-
I’m With the Banned: a Banned Books Club
Join us for our book club, I’m With the Banned, held monthly on the first Monday, at 3:00 pm in the library’s Bell Art Room. If you would like a copy of the banned book ordered for you, please click the button below to register.
January 5th: Wicked by Gregory Maguire
February 2nd: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
March 2nd: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
April 6th: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
-
Storytime
January 6–April 28 (No February 10, 17, or 24 session)
Tuesdays at 10 AM
Join WPL staff on the second floor of the library for stories, songs, and movement on Tuesday mornings! This is developed with children ages 2-5 in mind, along with active caregiver participation. No registration is required.
-
Book Discussion
If you would like to borrow a copy of any of the upcoming books, please click the link above or call the Reference Desk at (507) 452-4860.
Upcoming Book Selections
January 7th – Long Island by Colm Toibin
February 4th – Grief is for People by Sloane Crosley
March 4th – Diva by Daisy Goodwin
April 1st – The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
If you cannot make the meeting but would like to share your thoughts on the book, go to our GoodReads page.
-
Paper Heart Wreath
Wednesday, February 4 at 3:30 PM
Drop by the Youth Department between 3:30-4:30 PM to create a paper heart wreath, just in time for Valentine’s Day! Example shown below. Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
-
Community Builders Book Club
Engage Winona and the Winona Public Library invites the community to join us for our second round of the Community Builders Book Club. Similarly to the first, we will take a deeper look at 5 books that explore how communities can grow stronger through civic participation.
This book club will meet the first Wednesday of the month from January to May 2026 at 4:30 pm at the Winona Public Library.
Following the same themes as the first round of Community Builders Book Club, we’ll read books from a range of viewpoints, sparking discussions on local action, community power, bridging divides, and the roles of people and governments in shaping our communities. Come ready to challenge your own ideas, engage with diverse perspectives, and discover practical ways to build a more connected community and world.
January 7: You’re More Powerful Than You Think by Eric Liu unravels the nature of power in communities arguing that, despite feelings of powerlessness, citizens can create change through civic engagement and activism.
February 4: This Is Where You Belong by Melody Warnick narrates how she came to find belonging in the place she lives, combined with scientific research on what makes people love the places where they live.
March 4: Escaping The Housing Trap by Charles L Marohn Jr, also the author of “Strong Towns” from our first round of the book club, looks at housing as a need and housing as an investment to understand the challenges of housing in the United States.
April 1: The Power of Bridging by John A. Powell moves readers from an “us vs them” mentality to a more inclusive “we.” This is done through Powell’s framework that builds connections across social and ideological differences.
May 6: Palaces For The People by Eric Klinenburg describes the vital importance of “social infrastructure,” the public spaces such as libraries, parks, and schools, that enhance civic life while decreasing polarization to create more resilient communities.
Engage Winona is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization cultivating stronger communities in the Winona area by reigniting community participation through meaningful dialogue, support, and training.
-
WSU Senior Nursing Students at Library
The Winona State University Senior Nursing Students will be at the Winona Public Library every Thursday throughout the semester. Students will be hosting a book club and will hold health education tabling events.
The book club will be held every Thursday at 3PM in the Library’s Bell Art Room and will run from now until April 3rd. (No book club March 12th.) Each week will focus on different chapters within the book, The Meth Lunches: Food and Longing in an American City by Kim Foster.
Tabling events will run from 11am-3pm on Thursday from now until February 19th. Each week different activities and health education will happen.
February 5th: Cardiac Health with blood pressure screenings, heart healthy recipes, and the importance of heart health and exercise
February 12th: Mental Health Support with indoor stretching and yoga, mindfulness coloring pages, and information about the winter blues and wellness
February 19th: Staying Fit in the Winter with chair yoga, wintertime illness safety, physical safety and health
-
Booked: a True Crime Book Club
Calling all self-proclaimed true crime junkies! Booked: True Crime Book Club will meet the first Thursday of the month at 4:30 pm in the Bell Art Room. Bring your detective brain as we learn about some of the most unnerving serial killers and their victims.
