Spotlight on the Magazine Index: An Online Subscription from Your Library

Need to do some research but can't get to the library? No problem! The San Marino Public Library subscribes to eleven different services that you can use through our Web page with your library card at any time of day or night.

The crown jewel of this collection is the Magazine Index. This database, also known as MasterFile Elite from EBSCOhost Web(tm), lets users search through a database that reaches back to the early 1990s and covers over 1200 magazines and journals ranging from People to the Journal of Interamerican Studies & World Affairs. Many entries contain the entire text of articles just as they appeared in print!

Students love this database because it means that they don't have to physically go to the library, find the correct edition of the magazine that they seek, and then photocopy it. Parents find this collection useful when they want to read articles about home repair or appliance reviews. This service can also help busy businesspeople to find quality information right from their desks at work.

How do you reach this information treasure? Grab your library card, point your browser to http://sanmarinopl.org, and then click on "Online Reference Resources". On the next screen, choose "Magazine Index". The login screen will ask for a "Patron ID". This is your 14-digit library card number typed in with no spaces. On the following page, choose the service called "EBSCOhost Web". Once you do that, you will be free to explore the world of magazine and journal articles online--all with a strong guarantee of quality, courtesy of the San Marino Public Library.

The San Marino Library home page is your gateway to quality information online.

Three New Faces Come to the San Marino Public Library

The San Marino Public Library is pleased to announce the arrival of three new additions to our staff: Yvonne Cheng, Jessica Keating, and Crystal Yu.

Yvonne Cheng has returned to our library as an accredited reference librarian. She last worked for us as a library assistant in 2002. Cheng brings many talents to the reference desk including a fine arts background and an understanding of the Chinese language. Cheng earned her Masters of Library and Information Science at UCLA in 2003. She lives in San Gabriel with her husband.

Project Coordinator Jessica Keating comes to us from City Hall. She will oversee the implementation of various library administrative tasks. In addition to her work with us, Keating is studying for a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University. Keating has worked for the City of San Marino since 1996. She lives in Arcadia with her husband and dog.

Crystal Yu will manage the administrative details for the Library Capital Campaign. At the same time, she is writing her Masters thesis for the Industrial/Organizational Psychology Program at San Jose State University. Yu received her undergraduate degree in Psychology at U.C. Irvine. She currently resides in Monterey Park.

Please join us in welcoming these professionals to our team!

Rose Pruning Workshop 2005

For you do-it-yourselfers and nature lovers, it is time to plan your schedule for a beautiful rose display in the spring. The free Rose Pruning workshop that Ron Serven, of the San Marino Parks Department, has given annually in the Library's auditorium will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2005 at 9:00 AM. Ron always does a great job of explaining and demonstrating the philosophy and technique of rose pruning. Some people attend year after year as a refresher course. He is great about answering questions and readying people to go out and spend a couple of hours in the garden.

This year there will be a new twist. The session at the Library, which runs from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, will be followed by a hands-on pruning demonstration at Lacy Park (1485 Virginia Road) from 11:30 to 1:00 PM. Lacy Park has plenty of roses to practice on and this part of the program gives those attending the opportunity to get immediate feedback and answers to questions from Ron. He will give some instruction, but the emphasis will be on the doing. Bring your pair of pruners. Also on hand will be volunteers from the Lacy Park Rose Garden Deadheaders, a group of knowledgeable and helpful people who help the Parks Department keep up with the massive amount of rose pruning in Lacy Park. Anyone who wants to join this group is encouraged to attend and find out more about what they do. This segment will give participants more exposure to different types of rose plants, including climbing roses. Please enter at the Virginia Road entrance and sign in there.

There is no need to make a reservation for either part of the program, but call (626) 300-0777 for information on the Library segment, or (626) 304-9648 for information about the hands-on segment. Everyone is welcome to attend either or both sessions.

Audio Update

The library's collection of unabridged audio books continues to grow, with over a dozen new titles being added in October and November. Clive Cussler is back with a new thriller, Lost City, the fifth installment in his popular NUMA files series. The Darling, Russell Banks's latest book, is described in Publishers Weekly as "A rich and complex look at the searing connections between the personal and the political, and one of Banks's most powerful novels yet."

New non-fiction offerings include Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts and Jon Meachem's Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship. Meachem is managing editor of Newsweek and his well researched book examines the unique friendship forged between two vital figures of the 20th century, FDR and Winston Churchill.

San Marino Public Library to Hold Used Book Sale

The Friends of the San Marino Public Library will hold their semi-annual used book sale on Saturday, October 30, 2004 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Library patio.

This will be a special "Two-Fer" blowout sale. Buyers pay $2.00 for one bag of books and get an additional bag for free.

Book lovers from around the Southland look forward to these sales that offer lightly used books at deeply discounted prices.

Throughout the year, the Friends of the San Marino Public Library run a used Book Shoppe in the Library auditorium. It is open on Mondays from 11:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursdays from 11:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fridays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Book Shoppe is closed on Tuesday and Sunday.

For more information, call the Library at (626) 300-0777.

Free Internet Class Saturday, October 23, 2004

On Saturday, October 23, there will be a free hour and a half workshop, "Internet for Beginners" starting at 9:00 AM. This class is for people who have little or no Internet experience and want to begin learning what the Internet is and how to use it. A "follow-up" class called "Internet: Beyond the Basics" will be held on Saturday, November 20 at 9:00 AM. This class is for those who have taken the first class or have had some Internet experience, but want to learn more about finding information on the Internet.

Space in both classes is limited, so those who wish to obtain further information or reserve a place can call (626) 300-0777. The San Marino Public Library is located at 1890 Huntington Drive in San Marino.

Halloween Hunt

Looking for something safe and fun to do for Halloween? Well, 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. 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 afternoon of fun, interactive comedy, and lots of magic. All children are welcome and are encouraged to dress their Halloween costume. This free event sponsored by the Friends of the San Marino Public Library.

Free Art Workshop

The San Marino Public library, along with Chouninard School of Art, will offer a free drawing Class for children ages 9 - 13. The class will be taught by artist Vivian Flynn, teacher and Head of Children's programming at the Chouninard School of Art.

Class will be at the San Marino Public Library on Thursday, November 4th from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Space is limited, so please call (626) 300-0777 to reserve a spot!!!

Children's Book Week

In celebration of Children's Book Week, (November 15 - November 20) the San Marino Public Library will be asking all children to help contribute in building a library bookworm. For each book read, the child will come into the library and fill out form that will represent a piece of the bookworm's body. This "body piece" includes the name and age of the child along with the title and author of each book read. Each piece will then be added to the bookworm in an effort to see how long the bookworm will grow by the end of Children's Book Week. Children can begin helping the library bookworm grow on Monday, November 1st.

