Kennedy Grand Reopening

Special Thanks to everyone who attended the Grand Reopening of Kennedy Library on Valentine’s Day. We don’t have an exact count, but we know more than one thousand people attended. 

Words can’t describe the excitement of the evening. Delicious food, jazzy piano music and gourmet coffee set the tone. The bright colors, sparkling lights, open spaces and vivid artwork made the newly remodeled Library shine!

Customers were so happy to have Kennedy open again. Some came to get books and use the computers. We were, after all, open for business. Some came to see the dedication bricks they had purchased. The engraved bricks in memory of friends and family members prompted more than one person to shed a tear. Some customers were so overcome by the joy of the event and the beauty of the renovated space, that they cried too. A grandmother brought in her young granddaughter to check out her very first book. A gentleman brought his 100 year-old mother to proudly show her the brick he bought in her honor. A local artist was so moved by the evening that he left only to return shortly with two pieces of art he wanted to donate to the Library.

Mayor Sharon McShurley shared comments at the dedication ceremony. Leon Jones, who was the Library Director in 1964 when Kennedy first opened, provided the invocation. Could he have guessed back then that he would play a part in a grand reopening more than 40 years later?  Could he have guessed that the empty field he purchased for the Library all those years ago would turn into the shining jewel it is today? Other speakers included Roger Gilcrest, President of the MPL Board of Trustees and Virginia (Ginny) Nilles the Library Director.

It was a special evening, full of memories, sharing, excitement, fun and friendship. Thanks to all who attended.

Hour and Phone Number Changes

 These changes are effective February 11, 2008.

Administrative Offices at 2005 South High Street

Monday-Friday: 8 am - 5 pm

Phone: 747-8200 Main Information Line

Carnegie Library at 301 East Jackson Street

Carnegie Library is Muncie’s oldest public building and has been in continuous use as a library for more than 100 years. Built with funds from Andrew Carnegie, it opened in 1904.

Monday-Thursday: 10 am - 7 pm

Friday: 9 am - 6 pm

Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Phone: 747-8200 Main Information Line

Conley Library at 1824 East Centennial Avenue

Conley Library opened in its present location in 1978. It is named for the late community activist Vivian Conley. Conley was a non-traditional student and championed the cause of education to others.

Monday-Friday: 9 am - 6 pm

Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Phone: 747-8216

Kennedy Library at 1700 West McGalliard Road

First opened in 1964 and just recently renovated, Kennedy Library will reopen to serve the Muncie community at 3 pm on Thursday, February 14.

Monday-Thursday: 10 am - 8 pm

Friday-Saturday: 9 am - 6 pm

Sunday: 1-5 pm

Phone: 747-8200 Main Information Line

Maring-Hunt Library at 2005 South High Street

Maring-Hunt Library is conveniently located next to South View Elementary and Wilson Senior Apartments. This ideal space allows the Library to serve a diversity of ages through its collections, after school programs and its outdoor green space.

Monday-Thursday: 9 am - 8 pm

Friday - Saturday: 9 am - 6 pm

Sunday: 1-5 pm

Phone: 747-8200 Main Information Line

Local History & Genealogy Center at 210 South Jefferson Street

This research facility provides state of the art research opportunities for those tracing their family origins. The center also promotes the history of our community, creating civic pride and a sense of heritage.

Monday-Friday: 9 am - 6 pm

Saturday: 10 am -5 pm

Sunday: Closed

Phone: 747-8208

Kennedy Library Grand Reopening!

 Don’t miss the Grand Reopening Celebration! 

                        Thursday, February 14, 2008.

•      3:00 Kennedy Opens to the Public
•      5:30 Dedication and Ribbon Tearing

Just as gifts were given one-by-one to renovate Kennedy Library, a winding ribbon will be passed person-to-person to encompass all who attend. Come enjoy refreshments, music by Ferratt & Delaney and help us unwrap this gift to the community by tearing the ribbon that marks the Grand Reopening! Come see the expanded space, the new meeting rooms, story time rooms and coffee area. Stop by Kennedy on Valentine’s Day to see the newly renovated space and all it has to offer and see why we believe it is the heart of reading and lifelong learning!

 John F. Kennedy Library is located at 1700 W. McGalliard Road.

Tax Forms Now Available!

State and federal officials send a good supply of the most needed tax forms for distribution at MPL. Specialized forms and schedules needed for specific tax situations may also be available. Check the Reference Desk at each location for the comprehensive collection of reproducible tax forms. These forms can be copied for a small fee (10 cents per copy will be charged.)

Visit the Internal Revenue Service website for downloadable/printable forms from home!

Free Tax Help is Coming to MPL!

The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program offers free one-on-one tax help for people with low to moderate incomes. VITA will hold several tax help sessions at Muncie Public Library throughout February, March and April. Dr. Paul Parkison, retired Ball State University Accounting Professor, oversees this volunteer-based program. Call 759-8620 for more information.

The following tax help sessions have been scheduled for February and March at either Kennedy Library or Maring-Hunt Library:

• February   1      M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Cancelled
• February   6      M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February   8      M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February 13      M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February 15      M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February 20      KB        10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February 22      M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February 27      KB        10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• February 29      M-H    10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• March   5          KB         10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March   7          M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March  12         KB        10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March  14         M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March  19         KB        10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March  21         M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March 26          KB        10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• March 28          M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• April 2             M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• April 4             M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• April 9              KB       10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• April 14           M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• April 15           M-H     10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mobile Media Production Lab Coming Soon!

