News Flash

Owatonna's Alliance for Greater Equity and Owatonna Public Library will present a showing of the movie, "Do the Right Thing" on Thursday, February 26, at 5:30pm in the Gainey Room. Discussion to follow.

Join us in the OPL Reading Room at either 1:00pm or 6:00pm March 9 for a discussion of R.F. Kuang's novel, Babel.

Join us at Mineral Springs Brewery for a discussion of this off-beat Western, The Sisters Brothers, by Patrick deWitt.

Starts Monday, February 2!

Winter Reading Bingo | Owatonna, MN

Sensory Kits Now Available for Use at Owatonna Public LibraryGoal of Kits is to Make Neurodiverse Users Feel More Comfortable Using Library

Owatonna Public Library has three new Sensory Kits available for in-library use. The kits were made possible in part to a grant received from SELS (Southeast Library System). According to Psychology Today, "sensory processing disorder—also known as SPD or sensory integration disorder—is a term describing a collection of challenges that occur when the senses fail to respond properly to the outside world." This can cause struggles in coping with day-to-day life and tasks, including going to public places where a person may deal with "sensory overload." Many children and adults who have sensory integration challenges also may be autistic, neurodivergent, or have a variety of other developmental disabilities. 

Owatonna Public Library staff felt it was extremely important to help all users with sensory challenges feel welcome in the library. The Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Grant through SELS gave staff the opportunity to get started on this initiative. Library Director Mark Blando, said, “When this idea was brought to me by Cassie (Adult Services Librarian Cassie Gilgenbach), I thought it was just another example of how the library cares for all its users. We want to make the library a safe and comfortable place and these kits help in doing that.”

The new sensory kits at the library hold a variety of tools to help patrons regulate as needed during their visit. When a patron wants to use a kit, they ask for one at the front desk. Two backpacks are available in Children's Services, and one backpack is available in Adult Services. No check-out is required; the kits and tools must stay in the library while being used. Once finished, patrons simply return the tools and kit to the front desk, and staff will prepare the items for the next patron to use. Items in the kit include headphones, sunglasses, a variety of fidgets and visual tools, communication cards, a weighted lap pad, and more.

Check out the latest episode:  News & OPL Podcast | Owatonna, MN

Owatonna Public Library (OPL) and Blooming Prairie Branch Library (BPBL) are participating in the Minnesota State Parks Library Program. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has implemented this program to reach new park users and expand access to State Parks.

OPL has two passes available, and BPBL has one. Library staff are anticipating waiting lists for available passes. When it is your turn, bring your library card to your library (OPL or BPBL) to check out the State Parks pass (one per family). Park users will be given a pass to place on their vehicle’s dashboard with an expiration date seven days out from the checkout date.

It is not possible to reserve a pass for a specific seven-day period. Search the Library Catalog for “state parks pass” or call 507-444-2460 to place a request. Library staff will call when the pass is available, and park users must check out the pass within 48 hour or less. Any not picked up within 48 hours will then go to the next person on the waiting list.

The Minnesota State Parks Library Program will run for a year, through June 2025. Based on evaluation, the program may be expanded and continued. Participants can assist by filling out a brief survey at http://mndnr.gov/LibraryPass.

For more information, contact OPL at 507-444-2460 or BPBL at 507-583-7750, or visit http://www.owatonna.info.