The words “I Have a Dream” are known by many people across the nation and even around the world. While these words are often the first thing many learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., also known as MLK Jr., it is also commonly where their knowledge ends on the civil rights activist. With Martin Luther king Jr. Day approaching on Monday, January 17, it is the perfect time to learn more about the activist and the cause he lived for. Check out our list of MLK Jr. books for all ages!

Creator Spotlight: Mike Mignola

Mike Mignola is an American artist and writer most famously known for his work at Dark Horse Publishing where we created the character Hellboy and it's various spin-offs and sister series. Before that he worked for both Marvel and DC as both a penciler and inker on a number of series as well as a cover artist for several Batman issues. Famed comic book creator Alan Moore has described Mignola's style as that of "German expressionism meets Jack Kirby." Below are some of the comics and novels featuring his work both in our catalog and on Hoopla. 

As we slowly creep into fall and the weather gradually gets cooler and the leaves change, it's the perfect time to dig into some spooky series. Looking for an engaging book for your little ghoul? Look no further than some of these creepy cute series for younger readers! These are perfect series for reluctant or struggling readers as well as those just getting into chapter books. You'll notice that serval of these books feature covers with Scholastic's "Branches" dog-ear that signify it as a beginner chapter book.

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place between September 15th and October 15th every year in the United States and it's a great time to showcase new books featuring Latinx creators and subjects, I've chosen some of my favorites from our graphics collection below, including some new releases!

America Vol. 1: The Life & Times of America Chavez by Gabby Rivera & Joe Quiñones

Art by Marshall Rogers, Script by Steve Englehart from Batman: Dark Detective, DC Comics, 2005

Batman Day is typically celebrated on the third Saturday in September, which falls on the September 18 this year. The worldwide celebration dates back to 2014 for the 75th anniversary of the character where the first Batman Day was held on July 23rd to coincide with San Diego Comic Con. In honor of the occasion I have complied ten of my favorite stories of the Caped Crusader we currently have available- below you'll find some great stories available in print in our catalog as well as digitally on Hoopla:

The Show Must Go On!

Broadway will soon be back, but if you can’t wait, check out some of these films adapted from Broadway hits. All are available from HMCPL.

Cabaret (1972)

By now might have seen WandaVision, or certainly seen the Agatha memes making their rounds on the internet. WandVision is one of the latest installments in the MCU (along with The Falcon & The Winter Soldier) released on the streaming service Disney Plus, taking place after the events of Avengers: End Game and following the Scarlet Witch and featuring some familiar faces and lots of nods to the original source material. Below I've put together a list of some relevant titles available in the catalog and online through Hoopla to further your witchy cravings if you're still looking for more after binging the series:

On June 22, we celebrate the birth of Octavia E. Butler, a world-renowned dystopian and science fiction writer. Octavia E. Butler was born in Pasadena, California in 1947 and died on February 24, 2006. She won several awards including the MacArthur Foundation "Genius" Grant and Hugo Award for Best Novelette for her fascinating and poignant works that explored racial injustices, climate change, and several other critical topics.

The Parable Series:

Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19th and is also called Emancipation Day, Liberation Day, Jubilee Day, or Freedom Day and celebrates the emancipation of slaves in the United States and originated in Glaveston, Texas on the date in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom from slavery in the state of Texas. In the 21st century the holiday is celebrated throughout the United States in a variety of ways, I've been together a few of books from our collection to share with your children to learn more about the history behind this holiday:

The American Library Association has named June "Rainbow Book Month," - a month to highlight the authors and books that reflect the lives and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. This book list includes not only fiction, but memoirs, essay collections, history of LGBTQIA+ and more- all recommended by our librarians. Click on the cover of each book to access the catalog.

 Nonfiction Collection (Juvenile, Young Adult, and Adult):