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LIBRARY CONNECTIONS



May 2023



Welcome to the monthly Library Connections e-newsletter! Keep up on everything that's happening at Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library.

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Bike to Books in May


May is National Bike Month! To celebrate, Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library are partnering to encourage biking to books. Whether you ride for fun, fitness, or with family, you are part of the movement for safer streets, connected communities, and happier people. Bike to the library any day in May, and you will receive a free water bottle (while supplies last). Just stop by the Children's Library Information Desk to collect your reward. All ages are encouraged to participate! #BIKETHERE

Let's Get Ready for Summer!


Summer is right around the corner, and that means the summer reading program is beginning soon! In addition to logging their reading, kids and teens will have many opportunities to participate in fun activities at the library throughout the summer. Festivities will begin on Friday, June 2 with the Summer Reading Kickoff, outside on the plaza at the library. Join us for music, dancing and fun activities - and be sure to sign up for the summer reading program while you're here! The Friends of the Bismarck Public Library will be holding a special Children's Used Book Sale in Meeting Room A during the kickoff. This is a great opportunity to stock up on great reads for the summer! Click here for more information on our lineup of summer programs at the library.

May Featured Programs & Events

Chess Academy

Saturday, May 6, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Story Room


Have you always wanted to learn how to play chess? Do you play, but you’re looking for some pointers to improve your game? Now’s your chance to make chess a more significant part of your life! Our chess instructor is Todd Wolf, president of the ND Chess Association. With 30+ years of chess-playing experience, Todd has a lot to offer. Todd will provide a short introduction during each hour-long session and coach participants as they play. Call 355-1489 to register for sessions: 9:30-10:30 AM, 10:45-11:45 AM, 12:45-1:45 PM and 2:00-3:00 PM. Twenty participants of all ages will be allowed per session, and signing up for more than one session is permissible. Drop-ins will be allowed depending on availability.

Author Visit with Unwillable author Jackie Stebbins

Thursday, May 18, 6:30 PM

Meeting Room B


May is mental health awareness month. Join writer Jackie Stebbins as she shares her experience with autoimmune encephalitis. Jackie M. Stebbins was living her dream as a nationally recognized family law, criminal defense, and civil litigator. But Stebbins’s career as a lawyer abruptly ended in May, 2018, when she was diagnosed with a rare brain illness, autoimmune encephalitis. Stebbins persevered to make a remarkable recovery and turned herself into an author and motivational speaker. Open to all ages, a book signing will follow the author talk and books will be available for purchase.

Strictly Mysteries Book Club

Tuesday, May 9, 1:00 PM

Missouri River Room


Calling all mystery lovers! Come along to our group to meet up with others and discuss your favorite mystery authors. In May the group will discuss the books of Riley Sager. Feel free to read one or more books by the author (the library has copies) and come ready to discuss their work. The group is open to all. No registration required.

Nonfiction Book Club

Thursday, May 11, 6:30 PM

Missouri River Room


Book clubs aren't just for fiction readers! If history and nonfiction are your preferred reading genres, this book club is for you. Join us for thought-provoking book discussions on the 1st Thursday of every other month. This month, we'll be discussing The Age of Gold by H.W. Brands. Everyone is welcome and no registration is required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Bismarck Public Library.

Basic Genealogy

Tuesday, May 9, 3:00 PM

Meeting Room C


Getting started with researching your family history can feel intimidating and overwhelming. Our expert instructors are here to help walk you through the basics of the library's Ancestry Library Edition and MyHeritage Library Edition databases. Preregistration is required for this free class. Call the library at 355-1480 or stop by the Adult Information Desk to register.

Additional Programs & Events

First Tuesdays with Job Service ND

Get assistance with job seeking, unemployment insurance, and more

Tuesday, May 2, 1:00-5:00 PM

Main Floor


Yarn Bird Craft for Teens

Tuesday, May 2, 6:00-7:00 PM

Teen HQ


Readers Voice Book Discussion - Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

Tuesday, May 2, 7:00 PM

Missouri River Room


Chess Club for Kids

Play and learn about the game of chess!

Thursdays: May 4 & 18, 6:30 PM

Story Room

Band Night Parade

Friday, May 12, 6:30 PM

Watch for the library crew on the parade route!


Take & Make Crafts for Kids

Beginning Monday, May 15

Pick up in the Children's Library


Take & Create Crafts for Adults & Teens

Beginning Tuesday, May 23

Pick up at the Adult Information Desk


LEGO Club for Kids

Thursday, May 25, 3:30-4:30 PM

Story Room


There's always a lot going on at the library! Check out the Events Calendar on our website for complete program and event information.

Events Calendar

New Book Club Kits

The library's Readers Voice Book Club Kits are available to book clubs, English classes, or anyone looking to share a good book with others. Kits check out for 60 days and come in a canvas bag with 7-12 copies of the book, a signup sheet, and tips on leading a discussion. New kits are now available for checkout: Where the Sky Begins by Rhys Bowen; This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger; Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger; The Dutch House by Ann Patchett; and The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. Click here for more information and a complete list of book club kits.

Visit a Little Free Library


Spring is here, and it's a great time to visit a Little Free Library! The Burleigh County Library sponsors eight Little Free Libraries at rural locations throughout Burleigh County. Feel free to take a book or leave a book at any of these locations:

  • Wing Senior Center
  • McKenzie on Main Avenue
  • Apple Valley on Haroldson Lane
  • Lincoln on Santee Road
  • General Sibley Park & Campground
  • Country Creek Drive
  • Menoken School
  • Sterling on Service Avenue

Love the Library? Be a Friend!


The Friends of the Bismarck Public Library is a nonprofit organization committed to increasing public awareness and use of the Library through cultural, educational, and social activities. The Friends also raise funds to supplement and enhance library programs and services. If you love the library, show your support by becoming a Friend!

Join the Friends

The Library Connections Newsletter is sponsored by the Friends of the Bismarck Public Library.

Library Closed for Memorial Day


The library will be closed on Sunday, May 28 and Monday, May 29 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

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Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library

515 N 5th Street

Bismarck, ND 58501

 701-355-1480



ask.a.librarian@bismarcklibrary.org

Library Hours

Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday-Saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sunday 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM


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