Toledo Bridge, ca. 1928, by Francis McComas (1874-1938), oil on canvas, 46 x 101 inches

Many of you have seen this magnificent painting, Toledo Bridge, which has long hung above the entrance to the Community Room. This monumental work, as well as the Symphony of Historic Monterey (from the City Council Chambers), are on loan from the City’s art collections to the Monterey Museum of Art for the exhibit, Francis McComas: Rediscovering California's First Modernist. We are delighted to be part of this exhibit, the first retrospective of McComas’ work since 1939. Guest curator Robert Pierce has gratefully acknowledged the collections and staff in MPL’s California History Room & Archives for the research assistance he received in preparing the exhibit and catalog. The show opened last week at the Monterey Museum of Art and runs through April 4.
State of the Library 2021
Thursday, February 4
4:00 - 5:00 pm
Join us — and send us your questions and comments! Presenting our first-ever State of the Library address, Library & Museums Director Inga Waite, Library Board of Trustees Chair Marsha Moroh, and MPL Friends & Foundation President Diane de Lorimier invite you to join them as they discuss the opportunities and challenges facing MPL. We’re eager to hear your thoughts and questions — submit them when you register. Join us and be among the first to hear about Monterey Learns! The Campaign for MPL.

Please register at www.monterey.org/library or call (831) 646-3933.
16th Annual Chocolate & Wine Benefit

What would February be without this beloved community tradition! This year, we will gather together virtually—with wine, savories, sweets, and surprises! Find out what goes on behind the Library’s closed doors, see what’s cooking from an expert chef, and celebrate the launch of the Friends & Foundation’s Monterey Learns! The Campaign for MPL by discovering online opportunities and learning how you can be involved. Mark your calendar now - the registration link will be live on www.investinmpl.org soon!
Winter Reading ☔️
January 28 - March 9

Kids! (and parents!): pick up your Winter Reading log at MPL, read daily for 15 minutes or more, color in the umbrellas in your reading log, and when you’ve read for 6 hours total, redeem your log for a free prize book. We are grateful to the Kiwanis Club of Monterey, for their very generous sponsorship of Winter Reading 2021.
Read & Sing Storytime

Make sure your little ones don’t miss our live sessions of song and story with beloved Ms. Orquidea. Beginning Saturday, January 30, and held monthly through May. While targeted for kids 18-months to 5 years, Ms. Orquidea charms listeners of all ages.

Register at www.monterey.org/library or call (831) 646-3933.

In Memoriam: Meg Morris

We were deeply saddened to learn last week that our dear colleague Meg Morris had passed away of natural causes.

Meg was a Monterey native who began her MPL career in 1993, working first as a Reference Page, and eventually as a Library Assistant II. Our library team working with Meg appreciated her as the backbone of technical services: resourceful, reliable, and dedicated. When she was recognized by the Library Board of Trustees for her years of service, her supervisor at the time, Sandre Cunha, wrote, “What I appreciated most about Meg is that she is always thinking about creating a more efficient workflow, streamlining a process, and improving our service to customers.” Meg’s contributions to the Library and community over the past 27 years have been too numerous to mention. We shall miss her greatly.

Since July 2020, Meg has been working as the sole staff person handling acquisitions and cataloging, ensuring that the new books and other materials we have been able to acquire with gift funds and support from the Friends & Foundation have been processed and available to be borrowed. Please bear with us while we make other arrangements for carrying out this work.
Monterey Public Library | (831) 646-3933 | www.monterey.org/library