September Is National Library Card Sign-Up Month: Library Cards Empower Students and Fuel Academic Success

September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library joins the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide to remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning.

There is nothing more empowering than signing up for your own library card. Through access to technology, media resources and educational programs, a library card gives students the tools to succeed in the classroom and provides people of all ages opportunities to pursue their dreams and passions.

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library provides a wide variety of educational resources and activities, including ebooks and audiobooks, live on-demand homework help, virtual storytimes, ESL and Citizenship classes and more, helping transform lives and communities through education.

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library, along with libraries everywhere, continues to adapt and expand services to meet the evolving needs of our community. Digital library cards are available for individuals who do not have a Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library card, but wish to use our online resources. To sign up for a library card or to learn more about the library’s resources and programs, please visit www.montereypark.ca.gov/library.

This year, DC’s Wonder Woman is embarking on a mission to champion the power of a library card as Library Card Sign-up Month Honorary Chair. In her new role, Wonder Woman will promote the value of libraries and encourage everyone to get their very own library card.

Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the ALA and libraries unite together in a national effort to ensure every child signs up for their own library card.

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library is the City’s public library located at 318 South Ramona Avenue, Monterey Park, CA 91754. Library staff is available to answer questions by telephone Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. You can also “Text a Librarian” via the new two-way text service with Gabbie® by texting to 626-283-6062 during open hours for information about your account, questions about books or programs, or assistance with library services. For more City of Monterey Park news and information, please visit the City website at www.montereypark.ca.gov.

Think Two Steps Ahead, September is Pedestrian Safety Month

September is Pedestrian Safety Month and Monterey Park Police Department is reminding the community throughout the month about the importance of looking out for one another.

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing how we get around, but the measures we can take to keep pedestrians safe are the same.

“We are all staying at home more, which means more of us are out walking for exercise or fresh air,” Monterey Park Police Chief Kelly Gordon said. “Be alert, careful and mindful of those around you so we are all able to get home safely.”

Monterey Park Police Department offers the following tips for pedestrians and drivers:

Pedestrians

• Ditch the distractions. Keep your eyes up and phones down, especially when crossing the street.
• Always use marked crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals.
• Make eye contact and nod or wave at drivers. A quick nod or wave is an easy way to let a driver know you see them, and they see you.
• Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see. Get in the habit of walking with a flashlight or wearing a reflective vest so it is easier for drivers to spot you.
• If you need to briefly walk into the street to maintain social distancing on sidewalks, remember to look both ways for cars.

Drivers

• Slow down on busy streets and intersections.
• Avoid distractions, which includes cell phones, eating, using in-dash touch screens, or turning to talk to passengers.
• Be extra careful approaching crosswalks. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians. Stop prior to the crosswalk.
• Try to avoid blocking the crosswalk when making a right-hand turn.
• Have your headlights on and slow down at night when pedestrians are harder to see.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

City of Monterey Park to Offer Home Delivery of Library Materials to Local Seniors

Starting in mid-September, the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library will launch a new monthly home delivery service for patrons who are homebound due to age or disability.

Monterey Park residents ages 60 and older and disabled residents who are not able to physically visit the library are eligible to receive monthly delivery of up to five books, CDs or audiobooks to their homes. An application and a valid Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library card are required to sign-up for this program.

Through the Library’s Home Delivery Program, eligible patrons will be paired with a Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library staff member to assist them with materials selection and scheduling delivery service. This service is offered in partnership with the City’s Recreation and Community Services Department and delivery of materials will be provided by drivers with the City of Monterey Park’s Dial-a-Ride Service.

To learn more about eligibility and to apply for the Home Delivery program, please contact the Reference Desk at 626-307-1368 or visit the library’s website at www.montereypark.ca.gov/library.

COVID-19 Update: LA County to Allow Limited Operations for Schools, Salons & Barbershops

LA County to Allow Limited On-Campus Operations for Schools and Limited Indoor Operations of Salons and Barbershops

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, in consultation with the Board of Supervisors, has revised the Health Officer Order to allow for limited, on-campus operation for schools in L.A. County, as well as limited indoor operations of Hair Salons and Barbershops.

Beginning Monday, September 14, 2020 schools K-12 may offer in-school services for small cohorts of students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP), students requiring instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) or students needing assessments or specialized in-school services, as long as the school is able to fully implement the Health Officer’s re-opening protocols.

Public Health will not be opening the waiver program for instruction of students in grades TK-6 as the department monitors the implementation of this effort to safely get students needing specialized in-school services back to school.

Hair salons and barbershops can re-open for indoor services at 25% occupancy provided they are in full compliance with the Health Officer’s protocols. The Order encourages these businesses to continue outdoor operations when possible, and to offer indoor operations for those services that cannot be provided outdoors. This Order is in effect beginning immediately.

All other current restrictions remain unchanged at this time. The Reopening Protocols, COVID-19 Surveillance Interactive Dashboard, Roadmap to Recovery, Recovery Dashboard, and additional things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community are on the Public Health website at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov.

The City of Monterey Park will continue to monitor Health Officer Orders and will provide accurate and timely updates. Please continue to check the city website for updates at www.montereypark.ca.gov/coronavirus.

MPK Bruggemeyer Library Celebrates Healthy Aging Month with “Get Fit While You Sit” Video Programs

The Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library recently launched a “Get Fit While You Sit” video series of seated and low impact exercises to increase flexibility, improve posture, and exercise the brain. These workouts are great for senior citizens or anyone who would benefit from gentle, seated exercise and stretching. Workouts will be led in English and Mandarin. To view the “Get Fit While You Sit” videos, please go to http://www.montereypark.ca.gov/1326/Get-Fit-While-You-Sit.

Residents can also celebrate Healthy Aging Month by checking out our brand new health and wellness books through Contactless Checkout or Library Home Delivery. To search for and request materials for Contactless Checkout please visit the library’s website at www.montereypark.ca.gov/library or contact the Reference Desk at 626-307-1368.

Monterey Park residents ages 60 and older and disabled residents who are not able to physically visit the library are eligible to receive monthly delivery of up to five books, CDs or audiobooks to their homes through the library’s Home Delivery program. This service is offered in partnership with the city’s Recreation and Community Services Department and delivery of materials is provided by drivers with the City of Monterey Park’s Dial-a-Ride Service. To learn more about eligibility and to apply for the Home Delivery program, please contact the Reference Desk at 626-307-1368 or visit the library’s website at www.montereypark.ca.gov/library.

Residents can always access vetted health information through the library’s Online Health Resource Center at https://www.montereypark.ca.gov/1270/Online-Consumer-Health-Resource-Center.

The “Get Fit While You Sit” program is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.