When you think of a library, you probably think of books. But there’s so much more to discover.

Audiobooks, movies, video games, board games, technology, park passes, and other “things.” The list of offerings continually grows! Library programming brings the community together for laughter, learning, and connection. Interactive storytimes, lively book clubs, free movie showings, creative craft classes, niche and nerdy events that form new friendships. It’s all here!

As we celebrate National Library Week with the 2023 national theme of “There’s More to the Story,” we think of all the ways we’ve grown beyond the traditional sense of the word.

In 2019, we rebranded to be “Grand Forks Public_”. The word “library” isn’t lost, but the dash represents more than meets the eye. We’re still a library, and so much more.

The Dash

We call it the Dash, like the dash that lies between one’s birth and death dates. Everything that could happen in a lifetime exists within that Dash. Our primary logomark has only the Dash, which represents opportunity and the wide array of services that we provide to the Grand Forks community. The Dash symbolizes the library’s potential. What are we capable of? And, what are you capable of? The Dash opens the space for us to get there.

At Grand Forks Public, we imagine it and we make it happen. We’ve hosted various concerts and a signature Halloween Party (Haunted Stacks) and Star Wars Day (coming May 4) and more. We feature a hot pink slide (which will reopen along with a remodeled Children’s Department on June 3!). And we continue to boldly reimagine how we can best serve our patrons. 

The Dash symbolizes the library’s potential. What are we capable of? And, what are you capable of? The Dash opens the space for us to get there.

Now, beyond our main logo, sometimes we fill in the dash with our rainbow of colors. The Grand Forks Public Friends shine in orange, while the Grand Forks Public Library Foundation rocks blue. When we introduced our Library of Things this spring, we rolled it out in lime. See how the Dash philosophically represents so much more than a brick building that houses books?

So, as we celebrate all things library this week, we remember Grand Forks Public_ is more than “just a library.” A library will always remain an important part of what we are, but it is one flavor of a multifaceted identity. We’re committed to inspiring creativity and curiosity throughout our community.

Are you curious? Just GO.