Monterey Public Library - Digitizing Vinyl Records and Critical Challenges

Greetings!

How many of you remember or still use vinyl records? I remember when my brother worked for a music store and would bring home stacks of vinyl (and cassettes) in various genres to boom through the speakers at home; all kinds of obscure music that I've never seen or heard again. Years later I remember thumbing through stacks of my local used CD store to build music collection. Today mot music is streamed or listened to on the radio. But what about all those old albums that may be lost to time, damage, wear, or accident? With over 3 million different albums on vinyl recorded, The Great 78 Project from the Internet Archive sought to digitize these albums for our cultural and historic value. So far they've digitized over 460,000 albums and they are available to download or stream for free online! You may know that I'm a proponent for digitization of our history.

Remember VHS? What happens to all of that magnetic tape with personal memories when it deteriorates from use, heat, or gets wrapped up in your home VHS player? Why is this information important for you and our library? Old formats of media contains our culture, our stories, and our memories. Vinyl records have made a comeback of sorts, but the majority or music from this era is still only found in a used record store. The Internet Archive is being sued right now by publishers for digitizing and sharing these items that are out of publication. Internet Archive believes these items are Fair Use. I bring these topics up so that our library can understand that the future of digital information and sharing is still being sorted out! Digitization of content from our California History Room is of the same importance to us locally as The Great 78 Project is globally. I look forward to working with you - our community - and our staff and volunteers to increase our efforts to digitize our treasures from the Library & Museums collections.

Warmly~

Brian

MPL's Event Calendar

FANCY A CUPPA?

REMINDER - DON'T MISS THE 19TH ANNUAL CHOCOLATE & WINE BENEFIT

THIS SATURDAY!

This year’s 19th Annual Chocolate & Wine, presented by

the Monterey Public Library Friends & Foundation (MPLFF),

will include beer and wine, savories and sweets, and both an online auction

and silent auction.

THIS SATURDAY, February 24, 2024

Monterey Public Library

4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

To purchase tickets and to learn more about the Monterey Public Library Friends & Foundation, visit InvestInMPL.org .

Thank you to MPL’s Friends & Foundation for supporting

the Monterey Public Library.

DID YOU KNOW FEBRUARY IS

LIBRARY LOVER'S MONTH?

Here are a few reasons

to LOVE MPL:

-All the amazing books!

-Fun youth and teen programming, even a monthly

new game teen lounge!

-Free wifi and technology assistance

-Great meeting space for groups or zoom calls

-Free online research engines to help find jobs and tutoring resources

-Creative arts classes

-An incredible history room with information that dates back decades

-Summer and Winter Reading Programs

-Author readings and discussions

-Passes to state parks and other cultural arts venues

-Book clubs

-A really cool Bookmobile to visit

And the list goes on!

What do you love most about MPL? We would love to know!

Email us at refdesk@Monterey.org with your top "MPL loves."

AN IMPORTANT TOPIC THAT

IS SO HARD TO DISCUSS....

The Hospice Giving Foundation presents

Advance Care Preparedness: What you Need to Know about Assisted Living Facilities for Seniors.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

MPL Community Room

As a Certified Senior Advisor, Carol Holder advocates for the crucial need for seniors to have a knowledgeable guide through the medical continuum of care and potential transitions to assisted living or memory care.

This workshop covers topics such as hospitalization, skilled nursing, in-home care, independent and assisted living, memory care, and hospice. Additionally, it addresses the current costs associated with senior care communities, small care homes, skilled nursing facilities, private duty, and in-home care. Handouts regarding long-term care insurance and government programs, such as the Assisted Living Waiver Program, will be provided.

THE "LOVE" IS COMING TO AN END

Blind Date and Secret date with a Book

ends Saturday, March 2nd.

Don’t forget to "Rate Your Date" bookmark (adults), hand in your coloring sheet (kids), and return it to the Library Help Desk with your book for a drawing for a prize.

Winners will be contacted

the second week of March.