April/May Northeast Library events

Online and in-person offerings at Northeast Library, 2200 Central Ave. NE, 612-543-6775 or www.hclib.org/northeast

HelpNow: Free online tutoring for all ages. Get help from a tutor in English or Spanish. Online every day from 1-11 pm. Available on computers in the library or at home with your Hennepin County Library card. Visit https://apps2.hclib.org/auth/BrainFuse

Ask Us Reference services are available by phone, email, or chat. Call 612-543-KNOW (5669) or visit https://www.hclib.org/contact/

Chinese New Year: Paper-Cut Decorations: Experience the art of traditional Chinese paper cutting during 2022’s Year of the Tiger. Learn about the historical and cultural significance of these lunar new year decorations. Watch a demonstration on paper cutting techniques, then try your hand at making your own paper-cut to hang on a window or door. Kits available starting Jan. 21 at these locations while supplies last: Brookdale, Edina, Franklin, St. Anthony, Walker, Washburn, and Webber Park. On-demand video available through April 30. Presented by the Minnesota Taiwanese Cultural Services Center, funded by the Friends of Hennepin County Library.

Tết: Vietnamese New Year Celebration: Learn the history, meaning, and process of various rituals during the Vietnamese new year celebration. Unique customs feature a Kitchen God (household guardian angel), making banh chung (sticky rice cake), bầu cua cá cọp (traditional dice game), along with a New Year’s Eve and Tết ceremony. Watch this video program on-demand through Saturday, April 30 on Hennepin County Library’s YouTube Channel. Presented by Tu Bi Tu LLC, funded by the Friends of the Hennepin County Library.

Losar: Tibetan New Year: Learn about Tibetan New Year festivities. Watch what Tibetan New Year cultural celebrations are like, how family altars are decorated, various food preparations and music tradition. Buckle up for a ride into the land of snow. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library. Collaborator: Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota. Watch on-demand through April 30 on Hennepin County Library’s YouTube Channel.

Family Storytime: For children of all ages and their caregivers. Share books, stories, rhymes, music and movement. Room capacity is limited. Hosted by Katrina Dombrowsky at Northeast Public Library. May 3-31, 10:30-11 am.

Virtual Baby Storytime: For children from birth to 24 months and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write and play together in a format especially designed for babies, in a virtual setting. Share books, stories, rhymes, music and movement. Hosted by Miao from Eden Prairie Library. Online event. Registration required. Tuesday, April 12 and 19, 9:30-10 am.

Dial-a-Story for Adults: Call 612-543-8851 and listen to a recording of staff reading a short story on-demand. The story changes weekly. See the list of previous stories on the Dial-a-Story for Adults book list. Hosted by Minnetonka Library and Outreach staff, sponsored by Friends of the Hennepin County Library. Through Tuesday, May 31, all day. Online event.

Lao New Year: Water Festival 2022: Celebrate the Lao New Year, also known as Water Festival. Unique customs including Giving Alms, Baci-Ceremony, and the Scented Water tradition. Learn how to make traditional Lao bamboo stew, a symbol of fertility, strength, flexibility, and health. The varieties of vegetables and textures represent the diversity of ethnic groups that live in Laos. Through May 31, all day. Online event.

Criminal Expungement Information Session: Expungement is the process of going to court to ask a judge to seal a court record. People request an expungement when they have been denied a job, housing, or a professional license because of a criminal incident that shows up on a background check. Attend the virtual informational session via Microsoft Teams to learn more about the expungement process and have general questions answered by attorneys. The session is free, but registration is required. Expungement court forms will be provided to all registrants. Presented by Central Minnesota Legal Services in partnership with Hennepin County Law Library. Funded by Friends of the Hennepin County Library. Thursday, April 14, 1:30-2:30 pm and Wednesday, April 27, 1:30-2:30 pm.

Copywriting: Tips and Techniques: Copywriting has a language all its own, and this class will explore the tricks and traps in the practice. Look at headlines, writing to sell, capturing attention, and much more. Work through several specific writing challenges, including your own. Sponsor: MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency). Collaborator: The Loft Literary Center. Online event. Registration required. Thursday, April 14, 6:30-8 pm.

Live Virtual Play and Learn with Minneapolis Public Schools ECFE: Enjoy songs and books geared towards children birth-5 years old. Join at any time during the session. Hosted by Minneapolis Public Schools ECFE in partnership with Hennepin County Library. Online event. Monday, April 18, 9-11 am.

Writing Great College Application Essays: Use basic creative writing craft elements such as strong characterization, compelling narrative structure, and an interesting premise to write great college application essays. Leave with ideas that will get you started on writing an essay to wow your readers. Collaborator: The Loft Literary Center. Funded by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Online event. Registration required. Monday, April 18, 6:30-8 pm.

Resume Writing: Write cover letters that catch the attention of search groups and resumes that emphasize your skills and experience, even if your job history doesn’t seem like a perfect fit for the job you want. Discover strategies that will help you apply for multiple jobs while customizing your application for each opening. Sponsor: MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency). Collaborator: The Loft Literary Center. Online event. Registration required. Thursday, April 21, 6:30-8 pm.

Artist Collaborating with Community: Use your creative skills to address community interests. Learn strategies to approach community organizations and local businesses and techniques to ensure successful outcomes for you and your collaborators. Collaborator: Springboard for the Arts. Funded by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Online event. Registration required. Saturday, April 23, 1-3:30 pm.

Social Justice Book Club: The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee: Come together virtually with others who are interested in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and in transforming perceptions. For each book chosen, talk about the book and its relevance. Hosted by Golden Valley Library. Online event. Registration required. Monday, April 25, 6:30-8 pm.

Writing Scholarship Essays: Prepare to write your college scholarship essays by exploring your personal narrative and tell your story in a compelling way. Discover storytelling and persuasive strategies to showcase your experiences and describe your motivations, career aspirations and how you’ve overcome challenges. Collaborator: The Loft Literary Center. Funded by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Online event. Registration required. Monday, April 25, 6:30-8 pm.

Mary Ann Key Book Club: A Conversation with Debbie Reese: Join the Mary Ann Key Book Club for an online event featuring Debbie Reese, co-author of  An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People. Led by Marlena Myles, (Spirit Lake Dakota/Mohegan/Muscogee) a self-taught artist located in St. Paul. Her art brings modernity to indigenous history, languages and oral traditions. Collaborator: Star Tribune. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library. Online event. Registration required. Thursday, April 28, 10-11:30 am.

Strategies for Job Searching: Discover ways to stay focused, organized, and realistic when seeking new employment. Learn practical tips for resume writing, networking, managing your online profiles, interviewing and more. Presented by Executive Recruiter Rob Lovinger, Calliope Search and Consulting. Sponsor: MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency). Collaborator: Calliope Search and Consulting. Online event. Registration required. Thursday, April 28, 6:30-7:30 pm.

Artist Statements: Get a hands-on, step-by-step approach to writing a range of statements that best represent your work as an artist. Collaborator: Springboard for the Arts. Funded by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Online event. Registration required. Saturday, April 30, 1-3:30 pm.