Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) take over the need for libraries? Well...that's actually up to you and how you choose to use it. Within the first two months, over 100 million users joined ChatGPT. Artificial Intelligence art generators like Dall-E and MidJourney are transforming what it means to be creative. In a more practical sense, you may have even noticed that live closed captioning has rapidly improved on video platforms. To me, it's important to think of AI as a tool rather than the truth.

We've come to an age where books and articles are TLDR or "too long, didn't read." In fact, this is one of the ways that people use AI : type in TLDR with an article on ChatGPT and voila! You have a summary. Will this be the future of book reports or how information is shared?

Libraries are full of information for content consumption. As of right now, the content is being built as directed by people. Will AI generated work populate in our bookshelves or galleries within the next few years? Most likely, yes. The question I'm interested in is whether this will be AI content led by human hands, or independently created through an algorithm.

Why is this important for libraries? The creation of information is important, but what the user does is critical. So continue to read, reflect, and debate. Don't just share something "TLDR." Talk more with your neighbor. Write a letter to a loved one. Draw a doodle. Read the full article...be human! Libraries will continue to be relevant as long as people continue to value growth, learning, and community.
How do you see AI changing our workforce and information landscape in the coming years?

Warmly~
Brian
THIS AFTERNOON:
THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SEAWEED
What do the topics of art & algae have in common? As part of a special Cannery Row Days lecture, Artist, Author and Co-Director Josie Iselin brilliantly tracks her journey as an artist using a flatbed scanner to create portraits of marine algae and the bull kelp forest. She will also discuss research from her book, The Curious World of Seaweed.

THIS AFTERNOON, Thursday April 13th
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Zoom
IT'S TEA TIME!
Been meaning to catch up with a friend for coffee? Craving a fresh smoothie during your Saturday errand hustle? TZONE is the perfect place to enjoy some tea, coffee, smoothie or refreshing drink of choice.

DINE AROUND TOWN 
Saturday, April 15th
ALL DAY
TZone
460 Alvarado Street ,Monterey 

Please mention MPLF&F when you place your order and or bring the flyer. 
Thank you MPL's Friends & Foundation for hosting this event and helping to support the Monterey Public Library.

For more information, check out www.InvestInMPL.org.
AN IMPORTANT COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: TEEN DRUG USE AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION

More and more, we are unfortunately hearing alarming statistics about teens and drug use and overdose. Join Montage Heath Ohana medical experts Dr. Casey Grover, Dr. Reb Close, and Dr. Susan Swick, as they discuss this epidemic. Topics will include trends in Fentanyl use and how parents can learn to talk with their teens about drug dangers.

Wednesday, April 19th
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 
MPL Community Room
ANCIENT LANDS, MONKS, AND VOODOO
BEFORE THEY VANISH” travel presenter and award winning author
James Michael Dorsey discusses his visit to Wadi Rum, the military base of T.E. Lawrence. He explores the mysteries of Petra and tours the desert Bedouins plus numerous biblical sites. Next up, learn about James’ journey through Myanmar, a land of beauty infused with religious fervor. See the temples, monks and nuns. Finally, he will share his adventure into West Africa, where he learned a bit about voodoo, one of the oldest religions in existence.

Friday, April 21, 2023
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM 
MPL Community Room 
Speaker Series with AAUW & CSUMB!
Join AAUW (American Association of University Women), Monterey Peninsular Chapter, in hosting Dr. Vanya Quin᷈ones, President of CSUMB. She will speak about her background, goals for CSUMB, and specific CSUMB coursework available to promote women leaders interested in STEM careers.

Saturday, April 22nd
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
MPL Community Room
CHEERS TO OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEERS!  
MPL staff is always super excited to honor our devoted volunteers. With a total of 4,258 volunteer hours worked, they definitely deserve a celebration!

In honor of National Volunteer Month, approximately 50 MPL volunteers gathered for a walking tour around Monterey and then were treated to lunch and cake. Gifts, designed personally by MPL's Director Brian Edwards, were distributed as a token of our appreciation. 

With summer reading programs in the planning stage, we definitely need some extra hands. Interested in volunteering? Do your teens need community service hours? Stay tuned in future eblasts for signups for upcoming volunteer training days. 
MPL Hours of Service:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Bookmobile:
Tuesday: 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM, Wednesdays: 12:30 PM - 5:45 PM,
Thursday: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Call (831) 646-3710 or click Bookmobile for details.
Monterey Public Library | (831) 646-3933 | monterey.org/library