Press Release: Bear Visits Mammoth Lakes Library
on Pooh's 100th
Oct 14, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Early Riser: Bear Lets Itself Into Mammoth Lakes Library, Raids
Snacks on Winnie-the-Pooh's 100th Birthday

MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. (October 14, 2026) — On the very day the world marks 100 years since A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh was first published, a black bear made its way inside the Mammoth Lakes Library branch of the Mono County Free Libraries before opening hours — and, in a tribute no one asked for, went straight for the honey.

The Visit
Director of Libraries, Josef Bopp, shared that the bear entered the library at approximately 6:20 a.m, well before public opening at 10:00am. Upon entering, the bear went straight for the staff snack cabinet, where it helped itself to peanut butter, a selection of peach cups, a pawful of cookies and — of course — one jar of honey.

Satiated, the bear then took a full tour of the library, perusing the new releases and inspecting the reference desk before, evidently content with its visit, letting itself out and departing for the day. Although library staff often work long hours outside of open hours to support our facilities, programs and services, no staff were present at the time of this visit. Remarkably, no damage was reported. No shelves were toppled and no books were harmed.

"While we love an enthusiastic patron, and we understand the excitement of the centennial," said Bopp, “we do remind patrons- and perhaps more importantly our bears- that snacks are not part of the circulating collection." Pooh may be cuddly, but Mammoth's bears are wild and we have great respect for our furry neighbors. Upon finding all the doors locked and secured, exactly how the bear entered the library remains a mystery. We continue to work with local officials and experts to ensure good stewardship and support of our local bears and wildlife.

Bear visit or not, we encourage visitors and locals alike to stop by one of our seven branches across Mono County. Whether you’re looking for a good book, a community program, or a friendly welcome, there’s a library branch waiting to serve you.

A Very Important Anniversary
Winnie-the-Pooh was first published on October 14, 1926, introducing readers to a "Bear of Very Little Brain" with a very large appetite for honey. One hundred years later, the timing of the curious bears visit seems more than a coincidence.

The library invites the community (human members only) to celebrate the centennial by visiting any of the seven branches of the Mono County Free Libraries a department of the Mono County Office of Education for a copy of Winnie-the-Pooh, or related bear titles!

On A Serious Note
Residents and visitors are reminded to help protect our bears:

• Keep a safe distance and never approach or feed a bear
• Use bear-resistant trash containers and keep car doors and windows closed and locked
• Report bear encounters to Mammoth Lakes Police Department 760-932-7549, option 7. Or 911 in an
emergency.

Special thanks to the Mammoth Lakes Police Department for their support in clearing the building to ensure staff safety when they arrived. As Pooh himself might say, it's best to think, think, think before getting too close.

To help keep our Mammoth Lakes branch stocked with books, programs, and (bear-proof) story times, consider supporting the Mammoth Lakes Friends of the Library!

Donate @ Mammoth Lakes Friends of the Library PayPal

Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mammoth Library Mono County Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library Joe Bopp Mono County Library Mammoth Library 

Fifteen Sustainable California Libraries to Host Climate-focused Projects in 2026-2027 Cohort

For Immediate Release:
Oct. 14, 2026
Contact: Jeff Barbosa
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

[Sacramento, Calif.] — Seeds libraries will sprout, less water will be wasted and more resources will be reused, repurposed or recycled through projects at 15 California public libraries as part of the fourth year of the Sustainable California Libraries initiative.

Projects span the state — from Glenn County in the north to Riverside County in the south — and represent 12 California counties that serve rural, suburban and urban communities.

“Libraries are all about sustainability. Lending and reusing books saves money, energy and resources. Who better to raise awareness of climate issues and smart and cost-effective sustainability practices than libraries,” said California State Librarian Greg Lucas.

“Besides that, seed and tool lending libraries are just about the coolest thing ever.”

Examples of some local programs supported by the State Library include seed and tool lending services, programs on preparing for disasters, climate change, and living with urban wildlife, as well as workshops on conserving water, reducing waste, and how to compost, mend and repair.

Local partners include University of California Master Gardeners, sustainability, public works and county health departments, disaster and emergency response organizations, colleges, and local bike, repair, and environmental nonprofits.

As part of the project, nine California libraries joined the national Sustainable Libraries Initiative, which helps library workers address climate change by sharing practical tips, training and educational programs with their communities. Cohort members will share best practices with staff across California during a Sustainability Summit in Summer 2027.

