As we welcome August, we're reminded that libraries are built not only with books, but with people.

Over the past few weeks, many of you have taken the time to complete our Community Survey. Thank you. Your thoughtful responses are helping us reflect on everything MEL has accomplished over the years while giving us valuable direction for what comes next. Every suggestion, idea, and comment brings us closer to creating the vibrant space our community envisions. If you haven't yet shared your thoughts, there's still time we'd be grateful to hear from you through the survey link here.

This month also carries a special sense of gratitude. We recently said goodbye to Barry Zahn, whose years of dedicated service, wisdom, and unwavering commitment helped shape the Mérida English Library into the welcoming place it is today. As we honor that legacy, we continue looking ahead. August is filled with opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate from our International Embroidery Day Celebration with the Consejo Estatal de Bordadoras de Yucatán to family activities like the Game On, talks, and new community programs. Together, these events reflect what MEL is thriving as a place where people of all ages come together through books, ideas, art, culture and friendship.

Join us on Saturday, August 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for Threads of Identity, a celebration of the rich textile traditions of Yucatán presented in collaboration with the Yucatán State Council of Female Embroiderers.

This unique event offers much more than an exhibition. Throughout the morning, master artisans will demonstrate traditional embroidery techniques, many of them considered heritage stitches that are being preserved through dedicated rescue and revitalization efforts. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch these remarkable techniques come to life and speak directly with the women who continue to keep them alive.

At 10:30 a.m. don't miss our special fashion show featuring garments that were exhibited and recognized at ORIGINAL, Mexico's national initiative celebrating and protecting traditional textile arts. These extraordinary pieces showcase the creativity, skill, and cultural heritage of Yucatán's embroidery traditions.

The participating artisans will be joining us from communities including San José Oriente, Tekit, Tecoh, Maní, among others, generously sharing not only their beautiful work but also the stories, knowledge, and traditions behind every stitch.

Whether you're passionate about textiles, interested in Yucatán's cultural heritage, or simply looking for an inspiring way to spend your Saturday morning, we warmly invite you to attend. This is a rare opportunity to meet the artisans behind these extraordinary works and experience Yucatán's embroidery traditions firsthand. 

Admission is free. We hope you'll join us!

NEW! Family Game On at MEL 🎲

One of the most frequent suggestions in our recent Community Survey was simple:

"We'd love more activities for families." We're excited to share that we've been listening.

This August, we're launching Family Game On at MEL, a brand-new monthly program where children, parents, and friends can unplug, play board games, and spend quality time together in a fun, welcoming environment.

Whether you enjoy classic games or are eager to discover something new, there's a place at the table for everyone. A very special thank you to Todd, our Game Master, whose generous donation of games and enthusiasm have made this new program possible.

Saturday, August 15 -  9:30 AM – 12:30 PM. We hope you'll join us for our very first Family Game On!

Great news! Thanks to the wonderful response and enthusiastic interest from families, the MEL Summer Camp has been extended for two additional weeks!

The laughter, creativity, and excitement we've seen throughout the program have inspired us to keep the adventure going a little longer. Children will continue enjoying engaging activities, games, crafts, stories, and opportunities to learn English and make new friends in a fun, welcoming environment.

If you missed the first sessions, there's still time to join us! Spaces remain available, and we'd love to welcome even more young campers for these extra weeks of summer fun.

For registration details or more information, please contact us

It's almost time for our annual Summer Sale and as every bazaar, the library will open its doors to local artisans, makers, and small businesses, offering a wonderful variety of unique products—from handcrafted goods and home décor to clothing, gifts, accessories, and much more. It's the perfect opportunity to discover local talent while supporting our community.

The Summer Sale is also one of MEL's fundraising efforts. Throughout the sale, we'll be offering a selection of gently used treasures generously donated by our community, with 100% of proceeds supporting the Mérida English Library and its programs.

We'd Love Your Help!

