Fargo Public Library Events

Fargo Public Library events are always free and open to the public. A complete schedule of upcoming library events is available at all Fargo Public Library locations and at fargolibrary.org.

LOCATIONS AND CONTACT INFO:

Main Library

102 North 3rd St., Fargo | 701-241-1472

Northport Library

2714 Broadway, Fargo | 701-476-4026

Carlson Library

2801 32nd Ave. S., Fargo 701-476-4040

Children’s Services (Main Library) 701-241-1495

Online: fargolibrary.org

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE

This summer the Fargo Public Library is wild about animals. The Fargo Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge promises a variety of activities and events centered around awesome animals and reading for kids, teens and adults of all ages throughout the summer. Virtual events and some in-library activities are planned throughout the summer. All ages are invited to complete challenges, read every day, earn prizes and participate all summer long. Adults, teens and children can register at any library location to participate in the Fargo Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge. The program can be done online. Pick up a schedule of events at any Fargo Public Library location or view it online at fargolibrary.org.

VIRTUAL DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES Book Club

Nonfiction, novels, memoirs and more. We seek multiple perspectives, with multiple points of entry, and we work to center the voices of marginalized communities and people through our exploration about inequality and injustice in the United States. Pre-registration is required and can be done online. Everyone who registers will receive an email the day before book club regarding virtual meeting details. Contact Megan R. at 701-241-1492 or the Main Library. A list of titles is available online.

June 10 title:

“How to be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi

July 8 title:

“Our History is the Future: Standing Rock Versus the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance” by Nick Estes.

7:00 PM Virtual/Online

June 1 SPRING PLANT SWAP

A great opportunity to share you love of gardening with your neighbors. Participants are asked to bring in plants to trade. This could be leftover garden plants, seed packets, divided perennials or houseplants or propagated plants. Don’t have anything to bring? That’s okay! Everyone will go home with something new. Contact Drea at 701-241-1472.

6:30 PM Carlson Library

June 7 SUMMER READING CHALLENGE

KICKOFF at the Red River Zoo Summer Reading Challenge kick off events for kids. We invite you to discover “Tails & Tales” at your library. All ages are welcome. Activities, storytimes and crafts! No pre-registration is required to attend and all materials will be provided. FREE for ages 0 to 14; Adults and teens (15+) $11.25 per person.

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Red River Zoo

June 10

AUTHOR VISIT WITH JACK ZALESKI

The Fargo Public Library welcomes award-winning journalist Jack Zaleski as he discusses his new book, “Forum Communications Company: A Narrative History 1980-2018.” Attend in person or join us live online to discover the long and storied history of this local family-owned business. Zaleski worked 30 years as editorial page editor of The Forum and is now on the advisory board of the Northern Plains Ethics Institute at NDSU. Join us on Facebook Live or in the City Commission Chambers. Seating is limited and registration is required. Contact Lori West at 701-476-5977 or fargolibrary.org.

6:30 PM Virtual/Online and City Hall Commission Room, 225 4th St N, Fargo

June 16 BIRDING 101 FOR KIDS with Audubon Dakota

Do you know the difference between a Nuthatch and a Chickadee? What does a Cardinal sound like? Kids ages 7-12 are invited to find out the answers to these and other questions when we go in search of different bird species with staff from Audubon Dakota, as we walk to one of the organization's nearby Urban Woods and Prairies sites. Learn to properly use binoculars (a limited number will be available for use, or bring your own) and find out about the characteristics used to identify birds that are common to our region. Pre-registration is required. (Children ages 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.) Contact Children’s Services at 701-241-1495 or fargolibrary.org/kids.

10:00 AM Main Library

June 17 JEFF QUINN'S

READING SAFARI MAGIC SHOW

Magician Jeff Quinn returns to Fargo with another adventurous, fun-filled, wild show! Kids of all ages are invited to watch as he performs amazing tricks featuring silly snakes, enormous elephants, and Gnatalie, the world's only trained gnat. No registration is required.

2:00 PM Civic Center, Fargo

June 17 & July 15 BOOK PARTY

It’s like a book club, but you can read whatever you want! Stop by the Sodbuster Plaza outside the downtown Main Library to chat about the books you've been reading recently. Or check out what our librarians bring to recommend. No registration is required.

7:00 PM Main Library

June 22 VIRTUAL SENIOR BOOK CLUB

Join the virtual Senior Book Club for an informal discussion every other month. The Senior Book Club will discuss “A Well Behaved Woman” by Therese Anne Fowler. Recommended for readers 55 and older. Pre-registration is required. Everyone who registers will receive an email the day before book club regarding virtual meeting details. Contact Kirstie Carlson at 701-298-6954 or visit fargolibrary.org.

