The Monroe County Public Library Board of Trustees confirmed the appointment of Grier Carson as Director of the Library, effective May 6, replacing Marilyn Wood upon her retirement. 

“I’m honored and humbled by the opportunity to lead this great library at such a unique and transformative time,” Carson said. “I’m also grateful for the chance to learn so much from Marilyn over the past several years.”

Carson began his path to librarianship here in Bloomington. As an undergraduate at Indiana University, he studied English literature and art history and received his Master of Library Science degree in 2006. His career led him to Lake Forest Academy, a boarding school in Illinois where he worked his way from librarian to Director of Libraries and Academic Technology. Read more about Grier Carson Named Library Director

You’re invited to bring in an item for repair free of charge at our third Fix-It Fair, Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 11 AM–4 PM at the Downtown Library!

In partnership with the City of Bloomington Department of Economic and Sustainable Development and the Library, local professionals will provide repairs and be available to coach attendees interested in learning how to make their own fixes.

Bring in your broken:

• Small appliances and electronics
• Textiles and clothing
• Bicycles
• Tools to sharpen
• Glasses
• Toys

More items may be added as groups are confirmed. Limit one item per person, please. Questions? Email mneer [at] mcpl.info.

On Saturday, February 5 from 7–8:15 PM, The Friends of the Library and Monroe County Public Library will host award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater as part of the biennial “Power of Words: Changing Our World One Author at a Time” programming series. The talk is free and open to the public. 

Listen to the internationally acclaimed author, who gives voice to African American life through more than 30 books, ranging from children’s picture books to young adult literature to adult novels. Woodson is a National Book Award Winner for Young People’s Literature for her New York Times bestselling memoir “Brown Girl Dreaming”, among many other awards. The doors will open at 6:30 PM and tickets are not required. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is required per the Buskirk-Chumley Theater’s policy. Read more about Celebrating Black Voices: Jacqueline Woodson & Coretta Scott King Awards Exhibit

The City of Bloomington Information & Technology Services Department (ITS) awarded $50,000 in digital equity grants to support nine Bloomington-based nonprofit organizations in their efforts to bridge the digital divide for residents.

The Library received a $1,000 grant to purchase a Meeting Owl Pro 360-degree camera for public meeting room use. This easy-to-use device combines a camera, mic, and speaker, creating the experience of in-person participation for hybrid meetings. The new technology will provide patrons with a simple and accessible tool to bridge the gap between those who can attend meetings onsite and those who can't. Read more about Library Receives Digital Equity Grant for Meeting Room Cameras

Books unite us. They reach across boundaries and build connections between readers. Censorship, on the other hand, divides us and creates barriers.

One of our most important goals here at the Library is to provide free and equitable access to information and resources. Among the many implications of that word––access––is the notion of freedom: you are free to read, watch, play, or listen to whatever interests you.

For nearly 40 years, the American Library Association and other organizations who are committed to preserving the tenet of intellectual freedom have promoted Banned Books Week in late September. Libraries around the world celebrate this annual event by hosting author visits and book talks, special programs and book displays, and other initiatives to promote awareness of the many literary works that are routinely challenged and censored. Read more about Banned Books Week: September 26–October 2