100 Years / 100 Stories

100 Years/100 Stories is an expanding collection of stories from our community, as told through written word, photography, audio, and video. They are all unique, and yet they share a similar thread of living and learning in Saint Paul. We are proud to have been a gathering place for Saint Paul residents for 100 years and look forward to serving the city for 100 more.

Patron shares her vintage spray paint can collection at Story Fair

Who knew that spray paint cans could be "vintage," let alone collectible items! A patron shares her collection as part of the library's Pop-Up Museum: Objects in Your Personal Library," at the Story Fair on Sunday, May 21 at Arlington Hills Library.

Regina Harris, former manager of Arlington Hills Library: "An Untamed State" by Roxanne Gay

Saint Paul Neighborhood Network asks patrons, "What's your favorite book?" Check out this gallery and potentially find your next great book.

Jane Eastwood, Director of the Saint Paul Public Library: "The Golden Book of Fairytales"

The Twilight Series

Percy Jackson Series

"Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

Councilman Chris Tolbert: "The Autobiography of Malcolm X"

"The Giver" by Lois Lowry

"Rascal" by Sterling North

"Pout Pout Fish" by Deborah Diesen

Poet of Payne Avenue and playwright Saymoukda Vongsay is interviewed by the Saint Paul Almanac.

Councilman Chris Tolbert interviews some of our younger patrons.

The Saint Paul Almanac asks, "What's your story?"

DJ Kool Akiem mixes beats for the Story Fair.

Pop-Up Museum: Objects in My Personal Library

I have a bunch of old family photos I framed that make me smile every time I look at them. …

Pop-Up Museum: Objects in My Personal Library

Author: Mavis Bro-Boudlali, Saint Paul Public Library

I have a bunch of old family photos I framed that make me smile every time I look at them.

That’s my great grandmother in both the “Los Angeles County Jail” and dressed as Popeye on snowshoes with a revolver. The puppies were on my grandfather’s Harley Davidson (my father had an Indian–another photo not seen in this grouping). My grandfather’s older brother took the photo of the ship’s most important crew members (cats) taking a break on the capstan of the ship bringing him to WWI Europe. My great auntie Ella’s oldest grandson (complete with wet pants) is seated between two of her Siamese cats (both of which have crossed-eyes). They remind me of all the “hoots” I came from.

“I have older parents and they gave me a tea set that was left by my Great Aunt Mazarean, who moved up here from down South probably 100 years ago now. I'm hoping that it's worth something, but at the same time, it's nice to know I have an heirloom for my kids.”

— Melissa Walker, Arlington Hills Community Center

Share Your Own Story!

SPPL has developed a set of fun, easy-to-use tools that allow you to share YOUR story. Explore our tools below.

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