There's More to MCPL than Books!

Many people think libraries are just a storehouse for books where the hard-nosed cardigan-wearing librarian says “Shhh!” all the time. That might be true of libraries of old, but not for your Montgomery City Public Library. While books are still at the core of MCPL, your library has so much more to offer! There are almost 25,000 books, magazines, audiobooks on CD, DVDs, games, kits, puzzles, and reference materials in MCPL’s collection. Since MCPL is part of the Missouri Evergreen consortium with 60+ member libraries, patrons have access to a collection of over 4 million items!

A library card is free for those who live within Montgomery City limits because they pay a yearly library tax. Those who live outside of the city limits of Montgomery City pay $25 a year for a library card because they do not pay a library tax. One hardback book from Barnes and Nobles would cost about $25.00. However, a library patron has access to the more than 4 million items in Missouri Evergreen. Now that’s a great deal!

The Montgomery City Public Library is also a community center at its heart. You’ll be warmly greeted as you enter your library. There are meeting rooms for local clubs and businesses and quiet places for people to study, work, or read. You can often hear giggles and laughter coming from the little ones in the play-oriented children’s department. We look forward to our regulars who come in weekly and are excited when new folks come to get their first card. Come in for a tour and you’ll be surprised!

There are monthly FREE programs for all ages including preschool Story Time Adventures (weekly during the school year), Lego Club (all ages), After Hours Teen Night, the Page Turners and ABC Book Clubs (adults), and Adult Arts and Crafts. The Needle Arts Gathering and the Books & Beyond Club for developmentally disabled adults also meet monthly. MCPL hosts a Community Read and Conversation around issues that people in Montgomery County face. The library also hosts author events, movie nights, and other special performances throughout the year. There is an annual summer reading program for babies-preschool, school-age children, teens, and adults during June and July. These programs are free and do not require a library card for participation.

The Creation Station was added in 2021-2022, giving patrons many ways to explore their creativity, try new things, and even promote their own businesses. We currently have three Cricut cutting machines, a heat press, a Janome sewing machine, a virtual reality (VR) headset, a digital camera, a photo scanner, and a design computer with Adobe Creative Cloud software. Free training is available on each of these items. The Creation Station was provided by an IMLS grant under the provision of the LSTA by the Missouri State Library. 

MCPL has a Library of Things that many patrons and community members might not know about.  The Library of Things has items that are not usual library fare.  We have puzzles, games, fishing poles, a photo scanner, a projector and screen, a telescope, a metal detector, a GoPro camera, a digital camera, two microscopes, STEAM to Go kits, and Memories Matter kits that can be checked out.  

STEAM to Go kits are very popular Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math kits for children. There are twenty-eight kits in all for ages PreK-3rd grade and 4th grade and up. There are many topics like science, math, phonics, construction, art, and games. Each kit contains a book on the topic as well as 2-4 activities that go along with it. They are a super fun way for kids to learn. These can be checked out one at a time. The STEAM to Go kits were provided by IMLS under the provisions of the LSTA by the Missouri State Library.

Also included in the Library of Things are the Memories Matter kits.  These kits are geared toward senior citizens who have dementia, Alzheimer's, and/or who want to keep their minds sharp.  Some kit topics include dogs, cats, oceans, space, farms, gardens, patriotic, homemaker, handyman, and the great outdoors.  There are kits about each of the four seasons and for the decades of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.  Most kits contain a DVD, discussion cards, a book, and 1-3 activities.  These kits are to spark conversations, memories, and cognitive skills in senior citizens.  The Memories Matter kits were provided by IMLS under the provisions of the LSTA by the Missouri State Library.

As you can see, there is so much more to the Montgomery City Public Library than books! We invite you and your family to visit MCPL and take advantage of all that it offers. Feel free to call us at 573-564-8022 or email us at mcplmo@gmail.com if you have questions or would like more information.