Latest News From The Library

At the end of November, we come together with our families or with friends for a “Friendsgiving” and stuff ourselves silly. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. With the Covid-19 Pandemic still hanging around, Thanksgiving may look different for most of us, but it’s still a great time to remember to count our blessings and be truly thankful for who is included at our table, even if the table is virtual this year.

Back in 1776, a group of colonists got together to declare independence from King George III of England.  The colonists didn’t think it was fair that they had to pay taxes to a government in which they had no say. They decided to form a new government instead. Representatives from all 13 colonies met for days.  On July 4th, 1776, the historic Declaration of Independence was approved.

Every bookworm has pet peeves.

Many of us are finding ourselves at a loose end while staying home.  Here are links to some great free activities, including music concerts, operas, online classes, and more.  This list may updated as we learn about new links.  Please enjoy and stay safe!

National Credit Education Month is a great time to sit down and learn about your credit – and, more importantly, to find out what can affect your credit score and how to improve it.

February is Black History Month.  A great way to celebrate is to read a memoir by an African-American author.  Memoirs bring history to life because they recount the experiences of real people who lived through and contributed to history.

On December 31st it is tradition to set a New Year’s resolution to kick things off right.

If you are interested in crafting gifts this season, but are running low on ideas – MPHPL can help! Read on for DIY food, candle, yarn, and paper crafting suggestions, along with news about four upcoming MPHPL crafting events.

Thanksgiving began in 1621 as a shared meal between English colonists and Native Americans, and the expression of gratitude for their feast and successful harvest.  Today, people enjoy this holiday in many different ways.

Caution: Banned books discussed in this post!

Back to school already? The summer seems to have flown by. Ready or not school has started.

Succeeding at work that we feel passionate about has a significant positive impact on how we feel about ourselves and our lives.  There have been several recent and very popular books on this important topic.  Because August is Happiness Happens Month, we will take a look at how to make happiness happen at work by looking at these recent, and a few less recent, books that discuss how to find meaningful work, and how to succeed professionally.

With children and teens off from school and many adults taking staycations, the summer months can start to feel a bit empty.  That is why July has become National Anti-Boredom Month.  If you are in need of fun activities to fill your and your family’s leisure time, your library can help. 

Kick off your summer with an audiobook!

Spring cleaning is the annual practice of deep-cleaning a living space when the weather gets warmer, particularly in colder climates.

During the 19th century, many people would deep clean their homes in the spring because the winter would leave their homes a big mess.  Homes were lit with kerosene or oil and were heated with coal or wood, leaving soot and grime throughout the house. Proper cleaning would require opening the windows to let the dirt and soot out, which, could only happen in warmer weather.

While we don’t clean off coal soot from our walls anymore, spring cleaning is still a widely practiced activity.

Need some reading material to motivate you and help get you started?  Check these out!

Whether it's reading a book aloud together or listening to an audiobook, listening to a story can be great fun for ev

Did you know that the annual Newbery and Caldecott winners are selected by the American Library Association?

If you like comic books and graphic novels, we have good news for you!

It’s February and you know what that means:  Valentine's Day.

As the days get colder and snowier, you may be looking to settle down in a cozy spot with a hot drink and some good books.  Winter is a great time to catch up on your reading, so here are some great reads from 2018 that you might want to take a look at.

Have you been thinking about writing a novel?  If so, now might be a good time to give it a try.

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

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.

Celebrate National Picture Book Month with us at MPHPL! Picture books can evoke memories in us as adults and create new memories for our children as we share great stories. Read on for a listing of some of the MPHPL Youth Services Staff's favorite picture books.

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.