Do you have quality items at home that you no longer use? Décor, household items, artwork, kitchenware, or other gently used goods can all find a new home while helping support MEL. Donations are warmly appreciated and make a real difference.

We're also currently welcoming vendors and artisans who would like to participate in this year's Summer Sale. If you'd like to showcase your products to the MEL community, we'd love to hear from you!

Whether you're shopping, donating, or participating as a vendor, thank you for helping make this community event a continued success.

Stay active, improve your well-being, and enjoy movement in a welcoming environment this August!

Tai Chi with Mónica González returns on Tuesday, August 11, with classes held every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Choose the option that works best for you:

$100 MXN per individual class / Special package: 8 sessions for $600 MXN

Looking for a gentle yet effective workout? Mat Pilates with Richie Poe continues every Friday in our comfortable, air-conditioned classroom.

Pricing: $200 MXN per individual class / Special package: 4 classes for $700 MXN

Whether you're looking to improve balance, flexibility, strength, or simply enjoy an hour dedicated to your health, we'd love to have you join us. You can select the dates that best fit your schedule when registering online or in person at MEL. Register online or stop by the library to reserve your spot!

We're delighted to welcome artist and poet Julie Marie Hoey back to MEL this September with a new  Painting Workshop designed for artists looking to strengthen their skills in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Classes begin Tuesday, September 1, 2026, and will run over six sessions during three weeks, meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each class is 90 minutes, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Throughout the workshop, participants will explore essential painting techniques, including:

• Color theory and color mixing
• Perspective and composition
• Light, shadow, and tone
• Brush techniques
• Developing an original acrylic painting

Julie will provide canvas paper for practice exercises. Participants will bring their own painting supplies, which are readily available at local art stores such as Arqline. A complete supply list will be provided upon registration.

Julie Marie Hoey is an internationally collected artist and published poet whose work has appeared in exhibitions, journals, and anthologies. Inspired by nature, light, and spirituality, she creates art that encourages exploration, creativity, and personal expression.

Registration is now open through the MEL Shop. For additional information about the workshop or materials, please contact Julie directly.

⭐ Featured Program: Modern Latin American Art and Politics 

An Eight-Session Course with Raúl Gasque

This fall, MEL is proud to present one of our most ambitious educational programs of the year.

Join renowned artist, curator, and educator Raúl Gasque for an immersive journey through the history of Modern Latin American Art, exploring how the region's greatest artists responded to revolutions, dictatorships, migration, indigenous movements, and the ongoing search for identity.

Rather than following a traditional chronological approach, this eight-session course examines the artistic evolution of eight Latin American countries, revealing how art became a powerful force in shaping national identity, preserving collective memory, and challenging political and cultural systems.

Participants will discover the work of many of Latin America's most influential artists while exploring major artistic movements and ideas, including Modernism, the Avant-Garde, Muralism, Indigenismo, Conceptual Art, Kinetic Art, Decolonial Thought, Memory Studies, and Contemporary Political Art.

Each three-hour session combines engaging lectures, visual analysis, lively discussion, and creative workshops, making this course ideal for anyone interested in art, history, culture, or Latin America.

Register today through the MEL Shop  and experience one of the most comprehensive explorations of Latin American art ever offered at the library.

The group will meet on Wednesday, August 5, and Wednesday, August 19, at 10:00 a.m.

Writers of all experience levels are welcome to join. Bring your current project and enjoy a morning of creativity, encouragement, and conversation.

Love great books and thoughtful conversations? Our next meeting will take place on Thursday, August 27, at 10:00 a.m.

This month's selection is Human Acts by Han Kang, a powerful and deeply moving novel that explores memory, humanity, grief, and resilience through the events surrounding the Gwangju Uprising in South Korea.

Coming Back Soon!

After a short summer break, some of MEL's favorite community programs will soon be returning!

Conversaciones con Amigos will once again bring people together for relaxed, language exchange and engaging conversations in a friendly and supportive environment.

Our beloved Storytime is also coming back, ready to welcome young readers and their families for another season of stories, songs, and fun activities that foster a love of reading from an early age.

