Latest News From The Library

One day a year children pretend to be monsters, knock on our doors, threaten us, and we give out candy for their efforts.  Why?

The summer heat is finally fading, leaves are changing color, and the sun is rising later and setting sooner. These are sure signs that it’s time to turn our thoughts toward the spooky sights and sweet treats of Halloween!

Listening to stories can increase a child’s vocabulary, feed their imagination, help them to have the confidence to read to others, and increase their narrative skills (the ability to retell a story).

The MPHPL Storytime Team is ready to share stories and music with you and your child! Storytimes begin on Tuesday, September 18 and can be experienced at each of our branches every week until Thursday, October 25.

Are you looking for a great book to read?  Are you curious to know which books have made an impact on other readers across the country?  If so, you might want to visit PBS's The Great American Read website.

2018 marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein!  Read on to learn more about Mary Shelley and read-alike suggestions.

Each new school year brings a mix of opportunities, excitement and struggles for our children. In the mad rush to make sure that supplies are bought, clothes are ready, and lunches are planned, it’s easy to forget that our little ones may be hiding nervousness about their newest adventure.

Father’s Day.  A day where we honor the Father Figures in our lives.  A day where we break out the grill, give neck ties and shop-vacs, and tell “dad-jokes”.

For example: “Why couldn't the bike stand up by itself? It was two tired!”

Nice one, Dad.

June has days to celebrate mud, picnics, trails, and weeding your garden. What a great month to get outside and explore!

It’s not all about the outdoors though: doughnuts, chocolate ice cream, hugs, yo-yos, and peanut butter cookies - June is full of silly celebrations! Which ones would your family enjoy?

May is National Inventor’s Month!

How many times have you heard a parent say “They had more fun with the empty box than they did with the toy”? Children have wonderful imaginations, and can brainstorm and create new games with ease. That’s why those cardboard boxes turn into rockets, pirate ships, secret forts, and so much more.

April 12th is a national day of celebration, designed to remind families to include reading as a priority in their lives. Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) has been embraced by libraries, schools, and families. Everyone is encouraged to set aside (or drop) all other distractions and dedicate 30 minutes to reading.

April is National Humor Month, a great time to enjoy a book that makes you laugh.  Laughter improves our mood, but The Mayo Clinic, WebMD and other health sources say that it can be good for our mental and physical health as well.  Among other benefits, laughter helps to reduce stress, according to the Mayo Clinic article above, and who doesn't need that?

Women's History Month celebrates the achievements of women, the history of the women's rights movement, and the diverse lives and experiences of women.  If you are looking for Women's History Month titles, or just simply a great book to read, you might want to take a look at the titles below.

The happy tune of an ice cream truck in the distance, and the promise of a cold treat on a hot summer day . . . . . and soon the tinkling songs grow louder and ice cream and other frozen treats magically appear near your house in a colorful truck! Did you know that variations of frozen treats have been enjoyed in countries around the world for hundreds (and in some cases thousands!) of years?

Read on to learn more.

Books can take us to distant lands, help us learn a new skill, and bring our imaginations to life. Stories can have a strong impact on our ideas, our hopes, and even what we want to grow up to be! 

Seniors are an important and growing part of our community and MPHPL is committed to meeting their unique needs.

A big thanks to everyone who participated in this year's Battle of the Books!  Read on for final scores.

It can be a bittersweet moment when you finish your favorite book, especially if you are not sure what to read next. But it doesn't have to be! We can help you find your next favorite book in no time!

A charming and intimate collection of correspondence between #1 New York Times bestselling author Anderson Cooper and his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt.

Bill Bryson, an American writer who has spent most of his adult life in Britain, covers new ground in studying for the British citizenship test.

Dick Van Dyke has been pleasing audiences for the past 70 years and has no intentions of stopping. 

How safe is your personally-identifiable information?  Have you done everything you can to protect yourself from identity theft?

It is July, and high temperatures, backyard parties, beach trips and summer vacations have arrived.  If you are looking for something fun to do this summer, something to keep the children entertained, fun food for summer events, or great summer reads, MPHPL can help.  Please take a look at our recommendations below.