May

2025

We have lots going on this month!

Two University Students Talking in the Library
Girl with a Pink Shirt Reading a Blue Book in the Fort

Celebrating 10 years of Dia de los Niños at MPL!

This year, we welcomed an incredible 2,784 attendees for a day packed with stories, crafts, snacks, and high-energy wrestling excitement!


Together with the South Texas Literacy Coalition, we celebrated the power of reading by giving away 879 books to babies, children, and teens. Families showed off their library pride by creating lucha libre masks and sporting temporary tattoos. Local author Grandma Cookie delighted the crowd with songs, two story readings, and even surprised a few birthday babies with their own copy of her book!Guests enjoyed free popcorn before gathering for the grand finale — live pro wrestling matches, courtesy of the Texas Wrestling League â€” a perfect celebration of both culture and community spirit. A special thank you to Kona Ice, who generously donated 20% of their proceeds back to support knockout library events like this one.


Thank you to everyone who helped make our 10th anniversary a celebration to remember!


A heartfelt thank you to our Library Board members, Dr. Nathaniel R. De La Cruz and Ann Anderson, for joining us at our 10th Annual Día de los Niños celebration! We truly appreciate their continued support and involvement.

Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership: Kate Horan Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

It’s a proud moment for us at McAllen Public Library to share that Kate P. Horan, our Director, has been honored with the prestigious Texas Library Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. For anyone who knows Kate, this recognition comes as no surprise. Her leadership, vision, and corazón have completely transformed not just our library system, but the way our entire community experiences what a library can be.


Kate has been the driving force behind so much of what makes MPL special. She’s not the kind of leader who just talks about change - she makes it happen. Whether it was helping design a new Main Library that truly belongs to the community, growing small programs into major city events, or mentoring staff (myself included) into careers they love, Kate always leads with ganas, commitment, and a deep respect for our community. Kate’s commitment to making the Library a place of belonging, learning, and culture has shaped everything we do — from major events like the South Texas Book Festival, to creating spaces where every reader, family, and visitor feels at home.

This award doesn’t just mark years of service; it represents the real difference she’s made. It’s about every family who found a place to belong at the Library. Every child who fell in love with reading. Every staff member who grew into a leader because she believed in them. It’s about putting McAllen on the map. Not just with awards and headlines, but by building a library that feels like it was made for us. Her impact even caught the attention of the Texas Legislature, with a special resolution introduced by State Representative Bobby Guerra recognizing her outstanding contributions.

Personally, I owe my career to Kate’s belief that libraries should be places of opportunity - for staff, for patrons, for everyone. What started as a part-time job for me grew into a career I love because of the encouragement and example she gave.I’ve seen her fight for our library, push for programs that represent our community, and always make sure that what we do stays rooted in real service, not show.


Congratulations, Kate! Your impact runs deep, and the McAllen community is stronger because of it.


Priscilla C. Suarez, CFEE
Events Coordinator
McAllen Public Library


Who is your favorite author?  And why?

Marissa Meyer. Her books captivate you and take you to another universe.


What do you enjoy most about working at a library?

I get to do programs and events that I'm passionate about, and I get to share that with the community. Giving back and educating the community is what we're all about here at the library.

Going On Now at MPL!

MPL Kids Program Highlights

Main Library

Parent Perks

Every Wednesday

10:00AM

Tween Takeover

Sat. May 17

3:00PM

LIT4MOM

Thu. May 29

9:30AM

Lark Branch

Once Upon A 

Time at Lark

Mondays, May 5,12 & 19

11:00AM

Creative Mornings

Wednesdays,

May 7, 14 & 21

11:00AM

Take & Make Crafts

Fri. May 23

10:00AM

Palm View Branch

La hora de los cuentos

Bilingual Storytime

Every Tuesday

11:00AM

Homeshcool Hangout:

Field Day

Tues. May 13

10:00AM

In-B-Tween Club:

 Origami 101

Wed. May 14

6:00PM


Click Here For More MPL Kids Programs!

MPL Teens Program Highlights

Main Library

Mom & Me

 Craft Hour

Wed. May 7

6:00PM

Starbooks Cafe

 Bookclub

Sun. May 18

6:00PM

K-Pop Club

Snack Taste Test

Sat. May 31

3:00PM

Lark Branch

Teen

Anime Club

Sat. May 3

1:00PM

DIY

May Flowers

Tue. May 13

6:00PM

Colorful

Constructors

Wed. May 28

5:00PM

Palm View Branch

Level Up!

Club

Wed. May 7

4:30PM

LibFlix:

Mulan

Wed. May 14

4:30PM

Makerspace: 

K-Pop Photocards

Wed. May 16

4:30PM

Click Here For More MPL Teens Programs!

MPL Adult Program Highlights

Main Library

A Galactic

 Blood Drive

Mon. May 5

9:00AM-1:00PM

Star Wars Day 

at MPL

Sun. May 4

2:00-5:00PM

Women's Health Series:

Feminine Hygiene

Tue. May 13

10:00AM

Lark Branch

Knitting

Group

Every Tuesday

2:00PM

Magic

the Gathering

Sat. May 17

1:30PM

Build 

& Bond

Sat. May 31

3:00PM


Palm View Branch

DHR

 Health Talk

Thu. May 1

12:00PM

Crochet Club: 

Bucket Hat

Tue. May 6

11:00AM

Page To Screen:

Crazy Rich Asians

Mon. May 19

12:00PM

Click Here For More MPL Adults Programs!

Explore Asian American & Pacific Islander Month through our Reference Collection!

AV Record Gray Placeholder

Encyclopedia of Mongolia and

the Mongol Empire

By Christopher P. Atwood

AV Record Gray Placeholder

Cultural Atlas of China

By Caroline Blunden and Mark Elvin

Library e-Resource of The Month

Follow Us For All Our Events & Updates!

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Visit All Our Locations!

McAllen Public Library

4001 N. 23rd St.

McAllen, TX 78504

PH: 956.681.3000

Hours:

Monday - Thursday

9:00AM - 9:00PM

Friday - Saturday

9:00AM - 6:00PM

Sunday

1:00PM - 9:00PM

Lark Branch 

2601 Lark Ave.

McAllen, TX 78504

PH: 956.681.3100

Hours:

Monday - Thursday

10:00AM - 9:00PM

Friday - Saturday

10:00AM - 5:00PM

Sunday

1:00PM - 9:00PM

Palm View Branch 

3401 Jordan Rd. W.

McAllen, TX 78503

PH: 956.681.3110

Hours:

Monday - Thursday

10:00AM - 9:00PM

Friday - Saturday

10:00AM - 5:00PM

Sunday

1:00PM - 9:00PM

Content Editors:

Melissa Kobayashi & Sean Wrinkle

Layout & Design:

Melissa Kobayashi

McAllen Public Library   
4001 N. 23rd Street
McAllen, Texas 78504
Phone: 956.681.3000
E-mail: referencelibrarian@mcallen.net