It's summer - the weather is beautiful - why not take a trip and explore some
local libraries? Just grab your map
and plan a day visiting one or more of the Marin County Free Library's
branches.
Each of our 11 branches has its own unique
history. The Civic
Center Library and Anne
T. Kent California History Room are housed under the dome of a world-famous
government building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. This same futuristic structure
was backdrop to such movies as Gattaca and George Lucas' first feature film,
THX
1138. On the other end of the spectrum, our Inverness
Branch shares the 1893 Gables House with the Jack Mason Museum. Take a moment
this month to explore the diversity of our facilities...and while you're there,
check out the local collections.
And how do you find these treasures of literature? Just visit the branch
webpage and follow the link to directions. There you'll see written
directions along with a dynamic, interactive Google Map feature, already primed
with the branch address. Here you can use your mouse to pan to areas hidden
off screen or try the slider to zoom in and zoom out for a closer look.
If you don't have the chance to visit a branch in person, we also offer Virtual
Tours - a 360° view that's not to be missed (but can be a bit dizzying
at times)!
August 14th, 2007 will mark the formal unveiling of the
Marin County Free Library Services
& Facilities Vision Plan. A presentation scheduled for 1:30pm before the
County Board of Supervisors to share results of the Library's recent efforts studying
services and facilities. The Library, planners and consultants have been working
with the community in a collaborative process to develop recommendations for bringing
the system into the 21st century. The full report presented to the Board will
include options for what each branch needs to serve the community over the next
25 year along with a cost analysis and recommendations for new sources
of revenue to meet anticipated costs.
Members of the public, library patrons, supporters, and staff are all more
than welcome to attend this informative workshop. A copy of the full report
will be posted in the near future on our Plan Website. For more information,
please contact the Library's Administrative Office at (415) 499-3220.
Our branch activities aren't just about books and reading. The Marin County Free
Library exists to make a broad range of culture, information and knowledge available
for the needs of the public. A big part of fulfilling this mission is seen in
our various programs
and events. Each of our library
branches conduct a variety of storytimes,
Internet
& computer classes, bookclubs
and special events of interest to adults,
kids,
and teens.
The Point Reyes Station branch even hosts a weekly knitting
group where patrons can knit, talk, and enjoy each others company.
Summer is an especially busy season for in-library entertainment. If you haven't
been to your local branch lately, stop by and check out one of the events
of this season.
Do you know someone who is unable to get to the library due to illness, disability,
or frailty? Library
Beyond Walls, a program of the Marin County Free Library, was created to reach
out to individuals unable to access library resources in person. The program provides
free in-home delivery of library materials by local volunteers to persons with
permanent or temporary disabilities.
Currently 26 volunteers provide service to 42 homebound patrons. Volunteers
meet with clients on a monthly basis to choose and deliver library materials,
including books, magazines, audio books and videos, based on the client’s
preferences.
If you, or someone you, know is interested in enrolling in Library Beyond Walls,
please check out the Library Beyond Walls webpage
and fill out the on-line form, or contact the program coordinator, Victoria
Gonzalez, at vgonzalez@co.marin.ca.us
August 5 is Bargain Sunday at the Book Place! This month,
we have just the thing for those of you whose tastes range across many genres--it's
the Mix & Match Sale.
Small paperbacks, mix and match categories, will be 3 for $1.00; large/trade-size
paperbacks will be a Buy 2, Get 1 Free, also mix and match throughout the store
(except Children's). We may throw in another surprise or two, so come by and
check it out! Our store hours on Sunday are noon-4pm.
The Book Place is run by the knowledgeable volunteers
of the Friends
of the Marin County Free Library and offers the best prices in the county
on used books. Volunteer positions are always available--ask how you can help!
Please contact the shop at 209-0212 to inquire how you can be a part of the
Book Place or check online to see about becoming
a member of the Friends .
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 11 locations to choose from
as well as 24/7 access
on our website to reference
assistance, the online
catalog, databases,
and 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.
