Adult Services
2026 Summer Reading Program
We are so excited for our Summer Reading Program here at the Willmar Public Library!
Our theme this year is Plant a Seed, Read! It will run from June 1 through August 21,
and adults can read and attend events to earn prizes!
The more you read and participate, the better your chances are to earn our grand prize!
Adults can either come into the library or follow this link for their bingo card.
For each bingo, participants have a chance of either earning a prize that day or having a chance to earn the
grand prize at the end of the summer!
New this year: patrons who attend 5 library programs get a prize! This can be any event,
including an adult bringing their kid(s) to a children’s program. Come to the Information Desk to get your punch card!
Please follow us on Facebook and keep an eye on our website for program announcements and registration information.
Adult Take and Make:
Floral Terra Cotta Pot
For this Take and Make, we will be making a Floral Terra Cotta Pot!
Please register online. A staff member will contact
you when it is ready for pick up.
Music in the Gardens Bus Trip
Sunday, Aug 16th with Bus Loading at 12:45 pm
Departure to St. Cloud at 1 pm, Concert at 3 pm,
and Departure to Willmar at 5 pm
We have a new date for our Music in the Gardens Bus Trip! We will now be going on August 16th,
with the same loading time of 12:45, departure from Willmar at 1, and departure from St. Cloud at 5.
If you had a ticket for the July 12th date, you have a ticket with your name on it waiting for you at the Information Desk of the library.
There are some tickets left unclaimed, if this new date works for you! You must have your ticket with you the day of the trip to get on the bus.
The concert itself is free to attend. There will be time to explore the gardens before and after the concert.
Feel free to bring a folding chair or blanket to sit on at the Gardens, as well as food to get you through the day.
We can store bigger items under the bus during transit!
This program is funded in part or in full by a Legacy Amendment grant.
WPL Book Club
Thursday, July 23rd at noon
in the Multipurpose Room
*Please note the date change!*
Join us to discuss Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton!
Food and drink will be provided.
August’s book will be The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb.
September’s book will be A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan.
October’s book will be Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall.
For a full list of all titles that will be discussed in 2026, please follow this link.
Crafter Dark
Wednesday, July 29th at 6 pm
in the Multipurpose Room
Bring whatever craft you are currently working on and socialize with other crafters!
Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Classic Movie Night
Tuesday, August 4th at 5:30 pm
in the Multipurpose Room
Popcorn, snacks, and drinks will be provided!
Cozy Book Club
Tuesday, August 11th at 5:30 pm
in the Multipurpose Room
During Cozy Book Club, participants can come and go at any time! Curated for those who want low-stress socialization,
all are encouraged to bring the book they are currently reading and even a blanket, cushion, or pillow!
If a patron just wants to come to read with others and not talk before or after, we welcome them to!
Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Craft for a Cause:
Tie Blankets for Hawk Creek Animal Shelter
Wednesday, August 12th at 5:30 pm
in the Multipurpose Room
We will be making tie fleece blankets for the kennels at the Hawk Creek Animal Shelter!
The library will be providing fleece thanks to the generosity of many patrons who donated to help us with this worthy cause.
No registration required!
WPL Book Club
Thursday, August 20th at noon
in the Multipurpose Room
Join us to discuss The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb!
Food and drink will be provided.
September’s book will be A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan.
October’s book will be Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall.
November’s book will be The Librarians by Sherry Thomas.
For a full list of all titles that will be discussed in 2026, please follow this link.
Movie Matinee:
You, Me & Tuscany
Friday, August 21st at 2 pm
in the Multipurpose Room
Popcorn, snacks, and drinks will be provided!
Red Cross Blood Drive
Tuesday, August 25th from 9 am to 3 pm
in the Multipurpose Room
To register, you can either call: 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767), go on the
American Red Cross Blood Drive app, or visit redcrossblood.org to sign up.
Crafternoon
Wednesday, August 26th at 2 pm
in the Multipurpose Room
Bring whatever craft you are currently working on and socialize with other crafters!
Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Money Saving Programs and Services
Thursday, August 27th at noon
in the Multipurpose Room
Learn about programs that can lower Medicare premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs.
Find out about who qualifies, how to apply for assistance, and learn about program benefits.
We’ll also cover Medicare preventive services, like free screenings, vaccines, and wellness visits.
Please pre-register for this program to give us an idea of a headcount by following this link.
Ask the Experts!
Have a question or comment/feedback for a seed librarian?
You are always welcome to stop by the information desk, or fill out our online form and we will contact you!
You can also visit the University of Minnesota Extension site, which has many helpful topics from the Master Gardeners.
Happy Gardening!
Library of Things Checkouts
Books not your thing? Remember, you can use your library card to check out any items available in our catalog including:
board games, yard games, fitness kits, audiovisual kits, active mind kits, and more!
Willmar Public Library Makerspace
Register here to use our Makerspace equipment. Equipment must be used in the library and consumable materials are not supplied.
Makerspace users must agree to the Makerspace Policy and complete training on safety and equipment use. Reservations required.
Seed Library
Access the Seed Library in the Willmar Public Library during regular hours.
Book A Librarian
Set up a half hour to an hour long, one-on-one appointment with a librarian.
To see a full breakdown of the assistance available and unavailable with this service, please reference our Book a Librarian FAQs.
Appointments can be made in person, via phone (320-235-3162) or through our online form.
Personalized Reading Recommendation Service
Stuck in a reading rut? Looking for a great read? Or a gift idea for a friend or family member?
Ask a librarian! Fill out this form and tell us a little bit about your tastes, or the tastes of the person you have in mind.
A member of our team of avid readers will create a hand-picked list of books and authors you might enjoy.
The more you can tell us, the better our suggestions will be!
Need Legal Assistance (Civil legal issues only)
