Maureen Hartman
@mlhartman.bsky.social
Library Director, City of Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Lives in Minneapolis; works in Saint Paul.
Please note that my profile photo was taken in a Saint Paul Public Library. ♥️
Lives in Minneapolis; works in Saint Paul.
Please note that my profile photo was taken in a Saint Paul Public Library. ♥️
Pinned
Maureen Hartman
@mlhartman.bsky.social
· Jul 24
Phase One
A poem by Dilruba Ahmed
onbeing.org
There are few things as beautiful as this poem by Dilruba Ahmed. Read here by Padraig O Tuama
onbeing.org/poetry/phase...
onbeing.org/poetry/phase...
When you don’t have enough public restrooms, it’s not that people decide they don’t need them, it’s just that other places—in particular public libraries—end up providing this as a core service. It’s not fair.
"The city of Minneapolis’s 1,256 page 2040 Plan contains only three passing mentions of restrooms and no strategy for supplying this critical public service." www.minnpost.com/community-vo...
Where are the restrooms? Minneapolis needs more answers - MinnPost
Businesses can't take on the entire burden. The city must invest in a network of free, accessible and well-maintained public restrooms.
www.minnpost.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:43 AM
When you don’t have enough public restrooms, it’s not that people decide they don’t need them, it’s just that other places—in particular public libraries—end up providing this as a core service. It’s not fair.
Nice work @hclib.bsky.social
In honor of the debut of the “Purple Rain” musical at State Theatre in Minneapolis, the Hennepin County Library System introduced a limited-edition Prince library card Friday.
Nothing Compares 2 local libraries: Hennepin County releases limited-edition Prince cards
The Hennepin County Library System released a limited-edition library card of the Minnesota music icon on Friday. They are available at all 41 branches.
www.mprnews.org
November 8, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Nice work @hclib.bsky.social
Reposted by Maureen Hartman
This is disappointing. This was a national model and did some good work in the corporate sector—ie not just leaving gov to figure it all out.
The Itasca Project dries up, probably not a great sign. www.minnpost.com/twin-cities-...
business and civic leaders shut down Itasca Project
Educational attainment, housing affordability and regional competitiveness were among the issues tackled by the Itasca Project.
www.minnpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:35 AM
This is disappointing. This was a national model and did some good work in the corporate sector—ie not just leaving gov to figure it all out.
Reposted by Maureen Hartman
Lena Olive Smith’s legacy of fighting housing discrimination since her licensure in 1921 replaces the previous namesake's history of racial covenants in Minneapolis.
Minnesota's first Black female attorney gets her own street
A Minneapolis street once named after segregationist Edmund Walton has been renamed to honor Lena Olive Smith, Minnesota's first Black female attorney.
www.mprnews.org
November 2, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Lena Olive Smith’s legacy of fighting housing discrimination since her licensure in 1921 replaces the previous namesake's history of racial covenants in Minneapolis.
Reposted by Maureen Hartman
“St. Paul is the only one of the 25 largest cities in Minnesota that can’t issue administrative citations — a straightforward enforcement tool that would allow city staff to fine unscrupulous landlords who break the law.”
www.minnpost.com/community-vo...
www.minnpost.com/community-vo...
On Nov. 4, St. Paul voters can make the city fairer for renters - MinnPost
Giving the city of St. Paul the ability to issue administrative citations would mean renters don't have to fend for themselves.
www.minnpost.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:47 PM
“St. Paul is the only one of the 25 largest cities in Minnesota that can’t issue administrative citations — a straightforward enforcement tool that would allow city staff to fine unscrupulous landlords who break the law.”
www.minnpost.com/community-vo...
www.minnpost.com/community-vo...
Reposted by Maureen Hartman
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY SORRY FOR OUR DELAY WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS WAS A REAL DAY.
October 22, 2025 at 8:44 PM
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CAPS LOCK DAY SORRY FOR OUR DELAY WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THIS WAS A REAL DAY.
Reposted by Maureen Hartman
As a historian, I can certify that we are in the bad times. But bad times eventually end.
