Library Movie Screening

You’ve read the book, now see the movie! Join us at the San Marino Public Library on Thursday, April 5th at 2:00 p.m. We will be screening the latest release about a boy who loves chocolate and the silly man who makes it.

Tree Tops New Library!

San Marino Public Library holds traditional “Topping Out” celebration as last steel beam is hoisted atop new facility.

Those recently driving down Huntington Drive in San Marino might have done a double take and wondered what fraternity or practical joker was behind the prank when they spied a tree – yes, a tree – atop the new facility currently under construction for the San Marino Public Library. But the tree was there because it was supposed to be – as part of a time-honored tradition among ironworkers called “Topping Out.”

This milestone celebrates the placing of the final, top piece of steel on a new building, explained Alex Main, Construction Manager for Bernard’s Construction Management. As tradition demands, an American flag was raised along with the tree and the final beam was painted white, so that the members of Ironworkers Union 433 and over 200 visiting dignitaries could sign it.

Guests included Dr. Matthew Lin, Mayor of San Marino; City Manager Matt Ballantyne; architects from Harley Ellis Devereaux, which designed the new library; City department heads and city employees; members of the San Marino Unified School Board; representatives from the San Marino Public Library’s Board of Trustees and Foundation; Friends of the San Marino Public Library; and five of the six City Council candidates. Even a Humanities class from Southwestern Academy in San Marino took a short field trip to join the crowd as well.

“It was a wonderful, perfect opportunity for the students to watch local history in the making,” said Carolyn Crain, City Librarian. “But what I, myself, will remember most, for years to come, is all the positive energy and support that surrounded us.”

In fact, there was so much support from the community that City police opted to close Huntington Drive briefly, to allow the crowd to cross to the median to watch the “topping out” of the final beam.

As is often the case on larger projects like the new 29,000 square foot San Marino Public Library – which will include such amenities as a Lifelong Learning Center, Children’s Library, Reference and Technology Area, Community Meeting Room and Chinese Collection – the “Topping Out” ceremony included an outdoor lunch for the crew and guests, compliments of Bernards, prior to the placement of the last beam at 2 p.m.

Get Expert Search Help

When you want help with finding a book, you ask a librarian. Easy. But did you know that you can ask a librarian to help you find a website? Yes! Librarians are experts at finding the best, most reliable websites to help answer any questions. Think of them as “Level 60 Shamans” in the "World of Searchcraft”.

How can you find a librarian to ask a question? Call us during our open hours (noon to 5, Monday through Thursday and Saturday) at 300-0777. Or, send us an email: smpl@CityofSanMarino.org. Or, chat with a librarian any time of day or night by clicking the “AskNow” button on our web page: http://sanmarinopl.org.

Tax Filing Deadline

“Tax Day” will be April 16 this year (the 15th is a Sunday), so there is under a month remaining to get those taxes done. With online filing becoming more prevalent, the options are even more plentiful. The San Marino Public Library cannot write your payment check, nor can the library staff tell you how to fill out your forms, but we can supply you with free copies of both state and federal booklets, as well as many of the basic forms. If you are looking for a form that we don’t have, we can help you find forms on the Internet and print them for ten cents each.

If you want to obtain the form from the Internet yourself, you can go to http://www.irs.gov and click on “Forms and Publications” and then “Form and instruction number”. If you need any help finding a form, or if you want to know if the Library has free copies of the forms and instructions you need, call the library at (626) 300-0777 and ask for the reference desk.

Upcoming Children Activities

National Library Week Celebrate National Library Week (April 15—21) at the San Marino Public Library. All children who check out a book during the week will receive a special library surprise. You can also enter to win a library book bag. To wrap up the week, on Saturday, April 21st @ 2:00 p.m. Monique the Magic Genie will demonstrate her mind boggling magic. Don’t miss out on the fun!!!

Barks & Books Scarlett, a gentle daschund and Popcorn, a lively Irish Terrier are looking for kids to read to them at the San Marino Public Library. Elementary school-aged children are invited to practice their reading skills with Popcorn on Tuesday, April 17th from 3:30– 4:30 p.m.. Scarlett will be at the library on the Saturday, April 21st 11:30-1230 p.m. Please call to reserve a space.

Community Pride and Faith Paying Off

Eighteen years of careful planning and private as well as City support is finally coming to fruition as steel columns and girders rise into place, forming the structural backbone of the new San Marino Public Library.

Private investors have given the majority of the funds to build this public gathering place. These generous citizens have taken it upon themselves to invest in the future of their City, knowing that this flagship facility will act as a resilient and cohesive cultural core for San Marino, as well as generate value for years to come.

At last, San Marino families will have a highly functional library that will be fully outfitted to support its excellent schools with up-to-date equipment and resources. And, although users will still be able to borrow books at no charge, the Library will generate revenue for the City by renting its state-of-the-art community meeting room, for example. Also, the volunteer-staffed Friends of the Library Used Book Shoppe will occupy center stage with its own storefront conveniently located near the library entrance. Revenues generated by the Shoppe pay for many of the Library’s new books and materials. In addition, the new building is designed to be energy efficient, thus saving the enormous heating and cooling costs associated with the old building.

Other California communities have waited for State hand-outs to build or replace their libraries. Our far-sighted citizens empowered themselves to move forward with construction. As a result, by the end of this year, San Marino will enjoy a new library built by its own residents: a powerful asset worthy of the accomplished people of this town.

Teen Readers: We Want You!

The San Marino Public Library is re-activating its Teen Advisory Board after a six month hiatus. Meetings will be held every other Saturday at 2:00 P.M. in the “Fireside Room” of the Temporary Library. The kick-off meeting is scheduled for February 24, and refreshments will be served.

Board members recommend books, magazines, DVDs and CDs to be purchased by the library and contribute their ideas and guidance on how Young Adult materials can be best organized and displayed to appeal to their peers. They plan and implement programs, and do special volunteer projects as well.

If you are a Middle School or High School student interested in participating, join us for the meeting on the 24^th. If you would like more information call Lynda, at (626) 300-0777, or stop by the library