Fergus Falls Public Library

Fergus Falls Public Library Welcome! The Fergus Falls Public Library is a department of the City of Fergus Falls and a member of the Viking Library System.

Visit library’s website to learn more: https://www.ffpubliclibrary.org

The Fergus Falls Public Library is not responsible or liable for the content of postings by third parties on any Library sponsored social media site, and postings do not reflect the opinions or positions of the Fergus Falls Public Library, its employees, the Library Board, the City of Fergus Falls or the Viking Library System. View FFPL's Social Media Policy on the FFPL website.

🍭Our Candy Land board game was missing two of its gingerbread men. We used our 3D printer to make some new ones! Thanks ...
09/01/2026

🍭Our Candy Land board game was missing two of its gingerbread men. We used our 3D printer to make some new ones! Thanks again to the Friends of the Fergus Falls Public Library for purchasing the printer and filament!

Stop by the library to pick up free wildflower and swamp milkweed seeds for fall planting. Monarchs love milkweed. You m...
09/01/2026

Stop by the library to pick up free wildflower and swamp milkweed seeds for fall planting. Monarchs love milkweed. You may also see a monarch come out of a chrysalis!

The library will be closed on Monday, September 7 for Labor Day.
08/31/2026

The library will be closed on Monday, September 7 for Labor Day.

United for Childrenby Krista Kugler, Children's Services LibrarianHave you ever heard a story about a hamster riding a c...
08/29/2026

United for Children
by Krista Kugler, Children's Services Librarian

Have you ever heard a story about a hamster riding a crow that flew out a window, never to be seen again? If this seems unbelievable, I agree. However, comedian Shayne Smith shared this story (and many more) at a recent conference I attended. Needless to say, the whole room was laughing as we pictured a hamster and a crow, soaring around and having the time of their lives.

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend the 22nd Annual Communities Collaborative Brain Development Conference in Mahnomen, Minnesota. This was an “educational conference dedicated to service providers, teachers, professionals, and parents that work with children ages birth through school-age.” The strategies and information shared were given to “better serve children and families in our communities, including Native American Ojibwe Language and Culture opportunities throughout.” This was my first year attending, but it is a conference I hope to join again in the future.

There were four keynote speakers, all of whom shared motivational and relevant information. Raelene Ostberg, founder of Thriving Together, opened the conference with a session on “Finding Joy.” Her message was to focus on self-care to have the energy and ability to work with children. We often wear stress as a banner, as something to define our lives. We were reminded that stress is not a banner; joy is. I resonated with a quote Raelene shared from Ann Voskamp. It says, “Busy is a choice. Stress is a choice. Joy is a choice. Choose well.” We were all encouraged to find what gives us joy and to do more of that in our daily activities.

I attended two breakout sessions the first day. One was about a Native-owned publishing company and the titles the owners have personally written, as well as titles by other Native authors and illustrators. The stories and books they shared were powerful. My second session was about WonderTrek Children’s Museum. Aimee, the director, presented on the importance of children interacting with the outdoor environment in ways that foster friendships, exploration, and positive risk-taking. She opened her session by asking us to think of our favorite childhood play memory. Go ahead, take a moment and do this. I thought back to when my brothers and I would create houses in the woods out of logs and leaves and chop up old vegetables from the garden to make soup. We loved playing outdoors! Did you know that children spend an average of 4-7 minutes of unstructured playtime outside each day? On the other hand, children use technology an average of 7 hours per day. I was inspired by this session to incorporate more open-ended projects into my programming.

Keynote speaker Chase Mielke presented on how we can strengthen our relationships with other professionals to be more connected and purpose-driven. He talked about how exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy lead to burnout in the early childhood profession. We learned that 57% of Americans feel lonely, making Authentic Interactions the most important A.I. in our lives. The session ended with us having an intentional conversation with a partner about someone who had a significant impact on our lives. There were a few tears shed throughout the room as we shared.

Alyssa Blask Campbell, founder of Seed & Sew, kicked off day two by sharing how we need to look beneath a child’s behavior and see it as a form of communication instead of a problem to be fixed. Alyssa encouraged us to ask, “What is this behavior telling us about the child’s nervous system?” Children often act out because they have learned that it gets them attention, when what they really need is connection. We also had an opportunity to take a quiz to learn how we best regulate and connect with others.

My final breakout session taught us how to work with children who are feisty, lively, and tenacious. A child’s temperament is their language communicated through their behavior. Temperament is simply a reaction to stimuli and is wired from birth. We were encouraged to find strategies to help all children succeed, not just those deemed “easy.”

