It’s always very rewarding to eat a small, quick lunch and spend the rest of my mid-day break strolling through the neighborhoods adjacent to the Library and Civic Center. Heading up the hill on Madison Street you’ll find an assortment of modest, well-kept homes probably built in the first decade of the 20^th century. Turn north on Larkin and it becomes clear that Monterey’s residential style is quite eclectic with tiny cottages, handsome Victorians, and multi-unit apartment houses living alongside one another on this peaceful, pretty stretch.  Crossing Jefferson, I had a chance meet and greet an old acquaintance,  a welcome event, although not surprising when you consider that Monterey is still a relatively small town.

This month we are celebrating the Bookmobile's first birthday. There will be a party at The Classic Residence by Hyatt in Monterey (formerly known as The Park Lane) on Tuesday at 2 p.m., and then there will be goodies and prizes on board at the other regularly scheduled stops. Come on board and help us celebrate at a Bookmobile stop near you.

After 4 days with the doors closed over Thanksgiving weekend, Library staff were greeted Monday morning by a wondrous sight. Nearly 4,000 books, movies, magazines, and audio materials were returned over the weekend, filling a large portion of the front lobby. How unusual is this? Well, on a normal Monday, library staff check in around 1,000 items.

Adding to the busy circulation day, the Library received over 1,600 visitors in 8 hours Monday, more than 150% of normal! It was a full day for staff, and a day full of energy throughout the building.