Calling all adult crafters, gamers, and readers. All year long, Minot Public Library (MPL) hosts several different programs for artful and ingenious adults. Now the Magic City Discovery Center (MCDC) is breaking into the adult program scene too. These two local organizations have the right ideas to serve grown-ups through Minot’s long winters.

According to Emily Ostland, MPL’s Adult Services Librarian, “We focus our efforts on community-building and connection-fostering programs, the kind of stuff where people can hang out and chat with their friends or make new ones while they work on something fun without the pressure of hosting or the burden of paying for an experience.”

This reporter has completed MPL’s monthly themed library scavenger hunt several times. The scavenger hunt begins at the front desk, which is accompanied by a 3-D printed, brightly colored bird. The hunt takes the hunter on a “tour” through the different sections of the library. At the end of the hunt, participants can search for a large “bonus” bird hidden in the library and then drop their answer sheet into the box at the front desk for a chance to win a $10 gift card. It’s a fun activity to learn in-depth usage of the online catalog and to learn the locations of the different areas of the library with enjoyable and often humorous clues.

For 2025, some original new programs are in the works. Ostland stated, “Our community is full of extremely talented, passionate, and kind people who are willing to share their expertise with others, and I am eager to give them a place to do that!” A prime example of MPL’s collaboration with community members is the MPL’s Chess Club. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ostland said that many people, especially young people, started playing online chess. The club consists of kids learning the basics of the game to adults who regularly compete in tournaments. Everyone is eager to share their tips and strategies, and everyone is a good sport, whether they win or lose. Chess Club is thriving!

For the Books ‘N Brews club, Ostland chose the books for 2024, but for the 2025 booklist, she took input from the club’s members on the books they wanted to read. The book club meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Badlands restaurant in Minot. It’s a fun and friendly group of people for 18+. To join the book club, grab the chosen book at the front desk and then attend the meeting.

The Magic City Discovery Center (MCDC), a children’s museum and science center, has created a first ever class series for adults called Crafting Through the Cold. Each class will take place on the second Friday of the month from November to February from 6:00-8:00 p.m. According to Abigail Arnold, Marketing Coordinator for the MCDC, “We wanted to come up with a way to help people beat the winter blues. Having the monthly event gives them something to look forward to!”
The MCDC has already hosted November’s event, the Ugly Holiday Sweater craft, and Arnold said that the attendees, “had a lot of fun and made some awesome holiday sweaters.” Since December’s craft session lands on Friday the 13th, its theme is the “Nightmare Before Christmas.” There are two choices of craft: clay magnets, jewelry, or keychains and a themed holiday wreath.

For January’s Crafting Through the Cold craft, attendees will have the chance to learn about making soap and creat their own personalized melt and pour. A melt and pour is crafting bar soap by melting the pre-made soap base, customizing it with assorted colors, fragrances, and additives and pouring it into shaped molds to cool and solidify. The last craft session in February, which falls on Valentine’s Day, attendees will create a Hot Mess Canvas Painting.

Classes are capped at 30 participants, so don’t miss out! To register for a session or all three remaining sessions, visit magiccitydiscoverycenter.com/camps. Everyone is welcome to attend for a wonderful time during the long, cold winter.
Minot Public Library and the Magic City Discovery Center are working hard to please the community it serves. They work together to give Minot’s citizens, which includes the military families on Minot AFB, an opportunity to enjoy something in their interest and without financial pressure. So, find an activity of interest and make new friends and connections in the city.