Be sure to check our calendar for upcoming dates and program details.

And there's more...

We're excited to share that we're working on something new... MEL on the MOVE, a brand-new initiative designed to take the MEL experience beyond our walls and into the community. More details coming soon... Stay tuned!

The Most Fun Night of the Month!

You're invited to join us for an evening of laughter, friendly competition, and great company!

 Saturday, August 29  7:00–9:00 p.m.

Whether you're a seasoned bingo player or joining us for the first time, come enjoy a lively night with the MEL community. Bring your friends, test your luck, and don't miss one of our most popular monthly events!

Thinking about learning Spanish? This September is the perfect time to start!

Our friends at Asesorías de Idiomas Mérida, led by instructor Alfonso López, are launching a new round of Spanish classes at the Mérida English Library.

✔ Small groups
✔ Practical conversation
✔ Three levels (Beginner to Intermediate)
✔ All materials included

Early Registration Special (August Only)

1 Month (8 classes) $800 mxn / 2 Months $1,200 mxn

Beginning in September: 1 Month $900 / 2 Months $1,400

Whether you're just beginning or continuing your Spanish journey, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn in the welcoming environment of MEL. Questions or registration: asesoriasdeidiomasmerida@gmail.com

NEW! Introducing the MEL English Language Program

Beginning this September, the Mérida English Library proudly launches its new English Language Program for children, teens, and adults.

More than an English course, this program combines structured lessons with real opportunities to practice in an international community. Each month, students will reinforce the language introduced in class by working alongside native and fluent English-speaking volunteers in guided speaking activities. Rather than simply having conversations, the Speaking Lab is designed to help learners improve pronunciation, fluency, confidence, and their ability to use newly learned vocabulary and grammar in real-life communication.

We're looking for native and fluent English speakers who would enjoy supporting our students during these guided practice sessions.

Volunteers won't be expected to teach grammar or prepare lessons. Instead, they'll help students put classroom learning into practice through structured speaking activities designed by the instructor.

📚 Help Our Library Grow

There are many ways to support the Mérida English Library, and every contribution helps keep our shelves full of wonderful stories.

1 -  Help Our Youngest Readers

Our Children's Library continues to be one of the busiest and most loved areas of MEL. Board books are especially popular with our youngest visitors, but they are also some of the hardest books to find and replace in English here in Mérida.

If your family has gently used English board books that are ready for a new home, we'd be delighted to add them to our collection. And if you borrow children's books from MEL, thank you for helping us care for them and returning them on time, so many more little readers can enjoy them.

Together, we're helping build a lifelong love of reading one book at a time.

2.- Don't forget to browse our Book Sale Shelves on your next visit to MEL!

Many of these books are wonderful titles that, for a variety of reasons, are no longer part of our circulating collection. Some are duplicate copies, while others have simply made room for newer editions. That means you have the chance to discover incredible books at unbeatable prices!

1 book for $20 pesos - 3 books for $50 pesos - 7 books for $100 pesos

Best of all, 100% of profits goes directly toward acquiring new books for the library's collection. Every book you buy helps put another great book on our shelves. Happy browsing, and thank you for supporting the Mérida English Library!

U.S. Voter Assistance at MEL

U.S. citizens are invited to visit the Mérida English Library for assistance with voter registration, updating registration information, and more.

Assistance will be available on:

•  Wednesday, August 12 | 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
•  Wednesday, August 26 | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

No appointment is necessary.

Todd Squitieri - Anne Eckles - Barry Zahn & Nancy Hoag - Kim Brady - Bernadette Harris - Christina Lasch - Thalia Doerzbacher - Don Spinelli - Alejandra Monroy Sauri - Andrés Aluja - Analí Ordaz - Bill French - Philip Gillette - Annie Ramirez - Mirna Pérez - Janelle Masden - Christine Angeles- Greg Casini.

DOWNLOAD IT HERE

More details of this listing here