CAUSE for PAUSE

Dear Friends,

During a recent conversation, a friend used a phrase that stuck with me. What’s your “cause for pause,” nowadays? Good question! As summer is just around the corner and chaos continues to impact our daily lives, I am heartened by the thought of pausing, taking a breathe, and noting what’s important to us and our community. It’s like doing a personal and communal check- in.

Summer is the perfect time to pause. Pick up a book, step outside, embrace the calming peninsula fog and take inventory of life’s greatest joys, often right in front of our very eyes. What better way to sooth our spirits and reflect than with a book in hand. I hope you will join our Summer Reading Program to jump start your journey.

On a personal note of pause, it is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement as Library & Museums Director. I’ve had the honor of being part of our library community for 20 years, the past six as your Library & Museums Director. It has been a privilege to share my passion for public libraries and the need to provide access to books and resources for all. I am grateful to so many of you for your time, expertise and commitment to MPL’s mission. I am also so appreciative of the hard work and dedication of the amazing MPL and Museums team, City staff, the Library Board, the Museums Commission, our volunteers, and the Friends & Foundation.

The Board of Library Trustees is working with a search firm to fill the position, and welcomes your thoughts on what’s needed in MPL’s next Library Director with this survey. While there is so much I will miss about MPL, I look forward to having more time to check off and check out some of the many books on my ever-expanding reading list.

MPL's Event Calendar

Thank you for being part of our community,

Inga Waite

Library & Museums Director

SUMMER READING PROGRAM...AND IT'S NOT JUST FOR THE KIDS ANY LONGER!

This year’s Summer Reading Program, "Read Beyond the Beaten Path" starts June 1st and runs through July 30th. The next two months are filled with activities, programs, and prizes to keep children and teens engaged in learning thanks to the generous support of donors Richard Carr and Barbara Schilling! Activities include weekly "Take & Explore Kits" for families, performers, bingo and more. Bring a blanket and a snack and join us on Colton Hall Lawn for our Summer Reading "Camp-Out" to kick-off the summer. No registration required.

Saturday, June 4th

Colton Hall Lawn

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Reading is for everyone, right? Yes! Studies indicate that reading during the summer keeps kids from falling behind when they return to school in the fall. Definitely true. And, summer reading is also great for adults. It inspires us, sometimes challenges us, and soothes our souls. One Yale study found that adults who read books live longer!

Our first SRP Book Club meeting will discuss Peter Heller’s The Guide. Best-selling author Peter Heller does it again with what begins as a nature absorbed fly fishing adventure turned cliff hanger thriller.

Tuesday, June 14th

On Zoom

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

NO EXCUSES...

GET OUT AND VOTE!

As a child, do you remember the excitement and anticipation of going to your assigned voting precinct on Election Day with your parent or guardian? How about the free “I Voted” sticker? Tuesday, June 7th is a Statewide Direct Primary Election. For your convenience, there is a ballot drop box right outside the Monterey Public Library. Registered voters can choose to main in their ballot, drop it off, or vote in person.

For more information, go to Monterey County Elections

SNEEK PEEK ON NEW TECHNOLOGY

MPL is celebrating an amazing gift!

Thank you is in order to the Friends & Foundation for purchasing seven new laptops for public use inside the library. With a valid MPL or PGPL library card, laptops are available to borrow and use in the library for up to two hours. Please note that all users will need to sign a new laptop user agreement which can be obtained at the library help desk.

Check out a laptop TODAY!

DON'T WANT TO BRAG BUT...

HISTORY SLAM WENT INTERNATIONAL AND WE ARE PRETTY PROUD

Talk about history immersion! We learned a lot on May 7th from some pretty impressive history buffs at the 3rd Annual Local History Slam. And, we Zoomed in style with presenters from New York City, London and even Shizuoka, Japan!

Missed it? You can watch the replay: 3rd Annual History Slam 2022

Huge thanks to the incredible planning committee especially Sean Briscoe, MPL’s Local History Librarian extraordinaire, who recently departed MPL for his own historical adventure. Thank you also to our sponsors - The Western Flyer Foundation, Cannery Row Company and Voices of Monterey Bay for their support.

BOOKS FOR BUCKS: TAKE 2!

Great deals, great prices! Last month's used book sale was such a success, the Friends & Foundation decided to go for Round 2! Genres include: Fiction, Mystery, History, Biography/Memoir, Science Fiction, Teen/Young Adult, and Children's.

Hardback $2 Paperbacks $1 Children’s Books $1 DVD’s 50¢

Coffee Table Books $5

Saturday, June 11th

Monterey Public Library Patio

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Thank you Friends & Foundation for hosting this event and helping to support the Monterey Public Library.