Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist celebrates National Library Week with highlights and happenings at the Northfield Public Library with Natalie Draper, Director of Library Services and Angelica Linder, Outreach Manager.
Celebrate Asia Pasifika
Saturday, May 2, 2026
11:00am – 2:00pm
This third annual event, the result of an exciting collaboration between the Northfield Public Library and St. Olaf’s Asian Studies Department and Academic Civic Engagement Office, will feature entertaining and educational programming throughout the day. Join us for food, music, dancing, and more!
Concert: Northfield Handbell Choir
Sunday, May 3, 2026
3:00pm – 4:00pm
From classical (Grieg) to jazz (Dave Brubeck) to popular show tunes (Les Misérables), the Northfield Handbell Ensemble’s annual Spring Concert offers a fun and eclectic mix of music for the entire family.
Roving Story Hour with Andrea Mazzariello
Tuesday, May 12, 20266:00pm – 7:00pm
Local artist, musician, writer Andrea Mazzariello makes a stop at the library on his Roving Story Hour circuit to read a portion of his in progress novel.
Aloha Storytime with Rose Oyamot
Thursday, May 14, 2026
10:00am – 11:00am
Sing along with Ms. Rose and her ukulele as we explore stories and interactive songs celebrating Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian heritage! Aloha Storytime is designed for a Pre-K audience. All are welcome. Registration for all participants is required.
Children’s Day/ Book Day – Día de los Niños/Día del Libro
Thursday, April 30, 2026
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day with us!
Learn about and celebrate Puerto Rico through interactive storytelling, music, dancing, and a fun craft activity, along with an activity sheet to continue exploring cultures at home. Pamela Michelli, an Afro-Latina artist born in Puerto Rico, celebrates culture and language through dance, literature, and community programs.This event will be held at the Library Oasis at the Northfield Community Resource Center (NCRC), 1651 Jefferson Parkway, and is free and open to the public.
Photo Exhibit: Minnesota Summer Birds
Photo Exhibit: May 18 – June 2
Presentation: Wednesday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Most Northfielders are familiar with the birds one commonly sees in our neighborhoods, such as robins, crows, and starlings, or birds that come to our feeders, such as nuthatches, chickadees, and Downy Woodpeckers. But there are many other birds that nest in the area that are rarely seen by most people. Gerry Hoekstra will offer a talk on Minnesota’s summer birds, using his own photographs as illustrations and focusing especially on the birds most of us rarely, if ever, see.
Gerald Hoekstra is a resident of Northfield. Before retiring to a life of birding and photography, he was Professor of Music at St. Olaf College. As a photographer, he focuses primarily on wildlife, especially birds and insects, but also photographs landscapes and architecture. Hoekstra has birded and photographed wildlife internationally, as well as throughout the U.S. and Canada. His photographs appear in a number of publications and can often be seen on the home page of the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union (moumn.org).
CELEBRACIÓN DE LA HERENCIA HISPANA –
HISPANIC HERITAGE CELEBRATION 2026
Saturday, September 19, 2026
11:00am – 4:00pm
Join us for a vibrant celebration honoring the richness and diversity of Hispanic heritage. Weaving Community / Tejiendo Comunidad invites us to reflect on how our cultures, traditions, and stories intertwine like threads forming a strong and beautiful fabric. Enjoy cultural performances, traditional foods, arts and crafts, and family-friendly activities that celebrate and connect our community. The bookmobile will also be onsite with resources for all ages.
This event is free and open to the public.
Concept developed in collaboration with community volunteer Thais Gaona Brockway.
