MAY NEWS | 2023

MAY IN MEMPHIS

Cossitt Reopens!

After great anticipation, downtown Memphis's newly renovated Cossitt Library is open for business. Cossitt reopened on April 11 and has welcomed old customers and those who've just discovered the building.

The renovated space includes a performance area, maker spaces, podcasting and video studios, virtual reality, and a cafe. Chef Eli Townsend will operate Dos Hermanos Cafe and expects to open the week of May 8. Inside the library is a mural representing the Cossitt Sit-Ins and the fight to fully desegregate the library system and other public buildings in the City of Memphis. In addition, Cossitt staff are ramping up programs. Connect to the Cossitt Library on memphislibrary.org or go to Cossitt's Facebook page for the latest happenings. Facebook Page Here!

FEATURED EVENTS

Explore Memphest

Do you love Memphis? We do! Join us for this year's first Explore Memphest at the Benjamin L. Hooks Public Library! Enjoy free food from The Check-In, live music from The Turnstyles and Hurricane Elvis, learn about what your libraries and community organizations have to offer, and for inspiring entertainment, go on a Storywalk with your child at this family-friendly event. If you can't make this event, there will be an Explore Memphest celebration every month, all summer long, at different branches around the city.

Dig Memphis: The Schwab Collection

Have you ever wondered what is in the basement of Beale Street's oldest store? The answer? Boxes and boxes of records that document  A. Schwab and Beale Street's past. StoryBoard Memphis, the Memphis Public Library (MPL), and A. Schwab are collaborating to make the store's archives digitally available on MPL's Dig Memphis Digital Archives. So check out Dig Memphis archives and be on the lookout for a special MPL announcement this week that will have you digging through the archives to unearth treasures deep within Beale Streets' oldest store.

COMIC CON

Comic Con

The inaugural Memphis Public Libraries Comic Con is on Saturday, May 6, at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library! Join legendary comic creators Mike Norton and John Ostrander and more than 40 local vendors selling art, comics, toys, prints, graphic novels, art supplies, and more! The first 200 people in attendance get free graphic novels. In addition, there will be a Cosplay contest for teens and adults and a trivia contest, with the winners receiving gift cards from 901 Comics. Ostrander and Norton will sign comic books all day and participate in a panel discussion at 2 PM.

MOTHER'S DAY

Mother's Day

Spend Mother's Day with Memphis Public Libraries. Our branches are celebrating Mother all month! We have Senior Beauty Day at the Levi Library, where customers will be pampered free of charge! You can create Mother's Day cards at the South Branch or be our guest for a Beauty and the Beast Tea Party at East Shelby. You can decorate a flower vase for Mom at the Whitehaven Library or make a fantastic sugar scrub at the Bartlett Public Library. Check out the event calendar to see how we celebrate Mom this month.

FEATURED EVENTS

Move Your Feet

You can keep your feet moving with Memphis Public Libraries, from Yoga class to Aerobics to the Sassy Seniors Exercise Class. If you want to learn how to train for a triathlon, don't miss Wellness Wednesday at the Bartlett Public Library. You will learn all you need to know for race day.

Use Your Hands

Pottery, knitting, fabric collages, sewing, and the Sidewalk Chalk Challenge are crafty programs at Memphis Public Libraries to keep your hands busy. These hands-on classes are for more than just adults. Teens are also kept busy in CLOUD901. 

FEATURED EVENTS

Brain Power

Do you want to learn how electricity works? Would you like to learn a new language like Spanish or improve your computer skills? Do you need help learning how to operate your new phone? Then check out all MPL offers that will stimulate your mind and improve your skill set.

Celebrate & Enjoy

From Sound Branch Field Day to Levi Library's 4th annual Community Fest, Memphis Public Libraries wants you to have fun. Celebrate National Space Day at the Cordova Library and Game Day at the North Branch. If you are looking for fun activities, check out what we offer.

MPL EXPANDS LINC 211 SERVICES

MPL Expands LINC 211 Services

Two full-time social workers and outreach specialists will be based at five Memphis Public Library Branches around the city. Customers that need assistance can also access services at any Memphis Library location by calling 211 and setting up an appointment at their local library branch. Some of the things social workers can assist customers with are housing and food assistance, mental health services, or job placement.

Social Workers and outreach specialists will be at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, Whitehaven, East Shelby, Hollywood, and Raleigh from 10 AM to 6 PM Monday thru Friday. The service is free to anyone who needs assistance. Here is a video that explains the recent expansion. Click Here for more info!

FEATURED EVENTS

VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Volunteer Leadership Conference

The Start Here Volunteer Leadership Conference is designed to engage and educate nonprofit and civic leaders on ways to develop their organization’s volunteer program. This 2-day conference will consist of a welcome reception and nine educational sessions. Who should attend the Start Here Volunteer Leadership Conference?  Those seeking quality professional development opportunities that focus on the key areas of volunteer management, including personal readiness, organizational readiness, engagement, and sustainability of volunteer efforts.

GIMMIE 5!

Gimmie 5!

Do you love all the great programs, books, and spaces your library offers? Then help keep your library strong by giving your library 5!

For May, the 5th month of the year, the Memphis Library Foundation hopes you will "gimme 5!" Give $5, or $5/month! Join us in supporting your local libraries and all they offer by giving the Memphis Library Foundation 5!

WAYS TO SUPPORT THE LIBRARY

TURN THE PAGE TO JUNE

Explore Memphis

Get Ready for Explore Memphis 2023! From June 1 thru July 31, we will have a summer lineup of programs to keep you busy and entertained.

No Tears Project Memphis

Stay tuned for more information about this exciting and impactful series of community events taken place from June 10th - 14th.