Latest News From The Library

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.

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.

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.

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! 

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