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city of stories 2025: rooted in stories
City of Stories is a fundraiser supporting the Meridian Library District and celebrating the powerful role libraries play in our lives. This year’s theme, Rooted in Stories, honors how stories take root in our communities—nurturing connection, growth, and a sense of belonging. Like plants, stories need care, space to grow, and strong roots—and for many, the Meridian Library is that nurturing place.
Join us for an evening of storytelling, food, and creative bouquet making in book-shaped vases as we celebrate how libraries keep us rooted in community.
City of Stories is a hybrid celebration featuring a ticketed storytelling event on Thursday, September 25 at the historic Tolleth House & Garden in Downtown Meridian, and an online auction running September 22–27. Proceeds will support the launch of MOBI (Mobile Outreach Bus of Ideas)—a Sprinter van transformed into a mobile library that will bring a variety of programs directly to the community at parks, schools, senior centers, and more.
Additionally, the Meridian Library District will offer Rooted in Stories–themed programming throughout the week to celebrate how libraries help us grow, connect, and thrive.
Celebrate stories. Grow community. Support library access for all.
If you’d like to be added to our waitlist in case of cancellations, please email foundation@supportmld.org with your name, preferred email address, and a phone number where we can reach you.
Date & Location
City of Stories: Rooted in Stories - SOLD OUT
Thursday, September 25th from 6:00-8:30pm
Historic Tolleth Home & Garden
134 E. State Avenue, Meridian, 83642
Online Auction
Monday, Sept 22nd (8am) - Saturday, Sept 27th (8pm)
YourCharityAuction.com/SupportMLD*
*online auction site is optimized for desktop viewing
Sponsorships
Thank you to our event sponsors for helping make City of Stories possible!
Presenting Sponsor:
Crosswinds Realty
Gold Sponsors:
Boise Co-Op Market;
CM Company, Inc
Edward Jones - Chris Klein
Simplot
Silver Sponsors:
CapEd
Investment Resources of America
Treasure Valley Children's Clinic
Storytellers
Meet our Featured Storytellers
BOB KUSTRA
Host of Reader’s Corner (Boise State Public Radio), Idaho Statesman columnist, former BSU president, and former Illinois lieutenant governor
LAURA KNUTSON
Meridian Library District Trustee & Library Coordinator, West Ada School District
VICKY BROWN
Retired Simplot employee with a 30+ year career, beginning in the company’s staff library
HANS BRUIJN
President of the Meridian Dairy Board, and Premium Office Coordinator for the Western Idaho Fair
Plus, guests can look for more library stories in our event book from the Idaho Botanical Garden, Idaho Hispanic Foundation, Edwards Greenhouse, Ballet Idaho, Meridian City Council members, Idaho Nonprofit Center, Hidden Gem Events at the Historic Tolleth Home, Women & Children’s Alliance, and more!
"City of Stories" Celebration - SOLD OUT
Date: Thursday, September 25th from 6 - 8:30pm
Location: Historic Tolleth Home & Garden located at 134 E. State Avenue in Downtown Meridian
6:00-7:00pm - Happy Hour
Enjoy garden-themed food and drinks, explore the new MOBI bus up close, try mini creative activities from our MOBI class kits, browse the Foundation’s Pop-Up Shop, and more as you tour the historic Tolleth Home & Garden.
7:00-8:30pm - "City of Stories" Main Stage
Enjoy stories from our featured storytellers, then create a bouquet to take home in a unique book-shaped vase.
8:30pm - Afterparty
Continue to enjoy our treats and mingle with our featured storytellers & Foundation Board
VIP Ugrades
Celebrate City of Stories 2025 with our special VIP Bundles — perfect for library lovers and garden enthusiasts! Limited quantities available; VIP Upgrades do not include event admission. Attendees must reserve an admission ticket in addition to the VIP Upgrade.
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🦋 Monarch Bundle
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My Little Belleville Monarch gardening gloves
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Potting Shed Creations Monarch Butterfly Scatter Garden Seeds
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Metal butterfly bookmark
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Ahmad Flower Tea packets
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Plus our “Rooted in Community, Nurtured by Libraries, Growing through Stories” tote & bookmark
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🐝 Bee Bundle
- My Little Belleville Bee gardening gloves
- Potting Shed Creations Honeybee Scatter Garden Seeds
- Serra Honey Candy from Italy
- Himalayan Multifloral Honey Twigs
- Bit-O-Honey Candy
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Plus our “Rooted in Community, Nurtured by Libraries, Growing through Stories” tote & bookmark
Online Auction
Thank you to the following businesses for donating items for our auction: Elements Massage, Lakeview Golf Course, Loose Screw Brewing Co, Ballet Idaho, Big Daddy's BBQ, Bogus Basin, Boise Philharmonic, Chick-fil-A Village Meridian, GourmetGiftBaskets.com, Top Golf, Vertical View Climbing Gym, Warhawk Air Museum, Wild Root, Amano, Oriental Trading Company, Black Bear Diner, Brundage Ski Resort, Franz Witte, Huckleberry Star Theater, Idaho Botanical Garden, Blue Q, Clayfully Me, ERJ Design Boise, Mom the Potter, Out of Print, Salon Apothecary, Snake River Quail Forever, Sourdough Bob, Two Hoots Lavender, Wildflower Boutique, Bardenay, Las Calaveras, Karla: Personal Donation, Idaho Children's Museum, Scheels, Bitner Vineyards, Coiled Wines (G City), Dutch Bros, Symms Fruit Orchard, Idaho Potato Commission, ICCU, Vertical View, Lowe Family Farmstead.
Sign up for your bidder account today to receive an email notification when the auction goes live!
Meridian Library "Rooted" Programming
The Meridian Library District will feature complementary Rooted in Stories–themed programming all week long as part of City of Stories. Check back soon for a full schedule of events, including locations and times!
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Are you interested in sponsoring this event? Please contact foundation@mld.org for information on sponsorship opportunities!
MERIDIAN LIBRARY FOUNDATION
© Copyright 2025 Meridian Library District Foundation, Inc.