Events and news

Upcoming event: The 2026 Kerlan Award featuring Betsy Bowen

October 13, 2026
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Program begins at 6 p.m. with a reception and book signing to follow

The Friends of the Kerlan are proud to announce that celebrated artist, author, and woodblock printmaker Betsy Bowen will be the recipient of the 2026 Kerlan Award. The award ceremony will take place on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Elmer L. Andersen Library.

Based in Grand Marais, Minnesota, Betsy Bowen is renowned for her deep connection to the North Shore and the Boundary Waters. Through her distinctive woodblock printing—a meticulous technique of carving images into wooden blocks and hand-pressing them onto paper—Bowen has spent decades documenting the seasonal rhythms and rugged beauty of the northern Minnesota landscape. Her work, characterized by bold lines and deep textures, celebrates local flora, fauna, and traditional woodcraft.

In addition to her fine art, Bowen is a cherished figure in children’s literature. She has authored and illustrated numerous award-winning books, including Antler, Bear, Canoe: A Northwoods Alphabet Year, Twelve Owls, and Big Belching Bog. Her evocative illustrations have become a vital part of regional environmental education, bridging the gap between wilderness and the page for readers of all ages.

The Kerlan Award, given annually in recognition of singular attainments in the creation of children’s literature and in appreciation for the generous donation of unique resources to the Kerlan Collection, celebrates Bowen’s lasting impact on the cultural fabric of Minnesota.

Location and Registration

Elmer L. Andersen Library, 222 21st Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455 and on livestream

Visit Library News and Events to register for the event.

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Upcoming event: The 2026 ALSC Children's Literature Lecture featuring Cynthia Leitich Smith

Indigenous Voices: On the Page & Behind the Bylines 
Cynthia Leitich Smith: Author, Editor, Curator

November 10, 2026
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Program begins at 6 p.m. with a reception and book sales by Birchbark Books and Native Arts to follow

The Friends of the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota Libraries is honored to host the 2026 Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Children’s Literature Lecture. Please join us on Tuesday, Nov. 10 for an extraordinary evening in Elmer L. Andersen Library. 

Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Nation) is The New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 books for children and young adults. Her collection of interlinked stories, Legendary Frybread Drive-In was awarded the 2026 Michael L. Printz Award and the 2026 American Indian Youth Literature Award for Best Young Adult Book. Smith is the curator of Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers focused on Native authors for children and young adults.

Location and Registration

Elmer L. Andersen Library, 222 21st Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455 and on livestream

Hybrid event. Free and open to the public. All are welcome. Please register if you plan to join us in person or online. 

Hotel group rates at the Courtyard by Marriott Minneapolis Downtown

To start your reservations, please reference “The Kerlan Collection Children’s Literature Research Collections (CLRC)” when calling the reservations line at 877-699-3216 or booking online. The deadline to book is Oct. 18, 2026. Book online at z.umn.edu/Courtyard.

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