The Pankake Poetry Series was founded in honor of librarian Marcia Pankake, whose love of poetry was demonstrated in the countless readings and poetry events she hosted at the University Libraries until her retirement in 2007.

Heid E. Erdrich is the author of four poetry collections, including National Monuments, which received the 2009 Minnesota Book Award for poetry. Her poem "What Gathers" was a finalist for the 2011 Montreal International Poetry Prize. Cell Traffic: New and Selected Poems will be published on April 19, 2012.

In 1974, author James Lenfestey came upon the book Cold Mountain: 100 Poems of the T'ang Dynasty Poet Han-shan. The result 33 years later is his collection of poems inspired by the form and sensibility of that 1,200-year-old Chinese hermit poet, yet brimming with his own humor. Lenfestey will read from A Cartload of Scrolls: 100 Poems in the Manner of the T'ang Dynasty Hermit Poet Han-Shan and will also show a short film of his pilgrimage to China where he paid homage to Han-Shan at his hermit cave. (April 13, 2010 at Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota) **** The Pankake Poetry Series was founded in honor of librarian Marcia Pankake, whose love of poetry was demonstrated in the countless readings and poetry events she hosted at the University of Minnesota Libraries until her retirement in 2007.

Popular authors talk about their profession, their work, and the process of producing "can't put it down" mysteries. The stellar panel, moderated by William Kent Krueger, includes Erin Hart, Julie Kramer, and Chuck Logan. (December 8, 2010 at Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota)

Louis Jenkins' poems have been published in a number of literary magazines and anthologies, including The Best American Poetry and Great American Prose Poems. Jenkins, who has been featured on A Prairie Home Companion and The Writer's Almanac, received the 1995 Minnesota Book Award for Nice Fish and the 1997 Northeastern Minnesota Book Award for Just Above Water. His most recent books are North of the Cities (2007), European Shoes (2008), and Before You Know It: Prose Poems 1970–2005 (2009), all published by Will o' the Wisp Books. (April 12, 2011 at Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota) **** The Pankake Poetry Series was founded in honor of librarian Marcia Pankake, whose love of poetry was demonstrated in the countless readings and poetry events she hosted at the University of Minnesota Libraries until her retirement in 2007.

Paul and Joan Nagel Lecture featuring Henry Adams and introduced by Eric Black. (October 20, 2011 at Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center, University of Minnesota) **** This lecture was created to honor Dr. Paul Nagel, a devoted friend of the Libraries who died in May 2011. Nagel was a former university professor and administrator, director of the Virginia Historical Society, and best-selling author of several books, including Descent from Glory: Four Generations of the John Adams Family; John Quincy Adams: A Public Life, A Private Life; and The Adams Women. He was honored in 2010 with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Adams Institute, joining David McCullough and the late Sen. Edward Kennedy as the only three people to receive this award.

Nagel served on numerous boards, including as senior trustee of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and president of the Friends of the Libraries. His late wife Joan, a librarian and genealogist, was a collaborator with Paul in many of his historical works. The Nagel papers were donated to the Libraries in 2011.

The Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries present an evening with American author, humorist, musician, and radio personality Garrison Keillor. (May 10, 2011 at McNamara Alumni Center, University of Minnesota)