How do you choose to spend your time?

Dear Friends,

As I look back over the past few years, I wonder sometimes how we got though it all – the closures, the layoffs, the quarantines, and the extremely lean times. The answer of course, is community. The Library serves the community, and the community in turn sustains the Library. The saying “it takes a village” couldn’t be more true today. It takes government, nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, staff and volunteers to sustain a public library. Thanks to this effort, MPL is able to fulfill its mission to be a welcoming community, cultural, and learning center for people of all ages and backgrounds – for all of us. Volunteers, donating their time, talent, or treasure stand with staff behind each one of our successes. I treasure our volunteers for their tireless commitment to MPL, noted especially during the height of the pandemic. If you have thought of volunteering you time, or making a gift to an organization you believe in and you haven't done so recently, I hope you will. Consider joining our volunteer family today!

MPL's Event Calendar

Thank you for being part of our community,

Inga Waite

Library & Museums Director

HIS ADVENTURES BECOME

YOUR ADVENTURES...

Need a push for some personal adventure? Author Ted Alvarez takes us on a journey like no other in his book The Wilderness Idiot Idiot: Lessons from an Accidental Adventurer. From nearly drowning in pro kayak races to hallucinating on solo trips across bear-and-bug-infested wildernesses, his work exists to show the outsider that everyone can have the spotlight - even YOU!

Tuesday, July 12th

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

On Zoom: Register here

PAINT A ROCK, PASS IT ON

Create a 'kind rock' this week and leave it somewhere to brighten someone's day. In this week's Take and Explore bag we provide all you need

to send out 4 happy rocks to share with someone, be it a person you know, or a person that finds it as a happy surprise in a park. Thanks to Hana Gardens

for having such a great supply of just-right rocks. You rock, readers of Monterey!

BEWARE! PYTHONS INVADE

THE MPL BOOKMOBILE...

Did you know some pythons can eat fully grown humans? Others swallow their prey whole - no chewing necessary!

The Monterey Public Library Bookmobile is proud to host a real life safari adventure without a long drawn out flight to Africa.

Join Python Ron as he brings his riveting reptile collection to your backyard…18 foot pythons, 4 foot lizards and incalculable fun! Oh and don’t forget to check out our book selection too.

First Stop:

Thursday, July 14th

La Mesa Village Community Center Bookmobile Stop

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Second Stop:

Thursday, July 14th

Montecito Park

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

No registration required for either event.

Follow the MPL Bookmobile every

Tuesday and Thursday (sans the reptiles) here.

PUT DOWN THOSE PHONES...

AND HERE COME THE EYE ROLLS!

Are you spending your summer begging your teens to get off their phones and put down their video games? Middle and High School students are invited to join us for a teen camp party including games, spooky stories and camp themed activities. If that doesn’t motivate them, free snacks always do the trick. A special prize drawing will be held for attendees.

Friday, July 22nd

MPL Community Room

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Registration required. Eye rolls or not.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FRIENDS & FOUNDATION VOLUNTEER...

Well, maybe not a day. But, how about a few hours or a shift? The MPL Friends & Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit that helps support the Library, is looking for additional volunteers. From stocking the Little Libraries (don’t we all love these?), to organizing Dine Around Town events, volunteers often write welcome notes to new Friends, and assist at Book Sales. If you have an interest, F&F has a job for you! For more information, check out F & F or email info@InvestInMPL.org. Your time and efforts are much appreciated!

SPEAKING OF THOSE CHERISHED LITTLE LIBRARIES...

Take a book. Return it. Take another.

Over the years, MPL has joined readers across the world in making free books easily accessible to all communities - no library card needed, no return date.

Mini libraries have become a phenomenon in the sharing and recycling world. From wildly decorated book holders to traditional book nooks, this community project gets an A+ in our book! Check out our various locations:

LITTLE LIBRARY LOCATIONS

Spray Avenue Tot Lot (132 Spray Avenue)

Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center (735 Ramona)

Laguna Grande Park (parking lot across from 420 Virgin Avenue)

Montecito Park/Fire Station #2 (205 Montecito Avenue)

Via Paraiso Park (corner of Via Paraiso and Herrmann Drive,

near the tennis courts)

Dennis the Menace Playground (777 Pearl Street)

Kudos to all the MPL staff , volunteers, and F&F supporters that restock and help fund our little libraries!