Gustavus Library Associates (GLA) are hosting the fifth annual Books in Bloom. The event takes place in the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library where ‘blooms’ will be displayed with a book. Each bloom is a unique floral interpretation of the novel or other media found in the library.

“The event is an opportunity to highlight the good work of Gustavus Library Associates.”—Sonja Timmerman

“It’s about two-dozen blooms. It’s all about GLA, who have been in existence for 38 years. Their entire mission is to devote energy and money to the Gustavus Library. Sponsors donate 500 dollars for each bloom,” Director of Communication Services and Special Events and Marketing and Communication Dean Wahlund said.
Taking place from May 1 to May 3, the event is dedicated to supporting the advancement of the library here at Gustavus. In the past four years, proceeds from the program have exceeded fifty thousand dollars that go directly towards the Gustavus Library Associate’s endowment for acquisition.
“Essentially, every bloom you see in the library this weekend represents future materials the library will purchase to support your Gustavus education… the event is an opportunity to highlight the good work of Gustavus Library Associates (GLA) and invite people to become GLA members.” GLA Member Sonja Timmerman said.
Sponsorships for Books in Bloom came from various individuals, families, friends, book clubs, foundations and organizations. The designers of each bloom are professional florists, master gardeners or friends that enjoy creating compelling arrangements.
“In addition to working on the planning committee for this event, I have had the privilege each year to design one of the ‘blooms.’ Personally, I enjoy the challenge of digging into a book and extracting visual concepts that can be used in a floral display. I try to put in subtleties that someone who has read the book will identify, as well as incorporate some elements that will offer a bit of intrigue and perhaps draw someone into putting that book on their ‘must read’ list,” GLA member Sheryl Johnson said.
Book selections vary from Steve Wilkinson’s ‘Let Love Serve: A Memoir Celebrating Tennis and Life,’ to Erik Larson’s ‘The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America.’ Other forms of media, such as DVDs, also inspired some of the artist’s arrangements.
St. Peter’s very own Mary’s Flowers contributed towards multiple arrangements, as well as Traverse des Sioux Garden Center. Mankato’s Drummer Garden Center and Floral also created an arrangement, along with other organizations and individuals.
The event is free of charge and attendees can either wander from bloom to bloom with a booklet as their guide, or receive a tour from a student ambassador.
“It is a way to get people into the library, even local people. We want people to be aware of the library and the time GLA has spent supporting it. It’s important for the students and faculty and their research,” Wahlund said.
GLA members encourage everyone in the Gustavus community to come and enjoy the blooms!
“Last but not least, the event brings people from the Gustavus community together in one of the most important places on campus, the Library, to celebrate spring,” Timmerman said.

-Haley Bell