Join us this Sunday, February 9th from 2:00-5:00pm for Souper Bowl Sunday, an afternoon of games, crafting and soup! This event is perfect if you want to avoid all of the pregame coverage, but still make it home in time for the commercials. Registration is required either by calling the library at 507-825-6714 or filling out the form below.
This month, we have the first of our No-Strings Book Chats on Tuesday, February 18th about The Women by Kristin Hannah. We’ll have four No-Strings Book Chats throughout the year. Read what appeals to you and come when the discussions fit in your schedule!
We’re bringing Classics Book Club back in March. Our first book will be AJourney to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.
Winter Reading Program – January 1st-March 31st, sign up at the desk to read books and win prizes!
Weekly Storytime – Wednesdays at 10:30am
Games & Grub – Thursday, January 9th from 5:30-7:00pm, sign up to attend by calling 507-825-6714 or using the form below
Stuffie Sleepover – Kids can drop their stuffies off at the library on Friday, January 10th and come back to the library on Saturday, January 11th to pick up their friends and do a craft.
Family Storytime – Saturday, January 11th at 9:30am
Escape Room at Teen Cafe – Saturday, January 11th from 7:00-8:30pm
Coloring Cafe – Saturday, January 18th from 2:30-4:00pm
Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20th
Armchair Travels: Greece – Tuesday, January 21st at 6:00pm
Community Read Discussion – Thursday, November 7th at 6:00pm
Family Storytime – Saturday, November 9th at 9:30am
Game Night at Teen Cafe – Saturday, November 9th from 7:00-8:30pm
DIY Planner Workshop (Preregistration Required) – Tuesday, November 12th at 6:00pm
Games & Grub (Preregistration Required) – Thursday, November 14th at 5:30pm
Uncovering and Saving History with Doug Ohman – Saturday, November 16th at 10:30am
Coloring Cafe – Saturday, November 16th at 2:30pm
Chamber Ribbon Cutting and Open House Celebration – Monday, November 18th at 4:00pm
To register for either the DIY Planner Workshop or Games & Grub, you can call the library at 507-825-6714 or fill out the form below.
Meinders Community Library will be closed on Monday, November 11th for Veteran’s Day and Thursday, November 28th for Thanksgiving.
Plum Creek Delivery will occur on Wednesday, November 6th instead of Tuesday, November 5th because of scheduled maintenance and Wednesday, November 13th instead of Tuesday, November 12th because of Veteran’s Day. There will only be delivery on Tuesday, November, 26th the week of Thanksgiving.
Join us on Thursday, October 17th at 6:00pm for an evening of Flamenco Guitar with Gladius, whose sound has been described as Carlos Santana meets Eddie Van Halen in a Mexican Standoff. Inspired by the great composers, Spanish guitar maestros, and much more, this award-winning ‘musical mad-scientist’ fuses the elements into a refreshing formula—evoking the Spanish spirit, yet distinctly original.
Use of the children’s area will be limited after 5:00pm on Thursday 10/17 as we set up for this event. There will be no PJs and Picturebooks on Thursday October 17th, but everyone is encouraged to attend the music program. This program is free and open to all.
Join us for a program on Saturday, October 12th at 2:00pm with Pipestone native Sarah Fjellanger who will share about her historical novel, Last Chance Stop. Fjellanger had grandparents who immigrated from Norway in the late 1800’s. Fascinated by stories told of these pioneers, she took on the challenge later in life to obtain a degree in creative writing. Now she writes about the young who were caught up in the rapid historical changes over which they had no control.
We have lots of excited events coming up in October! We have a couple events that require preregistration: Fall Craft Night and Games & Grub. Our Fall Craft Night (10/8) is for ages 16 and up and we’ll be doing an upcycled art project to give pictures autumnal or spooky flair. Games & Grub (10/10) is for all ages. Play games and bring a potluck dish to share. To register for either event you can call the library at 507-825-6714 or fill out the contact form below.
We also have programs with two authors and a flamenco guitarist! Sarah Fjellanger will discuss her first historical fiction novel, Last Chance Stop, about a young orphan train rider on Saturday, October 12th at 2pm. Join us for Flamenco Guitar with Gladius on Thursday, October 17th at 6pm. Our 2024 Community Read is Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey. Lourey will be here to discuss her books and path to publication on Monday, October 21st at 6pm.
Join us for stories, songs, and activities on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30am! Second Saturday Family Storytime will be on October 12th at 9:30am. There will be no Third Thursday PJs and Picturebooks on October 17th, but everyone is encouraged to attend Flamenco Guitar with Gladius!
Teen Cafe will be on Saturday, October 12th from 7:00-8:30pm. All teens in grades 7-12 are welcome to join us for our Arts and Crafts Spooktacular with haunted graham cracker houses and spooky paintings!
September is coming to an end and so is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. I hope my posts have been helpful in giving you ideas on how to become more involved and that I suggested some opportunities for action. Meinders Library and the Plum Creek Library System have books on the topic that can help you or your loved ones. And as always, patron confidentiality is a guiding principle in library work, so don’t ever be afraid to ask. Here is a photo of myself and the other librarians wearing purple and teal in support of Suicide Prevention. These ladies are my biggest cheerleaders, and I don’t know what I would do without them!
Jody, Kim, Sally, and Emily wearing their purple and teal in support of Suicide Prevention and Awareness. Photo credit goes to Myron Koets.
