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June 28th, 2017 National Paperback Book Day

6/28/2017

Time was that books were sold bound in heavy wooden covers bound in leather and stitched to a spine, these books are durable and attractive, but they are also very… very… heavy. In the 19th century another technique of improving the printing and publishing of books came about, the paperback novel. These books were easily portable, less expensive to produce, and provided a beautiful way to carry about ones favorite book on their person. Paperback Book Day celebrates the creation of this new form of book, and the people who carry them around every day.

Check the Friends Store at the Monrovia Public Library for inexpensive, portable books!

A Secondhand Book is a $3 Time Machine

6/28/2017

Danny Heitman writes of the wonders of a secondhand book as a $3 Time Machine in the June 28, 2017 edition of the Wall Street Journal Missing for electronic readers are the inscriptions and side comments left by previous readers which are found in second or third-hand copies. As he eloquently puts it "Secondhand books remind me that the world of reading spans time as readers reach across the years to shake hands with each other. Sorry it's not available online except to subscribers, however, we'll put a copy in the Friends Store. As a reminder, our FOMPL time machine is only $2 for a hardbound book.

Readers identified and described by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

1/31/2017

There are four kinds of readers.
The first is like an hourglass; and their reading being as the sand, it runs in and runs out, and leaves not a vestige behind.
A second is like the sponge, which imbibes everything, and returns it in nearly the same state, only a little dirtier.
A third is like a jelly bag, allowing all that is pure to pass away, and retaining only the refuse and dregs.
And, the fourth is like the slaves in the diamond mines of Golconda, who, casting aside all that is worthless, retain only pure gems.

National Paperback Book Day - July 3, 2016

6/17/2016

July 3. 2016 is a day to celebrate the convenience and value of a paperback book or two or three. The Friends Store at the Monrovia Public Library always has a great selection at just 50-cents for mass market paperbacks (those small ones) and $1 for the larger trade volumes.

Are there critters in your library books?

11/17/2015

All save! There are likely no more bugs and critters in books anywhere than you would find in a tight, dark place. For details. Check the Wall Street Journal posted November 17. 2025.

Are there critters and germs in library books?

11/17/2015

Unlikely says an article in the November 17, 2015 issue of the Wall Street Journal (Section D2). and REST EASY.While lots of insects like to hide out in tight, dark places, books are not worse a "home" than other spots.

Why kids are reading history for fun

8/18/2015

Ever wonder what turns children on to reading? A report by CNN August 4, 2015 links it to biography - stories of real people whose lives and beliefs. Giving some credit to Common Core state standards that emphasize nonfiction reading, the bump may be due to children's love of an interesting world! Read more about it here.

Congratulations to 2015 Bookmark Contest Winners

8/8/2015

The contest is an annual event sponsored by The Friends of the Monrovia Public Library which was established in 1957 and helps raise funds to support the enhancement and expansion of library services.

For the fifth year in a row we have hosted the library’s annual Summer Reading Club Bookmark Contest. These winning designs have been printed and are available to patrons in the Library. We gave the Mayor and City Council a copy of each bookmark and thank the city for honoring their creative achievements and participation in our annual bookmark contest.

The Friends were delighted to introduce five of our winners who are shown with members of the Monrovia City Council and FOMPL President Karen Hollinhurst.

From the 0 to 5 year old age category:
Penelope Vuong (age 4) who designed the bookmark Flower Garden.
Sayaka Kodama (age 5) who designed the bookmark Reading is Magical.

From the 6 to 8 year old age category:
Kaitlyn Molinar (age 9) who designed the bookmark Spring Time.

From the 9 to 11 year old age category:
Desiree Cooper (age 11) who designed the Dream UpAdventures bookmark

From the Adult category:
Guillermina De Anda who designed the I Enjoy the Songs of Nature bookmark.

Other winners, who were unable to attend tonight’s meeting, include:
Ricardo Garcia Sanchez (age 7)
Aviya Ramji (age 7)
Drea Wong (age 8)
Abigail Fung (age 12)

Reading to kids really matters!

8/8/2015

Reading to children strongly supports their social and academic skill development! Brain research supports what many parents have known for years! Check out the article on Yahoo Parenting.

Results!

7/2/2015

On June 16, members of the FOMPL Board presented Monrovia City Council Members with a large (OK fake) check showing the Friends' donations to the Library over the past few years - a grand total of $175........programs and services for children, youth, and adults. In addition, the contributions include three capital projects:a scanner, Sampson, and ipads
Back row: Mayor Tom Adams, FOMPL Board president Karen Hollinhurst, Council members Larry Spicer, Gloria Crudgington, Becky Shevlin, and Alex Blackburn. Front row: FOMPL Board members Louise Robertson, Steve Baker, and Juli Otis.

We have also recently committed another $20,000.00 bringing the total to almost $200,000.00. A big night for the Friends!