The MCPL Friends of the Library will hold a special Back-to-School Book Sale featuring children, juvenile, and young adult books on August 17 from 9 am to 12 noon.  Come to MCPL to get good deals on wonderful books for the young people in your life!

The Montgomery City Public Library is proud to announce the award of a $14,791.00 Technology Ladder Grant award this spring to update library technology. This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. MCPL purchased a new Microsoft Surface Studio 2+ desktop computer to go along with the one we have. Having two Surface Studio computers will help those wanting to learn how to use Adobe Creative Cloud features. Two new AWE Learning Stations were purchased for the Children’s Department. One is an Early Literacy Learning Station that will replace the middle computer at the Children’s Computer Center. The new After School Edge Learning Station will be placed with the current one at a new desk area in the Juvenile Section. We want to thank Brandkamp Cabinets for donating the desk. Grant funds also went to purchase a Makey Makey Classroom Invention Literacy Kit with two additional booster kits for the older robotics class. Dr. Erik Schettig, a North Carolina State University professor, will virtually teach the Makey Makey classes. Robotic classes will begin in September. We want to thank Carole Harness and Brian Sippel for leading the robotics classes at MCPL.

LIBBY USERS

A new procedure is in place that requires Libby users to have a current Montgomery City Public Library card to access their Libby books.  An expired card will not allow you access to Libby. 

If you should have an expired library card, stop by MCPL and we can get it renewed and updated.  Remember that people living or owning property inside the city limits receive a free card since they pay a city library tax.  Those who live outside the city limits pay $25 for a yearly card since they do not pay a library tax.  The library cards will need to be renewed yearly.

The library both partners with and uses the facilities at Graham Cave State Park. It's a wonderful place to hike, picnic, camp and much, much more!

Do you ever wonder if your favorite author has a new book out?  What's the correct order of that great book series?  What should you read next?  Then you should check out Fantastic Fiction.  It is a book lover's dream.  You can find information about your favorite author, books, and series.  Check out the Fantastic Fiction link under our Library Resources- Online Resources tab.  

The Montgomery City Public Library is excited to announce that Blackstone Unlimited has been added as a new e-audiobook resource.  You can download the Blackstone Unlimited app from your app store or access it through a link on the MCPL website.  

Blackstone Unlimited allows you to listen to an unlimited selection of digital audiobooks, available from your own local library!  All you need is a valid MCPL library card and you can get started listening right away.

Key Features of Blackstone Unlimited:

-Instant Access, No Restrictions: Bid farewell to holds, waiting lists, and restrictions. Library patrons can now enjoy a world of audiobooks without limits, ensuring a seamless and gratifying reading experience.

-Diverse and Growing Catalog: With an ever-expanding collection, Blackstone Unlimited offers a diverse array of genres and authors, ensuring that libraries can cater to the varied tastes of their patrons.

-Renowned Authors at Your Fingertips: Dive into the captivating narratives of some of the world’s most renowned authors. Blackstone Unlimited brings the works of literary giants directly to library shelves and digital platforms.

Are you a crafter?  A maker?  An artist?  Maybe you want to become one?

  
We are proud to announce that the Montgomery City Public Library has Creativebug for its patrons.  Creativebug is a database that has videos, classes, PDFs, patterns, and more covering a variety of crafting hobbies.  You can find Creativebug under the Library Resources tab, in the Online Resources section.  You will need to use your patron number on the back of your MCPL library card to sign in.  Have fun getting your creative juices flowing!

The Montgomery City Public Library is excited to announce that  it is now a member of the Niche Academy.  Niche Academy has a variety of tutorials to help library patrons.  These include how to use Libby, axis360, EBSCO eBooks, Heritage Quest, and Learning Express.  Furthermore, there are tutorials on how to use Google, Microsoft, and social media.  More tutorials will be added in the future.  Just click on the Learn More button on the side of the web page or click on the specific tutorial button to go to the video.  

Homeschool families are invited to the Montgomery City Public Library for a variety of activities that will coincide with the homeschool curriculum.    

Tech Grant Awarded to MCPL

The Montgomery City Public Library is proud to announce that they received a $6,683.00 mini-grant this winter to update technology in the library.  This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. MCPL purchased a larger, stronger inside wireless access point and nine replacement iPads.  The wireless access point will help patrons connect to the Wi-Fi easier and faster throughout the library building.  Nine new iPads were purchased to replace the outdated ones that are used in library programming like the Robotics classes that meet monthly on the first Saturday. 