New Reference Material @ the San Marino Public Library

In an effort to assist younger children with their research needs, the San Marino Public Library recently purchased a new set of encyclopedias, "The New Book of Knowledge". These encyclopedias are specifically geared towards younger researchers beginning from grade 3 and up. And it has long been the leading source of accurate, accessible, and fun-to-read information. With its thousands of articles, written by over 1,880 authoritative contributors, and many special features, "The New Book of Knowledge" has been consistently judged the best in its class.

Guaranteed Quality Information at the Office and at Home-Through Your Library

Are you worried about the quality of the information that you find on the Internet? Wouldn't it be nice to have Web-based facts at your fingertips that you could be sure were reliable? Now you can, through your San Marino Public Library.

The Library has subscribed to eleven different products that you can get into through our Web page with your library card. These include a magnificent magazine database that lets you search through over 1200 well-known periodicals, many of which will serve up entire articles just as they appeared in print. Forget about a copy machine! Just mark the articles you need and have them sent to your e-mail inbox.

Need an old article from the Los Angeles Times? From our Web page, you can pull up every story that appeared in the paper going all the way back to 1985. Students, visit Facts on File to find science experiment suggestions or CQ Researcher to get the pros and cons of modern societal dilemmas. High schoolers can browse College Catalogs online.

Book group members can find reviews and recommendations for modern fiction in Novelist, and background information about older authors in Gale's Writers' Lives and even Current Biography, a database that has articles about the famous reaching back to 1940.

Finally, everyone can use online articles from Encyclopedia Americana (the U.S. answer to Encyclopedia Britannica) and the unabridged Oxford English Dictionary. How do you reach these gems? Grab your library card and point your browser to http://smpl.us. Most of these products require users outside library walls to type in their 14-digit library card number, with no spaces. Once you do that, you can explore the world of subscription information-all with a strong guarantee of quality, courtesy of the San Marino Public Library.

Food for Thought

Beginning October 9th, 2004, the San Marino Public Library will participate in the In-N-Out "Food for Thought" Reading Program for children aged 2 to 12. A child visiting the San Marino Public Library may register at the Children's Reference Desk and receive a "Food for Thought" reading log. The Children's Services staff will validate the log with a program stamp for each book a child reads at his/her reading level. When the child has five stamps on the log, he/she will receive a "Food for Thought" Achievement Award certificate good for a free cheeseburger or a hamburger at any In-N-Out Burger. For children too young to read, parents can read to the child. The "Food for Thought" reading program will end on November 20, 2004

Research Workshop at the San Marino Public Library

Do you have an assignment due that requires you to do research? Don't know where to turn? Then come to the San Marino Public Library on Wednesday, October 20th at 6:30 p.m. We are holding a hands-on workshop that will introduce students to research procedures and the electronic resources available to assist them in completing 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, but anyone with an interest in Research and Electronic Resources is invited to attend.

Halloween Hunt

Looking for something safe and fun to do for Halloween? Well, look no further!! Magician David Skale will be at the San Marino Public Library to present 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 past 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.

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.

Patron Free Week

This is another reminder that the San Marino Public Library will close from Sunday, August 29 through Monday, September 6 for our annual "Patron Free 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.

A New Library Website

The public library has debuted its much anticipated new website. This lighter, brighter site updates the previous one, which was designed way back in 1998. Our new site was designed using modern web building techniques resulting in faster downloading times. Easier navigation is made possible by providing access to all of the sites content right from the opening page. The one thing that hasn’t changed is the address; you can still find us at http://sanmarinopl.org. Help us continue to improve the site by emailing us your comments.

September 11th: Celebrating Freedom, Democracy and Patriotism

You are invited to help us mark Saturday, September 11th as a day of celebrating freedom, democracy and patriotism at the one public institution that embodies these very ideas – your public library. Take this time to register to vote or update your voter information; the library has all of the proper forms or can help you register online. There will be patriotic coloring and craft activities available for children of all ages throughout the day. When you come in and sign up for a library card on this day you will receive a coupon for a free video/DVD rental from the library’s collection. This all-day celebration will culminate with a special screening of the Frank Kapra masterpiece, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington starring Jimmy Stewart at 2 p.m.

A Brave New Science Fiction Section

Many patrons who visit our library may not be aware that there is a section that we set aside for books of science fiction and fantasy. Currently, this area is at the tail end of the Fiction section, set back in a corner on the eastern wall. It is secluded in more ways than one. Some of the books there now date back to the early 1960’s!

All that will change during our “Patron Free Week”. Throughout the summer, we have been buying new science fiction books and making certain that we have solid copies of the classics. The crusty old ones, in which the world of tomorrow now appears distinctly retro, are being retired.

While we are closed to the public, we will move the Science Fiction and Fantasy section to where the beginning of the regular Fiction section is now, on the wall next to the drinking fountain.

If you love the world of science fiction and fantasy literature, check out our new compact, current collection when it debuts on September 7.

Summer Reading Program Wrap-Up

The Summer Reading Program was a huge success at the San Marino Public Library. The number of children registered for the "Ride A Wild Tale" program reached an all time high of 660. The YA program also had an excellent turn out with over 175 teens participating in the "Get Wild…Read" program. The San Marino Public Library would like to congratulate all of the 165 children who read 20 books during the summer and completed the youth program. Those children who finished the program received a reading award and prize along with a gift certificate from both Los Gueros Mexican restaurant in Monrovia and San Marino Toy and Book Shoppe.

The annual summer program concluded with a "Rootin Tootin" magic show performed by magician Mark H. Wurst. All those in attendance were treated to a western feast that included hot dogs, baked beans, chips, and baked desserts. The winners of various contests held throughout the summer were also announced.

The staff at the San Marino Public Library would like to thank all the children and teens who participated in the San Marino Public Library Summer Reading Program. We would also like to thank all the "Ticktockers" from the National Charity League who donated a countless number of volunteer hours. We would also like to thank the various businesses and organizations that donated incentives to both the children's and teen program. Last, but definitely not least, we would especially like to thank the Friends of the San Marino Public Library. Their hard work and dedication makes it possible to continue the Summer Reading Program every year.

