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News and EventsThis page offers, news and event information for the entire MCFL system. For specific information about your local branch, please visit our branch pages.
E-Connect Newsletter
To better communicate with our patrons, the library publishes a monthly electronic newsletter called E-Connect. If you wish, you may sign up for monthly email alerts then will inform you when a new issue is published.
News and Announcements
Banned Books Week
Banned Books Week, September 26-October 3, 2009, celebrates the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Visit your local library and check out a book!
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month
At the Marin County Free Library, library cards are always issued at no cost to California residents.
With our library cards, you get two-for-one: a wallet-sized card plus a tiny card for your key chain! During the month of September at all branches of the Marin County Free Library, replacement cards will be provided free of charge to anyone with a lost or damaged card.
Instructions for applying for a library card can be found on our Get a Card webpage, or you can always visit your local branch for assistance. See you at the Library!
Tutor.com to Be Replaced in Fall
We have discontinued Live Homework Help by Tutor.com, as of July 10, 2009 due to an increase in subscription pricing. We plan to have an agreement in place with another online tutoring service before the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.
MCFL Closes San Geronimo Branch
Yesterday the Marin County Free Library closed the doors on our San Geronimo branch. Closing the library was a difficult choice, but was necessary due to budgetary shortfalls caused by the current challenging economic conditions.
We would like thank the San Geronimo community for their support of the branch over the years, and Community Library Specialist Dan Carr for his service at the branch. Moving forward, the Marin County Library will work with the community to ensure residents continue to receive library services.
San Geronimo's services are being consolidated with those of the Fairfax branch. Any holds that have set to be picked up at San Geronimo will be sent to Fairfax. Patrons may return library materials to the San Geronimo Valley book drop until July 16.
The Bookmobile will be making two stops a month at the San Geronimo Community Center, on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. The other four West Marin library branches will have first priority in reallocating San Geronimo's books and materials.
From the Stacks 2: Libraries Busy in Down Economy
In our June 2009 podcast, Director Gail Haar and Deputy Director Scott Bauer discuss the role the Library is playing in helping our community in the down economy.
Public Libraries Featured on the Today Show!
Yesterday morning, the Today Show ran a segment on the important role public libraries like the Marin County Free Library are playing during this recession.
New Adult Services Web Site
We are pleased to announce the launch of our new adult services Web site. The new site features a new look and feel, improved organization and navigation, and revised content. We hope that these changes will help our patrons connect and communicate better with our library.
Later this year, we will launch new versions of our Kids, Teens, and California Room sites as well. The new sites will have a similar layout and organization to the new adult services site. The library catalog, which is run by MARINet, a separate organization from the MCFL, is not impacted by this project.
What do you think about the new site? Is there something that could be made better? Let us know by writing library@co.marin.ca.us.
3 Stars for Marin County Free Library
Library Journal, the premier publication for librarians, has awarded the Marin County Free Library three stars for excellence in library service.After evaluating over 7000 public libraries throughout the United States, Library Journal awarded stars to only 256 libraries, based on four per-capita service indicators - library visits, circulation, program attendance and public internet computer uses. The Marin County Free Library is proud that on average, each year each of our residents visits us 7.6 times and borrows an average of 10 books.
MCFL is one of 30 "starred" libraries in its expenditure category nationally, and one of only 16 starred libraries in California. The Marin County Free Library system achieved this rating through the continuous hard work of the entire Library staff, and the support of the Library Commission, the Marin County Board of Supervisors, the Library Foundation, the Friends of the Library, and the Marin County community.
The full report is available at http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6629180.html.
From Our Branches
Marin City
No Storytime at Marin City Library November 4 & November 11There will be no storytime at the Marin City Library on Wednesday, November 4 or Wednesday, November 11. Storytime will resume the following week on Wednesday, November 18 at 10:30am.
Bay Everyday News
Check out Bay Everyday News, an interview series covering the latest in politics, music, fashion and other topics, created by youth in the Marin City Library Webstars technology program. Episodes are filmed in Marin City, Sausalito, and other Marin County locations. Below is the latest episode. See the Marin City Webstars YouTube Channel for more!
Upcoming Events
Below is a listing of upcoming events at all of our branches for the next two weeks. To see a complete listing of events for a particular branch, please see our branch pages.School Age Storytimes with Judy Buchanan
Tuesday Nov 3, 2009 11:00am - 12:00pm at Inverness
Series Description
The Inverness Library will be offering storytimes for young school age children, with Judy Buchanan, beginning in October and continuing through the school year.
