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 Volume 115 ∙ Issue 5 ∙ January 29, 2026
North Dakota Library Joy Week
The North Dakota State Library is excited to participate in the inaugural Library Joy Week! Here are some of the fun things in store for February 1-7:
Free Return Postage for Kits
During February 1-7, all ND State Library kits will include free return postage for libraries and patrons. This special limited-time perk gives cardholders the opportunity to discover and explore our unique kits that include everything from space science, book club, fairy tales, robots, giant board games, and other STEAM-related subjects. |
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Themed Book Bundles
Library Joy Week, running February 1-7, is full of all sorts of events and activities to celebrate libraries. Here is one more: Themed Book Bundles at the State Library!
About the Themed Book Bundles
- There are ten themes to choose from: Fantasy, Music, Mystery, North Dakota, Poetry, Time Travel, TV and Radio Personalities, Vietnam War, Western, and World War II.
- Each bundle contains three printed books and three e-book and/or e-audiobook suggestions.
- Bundles can either be picked up in person at the ND State Library or requested by filling out the form at https://bit.ly/NDSL_BookBundles.
- Bundles can be checked out for 8 weeks.
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Blind Date with a Book Program
The annual Blind Date With a Book program is back! Be adventurous and read a book that you may not have checked out otherwise. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new favorite book or author!
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About the Blind Date with a Book Program:
- The books are all wrapped, so you won’t know what title you are checking out.
- The only information you will be given is the first line of the book, whether it is fiction or nonfiction, and the format (large print or regular print).
- Check out titles by filling out the form at https://bit.ly/NDSL_BlindDate, checking them out in person at the ND State Library (located on the Capitol Grounds), or visiting our booth at the Capitol on Thursday, February 5.
- Titles can be checked out for eight weeks.
Ask A Librarian
Do you have questions for the North Dakota State Librarian and other library staff? Join us on Tuesday, February 3, at 7:00 PM or Wednesday, February 4, at 2:00 PM to get answers. We will be going live on Facebook for these events.
Ask your questions in the comments during the event or send an e-mail to ndslpa@nd.gov in advance, and we'll make sure to get them answered during the livestream.
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State Library Tours
Go behind-the-scenes during a guided tour to learn more about the State Library and the Liberty Memorial Building. Tours will be a half hour long.
There are two days/times to choose from:
- Wednesday, February 4, at 10:00 AM
- Thursday, February 5, at 2:00 PM
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Booth At The Capitol
On Thursday, February 5, from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM, State Library staff will have a booth at the State Capitol in the hallway across from the Capitol Cafe. Stop by to check out Blind Date With A Book titles or Themed Book Bundles, apply for library cards, and share stories about how libraries have impacted you.
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#NDLibraryJoy
Share photos, videos, and stories about how your North Dakota library impacts you and your family or community using #NDLibraryJoy. Let's flood social media with examples of how wonderful North Dakota libraries are!
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Public Domain Day 2026
As we welcome the new year, 2026 gives us another reason to celebrate: Public Domain Day. It’s better known as New Year's Day, but it is a celebration of copyrights expiring on certain works from the past (books, movies, music, etc.).
What is the public domain? According to the United States Copyright Office, a “work of authorship is in the ‘public domain’ if it is no longer under copyright protection or if it failed to meet the requirements for copyright protection. Works in the public domain may be used freely without the permission of the former copyright owner.”
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Your Input Is Needed: Potential New Statewide Databases for MN, ND, and SD
By Matt Lee & Carla Pfahl, Minitex
The Shared E-Resources (SER) Task Force represents libraries across the three-state region and is leading in the effort to select new statewide databases. After creating a Request for Proposal (RFP) that defined what we are looking for in these resources, we received responses and proposals from 22 vendors, many of which submitted multiple e-resources for consideration. The SER Task Force is evaluating these proposals, and we’d like the broader library community’s input as well. Trial access is available to all of the potential new statewide databases.