Individuals, organizations, and communities across Minnesota play a vital role in preventing suicides. At every level, across any sector, there are opportunities that someone can take individually and collectively to prioritize suicide prevention and reduce the number of people experiencing suicidal feelings. Moving to action expands an individual’s ability to address the many layers that can help reduce the risk of suicide. Minnesota’s suicide prevention efforts are rooted in the belief that suicides are preventable, help is available, and recovery is possible.
The links below will provide concrete ways individuals, organizations, and communities can help prevent suicide in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Health provided “Action Plan” resource handouts. Click on the links to learn how you can take action. Everyone has a role in preventing suicide.
Below are additional resources for specific populations in Minnesota that were not covered in my previous posts. Help is available and healing is possible.
Youth and Young Adults
Jed Foundation: The Jed Foundation (JED) is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and Young adults, giving them the skills and support they need to thrive today and tomorrow.
Man Therapy: An interactive mental health campaign targeting working age men that employs humor to cut through stigma and tackle issues like depression, divorce, and anxiety.
NAMI Resources for Multicultural Communities: Resources for multicultural communities that face unique challenges in accessing mental health treatment and receiving care that is free from racism, homophobia, and other biases.
Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective: A resource to remove barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing through education, training and advocacy, and the creative arts.
988 Black Mental Health Resources: Resources available for yourself and to help support loved ones who are from the Black/African American community.
Attempt Survivors
With Help Comes Hope: Resources available for yourself or to support a loved one who is thinking about suicide now or in the past or has made a prior suicide attempt.
988 Attempt Survivor Resources: Resources available for yourself and to help support a loved one who has survived a suicide attempt.
I will leave you with a quote from the Lifeline for Attempt Survivors. “Whether you are thinking about suicide now or in the recent past, or you made a suicide attempt last night or several years ago, we understand that the pain you have felt is deep, your emotions may still feel raw, and that your feelings about wanting to end your life are (or were) complicated. We’re glad that you found the Lifeline and we want to help you remain safe and find hope, whether your difficult period is now or in the future.” ALWAYS REMEMBER…THERE IS HOPE, HELP IS AVAILABLE, AND HEALING IS POSSIBLE!
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~
The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health. Please follow Meinders Community Library on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.
It is September, and that means the start of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices and share that there is hope, help is available, and healing is possible.
This year’s theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” and calls to start the conversation. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding mental health and suicide. Changing the narrative on how we perceive and talk about mental health and suicide requires systemic change. To make change happen, we will need to shift our culture from silence and stigma to encouragement, understanding and support.
Start the conversation about mental health support resources.
Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can save your life. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in need of emotional and mental health support. If you or someone you know needs support now, reach out to the 988 Lifeline by calling or texting 9-8-8 or use the 988 online chat feature.
Warm lines and peer support can be valuable for those who are managing stress. You do not need to be in immediate crisis to call the warm line. Anyone seeking support may call the Peer Support Connection Warm Line of Minnesota at 1-844-739-6369, from 5pm to 9am. For more information, visit: Wellness in the Woods: Transforming Wellness into Reality. Mental Health Minnesota also offers a Warm Line. Their services are available 7 days a week, from 9am to 9pm. Call 1-855-927-6546 or text the word “Support” to 85511.
Support groups can help us see that there are others with similar situations and experiences to our own. These groups can help members feel connected and provide peer support from those who understand. To find a list of support groups, visit NAMI Minnesota or Mental Health America.
Meinders Community Library will be host to a Peer Pop Up with Wellness in the Woods. Individuals will have the opportunity to receive completely free, absolutely confidential peer support from one of their trained peer support specialists. Beginning Thursday, October 24th, and every 4th Thursday each month, a Wellness in the Woods representative will be available at the library from 4pm-6pm. Watch for more information in the coming weeks.
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~
Join us tomorrow, Saturday, September 21st at 2:00pm for a program on Orphan Trains with Minnesota historian and author Renee Wendinger. Treats will be provided by the Pipestone Area Friends of the Library.
The following information is from the Minnesota Department of Health. Please follow Meinders Community Library on Facebook or subscribe to our website, meinderslibrary.com, as I will be posting additional information and resources throughout the month.
It is September, and that means the start of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Although mental health and suicide prevention is important to address year-round, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices and share that there is hope, help is available, and healing is possible.
This year’s theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” and calls to start the conversation. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding mental health and suicide. Changing the narrative on how we perceive and talk about mental health and suicide requires systemic change. To make change happen, we will need to shift our culture from silence and stigma to encouragement, understanding and support.
Start the conversation with community.
Starting and having conversations are a common thread that builds community. There are many ways to hold conversations within your community. Consider searching for a community education class or community recreation program near you to talk about mental health and suicide.
Community can be defined as a feeling of fellowship with others because of shared common attitude, interests, and goals. Where do you find your community? How can you help others to connect to services when they need extra support?
Our community plays an important role in our mental health and well-being. What in your community supports your mental health and well-being? Communities that work together in a proactive way are vital to changing the narrative about mental health and suicide.
Every person and organization in the community has a role in normalizing conversations about mental health and suicide. To see what you can do, explore Normalizing Conversations About Mental Health and Suicide. Recommended actions, tools and resources can be used to normalize conversations about mental health, prevent Minnesotans from having suicidal experiences, and improve the lives of people who are struggling.
Stay tuned for next week’s post as I discuss how to start the conversation about mental health support resources. I will provide links and other resources to help with this step.
Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~
