Homework Help mentor and student
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Father and daughter holding library cards and smiling
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Man wearing glasses reading a book
Young curly hair child hides his smile behind an open book

Give back to the library you love!  Make your donation today.

Irfan wearing Hennepin County Library batch and smiling

Franklin Library Helped Irfan Find New Community

Irfan is an exceptional young person who established a free tutoring center in his village in Afghanistan at age 14. However, when Afghanistan was evacuated in August 2021, he was forced to abandon the work he felt called to do. Transitioning to life in Minnesota, Irfan faced alienation and uncertainty. Read the full story to learn how his encounter with the library supported building community and the next chapter of his education. 

Read Irfan's Story
Johnny and Thomas standing among stacks at Sumner Library

From Childhood Check-outs to Workplace Readiness, Johnny Grew at Sumner Library

At Sumner Library, Johnny sports a Godzilla vs. King Kong graphic tee and high-fives neighborhood kids who drop in for snacks and stories. Their eyes light up at his attention, because for them, Johnny used to be the teenager who lived in their building, and now he’s the guy behind the check-out counter at their favorite place.

Read Johnny's Story
Staff helps foster care family select a book from book giveaway

A Picnic of Stories

Sharing stories brings us together, just ask a librarian or the organizers of the Foster Care Picnic at Richfield's Veterans Park. To foster care families in Hennepin County, this end-of-summer gathering was a day of story sharing, appreciation, and togetherness...a chance to say, "thank you" and "same here!". Read about this heartwarming event that helped build up a community of families one story at a time.

Read This Story
Happy library patron holding 'Be Proud' library card

Connect with Your Library!

A library card is a gateway to resources, opportunities, support—and now you can access it all in style with the library’s brand-new card designs!

Learn more
Library Love
Illustration of Black woman reading a book

The results of our 2022 Reading Survey are in!

We can confirm for yet another year that our book-loving Friends have excellent taste in books and book-inspired movies. See the most enjoyed books of 2021, what Friends look forward to reading more of this year, tips on making more time for reading in your life, and more!

View 2022 Friends Reading Survey Results
Get inspired

Upcoming Events that Support the Library

Pen Pals

Annette Gordon-Reed

Dec 1-2
Ticketed Event - In-person + Virtual
Talk of the Stacks

Stacy Schiff

Dec 8
Free Virtual Event
Pen Pals

John Irving

Mar 23-24
Ticketed Event - In-person + Virtual
Pen Pals

Kristin Hannah

May 4-5
Ticketed Event - In-person + Virtual
Detail of eleven 22 x 4.5 inch panels illustrated with printed with trees and insect fairies

Discover the Treasures of Special Collections

Show me the Book Arts
torrin greathouse portrait featured on Off the Shelf brand background

The secret reading lives of local authors revealed!

In the newest Off the Shelf interview, poet torrin greathouse talks about pushing poetic forms, making space for the stories of trans women, and what book saved their life. Read their full interview and then explore the reading lives of the rest of our Off the Shelf authors!

Read the interview
Read the interviews!
Mohammed Lawal portrait

Get to know Mohammed Lawal

Learn what role does the library play in the life of Mohammed Lawal, the CEO & Principal Architect of Lawal Scott Erickson Architects, Inc. and FHCL board member. 
 

Read the interview
Meet library friends
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