Meinders Community Library will be closed Thursday, November 23rd in observance of Thanksgiving.
Closed Thanksgiving
Minnesota Authors at the Library
We have a bunch of Minnesota authors visiting the library next week!
On Monday, November 13th at 6:30pm we have the Moving Words: Writers Across Minnesota Author Panel. Enjoy a lively discussion with three multi-genre, Minnesota Book Award-winning authors—Karen Cooper (nonfiction), Brian Farrey (middle grade fiction), and Juliet Patterson (memoir and poetry).
On Wednesday, November 15th at 6:00pm, join us for another Minnesota author event with Colin Mustful. Mustful will discuss his newest novel, Reclaiming Mni Sota, an alternative history of the U.S. – Dakota War of 1862.
We will be closed Saturday, November 11th in observance of Veteran’s Day.
Harvested Winners
We had a fantastic time with our Harvested Fall Festival Escape Room this weekend and the final team rankings are here.
Congratulations to Books & Boo Crew, our winners with the fastest time of 61 minutes!
In second place, we have our youngest group Detective Alien with a time of 66 minutes.
Coming in close behind, we have our third place team, Helen Keller, with a time of 68 minutes.
We had several more teams go through Harvested—Picklers, Maze Runners, Pumpkin Puzzlers, and The Winners. Thank you to everyone who participated and a special thank you to the Pipestone Area Chamber of Commerce for letting us use their adorable How Tall Is Fall sign and other props. We can’t wait to create another escape room for you all soon!
Read and Write with Us!
Amy Lynn Green, our 2023 Community Read author, will be here this Saturday, November 4th at 1:00pm for an author program. Join us on Thursday, November 2nd at 6:00pm for a conversation about The Lines Between Us, our Community Read book. We have a couple copies available to check out, if you would still like to read The Lines Between Us.
Have you ever wanted to write a novel? Join us for Writer’s Cafe and extra Write Ins during National Novel Writing Month this November.
- Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00pm
- Saturday, 11/4 from 9:00am-12:00pm
- Monday, 11/20 from 6:00-8:00pm
- Thursday, 11/30 from 9:00-11:00am
Happy Reading and Writing!
Library Closed 10/30
Due to construction, Meinders Community Library will be closed today, Monday October 30th. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Delivery will be coming on Wednesday 11/1 because of scheduled van maintenance.
Remodel Hours
Starting next Monday, October 30th, Meinders Community Library will begin our modified construction hours. We will be open:
- Monday-Thursday: 10am-6pm
- Friday: 10am-5pm
- Saturday: 10am-2pm
Stay tuned for more updates about our hours and services as the remodel progresses!
Escape Room Openings
Our Harvested Fall Festival Escape Room is ready for sleuths to crack the case! We’ve had a few last minute cancellations, so there is space open in our 7pm slot tonight, Friday 10/27. Call the library at 507-825-6714 to reserve your spot!
No Access Through Front Door
Due to preparations for the new library vestibule and entrance, the front door is not accessible until further notice. Patrons can enter the library through the door on the South side of the building, off the parking lot. Please use caution when entering this space, as construction is still in progress. If you would prefer curbside pick up at this time, call the library at 507-825-6714 and staff will bring your items to you outside. There will be no Crafternoon today, Wednesday, October 25th.
October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month
Depression. (A) A mood disorder that is marked by varying degrees of sadness, despair, and loneliness and that is typically accompanied by inactivity, guilt, lack of concentration, social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, and sometimes suicidal tendencies. (B) A lowering of physical or mental vitality or of functional activity.
National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month is a time to prioritize our mental health, de-stigmatize discussions about it, and ensure that everyone has access to the care and support they need. It’s a reminder that our mental health is just as vital as our physical health and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 16 million American adults each year. People suffering from depression often experience some of these key symptoms:
- A persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
- Fatigue or loss of energy.
- Sleeping too little or too much.
- Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain.
- Restlessness of irritability
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
Like screenings for other illnesses, depression screenings should be a routine part of healthcare. Clinical depression is a serious medical illness and can lead to suicide. It affects men and women of all ages and races. Sometimes people with depression mistakenly believe that their symptoms are a normal part of life. Depression can co-occur and complicate other medical conditions. Only about one third of those suffering from severe depression seek treatment from a mental health professional.
Screenings are not a professional diagnosis. Screenings point out the presence or absence of symptoms and provide a referral for further evaluation, if needed. You should see your doctor or a qualified mental health professional if you experience five or more of the above symptoms for longer than two weeks or if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily routine. Please visit Mental Health America Screening Tools to take a quick and easy test. Mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety, are real, common, and treatable. And recovery is possible!
Until next month, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~
Community Read 2023
The Lines Between Us by Amy Lynn Green is our 2023 Community Read! This book has proved to be so wildly popular that we ran out of copies before the first week was over. We got a few more books today, so be sure to pick up a copy before we run out again!
Amy Lynn Green will be here on Saturday, November 4th at 1:00pm to discuss her books and her writing process. You can also join the community conversation by attending a book discussion—our Early Bird book club on Thursday, October 19th at 8:30am or an evening option on Thursday, November 2nd at 6pm.