On Wednesday, I proudly dropped off my ballot in the designated Monterey County Elections box outside of the Monterey Public Library. One of the first things I did when I moved to Monterey was to update my voter registration so that I can vote locally. Did you know that in the 2022 primary, only 41.86% of registered voters here in the City of Monterey cast their ballot? That was a steep drop from the 2020 Presidential Election, when 87.74% of registered voters cast their ballot here in the City of Monterey. And for those that cast their ballot, 96% cast it via mail or by dropping off in a County Elections box. This is just a reminder that all elections matter! With the Monterey County Elections box conveniently located outside the library, voting is as easy as picking up your library books. 

If you haven't yet registered to vote, the last day is October 24th online or by mail. If you are looking for more information on state issues or want to know where state candidates stand: Cal Matters, a non-profit and non-partisan news resource, provides concise information on what's on the ballot, how to vote, candidate positions, and California's elected officials' responsibilities. Use your voice and cast your ballot on or by November 8th! 

Are you interested in working on Election Day? Apply with Monterey County Elections to make a difference in your community for this year or for future elections. 

As for the shirt I designed: Did you know an octopus has three hearts? I figure at least one of three is made for their love of libraries.


Cheers - Brian 

TODAY IS THE DAY -
FOR A MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR!


Historians Tim Thomas and Carol O’Neil take us on an exploratory adventure of Monterey’s rich historical past, specifically the captivating fishing industry. A Bright Light: A History of the Point Sur Lightstation goes in depth into the journeys of whalers, sardine fisherman, abalone divers and the most famous wreck ever along the Big Sur coast, The USS MACON. 



Today, October 20th
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM 
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IT'S OCTOBER AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?

SPOOOOOOOOKY BOO(ks) and CELE(bat)IONS!
HAPPY ALMOST HALLOWEEN!!

Here at MPL, we love a reason to celebrate Autumn and have some fun. Spoiler alert - you might just find some MPL staff members dressed up as Ed (Doc) Ricketts and Sea Creatures for Halloween. 

We hope you will stop by the library to check out our hand picked Halloween favorite BOOks, now on display in the Youth Area. We’ve got horror movies available for a bloody check out and the BOOkmobile is hosting a Pumpkin Decorating Coloring Contest and raffle. The October Scavenger Hunt is in full swing with monsters and pumpkins hidden throughout the children’s area - watch out for cobwebs! Completed scavenger hunters receive a Halloween sticker or bookmark for their ghoulish detective work.

October is jam packed with BOOeautiful (notice a theme here?) events:
Saturday, October 22nd 
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM - Trunk-or-Treat
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM - Movie 
Colton Hall Lawn, Monterey
Complimentary popcorn and cotton candy will be provided
Food trucks will also be available on site
Wednesday, October 26th 
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
MPL Community Room 
All teens welcome
Thursday, October 27th
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
MPL Community Room 
Come in costumes!
Saturday, October 29th
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
MPL Community Room
 It will be a THRILLER of an event! 
Registration required
BECAUSE YOUR VOTE COUNTS...
As if you needed a reminder (besides all of the daily campaign mail flooding our mailboxes), but Election Day is Tuesday, November 8th. 

Pick up your mail? Check. 
Fill out your ballot. Check. 
Drop it in the mail (no postage required and it must be postmarked by Election Day) or at a ballot box (there's one in front of MPL). Check.

It's that easy! For more information, the following informational guides are available in the MPL lobby:

Voter Registration Cards
General Election Official Voter Information Guides
League of Women Voters' Easy Voter Guides

For more information, check out the Monterey County Elections Page.
HISTORY LECTURE ALERT:
THE REAL AMBASSADORS:
DAVE & IOLA BRUBECK + LOUIS ARMSTRONG CHALLENGE SEGREGATION

Three determined artists: Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, and Iola Brubeck took the stage at the 1862 Monterey Jazz Festival to make history with their ground-breaking jazz musical, The Real Ambassadors! Author and Professor Emeritus at the University of the Pacific, Keith Hatschek shares this riveting musical story, with extraordinary twists and turns across the backdrop of the civil rights movement.


Thursday, October 27th
 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
MPL Community Room 
GOT IDEAS???
WE ARE LISTENING
In our continuing effort to improve service to you and encourage open communication, MPL welcomes your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to use the MPL Make A Suggestion website link to submit your ideas. 
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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: 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM, Wednesdays: 12:30 PM - 5:45 PM,
Thursday: 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Call (831) 646-3710 or click Bookmobile for details.
Monterey Public Library | (831) 646-3933 | monterey.org/library