Enjoy these children's books that celebrate Oceans of Possibilities, which just happens to be the theme of our 2022 Summer Reading Game!
Think Library: Blog

Winners from left to right include: Ben McClary, Zoa Barker, Emilee Allsop, Mackenzie Wood (top), Remy Niederman (bottom), and Lola Burkson
In March we asked children to create original artwork using the theme of our summer reading games––Oceans of Possibilities! As usual, you did not disappoint, submitting over 70 pieces of artwork to the contest!
Our staff members were pleased to receive so many creative and imaginative entries.
“It certainly made the decision tough––we ended up choosing six winners!” said Ginny Hosler, a librarian, and the contest’s programmer.
This first-chapter book stars an adorable tuxedo cat who loves living the outdoor life! It can hang out with its friends (other animals in the neighborhood), has lots of great places to eat, and doesn't have to worry about any pesky humans. All of the cat's animal friends have human pets with the weirdest habits and flaws––one human stays in their room all day and another's group of mini-humans jumps all over it.

Ready for May flowers, sprouting gardens, and budding trees? Try this list of fiction recommendations featuring plant life!

In her ten years at MCPL, Director Marilyn Wood led Library staff through many changes, accomplishments, and awards, but nothing quite as challenging as a global pandemic.
“The past two years were challenging and scary, but rewarding,” she said. “It was humbling to watch the community in their own personal struggles, as we worked to meet their needs in new ways. Our staff were ultimately very creative and dedicated and I’m really proud of how we pulled through.”

Cryptid-filled summer reading picks from your favorite local bibliophile Mothman!

There are now more ways to get creative in Level Up, our digital creativity space! 3D printing and memory preservation have joined our existing services, which include video and audio recording, Adobe Creative Cloud-equipped workstations, and more!

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!
Whip up a batch of delicious cookies with the recipes found in these cookie cookbooks.
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:
Deep in the desert, not too far from infamous Area 51, is a government facility called the Playroom. In this secret facility are a group of six kids, who are not-quite-human. While the Playroom is a refuge for them, it is also an enclosure.

Sorry, didn’t you notice today’s date? Toothbrushes are not available for check out in our Library of Things, you April fools! EW, what were you thinking?!
While our Library of Things does not include toothbrushes, it is filled with items you might not expect to find at the Library! Here are some highlights from the collection:
A selection of some fantastic cookbooks to get you started on your bread baking journey.
Damien hasn't had many positive experiences in his past. His mother was killed when he was just a baby, his brother and aunts and uncles don't understand his hobbies and passions, and he's not even sure he understands himself. So he's starting over in a new school after being bullied harshly at his last. This time around, Damien vows to stay silent and give the kids at his new school absolutely nothing to go on if they want to bully him.

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.