             Muncie Public Library is excited to announce that we have been awarded a Library Services and Technologies Act (LSTA) Technology Grant by the Indiana State Library!  This grant is awarded to Indiana Libraries that present innovative ideas to use emerging technologies to address the needs of the Libraries and their customers.

            With the received funds, Muncie Public Library has been able to create a Mobile Media Production Lab comprised of audio/visual tools that will allow us to bring digital media recording and production to the Library and surrounding community.  Equipment purchased with the funds will offer a wide variety of capabilities, including audio recording and mixing, loop-based music creation, digital video and photography production and CD/DVD burning capability.

            The Lab will enable the Library to expand its reach into the digital world by giving us the ability to digitally video record Library programs and post them to the Library website for viewing at any time.  The Library will also focus on youth by allowing dedicated time to let them  use the equipment and learn how to express their creativity through the new media.  In addition to being utilized within the Library system, the equipment will be taken to schools, community centers and senior citizen centers to offer workshops on the hardware and software.  Workshops can focus on teaching the basics of digital video, photography, audio recording and music making, or could be built around a particular project that your group would like to undertake.

            If your class or organization would be interested in hosting a workshop please contact Adam Cox at 741.7338 or acox@munpl.org.

Reading Facts

   Did you know… 

• Reading to your child in the early years encourages closeness between you and your child and promotes a larger vocabulary. Research shows that children with larger vocabularies have higher school achievement! (Information from Duke, Neil and Annie Moses. 10 Research-Tested Ways to Build Children’s Vocabulary, Scholastic Professional Paper. Scholastic, 2003.)
• Knowledge of alphabet letters at entry into kindergarten is a strong predictor of reading ability in the 10th grade! (Information from Ehri, L. & McCormick, S. Phases of word learning: Implications for instruction with delayed and disabled readers. Reading and Writing Quarterly, 14, 135-163-1998.)
• By the time children reach age three, their brains are twice as active as those of adults. Activity levels drop during adolescence. (Information from Shore, Rima. Rethinking the Brain: New Insights into Early Development from NY: Families and Work Institute, 1997.)

Kennedy Swatch Watch!

So many MPL customers are anxious to know when Kennedy Library will reopen. A quick glance at the worksite as you are heading down McGalliard certainly signals that construction is moving right along. It’s easy to see that the building has been expanded. It’s gone from 10,000 square feet to 15,000 square feet. Just recently the parking lot was repaved and much of the landscaping was put in place.

What you can’t see is what is happening on the inside. And it is exciting! The newly renovated Kennedy Library will boast increased square footage, increased meeting space for community groups, improved wiring for technology, quiet spaces to read and much better accessibility to those customers with disabilities.

The original stone wall on the outside is now inside. It will create a new appreciation for the beauty and quality of this familiar stone as customers see it up close as an interior surface. More windows and glass will be in place. A wall of dedication bricks and tiles will feature more than 150 inscribed bricks and tiles from Library supporters.

The Library will be alive with colors such as Sundance, Nasturtium, Cayenne, and Awesome Violet. Flooring choices include Cherry Wood, Royal Blue Linoleum, various carpets and a good amount of cork, which is a very durable and yet environmentally friendly choice.

As with any construction project the completion date is always subject to change based on construction delays, bad weather and the availability of supplies and materials. Ginny Nilles, Muncie Public Library Director, is predicting a mid-February grand re-opening. The space will be functional, beautiful and ready to serve our community for years to come. Hundreds of individuals and organizations who supported the Kennedy Renovation Project with financial gifts will be proud to see the results.

Take Five Give Away @ Maring-Hunt

Take Five Community Outreach knows it is getting harder to stretch those dollars for many with lower incomes in Delaware County. Take Five cares. This group helps families by providing gently used clothing and daily essential items, free of charge, with no strings attached. Take Five will hold a Give Away on Tuesday, November 13 at Maring-Hunt Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Atrium. Supplies such as toothpaste, dish detergent, deodorant, etc. are usually available. Participants are not required to prove financial need. Each household can get up to five items free.

               

Take Five will also gladly accept donations of gently used clothes and new and unopened toiletry items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, detergents, etc. This nonprofit group operates with very little overhead and gets these essential items directly into the hands of those who need them. Take Five also accepts financial donations.

If you need a few items, stop by. If you have some items to spare, stop by. Either way you will see efficient and effective charitable help in action in our community.

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Christmas Gift Ideas from Your Local Library!

Are you looking for unique gift ideas this holiday season? Visit MPL! If you have friends and family who live close to Muncie, but not within Center Township, you can purchase a county card gift certificate which they can redeem for a Library card. The cost varies for 6 month to 12 month cards and for individuals and families.

Another unique gift idea is a set of J. Ottis Adams notecards, available at all MPL locations. These $5 notecard sets are unique to Muncie and feature historical Hoosier art.

Your friends can forget about the paper vs. plastic debate when they receive a canvas tote or two which you can purchase from the Friends of Muncie Public Library. These heavy duty totes are cream and blue and feature sturdy webbed nylon handles. The totes are $10 each and available at any Library location. Your purchase supports the Friends, who support programs and services at Muncie Public Library. So you get a useful gift for a friend, the Friends get your support-and the Library benefits. Definitely a win-win (and win) situation!

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