Connect and Play

For children ages birth to 5 years old and their caregivers. Connect with your child during this drop-in program exploring interactive early literacy activities. Siblings welcome.

Petite Concerts

Join us for a fun-filled musical experience and discover instruments! Led by early childhood music specialists, your family will listen to and respond to classical music together. Collaborator: Breaching Concerts LLC. This program is funded with money from Minnesota’s ......More

Join us for a fun-filled musical experience and discover instruments! Led by early childhood music specialists, your family will listen to and respond to classical music together. Collaborator: Breaching Concerts LLC. This program is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Note: Please register each child attending. A maximum of two caregivers per registered child may also attend.

Family Storytime

For children ages birth to 5 years old and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write, and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Siblings welcome.

Baby Storytime

For children from birth to 24 months and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write, and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement in a format especially designed for babies. Siblings welcome.

Excelsior Book Club: The Serviceberry

Join our discussion of interesting titles. The book club meets in-person on the second Thursday of each month. April 9: The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer May 14: ......More

Join our discussion of interesting titles. The book club meets in-person on the second Thursday of each month. April 9: The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer May 14: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon June 11: Here One Moment by Lianne Moriarty View complete book list from 2025-2026 discussed by Excelsior Book Club. Copies of the book will be available to check out from Excelsior Library while supplies last. Participants can also request a copy of the book (print, eBook and/or eAudiobook) through www.hclib.org. If you would like assistance to place a hold or are struggling to get the book for discussion, Ask Us Services will help expedite this for you.

Mary Ann Key Book Club Discussion: The Serviceberry

The Mary Ann Key Book Club uses reading as a catalyst for intercultural conversations around understanding and addressing past and current injustices that impact Black, Indigenous, and Pe......More

The Mary Ann Key Book Club uses reading as a catalyst for intercultural conversations around understanding and addressing past and current injustices that impact Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Join your neighbors in a discussion of our 2026 season selection: The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer. While Indigenous scientist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer harvests serviceberries alongside the birds, she considers the ethic of reciprocity that lies at the heart of the gift economy and how we can learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most. Copies of the book can be reserved; eBooks and eAudiobooks are available through www.hclib.org. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library.

Family Storytime

For children ages birth to 5 years old and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write, and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Siblings welcome.

Baby Storytime

For children from birth to 24 months and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write, and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement in a format especially designed for babies. Siblings welcome.

Eco Printing

Combine seasonal and preserved botanicals with steam to create beautiful eco-printed fabrics. Learn to prepare your fabric for dye, select botanicals with high natural dye content, and create a variety of effects. Materials provided. Collaborator: Textile Center. This......More

Combine seasonal and preserved botanicals with steam to create beautiful eco-printed fabrics. Learn to prepare your fabric for dye, select botanicals with high natural dye content, and create a variety of effects. Materials provided. Collaborator: Textile Center. This program is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

The History of Big Island: The Amusement Park Years and Beyond

From 1906 to 1911, The Twin City Rapid Transit Company operated a summer amusement park on the east end of Big Island. Hear author and historian Paul Maravelas discuss the many features that drew pleasure-seeking crowds to Lake Minnetonka’s Big Island and what came aft......More

From 1906 to 1911, The Twin City Rapid Transit Company operated a summer amusement park on the east end of Big Island. Hear author and historian Paul Maravelas discuss the many features that drew pleasure-seeking crowds to Lake Minnetonka’s Big Island and what came after, including a game farm, veteran's camp, and public park. Q&A to follow. Copies of Maravelas’ book "The History of Big Island, Lake Minnetonka," will be available for purchase and signing. Sponsor: Friends of Hennepin County Library.

Family Storytime

For children ages birth to 5 years old and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write, and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Siblings welcome.

Baby Storytime

For children from birth to 24 months and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write, and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement in a format especially designed for babies. Siblings welcome.