Monday, February 6, 7 p.m.
Adult Fiction Area

Join us for a discussion of the award-winning "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. From amazon.com: Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

Thursday, February 9, 6:30 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Don Wendel will present “Talkin’ Turkeys, an interactive program that will feature the history of wild turkeys in Minnesota, turkey calls and more. The River Ranger program is an effort to encourage outdoor activity and appreciation for our role in enjoying and helping the environment. Though the focus is on youth involvement, adults are encouraged to participate; children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult. The program is sponsored by the Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River, New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen, New Ulm Public Library and Water Resources Center at MSU, Mankato.

For more information about the program, contact Ron Bolduan at boldriv@newulmtel.net or call the library at 507-354-8367.

Monday, February 13, 7 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Supernatural is a CW hit show and winner of this year's People's Choice Award for Favorite Network TV Drama. All teens are invited to volunteer Gabby's interactive multimedia presentation about the show and to watch an episode. Dress up as your favorite character!

Thursday, February 16, 7 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Carole Bode of Cherry Lane Antiques and Appraisals in New Ulm will appraise your antiques and collectibles. Please limit one item per person; gems will not be appraised. This program is sponsored by Friends of the New Ulm Public Library.

Friday, February 17, 3:45 p.m.
Adult Fiction Area

Saturday, February 18, 10:30 a.m.
Children's Room

The New Ulm Narren are coming back for another special storytime! Preschoolers and their families are invited to attend this event, learn about these masked characters, listen to fun stories and enjoy juggling entertainment.

Tuesday, February 21, 12 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Join us for a discussion of "The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl" by Timothy Egan. About the book: The dust storms that terrorized the High Plains in the darkest years of the Depression were like nothing ever seen before or since. Following a dozen families and their communities through the rise and fall of the region, Egan tells of their desperate attempts to carry on through blinding black dust blizzards, crop failure, and the death of loved ones. Stop by the library or call the reference desk at 359-8335 to place a hold on a copy.

Participants are welcome to bring their lunch.

Tuesday, February 21, 7 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Local historian Denis Warta will conduct a multimedia presentation on New Ulm's connection with the Civil War battle at Shiloh.

Sunday, February 26, 1-4 p.m.

The public is invited to celebrate the library's 75th anniversary. The schedule of events includes:

1 p.m. - Music by John Holmquist, classical guitarist, and Zach Holmquist, vocalist
2 p.m. - Unveiling of painting and presentation by artist Del Iron Cloud
2:45 p.m. - Tribute to Fred W. Johnson
3:15 p.m. - Music by Dick Kimmel, bluegrass artist

Monday, February 27, 7 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

The Friends of the New Ulm Public Library welcome Diane Wilson, author of "Beloved Child: A Dakota Way of Life." The book explores the "soul wounds" suffered by Dakota people, and her profiles of contemporary Dakota people focus on their return to traditional ways. Diane won a Minnesota Book Award for "Spirit Car: Journey to a Dakota Past." Diane also will speak Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Peter Public Library. Learn more about Diane at her Web site.

This program is funded by a Minnesota Book Awards Author Event grant from the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library.

Tuesday, February 28, 12 p.m.
Adult Fiction Area

Minnesota Music Hall of Famer Donnie Klossner will perform old-time music on concertina. The program is sponsored by the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and the library.

Tuesday, February 28, 6:30 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Join Children's Librarian Katy Kudela in celebrating the library's 75th birthday with songs, stories, and fun!

Wednesday, February 29, 10 a.m.
Library Meeting Room

The entire family is invited to a free movie that is rated PG and runs 90 minutes. Call the library at 359-8334 for the film title. Popcorn and drinks will be served. The film is sponsored by the Optimist Club and Friends of the New Ulm Public Library.

Monday, March 5, 7 p.m.
Adult Fiction Area

Join us for a discussion of the suspense novel "Before I Go to Sleep" by S.J. Watson. From amazon.com: Every day Christine wakes up not knowing where she is. Her memories disappear every time she falls asleep. Her husband, Ben, is a stranger to her, and he's obligated to explain their life together on a daily basis - all the result of a mysterious accident that made Christine an amnesiac. With the encouragement of her doctor, Christine starts a journal to help jog her memory every day. One morning, she opens it and sees that she's written three unexpected and terrifying words: "Don't trust Ben."

Thursday, March 8, 6:30 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Kids of all ages and interested adults are invited to join the River Rangers. The River Ranger program is an effort to encourage outdoor activity and appreciation for our role in enjoying and helping the environment. Though the focus is on youth involvement, adults are encouraged to participate; children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult. The program is sponsored by the Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River, New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen, New Ulm Public Library and Water Resources Center at MSU, Mankato.

For more information about the program, contact Ron Bolduan at boldriv@newulmtel.net or call the library at 507-354-8367.

Friday, March 16, 10 a.m.
Library Meeting Room

People of all ages are invited to meet well-known children's author and illustrator Nancy Carlson. Nancy will share information about her creative process and conduct a PowerPoint presentation. She also will sign books; buy from Nancy after the program or bring your own book. All are welcome to this free program! Find out more about Nancy at her Web site.

This project is made possible by a grant provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library System and was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Tuesday, March 20, 12 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Join us for a discussion of "The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris" by David McCullough. About the book: This is the enthralling, inspiring—and until now, untold—story of the adventurous American artists, writers, doctors, politicians, architects, and others of high aspiration who set off for Paris in the years between 1830 and 1900, ambitious to excel in their work. Stop by the library or call the reference desk at 359-8335 to place a hold on a copy.

