Hiroshima Author Talk
The MPL Friends & Foundation host author Tony Drago on Saturday, February 19 at 1:00 pm at the Japanese-American Heritage Center, 424 Adams Street in Monterey. Drago will discuss his book Surviving Hiroshima: A Young Woman's Story -- based on his mother's experiences in Japan. Copies of the book will be available to purchase and sign. The program is free for Friends & Foundation members. There is a suggested $10 donation otherwise.
MPL Offers Learning Kits!

Check out our new social and emotional learning kit backpacks for families. Each kit provides tools to equip parents to help children (ages
2 - 10) learn to identify and manage emotions. Subjects include anger, anxiety, empathy, gratitude, grief, kindness, loneliness, mindfulness, and patience. Backpacks can be borrowed for three weeks and contain books, a game, a tip sheet of activities, and suggestions for further learning. The backpacks are part of Monterey Public Library’s Resilience Project, an initiative funded by the Friends & Foundation through Monterey County Gives!
John Steinbeck Turns 120
Join us on Tuesday, February 22 at 4:30 pm to celebrate John Steinbeck's 120th birthday. Renowned Steinbeck scholars Susan Shillinglaw (author of Carol and John Steinbeck and A Journey into Steinbeck's California) and Bob Demott (author of Steinbeck's Typewriter: Essays on His Art) will discuss Steinbeck's creative legacy and his enduring relevance in the 21st century with Keenan Norris (Director of San Jose State University's Steinbeck Fellows Program) and Daniel Rivers (Director of the Martha Heasley Cox Center of Steinbeck Studies at SJSU). Participate on Zoom, or by telephone. Registration closes an hour before the program.
Show Your Love of the Library on February 26th!

Support the 17th Annual Chocolate & Wine (Drive-Thru) Benefit, only nine days from now! The MPL Friends & Foundation invites you to celebrate the success of Monterey Learns! The Campaign for MPL, which concludes at the end of this month. Party Bags are going fast! You can order yours NOW at investinmpl.org/cw2022/. Whether you gather with friends or curl up with a good book, raise a glass and enjoy delicious treats on February 26, and know that your support makes a difference to the community and your library.

The Japanese American Experience in Monterey
Curious about Monterey history? Join us this Thursday, February 17 a 4:00 pm for a lively discussion with local Historian Tim Thomas as we explore Monterey’s rich historic past. This month, Tim will lead a virtual tour of the new Monterey Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Heritage Center and Museum and discuss the history of Japanese Americans on the peninsula.
The Winter Olympics
Whether you dream of skating a triple Lutz like Nathan Chen, or landing a second gold in halfpipe like snowboarder Chloe Kim, you've likely been inspired by watching the Winter Olympics in Beijing these past two weeks. The games are an opportunity to celebrate the jaw-dropping abilities of athletes from around the world. Stay inspired after the closing ceremony on February 20 by visiting the Library for a wide selection of books about the Olympics, sports, and travel and prepare for the 2024 Summer Games in Paris and the 2026 Winter Games in Milan!
Get Cozy With Winter Reading
The Monterey Public Library makes reading together even better with our Winter Reading Program. Between January 28 and March 9, families can pick up a reading log at the Library or Bookmobile and track the time they spend reading together. Six hours of reading earns a child a free prize book of their choice.
Student History Slam

Interested in history? Create a short film, write an essay, make a slide deck, or perform a play! Use your creativity to make history come alive. Share your 10-minute presentation on Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Zoom at Monterey Public Library. Cash awards are offered for best use of resources, creativity, and balanced perspectives.
 
Submit 3-5 sentences by March 15, 2022, with your proposed local history topic and presentation format to emily@westernflyer.org
Participants will be informed of acceptance by March 20, 2022. (Stay tuned for information on the competition for adults.)
Literary Birthdays
* Toni Morrison, American author, February 18
* Amy Tan, American author, February 19
* W. E. DuBois, American author, February 23
Amy Tan
Mark Your Calendar... Ongoing & Upcoming
Preschool Storytime: Join library staff for storytime every Thursday at 10:15 am in the Library's picture book area. All are welcome, especially ages 2-5. No registration required.


Mindfulness Meditation: Every Wednesday at 12:15 pm, this guided mindfulness practice is led by volunteer practitioners. All levels welcome for this peaceful mid-week break. Pre-register for Zoom details.

Book Flight Club: a book group that samples across the genres!
Join us on March 8 a 4:00 pm to discuss The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant.

Survey Ends February 28: Take our short survey online, or pick up a paper copy at the Library or Bookmobile. Your input will help us prioritize services as funding and health measures allow.
MPL Hours of Service:
Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sidewalk Holds Pickup:
Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 am to Noon (door near library driveway)
Bookmobile:
Tuesday, 11:30 am-2:00 pm. Thursday, 2:00-6:00 pm. Call (831) 646-3710 or visit Bookmobile for details.
Monterey Public Library | (831) 646-3933 | www.monterey.org/library