NEW ULM — Author Jill Kalz will discuss The Winter Bees, her new collection of short stories based in rural southern Minnesota, at the library on Tuesday, November 27 at 6:30 p.m. Kalz has published poetry in the Nebraska Review, the Ohio Review, Cream City Review, and other magazines. Her short stories have appeared in American Fiction Vol. 15 and Minnesota Monthly. A 2008 Minnesota Book Award finalist and winner of the Readers’ Choice Award for her picture book Farmer Cap, Kalz is also the author of more than 70 children’s books. She lives and writes in New Ulm. Kalz’s talk will be followed by a book signing and her books will be available for sale. This program is free and open to the public. Call 507-359-8331 for more information.

Library to offer gift wrapping class

NEW ULM — New Ulm Public Library will offer a gift wrapping class led by Dianne Pinney on Thursday, November 29 at 6:30 p.m. Pinney is the Branch Librarian at the Le Sueur Public Library and an avid crafter. This program is part of a series of holiday crafting classes, which continues with a Card Making Class on Thursday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m. and a Holiday Ornament Class on Thursday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m. Ages 12 and older welcome. Space is limited; please call 507-359-8331 to register and for more information on these free programs.