School Age Storytimes with Judy Buchanan
Tuesday Nov 3, 2009 2:15pm - 3:15pm at Stinson Beach
Series Description
The Stinson Beach Library is offering storytimes for young school age children, with Judy Buchanan, beginning in October and continuing through the school year.
Literary Calaveras Workshop
Tuesday Nov 3, 2009 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Point Reyes
Series Description
Literary calaveras are humorous and/or satiric poems or short verses in memory of a person or theme related to the Day of the Dead. They are traditionally written in November, in preparation for this celebration.
Please join us for this workshop to learn about this tradition and to write your own "calavera."
Coffee And Tea Klatsch
Wednesday Nov 4, 2009 10:00am - 12:00am at Inverness
Series Description
School Age Storytimes
Wednesday Nov 4, 2009 11:00am - 12:00pm at Bolinas
Series Description
The Bolinas Library is offering storytimes for young school age children, with Judy Buchanan, beginning in October and continuing through the school year.
DOG DAYS! Children's Reading Program
Wednesday Nov 4, 2009 3:30pm - 4:30pm at South Novato
Series Description
Come read to a Marin Humane Society Dog
Does your child like dogs? Is your child reluctant to read aloud or shy?
This FREE successful nationwide program can help.
- Space limited
- Signup at Reference recommended
Teen Advisory Group Meeting (TAG)
Wednesday Nov 4, 2009 3:30pm - 4:30pm at Novato
Series Description
One meeting. One hour. Once a month.
This monthly meeting is held to provide Novato teens with a forum to express their opinions on items purchased and programs hosted by the Library. It also provides school community hours. (Teen is defined as 6th-12th grade).
Snacks provided.
First Wednesday of every month 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Bilingual Baby Bounce
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 1:30pm - 2:00pm at Point Reyes
Series Description
Starting Thursday, November 5th st at 1:30 p.m. and continuing every other Thursday, Bilingual Baby Bounce Storytimes for infants and crawlers will be offered at the Point Reyes Library.
This is not an ordinary storytime. There will be lots of action including rhymes, singing, fingerplays, bounces, puppets, and fun. This interactive baby storytime encourages language development, increases children’s knowledge of their world, and promotes closeness between caregivers and babies. The combination of rhymes, movement, music, and repetition has been shown to promote the development of pre-reading skills.
Nancy Hemmingway of the Point Reyes Library and Ana Maria Ramirez of the West Marin Literacy Program have been working on this bilingual program for many weeks, and now we look forward to sharing it with you and your baby. Please join us for this exciting new program, and plan to stay awhile to meet other parents and caregivers of very young children!
Knitting Classes At The Point Reyes Library
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 4:30pm - 5:30pm at Point Reyes
Series Description
Bring your knitting project to our weekly knitting group. All levels are welcome. An experienced knitter is on hand to answer any questions. Every Thursday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Bilingual Storytime
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 4:30pm - 5:30pm at Bolinas
Series Description
The Bolinas Library is happy to present a bi-lingual storytime, for both pre-school and school age children, on the first Thursday of every month from 4:30-5:30 with Anna Gottreich.
Writing Your Spiritual Journey
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 6:15pm - 8:30pm at Corte Madera
Space is limited, so please call the Reference Desk at 924-6444 to reserve a spot for this event.
Series Description
Join us at the library for a free writing workshop. No prior writing experience is necessary.
In the workshop, you will:
Explore what spirituality means to you,
Create a spiritual timeline,
Identify who and what shaped your spirituality, and
Explore current influences and areas of inquiry.
This workshop will be led by Susanne West, MA, CHT, Professor of Psychology at John F. Kennedy University and the recipient of the 2007 Harry L. Morrison Distinguished Teaching Award at JFKU. She is also a personal and executive coach and hypnotherapist and has presented writing and creativity development programs in colleges, community organizations and private settings for over 25 years.
English As A Second Language
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm at Bolinas
Series Description
The Bolinas Library is proud to present an ongoing ESL (English as a Second Language) class, every Thursday evening from 7-9 PM, taught by Alejandra Bryant.
Social Media Basics: Blogging, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 7:15pm - 8:30pm at Novato
YouTube
Series Description
Four Class Series * Attend One or All Four
Social media is free, useful, fun, and easy to use. Learn how to blog, use Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube to stay in touch and share your ideas, photos and other stuff with family, friends, and associates.
Sign up at the Reference Desk or call (415) 897-1142.
An established email account is required.
Poets First Thursday
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 7:30pm - 9:00pm at Stinson Beach
Series Description
The Stinson Beach Library is happy to offer an open monthly poetry workshop on the first Thursday of every month at 7:30 P.M.
