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 MTL NEWSLETTERAUGUST 2026 |
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Saving Money Starts at the Library! As prices continue to rise, you may be looking for ways to cut expenses without giving up the things that you enjoy. One of the easiest ways to save money may already be sitting in your wallet……….your Morrison Talbott Library card! Here are a few ways your library card can help you save money: Skip the streaming bill - Stream movies and documentaries through Kanopy or borrow DVDs from our collection instead of paying for Netflix or Hulu. Listen for free - Borrow thousands of e-books and audiobooks through Libby and CloudLibrary rather than purchasing Audible or Spotify. Save on magazines – Borrow one of our 50+ titles in print or access thousands more on Libby! You can even access Consumer Reports online at the library or in print. Learn new skills – Access LearningExpress for tutorials and courses covering Microsoft Office, career development, test preparation, and more. Learn a language – Mango Languages, Little Pim and LOTE-4-Kids provide language-learning for adults and children, replacing costly apps like Rosetta Stone, Babbel or DuoLingo Max. Read beyond our shelves – Borrow materials from more than 500 Illinois libraries through our statewide resource-sharing network, or request hard-to-find items from libraries across the country through interlibrary loan. Stay connected – Use free Wi-Fi, public computers, and mobile hotspots. Need to print? Save money on costly printer ink by printing at the library for only .10 per copy for black/white! Meet for free – Reserve one of our community meeting rooms for studying, collaborating, or gathering with civic and charitable organizations. Take advantage of free services – From notary services to educational programs, storytimes, and community events, the library offers entertainment and resources that would often cost money elsewhere. The best value in town doesn't come with a monthly bill—it comes with a library card! Jamie Library Director |
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Thank You for a Wonderful Summer! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in our Summer Reading Program, Knights of the Reading Realm: Embark on a Quest, One Book at a Time! We are grateful to all who joined us for a summer filled with reading, activities, and adventure. Your enthusiasm made this year's program a tremendous success! As summer comes to a close, we're already preparing for an exciting season of programs and events at Morrison-Talbott Library. Throughout August , be sure to visit the Arts Exhibit Hallway on the Lower Level of the library to view the Monroe County Arts Alliance Photography Contest exhibit, featuring this year's entries and award-winning photographs. In September, photographer Wm. Stage will present a special exhibit showcasing his nostalgic photographs of the Monroe County Fair from the past several years. Meet the artist during his Art Opening on Thursday, September 10, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Planning international travel or need to renew your passport? Our annual Passport Fair will be held on Friday, September 11, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Don’t miss this convenient opportunity to get your travel plans ready without the hassle of scheduling an appointment elsewhere! If you have questions about Medicare , join Melissa Unterseh-Schreder on Wednesday, September 16 , for one of two informative sessions at 10:00 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. History enthusiasts won't want to miss our special program on Saturday, September 26, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Presented in partnership with the Monroe County Genealogical Society, Jamie Poorman will share "From New York to the Heartland: The Orphan Train Experience in Illinois." Learn about the Orphan Train Movement, view historical memorabilia, and hear stories of those whose lives were touched by this remarkable chapter in American history. Guests are also invited to share their own family's Orphan Train connections. Be sure to watch for additional program announcements in the newspaper, on social media, and throughout the library. We look forward to seeing you this fall! Sherri Adult Services Coordinator |
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At Morrison-Talbott Library, we believe everyone deserves
access to great books, movies, and more—no matter their situation. If you or someone you know can’t make it to the library due to illness, a medical condition, or mobility challenges, our Homebound Delivery Service is here to help. |
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My Husband's Wife
by Alice Feeney
Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into, Spyglass, an enchanting old house in Hope Falls, nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn't fit. A woman, eerily similar to her, answers the door. And her husband insists that the stranger is his wife. One house. One husband. Two women. Someone is lying. Six months earlier, a reclusive Londoner called Birdy, reeling from a life-changing diagnosis, inherits Spyglass. This unexpected gift from a long-lost grandmother brings her to the pretty seaside village of Hope Falls. But then Birdy stumbles upon a shadowy London clinic that claims to be able to predict a person's date of death, including her own. Secrets start to unravel, and as the line between truth and lies blurs, Birdy feels compelled to right some old wrongs--