Please look through the listing, test out resources that are of interest, and provide feedback on as many as you can using this survey. Complete one survey per resource and submit as many surveys as resources you test. Community input will inform our decision-making. We want our online library resources to be as broadly relevant as possible to the library community, so your participation is so valuable. Thank you in advance. The survey will remain open until February 16, though trial access to the proposed resources will be open through April.
The SER Task Force will identify vendor finalists to invite for demonstrations to that group in March. We will pursue negotiations in April, and plan to share as much as we can with the wider community by early May. New contracts will take effect on July 1, 2026. We know that decisions we make at the state level impact local purchasing decisions, and will share as early as possible.
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Celebrating Reading in February
February is National Library Lover’s Month, making it the perfect time to celebrate the importance and joy of reading. The first week in February recognizes Children’s Authors and Illustrators, and the first Wednesday of the month is World Read Aloud Day (WRAD). This article focuses on celebrating World Read Aloud Day, which will be observed on February 4 this year.
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Most Anticipated Books of 2026
Maurene Goo’s first adult novel, One & Only, is a unique romantic comedy centered around the idea of soulmates. Cassia’s family has been matching people with their literal soulmates for centuries and she knows exactly who hers is—she just hasn’t met him yet. Rapidly approaching middle age and still looking, Cassia starts up a fling with a charming younger man, only to meet his boss and discover that he’s the man she’s been waiting for. Now Cassia must decide if she wants to embrace her fate or take a chance on the man she chose for herself.
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Books that Recognize Women and Girls in Science
A 2013 resolution adopted by the General Assembly recognized that equal access to and participation in science, technology, and innovation for women and girls of all ages is essential for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls (Fowler, 2023). In December 2015, the UN General Assembly declared women and girls in science would be celebrated annually on February 11 as part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
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 Edna Ralston Public Library received a 2025 grant from the Myra Foundation to support their literary efforts.
Enderlin Municipal Library has a new children's library thanks to the hard work of members of the board and the community.
Fargo Public Library is seeking submissions for its 10th annual Northern Narratives. This winter writing project is for teens and adults. Selected submissions will be included in the library's North Dakota Collection.
Halliday Public Library's Grand Opening will include events between February 21 and 24 to celebrate the newest public library in the state of North Dakota.
State Librarian Mary Soucie was featured on Studio 701 to talk about the importance of libraries and Library Joy Week.
Brenda Fischer (30 years) and Amanda Walch (5 years) celebrated service anniversaries at the University of Jamestown Raugust Library.
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Request your own free physical Library Joy Kit - activity booklet, easel, library card holders, tattoo sheets, and a poster
Crayola Creativity Week 2026 (January 26 - February 1) includes activity planning guides, thinking sheets, and more
Applications for the Native Youth Community Adaptation Leadership Congress are now open. Students from across the country will discuss community adaptation and related environmental issues impacting Native peoples. Apply by February 27.
Join Lyrasis, ReadersFirst, and COSLA for the next presentation in the Digital Shelf series - Sustainable Ebooks on February 24 (1:00-2:00 PM)
America's Field Trip, sponsored by America250, invites students in grades 3-12 to share their perspectives on what America means to them - with the chance to earn a once-in-a-lifetime field trip experience at one of 16 different iconic American landmarks or cultural sites, including the National Archives Museum, Kennedy Space Center, and Yellowstone National Park. Deadline: March 30, 2026
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The Flickertale is a weekly publication of the North Dakota State Library
Mary J. Soucie, State Librarian
ISSN: 1068-5383
This publication is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library
Services under the provisions of the Grant to States Program as
administered by the North Dakota State Library.
Any mention of services or products in this newsletter does not constitute
any endorsement or recommendation. The use of any services or
products should be evaluated on an individual basis.
www.library.nd.gov
To submit content ideas/articles for a future issue of the Flickertale,
please contact BreAnne at ndslpa@nd.gov.
Times referenced are Central Time.
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Some of these resources and programs are funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. |
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