News and Events |
This 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
Math Tutoring at the Marin City Library
Math tutoring is available every Tuesday from 4:00pm-6:00pm during the school year at the Marin City Library. Math instructors from Tamalpais High School assist high school students and members of the public with test preparation and homework help.
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
Friday Nov 20, 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.
Writers' Group
Monday Nov 23, 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.
Coffee And Tea Klatsch
Wednesday Nov 25, 2009 10:00am - 12:00am at Inverness
Series Description
Storytime at Marin City Library
Wednesday Nov 25, 2009 10:30am - 11:00am at Marin City
Preschool Storytime at the Marin City Library
Series Description
Join us for our preschool storytime every Wednesday at 10:30am.
Bilingual Fun for Preschoolers!
Saturday Nov 28, 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.
School Age Storytimes with Judy Buchanan
Tuesday Dec 1, 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 Dec 1, 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.
Storytime at Marin City Library
Wednesday Dec 2, 2009 10:30am - 11:00am at Marin City
Preschool Storytime at the Marin City Library
Series Description
Join us for our preschool storytime every Wednesday at 10:30am.
School Age Storytimes
Wednesday Dec 2, 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.
Brown Bag Book Club
Wednesday Dec 2, 2009 12:00pm - 1:00pm at Civic Center
Series Description
Civic Center Library Brown Bag Book Club meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month, at the Civic Center Library, from 12:00pm - 1:00pm. New members are always welcome! For more information, please call (415)499-6102.
DOG DAYS! Children's Reading Program
Wednesday Dec 2, 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 Dec 2, 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 Storytime
Thursday Dec 3, 2009 4:30am - 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.
Poets First Thursday
Thursday Dec 3, 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.

