LibraryAware MPHPL Newsletter: March 2023

The Friends Learning Lab Gets a New Look and Purpose

Graphic Image: VITA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

MPHPL is excited to offer a new state-of-the-art space at the
downtown Mishawaka Library where you can be the maker!

The renovated area, the Friends Learning Lab, is on the lower level of the Mishawaka Library. The space is the library's dedicated Makerspace.
Designed for focused programs, the Makerspace encourages making and creativity for all ages!
MPHPL Director Donna Meeks said, "The library is excited to provide this modernized space to give our patrons new opportunities to learn and innovate. Users of all skill levels can come together to make things. We are excited to see the project come to fruition and thrilled to witness the public enjoying what the space offers."
Be sure to check out our upcoming program and events schedule for culinary and hands-on making programs for kids, teens and adults.

MPHPL Will Be Open Regular Hours Wednesday, March 8

Graphic Image: United States of America Presidents Day

The Mishawaka Library and the Bittersweet Branch will be open
Wednesday, March 8, during regular operating hours.

The Harris Branch is always closed on Wednesday.
We originally planned to close at 12:30 p.m. for staff training on March 8. However, our downtown Mishawaka Library and our Harris Branch will be closed on Friday, April 14, so our entire MPHPL staff can attend the Indiana Library Federation Regional Conference.
The Bittersweet Branch is always closed on Friday.
We will also post reminders about being closed on April 14 as the date approaches.
MPHPL databases and MPHPL apps are always open 24/7 to explore free of charge.

Now Is the Time to Switch from the OverDrive App to the Libby App

Graphic Image: Harris Branch Construction

In April, the OverDrive app will be discontinued.

The ability to download the OverDrive app as a new user was eliminated last year.
For those who continued to use the OverDrive app and did not switch to the Libby app, the OverDrive app will cease to work at the end of April.
Now is the time to make the switch to the Libby app!
For more information on how to make the switch, visit our short MPHPL article.

Congratulations to the Following Staff Members on Their New Roles

Please join MPHPL in congratulating
Anne Britton as she takes on new
responsibilities for MPHPL as the Collection Services Coordinator.

Prior to assuming this position, she was the Youth Services Coordinator for the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library.
To read more about Britton and her promotion, visit our MPHPL article.

Please join MPHPL in congratulating
Karen Palmer as she takes on new
responsibilities for MPHPL
as the Youth Services Coordinator.

Prior to this promotion, she was the Mishawaka Youth Services Team Leader for the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library.

To read more about Palmer and her
promotion, visit our MPHPL article.

Test Your Music Knowledge During Trivia Night at the Downtown Library

Graphic Image: New Year, New Youth Cards

Friday, March 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., the Mishawaka Library will host a two-hour

That's What I Call Music Trivia Night event for adults!

Spaces fill up quickly, so gather some friends and reserve your team's spot today!
We’ll cover music throughout the decades, from the 1950s through today.
The winning team will receive a small prize.
Teams must have 2-6 members.
Registration is required and limited to 15 teams.

Check Out the MPHPL Book Club for Students in Grades Three to Five

Graphic Image: Photo of John Charles Bryant, the Powell Family and Powell Family Gravesites

The Popcorn & Pages book club at the Mishawaka Library offers a great way for
students to satisfy their appetite for popcorn and reading!

This book club meets at the Mishawaka Library on the fourth Tuesday of every other month.
The March hourlong event will occur on Tuesday, March 28 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
After students read the book independently, they meet at the library to discuss and devour their way through pages and popcorn.
The group setting allows students to get creative with crafts and activities, answer trivia and discuss what they enjoyed about the book.
The Book for March: Roll with It by Jamie Sumner is available for checkout at each Youth Services desk.
Sixth graders are welcome as space allows.
Adult caregivers must remain in the library.
Registration is required.

Banner that Reads: Free Digital Database Spotlight

All MPHPL Cardholders Have Free Brainfuse JobNow Access

Graphic Image: Expert job matching brainfuse JobNow

Receive live job coaching, real-time interview practice, full-service resume lab,

24/7 access to local job resources and more with your MPHPL library card!

Premium Resume Lab: Receive resume and cover letter assistance from trained writing experts.
Live Interview Coaching: Brush up on interview techniques or get live online interview practice from trained job coaches every day 2-11 p.m.
Career Resources: Discover your best career fit based or education, experience and personality.
eParachute: Designed to help recent high school or college graduates explore and discover their best career fit based on education, experience and personality (a partnership with the author behind What Color is Your Parachute).
Adult Learning Center: Access a library of rich adult learning prep content for GED-like tests, U.S. citizenship prep, MS Office Essential Skills Series and more!

Get started with the Brainfuse JobNow database today!

Turn in Your Winter Reading Challenge card by tomorrow - Tuesday, February 28

This Year's MPHPL Winter Reading Challenge wraps up Tuesday, February 28!

Thus far, more than 490 children, 80 teens and 200 adults have completed this year's challenge!
Once all challenges are met, return your Winter Reading Challenge card by end of business Tuesday, February 28 to any MPHPL location.
You'll receive a new book of your choice from a list of pre-selected titles. *Book title selections are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
When you turn in your completed card, you are automatically entered into a special prize drawing where six children 12 and under, three teens and three adults will be chosen as winners!
Limit one Reading Challenge card per person.
For all the details, visit our MPHPL Winter Reading page.

All MPHPL Locations Are National Safe Place Stations

Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library is proud that all of our library locations are
Youth Service Bureau (YSB) of St. Joseph County Safe Stations!

National Safe Place (NSP) Week is celebrated nationally during the third full week in March each year. This year NSP is recognized March 19-25.
MPHPL proudly displays the Safe Place sign near the entry of all three library locations.
The sign means any youth under age 18 in crisis can come to a Safe Station for help.
Once a child notifies our MPHPL staff they need help, we provide them with a 'Safe Place' until a licensed Safe Place representative from the YSB of St. Joseph County arrives.
The YSB representative will meet with the child to offer support, resources and assistance.
Please join MPHPL in spreading the news about NSP and YSB this March!
Learn more about the Youth Service Bureau of St. Joseph County and the Safe Place program by visiting the YSB website.

Registration is Open for MPHPL March Programs

Front cover to the MPHPL Feb.-March 2023 Program Guide

Please visit mphpl.org for the most up-to-date information regarding events.

Follow #MPHPL on Social Media

           Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library
              209 Lincolnway East
              Mishawaka, Indiana 46544
              574-259-5277
              www.mphpl.org