2024-2025 Schedule
September
MCBA-Prize exhibit
7:00 pm – Thursday, September 19, 2024
The Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis
Join us and our MCBA hosts for a special viewing and discussion of the 2024 MCBA Prize Exhibition.
October
Nomadic Press – Kent Aldrich
7:00 pm – Thursday, October 17, 2024
878 Stryker Ave, St Paul, MN 55107
Join Ampersander Kent Aldrich at his storefront letterpress job shop, one of the very few such remaining establishments in the Twin Cities and, indeed, in Minnesota. Nomadic Press provides all aspects of fine printing and jobbing, which can include graphic design, hand bookbinding, presentation cases and more, for both large and small format multicolor work. Come see and hear what Kent has cooked up during his 35 years at his shop, and enjoy the environment of the 110 year old building in which it is housed.
November
Radical Librarianship: The Tretter Collection
7:00 pm – Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Room 120, University of Minnesota Elmer L. Andersen Library, 222 21st Ave S, Minneapolis
Aiden Bettine will talk about the Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies, the largest archival repository of LGBTQ history in the Midwest.
Save the Date!
December
A Minnesota Bookish Discussion
7:00 pm – Thursday, December 19, 2024
Virtual Meeting
Dick Sveum will moderate a chance to share your stories about our shared book culture and our special Ampersand Club fellowship in the Republic of Books. Suggested topics include booksellers and selling, book hunters and hunting, librarians and libraries, authors, and awards. (You don’t have to contribute to attend, but we would love to hear from you!)
January
Winter Party
7:00 pm – Saturday, January 25, 2025
At the home of Inez and John Bergquist.
February
Lori Williamson, Minneapolis Institute of Art
7:00 pm – Thursday, February 20, 2025
Ampersander and Collection Care Specialist Lori Williamson will host a visit to the Herschel V. Jones Print Study Room at the Minneapolis Institute of Art where she will share rare Old Master prints, incunabula, and discuss the emergence of print culture in Western Europe.
March
Emanuel Haldeman-Julius and Little Blue Books: A University for the Working Man
6:30 pm – Thursday, March 20 2025 – Note Earlier Start Time
Ramsey County Public Library – Roseville, Community Program Room
2180 Hamline Ave North – Roseville 55113
Ampersander Pat Coleman who will speak about one of his absorbing collecting interests. In addition to the Little Blue Books he generously provided from his collection for our keepsake invitations, Pat will bring an additional 150 titles to the meeting for members to review and perhaps swap one out with what they received in the invitation, or take more and pay what they think is fair.
April
Building/Books – Karen Wirth: A Retrospective Exhibition
7:00 pm – Thursday, April 17, 2025
The Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis
May
Gregor Campbell – A History of the Ampersand Club as I Know It
The Ampersand Club Annual Dinner
Jax Cafe, 1928 University Ave NE Minneapolis, MN 55418
6:00 pm – Thursday, May 22, 2025
Members will receive information about how to RSVP
Information about past topics and speakers can be found on the past meetings page.