Stillwater Public Library

Stillwater Public Library Stillwater Public Library connects members of our community with the power of knowledge, the poss Obscenities
2. Comment demeaning other people
3. Inaccuracies
5.

The Stillwater Public Library www.stillwaterlibrary.org site is operated by Stillwater Public Library employees. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change, modify, add, or delete comments or posts, photos, and videos at any time. Since most social media sites provide the opportunity for allowing or disallowing comments, each proposed site posting will be approved with the explicit co

ndition of whether it will have comments. It should be noted that the value of social media is the interactive nature of the medium, and that the general purpose of choosing to use social media should include an interactive component of the posting. A specific reason should be noted when a social medium posting does not allow comments and interactive dialogue. The Library also reserves the right to modify the interactive characteristics of a site while it is posted. Site visitors who post comments to the site will be required to sign their real names to any postings. In the instances where comments are allowed, the Library will use the following guidelines when deciding to edit/remove a post:
1. Comment that is libelous/slanderous
4. Comments not related to the specific content of the site
6. Comments on elections
7. Solicitations of commerce
8. Sexual content or links to sexual content
If comments are allowed, the staff member responsible for the page must monitor the site daily. (Staff can set up automatic e-mail notification when someone posts a comment on a page.) Stillwater Public Library has the right to reproduce any pictures or videos posted to this site in any of its publications or websites or any other media outlets. Stillwater Public Library has the right to quote any comments or suggestions left by users. The views, postings, positions, or opinions expressed on this site do not necessarily reflect those of Stillwater Public Library.

“the man before him was not an aging father but a boy, a boy much like himself, a boy who grew up and had a child of his...
06/21/2026

“the man before him was not an aging father but a boy, a boy much like himself, a boy who grew up and had a child of his own and, as best he could, out of a sense of duty and, perhaps love, adopted a role called Being a Father so that his child would have something mythical and infinitely important: a Protector, who would keep a lid on all the chaotic and catastrophic possibilities of life.”

― Tom Wolfe, The Bonfire of the Vanities

Stillwater Public Library building will be closed on Friday, June 19th, in commemoration of Juneteenth. Learn more about...
06/19/2026

Stillwater Public Library building will be closed on Friday, June 19th, in commemoration of Juneteenth. Learn more about the holiday, also called Freedom Day, at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

📱You can still access digital resources, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and most research databases. Find the link to our website in our bio.

📽Plus, Kanopy allows you to stream movies from classics to romance to children's to sentimental to scary! All you need is a library card.

🛜The free Wi-Fi reaches around our building and grounds. You can park in the lot off of 4th Street and use your devices.

We can't wait to see you when we open the building during regular hours on Saturday, June 20.

Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture Mainstreet Stillwater MN Discover Stillwater

🐜A Picnic by the River, Then and NowHappy International Picnic Day!This charming 1908 photograph captures Selma Holcombe...
06/18/2026

🐜A Picnic by the River, Then and Now

Happy International Picnic Day!

This charming 1908 photograph captures Selma Holcombe and friends enjoying a picnic near the St. Croix River, reminding us that gathering outdoors with good company has long been one of life's simple pleasures. Whether packed in a basket or wrapped in paper, a shared meal has a way of creating lasting memories.

Selma, one of photographer Frederick Holcombe’s younger sisters, spent many years as a teacher and principal at Nelson School in Stillwater. But on this day, she's simply enjoying time by the river with friends, surrounded by the beauty of a Minnesota summer.

The image was taken by Frederick Holcombe, an award-winning amateur photographer and banker whose photographs documented everyday life in Stillwater from the late 1800s into the early 1900s. His work offers a remarkable glimpse into the people and places that shaped our community.

This photograph is part of the Frederick Holcombe Historical Photo Collection in the St. Croix Collection Room at Stillwater Public Library. You can explore this image and many others depicting life in Stillwater from the mid-1800s through today whenever the library is open. You can also view many of Frederick Holcombe's photos through the Minnesota Digital Library.

Whether you're spreading out a blanket in the park, gathering with family, or enjoying lunch by the water, we hope you find a moment to celebrate the timeless joy of a picnic.

Mainstreet Stillwater MN Discover Stillwater Minnesota Digital Library Carolyn Blocher

🏆Who's your favorite fictional dad?From wise mentors and protective parents to goofy father figures and flawed heroes wh...
06/17/2026

🏆Who's your favorite fictional dad?

From wise mentors and protective parents to goofy father figures and flawed heroes who try their best, books are full of memorable dads. Tell us who stands out to you and what makes them your favorite!

Mainstreet Stillwater MN Discover Stillwater

🎶Voices on the Terrace: Kick Off Summer with Live Choral MusicSummer evenings are even better with music and a view. Thi...
06/16/2026

🎶Voices on the Terrace: Kick Off Summer with Live Choral Music

Summer evenings are even better with music and a view. This Thursday, June 18, at 6:30 PM, Stillwater Public Library invites the community to the first Concert on the Terrace of the season, featuring Vallee de Croix Chorus and Great Northern Union.

Enjoy an evening of vocal performances overlooking the beautiful St. Croix River as these accomplished local groups fill the terrace with harmony. Both choruses are led by Musical Director Brandon Galbraith and bring their own unique style to the stage.

Vallee de Croix Chorus is a local women's chorus known for its rich barbershop harmonies and varied repertoire that includes Broadway favorites and contemporary classics from artists like Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, and Jim Croce.

Great Northern Union, a Twin Cities chorus, performs a vibrant mix of a ca****la music, blending traditional barbershop with songs by artists including The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Karen Carpenter, Michael Bublé, and Art Garfunkel.

