Fall is in the air, and with the changing season, you might be wondering what has changed at the library. 

For the most part, operations are the same as they were in the summer. We are still continuing to operate our curbside service Tuesday - Friday from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. We are processing hundreds of orders weekly, and returned items continue to be subject to a 72 hour sanitization period. 

One new thing that is pretty hard to miss at the library is our new bookstop, located near our front entrance. Skagit Transit kindly donated a bus stop to the library so that as the rain inevitably approaches, we have a dry spot to place curbside orders for our walkup patrons, as we will continue curbside service into next year.

Our Youth Services department has been keeping busy creating virtual storytimes, hands-on activity packets, and booklists. Be sure to follow the library on Facebook or Instagram to stay up-to-date with all the latest youth happenings, as well as other library info.  

If you haven't checked out the Youth page on our website recently, it's been freshly updated, and there you can find videos created by Mount Vernon City Library Youth Services Librarians, links to educational resources, booklists, and download extension activities for you and your kiddos to do at home.  

At the bottom of the newsletter you'll find more detailed information on all of the youth programs happening right now. 

Also, as you might have heard, the Governor’s State’s Safe Start plan was updated on October 6 to allow libraries to offer some in-building activities at 25% capacity.

While we are very excited that we are now permitted to provide limited in-person services, it will take a little while to meet the new requirements. We are diligently adapting the building, computer stations, and signage as required.  We will welcome you back as soon as we met the guidelines and funding requirements. The health and safety of the public and staff will be a top priority in developing our re-opening plans.

We thank you for your patience as we work toward creating a timeline, and we will let you know as soon as we have new information to share. 

In the meantime, please watch our website for information on some exciting new service offerings in the coming weeks including craft kits, wi-fi access locations, and reading lists to name just a few things. 

...

Mount Vernon Library Foundation Launces Adopt a Periodical Program

Budget cuts to the library have meant staff members, fewer books, and NO periodicals in the 2021 budget. You can be part of an effort to save the periodical section of the Mount Vernon Library by “adopting” a magazine.

Donate the subscription cost of a magazine you like to the library through the Mount Vernon Library Foundation.

It’s easy, check the list of the most popular magazines, choose one, fill out the form, and donate the cost of a year’s subscription. Your name will appear on the shelf label below the magazine.

If the magazine you want to adopt is taken or you don’t have a favorite, you can donate any amount to be put toward our goal of $3500 to keep the service alive for the 2021 budget year.

Click here to adopt a periodical today!

New Craft of the Month Program

Thanks to inspiration from our friends at the Everett Public Library, we are happy to announce our new Craft of the Month Program for adults and teens! Kits will include directions and supplies to create a craft.

October's craft is paperback pumpkins where you can use an old book to create a 3-D pumpkin. If you’re interested in a kit, simply place a hold on a kit in our online catalog by searching “Craft of the Month Kit”, and we will notify you when it is ready for pickup.

Place a hold on a kit now!

...

New Items at the Library

We've added several new items to our collection. Click on each image to be taken to our online catalog containing items in that category. 

Click here to see MCVL Booklists that identify some of the best books in our collection, as well as new titles that have recently hit the shelves.

...

Storytime To Go

While the library is closed to the public, we’ll be offering Storytime To Go - online weekly read alouds and activities for you to share at home with your kiddos. 

Each week on Tuesday, we’ll be posting a link to an online story and movement, math, and hands on activities. You’ll be able to enjoy a storytime experience in the comfort of your own home, and as your schedule allows. 

Watch the latest Storytime To Go

Download "Leonardo, the Terrible Monster" Activity Guide

...

After School Special

After School Special is a bi-monthly publication of fun activities for school-aged kids that will be published on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month. Activities include art, cooking, STEM, games, book recommendations, and more!

Pick up a paper activity guide at one of the four Little Free Library locations in Mount Vernon, or download a digital copy.

Download the latest After School Special Activity Guide: October 9 - Autumn Harvest

...

Hora de cuentos bilingüe / Bilingual Storytime

Online weekly read alouds of bilingual books every Thursday with themed activities to accompany the story and encourage readers to think beyond the book.

Watch the latest Bilingual Storytime 

Download the "Empanadas that Abuela Made" Activity Guide