Contest Winners

Name the Character Contest:

Annika Greenleaf; Horse, "Clippety Clop"

Ashely Chuck; Wolf, "Bandit"

Justin Lee; Cow, "Cowdy"

Writing Contest:

Michelle Floyd, Manu Navjeevan

Drawing Contest:

Cherise Chuck, Sarah Garcia

Count the Corn Contest:

Kelly Chen

Young Adult Winners

Laser Tag Party at UltraZone:

Alex Cheng Karate Uniform and Lessons: Nikita Lamba, Jessica Ma

CD Player:

Stephanie Law

$25 Islands Restaurant Gift Certificate:

Devin Weakland

$25 Sport Chalet Gift Certificate:

Paige Konitake, Aakash Kumar, Madeline Lindsay, Michelle Mohr

$15 Tower Record Gift Certificate:

Andrea Binley, Ileana Borunda, Annie Chiao, Justin Farshida, Simon Lau, Wilson Lau, Hannah Lu, Alexander Phillips, Jody Sheu, Diana Zhang

Six Flags Magic Mountain:

Shannon Dang

LA Zoo:

Felicia Arafin, Caroline Liou

Gene Autry Western Museum:

Laura Adams, Eulanca Liu, Nicky Rayyis, Mark Tan

Aquarium of the Pacific:

Alison Chang, Vivian Hong

Extreme Bowling at AMF Bahama Lanes:

Joanie Del Santo, Stephanie Ko, Jessica Fong, Richard Liu, Saskia Raether, Cheryl Yeung

Laemmle Theatre:

Felicia Arafin, Alison Chang. Richard Hancock, Kishori Patel, Angel Pan, Kevin Wong

Businesses and Organizations that Donated Gifts to the Summer Reading Program:

Aquarium of the Pacific	Los Gueros Mexican Restaurant
AMF Bahama Lanes	San Marino Toy & Book Shoppe
Autry Museum of Western Heritage	Shakey's Pizza
Hollywood Video	Six Flags Magic Mountain
Island's Restaurant	Sports Chalet
Kim's Hapkido	Stars Athletic Foundation
Laemmle Theatre	Ultrazone
Los Angeles Zoo	Wells Fargo Bank

Participants Who Completed the Summer Reading Program by Reading 20+ Books

Daniel Abrams	Olivia Greenleaf	Olivia Ponce
David Anawalt	Christine Hancock	Ryan Puri
Winston Anawalt	Sarah Higdon	Nicky Rayyis
Evan Anthopoulos	Maya Ho	Austin Reyes
Shelly Anthopoulos	Melody Ho	Tristen Reyes
Gabriela Arifin	Henry Hotaling	Brianna Rogers
Leann Barth	Madeline Hotaling	Thomas Rogers
Kate Beardsley	Christian Hu	Joshua Rose
Weiwei Breakwell	Emilie Hu	Toltic Sandoeal
Jessica Cameron	Jordan Hu	Sayvzhdri Sarrafpour
Brandon Carone	Joshua Hu	Masamich Sasuki
Alex Cate	Alexander Hung	Rececca Sheih
Dannie Chabilue	Anthony Hung	Jonathan Sheu
Christina Chang	Christopher Hung	Matthew Shieh
Diana Chang	Alfred Hwang	Jessica Song
Kalyn Chang	Jasper Kan	Kevin Song
Russell Chang	Kyle Ko	Steven Song
Ruyi Chang	Michelle Ko	Tyler Spitzer
William Chang	Thomas Krimmel	Andrew Stonnington
Zoe Chang	Fion Lam	Caroline Stonnington
Jonathan Chen	Tasha Lam	Christopher Stonnington
Justine Chen	Water Lam	Darren Sun
Kelly Chen	Justine Lan	Justine Tang
Melody Chen	Emily Lau	Madeline Tomaske
Tess Chen	Eric Lau	Natalie Tso
Ruguan Cheng	Stacey Lau	Chanica Veranunt
Ryan Chiu	Victoria Lau	Han Vi
Stephanie Cho	Brianna LeBerthon	Andrew Wan
Elliot Chou	Chrisian Lee	Angela Wang
Ariel Cristi	Justine Lee	Camille Wang
Erin Cristi	Tammy Lee	Kevin Wang
Sabrina Cristi	Alex Lei	Nathan Wang
Amy Damir	Alyssa Leung	Valerie Wang
Anna Damir	Jenna Leung	Angeline Wong
Emily Delorimier	Dean Li	Bailey Wong
Jack Delorimier	Andrew Lin	Jacqueline Wong
Lauren Dietzel	Jonathan Lin	Jared Wong
Matt Dietzel	Bill Lin	Mathew Wong
Jessica Fan	Rachel Linton	Natalie Wong
Jessica Fan	Sarah Linton	Samantha Wong
Diana Felix	Tiffany Lu	Wyatt Wu
Marina Felix	Elaine Luong	Alana Yamada
Alexis French	Ryan Luong	Haley Yamada
Arianna French	Jonathan Mac	Chrystal Yen
Andrew Gabig	Ashley Matanaka	Behanty Yew
Sasha Gabig	Elise Matsusaka	Britney Yip
Joshua Gilmore	Manu Navjeevan	Vivain Yip
Tyler Gilmore	Vidhu Navjeevan	Samantha Young
Lauren Gomez	Mike Nelson	Emory Yuan
Jonathan Gonzalez	Matt Omari	Ach Yung
Kayley Gonzalez	Maya Omari	Zoe Yung
Moriah Gonzalez	Lauren Panajotovic	Grace Zhang
Amanda Grannis	Sean Panajotovic	Chris Zoro
Cameron Grannis	Larissa Phillips

Write a Love Letter for the San Marino Public Library

The San Marino Public Library has applied for a grant from the State of California for the rebuilding of our library. We need your help to win it! Write about how much you love the library, how you use it, and what it means to you.

Bring the letter in to us and we will forward it to the State Office of Library Construction as part of a package supporting our grant application. If you need some help writing your letter, visit http://sanmarinopl.org/support.pdf. Mix and match sample "talking points" listed there, or use your own.

Please address the letters to:

• Office of the State Librarian
• c/o San Marino Public Library
• 1890 Huntington Drive
• San Marino, CA 91108

The deadline to bring your letter to the Library has been extended to Saturday, August 28, 2004. To show our thanks, we will give every letter writer a certificate good for a free DVD or video rental from the library. If you have questions or would like to discuss the library project, call Carolyn Crain (300-0778) or Suzy Crowell (796-4200).

Patron Free Week

The San Marino Public Library will close from Sunday, August 29 through Monday, September 6 for our annual "Patron Free 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.

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.

The Summer Reading Program Has Begun!!!

If you didn't know by now the Summer Reading Program at the San Marino Public Library has begun and has taken off to a fantastic start. Over 294 children have signed up for this annual program in the first 4 days of registration. The Public Library wants children to read during the summer months and one way of encouraging them is to have them participate in the Summer Reading Program. Children are asked to read and are rewarded for reaching various reading milestones. The staff at the public library had visits with every class at Carver and Valentine elementary schools to give the kids an overview of the program and to encourage them to visit the library during the summer.

A new aspect of the program is to encourage children going on vacation for three weeks or more to participate. These children will receive a reading record to keep track of the books they read while on their trip, along with a packet that will include forms so they may write a short report about each book. Upon return, they can bring their materials back to the library to receive their reading rewards. By creating this option, we are hoping to get as many kids as possible involved with summer reading. For more information on the Summer Reading Program, please call the Children's Department at (626) 300-0777.

More Summer Fun at the Public Library

Children of all ages are invited to drop by the public library on Tuesday, July 29th anytime between 12-4p.m. to "make and take" western-themed crafts. Children will also be entertained by our feature cartoon presentations: Pecos Bill & Annie Oakley.