February 5th: If I Can’t Have You by Gregg Olsen
March 5th: The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule
April 2nd: Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker
-
Suminagashi: The Art of Japanese Marbling
Suminagashi is the ancient Japanese art of ink floating dating back as far as the 12th Century. Experience the calming beauty of this art during a hands on workshop at the Winona Public Library on Saturday, February 7th at 10AM in the Bell Art Room. Space is limited, so registration is required.
Participants will learn meditative techniques for creating flowing marbled patterns on water and printing them on to paper. Explore color mixing and overmarbling (printing a sheet twice) on notecards and coasters as well as papers perfect for writing, painting, drawing, or display.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
-
Climate Stewardship Book Club
The Climate Stewardship Book Club meets every first Tuesday of the month at 4:30pm in the Library’s Bell Art Room beginning September 2025 and will explore books about responsible management and protection of the environment. Books range from fiction to nonfiction and include a variety of viewpoints in hopes of creating meaningful discussion. Request books using the form in the registration button below.
January 6th: The Heat Will Kill You First by Jeff Goodell
February 10th: We Will Be Jaguars by Namonte Nenquimo
March 3rd: The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
April 7th: Total Garbage by Edward Humes
-
CareerForce Winona Office Hours
CareerForce Winona will hold office hours at the Winona Public Library every second and fourth Wednesday of the month in the Library’s Central Exchange Room. Office hours are from 1-3 pm.
-
WSU Senior Nursing Students at Library
The Winona State University Senior Nursing Students will be at the Winona Public Library every Thursday throughout the semester. Students will be hosting a book club and will hold health education tabling events.
The book club will be held every Thursday at 3PM in the Library’s Bell Art Room and will run from now until April 3rd. (No book club March 12th.) Each week will focus on different chapters within the book, The Meth Lunches: Food and Longing in an American City by Kim Foster.
Tabling events will run from 11am-3pm on Thursday from now until February 19th. Each week different activities and health education will happen.
February 5th: Cardiac Health with blood pressure screenings, heart healthy recipes, and the importance of heart health and exercise
February 12th: Mental Health Support with indoor stretching and yoga, mindfulness coloring pages, and information about the winter blues and wellness
February 19th: Staying Fit in the Winter with chair yoga, wintertime illness safety, physical safety and health
-
Lego Free Play
Thursday, February 12, 3:30-5 PM and
Saturday, February 21, 10 AM to 12 PM
Enjoy two chances in February to create with Legos! Drop in the Youth department during any portion of the time period to play with our large Lego collection! Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
-
Galentine's Day
Celebrate your lady friends this Galentine’s Day, Thursday, February 12th at the Winona Public Library from 6:30-8pm. This is a free event and the first 150 attendees will receive free goodies from the library.
Gather your friends to make memories at the photobooth! Make a couple of crafts – flower bouquets and painted candles. Get yourself a chair massage. Fill up on food and a beverage (mocktails available). Check out one of these services available for purchase: tarot card reading by Zentlalli-Tarot for the Heart, permanent jewelry by Stone Point Jewelry, and spray tans by Golden Honey Glow. And don’t forget to shop our vendors! Vendors include All Savvy Designs, Bits and Bobs, Cherisa’s Skin Care Spa, Fox & Flora, Gourdgeous Jewelry, Hailey’s Country Creations, Nettie’s Jewelry & Crafts, Paperbacks & Pieces, Rae’s Crochet, Sew Crafty Jackie, Sew Hope, and Vanilla Whispers.
What is Galentine’s Day?
Galentine’s Day originated when the television show, Parks and Recreation, aired the episode “Galentine’s Day.” The episode is all about celebrating lady friends and getting for a relaxing night of fun. Ever since the episode aired, Galentine’s Day has become a national sensation. The unofficial date of Galentine’s Day is February 13th.
-
Library Closure: Presidents' Day
The library will be closed for Presidents’ Day on Saturday, February 14th, through Monday, February 16th. We will reopen on Tuesday, February 17th at 9 AM.
-
Friends of the Library: Monthly Meeting
Monthly Friends of the Library meetings are typically held on the third Tuesday of each month from 4:00 – 5:00 pm in the Meeting Room of the library.
