This February marks the 100th anniversary of the movement to honor Black History in America. We welcome you to the San Rafael Public Library to recognize this centennial of resilience, creativity, and community. Throughout the month, we will explore the Black experience through a curated series of films, discussions, and music. We are dedicating these programs to amplifying Black voices, from the sharp intellect of political pioneers to the creative visions of local filmmakers, continuing a century-long tradition of bringing these vital stories to the forefront.
We invite you to join us for the following free events at the Downtown Library:
Presented in partnership with the California Film Institute, teens and tweens are invited to a screening of this unique short film, followed by a discussion with director Benjamin Mulholland. This event offers young creatives a rare chance to engage with a Bay Area filmmaker known for turning small budgets into imaginative movies.
Directed by Zanah Thirus, this illuminating documentary explores the double-edged sword of racial and gender oppression. Thirus, named one of Diversity in Cannes’ Top 10 Filmmakers of the Decade, sheds light on the lack of intersectionality that has often plagued liberation movements and the everyday lived experiences of Black women.
Join us for a celebration of rhythm and roots. Carl Winters will guide us through the African origins of jazz, demonstrating the kalimba (thumb piano). He will not only perform but also offer instructions on how to make your own instrument, connecting us directly to the genesis of American music.
We close the month with a special Indie Lens Pop-Up screening, a neighborhood series featuring documentaries from PBS’s Independent Lens. This film focuses on the groundbreaking Barbara Jordan. From the Nixon impeachment to civil rights battles, we will witness how her sharp intellect and moral clarity transformed U.S. politics and reshaped our democracy.
Beyond our programming, our librarians have also curated booklists for all ages that honor Black history and stories, ensuring that these vital narratives remain accessible to everyone long after the month ends.
Ama tu Biblioteca consiste en reconocer las múltiples formas en que las bibliotecas públicas de San Rafael enriquecen y sirven a nuestra comunidad cada día, desde colecciones diversas y programas inclusivos hasta recursos vitales y un servicio acogedor y de alta calidad. Para ayudar a captar y compartir ese impacto, estamos participando en Cada Historia Cuenta, una iniciativa estatal para comprender mejor cómo y por qué la gente utiliza las bibliotecas.
Cada Historia Cuenta se desarrollará en todo el estado de California del 25 al 31 de enero. La Biblioteca Pública de San Rafael le invita a compartir su historia a través de una encuesta disponible durante toda la semana. La encuesta estará disponible en línea a través de un enlace y también se podrá completar en persona en cualquier sucursal de la biblioteca: Biblioteca Central, Pickleweed y Northgate.
Ya sea que asista a la hora de cuentos, utilice las computadoras o el Wi-Fi, explore la colección, participe en programas o simplemente disfrute de un espacio acogedor, queremos saber su opinión. Al compartir su historia, usted ayuda a destacar el valor cotidiano de nuestras bibliotecas y apoya los esfuerzos para demostrar su impacto en nuestra comunidad, ahora y en el futuro. ¿Le gusta su biblioteca? Haga que su historia cuente.
Love Your Library is about recognizing the many ways San Rafael’s public libraries enrich and serve our community every day, from diverse collections and inclusive programs to vital resources and welcoming, high-quality service. To help capture and share that impact, we’re participating in Every Story Counts, a statewide effort to better understand how and why people use their libraries.
Every Story Counts runs statewide from January 25–31, San Rafael Public Library invites you to share your story through a survey available throughout the entire week at all locations: Downtown, Pickleweed, and Northgate. The survey will be available online via a link and can also be completed in person by patrons visiting any library location.
Whether you’re attending storytime, using computers or Wi-Fi, exploring the collection, participating in programs, or simply enjoying a welcoming space, we want to hear from you. By sharing your story, you help highlight the everyday value of our libraries and support efforts to demonstrate their impact on our community, now and into the future.
San Rafael Downtown Library is proud to announce the grand opening of our new community Seed Library on National Seed Swap Day, January 31st between 10am and noon. Marin Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer gardening questions and illustrate methods of seed starting and planting. You will be able to choose seed packets and learn about edible and pollinator planting. They will also provide a seed strip workshop for all ages to be able to take home and plant in your own garden. Attendees are invited to bring and exchange seeds, but donations are not required to attend. Learn more about this event here.