Sandii Castleberry will be appearing at the public library on Wednesday, June 30th at 7:00 p.m. Join us for a fun evening as "Aunt Sandii" ropes young readers into reading books this summer. This lively interactive show titled, "Singing the Way to Reading" will connect children's literature through folk songs and storytelling. Bring the whole family to enjoy this entertaining performance.

Author Holly Cleeland will be at the public library on Wednesday, July 7th at 7:00 p.m. to give a demonstration on how to create great costumes with everyday materials. It's amazing what wonderful things you can create with a glue gun, scissors, and an imagination. Her award winning costumes have been featured on the "Rosie O'Donnell Show" and one lucky kid will have a chance to take home one of these wonderfully wacky creations. Her first book, "Glue and Go Costume for Kids" will be available for purchase. For information on this or any other library programs, please contact the Children's Department at (626) 300-0777.

Now Screening

The San Marino Public Library recently acquired a "Public Performance Site License," which allows the screening of feature films for library patrons. Many times in the past, the library would like to have shown a film as part of a children's or young adult program, but was unable to do so because most videos and DVDs are licensed for "home showings only." The license covers the complete film catalog of most major studios, including Walt Disney Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Miramax, Dreamworks, Warner Bros. and others.

As a part of the "Stampede To Read" summer reading program for teens, the library will be showing a classic anime film by Hayao Miyazaki. Miyazaki is widely regarded as one of the greatest animators and directors in Japan. The movie is about a sullen 10-year-old girl who becomes separated from her parents in spooky, abandoned amusement park, and wanders into a ghost world. It will be shown Saturday, June 26, at 2:30 P.M. in the library auditorium. The movie is rated PG and admission is free.

Yes, the Library Is Out for Blood!

The American Red Cross experiences serious blood shortages every summer, and the Public Library is hoping to help by sponsoring a blood drive on Tuesday, July 20 between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Although you will probably never know who you helped by your donation, just knowing that you took the time to help an anonymous stranger should make you feel proud. Your donation may save a life, or prevent a dangerous delay in somebody's surgery. The expert staff of the American Red Cross will ensure that your experience is a good one.

Please call for information about donating in general or to make an appointment. Call the Library at (626) 300-0777 and ask for Rex.

Write Your Love Letter to the Library Today!

The Library is in competition for a grant from the State Library of California for funds to help build a new structure. We need your help! Please write a letter to the State Librarian describing how much you love the library and why we need a new one. Deliver your letter to the library to be included in a notebook of entreaties to be sent to Sacramento. Bring your letter in before July 15, 2004 to receive a certificate good for a free video or DVD rental from the library. For more information and for an address, please see our web site: http://sanmarinopl.org/support.pdf (requires Adobe Acrobat to read).

A Little More About the Internet

Many people who have taken the Internet for Beginners class at the Library have asked about "the next class." The staff generally recommends that people spend time working with the Internet and consider coming to the Library so that the reference librarians can help them work through their questions. A new class "A Little More About the Internet" will attempt to take people a few steps further. This class is not recommended for computer or Internet novices, but if you have done a fair share at dabbling but want some help, this class is for you. This hour and a half class (one time only) will be offered on Saturday, July 17. Please call (626) 300-0777 to make a reservation.

If you are interested in taking the Internet for Beginners class, call to get on the notification list, and the staff will let you know as soon as a date is set for the next class.

Travel Time

Are you on your way to Grandma's house, or Europe, or a trip to show the kids the East Coast - or maybe to Greece for the Olympics? The San Marino Public Library can give you a helping hand. The library has made a large purchase of over 250 different travel books and DVDs for your use. They are arriving almost daily at the library. The most up to date books on every state in the USA, most countries worldwide and all major cities of Europe and Asia will be available for you.

Let Rick Steves or Fodor's or Frommer's or Lonely Planet or Rough Guides or DK Publishing give you some advise on your upcoming travels. Check out the various different publishers to see the different approaches they have to travel. Some highlight economy trips, some luxury ones, several have sections of things to do with kids, some are for backpackers or those interested in out of the ordinary adventures.

There are also great books about California. Hikes in Yosemite, walks along the coast, day hikes around Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego and information about all our national parks.

Stop into the library for a preview of your upcoming plans or a chance to dream about or plan a future adventure.

Library Wins Small Business Grant

The San Marino Public Library has won a grant from the State Library of California. The grant, called "Services for Small Businesses in a Box" is designed to help the library reach out to small businesses in town by providing appropriate databases that can be accessed off-site along with training in how to use them. The grant package also includes promotional materials, speakers for library programs, and money for books that help business. The library will use the grant to participate in training events and to involve the local business community in the project.

The purpose of the grant is to improve San Marino Public Library's services to local small businesses. For more information, call Phyllis Wilburn, grant coordinator, at 626 300-0777.

Summer Reading Program Calendar

Saturday, June 19 – 2:00 pm – “Wild Jill Hancock’s Wild West Animal Show”.

Tuesday, June 22 - 11:30 am & 1:30 pm – Reading Round-Up Story Hour (ages 3 – 8).

Saturday, June 26 – 2:30 pm – Young Adult Movie Day - “Spirited Away”.

Tuesday, June 29 – 12:00 pm to 4:pm – Afternoon Movie and Make It and Take It Craft Day.

Wednesday, June 30 – 7:00 pm – Aunt Sandii - “Singing the Way to Reading”.

Wednesday, July 7 – 7:00pm – Author Holly Cleeland presents Glu & Go Costumes

Tuesday, July 13 – 11:30 am & 1:30 pm – Reading Round-Up Story Hour (ages 3 – 8).

Saturday, July 17 – 2:00 pm – Ventriloquist Joe Gandleman.

Tuesday, July 20 – 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Afternoon Movie and Make It and Take It Craft Day.

Saturday, July 24 – 2:30 pm - Young Adult Movie Day – Princess Mononoke

Saturday, July 31 – 2:00 pm – End of the Summer BBQ and “Rootin’ Tootin’ Mysteries – The Magic of the Old West” with Magician Mark H. Wurst.

Ride A Wild Tale at the San Marino Public Library

The annual Summer Reading Program is set to rustle up on Monday, June 14th. The program will last throughout the summer, concluding on Saturday, July 31st. The Summer Reading Program is designed to encourage reading during the summer while promoting reading for enjoyment.

The theme this year focuses on the Wild West and is appropriately titled “Ride A Wild Tale” Children of all ages are encouraged to skedaddle to the public library to participate because there will be lots of activities and entertainment. Scheduled entertainment includes a magic show, a puppet performance and a real live animal show. Children will also have the opportunity to win various prizes by participating in a number of contests throughout the summer.

So be sure to mosey on down to the public library beginning Monday, June 14th and register for the Summer Reading Program. The whole kit and caboodle is sure to be loads of fun!! All activities and programs are free to the public and sponsored by the Friends of the San Marino Public Library. For more information on the summer reading program or other children’s programs at the library, please call (626) 300-0777.