Participants are welcome to bring their lunch.

Thursday, March 22, 7 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

People of all ages are invited to join photographer and river expert Ron Bolduan for an all-new pictorial trip through the Minnesota River Valley. Prairies, wetlands, hardwood stands and wildlife, boating, hunting, fishing and festivals, all are part of life on the river, and all are captured by the camera lens.

Ron is a board member of the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway, curator of the Regional River History Center of New Ulm, and coordinator of the River Ranger Program. He has spent nearly 20 years photographing the Minnesota River basin, and he is eager to share the adventure.

Tuesday, March 27, 6:30 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Children's author Gordon Fredrickson will focus on farm heritage with his book "If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure." Find out more about Gordon at his Web site.

Thursday, March 29, 7 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Join us for a screening of "The Dakota Conflict," the 1993 film narrated by Garrison Keillor and Floyd Red Crow Westerman. Following the film, Ben Leonard, director of the Nicollet County Historical Society, will facilitate a discussion. This project is made possible by permission from Twin Cities Public Television and is sponsored by the library and the Brown County Historical Society.

Thursday, April 19, 7 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Historian Curtis Dahlin, author of "The Dakota Uprising: A Pictorial History," will share his research on the U.S.-Dakota War. This event is sponsored by the library and the Brown County Historical Society.

This project is made possible by a grant provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library System and was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Tuesday, April 24, 6:30 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

New Ulm author Jill Kalz will share her new Speak Another Language! series of books designed for children in grades K through 3. All are welcome!

Thursday, May 3, 12 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Twin Cities-area author Rick Shefchik will share a multimedia presentation on his newest book, "From Fields to Fairways: Classic Golf Clubs of Minnesota." Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

Thursday, May 10, 7 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Historian Corinne Monjeau-Marz will discuss her new booklet, "The Day Before the Outbreak: Actions and Accounts from August 17th, 1862." Using a variety of documents, Corinne has traced the day through the lives of a number of well-known (and some not so well-known) people, who each were part of the Dakota Conflict. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the New Ulm Public Library. The Brown County Historical Society is a partner.

Thursday, June 21, 1 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Craig Groethe, a dream interpreter and instructor from St. Cloud, will present a dream interpretation workshop for teens and adults. Craig will teach basic dream interpretation techniques in this interactive program, and he will interpret your dreams!

Tuesday, June 26, 6:30 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Join origami expert Chris Harbo for fun-filled paper folding event. All ages welcome. Young children may need an adult helper.

Thursday, June 28, 3-3:45 p.m.
New Ulm Community Center

Storytellers Tina Rohde and Colleen Shaskin will entertain an all-ages audience will stories, puppets, and fun!

Monday, July 9, 7 p.m.
German Park, New Ulm

Barton’s Hollow, a six-piece traditional bluegrass, contemporary bluegrass, gospel, and acoustic band, will play a Monday Night Concert in the Park, sponsored by the library, New Ulm Park and Recreation, and KNUJ. The group, which is made up of members 15 to 19 years old, including New Ulm native Ian Kimmel, won the 2011 Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association Talent Show.

This project is made possible by a grant provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library System and was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Thursday, July 12
9:30 a.m. - New Ulm Community Center
10:30 a.m. - Children's Room

The fantastic Sunday Punch Barbershop Quartet will share music of the Betsy-Tacy and author Maud Hart Lovelace eras. Learn about the Betsy-Tacy book series as well as barbershop music.

This project is made possible by a grant provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library System and was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Thursday, July 19, 7 p.m.
German Park, New Ulm

Steve Sanders of Snapdragon Seeds will perform an outdoor concert. Sanders is a regular performer at the Minnesota Children's Museum, has performed throughout the Midwest, and released his first CD last August.

This project is made possible by a grant provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library System and was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Thursday, July 26, 7 p.m.
Turner Hall, 102 S. State St.

Historian Carrie Zeman will discuss her newly released reprint of Mary Butler Renville's 1863 story, "A Thrilling Narrative of Indian Captivity." The project is sponsored by the library, Turner Hall, and the Brown County Historical Society.

Tuesday, August 21, 7 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

Thursday, August 23, 10 a.m-12 p.m.
Turner Hall, 102 S State St, New Ulm

A roundtable panel will discuss various aspects of events leading up to, including, and following the Dakota War in a point-counterpoint format. Panelists include historians Curtis Dahlin, Corinne Marz, Stephen Osman, and Don Heinrich Tolzmann. Daniel Hoisington will moderate the event.

This project is made possible by a grant provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library System and was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Partners include Turner Hall, the Brown County Historical Society, Friends of the New Ulm Public Library, and the 150th Steering Committee of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.

Thursday, August 23, 7 p.m.
Library Meeting Room

New Ulm Public Library and the Brown County Historical Society welcome historian Don Heinrich Tolzmann. Tolzmann is former curator of the German-Americana Collection and Director of German-American Studies at the University of Cincinnati. Author and editor of numerous books on German-American history and culture, Tolzmann currently serves as President of the German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati and Curator of the German Heritage Museum of Cincinnati.

This project is made possible by a grant provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library System and was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.