Press Release: Bear Visits Mammoth Lakes Library on Pooh's 100th

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

MakerSpace -- Mono County Libraries

For the most up to date information on the Mono County Libraries Makerspace, please visit our Instagram or Facebook or sign up for our email newsletter using this form or in person by adding your email to the Maker Program Waiver (available during Makerspace open hours).

The Mono County Library System’s dedicated Makerspace is located on the 2nd floor of the Mammoth Lakes Library. It strives to provide an inclusive, hands-on learning environment for community members from school age through adulthood. It’s a safe place for engaging in a variety of creative projects. While periodic maker activities happen in library branches countywide, by providing a free, drop-in space at the Mammoth Lakes Library, the Makerspace provides youth, families, and adults with opportunities for collaboration, innovation, independence and self-empowerment in a purpose-designed, supportive space.

A participation waiver and the completion of Makerspace Orientation is required for ALL participants, including chaperones, who wish to use the space during open hours. Patrons under 18 require a waiver signed by their legal guardian. Students in 3rd grade and below require an actively participating chaperone at all times while inside the Makerspace.

You can sign a waiver in person at Makerspace open hours or print your 2024 or 2025 waiver and return it to Makerspace staff during open hours.

2025 Waiver (English) 2025 Waiver (Spanish)

Due to the nature of tools and activities in the Makerspace, children must be Kindergarten age (5 or older) to participate even with the required chaperone. Children under 5 years old are NOT allowed in the Makerspace. Check out the Wee Make Cart at the circulation desk for art-making options that are age appropriate for children under 5 for use in the Children’s Program Room.

Due to physical constraints and to help maintain a safe and creative environment during open hours, the Makerspace operates at a limited capacity (typically 10 participants at a time). This includes adult chaperones.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where is the Makerspace Located?

The Mammoth Library Makerspace is located on the second story of the Mammoth Lakes Library (400 Sierra Park Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546).

What kind of activities and projects do you have?

The Makerspace has a variety of materials and tools. Some popular activities and equipment include:

Sewing (we have sewing machines that staff can help you to use!)
Gear repair (visit our gear repair locker, where we have Gore Tex patches, silicone tent sealant, shock cord, and much more!)
Watercolor painting
Drawing and coloring
Origami, cardmaking, and other paper crafts
Recycled material construction (the most popular activity for kids - hot glue odds ‘n ends together and let your imagination run wild!)
Felting, embroidery, and other fiber arts
Jewelry making
Air dry clay
Wood burning (AKA pyrography)
Some materials, such as small pieces of fabric, thread, paper, cardboard, etc are provided but because most Makerspace materials are donated we ask that you conserve materials. You can always bring in your own materials to use in your projects!

Who can come to the Makerspace? Do I need to have a library card to participate?

Anyone above 5 years old is welcome to participate with a signed participation waiver. Children in 3rd grade and below may participate with an actively participating adult chaperone. Due to the nature of tools and activities in the space, children younger than 5 are not allowed in the Makerspace, even with a chaperone.

You do not need a library card to participate, or be a Mono County resident! Visitors are welcome.

Are there any Maker opportunities if I can't come in during the drop-in hours?

Yes! Come check out our Makerspace Book Collection and Check-Out Kits on the 2nd Floor of the Mammoth Lakes Library. Check-out Kits cover a variety of skills and supplies, such as experimenting with watercolor techniques or crocheting a beanie. Both Maker books and Check-Out Kits can be placed on hold and transferred to another branch.

Maker Kits To-Go (previously available during quarantine) are no longer available, however the PDF instructions for these kits are now available here!

What are Makerspace Orientations?

Makerspace Orientations are a new participant intake practice implemented October 1, 2023. Makerspace Orientation consists of two parts: 1) a sit-down conversation with the Mono County Maker Program Coordinator and Library Director where participants are informed of Makerspace rules and guidelines and 2) an in-depth tour of the Makerspace and all its tools and materials. The Orientation gives participants a chance to ask questions about rules and policies, make suggestions, express concerns, and be given an introductory explanation of the most common crafting equipment in the Makerspace. The intention of the Orientation is to provide participants with the knowledge of the “rules and tools” of the space to empower makers in their creative projects within the Makerspace. ALL participants MUST complete a Makerspace Orientation before entering the Makerspace. Makerspace Orientations are not required for special event workshops or maker program activities at other branches.

Do you accept donations?

We are currently not accepting donations.

Does the Makerspace need volunteers?

Please click here to find our volunteer application, fill it out and bring it into the Makerspace during our open hours and we will contact you about opportunities.

The Makerspace also has paid substitute positions. Inquire during open hours to learn more.

What is the best way to get in contact with the Makerspace?

Send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the library at 760.934.4777.

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