Monterey Public Library - Blind Date with a Book and Secret Valentine begins

Greetings!

Are you looking for a new book this month, but having a hard time choosing? Are you looking for a little surprise in your reading life?

Our library staff have been curating library collections and our teen volunteers lovingly crafted and wrapped hundreds of different books for you this month. A wide range of titles for all ages - "Secret Valentines" for kids and graphic novels and "Blind Date With a Book" for teen & adult titles. Check out the displays and bring home a valentine from the library in February.

If your Secret Valentine is a "match" you can pick up a coloring sheet or return your bookmark with your review and enter to win a raffle prize! And although it feels like summer this week, our winter reading challenge is still going strong. Pick up a bookmark, read, and earn a free book!

I also decided to look at the Daily Alta California in our digital newspaper from February 14, 1851 as I thought "how did people celebrate Valentine's Day in early California??" The section of the paper under "CITY INTELLIGENCE" writes:

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY - To-day is the immortal and time-honored anniversary of St. Valentine. Throughout England and in our norther cities of the Atlantic this day is celebrated by the sending of love-missiles in the form of Valentines to the ladies. How many a heart will flutter with expectation today? How many will be pleased and how many will be disappointed? Probably by another year we will be so situated in California that we may celebrate the annual feast of merry St. Valentine.

Warmly,

Brian

MPL's Event Calendar

WELCOME TO DUNGEONS

AND DRAGONS FOR ADULTS

Did you know the Dungeons and Dragons game was first

published back in 1974? It was widely regarded as the origin of

modern role-playing games focused on fantasy adventures.

Are you a Dungeon Master?

Dungeons and Dragons - Adult Session

February 9th| March 9th|April 13th |May 11th

Monday, February 9th

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

MPL Community Room

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Adults only.

Refreshments will be provided.

Note the Dungeons and Dragons teen/tween

version is scheduled for March 2nd.

Check out this link for more information.

DON'T MISS!

FEBRUARY'S BOOK FLIGHT BOOK CLUB

Eric Weiner spent years as a foreign correspondent reporting from unsettled areas of the world. Ready to see the world in a brighter light, Weiner embarks on a yearlong journey to discover and research the world’s happiest places.

Join us for this this month’s Book Flight Book Club as we wander through Weiner's book The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World.

Book Flight Book Club - The Geography of Bliss

Tuesday, February 10th

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

MPL Community Room

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

BE MINE TEEN BASH

Get ready for good times and good vibes!

Join us for a Be Mine Teen Bash packed with DIY crafts and tasty treats.

No pressure, no awkward stuff—just fun, creativity, and snacks.

Be Mine Teen Bash

Wednesday, February 11th

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

MPL Community Room

For teens in middle and high school.

POCKET LOVE BEARS FOR VALENTINES

Every stitch brings smiles. On this special Valentine’s Day, kids get to create their own pocket love bears -sewn with love, care, and kindness.

Create your own pocket love bear!

Sewing with Julia

Saturday, February 14th

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

MPL Community Room

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED - WAIT LIST AVAILABLE

For kids aged 7 -10 years old

PS - Goosewell, pictured here, is not only the new mascot for

MPL’s Sewing with Julia, but also a fun loving “silly goose.”

PRESIDENTS' DAY CLOSURE

Presidents’ Day, an official federal (and honored by most states) holiday, was originally enacted to celebrate and honor George Washington. This holiday, celebrated on the third Monday in February, has evolved to celebrate all United States Presidents.

In honor of Presidents’ Day, the Monterey Public Library

will be closed on Monday, February 16th.

PS - Washington's birthday was actually on

February 22, 1732. This year he would be

celebrating his 294th birthday!

IT'S NOT TOO LATE

For 21 sweet years, MPLF&F’s Chocolate & Wine Benefit

has been the ultimate celebration of chocolate, wine, beer, and

tasty snacks among the stacks!

MPLF&F 21st Annual Chocolate & Wine

Saturday, February 21st

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

MPL Community Room

21+ event

Buy tickets today! Your support ensures the Monterey Public Library continues to inspire learning, creativity, and connection for all.

MORE TITLES FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE

Have you “checked out” the Palace App? Free to Monterey Public Library card holders, this app recently added over 17,000 copies of 2,165 new titles. This includes 10,586 eBooks and 6,468 eAudiobooks.

For more information on how to access the Palace Project

on the app or your smart device, please click here.

READ ON!

LET'S TALK BOOKMARKS

Obsessed with bookmarks? We are too!

Collecting bookmarks is fun. But, creating your own takes it to the next level! Join us in celebrating World Bookmark Day! Learn how to use recycled scraps of paper and specialty papers to make unique handmade bookmarks.