By Susan Fisher, MPL—
MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Public Library (MPL) encourages all community members to visit any MPL branch during National Library Week, April 23-29, to explore all that libraries have to offer. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association. The theme this year is, “There’s More to the Story.”
Libraries are welcoming spaces that bring communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, story times, movie nights, crafting classes, lectures, and more. Libraries also play a critical role in the economic vitality of communities by providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, tutoring, and a vital link for needed support through partnerships with helping organizations such as Open Door Connections, LifeStream Services, Indiana Legal Services, and Future Choices.
Most people know about the wealth of stories available at the library, from picture books and large print to audiobooks and ebooks, but at MPL there is more to discover, including new services, features, and even a card design contest.
Public notary service is a recent addition at MPL, with Tenisha Harris, Connection Corner Supervisor, and Katherine Mitchell, Assistant Library Director, available by appointment to notarize documents. According to Harris, notary service was often requested. “We had so many customers asking for it, that I pursued the certification because I wanted to be able to help MPL better serve the community,” she said. To schedule an appointment, contact Harris at (765) 747-8216 or Mitchell at (765) 747-8202.
Another new feature at MPL is a story walk at Maring-Hunt Library, made possible through a grant from the Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler Foundation. The walk surrounds the quarter-mile health track unveiled in 2022 (also made possible by a grant from the Zeigler Foundation) and features storybook pages for readers to enjoy as they walk along the track. “Dragon’s Egg Soup,” is currently on display. It is a retelling of “Stone Soup,” a folk tale about cooperation and working together. The story was adapted by MPL employee Amanda Kaufman and illustrated by her son Luc Kaufman. The project was originally created for a partnership with Red-Tail Land Conservancy. The story walk, health track, and garden area at Maring-Hunt Library are open during daylight hours each day.
Also new, MPL is sponsoring a library card design contest for any community member of any age to enter. Designs can be original art, photos, word art, or anything the participant feels captures the essence of MPL or the Muncie community. A committee of MPL employees and Board members will determine design finalists and present those entries for public voting to determine the winning design.
As always, a library card is never required to enjoy the resources, displays, and events at MPL. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.munciepubliclibrary.org.
