Library News

MCPL Board of Trustees Welcomes Nichelle Whitney Wash

Nichelle Whitney Wash

We are excited to welcome the newest member of the Board of Trustees, Nichelle Whitney Wash to the MCPL community! Appointed by the County Council, Nichelle will serve on the Board for a four-year term. We sat down for a Q&A with Nichelle and here’s what we discovered. 

 

Tell us a little bit about your education and work history?

I attended Indiana University and studied Human Biology with a concentration in Human Health & Disease. I identify as a STEM nerd in many ways, and during my academic journey fell in love with teaching people about the history of social identities in America. This new love led me to become a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consultant. I’ve worked in a number of different roles including in higher education, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations. 

 

   
Posted by Mandy H. on February 15, 2022
Connect    Create    Diversity    Learn    Library News    Local Interest    Read   
Think Library    Adults   

Affordable Internet Program

Struggling to pay for internet service? The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal benefit program designed to help you afford the broadband access you need for work, school, healthcare, and more.

Visit acpbenefit.org to check if you qualify, apply, and find a provider near you.

If your household is eligible, you can receive:

  • A monthly discount on your internet bill (up to a $30 per month)
  • A one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer through a participating provider

This new long-term program will replace the previous temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit. Most households currently enrolled in that program will not have to take any action to continue receiving the $30 monthly benefit after the transition period ends on March 1, 2022. Learn more about the transition.

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on February 10, 2022
Computers & Technology Help    Connect    Library News   
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We're a Star Library!

America's Star Libraries 2021

The 2021 Library Journal (LJ) Index of Public Library Service, a national rating system that measures library service relative to peer libraries, named Monroe County Public Library a Three-Star Library! MCPL was one of just five Indiana libraries to receive a star designation.

“We are excited to be among peers that share our deep commitment to serving all of our community,” said Marilyn Wood, Library Director. “Not only does this highlight our distinction among Indiana libraries but also on a national level related to the level of service delivery we provide.”

5,608 U.S. public libraries qualified to be rated, with just 262 receiving designations, putting us in the top 5% of qualifying libraries!

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on February 7, 2022
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Free Tax Help

Free Tax Help

**April 1 Update: All Library appointments are full**

Need help with your taxes? AARP Tax-Aide volunteers are available to help residents file their federal and Indiana state tax returns! The AARP Foundation Tax-aide Program provides in-person and virtual tax assistance to anyone, free of charge. Volunteers are trained and IRS-certified every year.

 

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 812-727-4836 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.

 

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on January 25, 2022
Library Events    Library News    Local Interest   
Think Library    Adults   

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

Celebrating Black Voices

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.

   
Posted by Mandy H. on January 24, 2022
African American    Author Event    Award Winner    Biography & Memoir    Book Clubs    Connect    Diversity    Essays    Friends of the Library    Learn    Library Events    Library News    Nonfiction    Poetry    Press Release    Read    YA   
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Top Circulating Items of 2021

Top Circulating Items of 2021

2021 is in the books! We’re taking a look back at the media that kept you entertained and educated last year. We tallied the numbers and here are our top circulating items of 2021!

Planning your 2022 reading list? There are some great options here, including Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. The internationally acclaimed and award-winning author will speak at our February 5 Power of Words event!

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on January 6, 2022
Learn    Library News    Library of Things    Literacy    Read   
Think Library    Adults    Teens    Kids   

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.

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on December 30, 2021
African American    Connect    Friends of the Library    Inclusiveness    Library Events    Library News    Service   
Preschool    Tween   
Adults    Teens    Kids   

MCPL Chopped Challenge

MCPL Chopped Challenge winning dish: kidney bean and spelt toast with paprika whipped feta and rosemary pickled beets.

‘Tis the season for cooking and creativity! In November, we held the first MCPL Chopped Challenge! Participants received a take-home kit with three mystery ingredients and three cookbooks to borrow. They were tasked with preparing a dish using all three ingredients, plus their choice of additional ingredients.

We received many amazing, inspired entries. Thank you to all of the participants and congratulations to the winner, Emmi! They were so creative with the mystery ingredients, making a kidney bean and spelt toast with paprika whipped feta and rosemary pickled beets. Browse this photo album to view all of the submitted dishes!

Now that the official prize challenge is over, we’re revealing the mystery ingredients for anyone to try their hand! The mystery ingredients are…

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on December 3, 2021
Book Clubs    Cookbooks    Create    Library News   
Think Library    Adults   

Library Announces New Assistant Director of Public Services

Library Announces Josh Wolf as New Assistant Director of Public Services

We are excited to announce Josh Wolf as our inaugural Assistant Director of Public Services! We sat down with Josh to talk about the new role and his history at the Library.

 

Q. How long have you worked at the Library?

A. I've worked here for over 14 years, first as the Children's Services Manager from 2007 until 2015, then as the Community and Customer Engagement Manager, supervising a variety of public services staff. Before coming here, I was in children's services at Bartholomew County Public Library and Johnson County Public Library in Indiana, and at Fairfax County Public Library in Virginia. I've been working in public libraries since 1999!

 

Q. This position is new to our Library. Can you tell us more about the role of Assistant Director of Public Services?

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on November 30, 2021
Connect    Library News    Service   
Think Library    Adults   

Black Friday Deals at Your Library

Black Friday Deals

Black Friday only comes around once a year, but our deals are available every day! There’s no need to shop around––eBooks, movies, music, it's all free. Every day. All year long with your library card!

Stream Adele’s brand new album 30 on Freegal Music! Freegal offers unlimited streaming of over 16 million songs, including Sony Music's entire catalog of legendary artists. You can also download five free songs a week!

Check out New York Times Bestselling titles from Libby! Like the thriller The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave or The Midnight Library by Matt Haig! Libby also offers thousands of audiobooks, magazines, and videos. Enjoy them online, or watch on your personal device.

   
Posted by Aubrey D. on November 23, 2021
Audiobooks    Award Winner    eBooks    Fiction    Gaming    Learn    Library News    Library of Things    Lifelong Learning    Magazines & Newspapers    Nonfiction    TV & Movies   
Think Library    Adults    Teens    Kids   

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