Welcome to your monthly Library Connections e-newsletter! Here, you can discover the exciting news and events occurring at the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library.

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A Noteworthy Donation


The library recently received a beautiful Kawai upright piano, generously donated by Bob Beck on behalf of his mother, Maureen Beck, including all the preparations to get it performance-ready. A beloved piano teacher in Bismarck for many years, Maureen was also instrumental -- in every sense of the word -- in the campaign committee that raised funds for the library's grand piano. Her love of music plays on through this wonderful gift to our community.


A heartfelt thank you to Bob Beck and to Dave Poffenberger, Chanson Poffenberger, and Andy Jangula for helping bring the piano to its new home in Meeting Room A. Many musicians will appreciate this gift for years to come!

We Are Hiring!


The library is a special place. And we're hiring for a special role. The Bismarck Library Foundation inspires private giving to supplement public funding for the library and has led campaigns for vital improvements like the current restroom renovation project, the purchase of a new bookmobile, and the renovation of the Children's Library. We're looking for a part-time Library Foundation Administrative Officer to handle key back-office functions. You get to come to work at the library and help make it the vibrant place it is. What's better than that? Help us spread the word and tell your special people. Or if you're that special person, apply today at tinyurl.com/BVMPL-2607LFAO.

 

UNEARTH A STORY AT YOUR LIBRARY

The Unearth a Story at Your Library Summer Reading Challenge takes place on Beanstack from May 27 through July 24. Open to readers of all ages, this is fun for the whole family.

To complete the challenge, you will log your reading minutes and complete 2 activities: attend an event at the library, and write a book review. When you log your reading minutes in Beanstack, you'll earn a badge for every 2 hours of reading.

You will also earn badges for registration, completion, and the two activities. An adventure board will be available to help you track your progress throughout the summer.

By participating in the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge you will earn incentive prizes and have a chance to be entered in prize drawings every two weeks. Finish the challenge, and you will be entered in the grand prize drawing.

Unearth your story, and help us make this summer of reading the best ever!

 

Nourishing Minds and Bodies

The Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library proudly serves as a donation site for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Hunger Free ND Garden Project. Bring your extra produce, brushed free of dirt, to the library lobby. All are welcome to donate or take what you can use and enjoy. For more information, call the library at 701-355-1480 or visit the “Hunger Free ND Garden Project.” Let’s share the abundance and nourish our community together!

BVMPL is the center of our community and keeps patrons engaged and growing.

-- Gerry T.


 

Library Tour

Monday, July 13

6:30pm to 8:30pm

Main Floor Atrium 

Registration is required.

Stitch Days

Saturday, July 18

12:00pm to 4:00pm

Missouri River Room

Author Visit: Cecile Wehrman

Monday, July 20

7:00pm to 8:00pm

Meeting Room B 

 

Music and Movement

Tuesdays, July 21, 28

10:00am to 10:30am

Meeting Room C 

Librarypalooza 2026

Monday, July 27

6:00pm to 8:00pm

Library Plaza & Inside 

Family Indoor Mini Golf

Friday, July 31

6:15pm to 8:00pm

Main Floor

 

BOOK CLUBS

 

Summer Walk & Talk

Tuesdays, July 14, 28

10:00am to 11:00am

Library Plaza

Strictly Mysteries Book Club: Veronica Heley

Tuesday, July 14

1:00pm to 2:00pm

Missouri River Room

Outdoor Silent Reading Party

Tuesday, July 21

6:30pm to 8:00pm

North Lawn Labyrinth

 

JULY STORY TIMES WITH MISS TIFFANY

 

Toddler Story Time (20 minutes)

Date: July 7, 14+, 21

Time: Tuesdays, 9:30am and 10:15am


Preschool Story Time (25 minutes)

Date: July 1/2, 8/9, 15+/*, 22/23

Time: Wednesdays,9:30am and 10:15am

Thursdays, 10:15 am


Lapsit Baby Story Time (15 minutes)

Date: July 2, 9, *, 23

Time: Thursdays, 9:30am


+Northern Plains Dance Ensemble Performance on Tuesday, July 14 and Wednesday, July 15

*No story times on Thursday, July 16

Children must be accompanied at all times by a caregiver during programs. All events are in the Children’s Library Story Room unless indicated. 

 

CHILDREN'S LIBRARY FEATURED PROGRAMS

 

Swing and Sing-Along With Kittyko

Monday, July 6

10:30am to 11:15am

Infinite Possibilities

Mondays, July 6, 13

3:30pm to 4:30pm

The Little Engine That Could

Tuesday and Wednesday,
July 14 and 15

9:15am to 9:45am and
10:30am to 11:00am

 

Will Stuck’s M.E.S.S. Show

Monday, July 20

1:30pm to 2:30pm

Tickets are required.