In the meantime:
• Figure out a small way to help someone
• Figure out a small way to fight back
• Figure out a small place to find joy
• Figure out a small way to grow and thrive
And do it often.
In the meantime:
• Figure out a small way to help someone
• Figure out a small way to fight back
• Figure out a small place to find joy
• Figure out a small way to grow and thrive
And do it often.
October 15, 2025 at 9:40 PM
As a historian, I can certify that we are in the bad times. But bad times eventually end.
In the meantime:
• Figure out a small way to help someone
• Figure out a small way to fight back
• Figure out a small place to find joy
• Figure out a small way to grow and thrive
And do it often.
In the meantime:
• Figure out a small way to help someone
• Figure out a small way to fight back
• Figure out a small place to find joy
• Figure out a small way to grow and thrive
And do it often.
Great idea PW friends!
Great work by @cityofsaintpaul.bsky.social Solid Waste and Recycling team! www.fox9.com/video/1720922
St. Paul Halloween costume exchange
With Halloween only weeks away, St. Paul’s Public Works is “recycling” Halloween costume and party supplies by offering residents the chance to exchange their ideas with others. FOX 9's Lauren Andrego...
www.fox9.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Great idea PW friends!
Put a local piece of art in your wallet!!!
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Southeast Asian resettlement in Saint Paul, we’ve launched a special edition library card designed by local artist @kaoleethao. Sign up for your card at any SPPL location while supplies last.
Learn more & read the artist statement: sppl.org/special-edition
Learn more & read the artist statement: sppl.org/special-edition
October 4, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Put a local piece of art in your wallet!!!
Local artists! Help us make the new Hamline Midway Library reflect our communities! ♥️
Calling Artists & Creative Teams!
Saint Paul Public Library is seeking talented artists and/or artist teams to create original, community-centered artwork for the new Hamline Midway Library building. For details and submission guidelines, visit sppl.org/transform
Saint Paul Public Library is seeking talented artists and/or artist teams to create original, community-centered artwork for the new Hamline Midway Library building. For details and submission guidelines, visit sppl.org/transform
October 4, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Local artists! Help us make the new Hamline Midway Library reflect our communities! ♥️
Laser loon card from @stpaulpublibrary.bsky.social spotted in the wild!
In his heartwarming graphic memoir Marry Me a Little, Rob Kirby recounts his marriage to his partner in 2013. With a red, white, & blue color scheme, Kirby balances humor & celebration alongside the political background of the legalization of same-sex marriage #CreatorsGetCarded
September 25, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Laser loon card from @stpaulpublibrary.bsky.social spotted in the wild!
Digital equity resources and strategies that took years to build and that actually work are being eliminated one by one by federal government, leaving all responsibility for digital inclusion at the local level. 😡
We call on the FCC to uphold its mandate to ensure fair and affordable access to telecommunications services for all Americans, and to recognize the critical role libraries and schools play in bridging the digital divide. Read our full statement: bit.ly/4njGwVp
FCC plans to kill new federal hotspot lending rule “one more way to limit access to information”
SHLB Coalition, ALA, EdLiNC and the Homework Gap Coalition submitted a joint letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging the Commission to protect two vital programs that expand inter...
bit.ly
September 25, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Digital equity resources and strategies that took years to build and that actually work are being eliminated one by one by federal government, leaving all responsibility for digital inclusion at the local level. 😡
Thank you @mollycoleman.bsky.social
There is simply an incredible amount of good, inspiring work happening in Saint Paul and it makes me so excited.
September 24, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Thank you @mollycoleman.bsky.social
Brilliant. Always.
24 Years Ago Today: The September 11th Issue
Issue 37•34: The September 11th Issue
theonion.com
September 12, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Brilliant. Always.
Ahem. The “mobile library” at Grand Old Day parade was from @stpaulpublibrary.bsky.social and your tax dollars support it. Invest more in municipal infrastructure and less in local influencers.
The new mobile bookshop, started by a local book influencer, is popping up around the Twin Cities and beyond. mspmag.com/arts-and-cul...
