Digging Underground

Have you heard that the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and Caltrans are exploring the possibility of tunneling underground to complete the missing segment of the Long Beach Freeway between Alhambra and Pasadena? It may sound far-fetched, but Paris and several other European have undertaken such projects with apparent success. For those who are interested in the subject, the MTA has just provided a videotape of a public presentation on the subject that was given last April. Entitled “Tunneling in the Urban Environments,” this presentation describes the current plans to study the feasibility of such a project here and gives you a glimpse of how it would work.

Internet for Beginners and Intermediates

The Internet is not going away! If you are yet to get a handle on it, and are still wondering what it is and how it works, here is an opportunity for you. "Internet for Beginners" is a free hour and a half workshop on Saturday, October 23 in the Library's free 1 1/2 hour session. The workshop is for you even if you haven't used computers before. It starts at 9 AM and runs until about 10:30 AM. It is a hands-on session and those in the class will explore some web sites, take a quick look at Google, for finding appropriate web sites, and perhaps have time to look at the basics of email and even set up a free email account! This is a great chance to ask questions and learn from the instructor and your fellow students. Please register in advance so that we will know the size of the class.

The Library will offer another class a month later, called "Internet: Beyond the Basics". You might think of it as a follow-up to "Internet for Beginners", though it is open to anyone who has worked with the Internet, but feels they still have a ways to go before they really understand it. In this class, we'll assume that you already have a basic understanding of how to navigate the World Wide Web. You will be introduced to some basic shortcuts and strategies that will make your Internet sessions go more smoothly. This class will be held on Saturday, November 20 at 9:00 AM, and once again, you will need to register in advance. Please call (626) 300-0777 to register for one or both of these sessions.

Mandolin Music in the Library

Save the date, Saturday, November 6 at 3:00 PM for a concert of mandolin music for the whole family. Evan Marshall is a fantastic mandolin player who plays solo, but it immediately becomes apparent that he’s playing many parts simultaneously. The mandolin is a small, stringed instrument with a wonderful, distinctive sound and requires great dexterity and speed. In earlier times, there were mandolin orchestras that played classical music. Evan, too will concentrate on classical music, but there will likely be a “bluegrass moment,” as well as other styles. It will be a lot of fun and definitely a family event in the library’s auditorium. Don’t miss it!

Our Own Library Hero Goes on Active Duty

 

Lt. Wu

The San Marino Public Library is proud to have a true American hero on our staff. He is Second Lieutenant Kenric Wu, a member of the 640th Military Intelligence Battalion of California Army National Guard. In his civilian life, Lt. Wu acts as Page Supervisor for the Library. Yet, now that his Country needs him, he is leaving us to report for a tour of duty overseas. Lt. Wu and his battalion are being deployed to keep the peace in the contentious Kosovo region of southern Serbia. At this time, his unit is scheduled to be active in the former Yugoslavia for eighteen months.

Lt. Wu is a native son, having graduated from San Marino High School in 1992. He received his bachelor’s degree in Business and Public Administration from the University of California in 1998. He received his Federal Commission in the United States Army in 2002.

The Library is pleased to support our troops, especially in the form of our own Second Lieutenant!

Information for College-Bound Students

Attention all you college-bound students and parents of college-bound students: Do you have questions about the best way to get ready for college? Do you need the answers to questions like: “How can I best prepare for the SAT test?”, “Which colleges should I apply to?”, “How do I write a successful application essay?”, “What are my financial aid options, and how do I apply?” Well, the San Marino Public Library has compiled a list of online and print resources that can help you to answer these important questions, and enable you to navigate the maze that leads to a successful college experience--and all of this essential information is absolutely free. Just come into the library and ask for the list of Free Resources for College-Bound Students.

Dewey and the Decimals at the San Marino Public Library

On Wednesday October 6th at 6:30 p.m., the staff at the San Marino Public Library will hold a workshop introducing the Dewey Decimal System to children and their parents. Other topics to be covered include the categorization of books as fiction and non-fiction and a refresher on how to use the library’s catalog computer. This workshop is geared toward 3rd - 4th graders, but anyone who has an interest in how the Dewey Decimal System works is welcome to attend. Please call (626) 300-0777 to reserve your spot.

Library Campaign Receives Anonymous Million Dollar Donation

SAN MARINO, CA- September 14, 2004--The Campaign for a new San Marino Public Library has received a $1 million gift from an anonymous donor, it was announced by San Marino Mayor Robert Twist. This recent donation puts the Campaign at nearly 60% of its $5.5 million goal to build a new library facility for the city. “I’m thrilled and delighted that the library campaign has received this generous gift,” said Twist. “I truly hope this will inspire all of us to join the capital campaign and make the new library a reality.”

City Librarian Carolyn Crain said, “I am tremendously excited that the Campaign has received this most generous gift. It acknowledges the value of the public library to the community and supports our goal to build a new library facility. A new San Marino Public Library will allow the library staff and I to fulfill the many dreams and wishes for improved library services in the community.”

Built in 1951 to hold 60,000 volumes, the 16,000 square foot San Marino Public Library now contains over 90,000 books, audios, videos, CD’s, DVD’s and 16 public use computers. In spite of its aging infrastructure, the library supports four public schools, two local private schools and over 14,000 patrons.

The new library will have 50% more usable space for a Lifelong Learning Center, a computer lab, more comfortable seating for readers, increased capacity for readers, a Children’s Reading Room and small meeting rooms for tutoring sessions, programs and workshops to meet a variety intercultural community needs.

For community members looking for more information, a volunteer-created website www.brandnewlibrary.org is available, or contact Cindy Chan at the library at (626) 300-0779.