Two additional programs have been added to upcoming events at the Staples Public Library.

Crawford Trip to

Africa – May 6

Teens and adults are invited to hear newspaper editor Tom Crawford present information about his 2009 trip to Africa at the Staples Public Library on Thursday, May 6, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Crawford will speak about his trip and show photographs of his mission experience in Tanzania.

Group Songwriting

Program – May 8

The Great River Regional Library Staples branch invites children in grades four to six to a “Group Song writing” program at the Staples Public Library on Saturday, May 8, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This workshop teaches participants how to write a song as a group by breaking down the song writing process into four elements: melody, lyrics, song form and creativity. Using games and group engagement, songwriter Elisa Korenne helps students to simplify the song writing process and then work together to write a song. Participants will leave the workshop having co-written a song together. The attendance limit is 25 and preregistration is required. This program is funded with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota in 2008 which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage.

Mike Holst Book Talk and Author Signing –

May 13

Mike Holst, author and columnist, will talk about writing at the Staples Public Library on Thursday, May 13, 6:45 – 8:00 p.m. Teens and adults are invited to hear Holst, who grew up in Staples, lived in the Metro Area for 35 years and now lives in Crosslake. He writes a weekly column for the Northland Press, contributes regularly to the Brainerd Dispatch and has published five novels.

For additional information, contact the Staples Public Library at 218-894- 1401.

Great River Regional Library (GRRL) provides library services at 32 public libraries in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright counties. It provides Central Minnesota residents with nearly one million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, programming and information services.