Make It & Take It Craft Days

'Round and ‘round you’ll go - from one table to the next at the Make-It and Take-It Craft Days, Tuesday, June 20th and/or Tuesday, July 29th. Children, preschool age through 5th grade, are invited to the public library to make a variety of western themed crafts. Craft tables will be available from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the Girls’ and Boys’ Department. You can drop in any time to work on a project. There is no cost for the program and registration is not necessary.

Teens: Stampede to the Library

Y’all come in—if you’re in 6th grade or above, and sign up for Stampede To Read, this year’s summer reading program for Middle School and High School students. Registration begins June 14th , but you can sign up anytime after that date, through July 31st, when the program ends.

It’s simple—register, read, and WIN! The top prize this year, for the lucky winner of our prize drawing, is a laser tag party for eight at Ultrazone in Alhambra. There are lots of other prizes as well: anime posters, theatre passes, a CD player. Maybe you want to try for gift certificates from Kim’s Hapkido, Tower Records, or Islands restaurant. How about complimentary passes to Aquarium of the Pacific, the L.A. Zoo, Autry Museum of Western Heritage, or a night of Xtreme Bowling at AMF Bahama Lanes?

We would like to extend a hearty “Thank you” to the local businesses named above for their generous donations, and also to the Friends of the San Marino Library, and MCLS (Metropolitan Cooperative Library Services) who consistently provide support for the program each year. For more information, call (626) 300-0776.

Write a Love Letter for the San Marino Public Library

The San Marino Public Library has applied for a grant from the State of California for the rebuilding of our library. We need your help to win it! Write about how much you love the library, how you use it, and what it means to you.

Bring the letter in to us and we will forward it to the State Office of Library Construction as part of a package supporting our grant application. If you need some help writing your letter, visit http://sanmarinopl.org/support.pdf. Mix and match sample “talking points” listed there, or use your own.

Please address the letters to:

• Office of the State Librarian
• c/o San Marino Public Library
• 1890 Huntington Drive
• San Marino, CA 91108

Give your letter to us before the end of June and to show our thanks, we will give you a certificate good for a free DVD or video rental from the library.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the library project, call Carolyn Crain (300-0778) or Suzy Crowell (796-4200).

Internet for Beginners

The Library will hold another Internet class for beginners and those who want to better understand how to use the World Wide Web on Saturday, June 5 at 9:00 AM. Call the Library at (626) 300-0776 to reserve a space or ask any questions. The class will be one session only, and it will last until about 10:30 AM.

Although we can’t show you everything in a single hour and a half session, you will leave the class with a pretty good understanding of web sites, web addresses, Google, online phone directories, email, and you will get lots of tips on the basic skills of using the keyboard and mouse. If you don’t know what some of these things are, this class is for you. Even if you don’t touch a computer again after the class, you will get a sense of what the Internet is. Those who are inspired to learn and understand more can come back to use the Internet during the Library’s regular hours. At the Library, you can obtain help if you get stuck, and get advice from the librarians on how to find something on the Internet.

The DVD Collection Continues to Expand!

Recent additions to the DVD collection include several new Documentary and Special Interest films. Among the newly added titles are five comedies and five tragedies of William Shakespeare produced by BBC and Time Life Films. New PBS documentaries include Liberty! The American Revolution, The 50 Years War: Israel and the Arabs, Martin Luther, and The Spartans, to name a few. Recently released new, classic and foreign feature films have also been added including The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes starring Basil Rathbone, the 2003 release of the family action adventure Peter Pan, and Xiaoshuai Wang’s Beijing Bicycle. There is something for everyone and more titles are being processed everyday. Be sure to come in and see what’s new for you.

Discover the Cure for Abibliovactionphobia

As summer approaches, many people find themselves afflicted by Abibliovacationphobia, the fear of running out of reading material while on vacation. But the San Marino Public Library is more than prepared to come to the aid of anyone suffering from this seasonal problem.

Do you enjoy mysteries? We have the newest books by Robert B. Parker and Jonathan Kellerman. If you like history, you can check out the book Grand Old Party: A History of Republicans by Lewis L. Gould, or biographies of two major participants in the founding of our country, Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, or An Imperfect God, about George Washington, by Henry Wiencek.

If you’re taking the car on vacation this year, the library has lots of new audio books (in both tape and CD formats) that will help take your mind off the price of gas. Or you can just come into the library and check out both the Abibliovacationphobia display near the front door and the Staff Selects shelf for other good vacation reading ideas.

There is no reason to let Abibliovacationphobia, or its evil cousin, Summer Boredom, get the upper hand, when the library is here with the perfect antidote: free and abundant reading material.

Childrens’ Room Doors Permanently Closed

The aging San Marino Public Library building has hit another wall. Well, not a wall. A door. A broken door. The side entrance into the library that opens directly into the childrens’ room features a “panic door” for emergency exits. It is also fitted with a security system to protect against book loss. Both of these things are badly broken. The cost to repair or replace the door and the security system will run between twelve and fourteen thousand dollars.

Because we plan to replace the library building soon, the City of San Marino has decided not to repair this library entrance. It will be permanently closed, designated as an emergency exit only. That being the case, the Fire Code requires that we reduce the number of seats in the Girls’ and Boys’ Room. The area that already overflows with students doing homework will become just that much more crowded.

This is just the latest incident in the ongoing saga of the disintegration of the San Marino Public Library building. Each time another piece of the library breaks down, it underscores the need for a new structure.

Blood Drive at the Library

The Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Tuesday, July 20, from 2:00 PM till 8:00 PM in the San Marino Public Library’s auditorium. Blood donations save lives and allow medical operations to go on as scheduled, so giving blood is a very rewarding and relatively easy thing to do. The entire United States recently experienced a dire blood shortage, and the summer months are traditionally a period of reduced donations, so the need in July is expected to be great. If you would like to help, please mark this date on your calendar, and be aware that an appointment is necessary for donation. For further information about giving blood or about appointments, call Rex at the Library, (626) 300-0776.

Public Library Applies for Collection Development Grant

The Public Library has submitted two grant applications to the California State Library for specially funded collection development projects. The first grant would enhance the Library’s Chinese language collection by providing one-time funding ($3,000) for the purchase and cataloging of materials. The second grant would allow the Library to better serve the business community by giving library card holders access to two special in-depth databases over the Internet, along with funding ($3,000- $6,000) for the purchase of related materials and the possibility of several business-related speakers. The awards of these grants will be announced this summer.

8 ways to Become A Great Reader

1. Read every day.
2. Read out loud with someone else.
3. Read about things that you like.
4. Take a book with you wherever you go.
5. Read everything you can, like maps, menus, signs, newspapers, and magazines.
6. Talk about what you've read.
7. Keep a log of what you've read.
8. Be proud of your reading accomplishments.

Taiwanese Puppet Show Cancelled

The Taiwanese puppet show that was to have taken place this Saturday, May 8 at 1 p.m. at the San Marino Public Library has been cancelled. For further information, please contact the San Marino Public Library.