All Friends and potential Friends are welcome to attend.
-
Scratch Art Bookmark
Wednesday, February 18 at 3:30 PM
Drop by the Youth Department between 3:30-4:30 PM to make a unique scratch art bookmark. Example shown below. Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
-
WSU Senior Nursing Students at Library
The Winona State University Senior Nursing Students will be at the Winona Public Library every Thursday throughout the semester. Students will be hosting a book club and will hold health education tabling events.
The book club will be held every Thursday at 3PM in the Library’s Bell Art Room and will run from now until April 3rd. (No book club March 12th.) Each week will focus on different chapters within the book, The Meth Lunches: Food and Longing in an American City by Kim Foster.
Tabling events will run from 11am-3pm on Thursday from now until February 19th. Each week different activities and health education will happen.
February 5th: Cardiac Health with blood pressure screenings, heart healthy recipes, and the importance of heart health and exercise
February 12th: Mental Health Support with indoor stretching and yoga, mindfulness coloring pages, and information about the winter blues and wellness
February 19th: Staying Fit in the Winter with chair yoga, wintertime illness safety, physical safety and health
-
Stories of Winona’s Past
Merle Hanson and Joe Hughes are telling tales of Winona’s past in the Winona Public Library’s Central Exchange Room every third Thursday of the month at 4pm. Tales of Charley Goddard, Leon Bronk, Anton Pehler, the Mississippi House, Gabrych Park, and audience favorite Lena Weinberg have been told. Who knows who we will learn about next?
-
Adult Capture the Flag Laser Tag
**THIS EVENT IS FULL** Add your name to the Waitlist: WAITLIST
Adult Capture the Flag Laser Tag is back by popular demand! Get zapped out instead of tagged out every third Friday of the month, November 2025 to February 2026, from 5:45-7pm at the Winona Public Library.
Attendees will be divided into two teams upon arrival and both teams will have one minute to set up the flag (a glowing orb) and their base. Each game played will feature new rules.
Due to limited space, attendees must register. This program is for adults only. All participants must be 18 and older.
Participants will meet at the large table next to the Reference Desk.
-
Lego Free Play
Thursday, February 12, 3:30-5 PM and
Saturday, February 21, 10 AM to 12 PM
Enjoy two chances in February to create with Legos! Drop in the Youth department during any portion of the time period to play with our large Lego collection! Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
-
Wellness in the Woods Peer Support Pop-Up
Wellness in the Woods will hold a peer support pop-up at the Winona Public Library every fourth Monday of the month (December’s meeting will be on the fifth Monday, December 29) from 1-3 pm. The group will check-in on how you are feeling and will be available for discussion. Coloring, drawing, and writing supplies will be available.
This is a non-judgmental, safe-space for anyone 18 years or older.
-
Bookworm Yoga
Bookworm Yoga: Romance
Feb. 23, 4-5 pm | Registration Required | 10 max.
Let yourself linger in moments of softness with this romance-themed yoga class.
Inspired by stories of love and meaningful connection, this class will focus on gentle backbends (also known as heart openers) and noticing love in everyday life—romantic, platonic, and self-love alike.
This class is designed for adults who enjoy books and mindful physical activity. Expect slow movements and extended holds. Poses will be mostly seated or lying down.
Please bring a yoga mat or towel and a filled water bottle. All levels are welcome!
About the Instructor
Hailey Seipel is currently enrolled in the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program from Muddy Waters Yoga Studio in Winona, MN. She is on track to receive Yoga Alliance certification this April.
Hailey has also been volunteering as a shelf reader at the Winona Public Library for the past few years, and she’s excited to combine her passions for reading and calming the body (and mind).
-
CareerForce Winona Office Hours
CareerForce Winona will hold office hours at the Winona Public Library every second and fourth Wednesday of the month in the Library’s Central Exchange Room. Office hours are from 1-3 pm.
-
Simple Wills
On Thursday, February 26th at 4:30PM, learn about simple wills. A simple will is a document that explains who should get your things after you die and who will take care of your children if they are still young. The presentation will show the basic parts of a simple will and help you understand why having one is important. Registration is required.
This class is hosted by Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS).