Join us for a Storytelling Workshop with Donald Davis on Wednesday, July 13, from 10 a.m. - 12 noon, in the Library Community Room.  Tips for developing your stories for the retelling.  Ages 16-up.  Admission free, but reservations required.  Deadline to sign up July 11.  Call 831.646.3949 or email mccombs@ci.monterey.ca.us  

Have you noticed the world map up in the youth area?  Maybe you've noticed a group of excited big kids after the summer reading program?  Maybe your child received a passport this summer?  This is all evidence of the adventures of the teen travel team.

This year 10-12-year-olds are invited to join this team, to add extra activities and prizes for older kids to the usual programs and incentives for all children.  The Tween Travel Team meets after every program at the Library, Thursdays at 4 pm, for just 30 minutes or so.  We have snacks, interview the speaker/performer, share books and other activities - and play the tween travel game.

Kids playing the game have made it almost all the way around the world, had lots of fun with computers, and learned a bit about countries and research along the way.  One more stop and we will have earned a prize for each tween.

This past week we sampled some foods from different cultures and learned about foreign coins - each got a few to keep.  Next week, after the Taiko drummer, we will interview the performer, play a chopstick game, hear a Japanese scary story and have Japanese snacks.  Know a 10-12-year-old?  They're welcome to join us!

O.K., Harry Potter fans, listen up.  J.K. Rowling will launch the Pottermore Web site on June 23.  There has been a lot of speculation as to what surprise might be in store for Harry Potter fans at the site.  So what will it be?   A "Second Life"-type Harry Potter game?  Post-Harry Potter series stories?  Online courses from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?  What do you think? 

Meanwhile,  be sure to check out the Pottermore Web site on Thursday!

The Friends of the Monterey Public Library and the MPL Endowment Committee present An Integrative Approach to Insomnia with Brian J. Ellinoy, Pharm. D., as part of the "Designing Your  Ideal Life lectures, on Wednesday, June 15, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.  Especially for adults in the second half of life.  Admission free.  MPL Community Room, 625 Pacific St., Monterey.  Reserve your seat at 831.634.5632 or email thongchu@ci.monterey.ca.us

Saturday, June 11, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. is International Language & Culture Day at the Library.  Songs, stories, poetry, dance, informational displays, origami, calligraphy, games, Japanese Tea Ceremony and much more!  Chinese Lion Dance at 10:30 a.m. Be there and celebrate!