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A Silent Voice 1
by Yoshitoki Oima
LEARNING TO LISTENShoya is a bully. When Shoko, a girl who can't hear, enters his elementary school class, she becomes their favorite target, and Shoya and his friends goad each other into devising new tortures for her. But the children's cruelty goes too far. Shoko is forced to leave the school, and Shoya ends up shouldering all the blame. Six years later, the two meet again. Can Shoya make up for his past mistakes, or is it too late? Read the manga industry insiders voted their favorite of 2014! A very powerful story about being different and the consequences of childhood bullying... Read it. -Anime News NetworkThe word heartwarming was made for manga like this. -Manga Bookshelf
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Back-to-School Resources at Your Library The school year will soon be here, and we are ready to help your family or students make it a successful one! Whether your children are not in school yet, are homeschooled, attend public or private school, or you are a classroom teacher, your library card gives you access to a variety of free resources to support learning, creativity, and fun. Our online resources are available anytime, making it easy to learn at home or on the go. Educate Station offers printable worksheets for Pre-K through 5th grade in a variety of subjects. Little Pim is a fun language-learning app designed especially for young children. BookFlix pairs themed fiction and nonfiction books with interactive games and activities to build reading comprehension. LOTE (Languages Other Than English) provides children's books in many different languages, helping families enjoy stories together in the language they know best or are trying to learn. Novel Effect adds music, sound effects, and character voices as you read books aloud, creating an interactive storytelling experience. Looking for hands-on learning? Be sure to explore our Library of Things, where you can borrow educational kits and unique items with your library card. Early Literacy Kits include books and hands-on manipulatives that help young children explore concepts like letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and more. Adventure Kits feature books paired with games, activities, and learning materials centered around a specific topic. Listen & Play Kits include a Yoto Player, Tonies, or Story Dream Machine with stories that children can listen to independently. Storytime To-Go Kits combine books and themed manipulatives to bring the fun of storytime anywhere you are. These are just a few of the many resources available with your library card. Stop by Morrison-Talbott Library to explore everything we have to offer and discover new ways to learn, play, and create throughout the school year! Sincerely, Ms. Stephanie Youth Services Coordinator |
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In the 910s: Cataloger by Day, Library Tourist by Night
One of my favorite things to do when traveling (see Non-Fiction section 910) is visiting new libraries. I started this journey by accident in 2019 when I went to Springfield, Illinois, and visited the library there. After that, I made it a goal to visit a library whenever I travel. Since 2022, I have been fortunate enough to visit 15 libraries in 9 different states! They have ranged across the country from the Idaho Springs Public Library in Colorado (2022) all the way to the Z. J. Loussac Branch of the Anchorage Public Library in Alaska (2026).
Each library has its own atmosphere; I love seeing the merge between the historical and the modern in the architecture. I’m also always curious about how people utilize the space such as the study pods, teen-specific areas and local history sections. I’m especially drawn to things that make the space unique. For instance, the Harold Washington Library Center of the Chicago Public Library has a glass-domed Winter Garden on the top level of a nine-story building. My favorite thing to do is walk around, take pictures, and gather information to bring back to MTL.
One ritual I tend to follow is taking pictures of the building’s entrance, trying to include the name. It’s a fun memento for identifying which libraries I’ve been too, especially when I am lucky enough to visit more than one library per trip. I also enjoy browsing the stacks, finding new books to request, particularly books on cross stitch, as that is a personal hobby and the books can vary from region to region. If I’m able to, I try to sit and read and take in the quiet. It’s not often that I get to do so in my every day. I’m hoping to keep building my library map—collecting both places and the little lessons each one shares. Overall, these visits have turned into a way to connect with each place I travel – through the stories, the spaces and the people who use them. Next time you’re at MTL, drop by to browse Section 910. You never know where you might travel next, and when you do visit a new place, make sure to include the area’s library as a special site to see! Kara |
 Genealogy |
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 Illinois Libraries Present |
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