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