24/7 Access

I think one of the most exciting things about our Library today is that we are open twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week.  Well, maybe not the buildings, but so many of our services are available to you whenever you want them, and wherever you go. You can visit our Electronic Resource and Database page to see everything we have, but here's the highlights from just a few of them:

Want to learn a foreign language?  Try Mango Languages, our internet-based language learning software. There's even a app for your phone!    Each lesson combines real life situations and audio from native speakers with simple, clear instructions.  There are lessons for all the most common languages - Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Chinese - as well as those that are less common - Dutch, Urdu, Farsi, Swahili and Swedish, to name but a few.  All in all, there are almost fifty different languages, or if you already speak a foreign language and need to practice your English, there are also fifteen English as a Second Language courses.

Need something to read in the middle of the night?  Download an eBook or audiobook from Overdrive.  There's over 11,000 eBooks to choose from, and you can download them to your computer, or load them on to your e-reader.  Prefer to listen to your books?  There's over 2,000 audiobooks to choose from, too.  Or, if you're in the mood for a classic, there are more than 30,000 free public domain titles.  And, it's not just books for grown-ups, there are titles for kids and teens as well.

Do you like good music?  Our Freegal service lets you download free, legal songs every week!  You'll have access to Sony Music's entire catalog, including all of their subsidiary label, as well as tens of thousands of independent artists. More than one million songs for you to choose from. Many of your favorite pop, rock and country artists are available - Mumford and Sons, Adele, Britney Spears, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Usher, Pitbull and P!nk to name just a few.  There's also Christian music, classical music, kid's music and music from around the world.  The music never expires and you can load it on your computer, MP3 player or burn it to a CD. 

Need help with auto repair?  Try our Chilton's database!  Need quality legal forms like wills, leases or agreements?  Try our Legal Forms database!  Need information for sales leads, or help finding a job?  Try AtoZdatabases!  Need help writing a resume?  Try Cypress Resume! Want to research your family tree?  Try HeritageQuest or the Obituary Finder!

I would say we'll see you soon at the Library, but with so many resources available to you outside of our regular hours, it may be some time before we cross paths.  Instead, I'll close with "See you at the Virtual Library".    Electronic Resource and Database page

Rabbit or Cat: What am I?

Many of my younger visitors seem to confuse me with another animal.  A lot of them are coming up to my gate and calling me, "Kitty" or "Cat."  One even started meowing at me, in hopes of striking up a conversation.

To clarify, this is me:

This is a cat (Thanks to Olivia, Ms. Alyssa's cat, for modeling):

I see very few similarities.  Yes, we are both furry.  We both have ears that stand up, four paws, and a tail.  And we are stunningly gorgeous.  Other than that, I see no resemblance. 

Friends, what do you think?  Do I look like a cat? 

Love and carrots,
Morgan 

From Janice at the Reference Desk:

If you don't already have your taxes done, you can find any and all the forms you need online. Simply click on IRS Income Tax Froms or Indiana State Income Tax Forms.

You can either do this at home or at the library. We have several computers that allow users to go online and print out the forms they need. Remember to bring your library card or a government issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, etc.) Cost to do this is .10 for each black and white page or .25 for each color page. It helps if you know the exact name or number of the form such as Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return or 4868.

Yes, the library does have some forms, but we cannot guarantee we have the exact form you will need. This year the library's supply of tax forms disappeared fast. We hope this means that many people had their taxes done early.

At the library we are often asked specific questions about income tax preparation. While we do want to be as helpful as possible, we simply are not qualified to answer those kinds of questions. If you do have a question you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (average wait time is about 18 minutes)or the Indiana Department of Revenue at (317) 232-2240. Additionally, there is an IRS office in Bloomington, Indiana on 2017 S Liberty Dr. Their hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. They are closed for lunch from 11:30 - 12:30 and the phone number is 812) 337-7600. Expect a wait time if you stop in or call.

Once you have your taxes done, you'll have plenty of time to stop by the library and check out the spring display of books at the end of the new non-fiction books. There you will find everything you might want to know about landscaping, lawn care, perennials, roses, gardening and much more.

One last tax tidbit: If you are expecting a refund and have a smart phone, you can download IRS2Go mobile app. You can go to the iTunes store or Google Play to do this. Find more details online at:

IRS2Go mobile app

So many new books, It's hard to keep up

There are so many new books coming in that I am having a difficult time keeping up with all my favorite authors. There are 2 authors I have been reading for years that have recently written new books.
G. A. McKevett writes a cozy mystery series that I have been reading for 20 years. Her newest is called Killer Honeymoon and is a quick and fun read. The other author is Linda Barnes which I found over 15 years ago. Her newest is The Perfect Ghost which I just checked out today. It is a stand alone novel and not part of her series. I am sure it will be great.
Other mystery/thriller authors that I can recommend are Lisa Jackson, Laura Lippman, Lisa Gardner,  and Sandra Brown just to name a few. If you can't find their newest book on the shelf, then please place a hold. All locations of our library have either a list or notebook of New and Upcoming books. Just fill out a hold slip and hand it to someone at the desk if you are unable to place the hold yourself.
Keep Reading
Laura B.

Preschool Programs at Monrovia Branch

Exposing preschoolers to books is a great way to get your little ones ready for school and to love reading.  Children who are read to regularly and have access to interesting and colorful books are more likely to want to learn to read and will do better in school when they are older.  Going to the library to check out books and attending our story time program each week can be a fun way to expose your preschoolers to great picture books and to foster a love of reading and learning.

Ms. Kathy

Ms. Kathy comes up with the most interesting stories and craft projects to inspire your preschooler.  Every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. and again at 2:00 p.m., we have a preschool program at the Monrovia Branch that your child will be sure to enjoy.  Check out all the new books available after the program is over.  Just look for the "New Books" shelves in the children's section.  We invite you to visit the library for preschool programs and then check out books to read together with your child.  It is never too soon (or too late) to start fostering a love of reading in your child!  Use the library catalog to find the book you want to read with your preschooler today!

You may also want to check out these books, available at the Monrovia branch, for further guidance on what to read to and with your children:

Silly Books to Read Aloud: A Guide by Rob Reid

 

Children's Book-a-Day Almanac by Anita Silvey

1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up edited by Julia Eccleshare