MPL Connect
                                December 2023
Director's Column 
 
As I look back on 2023, I’m reminded of the two essential design concepts of the Main Library: movement and growth. Over the course of the last year, we have had the opportunity to enrich our staff to better serve you, our patrons and our community. We have completed all three phases of our Lark and Palm View Branch Libraries’ Refresh Projects:  new carpeting, total repainting, and new furniture that meets the needs of our visitors. The Branch Libraries also received an upgraded air-conditioning system, allowing all three locations to serve the public as cooling centers. At the Main Library, we completely overhauled our audio-visual (A/V) equipment in our Meeting Center spaces, bringing us current to state-of-the-art technology status and making it very user-friendly. Finally, our Dewey Trail markers had an extreme makeover this year! Each marker’s tablet represents a Dewey Decimal number with sample books to read from that series and a kid-friendly activity to stay healthy on the trail. All of the newly installed tablets feature our brand-new mascot, Marty. New content includes fun facts that will inform and inspire local pride.
 
This year, we moved to new heights of attendance, with our STBF programming and festival day capping out at an unprecedented 15,630 attendees! We made it easier for children and teens to grow up in the Library by eliminating fines for all juvenile and young adult materials. We love to see families bringing their children to the Library, starting from when they are babies, to when they start school, and even graduate and go to college. It is truly an honor and a special blessing to see how our patrons move around and through the Library, using it to fulfill their needs and wants, and helping themselves to grow into their best selves.
 
2023 was an award-winning year for MPL. MPL distinguished itself by achieving 18 awards for our programs from the International Festival & Events Association (IFEA), including the prestigious Grand Pinnacle Award for South Texas Book Festival. The Texas Festival & Events Association (TFEA) presented MPL with 26 awards this year, including the coveted Best in Texas Award for South Texas Book Festival. These awards would not be possible without the hard work and dedication in planning and execution by MPL Staff in bringing programs and services of excellence to you.
 
As we will soon leave 2023 behind and look forward to a bright 2024, let me say thank you to all of you! Thank you for attending our programs and using our services. Thank you for sharing your recommendations and insights. And most of all, thank you for coming to the Library. Libraries are for everyone!
 
 
 
Kate P. Horan, MLS
Library Director
Marker on the Dewey Decimal Trail at the Main Library
New Computer furniture 
Another view of the new computer furniture
 
Patrons sitting on new furniture
Patrons sitting at the computers
 
Picture of the Family Place Play Space 
 
Current Hours of Operation 
 
Main Library
Monday - Thursday
9 AM - 9 PM
 
Friday - Saturday
9 AM - 6 PM
 
Sunday
1 PM - 9 PM
 
Lark & Palm View Branches
Monday - Thursday
10 AM - 9 PM
 
Friday - Saturday
10 AM - 5 PM
 
Sunday
1 PM - 9 PM 
 
 
 
 
Holiday Closings 
 
Friday, December 22, 2023
 
Sunday, December 24, 2023
 
Monday, December 25, 2023
 
Sunday, December 31, 2023
 
Monday, January 1, 2024
 
 
 
 






 
 

 
 



Children's Programs
 
For more information on children events, visit the MPLKids Facebook!
 
Program Highlight:
Paperpie Book Fair (Lark)
December 4-7 
Monday Through Wednesday 10 AM to 8 PM 
Thursday 5 to 8 PM
 
 The Paperpie Learning Book Fair is coming! Join us and discover amazing books, games, and more. 
 
 
                   
Programs
  
 Sunday Storytime 
December 3rd & 17th at 2 PM 
 
Baby  Storytime 
December 4th, 11th, & 18th
at  1 PM
 
Toddler Time 
December 5th & 12th at 10 AM
 
STEM Sunday 
December 10th at 2 PM 
 
Postpartum Support Circle 
December 12th at 5:30 PM
 
Tiny Tots Holiday 
December 19th at 10 AM
 
Ginger Bread Houses
December 23rd at 11 AM
 
Winter Scavenger Hunt 
December 26th All Day 
 
Coloring Day 
December 27th All Day 
 
Movie Marathon 
December 28th All Day
 
Family Storytime 
(Lark Branch) 
Tuesdays at 6:30 PM 
 
Once Upon a Time
(Lark Branch) 
 Wednesdays at 11 AM 
 
Once Upon A Time 
(Lark Branch)  
December 4th, 11th, & 18th at 11 AM 
 
Crafty Kids 
(Lark Branch) 
December 6th & 20th at 6 PM 
 
Coloring Day 
(Lark Branch) 
December 13th at 6 PM
  
La Hora de los Cuentos
(Palm View Branch) 
December 5th & 12th at 1 PM
 
Coloring Day 
(Palm View Branch) 
December 6th at 6 PM
 
Toddler Time the Gingerbread Man 
(Palm View Branch) 
December 7th at 11 AM 
 
In-B-Tween Club
(Palm View Branch) 
December 7th at 5 PM
 
Toddler Time
(Palm View Branch)
December 14th at 11 AM 
 
Toddler Playdate 
(Palm View Branch)
December 19th & 21st at  11 AM
 
________________________________________________________________________________________
Teen Programs
 
For more information on teen events, visit MPLTeenFacebook!
 