The 2026-2027 cohort includes:

• Alameda County Library
• Carpinteria Community Library
• Cerritos Library
• Fresno County Public Library
• Irvine Public Library
• Mission Viejo Library
• Mono County Free Libraries
• Moreno Valley Public Library
• Oakland Public Library
• Orland Free Library
• Oxnard Public Library
• Riverside County Library System
• Stockton San Joaquin County Public Library
• Sunnyvale Public Library
• Sutter County Library
  
  

The Sustainable California Libraries initiative is funded in whole or in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. Sustainable California Libraries is presented in partnership with the Pacific Library Partnership in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

# END RELEASE TEXT #

About the State Library: Established in 1850, the California State Library is the central reference and research library for state government and the Legislature. The library collection includes more than 4 million titles, 6,000 maps and 250,000 photographs, and includes an extensive collection of documents from and about the state’s rich history. Around the state, the State Library serves California’s local libraries, providing more than $500 million state and federal funds to support public libraries and deliver statewide library programs and services such as the free Parks Pass program in public libraries, Lunch at the Library during school breaks and holidays, and a statewide eBook library with diverse titles in 20+ languages. State Library Website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Mono County Free Libraries Launches 'Libraries with Heart' Offering Free Blood Pressure Tools And More to Patrons

 July 1, 2026

[Mammoth Lakes, CA] — Patrons across Mono County now have access to blood pressure machines to manage a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. These resources are available as part of "Libraries with Heart," supported by the American Heart Association and devoted to a healthier future for all.

Mono County Free Libraries have three in-library use blood pressure machines branches in Mammoth Lakes, Bridgeport, and Coleville. Additionally, all librarycard holders also have the option to check out blood pressure monitoring kits for at-home measurement the same way they check out a book. These kits are available now at all seven branch locations. 

“We are proud to bring these resources and materials to Mono County,” said Josef Bopp, Director of Libraries. “Access to health information and tools is vital, especially considering the ratio of patients to primary care physicians in our county stands at 1,440 to 1. The 'Libraries with Heart' program also supported significant additions to our collections of health-focused books, which helps close that gap by giving residents a trusted, free place to turn to for reliable health information.”

Mono County Free Libraries joins this statewide effort to bring accessible, free heart-health resources directly to the communities it serves. Residents can visit their local branch to learn more about blood pressure monitoring, borrow a kit, and connect with educational materials from the American Heart Association. The 'Libraries with Heart' program can be found in counties serving ruralCalifornia residents, including Mono County. Visit https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/california/california-libraries-with-heart to see exact locations.

“Libraries are a trusted source of information in rural communities across California,” said Rebecca Wendt, Deputy State Librarian with the California State Library. “Because high blood pressure is a major health concern, people can now access tools and information that support heart health through rural libraries across the state. Participating libraries provide access to blood pressure cuffs, along with American Heart Association resources that explain how measure blood pressure correctly, understand readings, and connect with local care providers for follow-up care.”

High blood pressure is known as the silent killer because usually it has no symptoms. The only way to know if someone has high blood pressure is to get it checked, according to the American Heart Association. Almost half of U.S. adults — 47.3% — have high blood pressure, increasing their risk for heart attack, stroke or kidney disease. These poor health outcomes can potentially be avoided if high blood pressure is managed. Unfortunately, many people are not even aware that their blood pressure is elevated, and the use of a blood pressure monitor might be difficult because of cost or lack of access. Libraries with Heart aims to improve the health of local communities by making these resources readily available for free for those who need them.

“Managing blood pressure should feel simple and within reach for everyone,” said Alan Shatzel, Jr., DO, MBA, FAASM, American Heart Association volunteer medical expert and Western States Board of Directors President Elect. “Libraries with Heart connects Californians to essential health tools and reliable information at a trusted and accessible place. This allows users to take meaningful steps toward better health and reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2024

Mono County Free Libraries Receives Save the Children Grant to Expand Bilingual and Spanish-Language Collections for Youth

[Mammoth Lakes, CA] — Mono County Free Libraries today announced it has received a grant from Save the Children to support a major initiative aimed at making its youth and children's collections more inclusive, accurate, and representative of the communities it serves. The award is equivalent to a 50% increase in the library system's annual book budget, underscoring the scale of the investment in equitable access to literature.

"Every young person in Mono County deserves to see themselves reflected on our shelves and to find books that speak to who they are," said Josef Bopp, Director and Chief Librarian for Mono County Free Libraries. "This grant lets us do more than update our titles — it lets us build a collection that truly welcomes every reader who walks through our doors, in the language that feels like home to them. We're deeply grateful to Save the Children for investing in that vision."

For the year-long grant, library staff will undertake a comprehensive review and modernization of the youth nonfiction collection, along with the Spanish-language and bilingual fiction collections for emerging and youth readers. The project will remove outdated and insensitive titles while significantly expanding the availability of Spanish and bilingual books, ensuring patrons have access to current, relevant, and culturally responsive materials.

A central goal of the project is to bring representation in these collections into closer alignment with the community the library serves. The library anticipates that the modernized collection will benefit a wide range of patrons, including children and youth developing their reading skills, students working on school projects, and Spanish-speaking and bilingual residents and visitors throughout the county.

To ensure the newly added titles reflect the interests and needs of local readers, Mono County Free Libraries will distribute a community survey inviting patrons to help shape the direction and focus of the collection. Input gathered through the survey will directly inform title selections throughout the project.

Mono County Free Libraries expects the completed project to result in a more welcoming, current, and reliable resource for readers of all backgrounds — one that better reflects the diversity of the communities it serves and strengthens the library's role as a trusted place to learn, explore, and grow.