It's St. Patrick's Day, March 17th
Céad Míle Fáilte ("A hundred thousand welcomes")!
March 17 has been celebrated as the Feast Day of St. Patrick in Ireland since 1631, the death anniversary of the 5th century patron saint. In Ireland, the day is actually a religious holiday, but in America, the festivities have morphed into dyed green beer, a dyed green river in Boston, "everyone Irish" wearing green, and lots of parades. For some of the real story and more about Celtic culture, check out a library book like those above (the covers are links), or see our extensive list in the MPL catalog.
March Is Women's History Month
Women's History Week first began in 1978 in California to celebrate and build awareness of women's accomplishments throughout history, in politics, the arts, and science. This celebration has grown over the years into a nationwide month, seen here at Women's History Month created by the Library of Congress, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service and more. The Library owns many books for kids and adults that provide fresh insight on women’s accomplishments. This month, we highlight a few you might like to check out... click on a book cover to put it on hold!
Want to Try Watercolor Painting, Poetry Writing, or Yoga?
Take a look at the new platform of learning opportunities developed by the MPL Friends & Foundation, in partnership with local teachers, artisans, and facilitators. Let's Learn showcases local online classes, workshops, and lectures while raising funds for the Library. How does it work? Generous local instructors donate a "seat" for an online course to the Friends & Foundation -- and then that course is made available at a discount at Let's Learn! Want to try watercolor-painting, poetry writing, or yoga? Want to learn more about your family history, John Steinbeck, or the history of sardines in our Bay? Check out the list of these classes and many more. If you have questions, or want to discuss joining the platform by adding a workshop you teach, please email info@InvestinMPL.org or call (831) 646-5605. 
Learn a New Language... Irish?
"Conas tá tú?" Get started with "How are you?" in Irish with the library's language program, duolingo. Use your MPL library card to sign in at our website for language lessons. There are even free classes to learn English for speakers of a dozen other languages!
~ 2nd Annual Local History Slam!
April 10 from 10 am - 4 pm
~ 1st Annual Student History Slam!
April 24 from 10am - 4 pm
Interested in presenting? Sign up to give a virtual 10–15 minute presentation by sending your Monterey history idea to Emily Gottlieb at emily@westernflyer.org by March 15. Middle schoolers and high schoolers are invited to the student event. Cash awards for the most creative, informative entries on a local history topic! For more information or to register, visit History Slam.
"In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns..."

...to thoughts of love." Poet Lord Tennyson wrote "Locksley Hall" in 1842, an ode to unrequited love. We are happy to remind library readers that spring will indeed arrive this weekend, March 20! Although we've had a mild winter, one great thing about the equinox is the increasing daylight to read by! Find a good book, do some garden preparation, and enjoy the new spring.
ONGOING EVENTS
Ms. Orquidea's Read & Sing: Second Saturday every month, 10:30-11:30 am. Sign up here.

Mindfulness Meditation: Every Wednesday, 12:15-12:45 pm. More info and register here.
Monterey Public Library | (831) 646-3933 | www.monterey.org/library