3:00 PM Virtual/Online

June 22 & July 6

LIBRARY LEARNING GARDEN @ CARLSON STORYTIME AND CRAFT

Kids are invited to get down and dirty in the garden! We will gather outside for a story, then make or take a fun craft or two. Kids can build a self-watering planter made out of recyclable material and plant some marigolds, decorate some plant stakes to identify our plants at the new Library Learning Garden, make a rain gauge and more! Pre-registration is required for this event. Register with Children’s Services at 701-241-1495 or at fargolibrary.org/kids.

6:00 PM Carlson Library

July 8 VIRTUAL ESCAPE THE LIBRARY EVENTS FOR TEENS

Join us for a virtual version of our popular Escape the Library for Teens program! This program is very similar to an in-person Escape Room, but completely online. Open to teens in grades 6-12. Pre-registration is required. Please note: you will be sent the Escape Room via an email link so you must have a working email address to participate in this online program. Register by email teens@fargolibrary.org or call teen librarian Bree at 701-476-5978.

Noon Virtual/Online

June 28 Japanese Magical Journey: STORYTELLING WITH ORIGAMI ANIMALS

Join us virtually to watch award-winning magician, director and storyteller, Yasu Ishida as he beautifully imbues the essence of traditional Japanese culture into his magic and storytelling. His show incorporates Japanese folktales with origami, and magic tricks. Stories will come together in visual ways, and filled with lots of fun. Children can also pick up origami paper to use during the show to make simple origami animals at home. Please note: origami paper will be available while supplies last. Link will be available at fargolibrary.org/kids from June 28-July 3.

Virtual/Online

4 –July 11

TRAVELING LANTERN THEATRE’S ONLINE

PERFORMANCE OF “TALE OF THE RAINBOW LIZARD”

Pablo Del Peacock (the famous portrait artist) is trying to paint a picture of beautiful Monique Gecko, but every morning she arrives a different color and he has to begin all over again. He and his friend Fatima Flamingo (taking a break from her Flamenco lessons) search for answers. When they solve the mystery and Pablo learns about Monique’s diverse heritage, he decides to paint his new masterpiece using all the colors of the rainbow. Pre-registration is required. This event link is available for viewing from July 4, 7:00 PM – July 11, 7:00 PM

Virtual/Online

July 12

TRICKSTER TAILS STORYTIME

Can you trick a troll? Outfox a fox?

Join us outside the Main Library on Sodbuster Plaza for activities, songs, and stories based on European folktales. Then take a simple troll craft to make at home. Pre-registration is required. In case of bad weather, the storytime will be canceled, but troll crafts will still be available for pick-up. Contact Children’s Services at 701-241-1495 or fargolibrary.org/kids.

11:00 AM Main Library

July 12

Gather your household or call up your friends to form your team and join us for an evening on online trivia from the comfort and safety of your own home. Preregistration is required; register online. Participants will receive an email the day before the event with details regarding the virtual signin. Contact Megan at 701-241-1492 or fargolibrary.org.

7:00 PM Virtual/Online

July 21

WILD SAFARI WATCH PARTY

Take a virtual ride with professional guides through the top game reserves of South Africa and Kenya during a live safari watch party! We'll be keeping an eye out for Africa's unique wildlife as we make crafts, play games and chomp down on some safari snacks. This event is most appropriate for kids in grades K-6. Pre-registration is required at fargolibrary.org/kids.

10:00 AM

Virtual/Online

July 23

AFRICAN ANIMAL STORIES WITH DR. HAMZAT KORIKO

Journey to Africa with Dr. Hamzat Koriko as he takes kids of all ages on trip to his native home through stories about some of the amazing animals found on the continent.

Dr. Koriko is the Executive Director of the African Arts Arena based in Grand Forks and has worked with theater institutions in West Africa, France, Italy and the U.S. He currently teaches at UND. No registration is required for this event.

2:00 PM

Carlson Library

July 26 –July 31

TRAVELING LANTERN THEATRE’S ONLINE

PERFORMANCE OF “THE CATERPILLAR HUNTER”

Crickey! Join the Traveling Lantern Theater Company virtually and meet the Caterpillar Hunter in his exciting backyard adventure where he shrinks himself and sets off to explore the terrain, pursuing elusive bugs and strange herbage in the wild recesses of a common vegetable garden! Pre-registration is required. Contact Children’s Librarian at 701-241-1495 or fargolibrary. org/kids. Participants will receive an email with information on how to log into the session; an email address is required.

9:00 AM

Virtual/Online