Holiday Closure
The Library will be closed Thursday, November 11th in observance of Veterans Day and again from Thursday, November 25th to Friday, November 26th in observance of Thanksgiving. The library re-open on Saturday, November 27th. During the closures, dropbox will be available 24/7 for all returns. If you would like to renew/reserve materials, please go to the Library’s Website (winona.lib.mn.us) and click on the catalog.
Great River Writes
Great River Writes announces the fifth annual writing series to inspire writers of all levels. In conjunction with National Novel Writing Month, public libraries and literary organizations in La Crosse and Winona will host writing workshops and author chats throughout November 2021.
Community workshops, author talks, and expert tips support both published and yet-to-be-published writers of novels, poems, short stories, and more. Upcoming Workshops include:
Environmental Writing Workshop: Telling Stories About and For the Natural World
Saturday, November 6, 2021, 12:30-2 pm
Holzinger Lodge, 952 W Lake Blvd, Winona
In this workshop, two writers—Kim Alan Chapman, conservationist and ecologist, and James W. Armstrong, professor of English and Winona’s first poet laureate—will help you sharpen your approach to nature writing by deepening your understanding of the human and natural history of a place you know and love, and telling that story.
Kim Chapman has been working in conservation biology for over 30 years; he is currently a consulting ecologist with Applied Ecological Services. He has worked on hundreds of projects in the Midwest that try to find the balance between conservation and development. He is the co-author and editor of Valley of Grass (North Star Press).
Jim Armstrong has been writing about nature and culture for 30 years. He is the author of two books of poetry, Monument in a Summer Hat (New Issues Press) and Blue Lash (Milkweed Press). He teaches poetry, film and literature of the environment in the English Department at Winona State University.
Chapman and Armstrong have collaborated on a book titled Nature, Culture and Two Friends Talking (North Star Press).
This workshop is open to the public. Because space is limited, participants must register. To register, go to winona.lib.mn.us or call the Winona Public Library’s Reference Desk at (507) 452-4860.
The event is co-hosted by the Winona Public Library and the River Arts Alliance.
Self-Publishing: A Practical Guide – Virtual
Thursday November 18th from 4:30-5:30pm – Via Zoom
Is self-publishing the right path for your work? In this zoom presentation, Terri Karsten will explain some of the different models for self-publishing and discuss the pros and cons. Using her own publishing experiences as examples, Terri will share information on how to navigate the self-publishing journey.
Registration is required for this event. To register, go to https://www.lacrosselibrary.org/ or call the La Crosse Public Library at (608) 789-7100.
This workshop is sponsored by the La Crosse Area Writers Group.
Self-Publishing: A Practical Guide – In Person
Saturday November 20th at 11:30am
Winona Public Library
151 W 5th St, Winona, MN 55987
Is self-publishing the right path for your work? On Saturday, November 20th at 11:30AM in the Winona Public Library, author, Terri Karsten, will explain some of the different models for self-publishing and discuss the pros and cons using her own publishing experiences as examples. Karsten will, also, share information on how to navigate the self-publishing journey.
To register, go to winona.lib.mn.us or call the Winona Public Library Reference Desk at (507) 452-4860.
This workshop is sponsored by the Winona Public Library and Great River Writes.
Waking Up White Regional Read: Challenging Ourselves to Create a Healthier Multicultural Community
Interesting title for a regional read, right? The full book title is Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race. The book is written by Debby Irving, and it’s the book she wishes someone had handed her decades ago. By sharing her sometimes cringe-worthy struggle to understand racism and racial tensions, she offers a fresh perspective on bias, stereotypes, manners, and tolerance. As she unpacks her own long-held beliefs about colorblindness and being a good person, she reveals how each of these well-intentioned mindsets actually perpetuated her ill-conceived ideas about race. She also explains why and how she’s changed the way she talks about racism, works in racially mixed groups, and understands the racial justice movement as a whole.
Why was this book chosen for the Read? The book is about unlearning biases, dismantling white privilege, and creating inclusive communities. The regional read was created to spark anti-racism conversations across neighboring cities through public presentations and book chats.
The next Winona event is on Saturday, November 6, 10AM at Holzinger Lodge (925 West Lake Blvd) and is a book chat entitled “Why Being Color-Blind” is Not a Good Approach. Register online at www.lacrosselibrary.org or call (608) 789-7145.
For a full list of public presentations and book chats, go to www.laxwakingupwhite.com.
Interested in learning what the book is all about? Grab a copy from an area Little Free Library or stop by the Winona Public Library’s Reference Desk to receive a free copy of the book.
This read would not be possible without the generous sponsorship from individuals across the region as well as the following organizations: Bridges Church, City of La Crosse, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, Friends of the Winona Public Library, La Crosse Community Foundation, La Crosse Public Library, Mayo Health System, Minnesota Arts, Culture, Heritage Fund/SELCO Legacy Dollars, and the Wisconsin Humanities Council (The Waking UP White Regional Read was funded in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Council, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment of the Humanities. The Wisconsin Humanities Council supports and creates programs that use history, culture, and discussion to strengthen community life for everyone in Wisconsin.).
Jewels of Minnesota Artist Exhibit, Talk, and Painting Class
Stop by the Winona Public Library during its open hours from Tuesday, November 9th to Thursday, December 2nd to see Rita LeDuc’s paintings in the exhibit, Jewels of Minnesota. An artist talk, in conjunction to the exhibit, will be held on Friday, November 12th at 3PM in the Library’s Bell Art Room.
In addition to the exhibit and talk, LeDuc and her husband, Paul, will host a painting class on Friday, November 19th at 3PM in Sobieski Park Lodge (next to Gabrych Park). The class will cover both basic and midlevel skills with one-on-one support while participants create a painting to take home. Registration is required for this class. To register, go winona.lib.mn.us or call the Library’s Reference Desk at (507) 452-4860.
LeDuc is a regional nature artist who uses her oil paintings, photos, and life experiences to inspire others and to promote mindfulness in making everyday decision.
Rita LeDuc is a fiscal year 2021 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to the legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Friends of the Library Participate in Give to the Max Day
Give to the Max Day, Minnesota’s annual day of online giving, is Thursday, November 18th. It’s a day to give to your favorite Minnesota nonprofit. Please, consider supporting the Friends of the Winona Public Library (www.givemn.org/friendsofthewinonapubliclibrary). Like last year, 30% of the total donated on Give to the Max Day will be put toward the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library allows children ages birth to five to receive a hand-selected, age-appropriate, high-quality book each month, free of cost!
Craft ‘n Things
Craft ‘n Things is a craft kit from the Winona Public Library for adults ages 18+. Kits contain necessary supplies, instructions, and a link to the YouTube Tutorial. Each month on the second Monday of the month from 12PM until gone and following Tuesday from 9AM until gone, the Library will have these kits available outside at the Johnson Street Entrance for people to grab and go. Craft activities and dates are:
November 8 & 9: Pipe Cleaner Corn
December 13 & 14: Melted Snowman Tea Lights
Great River Writes – Winona Writers Group
Do you like to write fiction or non-fiction? Check out the Great River Writes – Winona Writers Group that meets every second Friday of the Month at 3:30pm. The next meeting is on November 12th at the Sobieski Park Lodge (965 East 7th St).
Registration is not required but if you would like to receive the monthly writing prompts go to winona.lib.mn.us.
(Winona Public Library)
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