamus, who has no stake in the outcome, are as follows:

1) Lindsay Newcomb;
2) Ellis Heinle; and
3) April Heinle

A BIG congrats to the Heinle family for making this a family affair!

(My daughter, Reece’s, submission was also drawn, but since we are related, I bought her a hoodie from the Friends of the MMPL store from my own money and had my son draw another name, but my daughter wanted me to acknowledge that she was a winner 😎)

For our three winners, please purchase any one item from the Friends of the MMPL store online here:

https://friends-of-mmpl.itemorder.com/shop/home/

And once you’ve made your purchase, show your ID and proof of purchase to the MMPL front desk and there will be a check waiting for you to reimburse you 🙂.

There are some great t-shirts, hoodies, and coffee mugs for your viewing pleasure.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Morton Mandan Public Library

Online ordering for Friends of Morton Mandan Public Library

05/24/2026

This Memorial Day weekend, we at the Friends of the MMPL are taking time to honor the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who gave their lives for their country, families, and friends.

On Monday, please take time to pay tribute to the sacrifices they made and to pray for the families they left behind. If you can take time to travel to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, you will experience a solemn yet beautiful tribute to our fallen heroes.

Some gave all and, on Memorial Day, we honor them.

Very Respectfully,

Jonathan O’Konek and the entire Friends of the MMPL Board

05/19/2026

Hello Friends!

If you have a North Dakota student in grades 6-12, listed below is information about a great opportunity to participate in an essay contest about America's 250th birthday where they can learn about the federal court system, have a chance at winning $250, and the opportunity to have their essay published in the The State Bar Association of North Dakota magazine, "The Gavel."

A big thank you to Amber, Jeff, and everyone at Studio 701 for giving us an opportunity to make a last push to get the word out to North Dakota students!




The deadline for submissions is this Thursday, May 21st. See below for the flyer that contains information about the essay criteria and submission guidelines 👇

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18VncdL2jQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/16/2026

I did promise there would be a dragon at Mandan’s Touch a Truck event, didn’t I?

A big thank you to Friend Nancy for dressing up as Puff the Magic Dragon to show off Morti, the Morton Mandan Public Library bookmobile and to Friend Randi for the support today!

The MMPL offers library services throughout Morton County via Morti and we are proud that we can be part of an event that promotes such a feel good experience!

Mandan Progress Organization

05/16/2026

Happy Saturday Friends!

Come out and support Mandan’s exciting “Touch a Truck” event from 10am to 2pm today. This yearly spectacle is a great opportunity to see amazing, one of a kind, vehicles. And you may even see yours truly by Morti, the Morton Mandan Public Library’s, very own “truck”/bookmobile. I also heard there may be a dragon guarding Morti who may (or may not) be giving out treats 🙂.

So come out and support both Mandan and the MMPL and enjoy this amazing event!

See the link below for more information:

https://www.ndtourism.com/mandan/events/exhibits-displays/touch-truck-2026





Morton Mandan Public Library
Mandan Progress Organization
Mandan, North Dakota - City Government

05/12/2026

Drum Roll Please!!!!

The winners of the Friends of the MMPL National Library Week Contests are . . .

1) How Many Items in Circulation Guessing Contest (closest without going over) Winner -

Aidan Heinle!!!!!!

with a guess of 35,002 (There are 37,578 items in circulation at the MMPL) and Winner of a $50 prize! We will issue payment at our next Friends meeting in June (so stay tuned 🙂).

2) Ten Question Quiz Winner -

Myah Figueroa!!!!!! (Most answers correct)

Please stop by the MMPL to submit your very own caption and photograph on the Celebration Screen (address the caption to the attention of Layla so she can add it)!

3) The Scavenger Hunt. We had sixteen correct submissions and will thus have a drawing with three winners for the awesome MMPL merch at our next Friends meeting in June (so stay tuned again 🙂🙂)!

Thank you to everyone who participated and please comment (or give a shout out) to congratulate our winners!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Vice President

Jonathan O’Konek
AND the Friends of the MMPL Board

Morton Mandan Public Library