One Book, One Coast, the West Coast’s Largest Book Club Connecting Communities Across Three States
This spring, San Rafael Public Library invites the community to take part in One Book, One Coast, a shared reading initiative connecting more than 130 library systems across California, Oregon, and Washington.
As the largest book club on the West Coast, One Book, One Coast brings readers together around one book to create opportunities for conversation, reflection, and meaningful connection across neighborhoods, cities, and state lines.
San Rafael Public Library and its community will read and discuss They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Steven Scott, and Justin Eisinger and illustrated by Harmony Becker. Beginning on April 16, we will have free copies of the book (10 in English and 5 in Spanish) for the first 15 people to register. Plus, unlimited digital copies of the eBook will be available from April 1 through June 6 on the Libby app by Overdrive. Through this shared reading experience, communities are encouraged to explore themes of identity, patriotism, family, loyalty, and resilience while strengthening connections through dialogue and learning.
San Rafael Public Library will also offer:
1,000 Cranes Community Art Project
Pick up a folding kit at any SRPL Library Branch starting April 16!
In Japanese culture, cranes represent longevity, happiness, good fortune. The tradition of folding 1,000 origami cranes, known as Senbazuru, is believed to bring blessings. For all ages. Return your finished origami cranes by May 16 to join our 1,000 Cranes Community Art Project. The display will take flight in the library as a centerpiece at the Downtown Branch.
Space is limited and advance registration is required. Walk-in registration begins April 16. Stop by any of the 3 Library Branches to reserve your spot. Online registration begins April 20.
The San Rafael Public Library will be showing the livestream at the Carnegie Room or a link to the livestream will be shared with customers in the coming months.
About the Book
They Called Us Enemy is a powerful graphic memoir by George Takei that reflects on civil liberties, democracy, and what it means to be American — both historically and today. Younger readers can read the book My Lost Freedom, also by George Takei.
Curiosity about artificial intelligence brought a steady crowd to the Downtown Library this spring, as the Adult Services team partnered with ESCOM (Emeritus Students of the College of Marin) to offer a free two-part workshop series introducing AI to beginners. Across the two Fridays, 116 people walked through the door: 57 for Part 1 on March 13 and 59 for Part 2 on April 3.
Together, the sessions covered what AI actually is, how to use it in daily life, and how to use it wisely: spotting confident-sounding misinformation, checking answers, and knowing what to share or hold back for privacy. Both sessions left real room for questions, and patrons took full advantage. Hands went up throughout, conversations spilled past the allotted time, and the questions made clear that people weren’t just curious in the abstract. They were trying to figure out how this technology fits into their actual lives.
The feedback was nearly unanimous, and patrons wanted to know when the next one is happening. Technology tends to arrive faster than the conversations we need to have about it, and the turnout makes it clear that folks are hungry for a place where they can ask honest questions without being sold anything or made to feel behind. That’s the work the library is built for.
Looking ahead, the library will continue offering opportunities to explore AI and other emerging technologies. Stay tuned for future programs and workshops as more details become available.
This April marks the 30th anniversary of National Poetry Month, which was founded by the Academy of American Poets in April of 1996 as a way to celebrate the importance of this historic and universal literary form in our culture and everyday lives.
In the past, the poetry taught in schools, often with lofty rhyming language and focusing on romance and nature was sometimes viewed by readers as inaccessible. But in the mid-20th century, the counterculture Beat Poets broadened the definition of poetry to include popular and political themes, jazz rhythms and Japanese haikus, which in turn expanded the poetry-reading audience. In the 1980s, the poetry slam movement, an open-mic competition often held in bars and popular gathering spots and touching upon contemporary social themes, further democratized poetry. In the 1990s, UC Berkeley professor June Jordan’s art and activism program, Poetry for the People, continued this trend.
In the 21st century, poetry has continued to experience a resurgence in readers and writers with the publication, for all ages, of anthologies of immigrant poetry such as Ink Knows No Borders; hip-hop poetry such as The BreakBeat Poets, and the emergence of the novel-in-verse genre, exemplified by Elizabeth Acevedo’s National Book award-winning The Poet X.
