San Marino Public Library to Host Wild West Magic Show

On Saturday, July 31st at 2:00pm, the San Marino Public Library will have its "End of the Summer Reading Program" party. All participants, who have read at least 5 books this summer, received an invitation to this special event. Entertainment for the afternoon will include, "Rootin Tootin Mysteries-The Magic of the Old West", a free show designed for children grades PK-6 and their parents. The program will be presented by Laguna Hills magician, Mark H. Wurst, and is part of this year's Wild West themed Summer Reading Program. The magic show portrays "Sheriff" Mark H. Wurst as the coolest most magical hombre in the Old West. Along with puppetry, music, comedy and lots of audience participation, Wurst will tell stories of Lewis & Clark and the California Gold Rush in a fascinating combination of entertainment and education.

"Lewis & Clark" is a big highlight in the show because we are making the bicentennial of the expedition which set out in 1804", says magician Wurst, who has been performing professionally for over 20 years.

Wurst is also no stranger to modern Western Exploration. In 2003 he moved his family and his entertainment business from New Jersey to southern California to become a member of the world famous Magic Castle of Hollywood.

He currently performs over 300 shows each year at libraries, schools, and private parties and continues to write and produce all new educational and motivational programs for children.

You can check out more of Mark H. Wurst's magical adventures online at http://www.markwurst.com/. For more information on this show or other children's program, please call (626)300-0777.

More Summer Reading!!!

Unfortunately, the Annual Summer Reading Program will be wrapping up on Saturday, July 31st. But for those who just can't get enough of Summer Reading, don't fear!!! The San Marino Public Library has teamed up with Wells Fargo, San Marino Branch, to offer one more reading program to participate in before the end of summer.

To join, just stop by the Public Library and pick a reading log. Participants are asked to read for at least 20 minutes each day. Then they are to color in a stagecoach, on their reading log, for every 20 minutes spent reading. Once all the stagecoaches are colored in, participants should bring their reading back to the public library to get a Librarian's signature and receive a small prize. They will then take their completed reading log to Wells Fargo, San Marino Branch and receive a special prize. This reading program begins Monday, August 2nd and continues through to Saturday, August 28th.

Indymac Bank Donates $100,000 to San Marino Public Library 75th Anniversary Capital Campaign

IndyMac Bank(r) FSB (held by IndyMac Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: NDE) has recently pledged $100,000 in support of the San Marino Public Library's 75th Anniversary Capital Campaign to build a new facility.

IndyMac's gift to the San Marino Public Library is part of a community wide effort to raise $5.5 million. The City of San Marino intends to provide matching funds (from existing resources) to complete the $11 million needed to construct a new public library facility for the community. The state of the art facility will have more public meeting spaces, study areas, flexible space for the library's growing collections.

Michael W. Perry, IndyMac's Chairman and CEO, says the bank was eager to help. "IndyMac is a strong supporter of educational programs in our community and we are pleased to provide support for the San Marino Library's Capital Campaign. The library is an important asset for residents in both San Marino and neighboring communities and the improvements from this campaign will provide greater resources for the local schools and citizens that depend on it," Perry said.

IndyMac Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for IndyMac Bank, the largest savings and loan in Los Angeles and the 10th largest nationwide (based on assets).

Library Closed Week

The Library will be closed from Sunday, August 29 through Monday, September 6 for our annual "Closed Week". During this week, the library staff dons their grubbies and tackles the tough cleaning that can't be done during the rest of the year. Librarians comb the collection to pick out old books that no one checks out any more. Clerks and pages wash, clean out, and move items that are way overdue for a good scrubbing. We welcome our public back on Tuesday, September 7 at 11:00 a.m., ready for the new school year and looking much improved after an intense week of work.

Free Classes: How to Find It in the Library

The Reference Staff at the San Marino Public Library will present a series of hands-on workshops to assist both children and parents in using the resources the library has to offer more effectively.

Library Treasure Hunt
Wednesday, September 22nd; 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Come to the San Marino Public Library and learn how to find a book in the library. This hands-on workshop is geared toward children in grades K-2nd and their parents, but anyone who needs to brush up on their book finding skills is welcome to attend. Discussion topics include the different sections of library and how books in the children's room are put into different categories: non-fiction, picture books, beginning readers, bridges and fiction. The evening will conclude with a treasure hunt in the library. Participants will be asked to find books using the skills and techniques that they just learned.

Dewey & the Decimals
Wednesday, October 6th; 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Who is Dewey and what is he doing with those decimals. Join us the San Marino Public Library for a hands-on workshop on learning everything there is to know about Melvin Dewey and the decimal system. Students will be introduced to the decimal system, categorization of books as fiction and non-fiction and a refresher on how to using the library's catalog computer. This workshop is geared toward 3rd - 4th graders along with their parents, but anyone who has an interest in how the Dewey Decimal System works is welcome to attend.

Research and Electronic Resources
Wednesday, October 20th; 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Do you have an assignment due that requires you to do research? Don't know where to turn? Then the San Marino Public Library is the place for you. We are holding a hands-on workshop that will introduce students to the reference and electronic resources that are available to help them complete their assignments. Discussion topics include the newspaper and magazine databases, science and history homework helper and current biography illustrated. This workshop is specifically geared toward 5th - 6th graders, along with their parents.

Space is limited, so call early to reserve a space!!! (626) 300-0777.

Halloween Hunt

Looking for something safe and fun to do for Halloween? Look no further!! Magician David Skale will be at the San Marino Public Library to presents his "Vampire Magic Show", Saturday, October 30th at 2:00 p. m. You will be thrilled with fantastic feats of magic along with creepy, crawly tales of pass Halloweens. Don't miss an opportunity to scream with glee and laugh with delight as Magician David promotes the importance of books and reading. Come join us for an evening of fun, interactive comedy, and lots of magic. All children are welcome and are encouraged to dress as their favorite Halloween character.

This free event sponsored by the Friends of the San Marino Public Library.

Register to Vote

Election season is heating up and the library is the perfect place to get the latest campaign news. Need to register to vote or change your voter information? Come into the library or simply visit www.yourvotematters.org/ala and register. Be sure to stop by the display case for valuable tips how you can use the library this election season, and who your current local, state and federal government representatives are.