The Friends of the Winona Public Library are collecting stories of why the library is important to you, what it means to you, or even a favorite memory you have of the library. You do not have to share your name, but we ask that you share your city/township. These stories will be sent to Winona County Commissioners.
The Friends of the Winona Public Library value, support, and champion the public library. The purpose of this organization is to:
- Maintain an association of persons interested in libraries
- Focus public attention on the Winona Public Library
- Stimulate the use of the library’s resources and services
- Receive and encourage gifts, endowments and bequests to the library
- Support and cooperate with the library in developing library services and facilities for the community
- Support the freedom to read as expressed in the American Library Association Bill of Rights
- Volunteer for Friends events
Join the Friends
Fill out our online form to become a member.
Checks should be made payable to The Friends of the Library.
Friends Membership Benefits
- $5 Book Sale Shelf Certificate – This card gets you up to $5 of items from the book sale shelf in the library.
Find out more about us in our membership brochure (PDF). Memberships renew annually in January.
Friends Meetings
The next Friends Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 20 at 4 PM in the Meeting Room, on the second floor.
Monthly meetings are typically held on the third Tuesday of each month from 4:00 – 5:00 pm in the Meeting Room of the library. Meeting minutes are posted after formal approval.
All Friends and potential Friends are welcome to attend.
Meeting Minutes & Reports
August 2026 (PDF)
July 2026 (PDF)
June 2026 (PDF)
May 2026 (PDF)
Annual Meeting (April 2026): President’s Report (PDF)
March 2026 (PDF)
February 2026 (PDF)
January 2026 (PDF)
December 2025 (PDF)
November 2025 (PDF)
October 2025 (PDF)
September 2025 (PDF)
August 2025 (PDF)
The Friends of the Winona Public Library Annual Meeting
The Friends of the Winona Public Library Annual Meeting was held on Thursday, April 23. After a brief business meeting, Reggie McLeod, editor and publisher of Big River Magazine, discussed what it is like being both a writer and publisher.
Friends Board Members
President – Blandine Berthelot (2025-2028)
Vice President –Kate Carlson (2025-2027) (finishing the last 2 years of a 3-year term)
Treasurer – Christopher Rand (2025-2028)
Secretary – Mary Farrell (2025-2028)
Membership Coordinator – Judy Casper (2026-2029)
Board Member #1 – Emily Tipton (2026-2029)
Board Member #2 – Jess Kauphusman (2025-2028)
Board Member #3 – Jamie Hanratty (2026-2028) (finishing the last 2 years of a 3-year term)
Library Liaison: Samantha Berhow
Contact Us
Winona Public Library
Attn: Friends of the Library
151 West 5th St
P.O. Box 1247
Winona, MN 55987