Taiwanese Puppets to Perform at the San Marino Public Library

The beautiful lady in a gorgeous costume tiptoes slowly across the stage. Her feet are bound, so she can only take small dainty steps. Her lover, the elegant gentleman, moves smoothly towards her. The warrior strides in with confidence, his painted face matching the boldness of his walk. The clown bounces comically across the scene, and the old man hobbles, stooped and smoking a long pipe.

Are they real people? No, they are just puppets, characters in the traditional "glove puppet theater", or budaixi [http://deall.ohio-state.edu/bender.4/perform/pg2puppe/bdx.htm] of Taiwan.

On Saturday, May 8 at 1 p.m. , these characters will bring their stories to the San Marino Public Library in a free performance in honor of Asian Pacific Heritage month. Dr. Raymond Ho, a pediatrician by day, animates the puppets and acts the story. "This is a one-of-a-kind and magnificent performing arts form," he says. The rare puppets possess finely sculpted faces and magnificent silk costumes. "Everything about them is human-like," Ho notes. "There are a lot of details in the costumes, especially the embroidery."

Ho deftly manipulates the puppets through their kung fu movie action sequences in miniature. A favorite with audiences is his "tiger fight" in which three warriors duel with a wild cat. The puppets wield metal staffs and spears at each other and even shoot tiny wooden arrows.

Although this style of puppet theater originated in china in the Ming Dynasty 600 years ago, budaixi flourishes today on a popular and action-packed cable TV show in Taiwan [http://www.sinorama.com.tw/en/1998/199801/701144e1.html].

The San Marino Public Library is located at 1890 Huntington Drive in San Marino. For more information, call (626) 300-0777.

Break Free of TV

San Marino Public Library began celebrating Turn Off the TV Week on Monday, April 19th. Hopefully all children and their parents have been celebrating too, by putting down the remote control and picking up a book. If you haven't taken a break from watching television, it's not too late to begin participating in this screen-free week. Be sure to stop by the library to pick up your TV-free activity guide. As a reward for staying screen free, storyteller Harry Hart-Brown will be at the library on Saturday, April 24th at 2:00 p.m. to perform his comical romp, "Excellent Adventures". All children and their parents are invited to this interactive performance that is sure to be a memorable conclusion to a TV-free week.

An Information Free-For-All at San Marino Public Library

In celebration of National Library Week, April 18-24, San Marino Public Library will be offering you Thomson Gale's Free-for-All, a program that gives everyone free access to more than two dozen reference databases.

San Marino Public Library along with Thomson Gale wants to help create awareness among our community of the outstanding electronic resources available online at our library, or through remote access.

Although just entering search terms online can work in some cases, there may be a better way to get to quality information. There is a huge difference when conducting a search on the open Internet versus conducting a search on an authoritative database with verified information. You can expect accurate and relevant results from these databases, which is important when seeking homework help or information to help make life-changing decisions.

That's why libraries pay for subscription databases, like Thomson Gale's, that are filled with only accurate and verified information. While libraries pay for these databases, the community can use them free of charge.

So during National Library Week, visit San Marino Public Library to find all the quality information you've been looking for and how to avoid the pitfalls of the open Web.

And after National Library Week is over, you can continue to find quality information through the resources available here at San Marino Public Library. These resources can be used at our library or can be accessed remotely, from your home or office. Call us at (626) 300-0777 to find out how. It's that easy - similar to using a search engine, but better.

Help Wanted!

The Library is looking for a couple of adult volunteers to help out on weekday mornings. Each day of the week, we have a volunteer come in at about 9:00 AM to stamp the due-dates on a big stack of cards, which are placed in the books as they are checked out of the library. The job usually takes from about an hour to an hour and a half to complete. We currently need somebody who can help us on Wednesday mornings. If you are interested in helping, please give the library a call for more information.

Another adult volunteer position is maintaining the Library's scrapbook. This involves cutting out newspaper articles about the library and pasting them into a scrapbook. Most of the articles have already been marked, but we do need someone with an eye for detail.

These jobs are great for people who love to be around libraries and people who just want to help out. If you are interested in either or both of these jobs, please call Rex at (626) 300-0776.

Has Everybody Figured Out the Internet?

The Library had been regularly offering free beginning classes for using the Internet, but attendance was falling off last year, so it has been awhile since the class was offered. We want to test the waters again by offering a class on Saturday, May 8, and we encourage those of you who figured you could live your life without the Internet to just give it a look. We do not assume that you know anything about computers, and we will give you a good idea of what its about and what the Internet might be able to do for you. We always encourage beginners to come back to the library and keep working with it to really learn it, but even if you never touch a computer again, you will find out what you have been missing.

Those who have already dabbled with the Internet and computers are also encouraged to attend. You are sure to learn something new. Everybody learns from each other, and we all have fun. The class lasts about an hour and a half and it starts at 9:00 AM. Please call (626) 300-0777 to reserve a spot. If you are interested in taking the class, but the morning of May 8 is not good for you, give the library a call, and we may offer another class in the future.

May Is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Celebrate at the San Marino Public Library on Saturday May 8 at 1:00 with puppet show of traditional Chinese puppets presented by Dr. Raymond Ho.

Grossology 101

Grossology is the science of really inelegant things. It is also a learning tool for getting kids interested and involved in the world of science. Budding grossologists (1st-6th graders) are invited to the library on Wednesday, May 12th from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. to create some really curious, strange, and quirky things while learning some valuable science about the human body along the way. Explore some unpolished thoughts, such as, "Long ago, people actually thought mucus running from your nose during a cold was your brain leaking." Join us a we separate fact from fiction, learn the importance of the circulatory system and explore the interaction between things you might find in your own kitchen. Refreshments and all needed materials will be provided. Please wear old clothes. Registration is required. Please call (626) 300-0777 to reserve a spot.

Register to Vote @ your library

Libraries are essential to our democracy and, thanks to a new partnership with the American Library Association (ALA) and Working Assets, the San Marino Public Library and other libraries across the nation will have an opportunity to make it easier than ever for people to become registered voters. Through Register to Vote @ your library, ALA and Working Assets is co-sponsoring a voter registration page, www.yourvotematters.org/ala where individuals can register to vote or update their registration information during this election season. When citizens register to vote through www.yourvotematters.org/ala, they help raise funds for the ALA thanks to a generous grant from Working Assets. All donated funds will be used to support ALA's library advocacy efforts nationwide. In addition, the ALA will award a grant of $1,000 to the library that registers the largest number of voters through the site and grants of $500 to the first five libraries that register 500 individuals.

Help the San Marino Public Library meet the challenge of strengthening and maintaining a vibrant democracy. Go to www.yourvotematters.org/ala, ala and register or update your registration information today, then stop by the library. We provide a place where our community can find all sort of voting information, speak freely, and share interests and concerns. In fact, the public library is the one institution whose sole function is to provide for the free exchange of ideas and information. It is truly the cornerstone of our democracy and the perfect place for citizenship to come to life.