Rolling Chapters Drives Home a Love of Reading
The new mobile bookshop, started by a local book influencer, is popping up around the Twin Cities and beyond.
mspmag.com
September 11, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Ahem. The “mobile library” at Grand Old Day parade was from @stpaulpublibrary.bsky.social and your tax dollars support it. Invest more in municipal infrastructure and less in local influencers.
Feel like we need to talk about how you can have contrary opinions and disagree on how the city is running without abusing public servants and wasting limited city resources. I am not one to diagnose but really, this is not okay and happens every day to public servants on a wide variety of issues.
I got a complicated relationship with Sharon. I loved her, I thought she was hilarious and fun.
She was also undeniably abusive to a lot of people over decades, inflicting her Summit Avenue House delusions on everyone she could. A 50 year temper tantrum.
She was also undeniably abusive to a lot of people over decades, inflicting her Summit Avenue House delusions on everyone she could. A 50 year temper tantrum.
Saint Paul lost a real character in Sharon Anderson, a perennial candidate and crank whose multi-fonted campaign website collages full of meandering ramblings never lost sight of her one belief: that she still, spiritually, lived in that home on Summit Avenue
www.twincities.com/2025/09/09/s...
www.twincities.com/2025/09/09/s...
September 11, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Feel like we need to talk about how you can have contrary opinions and disagree on how the city is running without abusing public servants and wasting limited city resources. I am not one to diagnose but really, this is not okay and happens every day to public servants on a wide variety of issues.
Reposted by Maureen Hartman
It's easier to buy an AR-15 in most parts of this country than it is to get mental health care.
September 4, 2025 at 7:17 PM
It's easier to buy an AR-15 in most parts of this country than it is to get mental health care.
Ahem. 😉
Love your librarian? Of course you do! Nominations are now open for the 2026 #ILoveMyLibrarian Award. Your librarian could win $5,000 and the recognition of a lifetime.
Submit your nomination online by Dec. 15! https://bit.ly/3yiyT9C
❤️ @carnegiecorp.bsky.social
Submit your nomination online by Dec. 15! https://bit.ly/3yiyT9C
❤️ @carnegiecorp.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Ahem. 😉
Reposted by Maureen Hartman
"Go to an old cemetery. See all the baby graves from before the 1950s & 60s? After that, hardly any. That's when people started vaccinating their children. If you're unsure what to do to protect your kids, the answer is literally written in stone." — Michael Okuda
How quick we forget.
How quick we forget.
September 3, 2025 at 8:38 PM
"Go to an old cemetery. See all the baby graves from before the 1950s & 60s? After that, hardly any. That's when people started vaccinating their children. If you're unsure what to do to protect your kids, the answer is literally written in stone." — Michael Okuda
How quick we forget.
How quick we forget.
Required reading for everyone who cares about public spaces and people.
In response to my rant yesterday, I was asked how we can make better parks and other public places for teenage girls? What do they want? I have answers to this, so now a positive 🧵.
Starting in Sweden, where this was co-designed by teenage girls.
Starting in Sweden, where this was co-designed by teenage girls.
August 29, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Required reading for everyone who cares about public spaces and people.
Great piece!
Armed with a crossbow and notepad, our reporter endures mud, bad burritos, worse comedy, white samurais, and elusive candle shops in pursuit of her elvish destiny.
A Chronic Hater Attempts to Enjoy the Minnesota Renaissance Festival - Racket
Armed with a crossbow and notepad, our reporter endures mud, bad burritos, worse comedy, white samurais, and elusive candle shops in pursuit of her elvish destiny.
racketmn.com
August 29, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Great piece!
All.the.time
August 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
All.the.time
Reposted by Maureen Hartman
Pigeon That Flew Down Into Subway Going To Need All His Wits To Get Out Of This One
August 19, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Pigeon That Flew Down Into Subway Going To Need All His Wits To Get Out Of This One
Reposted by Maureen Hartman
We enter both 'home in' and 'hone in' in our dictionary (because both are commonly found), but most usage commentators consider 'hone in' to be a mistake.
August 15, 2025 at 1:39 PM
We enter both 'home in' and 'hone in' in our dictionary (because both are commonly found), but most usage commentators consider 'hone in' to be a mistake.