MCPL Receives 2024 Summer Reading Grant

Did you know that “Adventure Begins at Your Library?”  That is the theme for the Montgomery City Public Library’s summer reading program this year.  The library received an $8,023.00 grant for the 2024 summer reading program.  The funds will go towards books, craft & program supplies, and take-home kits for children and adults.  Professional presenters will be Chef Bananas, TaleWise, and Happy Faces Entertainment.  This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.  More summer reading information will be coming this spring.  

Many people think libraries are just a storehouse for books where the hard-nosed cardigan-wearing librarian says “Shhh!” all the time. That might be true of libraries of old, but not for your Montgomery City Public Library. While books are still at the core of MCPL, your library has so much more to offer! There are almost 25,000 books, magazines, audiobooks on CD, DVDs, games, kits, puzzles, and reference materials in MCPL’s collection. Since MCPL is part of the Missouri Evergreen consortium with 60+ member libraries, patrons have access to a collection of over 4 million items!

A library card is free for those who live within Montgomery City limits because they pay a yearly library tax. Those who live outside of the city limits of Montgomery City pay $25 a year for a library card because they do not pay a library tax. One hardback book from Barnes and Nobles would cost about $25.00. However, a library patron has access to the more than 4 million items in Missouri Evergreen. Now that’s a great deal!

The Montgomery City Public Library is also a community center at its heart. You’ll be warmly greeted as you enter your library. There are meeting rooms for local clubs and businesses and quiet places for people to study, work, or read. You can often hear giggles and laughter coming from the little ones in the play-oriented children’s department. We look forward to our regulars who come in weekly and are excited when new folks come to get their first card. Come in for a tour and you’ll be surprised!

There are monthly FREE programs for all ages including preschool Story Time Adventures (weekly during the school year), Lego Club (all ages), After Hours Teen Night, the Page Turners and ABC Book Clubs (adults), and Adult Arts and Crafts. The Needle Arts Gathering and the Books & Beyond Club for developmentally disabled adults also meet monthly. MCPL hosts a Community Read and Conversation around issues that people in Montgomery County face. The library also hosts author events, movie nights, and other special performances throughout the year. There is an annual summer reading program for babies-preschool, school-age children, teens, and adults during June and July. These programs are free and do not require a library card for participation.

The Creation Station was added in 2021-2022, giving patrons many ways to explore their creativity, try new things, and even promote their own businesses. We currently have three Cricut cutting machines, a heat press, a Janome sewing machine, a virtual reality (VR) headset, a digital camera, a photo scanner, and a design computer with Adobe Creative Cloud software. Free training is available on each of these items. The Creation Station was provided by an IMLS grant under the provision of the LSTA by the Missouri State Library. 

MCPL has a Library of Things that many patrons and community members might not know about.  The Library of Things has items that are not usual library fare.  We have puzzles, games, fishing poles, a photo scanner, a projector and screen, a telescope, a metal detector, a GoPro camera, a digital camera, two microscopes, STEAM to Go kits, and Memories Matter kits that can be checked out.  

STEAM to Go kits are very popular Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math kits for children. There are twenty-eight kits in all for ages PreK-3rd grade and 4th grade and up. There are many topics like science, math, phonics, construction, art, and games. Each kit contains a book on the topic as well as 2-4 activities that go along with it. They are a super fun way for kids to learn. These can be checked out one at a time. The STEAM to Go kits were provided by IMLS under the provisions of the LSTA by the Missouri State Library.

Also included in the Library of Things are the Memories Matter kits.  These kits are geared toward senior citizens who have dementia, Alzheimer's, and/or who want to keep their minds sharp.  Some kit topics include dogs, cats, oceans, space, farms, gardens, patriotic, homemaker, handyman, and the great outdoors.  There are kits about each of the four seasons and for the decades of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.  Most kits contain a DVD, discussion cards, a book, and 1-3 activities.  These kits are to spark conversations, memories, and cognitive skills in senior citizens.  The Memories Matter kits were provided by IMLS under the provisions of the LSTA by the Missouri State Library.

As you can see, there is so much more to the Montgomery City Public Library than books! We invite you and your family to visit MCPL and take advantage of all that it offers. Feel free to call us at 573-564-8022 or email us at mcplmo@gmail.com if you have questions or would like more information.

The annual reports for the Montgomery City Public Library are now available under the About Us tab.  Please review to find out all that MCPL did throughout the fiscal year which runs July 1-June 30.  

MCPL collaborates with the MU Extension Office often.  They are a great service and asset to Montgomery City!  Please attend this open house to meet Chrisee Brandl, the new Livestock Specialist.