What is a Seed Library?
A seed library collects and stores seeds that allows gardeners to “borrow” donated seeds for free. Choose from a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flower seeds, as well as native plant seeds. Plant them in your garden and at the end of your growing season you can save seeds from the plants you grew and return those seeds to the library. Once donated, seeds are labeled and packaged so they can be “checked out” for the next growing season.
Thanks to the UC Marin Master Gardeners, especially Marie Steckmest and her team, for helping to launch our program. Marie has helped start seed libraries across Marin County since 2023. For Marie, getting seed libraries up and running is about “being able to help people learn about gardening, get native seeds and other varieties that they normally wouldn’t have access to.” Check our Seed Library webpage for resources provided by UC Marin Master Gardeners.
Want to get more involved?
Join us each 2nd Wednesday of the month at 2 PM at the Downtown Library when we have a Marin Master Gardener talk on various gardening topics. Learn more here.
Join San Rafael Public Library Teen Services and the California Film Institute for a screening of Lake Merritt Monster. The screening will take place on Monday, February 2 at 5:30 pm in the downtown library’s Carnegie Room and will be followed by a discussion with filmmaker Benjamin Mulholland, facilitated by Diana Sánchez Maciel from CAFilm.
We are so excited to host local Bay Area filmmaker Benjamin Mulholland along with the California Film Institute. This is a wonderful opportunity for tweens and teens who are interested in filmmaking and storytelling to have the opportunity to explore their interests in the context of community and collaboration.
Film Information:
The Lake Merritt Monster Benjamin Mulholland | US 2022 | 16 min When Ollie’s mother is attacked by a monster hiding in the depths of Lake Merritt, he sets out on a mission to find her—discovering instead a hidden network of monster hunters tasked with protecting Oakland from its own dark underbelly.
Impact: Who are the monster hunters of the City of Oakland? Mulholland’s film The Lake Merritt Monster challenges its character Ollie to ponder what it means to believe in otherworldly forces entering reality, and how to work collaboratively to combat them. This fictional adventure offers a fun opportunity for students to imagine their own superpowers and explore how they might help protect the beauty of their city.
Presented by CAFILM Education as part of the Filmmakers Go To School Program (Stories by the Bay).
Did you know that January is International Creativity Month? What better time than the beginning of the year to become a visionary?
To help inspire kids to see themselves as creative problem-solvers, the Library provides Mystery Maker Bags that children can take home. The challenge is to create something using every item provided in the bag. The fun is seeing all the variations of thought and design that go into these creations. Children never cease to amaze with their fresh vision and enthusiasm!
Stop by the Downtown or Northgate Libraries to grab your mystery maker bag and get creating!
Share your creation: library@cityofsanrafael.org
Or tag us on Instagram with the hastag: #mysterymakerchallenge
¿Sabías que enero es el Mes Internacional de la Creatividad? ¿Qué mejor momento que el comienzo del año para convertirse en un visionario?
Para ayudar a inspirar a los niños a verse a sí mismos como personas creativas capaces de resolver problemas, la biblioteca ofrece Bolsas Misteriosas que los niños pueden llevarse a casa. El reto consiste en crear algo utilizando todos los elementos que se incluyen en la bolsa. Lo divertido es ver todas las variaciones de pensamiento y diseño que se plasman en estas creaciones. ¡Los niños nunca dejan de sorprender con su visión novedosa y su entusiasmo!
¡Ven a la Biblioteca Central o la de Northgate para recoger tu bolsa misteriosa y ponte a crear!
Comparte tu creación: library@cityofsanrafael.org
Etiquétanos en Instagram con el hashtag: #mysterymakerchallenge
The City is currently conducting a survey with a randomly selected group of community members. Participation is voluntary, and individual responses will remain confidential. Not all residents will be contacted, as the survey uses a random sampling approach. The survey will remain open for a limited period while data collection is underway.
La cuidad de San Rafael está llevando a cabo una encuesta con un grupo de miembros de la comunidad seleccionados al azar. La participación es voluntaria y las respuestas individuales serán confidenciales. No se contactará a todos los residentes, ya que la encuesta utiliza un método de encuesta aleatoria. La encuesta permanecerá abierta por un período limitado mientras se recopilan los datos.
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