Carlton Area Public Library
310 Chestnut Avenue
PO Box 309
Carlton, MN 55718
(218) 384-3322
HOURS:
Monday 12:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Tuesday 12:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Thursday 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Friday closed
Saturday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday closed
Beginning June 1, 2026
SUMMER HOURS
Monday closed
Tuesday 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Wednesday 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Thursday 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Friday closed
Saturday 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Sunday closed
The Carlton Area Public Library is part of the Arrowhead Library System.
Rate Your Read
Join us on the Third Saturday of the month at 1:00 PM
An adult book club where members bring a book to share with everyone. This will be a terrific way to get recommendations for your next read and have a chance to socialize.
Second Saturday Crafts
Join us on the second Saturday of the month for arts and crafts for pre-K through 6th grade
APRIL 27, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Join Shelley Getten for poetry and printmaking art as she shares the challenges and joys of growing up on a Central Minnesota farm. As Getten reads from her book, Of Cows and Crows, she will discuss the creative writing process. Getten will also demonstrate block art printmaking so attendees can learn about making original relief art, as showcased in her book. Bookmarks will be shared with audience members to take home.
This program, sponsored by Arrowhead Library System, was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF).
ACTIVITIES
April 18 at 1:00 pm - Rate Your Read - An adult book club where members bring a book to share with everyone. This will be a terrific way to get recommendations for your next read and have a chance to socialize.
Stop in and check us out!
May 9 at 1:00 pm – Second Saturday Crafts – arts and crafts for pre-K through 6th grade
May 16 at 1:00 pm - Rate Your Read - An adult book club where members bring a book to share with everyone. This will be a terrific way to get recommendations for your next read and have a chance to socialize.
June 13 at 1:00 pm – Second Saturday Crafts – arts and crafts for pre-K through 6th grade
June 16 at 5:30 pm –Crafts – arts and crafts for pre-K through 6th grade
June 20 at 1:00 pm - Rate Your Read - An adult book club where members bring a book to share with everyone. This will be a terrific way to get recommendations for your next read and have a chance to socialize.
2026 SUMMER READING PROGRAM
JUNE 1 - AUGUST 31
Stop in to find books to read and earn point coupons to purchase prizes from the library store. Registered participants can enter one of three prize drawings to be held September 22, 2026.
Anyone interested in participating in the reading program should get a reading log to complete. Read books at your reading level and record the books on the reading log.
Turn in the log when full and get point coupon. These can be redeemed at the library “store”. The last day to redeem reading logs and coupons is September 21.
You will also receive 2 trading cards for each reading log submitted.
All registered patrons will be entered in 1 of 3 drawing options. Drawing will be held the next open day after reading logs can be redeemed.
June 6 at 1:00 pm – Reptile Experience
Join Sarah’s Serpentarium for an unforgettable, one-hour journey into the fascinating world of reptiles. This high-energy, family-friendly program features live animal ambassadors—including snakes, lizards, turtles, and more—paired with fun facts, engaging storytelling, and hands-on learning moments that spark curiosity in every age group. Participants discover what makes reptiles unique, how they survive in the wild, and why these often-misunderstood creatures are essential to their ecosystems. This program is sponsored by Arrowhead Library System.
June 27 at 11:30 am Jolly Pops
The Jolly Pops combine upbeat, original music with a few children’s standards for a concert that is sure to please kids and adults alike. Take a fun ride with the Happy Dads and their puppet friends as they sing about alligator dancing, popsicles, trains, pet dinosaurs...and everything in between! This program, sponsored by Arrowhead Library System, was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF).
July 21 at 2:00 pm – Bugs at the Library
Join Nature Connect and discover the aquatic insects that live in our Minnesota waters! Participants will have the chance to interact with live insects during this program while they learn all about their life cycles, adaptations, what they can tell us about water quality, and roles in the ecosystem. This program includes live invertebrates in interactive touch tanks. Come prepared to learn, explore, and possibly get a bit wet! This program is sponsored by Arrowhead Library System.
Closed Dates
2026 Holidays
January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 19 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 16 – Presidents’ Day
May 25 – Memorial Day
June 19 – Juneteenth
July 4 – Independence Day
September 7 – Labor Day
November 11 – Veterans Day
November 26 to 28 – Thanksgiving
December 24 to 26 – Christmas
~January 1, 2027 New Years Day~
LIBRARY BOARD
2026 MEETING DATES
January 8, 2026
April 9, 2026
July 9, 2026
October 8, 2026
January 14, 2027
Meetings to be held at 5:30 pm in the Activity Room.
LIBRARY BOARD
Darci Tessier
Seth Wynands
Andrea Williams
Jessie Sobczak
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
2025 MEETING DATES
March 9, 2026
May 18, 2026
July 13, 2026
September 14, 2026
November 9, 2026
January 11, 2027
Meetings to be held at 5:00 pm in the Activity Room.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Mary Beck
Christa Larson
Sherri Ryan
Caryl Kunze
Nancy Jobe
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