Upcoming events

Author talk with Marlene Zuk
Oct. 20, 6-8 p.m.
Open Book in Minneapolis

Meet Ellen and Yalile: A Conversation about Universities and Power
The Friends Forum: A Series for Curious Minds
Oct. 26, 7-9 p.m.
Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota

First Fridays
A series of intellectually stimulating talks from the Archives and Special Collections
Nov. 4, Dec. 6, Feb. 3, March 3, April 7, and May 5 | noon to 1 p.m.
Elmer L. Andersen Library and ONLINE

Mary Moore Easter presents: ‘Keeping the Past with Eliza Winston’
The Friends Forum: A Series for Curious Minds
Dec. 6, 7-9 p.m.
Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota

Exhibits

The Eyes See What the Heart Feels: From the Archives of Photographer & Painter Adger Cowans
Through Jan. 31, 2023 during open hours at Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota

Drawn to health: Bodies and medicine in popular visual culture
Through Dec. 29, 2022 during open hours at Wangensteen Historical Library, 2-340 Phillips-Wangensteen Building, University of Minnesota

Friends Forum: A Series for Curious Minds

Thought-provoking, entertaining, and intellectually engaging programs brought to you by the Friends of the University Libraries. Featured speakers include Alan Page, Kevin Kling, Andrea Davis Pinkney, Wendy Lehr, Robert Bly, and more events from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Pankake Poetry Series

Poetry readings and Q&A with the poets about their work. Featured poets include: David Mura, Deborah Keenan, Wang Ping, Jim Moore, Bao Phi, Margaret Hasse, Michael Dennis Browne, and more.

Read This Book!

Book recommendations — with selections across genres and for readers of all ages — brought to you by the U of M librarians, curators, and library staff. Lisa Von Drasek, Curator of The Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature, hosts the series.

Did You Know?

Fun facts from the U of M Libraries

• Our libraries are open to the public!
• You can use any of our 11 campus libraries with collections of more than 8 million volumes.
• Borrowing privileges are available to Friends of the Libraries members ($80 level)
• You can also visit the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
• We are #1 nationally in the number of books sent out through the InterLibrary Loan.
• We have two caverns 82 feet below ground holding 1.4 million volumes and 93,000 cubic feet of archival material. It is with an ambient temperature of 57 degrees Fahrenheit, heated to 62 degrees. Relative humidity of 45-50% is maintained throughout the year.
• Libraries across Minnesota saved $5.6 million last year, thanks to our Minitex program’s cooperative purchasing program.
• We save students money on course materials by providing open textbooks, purchasing multi-use e-textbooks, and more.
• Collection highlights for you to visit
  • Come see 1604 map by Jesuit Matteo Ricci which is 5 feet high and 12 feet long!
  • The Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature holds manuscripts and original illustrations from beloved children’s books such as The Pokey Little Puppy (1942).
  • The Sherlock Holmes Collection is the largest collection of materials related to Sherlock Holmes in the world.
  • The Kirschner Cookbook Collection in the Magrath Library on the St. Paul Campus has 3,500 cookbooks, spans 125 years, and is international in scope.
  • The Borchert Map Library holds over 360,000 aerial maps of Minnesota and 250,000 sheet maps, covering most Minnesota counties and dating back to the late 1800’s.