Welcome to the July 2025 Newsletter!

Summer has arrived in Mérida, and the heat is making its presence known. We would like to share some important updates regarding MEL’s opening hours during the summer break.

Throughout July and August, MEL will remain open during its regular morning hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. However, MEL will open in the afternoon only on Wednesdays, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m during these months.

If you are planning a visit, please keep these hours in mind.

Also, if you wish to return books through the door slot when the library is closed, we kindly ask that you wrap them in plastic bags to protect them from damage during the rainy season.

We hope you enjoy everything that Yucatán and its beautiful beaches have to offer this summer and don’t hesitate to stop by and visit us at MEL!

During July and August, Storytime and Conversaciones con Amigos will be on break. Activities will resume on Monday, September 1st and Saturday, September 13th, respectively.

We wish you a wonderful summer holiday!

MEL Summer Camp – 3rd Edition!

We’re excited to invite children ages 7 to 10 to join us for a fun and engaging experience at MEL!

From July 21st to August 1st (Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.), the Mérida English Library opens its doors to the local and expat community for a special program designed to help kids learn and practice English through activities focused on reading, art, and adventure.

Visit our website to learn more about this exciting program and register now!

A basic level of English is required to participate. Children may bring their own lunch.

👉 Register here

On your marks, get set... let’s read!

This summer, the Mérida English Library brings back the MEL Summer Reading Challenge for Kids!

📚 From June 21st to September 27th
The challenge? Simple: Read, read, read!

Dive into MEL’s Children’s Book Collection and discover stories that will take you on a fun summer ride.

But wait—there’s a twist! We challenge you to read books from our special Category List.

No matter the size, level, or author of the book, we’re sure you’ll find something fun and exciting to read at MEL.

👉 Read more and join the challenge!

Stay Active This Summer at MEL!

This summer, we’re continuing our movement classes at MEL — don’t miss out!

Join Mónica González for her wonderful Tai Chi class every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and Richie Poe for an excellent Pilates class every Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

No need to worry about the heat — both classes take place in MEL’s air-conditioned event room.

You can register online or in person on the day of the class.

👉 Register for Tai Chi here
👉 Learn more about Pilates with Richie Poe here

Open Mic Night 

Our Open Mic Night group will gather on Tuesday, July 15th, from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m.
If you’re a poetry lover and writer, don’t miss this opportunity to share your work and connect with fellow creatives!

Mérida Writers Group – July Sessions

The Mérida Writers Group will meet for three sessions in July on July 16th, and 30th at 11:00 a.m.

Writers of all levels are welcome to join!

A.A. will continue to meet at its regular time during the summer: Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.

Our Fiction and Friends book club will meet on the last day of the month – July 31st at 10:00 a.m.
This month’s book is The Liars’ Gospel by Naomi Alderman.

📚 Check out upcoming meeting dates and book selections here:
👉 https://meridaenglishlibrary.com/book-club-books

The Climate Solutions Group will meet on Friday, July 18th at 11:00 a.m.
In this group, we learn, grow, and build a community of people concerned about preparing for climate change. These meetings are open to the public – we look forward to seeing you there!

At MEL, we are truly grateful for the great turnout at Bingo Night in June, especially the Drag Bingo special event to commemorate Pride Month.

In July, we will return to our regular Bingo Night event on Saturday, July 26th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m..

Attention Harry Potter Fans!

Prepare all your magical charms… because the Magical Bazaar is coming to MEL for the first time!

Make no mistake, our MEL Bazaars have been quite legendary for some years now, but this is a special edition as we join forces with Club Harry Potter Mérida (official fan club) to bring this experience to all of us. As part of their Fantastical Summer activities, the MEL Magical Bazaar promises nothing but fun for fans and enthusiasts of the Harry Potter universe.

Put on your wizard hat and join us on Saturday, August 2nd from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and discover the products from our vendors: handcrafts, clothing, decoration, souvenirs, visual art, desserts, snacks, drinks, plants, books, and much more… all inspired by the theme!

Magic vibes will be present with a Wand Making Workshop, a Magical Scavenger Hunt, and excerpts from some of the Harry Potter books will be read by club members.

Enjoy refreshing drinks from our cash bar and snacks to share.

This is a fundraiser benefiting the Mérida English Library.

💛 Meeting the CRIT Teletón Yucatán

This month, members of the MEL board and community visited CRIT Yucatán, one of 24 rehabilitation centers supported by Fundación Teletón. We learned about their incredible work providing therapy and inclusive services to children with disabilities — and even had the chance to meet María Fernanda, a young girl our community helped support with a specialized wheelchair.

From robot-assisted therapy to sensory rooms, family support groups, and colorful, child-friendly spaces, the experience was moving and inspiring. These centers provide interdisciplinary medical care, including:

• Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
   

• Early stimulation and neurotherapy
   

• Psychological support
   

• Programs for social inclusion

🐷 A Tradition of Giving: The Yellow Piggy Banks

Each year, Teletón’s fundraising campaign begins in June and continues through October. You may have seen the familiar yellow piggy banks in shops, banks, and on the street — a tradition known as boteo.

Next time you visit MEL, be sure to drop a coin (or a few!) into the Teletón piggy bank. Together, we can continue supporting these amazing children and their families — all year long.

💡 Did You Know?

CRIT also offers physical therapy to the general public at affordable prices — and for every session you pay, half the cost funds a child’s therapy. It's a wonderful way to support others while taking care of your own health.

👉 Read the full story and see photos from our visit:

Help Wanted! 

The Library Collections Committee (LCC) is always in need of volunteers to bring books to MEL from the US. If you are planning a visit north, and have room in your return luggage for anywhere between two and 200 books, please send an email to Marianne Kehoe kehoedds@gmail.com. We appreciate your support in this valuable service.  

Catie Dinsmoor - Janelle Masden - Chris Hillyer - David Phillips - Elizabeth Walser - Sergio Paredes - Celia Gravens- Bob Esparza - Ciarra Proulx- Sergio Paredes - Phoebe Walles-Sharp- Christine Angeles - Alejandra Monroy - Chloe Condway - Tim Culhan - Wanda and Charlotte Riewe

Download it here