For more information about Register to Vote @ your library call the San Marino Public Library at 626-300-0777.

Travel Books

The vacation season is upon us. Whether you are planning a spring or summer trip, dreaming of a far-off destination, heading to Greece for the Summer Olympics or trying to choose between several travel options, the travel section of the library has a wealth of new information for you.

New titles from all the travel guide writers have just arrived at the library. Fodor's, Frommer's, Rick Steves, Lonely Planet, DK Eyewitness, and many others cover travel subjects for the bargain hunter to the luxury traveler.

Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door is a travel skills handbook that has tips on planning, budgeting and packing. It's a must read for any first time traveler to Europe. The Dorling Kindersley Publishing Company produces beautiful books with glossy photos covering many cities and countries around the world. In addition, their Top 10 titles are guides to the 10 best of everything in a particular city. The library currently has the complete set of the Top 10 Guides - everything from Athens to the Virgin Islands.

Stop in and check out the new titles. Maybe you'll find another place to visit! Happy Traveling!

Get on Board and Read @ Your Library

The San Marino Public Library, HERSHEY(r)'S Milk and MilkShakes and the American Library Association want you to ramp up for an exciting new teen reading program called Get on Board and Read @ your library. The program invites teens to grab a book for their chance to meet skateboard pro Tony Hawk.

Once a submission form is picked up from the public library, all teens have to do is check out a favorite book and create an entry about how the book is meaningful to them. Entries may be submitted in a written essay or a creative entry consisting of a poem, painting or video. Teens also have the option of working alone or in a group of up to four of their friends. Teens will then need to bring the completed submission form and entry back to the library so a librarian can sign and submit the entry form. The deadline to submit an entry is Thursday, April 22nd.

Six runners up will either receive a copy of Tony's book, Hawk: Occupation: Skateboarder or a one-months supply of HERSHEY'S Milk.

Get on Board and Read @ your library is part of @ your library, The Campaign for America's Libraries, sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries nationwide to remind the public about the value of libraries and librarians in the 21st century. To see what's new @ your library, visit sanmarinopl.org

City Council Agenda Now at Library

What's going on with your City Council? Now there is an easy way to find out. Before City Council meetings, which take place on the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m., a copy of the agenda will be placed in a notebook at the Reference Desk in the San Marino Public Library. Come on in and see what your Council is up to!

Turn Off the T.V. Week

Celebrate “Turn off the TV Week” during the week of April 19th – 25th with the San Marino Public Library. We are encouraging children of all ages and their parents to put down the remote control, pick up a book and read. Stop by the public library, beginning April 1st, to pick up your TV-free activities guide, along with a reading record to keep track of all the books read during your TV free week. To help wrap up a TV free week, storyteller Harry Hart Browne will be at the library on Saturday, April 24th at 2:00 p.m. to perform his comical romp, “Excellent Adventures” All children and their parents are invited to this interactive performance that is sure to be a memorable conclusion to a successful TV free week.

Grossology 101

Grossology is the science of really inelegant things. It is also a learning tool for getting kids interested and involved in the world of science. Budding grossologists (1st-6th graders) are invited to the library on Wednesday, May 12th from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. to create some really curious, strange and quirky things while learning some valuable science about the human body along the way. Explore some unpolished thoughts, such as, “Long ago, people actually thought mucus running from your nose during a cold was your brain leaking.” Join us as we separate fact from fiction, learn the importance of the circulatory system and explore the interaction between things you might find in your own kitchen. Refreshments and all needed materials will be provided. Please wear old clothes. Registration is required.

Summer Reading at the Public Library

The summer is slowly approaching and the San Marino Public Library is gearing up for its annual summer reading program. The program is designed to encourage children to read throughout the summer. The theme for this year is focused on Wild West and is appropriately titled “Ride A Wild Tale”. Children of all ages are encouraged to “mosey on down to the library” and participate. Younger children who may be unable to read can participate by having an adult read their books to them. There will activities, special programs and contest throughout the summer to keep those active minds busy. The Summer Reading program is scheduled to run from June 14th – July 31st with a special kick-off party being held on Saturday, June 19th. All programs are free to the public and sponsored by the Friends of the San Marino Public Library.

A DAY AT THE LIBRARY

Free pizza and sodas at the San Marino Public Library? Sure! On Saturday, March 13, the entire community of San Marino is invited for an extended lunchtime at their local public library. Between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Library staff and the Recreation Department will offer lunch and activities throughout the building for San Marinans of all ages and interests. Listen to a story or get your face painted. Have your name written in Chinese characters. Make crafts or go on a library treasure hunt. Listen to Adult Reference Librarians Rex Mayreis and Irene McDermott discuss their favorite new books.

The main event of the day will take place twice, at noon and at 1:00 p.m. when the San Marino City Council will talk to their constituents about the new library project and other City matters.

This is your opportunity to learn more about the library, join the Friends support group, meet the staff, and tour the mysterious backstage areas of the building. Come munch and meet your friends and neighbors at the San Marino Public Library!

A Day at the Library
Schedule of Events

Pacific Asia Museum representative: 11:00 to 2:00	Main floor, east side
Children's Story and Crafts: 11:15; 12: 15 and 1:15	Children's room
Face Panting 11:00 - 2:00	Patio
Teen Treasure Hunt 12:00 - 12:30; 1:00-1:30	Young Adult Corner
Youth events 11-2	Patio
Book Reviews by Librarian Irene McDermott 11:30	Library Auditorium
Book Reviews by Librarian Rex Mayreis 12:30	Library Auditorium
City Council Presentations 12:00 - 12:30 and 1:00- 1:30	Library Auditorium
Free food and drinks 11:00 to 2:00	Patio
Library Tours all day	Reference Desk
Library Video looped presentation	Reference area

Cat in the Hat to Visit Library

Come join us at the San Marino Public Library on Saturday, March 6th at 2:00 p.m. as we celebrate Dr. Seuss's 100th Birthday. There will be activities, giveaways, and a giant birthday card for everyone to sign. The Cat and the Hat will be on hand to make this Seussentennial celebration complete.

BrandNewLibrary.org

What's going on with the new library? Keep track of unfolding developments by visiting the new web site http://BrandNewLibrary.org.

Tax Time Again

The Public Library once again has copies of commonly used income tax forms and booklets available for free. Because of legislation passed late in the tax season, there are a few IRS forms are late and have not arrived yet, but for the most part, the library has a good supply. Most of the forms that we do not have can be printed out from the Internet for $.10 a page, and library staff can help you with this. Many of the forms are also available in reproducible form, if you prefer to make photocopies.

State income tax booklets with forms are also available for free. Again, other forms that are not included in the booklets can be photocopied or printed from the Internet. Be aware that librarians cannot help you fill out your tax forms or tell you which form you need, but they can give you guidance on where you can get help. Call the reference desk at (626) 300-0777 if you need a particular form, booklet, or publication.

