E-Connect: The Marin County Free Library's e-newsletter Issue #80 Printable version of this page

	Message from the Director Discovering Trips & Trails Rainy Days & Mondays News from The Book Place
	Special Events, Classes, Storytimes, Book Clubs, and more
	Upcoming Bestsellers New Release DVDs Other recommendations for reading, viewing, and listening

As a library user you are probably aware of what is going on in our branches, but did you know that the Library reaches out to our community in many different ways?

• Library Beyond Walls volunteers bring books to those homebound either short or long-term.
• The Bookmobile stops at one-room schools and senior centers as well as in communities around the County.
• Our Teen Librarians, supported by the Marin County Friends of the Library, have established an innovative program in partnership with the County's Probation Department. Every other month a team of librarians visits the library at the Juvenile Hall Facility, visiting with the residents, doing book talks and soliciting ideas for new books which they then purchase to add to the library shelves there.
• Both the Corte Madera and Novato branches have instituted volunteer programs to serve their local senior facilities, doing regular readings to residents.

If you would be interested in getting involved as a volunteer with the library, please contact us.

Gail Haar
Director of County Library Services

Planning car-free adventures in Bay Area parks has become as easy as visiting www.transitandtrails.org.

The new interactive website identifies hundreds of trailheads and campgrounds on an interactive map and links directly to the Metropolitan Transit Commission's 511 Transit Trip Planner and Google Transit. Once users enter their start location and choose a destination, they can print a detailed trip itinerary with a map, transit times, fares and walking directions to and from the transit stops.

The library has a great selection books on hiking, camping and local trails. Just the thing you're looking to read-up in anticipation of adventures this Spring!

If you don't want to risk driving in the rain or getting soaked from car door to our door, remember that you can renew always your books by just calling your Marin County Free Library branch or clicking on the "Holds and Renewals" link available on our website . Did your cable/satellite go out? Looking to cuddle up with an old favorite? Don't forget to sock up before the next storm on new DVDs or classic text by stopping by a branch or browsing the collection.

News from The Book Place

1608 Grant Avenue, Novato
415-209-0212

If you're looking for a good deal, look no farther than The Book Place!

Our Fall Clearance Weekend happens Nov 6-8 (Friday through Sunday). Everything in the store is 1/2 off (except for our special collectibles). Whether for yourself, or to get a jumpstart on some people on your gift list, come in and select from the more than 35 categories--prices start at 25 cents for the kids, and the deals are hard to beat. Sale hours are Friday 10-7, Saturday 10-4 and Sunday Noon-4.

If it's been some time since you've visited, we've done a bit of rearranging to expand some of our categories and move others to make room for the mountains of donations we're receiving on a weekly basis. While we are grateful of the donations, the challenge to get them out on the floor required we readjust the shelf space. Our hardcover Mysteries are now reduced to $1.00 each, because we receive so many--at that price, you can afford to try a new author. Come in and have a look; we think you'll like the changes!

The Book Place is run by the knowledgeable volunteers of the Friends of the Marin County Free Library a nonprofit organization devoted to raising funds for the libraries. You can help by volunteering at the store, by becoming a member of the Friends and by donating books and buying books at The Book Place.

Our store hours are Mon/Tues/Thurs/Sat 10-4, Wed and Sun Noon-4, and Friday 10-7. For more information about the Friends and The Book Place, visit our website: http://marinlibraryfriends.marin.org.

	Tuesday Nov 3, 2009 6:00pm - 8:00pm Point Reyes Station Library Literary Calaveras Workshop	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." View Details
	Thursday Nov 5, 2009 6:15pm - 8:30pm Corte Madera Library Writing Your Spiritual Journey	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. Space is limited, so please call the Reference Desk at 924-6444 to reserve a spot for this event. View Details
	Saturday Nov 7, 2009 2:00pm - 3:30pm Civic Center Library Jewelry Making Workshop for Teens	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. View Details

BRANCH EVENTS The Marin County Free Library hosts a wide variety of cultural and educational branches responsive to the needs in our communities. In addition to special events for adults, teens, and kids, the Library hosts regular book clubs, computer classes , storytimes, bilingual and Spanish language events. For further information about free Library Events and Classes please visit our branch event webpage or our news & events section for a complete listing.

HOURS and LOCATIONS Marin County Free Library branches are located throughout East and West Marin. Open days and hours of operation vary by branch. With 10 locations to choose from as well as 24/7 access on our website to reference assistance, the online catalog, and digital resources such as databases & eBooks you'll never be far from the information you need.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET CLASSES The Marin County Free Library offers classes and one-to-one tutoring in computer basics, the Internet, e-mail, the Library’s online resources, Microsoft Word, Excel, and more. Please check our website for times, locations, and registration information.

BOOKCLUBS Marin County Free Library branches host a wide variety of monthly reading groups. Club members meet each month for a lively discussion about a particular book or theme. Please check our bookclub listing for locations, times, selections, and contact information.

STORYTIMES The Marin County Free Library offers storytimes at each of the branches for children in various age groups. Please check our Storytimes page for times and ages.

BOOKMOBILE The Marin County Free Library Bookmobile visits geographically isolated communities throughout the County. Most stops are made twice within a four-week period each month. Copies of the Bookmobile schedule are available at all County Library branches and on the Bookmobile’s webpage.

LIBRARY BEYOND WALLS The Library provides in-home delivery of library books, tapes, CDs, and other materials to our patrons who have a permanent or temporary disability that prevents them from getting to a branch of the library system. To find out more about the program, how to sign up or volunteer, please visit our Library Beyond Walls webpage or contact our Volunteer Coordinator by calling (415) 663-8818.

This new Featured List for DVDs connects directly to our MARINet Library catalog. Just follow the link & browse through the titles. You'll be able to read reviews & descriptions, request items, build up a bookbag or see if there's a copy on the shelf at your favorite branch. Be sure to click on "Result Page 2" to see items 51-100!

A complete list of the MARINet libraries' recent DVD acquisitions is linked through our online catalog, so you can check availability and easily request materials be delivered to your local branch library. You can also subscribe to be notified via a weekly email when new items are ordered. Contact your local library to learn more.

Other recommendations for reading, viewing, and listening

Looking for fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, local authors, audio books, or DVDs? Check our website for popular recommendations, including Bestsellers Lists from the New York Times & San Francisco Chronicle and a special list of titles currently in high demand.

Looking for information on different topics? Check out our online Subject Guides, prepared by Marin County Free Library staff members. These topical research tools highlight relevant library materials and services, online databases and web resources.