Ramsey County Library Friends

06/19/2026

Reminder that the offices of the Friends and all Ramsey County Library locations will be closed today in observance of Juneteenth.

06/18/2026

Friends, it’s time to renew your membership and continue strengthening the programs, services, and community connections that make Ramsey County Library thrive. We recently mailed renewal reminders to expired members. Thank you to all the mailing volunteers, some of whom are pictured here! We'd also like to thank everyone who has already responded to the mailing.

If you haven’t renewed yet, or if you’d like to join for the first time, you can do so on our website at rclfriends.org/donate.

The Summer Reading Program started June 1 and 5,000 children and teens are gearing up to discover new authors, meet friends at free events like In the Heart of the Beast Puppet Storytime, and stay sharp by reading for fun. Your membership helps keep these programs, and others like them, free and accessible for all.

To celebrate the Library’s 75th birthday this year, we’ve already committed a $150,000 grant (up $20,000 from last year) to Ramsey County Library. This grant will build on the Library’s powerful impact and growth in 2025, including nearly 44,000 people taking part in programs. Fueled by member support, we’re hoping to make a bonus gift of $30,000 this year to expand Library events and add to collections even further.

Join or renew for the July 2026-June 2027 year with a tax-deductible gift of just $20 or more, and enjoy:

📚Bookstore and book sale coupons
📚Members-only early access to our HUGE used book sales
📚Priority and discounted registration for special events
📚Meaningful volunteer opportunities to support the library you love

Learn more about Friends membership at rclfriends.org/support-us/membership.

Together, we can keep Ramsey County Library thriving. Renew today to keep your member benefits - and your impact - going strong. Thank you for your support!

06/17/2026

Please note that Ramsey County Library, the Friends’ offices, and the Friends’ Used Bookstores & Carts will be closed on Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth and Saturday, July 4 for Independence Day.

06/13/2026

Happening today! Come to the Roseville Library to celebrate at RCL's All-Ages Pride event between 10:30am-4:00pm. It's going to be a joyful and welcoming day filled with a scavenger hunt, Pride crafts for all ages, drag Storytime, and plenty of other activities.

The Ramsey County Library Friends sponsor this event and we're hosting a table with giveaways for those who complete the scavenger hunt passport game. Stop by and say hello!

Join us for an all-ages event with many different LGBTQIA2S+ Pride activities and crafts throughout the day! This program is sponsored with funds from the Ramsey County Library Friends.

06/12/2026

The Maplewood Library’s Summer Reading Program Kickoff event is on Saturday 6/13 from 10:30am-12:30pm.

Event description: "Let’s turn 'garbage' into art! Join us as we turn everyday materials into brand new puppets and companions of your creation. Critters, people, or mythical creatures– the only limit is your imagination! Participants can use storytelling and creative drama to bring their new friend to life."

Materials for the SRP Program for children and teens can be picked up at any RCL branch library this summer if you don't make it to the kickoff events. Online trackers are also available at the links below. The program runs until August 8 with events and reading incentives happening at all seven RCL locations. Learn more:

🌞 SRP for kids through age 12: rclreads.org/news/kids-summer-reading-begins-june-1

🌞 SRP for teens: rclreads.org/news/teen-summer-reading-begins-june-1

The Ramsey County Library Friends organization is proud to be a sponsor of the Summer Reading Program and its kickoff events.

06/09/2026

This month, the Friends and Ramsey County Library assembled and distributed more than 1,300 at-home learning kits for second graders in several local school districts! The kits consist of a new book for children to keep in their home libraries, a makers’ project, and information about Library programs. This was made possible by funding support from the Roseville Area Community Foundation, the help of over 30 volunteers, and donations from YOU, our members!

Second graders are in a milestone year in their reading journey, as they transition from learning how to read to falling in love with reading, making this an especially important time for them to have access to books. Research has consistently shown that having books in their homes has a positive impact on children’s educational growth and overall wellbeing.

We are so excited that 1,300 second graders will soon be opening their kits and reading their new books at home, and we hope to see many of them in the libraries!

Many thanks to the volunteers who assembled kits and to our members. Your contributions allow us to share the joy of reading, making, and learning with our local kids!

06/08/2026

The Friends join RCL in celebrating Pride Month and the vibrant LGBTQ+ communities that make our county stronger. We’re proud to support this June 13th event as a sponsor and by hosting a table in the scavenger hunt, where Friends volunteers will have free books and other giveaways for those who complete a “Pride passport.” Stop by from 1:00-4:00pm and say hello!

Celebrate Pride with Ramsey County Library!

Library staff have put together several lists of recommended materials you can borrow to kick off Pride Month: rclreads.org/explore/?tag=lgbtqia

Come to RCL-Roseville to celebrate All-Ages Pride with library staff and the public on June 13 starting at 10:30 a.m. It's a joyful and welcoming day filled with a scavenger hunt, Pride crafts for all ages, drag storytime, and plenty of other activities: rclreads.bibliocommons.com/events/69fca0f7caf93436005a56f7

05/27/2026

This summer, Ramsey County Library will be switching to new behind‑the‑scenes software that helps the library run smoothly. Library users will start to see temporary changes to how they use the library in June 2026. Checking rclreads.org throughout the summer will keep you informed and help you plan your visit.

Here's two things you can do now to prepare:

1. Read through our timeline at rclreads.org/news/library-software-transition. Consider signing up for our news e-newsletter to stay on top of the latest information about the transition.

2. Find the physical copy of your library card. Starting July 5, you will not be able to check out library materials using your digital library card in the app and we will not be able to look your account up with an ID. You must have your physical library card with you to check out materials. If you can't find your card, please stop in and get a new one.