Our closing speaker was Christophe Fox, a magician and mentalist. He truly amazed us with his tricks and inspired us with his storytelling. His mantra was, “You can only quit on your best day,” not when you’re having a bad day. We were left with the message that we are the magic in children’s lives and the difference we make matters.

Just in time for the weekend! New games available for check out: The Chameleon Catch PhraseSounds FishyHues and CuesMagi...
08/28/2026

Just in time for the weekend! New games available for check out:

The Chameleon
Catch Phrase
Sounds Fishy
Hues and Cues
Magical Athletes
Six Second Scribbles
Checkers

Have you played any of these games?

Happy ! Back-to-school checklist: books ✔️ supplies ✔️ apples…misplaced. 🍎Featuring: "Zero Tolerance" by Claudia Mills ...
08/28/2026

Happy ! Back-to-school checklist: books ✔️ supplies ✔️ apples…misplaced. 🍎

Featuring: "Zero Tolerance" by Claudia Mills

Claudia Mills

🍦🦅🐌Ice cream and raptors and snails! Oh my! Registration is now open for September youth events at the library for stude...
08/27/2026

🍦🦅🐌Ice cream and raptors and snails! Oh my! Registration is now open for September youth events at the library for students in grades K - 12. Sign-up links can be found on Facebook events or through the library's website.

Don't miss our All-Ages Clothing Swap, tonight from 6-7pm! The room is set up if you want to drop anything off early. Ot...
08/25/2026

Don't miss our All-Ages Clothing Swap, tonight from 6-7pm! The room is set up if you want to drop anything off early. Otherwise, we'll see you at 6pm! Note: this is only a small portion of the clothes that will be available tonight. Many people bring their items during the swap.

We've completely refreshed our puzzle selection! We are also in need of 300-piece puzzle donations.
08/22/2026

We've completely refreshed our puzzle selection! We are also in need of 300-piece puzzle donations.

It’s Not Over Yetby Gail Hedstrom, Library DirectorI completely understand how August can feel, like the end of summer i...
08/22/2026

It’s Not Over Yet
by Gail Hedstrom, Library Director

I completely understand how August can feel, like the end of summer is near. Trust me, it doesn’t have to be that way. August, September, and even October can be filled with warm (even hot) days. Many people have the notion that we can’t dip our toes in the pool or lake after August 31st, not true. Despite school calendars being mailed out and mums replacing geraniums, you can extend summer- well, sort of- and the library can help.

While the aquatic center may be closed for the season, you can read books about pools, such as “Jabari Jumps” by Gaia Cornwall, a children’s book about being ready to jump off the diving board. Jabari works up his courage and overcomes his fear all in the company of a supportive and patient dad. A really sweet book to share with children.

State parks are open year-round, and the library has three state park passes available for checkout. Each park pass allows one vehicle into any Minnesota state park for seven days. If you are planning a trip to a state park or just curious about them, I suggest reading “Minnesota State Parks: How to Get There, What to Do, Where to Do It,” by Anne Arthur. This book highlights 75 state parks and state recreation areas. The book includes photos, maps, and information about trails, campgrounds, and interpretive programs. “Prairie, Lake, Forest: Minnesota's State Parks,” by Doug Ohman, features hundreds of beautiful photographs to accompany sixteen essays by outdoors writer Chris Niskanen and is a great way to enjoy a state park from the comfort of your home.

Perhaps this is the summer you intended to learn how to play pickleball; well, it’s not too late. Stop by the library to check out one of our pickleball sets. I also suggest checking out “The Complete Book of Pickleball: The Ultimate Training Guide for Passionate Players of All Levels,” by Kurt Brungardt. It seems that people become passionate pickleball players pretty quickly.

I am going to stick with tennis. The library also has tennis rackets for checkout. If it is too hot to play tennis, I will relax in my hammock and read “Arthur Ashe: A Life,” by Raymond Arsenault. Arthur Ashe was an outstanding tennis player and civil rights activist. I have been told this is an informative, well-written book that you won’t want to put down. Autobiographies and memoirs are perfect summer reads.
Perhaps it’s picnicking you have on your to-do list. To help you plan, I suggest “Country Living, Eating Outdoors--Sensational Recipes for Cookouts, Picnics and Take-along Food” with lovely photos and delicious recipes. Even if you weren’t thinking about picnicking, this book might change your mind.

Spending time outdoors can become more meaningful with an activity. Consider checking out books to help you identify trees, flowers, birds, insects, rocks, and mammals, to make time outdoors more interactive.

It’s still summer, and the public library can help you enjoy every last minute of the season.

Address

205 E. Hampden Avenue
Fergus Falls, MN
56537

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 9am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+12187399387

Website

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