The San Rafael Public Library has traditionally celebrated National Poetry Month with writing and publishing workshops, poetry readings, handouts with poem prompts, and book lists and displays. Please stop by this month to check out our latest display in our remodeled library’s cozy Carnegie reading room where you can peruse a diverse collection of poetry books nestled atop our fireplace mantel, sit back in a comfy seat, and let the words take you where they will.
The San Rafael Public Library continues to expand the reach of the Student MyCard program in partnership with the Marin County Free Library (MCFL) and San Rafael City Schools (SRCS), helping ensure students have seamless access to library resources that support learning and curiosity. Serving approximately 7,200 SRCS students, SRPL and MCFL work together to issue cards to all new students each year, including 805 new and replacement physical library cards for TK–5 students and 3,783 digital cards for middle and high school students, all prepared and issued this spring.
Library staff regularly visit schools to present on available services and resources, maintaining a strong presence on campuses and building meaningful connections with students. These efforts help ensure students stay connected to the library resources at home, at school, and at any library location throughout Marin County.
Check out the video below to learn more about the San Rafael Public Library and what students can access with their Student MyCard!
¡La ciudad de San Rafael tiene la suerte de contar con una comunidad muy activa de personas que apoyan a la biblioteca! Para celebrar el cariño que nuestra comunidad siente por la biblioteca, lanzamos un concurso de arte en el que las obras ganadoras se utilizarán para los premios del programa de lectura de verano. Este concurso rinde homenaje al valioso papel que desempeña nuestra comunidad en la labor de la Biblioteca Pública de San Rafael.
Se invita a artistas de todas las edades a presentar sus obras originales en el concurso de diseño de calcomanías. Además, ¡se invita a los artistas mayores de 13 años a presentar sus obras originales en el concurso de diseño de bolsas!
Para participar, complete y envíe el formulario de solicitud, que puede descargarse a continuación o recogerse en cualquier sucursal de la Biblioteca Pública de San Rafael. En el formulario hay detalles adicionales, así que léalo atentamente para asegurarse de que su obra cumpla los requisitos. Solo se aceptarán entregas en persona en las bibliotecas del centro, Northgate y Pickleweed de residentes, estudiantes o trabajadores de la ciudad de San Rafael.
El concurso finaliza el lunes 27 de abril. El personal de la biblioteca votará los diseños y los ganadores se anunciarán el lunes 4 de mayo.
Los artistas ganadores seleccionados deberán firmar un acuerdo con la ciudad para la exposición de la obra, y las imágenes de las obras no seleccionadas se desecharán, así que asegúrate de enviar una copia de alta calidad si deseas conservar la obra original.
SWANA es un término amplio e inclusivo que refleja la diversidad de culturas, historias y comunidades del suroeste de Asia y el norte de África. Aunque este mes conmemorativo se ha conocido con otros nombres, como el Mes de la Herencia Árabe-Estadounidense, «SWANA» ofrece una forma más amplia de reconocer las numerosas identidades, lenguas y tradiciones de toda la región.
El Mes de la Herencia SWANA es un momento para aprender, reflexionar y celebrar estas ricas contribuciones culturales a través de historias, arte, música y experiencias compartidas. También es una oportunidad para explorar las voces y perspectivas que han moldeado nuestro mundo de manera significativa. Visita la biblioteca para descubrir libros, películas y recursos que destacan a autores y creadores de SWANA, y únase a nosotros para celebrar la diversidad de nuestra comunidad global.
SWANA is a broad, inclusive term that reflects the diverse cultures, histories, and communities of Southwest Asia and North Africa. While this commemorative month has been known by other names, including Arab American Heritage Month, “SWANA” offers a more expansive way to recognize the many identities, languages, and traditions across the region.
SWANA Heritage Month is a time to learn, reflect, and celebrate these rich cultural contributions through stories, art, music, and shared experiences. It’s also an opportunity to explore voices and perspectives that have shaped our world in meaningful ways. Stop by the library to discover books, films, and resources that highlight SWANA authors and creators, and join us in celebrating the diversity of our global community.
