Open Service Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Sidewalk Holds Pickup, Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 am-Noon
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The Library Reopened July 27
It's official! After 500 days of providing services through closed doors, we are able to welcome you back into the building. We're open eight hours a day, five days per week. "You can't believe how much I've missed being inside a library," one customer told us. On the first day, 425 people visited, and the numbers have slowly increased since then (the average daily door count before the pandemic was 800-900 people). We look forward to seeing you back in the stacks. Here are a few things you'll find:
- Friendly, knowledgeable staff to help with questions and research;
- Two upgraded self-checkout machines near the central Help Desk;
- Popular new books and self-service holds to your right as you enter the Pacific Street door;
- The California History Room is open upstairs;
- Eight socially-distanced public Internet computers;
- Self-service printing and copying for 10 cents per page;
- A paused laptop-borrowing program - the equipment is being updated;
- Masks are required for all visitors over the age of 2.
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MPL Friends & Foundation Host Used "Bookstore"
Nestled into MPL's newly rearranged public space, the Friends & Foundation has a beautiful new bookstore, just to the left when you enter through the Pacific Street door. Popular, varied, gently used items for adults, teens, and kids are arranged by genre. DVDs and music CDs are available as well. Donation boxes are located near the shelves for self-service purchases; all proceeds go back to the Library to purchase new circulating materials.
The Friends volunteers accept donations of books in good condition every Wednesday and Saturday from 1:00-3:00 pm in our back parking lot.
In addition to their hard work sorting and selling donated books, the Friends advocate for MPL in many ways. If you join now, you'll be able to browse the "Best Cellar" -- the basement where thousands of used books are stored.
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On the Road Again, August 3
The Bookmobile has resumed service to our most popular pre-pandemic stops.
Every Tuesday
- Merrill Gardens, 11:30 am-12:30 pm
- The Park Lane, 1:00-2:00 pm
Every Thursday
- La Mesa Village Tech Center, 1:00-4:00 pm
- Montecito Park, 4:45-6:00 pm
We offer a little bit of everything on board the bus. If there is something special you would like to pick up, please call (831) 646-3710 or (831) 646-3933 to place a hold for one of the four Bookmobile stops.
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Storytime Returns August 12
"Storytime on the Lawn" starts Thursday, August 12 at 10:15 am. Join Miss Lisa for stories and outside fun on the Colton Hall lawn, across Pacific Street from the Library. Bring your mask, and a blanket to sit on. Especially for preschoolers, but all ages are welcome!
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Gift From Major Donors Improves Services
Thanks to farsighted donors Richard Carr and Barbara Schilling, borrowing library materials just got a lot easier. Through their generous support, we purchased and installed a state-of-the-art inventory system that streamlines the mechanics of checking out materials at the Help Desk and
self-check machines. This was a much-needed upgrade considering social distancing recommendations and our significant reduction in staff. The system also comes with a mobile app so that you can check out materials using your smartphone or tablet. Simply download our app for Apple or Android, enter your Monterey or Pacific Grove library card number, and you will have access to your account. The interface is quite simple. Inside the library, you can use the app to check out physical materials. No staff assistance or use of a self-check machine is needed. The app uses the camera on your device to scan an item's library barcode. Search "Monterey Public Library" at your favorite app store to download the free app and experience contact-free borrowing on your next visit to MPL.
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Online Genealogy, August 12
This month, genealogy researcher Kathy Nielsen will present “DNA: The Key to Uncovering Your Family History.” Sign-up here. DNA research has had a major impact on the traditional study of genealogy and opened up new realms of research. Adoptees have located their birth families, and potential suspects have been identified by law enforcement. Join Kathy as we explore what DNA might reveal about our own ancestors and living relatives. Kathy Nielsen is a popular genealogy speaker on the Central Coast, and has been featured on Lisa Louise Cooke’s weekly YouTube program, "Elevenses."
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Doc Ricketts Lab Ready for Tours
Tours have resumed at 800 Cannery Row, where visitors can learn about the history of this historic building, its pivotal role in the life and work of marine biologist Ed Ricketts, and how it nurtured his friendship and collaboration with John Steinbeck. To learn more about the Pacific Biological Laboratories register for a free tour here. Reservations are required, and participants must wear masks. Tours are most suitable for children 10 years of age or older. For more information, please call the Museums Office at (831) 646-5648.
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Back to School Bonanza
Monterey Unified School District started in-person classes this week. Welcome back! We look forward to seeing students, teachers, and parents in the Library. Visit us to get books for homework, books for fun, and movies. Families are welcome to continue requesting Book Bundles (as staff time permits). Teachers are encouraged to request bundles and contact us for library resources to support class assignments. Librarians are happy to provide Zoom instruction for your classroom on how to access research databases, and how to find other resources at the library. Send an email to refdesk@monterey.org and let us know what you need.
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Monterey Public Library Top 5! |
Most checked-out movies at MPL this month:
#2 Minari (directed by Lee Isaac Chung)
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Mindfulness Meditation: Every Wednesday, 12:15-12:45 pm. More info and register here.
Magical History Tour: Thursday, August 19, "The Other Doc, Part II: JB Phillips," a Monterey history conversation with Tim Thomas. Register here for this episode of the online series.
Cascada de Flores: Saturday, August 28, 11:00 am. Colton Hall lawn, Pacific St., Monterey. Celebrate summer's end with an interactive, family-friendly bilingual performance of traditional songs, stories, and dance from Mexico and the Caribbean. Masks required. All ages welcome!
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Monterey Public Library | (831) 646-3933 | www.monterey.org/library
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