Upcoming events at the Monroe County Public Library
Monroe County Public Library provides opportunities for local residents to read, learn, connect and create. The main library is located at 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. and the Ellettsville branch is at 600 W. Temperance St. Program funding is provided by The Friends of the Library. All events are free of charge.
Sign language storytime
Learn targeted garden-themed American Sign Language vocabulary through stories, songs, and games. For preschoolers ages 3-6 and their caregivers. It's 10-10:30 a.m. Friday on Zoom. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.
Closed for Memorial Day
The Main Library, Ellettsville Branch, and Bookmobile will be closed on Monday, May 31.
Citizen DJ
The Citizen DJ project invites the public to make hip-hop music using free-to-use audio and video collections from the Library of Congress. For age 12 and older. Watch anytime 2:30 p.m. Tuesday or later on the Library’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/mcplinfo.
Dine out for the library at Lennie's
Download a flyer at mcpl.info/lennies and when you show it Lennie's will donate 20% of your tab to the Library, helping to make all of the amazing programs you appreciate possible. For all ages. It’s 4-10 p.m. every Tuesday in June at Lennie’s Brew Pub, 514 E. Kirkwood Avenue.
All-Ages Summer Reading Games
Read for fun, complete activities, and earn tickets towards prize drawings! The Library’s summer reading games are a fun and free way to engage all age groups in exploring new ideas, books, and activities. Between June 1 and August 1, you can register and play online. As you read and try different activities, you'll become eligible to earn badges and prizes. Also, there will be a community-wide reading goal of 1,000,000 minutes, resulting in a $1,000 donation from the Friends of the Library to Monroe County Humane Association! Register and learn more at mcpl.info/summerreading.
Free weekly virtual yoga
Discover why yoga is such a powerful tool for keeping you healthy in body, mind, and spirit with Robin Halpin Young of Maxwell House Yoga. For age 12 and older. It's 6:30-7:30 p.m. every Tuesday on Zoom. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.
Tiny to Two
Families with young children ages birth-3 play, sing, read and talk together virtually with their caregivers. It's 10 a.m. Wednesday on Zoom. Please register at mcpl.info/calendar.
Dungeons & Dragons
Drop in for fantastic rainbow-themed D&D in this short, fun, and evolving game that anyone can play. All skill levels are welcome! For ages 13-19. It's 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday on Discord. To participate, sign up for a server invite link at mcpl.info/discord, if you haven't already, then drop in.
Low-cost, high-speed internet
As part of a COVID-relief funding bill passed in late 2020, Congress established the Emergency Broadband Benefit. The federal program provides increased access to broadband internet and connected devices for qualifying income-eligible households. If your household is eligible, you can receive a monthly discount on your internet bill (up to $50 per month), and a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer through a participating provider. Visit getemergencybroadband.org to check if you qualify, apply, and find a provider near you.
Adult learning opportunities
Volunteers in Tutoring Adult Learners (VITAL) provides learning opportunities for adults who want to improve their basic computer, reading, writing, math or English-language skills. In order to safely continue services, VITAL has developed distance learning opportunities that are flexible and can adapt to changing circumstances. Services include virtual English language groups and guided self-paced learning. Get started at mcpl.info/vitalonline.
Library hours
The main library and Ellettsville branch have expanded hours to Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-6 p.m. The first open hour of each day will continue to be reserved exclusively for high-risk patrons. Services include technology use, browsing, and holds pickup. Some spaces remain closed. Contactless pickup is available through the drive-up window at the Main Library. The Bookmobile continues to operate its regularly scheduled routes. Visit mcpl.info/restart for more information.
Friends of the Library Bookstore hours
The Friends of the Library Bookstore has returned to pre-COVID hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m; and Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m. The first open hour of each day will continue to be reserved exclusively for high-risk customers. The Bookstore offers deals on a wide variety of new-to-you items, like books, movies, music, and more. Donations are accepted at the main library. Visit mcpl.info/bookstore for more information.
Get a library card
Did you know you can access the library 24/7 from the comfort of your own digital device anywhere, anytime with your library card? The eLibrary includes eBooks, music, audiobooks, movies and TV, magazines and newspapers, learning opportunities, DIY, curated research materials, local and family history and much more. Sign up at mcpl.info/librarycard.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: At the Library: May 27-June 2