Check out our librarians curated booklists for all ages:
Cada Historia Cuenta es una iniciativa de encuesta a nivel estatal que ayuda a las bibliotecas a comprender mejor cómo las personas usan y valoran sus bibliotecas locales. A lo largo de una semana, miembros de la comunidad compartieron sus opiniones tanto en línea como en persona, brindándonos una visión significativa de cómo la biblioteca forma parte de la vida cotidiana. Esta información nos ayuda a orientar la planificación, fortalecer nuestra labor y garantizar que los servicios sigan reflejando las verdaderas necesidades y experiencias de la comunidad.
Los resultados confirman lo que más nos gusta de nuestra biblioteca: la Biblioteca Pública de San Rafael es un recurso esencial y cotidiano para nuestra comunidad. Más del 95% de las personas encuestadas dijeron que usan la biblioteca para pedir materiales prestados, desde libros y películas hasta libros electrónicos y pases para parques. Muchas también dependen de la biblioteca para encontrar información, utilizar espacios acogedores para leer, estudiar o trabajar en silencio, y asistir a programas y eventos. Otras compartieron cómo la biblioteca apoya el aprendizaje de nuevas habilidades, la salud y el bienestar, el acceso a servicios esenciales y tareas cotidianas como imprimir o revisar el correo electrónico. En conjunto, estas historias muestran cómo la biblioteca forma parte de la vida diaria de muchas maneras.
Cuando se les preguntó qué es lo que más les gusta de la biblioteca, las personas encuestadas destacaron de manera constante que es gratuita, acogedora y accesible para todos, y que ofrece un lugar tranquilo y cómodo lleno de libros, información confiable y personal amable y capacitado. Muchas también celebraron los programas y colecciones infantiles, el ambiente pacífico y la facilidad para acceder a los materiales tanto en persona como en línea, lo que subraya el papel de la biblioteca como un espacio apreciado para el descubrimiento, el aprendizaje y el juego.
Gracias a los 170 miembros de la comunidad que participaron. Cada historia compartida ayuda a dar forma al futuro de la Biblioteca Pública de San Rafael y nos recuerda por qué hay tanto que amar de su biblioteca.
Every Story Counts is a statewide survey initiative that helps libraries better understand how people use and value their local libraries. Over the course of one week, community members shared their feedback both online and in person, giving us a meaningful snapshot of how the library shows up in everyday life. This input helps guide planning, strengthen advocacy, and ensure services continue to reflect real community needs and experiences.
The results affirm what we love about our library: San Rafael Public Library is a vital, everyday resource for our community. More than 95% of respondents said they use the library to borrow materials, from books and movies to eBooks and park passes. Many also rely on the library to find information, use welcoming spaces for reading, studying, or quiet work, and attend programs and events. Others shared how the library supports learning new skills, health and well-being, access to essential services, and everyday tasks like printing or checking email. Together, these stories show how the library fits into daily life in so many ways.
When asked what they love most about the library, respondents consistently highlighted that it is free, welcoming, and accessible to everyone, offering a calm, comfortable place filled with books, trusted information, and friendly, knowledgeable staff. Many also celebrated children’s programs and collections, the peaceful atmosphere, and the ease of accessing materials both in person and online, underscoring the library’s role as a cherished space for discovery, learning, and play.
Thank you to the 170 community members who participated. Every story that was shared helps shape the future of San Rafael Public Library and reminds us why there’s so much to love about your library.
The City of San Rafael is gifted with a vibrant community of library supporters! To celebrate our community’s love of the library, we are launching an art contest which will feature the winners work on our Summer Reading Prizes. This contest celebrates the invaluable role our community plays in shaping the work of the San Rafael Public Library.
Artists of all ages are invited to submit their original works in the sticker design contest. Additionally, Artists 13+ are invited to submit their original works in the tote bag design contest!
To apply, please complete and submit the application form, which is available to download below or can be picked up at any San Rafael Public Library branch. There are additional details on the form, so please read it carefully to ensure your artwork will be eligible. Submissions will only be accepted in-person at the Downtown, Northgate, and Pickleweed Libraries from City of San Rafael residents, students, or workers.
The contest closes Monday, April 27th. Library staff will vote on the designs and winners will be announced on Monday, May 4th!
Selected winning Artists will need to enter into an agreement with the City to display the art, and images of the art not selected will be discarded, so please make sure to submit a high quality copy if you would like to keep the original art.
