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Summer Reading and Beyond

Lifestyle Columns

This year’s summer reading program theme was Unearth a Story. I want to take a moment to thank all the parents, caregivers, children, and teens who participated this year. I would also like to thank the library staff. They did an excellent job helping to make the program happen throughout a very busy summer. We recorded over 725 people in attendance at the 36 programs scheduled for this summer. At the end of the program, finishers received a free book, a grand prize ticket, temporary tattoo, and the chance to vote for a new toy to play with in the library. It was wonderful watching our ...

Vintage Barbies come to NU library

Lifestyle Feature

NEW ULM - On Monday, August 3, the New Ulm Public Library will open its doors to a colorful slice of mid-century childhood. Local collector Cat Rossing is bringing a carefully chosen selection of her vintage Barbie dolls, original fashions, and accessories for a public display that focuses on ...

Introducing Me

Lifestyle Columns

The feeling of meeting someone and finding out you share the same interest in books is one of my favorites, and one of the reasons I love working in libraries. My favorite books are ones that are more character-based and deal with emotional issues like navigating complex relationships or dealing with grief. The best of them have a humorous (sometimes dark) narrator leading the way, allowing for laughs. I recently started in my role as a librarian here in New Ulm, focusing on adult programs and technology assistance, including our Memory Lab. As a way to get to know me, here are some ...

Jeffers Petroglyphs unveils new visitor center exhibits

Lifestyle Feature

Jeffers Petroglyphs, home to thousands of rock carvings made by ancestors of today’s Native Americans as long as 7,000 years ago, offers a newly redesigned visitor center this summer. Updated displays with interactive elements and new multimedia installations allow visitors to engage with ...

80 Years of rags, rhythms, and revelry

Lifestyle Feature

NEW ULM - For eight decades, the Schell’s Hobo Band has defined its own musical legacy, blending military precision, circus-style showmanship, and Midwestern irreverence. This community institution continues with its extensive 80th-anniversary festival season performances, maintaining a ...

More Best Books of 2026

Lifestyle Columns

There are countless “best books” lists. I use them not only to guide library purchases, but also to shape my own reading list. I enjoy discovering why readers find certain books intriguing or meaningful, and different perspectives can add depth to any text. The following books, with descriptions from their publishers, may not appear on every “Best Books of 2026” list and based on circulation statistics, remain somewhat undiscovered at the New Ulm Public Library: “Whidbey” by T Kira Madden. "Birdie Chang didn't know anything about Whidbey Island when she chose it, only that ...