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Library Events

Free Tax Help

Need help with your taxes? We’ve partnered with United Way of Monroe County to offer free personal tax preparation by a Certified Tax Preparer. This free service helps residents who made less than $58,000 in 2021 file their federal and Indiana state tax returns and claim the earned income tax credit (EITC), if eligible.

Virtual Appointments

The Downtown Library is a virtual tax preparation site. Two-visit same-day drop off or two-visit scan options are available February 1–April 12 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 2–6 PM. To schedule an appointment and get more information, please call 812-747-4836 or email MCPLtaxaide [at] gmail.com. You can expect to leave a message with your contact information and a volunteer will contact you to schedule an appointment.

Celebrating Black Voices: Jacqueline Woodson & Coretta Scott King Awards Exhibit

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

Posted by Mandy H. on January 24, 2022

Friends of the Library

MLK Day Celebration

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Events

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we’re celebrating Black lives and remembering the tremendous life and accomplishments of Dr. King with a day full of events and opportunities to serve our community.

MLK Day Activities at the Downtown Library

We’ll start the day at 9:30 AM with a storytime featuring "Hands Up" by Brianna J. McDaniel and "Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race" by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli, followed by crafts to celebrate Black lives and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Following storytime, at 11 AM, the Bloomington Peace Choir, a community choir that sings to uplift their spirits and the world, will join us for a short all-ages performance in the atrium. Read more about MLK Day Celebration

Posted by Aubrey D. on December 30, 2021

African American

Connect

Friends of the Library

Family Literacy Month

November is National Family Literacy Month––an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the important role that families play in the education of their children. This month we encourage you to explore our literacy resources and visit the Library with your family!

Family Literacy Month Giveaway

One of our favorite sets of children’s book characters is the timeless Frog and Toad. Arnold Lobel wrote and illustrated countless children’s books and received several awards for his work, including a Caldecott Medal, two Caldecott Honors, and a Newbery Honor.

In support of Family Literacy Month, we’re giving away 40 copies of the classic early reader, Frog and Toad are Friends. We are also giving away two gift cards for a pair of one adult and one child tickets to Cardinal Stage's upcoming production of A Year with Frog and Toad! Read more about Family Literacy Month

Posted by Aubrey D. on October 27, 2021

Connect

Early Literacy

Fiction

First Theater Experiences

Free RPG Day: October 16

Trial of the Wolf Girls: a mini adventure gamebook

Saturday, October 16 is Free RPG Day! During this nationwide event, gamers and publishers come together to celebrate adventure role-playing games by giving away free stuff. Here’s what we have to celebrate!

Tween Book Giveaway

Visit the Tween Space at the Downtown Library on October 16 to pick up a free copy of Trial of the Wolf Girls, a choose-your-own-adventure-style fantasy gamebook written by a local author. These will be available until supplies are gone! Read more about Free RPG Day: October 16

Posted by Aubrey D. on October 12, 2021

Halloween Fun at the Library

Spooky season is upon us and we’re here for it! This October our calendar is packed with Halloween events for all ages. Join us for a month of creepy crafts, murder mysteries, and lots of haunting stories! Read more about Halloween Fun at the Library

Posted by Aubrey D. on September 24, 2021

Connect

Create

Graphic Novels & Manga

Holidays & Cultural Celebrations

Free Pumpkin Spice Library Card Stickers

Text says "Pumpkin Spice Library Card Sticker Available Now" with images of a fall themed MCPL card and a pumpkin spice keychain card.

What’s sweeter than a pumpkin spice latte? Free stuff!

Want to win a fun gift set from the Friends of the Library Bookstore? Stop by the Downtown Library, Ellettsville Branch, or Bookmobile and get one of our pumpkin spice library card stickers! Then, post a pic of you and your sticker on social media, tag us @mcplindiana and use the hashtag #MCPumpkinLibrary to be entered to win!

We'll choose our favorite photos as winners––one entry per person! Each tote includes a mug, socks, notecards, pin, and Friends of the Library mask!

This contest runs through September 30. Make sure your post is public or we won't be able to see it! Your photo may be used in Library promotions.

Posted by Aubrey D. on September 10, 2021

June is Pride Month

Illustration of raised hands with rainbow bracelets holding Pride flags and a sign that says "Love is Love"..

In June we celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Pride! Many Pride events in the United States are held in June to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion on June 28, 1969. Celebrations often include festivals, performances, rallies, parades, family events, film screenings, and other events. These events honor the history of the LGBTQ+ social movement and celebrate progress made by the community.

Supporting a diverse and inclusive community is at the heart of our mission to serve Monroe County. While we strive to celebrate our LGBTQ+ community all year long, June offers an opportunity to highlight the contributions of LGBTQ+ creators and to provide a safe and welcoming space. Read more about June is Pride Month

Posted by Aubrey D. on May 27, 2021

Diversity

Holidays & Cultural Celebrations

Early Literacy Skills and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Babies and toddlers are like little sponges, hungrily soaking up everything around them. Curiosity to understand, explore, observe, and taste everything around them is crucial to early brain development. These natural instincts sometimes lead to exciting and embarrassing stories to tell at their high school graduation. These little people are constantly observing, listening, and emulating the world around them, especially their caregivers. You are babies' and toddlers' first (and most important!) teachers! Read more about Early Literacy Skills and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Posted by Amy C. on April 10, 2021

Caregiver/Teacher Resource

The Coiled Crown: A Fantasy-Themed Digital Escape Room

Journey into a ruined fantasy world in search of an ancient queen's crown. Inspired by games like Dark Souls, Mortal Shell, and Metroid, you'll need to unearth the forgotten lore of haunted places like the Netherworld Forest, Scorched Keep, and Lost Catacombs in order to solve the adventure's puzzles.

You can attempt this escape room by yourself or as a group. Make sure to read the instructions on the first page of the escape room since it explains how the game is set up. This escape room is intended for teens, but adults can test out their mettle too! Good luck!

Created for the Library by Sersa Victory.