Family Storytime

For children of all ages and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music and movement.

Tech Help for Seniors

Seniors, get one-on-one technology support for your personal device (smartphone, tablet or laptop). This program is staffed by tech support volunteers with expertise in working with adults age 60 and older to navigate the digital landscape. Bring your own device, or a ......More

Seniors, get one-on-one technology support for your personal device (smartphone, tablet or laptop). This program is staffed by tech support volunteers with expertise in working with adults age 60 and older to navigate the digital landscape. Bring your own device, or a library computer will be available. Registration required. Please call the library at 612-543-5800 to make an appointment for one 30-minute session. Registration is limited. If you need to cancel your appointment, please call the library to open a spot for another patron. Collaborator: Senior Community Services (SCS). Please note: This Tech Help for Seniors program with SCS is for people age 60+. This age limit is a condition of the funding for this program provided by the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services. If you are younger than 60, please see the additional Tech Help programs provided at other Hennepin County libraries.

Friends of the Penn Lake Library Adult Book Club

Join our discussion of new and interesting fiction and nonfiction titles. A limited number of lending copies will be available at the service desk. The book club meets the second Thursday of every month. Collaborator: Friends of the Penn Lake Library. Sponsor: Friends......More

Join our discussion of new and interesting fiction and nonfiction titles. A limited number of lending copies will be available at the service desk. The book club meets the second Thursday of every month. Collaborator: Friends of the Penn Lake Library. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library. June 12: North Woods by Daniel Mason July 10: The Sentence by Louise Erdrich August 14: Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo

Friends of the Penn Lake Library Mystery Book Club

Join our discussion of new and interesting mystery and thriller titles. A limited number of lending copies are available at the Penn Lake Library service desk. Collaborator: Friends of the Penn Lake Library. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library. June 18: ......More

Join our discussion of new and interesting mystery and thriller titles. A limited number of lending copies are available at the Penn Lake Library service desk. Collaborator: Friends of the Penn Lake Library. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library. June 18: Shanghai by Joseph Kanon July 16: Dissolution by C.J. Sansom August 20: The Examiner by Janice Hallett

Healthy Living and Sustainability Resource Fair

Join us for a fun and informative afternoon! Learn resources to help you live a healthier, more sustainable life. Discover free health resources and learn what public health is all about. Get expert advice on organics recycling and learn about Bloomington's bulky reuse......More

Join us for a fun and informative afternoon! Learn resources to help you live a healthier, more sustainable life. Discover free health resources and learn what public health is all about. Get expert advice on organics recycling and learn about Bloomington's bulky reuse and recycling service. Learn how to save money on energy bills and make your home healthier, more comfortable and climate friendly. Giveaways while supplies last, including free compost bins, lightbulbs, reusable water bottles and more! Don’t miss out – come for the tips, stay for the freebies! Collaborators: Bloomington Public Health, Bloomington Sustainability Commission.

Making a Moss Terrarium

Entering grades 1-5. Have you ever wanted to put the forest in a bottle? Why not make a moss terrarium?! This workshop will teach you how to make your own self-sustaining mini ecosystem from scratch. Materials provided. Collaborator: Make With Sam. This program is fund......More

Entering grades 1-5. Have you ever wanted to put the forest in a bottle? Why not make a moss terrarium?! This workshop will teach you how to make your own self-sustaining mini ecosystem from scratch. Materials provided. Collaborator: Make With Sam. This program is funded with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Tech Help for Seniors

Seniors, get one-on-one technology support for your personal device (smartphone, tablet or laptop). This program is staffed by tech support volunteers with expertise in working with adults age 60 and older to navigate the digital landscape. Bring your own device, or a ......More

Seniors, get one-on-one technology support for your personal device (smartphone, tablet or laptop). This program is staffed by tech support volunteers with expertise in working with adults age 60 and older to navigate the digital landscape. Bring your own device, or a library computer will be available. Registration required. Please call the library at 612-543-5800 to make an appointment for one 30-minute session. Registration is limited. If you need to cancel your appointment, please call the library to open a spot for another patron. Collaborator: Senior Community Services (SCS). Please note: This Tech Help for Seniors program with SCS is for people age 60+. This age limit is a condition of the funding for this program provided by the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services. If you are younger than 60, please see the additional Tech Help programs provided at other Hennepin County libraries.

Bubble Show & Bubble Play

Entering grades K-2. Join Valarie from B-Town Bubbles for an exciting, hands-on bubble show! Discover the science behind bubbles in a fun and interactive demonstration, then head outside for a bubble play session. No registration is needed for the Bubble Show, but due ......More

Entering grades K-2. Join Valarie from B-Town Bubbles for an exciting, hands-on bubble show! Discover the science behind bubbles in a fun and interactive demonstration, then head outside for a bubble play session. No registration is needed for the Bubble Show, but due to capacity limits, Bubble Play after the show requires registration.  Sponsor: MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency).

Friends of the Penn Lake Library Adult Book Club

Join our discussion of new and interesting fiction and nonfiction titles. A limited number of lending copies will be available at the service desk. The book club meets the second Thursday of every month. Collaborator: Friends of the Penn Lake Library. Sponsor: Friends......More

Join our discussion of new and interesting fiction and nonfiction titles. A limited number of lending copies will be available at the service desk. The book club meets the second Thursday of every month. Collaborator: Friends of the Penn Lake Library. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library. June 12: North Woods by Daniel Mason July 10: The Sentence by Louise Erdrich August 14: Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo

Friends of the Penn Lake Library Mystery Book Club

Join our discussion of new and interesting mystery and thriller titles. A limited number of lending copies are available at the Penn Lake Library service desk. Collaborator: Friends of the Penn Lake Library. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library. June 18: ......More

Join our discussion of new and interesting mystery and thriller titles. A limited number of lending copies are available at the Penn Lake Library service desk. Collaborator: Friends of the Penn Lake Library. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library. June 18: Shanghai by Joseph Kanon July 16: Dissolution by C.J. Sansom August 20: The Examiner by Janice Hallett

Job Search Assistance

Get one-on-one assistance from a Goodwill-Easter Seals representative with your job search, writing your résumé, finding job leads, or connecting with community resources and training programs. No appointment necessary. Collaborator: Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota.

Healthy Living and Sustainability Resource Fair

Join us for a fun and informative afternoon! Learn resources to help you live a healthier, more sustainable life. Discover free health resources and learn what public health is all about. Get expert advice on organics recycling and learn about Bloomington's bulky reuse......More

Join us for a fun and informative afternoon! Learn resources to help you live a healthier, more sustainable life. Discover free health resources and learn what public health is all about. Get expert advice on organics recycling and learn about Bloomington's bulky reuse and recycling service. Learn how to save money on energy bills and make your home healthier, more comfortable and climate friendly. Giveaways while supplies last, including free compost bins, lightbulbs, reusable water bottles and more! Don’t miss out – come for the tips, stay for the freebies! Collaborators: Bloomington Public Health, Bloomington Sustainability Commission.