National Library Week

It’s National Library Week! Visit Litchfield Library this week and drop a button in a jar at the door. At the end of the week, we’ll get a visual representation of how many people visited our library!

FIND YOUR JOY AT THE LIBRARY!
Millions of people visit their libraries every week—and for good reason. During National Library Week, April 19–25, 2026, take time to discover what brings you joy at your library.
*Visit your library and bring friends or family along.
*Encourage a friend to get a library card—it’s a simple act that opens up a world of opportunity.
*Browse the shelves, join a book club, or attend a storytime. Find expert help with research, use a computer or printer, or attend board game night. Libraries connect us to ideas, information, and each other—and they’re built for everyone.

Voting Open for Bookmark Contest

Public voting is now open for the 2026 Litchfield Library Foundation’s bookmark contest! Board members voted for the finalists, which were narrowed to 8 candidates. Ballots are available at a table in the library’s lobby. Online voting is also available: https://forms.gle/twSPfioL7dCDWRBv6 Please vote only once, whether that’s at the library or online.

Bookmarks with the winning design will be handed out at the Watercade parade and at the library for a year. The top 3 artists will win cash prizes from the foundation. Designs were created by Litchfield area students in grades 5-12.

Voting will close May 9.

Free Trees for Kids

We have a preview of the summer reading program, Plant a Seed, Read –  with trees! On Arbor Day, Friday, April 24, the Litchfield Library will offer free trees for kids! White pine saplings will be available to pick up beginning at story hour that morning and while supplies last, courtesy of the Meeker County Soil & Water District. One tree per child. Plan to plant them within a week.

Board Game Night

Come to the library to play board games on the 3rd Tuesday of each month! People of all ages are welcome to play the library’s games in the meeting room from 6:30-7:30 p.m. – or bring their own. Free to attend. No need to sign up.

Dates:
January 20
February 17
March 17
April 21
May 1

April Adult Arts & Crafts

UPDATE: Classes are full.

In April, Adult Arts & Crafts will be offered twice, to give more people the chance to sign up: Thursdays, April 23 and 30, at 6:30 p.m. Sign up for the date that works better for you! Call the library at 320-693-2483 or stop at the front desk to sign up for this free class. Adults only.

This month’s project will be a decoupage birdhouse. A variety of paper designs will be available to choose from. All supplies are provided.

Since this class typically has a waiting list, please contact the library if you will not be attending after you signed up.

Friends of the Litchfield Library Support in 2025

Ways the Friends of the Litchfield Library helped the Litchfield Library in 2025:

  • 3 local business gift certificates for winners of the Winter Reads drawing (people who read 6 books and turned in their reading log by the end) – impossible without Friends support!
  • Significant supplemental financial support for children’s programs. 304 children and 46 teens participated in the summer reading program. 1,310 people participated in storytimes. 644 children got take-home craft kits. 75 people participated in children’s craft programs.
  • Supplemental financial support for teen programs. 234 teens participated in 27 programs.
  • Supplemental financial support for adult craft programs. 22 offered in 2025.
  • Funded the Science Heroes program. Attendance 48.
  • Funded new toys and a replacement children’s shopping cart
     
  • Funded a new pre-lighted Christmas tree for the newspaper reading area and updated décor for the library.
  • Funded parade books with the Litchfield Library Foundation. 1500 books given to children at the Watercade parade, with additional $581 of funding from the Litchfield Library Foundation.
  • Funded the start of a new program: Seed Library. Used by 85 people in May, June, and August. Purchased a binder, envelopes, labels, a funnel, starter sets of seeds, and paid for shipping for free seeds from Seed Savers Exchange.
  • Ongoing funding of the Book Page book review magazine subscription
  • 3 book sales! Books to free cart in the entry, Little Free Libraries around Litchfield, and books to the jail.
       

Thank you to the Friends of the Litchfield Library! What would we do without you?!

Seed Library

Litchfield Library’s seed library is available for early indoor plantings! The seed library is now in a long yellow container at the front desk, holding seeds that need to be started indoors early in the spring in order to be grown in Minnesota’s short growing season. More seeds will be added over time.

You may take 4 packets per week. No library card needed. No age limit.

Have some seeds you want to donate? We’ll take them!

Bookmark Contest

The Litchfield Library Foundation is once again holding a bookmark design contest for students in grades 5-12! Students an pick up a form at the library or from their Litchfield middle or high school art teacher, or print it from home: 2026 Bookmark contest entry form
The Litchfield Public Library Foundation invites Litchfield students in grades 5-12 to create an original library, reading or book-themed bookmark! The winner will have their design reproduced on bookmarks that will be distributed at the Litchfield Public Library and the 2026 Watercade parade. Artwork will also be shared online.
The Foundation is offering prizes to the top 3 designs!
1st place: $75
2nd place: $50
3rd place: $25
Entries due Friday, March 27, 2026

GUIDELINES & TIMELINE

  • All artwork must be the submitting student’s original work and in color.
  • Popular figures, cartoon characters or other copyrighted or trademarked images cannot be considered.
  • One entry per person.
  • All entries must be delivered to the Litchfield Public Library by 5:00pm on Friday, March 27, 2026. No late entries will be accepted.
  • By submitting an entry, students are allowing the Litchfield Public Library Foundation to use their artwork for promotional materials for the library.
  • Litchfield Public Library Board members will vote on entries in early April to narrow down the slate of entries.
  • Library patrons will vote on this final slate of entries at the end of April/early May.
  • Winners will be announced in mid-May. Prizes will be mailed to winners.
  • Finalist artwork will be on display at the library from the the end of May through Watercade weekend. Artists may pick up their entries from the library after Watercade if they so choose.