Monterey Public Library - September is Library Card Sign Up Month

September is National Library Card Sign-up Month!

I imagine most of the people reading this already have a library card...so how can you be advocates to help spread library joy in the community? Here are a few talking points that you can use when helping promote your library:

Libraries support our sharing economy! Libraries are an example of ways that our community can decrease single use resources and share resources. Once you are done with the book, movie, park pass, or other item(s) that you borrowed, someone else gets to use it.
New books and old treasures: When people bring up new authors or book recommendations, let them know they can use Novelist to find "read-alikes" by similar authors. Or they can ask our wonderful staff.
Audiobooks or eBooks: If you know someone that commutes, exercises, or any other activity while listening to audiobooks - recommend that they get a library card and download our Libby, Palace, or CloudLibrary apps.
Local History: If someone is interested in their family history, you can bring up free access to Ancestry.com inside the library, digitized newspapers, or access to our California History Room.
Skill & Test Prep: If they are looking for free access to skill & test prep training - let them know we have classes through LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare, and Learning Express!
Build your card collection: Libraries and library staff don't mind that you have multiple cards from different cities. Build your library card collection and increase your access to resources.
Your taxes support the library: I have often heard "libraries are free" but I feel like that should have an asterisk. They are an example of what can be accomplished when government and the community get together to fund a more informed, literate, creative, and connected community.

Help us share library love!

Warmly~

Brian

MPL's Event Calendar

THIS AFTERNOON...

POINT PINOS LIGHTHOUSE:

ART & HISTORY

You’ve probably seen this mural in passing and maybe you've read about the Point Pinos Lighthouse Reservation, but do you know the history behind this former Navy/NOAA property?

Join local historian Tim Thomas, artist Ray Troll, and members of the Center for Ocean Art, Science and Technology (COAST), as they explore the rich history of Point Pinos.

Thursday, August 31st

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Zoom

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

SEPTEMBER IS LIBRARY CARD

SIGN-UP MONTH

And we are ready to celebrate all great things LIBRARY!

According to stats from the California State Library (2021/2022):

21 million people have library cards across California

57.4 million people visited libraries in California

Here at MPL:

20,786 patrons have library cards

3,326 kids have library cards

Pretty impressive. And get this, at MPL, in FY 2022-2023:

Library patrons used public computers for 6,528.87 hours and used free WiFi for 35,595.58 hours!

3,956 people attended programs

Although we admit we may be a bit biased,

we think the library is a pretty special place!

Invite your friends, family, kids and colleagues to enjoy all that the

Monterey Public Library has to offer. Come borrow books, access ebooks, pick up museum passes, learn new skills, participate in art projects, search historical documents, sign up for homework help, request technology assistance, attend a story time, hang out with support dogs and SO MUCH MORE FREE with a LIBRARY CARD.

In honor of this special month, join us for some exciting programming.

WATERCOLORS

Wednesday, September 6th

3:45 PM - 4:45 PM

MPL Community Room

Recommended for ages 1- 10

Come create some fun designs with watercolors!

MAKE WINDSOCKS

Wednesday, September 13th

3:45 PM - 4:45 PM

MPL Community Room

Recommended for ages 1-10

Learn how to make

beautiful windsocks!

THERE'S MORE! Get a new library card or show us your old card and enter our prize drawing for two Disney/Pixar books! Interested participants can visit the Library or Bookmobile to be entered into the prize drawing.

Winners will be contacted the first week of October.

HAPPY LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH!

BEFORE THEY VANISH:

UNTOLD STORIES FROM AFRICA'S

MOST FABLED CITIES

Join explorer and award winning author James Michael Dorsey, on a journey through Africa.

Mali is a country made of mud, and its oldest cities can be traced back more than 2000 years. Travel to Djenne, Timbuktu, and Araouane through personal untold stories of the legends and the cultures.

Copies of his books, including his recently published title, The Lagoon: Encounters with the Whales of San Ignacio will be available for purchase.

Friday, September 8th

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

MPL Community Room

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

WHAT DO PHYSICS AND BALLOON ROCKETS HAVE IN COMMON?

An action packed day!

Join Meri, from MPL’s Bookmobile, and members of

Monterey High’s Robotics Team:

The Robodores for

S.T.E.A.M. in the Park: Balloon Rocket Races.

Saturday, September 9th

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Montecito Park Bookmobile Stop

220 Montecito Avenue, Monterey

RUN ROSE RUN!

Dolly Parton collaborates with #1 New York Times bestselling author James Patterson to tell a fictional tale of a young woman in pursuit of a career in music in Nashville. Run Rose Run! is a thriller novel with AnnieLee Keys as the penniless singer and songwriter on the quest for stardom with darkness haunting her journey.

Tuesday, September 12th

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Zoom

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED