Greetings,

Our Summer Reading Program is almost done! Reminder that if you want to enter the prize drawing you will need to return your gameboard before 6pm on Friday July 31st.

We will continue to accept gameboards through August 8th to receive a book and a totebag. A limited number of Monterey Summer Reading Program totebags are still available ~ visit soon before they run out!

I want to send a "thank you" to our wonderful teen interns who have spent hundreds of hours volunteering this summer to help promote the Summer Reading Program and help people through the process. They also worked on hosting as well as assisting staff at a number of a public events here at the library for all ages. The teen interns were recruited in a competitive recruitment from our area high schools, and I think they were all engaged and here to serve. Kudos to them for taking on this role with passion and dedication - as well as our librarians Sarah Nolan & Andrea Osejo for their leadership with this summer program. Our youth are our future, and we have to continue to find ways to engage them as well as opportunities to show off their talents to succeed.

This summer our library team held a wide variety of programs - I appreciate all of the feedback related to the variety of engaging and interactive events that we had for all ages. We look forward to continuing to host unique programs, talks, crafts, and opportunities to engage with our community. Just know that your Monterey Public Library continues to plan for more events, crafts, collections for the rest of the year, not just the summer. We enjoy the challenge of finding ways to spark joy and provide learning opportunities in the community. Pick up a print calendar next time you're in the library, or bookmark our events page.

Note the error in the newsletter last week. Our End of Summer Bash event tomorrow July 31st from 5-7pm is at Jack's Ballpark across from the Monterey Sports Center (NOT at Jack's Peak Park). The event is in partnership with Monterey Recreation, MY Museum, and the Monterey Sports Center. We hope to see you there!

Warmly,

Brian

MPL's Event Calendar

Summer may be winding down, but there’s still one big party left! Come celebrate the end of summer with our friends from Monterey Parks and Recreation and the Monterey Sports Center. Held at Jack's Park, join us for interactive activities, arts and crafts, music, and more.

End of Summer Bash

Friday, July 31st

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Jack's Park

451 Adams, Monterey

Everyone is welcome

Be part of your library’s future! 

The Monterey Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is looking for creative and enthusiastic teens who want to build leadership skills, make new friends, and help shape library programs and services for their peers.

TAB meets twice a month to plan exciting teen events, create content for the

Teen Instagram page, earn volunteer service hours, and make a

lasting impact on your library and community. 

To become an active TAB member, you must commit to attend at least four meetings through the end of the semester. 

TAB Meetings:

1st Wednesdays at 3pm & 3rd Mondays at 4pm

Wednesday, August 5th

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

MPL Community Room

Teens are welcome

Interested? Contact Teen Librarian Andrea Osejo for

more information at osejo@monterey.org.

Come enjoy a warm cup of tea with fellow makers! Calling all fiber arts enthusiasts! Bring your knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing, weaving, or any fiber arts project and join us for a cozy afternoon of creativity and connection!

Whether you are seasoned crafter or just starting on a project, all skill levels are welcome to this drop-in gathering. 

Stitch and Sip

Saturday, August 8th

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 

MPL Community Room

Adults and teens are welcome

This is a hangout space. No formal instruction will be provided on how to craft. Some materials may be provided but please bring your own tools and projects.

Book Flight Book Club - Project Hail Mary

Tuesday, August 11th

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

MPL Community Room

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Explorer and award-winning author, James Michael Dorsey returns to the Monterey Public Library with a captivating presentation from his

Before They Vanish series. Hear the extraordinary story of “Libraries Beneath the Sand,” as Dorsey recounts his journey to Timbuktu, Mali to visit the libraries that once rivaled those of Alexandria. His story takes us to meet famed “Blue Men" of the Sahara and the ancient village of Arouane. 

Dorsey unaware of the heavy presence of Al Qaeda in the northern Maghreb of Mali or their rapid movement south to attack Timbuktu, went on an epic journey to evacuate the libraries and distribute priceless manuscripts across the lower Sahara to be buried by nomad families until it was safe to return them. Share in the adventures, history, and unforgettable experiences of this journey to the “Libraries Beneath the Sand!”

Before They Vanish - “Libraries Beneath the Sand”

Friday, August 14th 

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM 

MPL Community Room

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Dorsey will be available to sign and sell two of his books after the program.

Did you know that Monterey once had its own Nihonjin-gai (Japantown)?

Join Tim Thomas, Fisheries Historian and Curator of the Monterey JACL Heritage Center/Museum on the third Saturday of every month for a neighborhood walking tour of Monterey’s Nihonjin-gai and the JACL Heritage Center/Museum.

 Nihonjin-gai Walks

Saturday, August 15th

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

JACL - 424 Adams Street 

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

MPL Hours of Service:

Monday: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Bookmobile Information:

Call (831) 646-3710 or click Bookmobile for detailed hours and locations.

Monterey Public Library | (831) 646-3933 | monterey.gov/library

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