If the weather doesn't cooperate, the performance will move inside.

The fun continues later this summer with Valley Concert Winds on Thursday, July 9, and Minnesota State Band on Thursday, July 23, giving music lovers even more opportunities to enjoy free performances at the library.

Special thanks to the Stillwater Public Library Foundation for sponsoring both the Concerts on the Terrace series and the library's Summer Reading Program, helping bring the community together through music, learning, and shared experiences all season long.

Mainstreet Stillwater MN Discover Stillwater Vallee de Croix Great Northern Union Chorus Stillwater Public Library Foundation

06/15/2026

🏳️‍🌈Pride Reads for Summer

Need inspiration for your next summer read? Josh, one of our librarians, is highlighting our Pride Month display, featuring books by LGBTQ writers from the Stillwater Public Library collection.

Among his picks are Stag Dance by Tori Peters, a collection of four engaging novellas, and My Autobiography of Carson McCullers by Jenn Shapland, a unique blend of archival discovery and personal reflection. They're just two of the many fiction and nonfiction titles waiting to be explored.

If you're taking part in our adult Summer Reading program, the display is a great place to find your next review-worthy read. And if you're simply looking for a good book to enjoy on a warm June day, you'll find plenty of possibilities here too.

Happy Pride, and happy reading. 🌈📚

Mainstreet Stillwater MN Discover Stillwater

“Our flag is red, white and blue, but our nation is a rainbow -- red, yellow, brown, black and white -- and we're all pr...
06/14/2026

“Our flag is red, white and blue, but our nation is a rainbow -- red, yellow, brown, black and white -- and we're all precious in God's sight.”
― Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr, Rainbow Coalition speech: 1984 Democratic National Convention

06/12/2026

🐝Growing Readers, One Bee at a Time 📚

Summer Garden Explorers Summer Reading Program at Stillwater and Bayport Public Libraries is in full bloom, and it's been un-bee-lievable to watch it grow!

After registering, young readers can add a bee with their name to one of the columns in the Children's Area at Stillwater Public Library, creating a buzzing community of summer explorers alongside Owliver, who's ready to welcome friends.

It's only the first week, and we estimate that well over 150 kids have already joined the fun at Stillwater Public Library. Every new bee helps our hive blossom a little more.

From reading adventures to Garden Summer Reading Guides, books to keep, and programs that let curiosity pollinate all summer long, there's plenty to discover between June 6 and August 8. And don't forget that teens and adults can join in the summer reading fun too. All programs are free at the library.

If you stop by, be sure to say hello to Owliver and see how the hive is growing. We can't wait to watch even more readers bee-long this summer. 🌻📚

Summer Garden Explorers is made possible by donors to Stillwater Public Library Foundation, Foundation for Bayport Public Library, and Friends of the Stillwater Public Library.

Bayport Public Library Mainstreet Stillwater MN Discover Stillwater

☀️A Summer Day Along Stillwater's Riverfront Before 1931This colorized photo postcard captures Lowell Park looking north...
06/11/2026

☀️A Summer Day Along Stillwater's Riverfront Before 1931

This colorized photo postcard captures Lowell Park looking north from Nelson Street on what appears to be a beautiful summer day. Interestingly, the photograph is mislabeled “Lower Park”. The gardens and paved levee suggest the photograph dates from after the 1916 Master Plan by Minneapolis architects Morell & Nichols, which introduced features like a sunken garden and decorative fountain north of the bridge, helping shape the park into an inviting public space.

The scene offers an engaging look at Stillwater's riverfront during its transition from a logging community. To the right stands the wooden pontoon bridge, which served the community from 1876 until 1931. Although it connected travelers across the St. Croix River for more than 50 years, the bridge faced ongoing challenges, including rotting supports and fires. One tragic fire claimed three lives and helped lead to its replacement by the steel lift bridge.

On the left, the distinctive clock tower of Union Depot is visible, as are other historic buildings.

The carefully landscaped gardens and broad green spaces highlight the vision that transformed Lowell Park from an industrial levee into a place for recreation and relaxation. That transformation began in 1910 with generous support from local philanthropist Elmer Lowell. Though the park has changed over time, it continues to serve as a community hub, hosting festivals, concerts, and celebrations while offering beautiful views of the river and surrounding valley.

This postcard is part of the Stillwater Public Library Historic Postcard Collection in the St. Croix Collection Room. You can view it, along with hundreds of other historic postcards, anytime the library is open and explore even more glimpses of Stillwater's past.

Mainstreet Stillwater MN Discover Stillwater Carolyn Blocher

😎What's a book you'd hand to a friend and say, "You have to read this this summer"?🌼📚🐝Summer Reading is officially under...
06/10/2026

😎What's a book you'd hand to a friend and say, "You have to read this this summer"?

🌼📚🐝Summer Reading is officially underway at Stillwater Public Library!

This year's Summer Garden Explorers program is open to kids, teens, and adults. Buzz in to register and start submitting your book reviews. Prefer to participate online? Visit the library website and submit short reviews to be entered into weekly drawings for gift cards for adults and reading challenge prizes for kids and teens.

While you're here, check out the hive of activity happening all summer long at the library. From reading and learning to exploring and connecting, there's something for everyone.

See details on the library website or stop by the library to get started!

Discover Stillwater Mainstreet Stillwater MN

Address

224 3RD Street N
Stillwater, MN
55082

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 8pm
Tuesday 10am - 8pm
Wednesday 10am - 8pm
Thursday 10am - 8pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

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