The events promise a morning of art, literature, and community engagement, reflecting the library’s mission to serve and mirror its patrons.

The highlight of the morning will be the unveiling of a new community collage, a project designed to visually connect the library with the broader New Ulm community and the legacy of local author Wanda Gág. 

The unveiling is scheduled for 11 a.m., marking the first five to ten minutes of the birthday party. The collage will be displayed in the hallway outside the children’s room.

Library Director April Ide explained the collage’s design and its connection to Wanda Gág. 

The New Ulm Public Library's Community Collage Mural waits behind paper covering ahead of its unveiling at the Wanda Gág Birthday Celebration Saturday, March 14 at the library. (Photo by Amy Zents)

“Because it’s at the library, and we have the Wanda Gág statue out in front of it, we wanted to find a way to connect that to the library,” she said.

The banners incorporate images of Wanda Gág’s beloved cat illustrations into the borders of the photographs.

The collage itself features the same community member portraits as the existing one on Center Street, but it has been rearranged by Fuel Graphics to fit two long banners designed to adorn either side of the library’s hallway. The original portraits were captured by photographer Josh Madson.

Funding for the project was secured through a sub-grant obtained by the library via the Traverse des Sioux Regional Library, utilizing Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage funding. This grant covered the costs associated with the artists’ and graphic designers’ time, as well as the printing of the banners.

The banners are designed for long-term display and are intended to remain at the library indefinitely. However, their removable format offers flexibility, allowing for temporary removal to accommodate other library displays or for the Downtown Action Council, the project’s originator and partner, to exhibit them at other locations in town.

“The library belongs to the public,” Ide said. “Our goal is really to have the library reflect our community. And this collage already does that with the portraits of our community members.”

Adding an interactive element to the unveiling, children attending the birthday party will be invited to participate. The banners will initially be covered with strips of newspaper, and the young attendees will have the exciting task of helping to pull down the paper to reveal the artwork.

Following the collage unveiling, the focus will shift to the annual Wanda Gág Birthday Celebration, an event tailored for younger children through elementary school age. The library anticipates a turnout of 30 to 60 attendees, depending on other community activities.

This celebration is a collaborative effort between the library and the Wanda Gág House Committee volunteers. Kathryn Tatnall, the library’s Youth Services Librarian, will lead the storytime portion, while volunteers from the Wanda Gág House Committee, coordinated by Joanne Griebel, will oversee crafts, snacks, and games.

This year’s storytime will feature Wanda Gág’s “Gone is Gone,” a choice made to rotate through her diverse works and offer variety beyond her most famous title, “Millions of Cats.”

While the specific craft for this year remains a surprise, Luann Lindmeyer, a volunteer with the Wanda Gág House Committee, said the craft activity is tied to the book’s theme. She also noted that four dozen cupcakes will be provided for the children.

“I’ve been involved for six or seven years,” Lindmeyer said. “We always do games and art with the children, and Joanne plans the activities. The book is read, crafts and snacks follow, and the kids take home a cupcake.”