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, storytimes,
bilingual and Spanish language events. For further information about specific
Library
Events and Classes please visit our branch
event webpage or our online
calendar for a complete listing.
Place your request early and be one of the first to check out these new releases.
Annotations adapted from publishers' advance materials and the MARINet catalog.
Have a suggestion for a title that you think the library should purchase? You can offer your suggestion via the form on the MARINet website at http://marinet.lib.ca.us/acquire.
New Audio Books
The following audio book titles have recently been added to our collection. A complete list of the MARINet libraries' audio CD & cassette holdings is available online via a quick search.
Below are just a few titles from our CD collection, highlighting original cast
recordings of some recent Broadway blockbusters.
A complete list of the MARINet Libraries' music CD, cassette, & record holdings is available online via a quick search.
Jersey
Boys(2005)
The story of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons features hits such as
"Sherry", "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Oh What a Night"
and more.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels(2005)
Based on the popular 1988 film, this musical comedy caper centers on two
con men living on the French Riviera.
Caroline, or Change(2004)
Described in Wikipedia
as a combination of "Negro spirituals, blues, Motown, classical music, and
Jewish Klezmer and folk music" this short run but widely acclaimed production
won the 2007 Oliver Award for Best New Musical.
The
Boy from Oz (2003)
Once upon a time, the greatest hope of an abundantly talented Broadway star
was to have a show written just for him, one tailored to his unique gifts.
You might consider this a pretty close match to a 'Peter Allen review'.
Wicked (2003)
The untold story of the witches of Oz with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
and a book by Winnie Holzman.
Avenue Q (2003)
What do you do with a B.A. in English? Listen up then see it live at the
Orpheum, August 9 - September 27th.
Elaine Stritch at Liberty(2002)
This hilarious one woman show traces Stritch's career, from alcoholism,
failed relationships, and standing ovations, though tales of friends with
Marlon Brando, Noel Coward, Ethel Merman, Stephen Sondheim, and Rock Hudson
with signature tunes "The Ladies Who Lunch," "There's No
Business Like Show Business," "Broadway Baby," "Zip,"
"Why Do the Wrong People Travel?" and "I'm Still Here."
The following DVD/video titles have recently been added to our collection. Complete lists of the MARINet libraries' DVD and video holdings are available online via a quick search.
Quinceañera
[DVD Format]
On the evening before Magdalena's 15th birthday, her simple, blissful life
is complicated by the discovery that she's pregnant. Forced to leave her
house, she finds a new family with her uncle and gay cousin. In Spanish,
dubbed English, with optional English/Spanish subtitles.
The Prestige
[DVD Format]
Set against the backdrop of turn-of-the-century London. Two magicians share
an intense rivalry with each other that leads them on a life-long battle
for supremacy. The rivalry is so intense that is will be full of obsession,
deceit and jealousy, with both dangerous and deadly consequences. From the
time that Robert Angier and Alfred Bordon first met, the two were competitors.
However, their once friendly competition evolves into battle for each others
trade secrets.
Age Old
Friends [DVD Format]
A widower must choose between remaining in a retirement home and helping
his age old friend or moving in with his married daughter and grandson.
Videodisc release of the 1989 motion picture.
Man of
the Year [DVD Format]
A comedian/talk show host runs for president only to find his surprise victory
was actually the result of a voting computer glitch. This is a great Barry
Levinson production starring Robin Williams and Laura Linney.
Bobby
[DVD Format]
The 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in a Los Angeles hotel kitchen....centers
around 22 people who were guests, staff, campaign workers, and reporters
who were at the Ambassador Hotel on that June day. Many issues are addressed,
including, the Vietnam war, drugs, alcoholism, voting irregularities, adultery,
racism, immigration, and communism. Venice Film Festival, 2006: Biografilm
Award (Emilio Estevez).
Looking for fiction, non-fiction, mysteries, local authors, audio books, or DVDs? Check out some of our most popular recommendations for adults, teens, and kids.
E-Connect publication
E-Connect is an online publication distributed monthly by the Marin County Free Library.
Contact: Library@co.marin.ca.us
