Greetings,

National Library Week has been celebrated annually in a dedicated week in April every year by the American Library Association (ALA) since 1958. For 2026, the theme is "Find Your Joy!" with honorary chair Mychal Threets - celebrated between April 19th through the 25th. Mychal is an advocate for libraries, current Reading Rainbow host, and past Librarian for Solano County Library. We collaborated years back on a State Library program, and the photo was back when we connected again at a library conference. If you are wondering, Mychal is exactly the same bubbling energetic person you see online or on TV.

Originally National Library Week was created to promote public libraries and the goals of:

• encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time
• improving incomes and health
• developing strong and healthy family life

This year, our own Monterey Public Library is celebrating National Library Week with a variety of public programs for all ages, culminating with the screening of the film "The Librarians" on Saturday April 25th at 2pm in our Community Room. Along the lines of the first ALA National Library Week, our library was founded in 1849 with the original goal to "...afford amusement, entertainment, and profit to a large class of people who, without its aid, would waste their time in the frivolities and questionable pastimes so prevalent in our State." Walter Colton shipped the first books from the East Coast around Cape Horn to Monterey. Timothy Andres served as the librarian, and Reverend Samuel H. Wiley (founder of UC Berkeley) claims credit for founding the library. The library has evolved since it first opened doors at El Cuartel - the old Mexican military barracks!

We hope that you find your own way to celebrate your library. Whether that is downloading an eBook (Libby, CloudLibrary, Palace), reading a newspaper (in-person or online!), saying hello to our awesome staff, getting a Parks pass or Discover & Go Museum pass, or finding the perfect book in the stacks - share your joy of the library with a friend, neighbor, or colleague. Tell them what the library means to you and ask them to get a library card as well. Celebrate National Library week by experiencing and sharing your own Library joy! Everyone belongs in a public library.

Oh and today (April 16th) is "National Librarian Day"...thank you to one of our library patrons who let us know today! There are a number of recognized celebrations next week during National Library Week:

• Monday, April 20th is "Right to Read Day" - celebrate your freedom to read! Read something that sparks joy for you
• Tuesday, April 21st is "National Library Workers Day" - celebrate your favorite library staff member!
• Wednesday, April 22nd is "National Library Outreach Day" - visit our Bookmobile on Wednesdays at La Mesa Village (12:30-3) & Montecito Park (4:45-5:45) or use one of our library lockers!:
• Thursday, April 23rd is "Take Action for Libraries Day" - advocate and support your library

Warmly,

Brian

MPL's Event Calendar

Reminder: Cover to Cover is ending on Saturday, April 18th. Please remember to return your reading logs to the library or bookmobile to receive your Achievement Award Cards! We’d love to hear about the literary worlds you've explored and the stories you loved!

READ ON! 

Note: Please have a parent or guardian sign off on the child's

reading log before turning it in to the library staff.

Come "check out" the MPL Bookmobile at

Laguna Grande Regional Park!

Together, let's celebrate and honor 50 years

of collaborative work with the cities of

Monterey and Seaside, and the Monterey

Regional Park District.

Enjoy a family-friendly day with interactive activities for all ages, including guided

bird walks, hikes, crafts, and more!

Celebrate at Laguna Grande Regional Park

Sunday, April 19th

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Laguna Grande Regional Park

1259 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside

...in MPL’s California History Room. The library preserves Monterey’s

history through its California History Room and Archives Collection,

which houses and preserves materials in various formats

related to the greater Monterey region.

The California History Room is a quiet study space dedicated to researching, reading, and viewing of materials from the California History Room Collection. The room contains books, manuscripts, periodicals, newspaper clippings, and audiovisual material. Items from the collection are available for reference inside the California History Room, and are not available for check out.

Access to the California History Room is by appointment only.

Please reserve an appointment online. 

For further inquiries, please email libchr@monterey.gov 

or call (831) 646-2091.

Check in at the Help Desk when you arrive for your appointment. Please note the following terms when accessing the California History Room.

While using materials in the California History Room:

• Food and drinks are not permitted.
• Pens and markers are not allowed while handling, reading, or viewing any items. Pencils are provided.
• Laptop computers are allowed.
• Handle all materials with great care.
• Make sure your hands are clean before handling materials.
• Do not take notes on top of books, clippings, maps, photos, or any other items.
• Do not mark, tear or turn down any pages.
• Do not reshelve items. When you are done, leave items on the study table.
• Photocopy materials with care. Make notes rather than photocopy fragile materials.
• You may take non-flash photos of items.
• Do not open the blinds in the California History Room as sunlight may damage materials.
• Library staff may inspect backpacks, briefcases, handbags, notebooks, books, and other personal belongings.

In the 1800’s, bookmarks were frequently given as sophisticated gifts. Often made from silk or

leather, they protect your books

from those unsightly folded corners.

For many, bookmarks are small collectibles, often from travel adventures, keepsakes from local bookstores, or treasured photos. 

Celebrate National Library Week and paint engraved bookmarks!

Add your own creative flair to your reading experience and book decor.

Paint a Bookmark

Wednesday, April 22nd

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 

MPL Community Room

All ages are welcome!

Join us in celebrating National Library Week with a free screening

of the documentary, The Librarians, which explores how

librarians help preserve your freedom to read!

In 2021, a Texas state representative released a list of books to be

removed from public schools, sparking a wide-scale review process of

available books across the country. In response, a national movement

of librarians facing job loss, criminalization, and harassment began

organizing to resist legislative and cultural efforts that included restricting content centered on LGBTQIA+ or race-related themes. 

The film journeys across small-town USA, exploring the shared experiences of librarians and parents on the frontlines of this modern-day battle.

THE LIBRARIANS

Saturday, April 25th

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM 

MPL Community Room

This is a PBS Indie Lens Pop-Up film!

For additional information on The Librarians, please click here.

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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