Bring your poems to a workshop in a supportive community environment.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Barbara Martin at 868-1586.
School Age Storytimes
Friday Nov 6, 2009 10:15am - 11:15am at Point Reyes
Series Description
The Point Reyes Library is offering storytimes for young school age children, with Judy Buchanan, beginning in October and continuing through the school year.
Read to a Dog
Saturday Nov 7, 2009 2:00pm - 3:00pm at Corte Madera
Read to a Dog! Dogs love to hear stories.
Series Description
The Marin Humane Society presents Read to a Dog at the Corte Madera Library on the first Saturdays in October, November and December.
Call the Children's Librarian at 924-6382 to sign up for a 15 minute session, between 2 and 3 pm.
Jewelry Making Workshop for Teens
Saturday Nov 7, 2009 2:00pm - 3:30pm at Civic Center
Jewelry entrepreneur Chelsee Robinson will show you how to make your own custom-designed necklace or a bracelet and earrings using blown glass, seed, stone, and art glass beads. Acquire a lifelong skill with business potential and have a whole lot of fun!
This workshop is free, but space is limited.
To reserve your space or for more information please call the Civic Center Reference Desk at 415-499-6058.
Series Description
Knitting Group at Fairfax Library
Saturday Nov 7, 2009 3:00pm - 5:00pm at Fairfax
Knit One, Purl Two!
Series Description
Writers' Group
Monday Nov 9, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm at Inverness
Series Description
On the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month, an open Writers' Group meets at the Inverness Library from 7:00-9:00PM.
Aspiring writers read sections of recent work and discuss it together, with humor.
Please call the library for more information.
Reading Group
Tuesday Nov 10, 2009 6:00pm - 7:00pm at South Novato
Returning to Earth by Jim Harrison
Book selection for December: The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Series Description
Everyone welcome! Bring books or ideas for books you'd like to talk about at Reading Group Meetings. Come to help pick the next book, discuss books, or listen to ideas for good reads. Questions? Call (415) 506-3168.
Bilingual Storytime
Tuesday Nov 10, 2009 6:30pm - 7:30pm at Point Reyes
Series Description
Come enjoy a bilingual storytime with Alex Porrata on Tuesday, October 27th at 6:30 p.m.
All ages are welcome to come and hear a bilingual story and make a craft with Alex
Mystery Reader's Book Club: Thursday Morning Edition
Thursday Nov 12, 2009 10:30am - 11:30am at Novato
Sepulchre by Kate Mosse
Series Description
Novato Library Book Clubs meet once a month. Everyone welcome!
Special book club copies of the upcoming book are available at club meetings. Book club copies check out for six weeks. If you miss a book club date, call the library's reference desk to have a book club copy set aside for you. Large type editions are available for most titles. Ask the Librarian to reserve a copy for you.
Mystery Reader's Book Club meetings are held on second Thursdays 10:30 - 11:30 am.
Knitting Classes At The Point Reyes Library
Thursday Nov 12, 2009 4:30pm - 5:30pm at Point Reyes
Series Description
Bring your knitting project to our weekly knitting group. All levels are welcome. An experienced knitter is on hand to answer any questions. Every Thursday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Fairfax Library Book Club
Thursday Nov 12, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm at Fairfax
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea
Series Description
English As A Second Language
Thursday Nov 12, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm at Bolinas
Series Description
The Bolinas Library is proud to present an ongoing ESL (English as a Second Language) class, every Thursday evening from 7-9 PM, taught by Alejandra Bryant.
An Evening With Author Reyna Grande
Friday Nov 13, 2009 6:00pm - 7:30pm at Point Reyes
Series Description
Come and enjoy a bilingual eveing with Reyna Grande, author of the award winning novel Across A Hundred Mountains. This novel won the Premio Aztlan Literary Award in 2006 and the American Book Award in 2007.
Bilingual Fun for Preschoolers!
Saturday Nov 14, 2009 10:00am - 10:30am at South Novato
Series Description
Songs, stories and sometimes crafts.
For ages 3 - 5.
¡Niños Bilingüe Divertidos!
Cantos, cuentos, y a veces manualidades.
Para niños en edades de 3 a 5 años.
Marin City Library Book Club
Monday Nov 16, 2009 7:00pm - 8:00pm at Marin City
The Seville Communion by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
Series Description
Come and join the discussion. Everyone is welcome! Refreshments served.
The club occurs the third Monday of every month, we begin at 7:00pm.
© 2009 County of Marin | File Last Updated: Nov 03, 2009