Outreach Opportunities

The library has been privileged to meet and work with several groups of new library users over the past months. It has been an opportunity to showcase the library and its services to children who might not otherwise have the chance to visit a library, attend a storytime or work with library resources.

Weekly, women and children from a local shelter have visited the library for storytime, crafts and songs. For some it has been their first opportunity to be in a library, for others it has provided a much-needed respite from their current situation. Children of all ages have enjoyed the program - from toddlers to teenagers.

Students from Harambee Preparatory School in northwest Pasadena have also visited the library for stories, songs and crafts. Their grade level visits provided them with an understanding of library services and environment. They will return for continued library training.

Each month, the Children's Librarian visits a local class with a special storytime. These students from the Recreation Department DayCare and Stoneman School's Special Day Class look forward to her visit.

The library staff is working to reach beyond the borders of the library and take our program to those who might otherwise not enjoy the wonders of the library.

DVDs a Success

The DVD collection continues to be a success at the library. The library now owns more than one hundred and seventy-five titles on DVD. So which titles are the most popular? Recently we checked the circulation statistics for the DVDs. The third most popular DVD is Stuart Little, which has been checked out 50 times. This film stars Michael J. Fox as Stuart the young mouse with human qualities who is adopted by the Little family based on the classic children's book by E.B. White.

The second most popular DVD is The World Is Not Enough, checked out 54 times.

Pierce Bronson stars in this recent James Bond action film. "Some men want to rule the world... Some women ask for the world... Some believe the world is theirs for the taking... But for one man, The World Is Not Enough!!!"

And the most popular DVD at the Library is Shanghai Noon, which has been checked out 66 times! The old west meets the Far East in the first kung fu western ever. Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson star as an unlikely duo who partner up to save a Chinese Princess (Lucy Lui) who has been kidnapped from the Forbidden City in China and brought to the United States.

Stop in and check out these or other titles from our DVD collection. DVDs cost $2 and you can keep them for 4 days. The fees help support the library. Don't see your favorites? Stop in, call, or email your suggestions for DVD titles you would like to see in the Library.

Finding Someone on the Internet

Have you ever wanted to locate someone using the Internet, but had no idea how to do it? Here are a few starting points to help you on your search.

First, try looking up him or her in the phone book. Many telephone directories have been digitized and put up on the Web. Try searching SuperPages.com [www.superpages.com] from Verizon. This site offers nationwide Yellow and White Pages searching, reverse look-up, map-based searching and "Global Directories", links to telephone books from around the world.

Want to search several telephone directory databases from a single interface? Try TheUltmates.com [theultimates.com]. Scott Martin of Brady, Texas constructed this Web site that offers twenty-five Internet services from one location.

What if the one you seek is not listed in the phone book? Try searching public records at KnowX [www.knowx.com]. Use their "Ultimate People Finder" to see in what city the person you are looking for owns property. Need more details? Pay from $2.95 to $19.95 to see the full public record entries.

If you need more help, please call the Reference Desk at the San Marino Public Library: (626) 300-0777.

Library to Close for Holidays

The Library will be closed on December 24 and 25 and again on December 31 and January 1 in observance of the holidays. Otherwise, the Library will be open regular hours.

Rose Pruning Workshop

On Saturday, January 17, 2004 at 9:30 AM, Ron Serven, of the San Marino Parks Department will conduct a free workshop on rose pruning in the San Marino Public Library's auditorium and patio. The Public Library (not to be confused with the Huntington Library) is located at 1890 Huntington Drive in San Marino. Reservations are not necessary. For more information, call (626) 300-0777.

Ron Serven of the San Marino Parks Department returns for the 11th annual rose pruning workshop. The popular program is free and will acquaint each attendee with everything one needs to know to prepare their roses for the optimum display in the spring and beyond. The workshop is held in the Public Library's auditorium and on the patio, weather permitting. Ron makes it interesting and easy, and he is great about answering questions about roses. Afterwards, those who attend will look forward to a morning or afternoon in the garden, and they will have confidence in their technique.

Reservations are not necessary, but those who arrive a bit early will get the best seats.