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AUGUST 21, 2010
Music to My Ears
I mentioned in my post about the Victoria State Library in Melbourne that its front steps and lawn are a popular gathering spot where people linger and are sometimes treated to free musical entertainments. Well, Monterey Public Library doesn’t have grand front steps or a lawn, but yesterday after school let out, we were treated to a spontaneous performance of show tunes by several local kids in their early teens. They sang, among others, “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music and then a song from Les Miserables. As I listened, I thought to myself, “I don’t know what to make of this younger generation, but I sure like it!”
Categories: Teen Zone, In the Know AUGUST 21, 2010
The Tale of Two Libraries
 What do Monterey Public Library and the Victoria State Library in Melbourne, Australia have in common? Me! I just spent many hours in both institutions in the space of one week! But there are a few other similarities, too. They are both housed in beautiful buildings made even more interesting by displays of fine art, historic photographs, are filled with books and other resources and are very, very well used by the community for learning and enjoyment. Even our vision statements are very similar. Monterey’s is “Inspire, Delight, Educate All – the Library IDEA!” Victoria’s is “Information. Ideas. Inspiration. For everyone.” Pretty close!The two libraries were established just five years apart in the mid-19th century – Monterey Public Library in 1849, and Victoria State Library in 1954, although Monterey’s was originally a subscription library and Melbourne’s a free public library from the very beginning. In fact, it was one of the first free public libraries in the entire world. Another difference is that Victoria’s library still occupies its original location - and then some. It is comprised of 23 buildings that occupy an entire city block. The main building is a magnificent structure which features a spectacular domed reading room, marble staircases, hand cut bluestone walls, and many grand Victorian flourishes. It also has a popular public reading room on the ground floor, a book store, a café, and the front steps and lawn provides a delightful gathering and recreation area where Melbournians are treated to free musical performances. This is a breathtaking landmark that is well worth a visit if you’re ever Down Under.
Category: In the Know AUGUST 17, 2010
Youth Area Moving Days!
 From Friday, August 20th through Monday, August 23rd... For the first time in over 20 years, the youth area is being almost entirely redone! This is part of our Library Help Desk changes. The primary purpose of the redesign is to increase staff ability to see customers in the youth area and your ability to see the Library Help Desk with staff ready to help you. Basically, the picture books are moving to where the nonfiction now is, the nonfiction is moving to where the fiction now is, and the fiction is moving to what is now the picture book room. There will be many advantages to the move and we hope you will come and visit us to experience them next week! So how will it all happen?? Huge carts are arriving on Thursday 8/19 and will be stored in the Community room. Work begins on Friday 8/20 at 7 a.m. when workers will load materials on the huge carts and store them in the Community room. Once the materials are out of the youth area, then the moving can begin! During this time,the youth area and the Community room will roped off and unavailable for normal use. Because of this, there will be very limited access to youth materials on Friday, Saturday and Monday . However, we hope to have the Youth area up and running by opening Tuesday - and we will keep you updated on this! So, please "pardon our dust" (and noise) and come and see the new space on Tuesday afternoon!
Category: In the Know |
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