MPL Hours of Service:
Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sidewalk Holds Pickup:
Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 am to Noon (door near library driveway)
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Banned Books Week
In 1982, the American Library Association launched a nationwide Banned Books Week (BBW) in response to increased book challenges in public libraries and schools. September 25-October 1 is meant to increase awareness of censorship, and celebrate the value of free access to information. Some of the top challenged books of 2020 include: George by Alex Gino, Stamped by Ibram Kendi and Jason Reynolds (the honorary chairperson of BBW 2021), Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. This year's BBW theme is "Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us." Books reach across boundaries and build connections between readers. Censorship, on the other hand, creates barriers. Visit our BBW display, and expand your horizons.
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Sweet Thursday Hooptedoodles
Join us for an 8-week series of lectures, discussion, and song! “Cannery Row Days: Sweet Thursday Hooptedoodles” uses Steinbeck’s short novel, Sweet Thursday, as a jumping off point to dive into Steinbeck’s and Ed Ricketts’ Monterey. The novel, made into a Rogers & Hammerstein musical called Pipe Dream continues the story of Cannery Row and its inhabitants in the years after World War II. Many of the characters are the same, but the ravages of time and the War have changed the Row. Today’s talk by historian Tim Thomas, "Sardines Go to War!" explores Monterey's sardine fishing industry and its impact on World War I and II. Upcoming programs in the series include "Steinbeck Rewrites Ed Ricketts," on Thursday, September 23 with Steinbeck scholar Susan Shillinglaw who will examine the novel and Steinbeck's portrayal of his friend Ed Ricketts, and two talks in October about John Steinbeck's interest in Monterey Bay ecology (October 21 and 28). Other programs explore the Rogers & Hammerstein musical and the Pachuco Band music of the novel.
Programs are on Thursdays at 4:00 pm. Participate on Zoom or by phone. Register at www.monterey.org/library or call (831) 646- 3933 for more information.
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Bookmobile Pumpkin Seed Contest
Start the Halloween spirit early! Visit any Bookmobile stop on Tuesdays (Merrill Gardens, 11:30 am; The Park Lane, 1:00 pm) or Thursdays (La Mesa Community Center, 1:00 pm; Montecito Park, 4:45 pm) and enter the Pumpkin Seed Contest: Guess the number of seeds in the jar on Miss Orquidea's desk and the closest guess will win a large pumpkin in October. Call (831) 646-3710 for more details.
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Read an E-Book Day on Libby
One of the popular services of Monterey Public Library and its "24/7" library is Overdrive, a collection of downloadable ebooks and audiobooks. Starting at the end of the year, Overdrive will be "closing" and transitioning to Libby, the ebook collection which is already in use by many. To get practice with Libby, download the app from your favorite app store and celebrate Read an Ebook Day on September 18!
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Celebrate Constitution Week
The Daughters of the Revolution invites everyone to visit the Library to find out more about our US Constitution, a document that is the foundation of our democracy. The local chapter of DAR has provided the Library with free mini copies of the Constitution, first come first served, on display from September 17-23. We also have books on the Constitution, democracy and related subjects to check out.
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Monterey Jazz Festival
Last year's Monterey Jazz Festival was cancelled, and the 2021 edition (September 24-26) has already been announced as sold out, due to a more limited audience capacity. If you are one of the lucky ones, you'll be treated to a lineup with Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Ledisi and Las Cafeteras. For those that didn't get a ticket, MJF is hosting Jazz After Hours at different small venues around town and with your Library card, you can create your own line up of jazz favorites! Just call us at (831) 646-3933 to request some other CDs or books if you're feeling jazzy!
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JobNow Job Search Assistance
Monterey County's unemployment rate sits around 6.9% for July 2021, just below California's 7.6% rate. If you are one of those residents looking for work, the Library has a database that might help. After entering a Monterey Public Library card, JobNow offers live job coaching, free resume assistance, job interview tips, and more. In addition, this resource provides help for veterans including information about VA benefits, and community resources such as housing and healthcare.
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Books Around the Bay
Sometimes you need more than a library, a place to purchase your own copy of a book you've discovered at a library perhaps. Here are the locally owned bookstores on the Monterey Peninsula:
Book Buyers, New Monterey (831) 375-4208
The Bookworks, Pacific Grove (831) 372-2242
Carpe Diem Fine Books, Monterey (831) 643-2754
The Mindshop Metaphysical Books, Pacific Grove (831) 372-2971
Old Capitol Books, Monterey (831) 747-1322
Pilgrim's Way, Carmel (831) 624-4955
River House Books, Carmel (831) 626-2665
For a delightful behind-the scenes look at New York City's bookstores and antiquarian book trade check out the documentary The Booksellers!
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Monterey Public Library Top 5!
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Little Known Gems of MPL:
#5 Five Little Libraries around Monterey are stocked and supervised by MPL volunteers to provide free books to neighborhoods.
#4 The Library hosts a rotating collection of student art, on the Linda McCabe Memorial Wall.
#3 The Library houses more than 16 works of art by California artists, including Leo Politi and Frances McComas.
#2 With your MPL card, you may access Discover & Go, a program of free or discount tickets to SF Bay Area museum and cultural institutions.
#1 The Library was started in 1849 (California's first library) and has been in four locations around the City.
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* bell hooks, American author/activist, September 25
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Mindfulness Meditation: Every Wednesday, 12:15-12:45 pm. More info and register here.
Preschool Storytime on the Lawn: Every Thursday, 10:15am. Miss Lisa offers stories, songs and fun on Colton Hall lawn (across Pacific Street from the library). Ages 3-5 welcome, bring a blanket and masks for those under age 3.
Chopped at Home: Sign up for a new take-home cooking program based on the 'mystery baskets' of "Chopped" (Food Network). Space is limited. Every other Friday (9/24 is currently filled, 10/8), pick up a bag of chosen ingredients, make a creative dish over the weekend, and share it with us on social media!
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