Coming Soon - Farewell to Manzanar

Monrovia Library is the proud recipient of this year's Cal Humanities CA Reads - Searching for Democracy Grant. The program series features Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston  and James D. Houston. The series will show films, have a book discussion with author Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, a writing workshop based on the book, and a podcast workshop. We look forward to spirited discussion about democracy, what is happening to our idea of democracy now in an election year, and the possibility of internment camps happening again in America.

Stay tuned for more information.

iMConnected at the Friday Night Festival

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Facebook explained at the computer club

Our Computer Club meets this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. with a demonstration of Facebook. Though there are probably only 3 people left who've never heard of Facebook, there are plenty who don't know all the cool features it offers. Join us in the Library Community Room. This time, there'll even be cookies.

Mark Twain's Other Woman

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Book Hunters, Book Collectors & The Making of the Modern Age

A dangerous ancient poem, an intrepid book collector, monasteries, Popes and the dawn of a new age. Sounds like the latest thriller doesn't it? Instead it is the remarkable, true story of Poggio Bracciolini's discovery of a lost work by the Roman Lucretius, On the Nature of Things. This poem is largely responsible for influencing modern thinkers and finally put an end to the Middle Ages.

How could there be a major and profound shift in the world view of the time? Well, that's where libraries, librarians, avid book collectors, and avid copyists merged to unearth what had been forgotten for centuries.

If you haven't read The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt, it's in the New Book Area as you come into the lobby. If you haven't read On the Nature of Things, alas, you'll have to search elsewhere. Regardless, if you've ever doubted the power of words and the wonder of books, The Swerve will make you a believer - all over again.

What - Summer Already?

Yes, in Southern California, it feels like summer right now even though we are still officially in winter. But that's not the kind of summer I'm talking about. Believe it or not, the Library is already looking ahead to, and getting ready for, Summer Reading Club. The theme for adults this year is Between the Covers. Now, before your mind goes off on the wrong track, think book covers. Then think altered books. Then think contest. More to follow....

OK, You Missed It

This past Saturday saw a jam-packed Community Room with quilt enthusiasts and history buffs. Anne Batiste wowed the SRO crowd with her vibrant prize-winning quilts and told riveting stories about the Underground Railroad at the same time. The Community Room's capacity is 120 according to the sign on the wall, but at 106 people - OK, 109 if you count me, Anne and her assistant, the room was a packed as it gets. Thank you everyone who came to the Library to make this a great event.