Home Decoration

The San Marino Public Library has recently begun a subscription to Dwell Magazine. Dwell (as in "dwelling") contains articles on modern home design, both interior and exterior. Just a few of the subjects covered include furniture, furnishings, floor plans, and fixtures. Dwell is much more eclectic than Architectural Digest. From bathtubs to drawer handles, from electronic gadgets to environmental design, come in and browse through an issue. You're likely to find some great ideas here. Some other related magazines you might want to look at are House Beautiful, Martha Stewart Living, and even Good Housekeeping. With the possible exception of the most recent issue, all of these magazines can be checked out.

Have Any Ideas?

Do you enjoy reading and discussing books? Do you have an opinion on how to improve or expand the services the library offers for teens? The library's Teen Advisory Board has some openings for new members. Meetings are held every other Friday after school, and both Junior High and High School students are eligible to join. In addition to recommending books, videos, DVDs and CDs to be purchased, board members plan and implement programs, and do special volunteer projects.

See one of the librarians at either the Adult or Children's desks if you are interested in joining the Teen Advisory Board, or call the library at (626) 300-0777.

BrandNewLibrary.org
Take a look at the new website BrandNewLibrary.org.

Come to Our Town Hall Meeting

All citizens are invited to attend "A Day at the Library", a town hall meeting to take place at the library on Saturday, March 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This meeting is designed to answer all your questions about the new library which is scheduled to begin construction at the end of this year.

Library Applies for State Grant in Third and Last Cycle

The City completed a third application for State Bond Act funds to build public libraries. The City submitted applications in cycles one and two, which were rated "Very Good" both times. However generally all libraries in the "Outstanding" category were funded and only a small percentage of the "Very Good" libraries received funding and the City focused on preparing an "Outstanding" application in cycle 3.

The City hired the grant-writing firm of K&M Enterprises to complete the application in this cycle; K&M prepared a successful grant for the City of Oxnard in cycle one. In addition to employing the grant writers, former mayor Suzanne Crowell headed up a team of community volunteers who assisted with the process. The grant awards will not be made until at least June of 2004, in the meantime, the City will concentrate on contacting local legislators and Bond Board members about our project.

Special Programs @ the San Marino Public Library

Library Treasure Hunt
Saturday, January 24th 2:00 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-2 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 afternoon 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
Saturday, February 7th 2:00 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.

Royal Tea & Storytime
Here ye, Here ye, all boys and girls are cordially invited to attend the Royal Tea and Storytime at the San Marino Public Library. This exciting event will take place Saturday, February 14th from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Come and meet the Queen and a Princess of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Royal Court. You will be enchanted by stories of princes and princesses and also be given the opportunity to ask questions and pose for pictures, so don't forget your cameras. Polaroid photos will also be available for purchase at $2 a picture.

All those in attendance will receive a special crown that is sure to be the royal envy all your friends. Reservations are required. Please call (626)300-0777 to reserve a space today.

Space is limited, so call early to reserve your spot: 626-300-0777.

Afternoon Storytime

We are pleased to announce our new and improved afternoon storytime! The Library invites all children ages 5-8 to join us for afternoon storytelling adventures beginning January 26 at 3:30 p.m. in the library auditorium.

This structured hour aims to introduce quality literature to school aged children. Over the course of seven weeks we will not only read stories aloud, but also introduce a variety of story types including told stories, origami stories, cutting stories, and poems. Activities will include songs, crafts and dramatic play.

Participation in story time helps increase vocabulary and listening skills while children learn to participate as a member of a group. The benefits of a school-aged story program are that it introduces children to literature with increasingly complicated plots and sophisticated language, further developing their language and listening skills, and kids have fun while they learn!

The winter session will run Tuesdays, January 26th thru March 9th at 3:30 p.m. Registration is recommended, but not required. Parents are not required to attend and may choose to leave their child or stay and participate in the program, which will last approximately 1 hour.

For more information about storytime programs for toddlers and/or pre-schoolers, the Library, or any of our other services, please stop by, call, or visit our website http://www.sanmarinopl.org. We're more than the Internet!

New Online Encyclopedia for Library Patrons

The Library has purchased access to two new electronic databases that should be good homework helpers, both in the library and from home, over the Internet.

The first one is the Encyclopedia Americana online. Unlike the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Americana is distinctly American in orientation and style. Use it to find specific articles, or browse through subject collections, view the "Editor's Picks", read "Profiles" of famous people, or read the "Journal", a searchable news database with links to teacher resources.

The Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia, the second new database, is aimed at the school-age crowd. Visit this database to find recent important news items on the splash page. Other buttons lead to timelines, "research starter" articles, and a monthly feature called "Brain Jam" that explores large topics in depth. Examples include the Wright Brothers centennial, "Corporations and the Stock Market", and "Poverty and Social Welfare". Students can also enjoy educational "Quizzes and Games" to test their knowledge about modern affairs.

Inside the walls of the public library, just choose "Online Encyclopedia" to access these resources. From anywhere else, point your browser to http://smpl.us, choose "Online Encyclopedia: Outside Library" then type in your 14 digit library card number with no spaces. If you need help, please call the library at (626) 300-0777.

Listen To This

Looking for classics on audio...Hemingway...Steinbeck...Austen, perhaps? You'll find them in the Young Adult section, where the library has begun assembling a collection of classic titles in CD format. Close to 25 classic titles are available on CD at this point, and more are being added. The format is proving popular with homework weary High School students, whose eyes are already overworked. Five new titles, listed below, were added to the collection just this month.

A Tale of Two Cities	Charles Dickens
The Scarlet Letter	Nathaniel Hawthorne
For Whom the Bell Tolls	Ernest Hemingway
1984	George Orwell
Frankenstein	Mary Shelley

San Marino Public Library

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

Saturday, January 24th @ 2:00 p.m.
The Library Treasure Hunt
Come and learn how to use the electronic catalog to find a book in the library. This workshop is geared toward K-2nd grade students, along with their parents. Discussion topics include: library organization, use of SMILES, the library's electronic catalog and finding books by author, title, and subject. The afternoon will conclude with a library treasure hunt. Participants will be ask to find books using the skills and techniques that they just learned.

Saturday, February 7th @ 2:00 p.m.
Dewey & the Decimals
Who is Dewey and what is he doing with those decimals? Join us for this 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 using SMILES, the library's electronic catalog. This workshop is geared toward 3rd and 4th graders, along with their parents.

Saturday, February 28th @ 2:00 p.m.
Research and Electronic Resources
Do you have an assignment due that requires you to do research? Don't know where to turn? Then join us as we introduce students to the reference and electronic resources available at the public library. Discussion topics include: newspaper and magazine databases, science and history homework helper and current biography illustrated. This workshop is specifically geared toward 5th and 6th graders, along with their parents.

Space is limited, so call early and reserve your spot; (626) 300 - 0777.
Refreshments will be served.