Library News

Families often seem to be in a flurry around the holidays, and so are library staff! We want to make your libraries festive and fun this holiday season so you have a place to enjoy a little peace. That doesn't mean all will be quiet--from our library buildings you'll hear music, and singing, and storytelling. There will be crafts and decorations, and visits from Santa. You may even spot the Grinch at Central during their Open House! So please join us this season at one or more of our Branch Open Houses and holiday programs.

The Toys for Tots donation drive continues through Dec. 10th. The Marine Toys for Tots Program partnered with The Montgomery County Memorial Library System (MCMLS) in November and December. The community may donate by providing new, unwrapped toys at one of our seven library locations. For directions, go to our website at countylibrary.org/locations.php. Donations go to children in Montgomery and surrounding counties.

An estimated 500 pounds of food was collected in November by MCMLS for the Montgomery County Food Bank. Patrons were given the opportunity to donate non perishable canned goods and packaged food to have their overdue item fines waived. Thank you for also giving back to the community during the holiday season!

The Montgomery County Memorial Library System is promoting our library services across the County in unexpected places and spaces to help spread the word about library services through fun reading opportunities.

In waiting rooms and every day business locations such as clinics, nail salons, and restaurants around the County, a simple Library sign and a little QR code helps give participants a taste of the library’s collection of titles and an opportunity to try out something new.

This new Montgomery County Memorial Library Services tool is called ePopUp and gives the public access to a special collection of titles found in MCMLS libraries. Showcasing the ebooks through a quick registration portal and mini digital library, users can browse the ePopUp selections and choose what to read.

The ePopUp is for those people who may not know about MCMLS or do not have a library card. This sampling—books that may be checked out for 14 days—also encourages people to then come to their local MCMLS Branch for more titles and to obtain a library card.

The ePopUp is a collection tool created by Baker and Taylor, a leader in library content, software and more. MCMLS partners with Baker and Taylor to help share the Library’s digital collection with other partner locations in your community for instant access to digital content on any mobile phone, tablet or computer.

The Genealogy & Local History Room hosted Moxxy Forensic Investigations in November as part of the 2024 Gulf Coast Reads initiative. Gulf Coast Reads is an annual regional reading initiative in the fall focused on promoting the simultaneous reading or listening to a selected title by those living along the upper Texas Gulf Coast.

This year’s title, “Night Will Find You” by Julia Heaberlin, was a perfect match for the important work of Moxxy Forensics who use DNA and genetic genealogy to bring closure to cases of unidentified human remains. Moxxy is a nonprofit corporation based in The Woodlands, Texas. Moxxy staff discussed the methodology and results of several successful cases involving DNA extraction and how database matches can find clues for law enforcement to pursue.

Genealogy Librarian Laura Politte, who worked with Reference Librarian Audrey Manchester to host the program in the Genealogy Room at the Conroe Central Library, said “This program was a perfect choice for the Genealogy Room to host. The popularity of true crime podcasts and television shows paired with a compelling novel creates a whole new audience for genealogy and history. It’s another way for us to show that our collection is relevant in so many ways."

Every year the Friends of the Charles B. Stewart-West Branch Library turn the library into a festival of trees for their silent auction during the holidays. These miniature Christmas trees are decorated by various sponsors, such as the Friends , National Charity League, or local graduating class, and provide an opportunity for the community to bid on decorated trees with special themes. The funds go to the Friends who then sponsor various Library programs, including Summer Reading. Take a peek below at the beautifully decorated trees, or come in person to the Stewart-West Library in Montgomery to view them through Dec. 12th!

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104 I-45 North

Conroe, TX 77301

936-539-7814

countylibrary.org