This week, we’re celebrating the volunteers that support the Library’s mission, lending their time and talent to make a difference in our community! Dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers are essential to the success of the Library!
Every April, the world celebrates poetry! The month is a reminder that poets play an integral role in our culture and that poetry matters. To celebrate, we have a lot of opportunities to read, listen, connect, and create with poetry in a variety of ways.
“Poetry is humanity's oldest form of literature–it's both ancient and modern. If you don't like reading it, you can listen to it,” said Jack Kovaleski, Community Engagement Librarian. “If you don't like listening to it, you can write it! Give it a chance and it will surprise you.”
In 2020, shortly before the pandemic began, we opened a Tween Space in the children’s area of the Downtown Library. This dedicated space offers kids ages 7–12 a place to hang out, explore crafts and other activities, enjoy pop-up programs, work on homework, and play.
The Wahl Family Charitable Trust recently awarded the Library a $3,600 grant to support the continued development and enhancement of the space. The grant funded the purchase of a tabletop gaming table, new mobile shelving, and seating for individual and collaborative use within the space.
2021 was a big year for us! While we continued to increase access to our services through virtual options, we also resumed all of the in-person services and events you love. Here are some of the accomplishments that made our 2021 great!
11,706 people participated in 984 Library-sponsored in-person and virtual events. Summer reading continued virtually, with its participants nearly doubling the initial goal of reading one-million minutes!
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.