Dance Tales by Northern Plains Dance

Tuesday and Wednesday, 
July 21 and 22

10:45am to 11:15am

Kids Culture Series

Thursday, July 23: India

11:00am to 12:00pm

Thursday, July 30: South Korea

10:00am to 11:00am

 

TEEN HQ WALK-IN HOURS

Monday through Thursday

3:00pm to 4:30pm

Teen Headquarters (HQ)


Teen HQ (Headquarters) is your out-of-school relaxation and research headquarters, designed with your needs in mind. Feel free to drop by and browse our ever-expanding teen library, which features books, video games, and magazines. HQ is open for walk-in use by teens in grades 6 through 12 from 3:00pm to 4:30pm, Monday through Thursday, during the summer months unless otherwise noted in the library calendar. There will be no walk-in hours on Thursdays, July 2, 16, and 30, and on Mondays, July 20 and 27.

All teen events take place in HQ, unless otherwise specified.

 

TEEN HQ FEATURED PROGRAMS

 

Quill and Chill

Wednesday, July 1

3:00pm to 4:30pm

Teen Volunteer Club

Thursday, July 9

3:00pm to 4:00pm

Dinosaur Excavation

Tuesday, July 14

2:00pm to 3:00pm

Registration is required.

Creating Cartoon Characters

Monday, July 20

3:00pm to 4:00pm

Meeting Room A

Registration is required.

Teen Video Game Tournament: Super Smash Bros.

Wednesday, July 22

2:00pm to 4:00pm

Mosaic Making

Wednesday, July 29: 
Design and Assemble

2:30pm to 4:30pm

Thursday, July 30: 
Grout and Finish

2:30pm to 3:30pm

Registration is required.

 

There's always something exciting happening at the library!

Check our Calendar of Events for the latest program and event details to stay updated and never miss out.

Summer Adventures Begin With Your Free Library Card!


Your free Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library card opens up a world of entertainment, learning, discovery, and personal enrichment—the library is much more than books. For the summer months, you can check out North Dakota State Park Passes, North Dakota's Gateway to Science Family Passes, Fishing Poles, Children's Life Vests, Pickleball Sets, and Disc Golf Kits! Call 355-1480 or visit the Checkout Desk to learn about these unique items.

 

Mobile Library Route 1

Thursday, July 2


Augusta Place: 10:30am to 11:30am

Sierra Court Apts: 11:45am

Century Cottages: 12:00pm

Brandon Heights: 1:40pm

Door of Hope: 2:00pm

Mobile Library Route 2

Thursday, July 9


Touchmark: 12:30pm

Missouri Slope: 2:00pm

MREC - Jeanette Myhre: 2:30pm

Enable: 2:45pm

AgeWell Center: 2:50pm

Northland Pace: 3:00pm

MREC - Pioneer: 3:15pm

Mobile Library Route 3

Thursday, July 16


Crescent Manor: 10:30am

Edgewood on Dominion: 2:30pm

Edgewood Village (Door 3): 3:00pm

Edgewood Village (Door 1): 3:15pm

Mobile Library Route 4

Thursday, July 23


The Terrace: 1:00pm to 1:30pm

Valley View Heights: 1:45pm

Marillac Manor: 1:50pm to 2:20pm

Baptist: 2:30pm

Prairie Pointe: 2:45pm to 3:15pm

St. Gabriel's: 3:45pm to 4:30pm

 

The Burleigh County Library Bookmobile will be on the road throughout Burleigh County during July. Be sure to check out our Story Walks located at General Sibley Park and at McDowell Dam Recreation Area! All stops are open to the public, so if you see our library on wheels out and about, stop in and visit with us.

 

STORY WALK®

Unearth A Great Story!

We are excited to partner with Bismarck Public Schools, General Sibley Parks & Campground, and McDowell Dam Recreation Area to bring a prehistoric reading adventure to you and the whole family.

Take a Walk, Unearth a Story!

New stories will be available each month at the following locations:

  • General Sibley Park & Campground
  • McDowell Dam Recreation Area
 
 

BVMPL Team Shop


Welcome to the Friends of the Bismarck Public Library’s BVMPL Team Shop — Gear up and show your support for the library! Explore a range of unique designs, from exclusive library-themed apparel to creative gifts and accessories. Whether you’re a lifelong reader, a frequent visitor, or just love supporting your community, there’s something here for you. Every purchase supports the Friends of the Bismarck Public Library.


 

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 raises funds to supplement and enhance library programs and services. Volunteering with Friends of the Bismarck Public Library activities is one of many ways to get involved and support BVMPL! 


If you love the library, show your support by becoming a Friend today!

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

 
 

Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library

515 N 5th Street

Bismarck, ND 58501

 701-355-1480



ask.a.librarian@bismarcklibrary.org

Library Hours

Monday through Thursday, 9:00am to 9:00pm

Friday and Saturday, 9:00am to 6:00pm

Sunday from 1:00pm to 6:00pm

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The library is a department of the City of Bismarck.