 
Program Highlight:
 Kind Minds 
December 2nd at 2 PM 
 
As the holiday season approaches, it's crucial to take care of your mental well being.  Join us for a workshop where you can learn tools & techniques to sleigh away depression and anxiety.
 
Programs
 
Teen Tech Camp 
December 6th at 6 PM 
 
TAC Meeting 
December 9th  at 3 PM 
 
Tween Takeover 
December 13th at 6 PM
 
Book Ornaments 
December 14th at  6 PM 
 
Holly Jolly Party
December 16th at 2 pm
 
Homeschool HangOut 
December 19th at 2 PM
 
Game On!
December 27th at 2 PM
 
 Game On!
(Lark) 
December 7th at  6 PM
 
Percy Jackson Camp Necklace 
(Lark) 
December 16th at 2 PM 
 
Holiday Snow Globe 
(Lark) 
Decmber 19th at 6 PM 
 
Games Unpluged 
(Palm View) 
December 4th & 18th at 4 PM
 
Winter Video Game Tournament 
(Palm View) 
December 5th at  4 PM 
 
Level Up Club
(Palm View) 
December 11th at 4 PM  
 
Winter Manga Club 
(Palm View) 
December 19th at 4 PM 
 
________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Adult Programs
 
For more information on adult events, visit the MPL Adults Facebook!
 
 
Program Highlight: 
Sketching Exhibition (Lark Branch) 
December 5th at 11 AM 
 
 The Lark Library will be hosting our sketching class exhibition with instructor Angel Berrios. Explore the captivating drawings and paintings by our students. 
 
Programs
 
MPL Gaming Club
December 5th & 19th at 5:30 PM
 
Basic Computer Classes
December 6th & 13th at 2 PM
 
MPL Anime/ Manga Club
December 7th at 7 PM
 
Cook Book Club
December 10th at 7 PM
 
Unfolded Poetry Workshop (Spanish)
December 12th at 6:30 PM
 
Knitting Group
(Lark Branch) 
Tuesdays at 2 PM 
 
DYI Christmas Cards
(Lark Branch) 
December 6th at 6 PM 
 
Holiday Movie at the Library
(Lark Branch) 
December  7th at 6 PM
 
Adult Painting Class
(Lark Branch) 
December 9th at 1:30 PM
 
Virtual Painting Class 
(Lark Branch) 
December 15th at 2 PM
 
Computer Class 
 (Palm View Branch)
December 4th & 11th at 1 PM 
 
Clase de computacion
(Palm View Branch) 
December 6th & 13th at 1 PM
 
Adult Coloring 
(Palm View Branch) 
December 12th at 12 PM 
 
Painting with Ms. Susie 
(Palm View Branch) 
December 14th at 12:30 PM
 
Coffee & Crochet Club 
(Palm View Branch)
December 20th at 11 AM 
 


 
 


 
In "A Christmas Memory," Richard Paul Evans (#1 New York Times bestselling author
and  the “King of Christmas fiction”) delves deep into his childhood memories to
take readers back to an age when his world felt like it was falling apart,
reminding us that even in the darkest of times, the light of hope can still shine..
 
 
Registration is required.
Please call Lark Branch at 956-681-3100
“Charming...a celebration of the ordinary: ordinary revelations, ordinary people,
and the infinity of worlds seeded in ordinary choices.”
 —The Guardian
 
 
Register online at https://mcallenlibrary.libnet.info/events
 

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  • For information about all library services and events: McAllen Public Library
  • For the parents of children birth up to 5th grade: MPL Kids
  • For teens from 6th grade through 12th grade and their parents: MPL Teens
  • For adults: MPL Adults
________________________________________________________________________________________
McAllen Public Library                                                        
4001 N. 23rd Street
McAllen, Texas 78504
Phone: (956) 681-3000E-mail: referencelibrarian@mcallen.netWebsite: www.mcallenlibrary.net

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