In this experiential workshop you will learn processes to free your imagination, cultivate your natural writing voice, and overcome blocks to writing.
No prior writing experience is necessary.
Please, no laptops, but do bring your own writing supplies: paper or notebook, pencil or pen.
Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Stop by the Reference Desk or call 415-485-3321 to reserve a seat.
Susanne West is a Professor of Psychology at John F. Kennedy University, and is a recipient of the Harry L. Morrison Distinguished Teaching Award at JFKU. She is the author of Soul Care for Caregivers: How to Help Yourself While Helping Others and the founder of a writing program called Words with Wings.
In the Hogwart’s tradition, we welcome Professor Ane Carla Rovetta, storyteller and authority on the cyclical magic of nature. Families with children of all ages are invited on this nature walk, whereupon they will learn the folklore and property of plants from firsthand observations, followed by a wreath-making activity that symbolizes the cyclical return of spring. Enjoy this walk along with talisman creation as you learn the science and magic of nature around us. To register for this event, call us at 415-485-3322, or visit the Children’s Reference Desk.
Venga y disfrute de un momento agradable en la biblioteca coloreando y compartiendo en grupo. No necesita traer materiales, estos serán proveidos por nosotros.
All ages are invited to explore educational games, beautiful natural environments, and engaging stories using the Occulus Rift. We’ll show you how to use it and help you with the equipment. Just bring yourself and your sense of adventure!
This program is available courtesy of the CEC Makerspace and the Marin County Free Library, funded by a grant from the California State Library.
Sing, talk, read, write, PLAY! Did you know that playing is not only fun, it’s also one of the fundamental ways to prepare your child to be a reader? This April through July, in lieu of Thursday Family Storytime, we will be offering a full hour of Stay & Play.
The Friends of the San Rafael Public Library generously provided us with funds to purchase a variety of wonderful toys. We’re talking blocks, balls, musical instruments, toys that engage the senses, and toys for imaginative and dramatic play– all the good stuff! Children and their caregivers can come to the library, socialize and play!
October is TeenQuake, our annual LitQuake San Rafael Celebration, sponsored by San Rafael’s Teen Library Council. Young writers from two local academic advancement programs, Next Generation Scholars and 10,000 Degrees Program, and the California Poets in the Schools will present new work at this open-mic event.
Special guests include four Marin Poet Laureates: Rebecca (Becky) Foust, Prartho Sereno, Joseph (Joe) Zaccardi, and Albert Flynn DeSilver.
The Dave Rocha Trio will perform jazz and popular standards from 2:30 – 3:30, following the open-mic poets.
Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the readings and music under the spreading tree on the library lawn.
The Downtown library has a book club that meets usually on the 2nd Monday of the month (except where noted) from 6:30 – 7:30 pm in the Library Meeting Room.
We read shorter classics, contemporary short stories, poems, articles, essays, plays, excerpts, and…? Participants have input on future readings.
2018
January 8 Four Short Pieces in Honor of Martin Luther King’s Birthday: The Battle Royale from Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison Growing Up Colored by Henry Louis Gates The First Day by Edward P. Jones
Everyday use by Alice Walker
February 12 – Farwell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakasuki Houston & James D. Houston
March 12 – Essays: Feminism Past & Present March is Women’s History Month. We’ll be reading a selection of essays from Susan B. Anthony, Jill Lapore, Katha Pollitt, Roxane Gay, Rebecca Solnit, Pearl S. Buck, Katie Piophe.
April 9 – Nature Poetry
April is National Poetry Month! Reading selections include poems of Wendell Berry, Mary Oliver, Kamilah Aisha Moon, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robinson Jeffers, Robert Frost, Robert Penn Warren, Lloyd Schwartz, William Cullen Bryant, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Sheila Black, Marianne Moore, Arthur Sze, and Jane Hirschfield.
May 14 – May is Mystery Month
We’ll read Murder at the Vicarage (1930) by Agatha Christie
June 11 –June is LGBTQ Month In honor of LGBTQ month: A Separate Peace by John Knowles
July 9 – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
August 13 – O Pioneers by Willa Cather
September 10 – The Awakening by Kate Chopin
October 8 –7 Short Stories
September 15th through October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month. Here are links to seven short stories by a variety of Latin American and Latino writers for discussion. We will provide printed copies of the story at the Adult Reference Desk on the 2nd floor also.
The Downtown library has a reading/discussion group that meets on the 2nd Monday of the month (except where noted for holidays) from 6:30 – 7:30 pm in the Library Meeting Room.
We read shorter classics, contemporary short stories, poems, articles, essays, plays, excerpts, and short novels. Participants have input on future readings.
2019
January 14:Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen
February 11: Empire Falls by Richard Russo
March 11:An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
April 8: Celebrating Jazz Month – Body and Soul by Frank Conroy
May 13: Celebrating Asian Pacific Islander Month – Everything I Never Told You by Celest Ng
The next three books celebrate The 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing and Our Summer Reading Theme: A Universe of Stories…
June 10: The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
July 8: Rocket Boys by Homer Hickham
August 12: Endurance by Scott Kelly (Biography)
September 9: Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe (Fiction)
October 14: Life After Lifeby Kate Atkinson (Fiction)
November 4: NOTE: This is the 1st Monday – November 11th is a holiday The Disappearing Spoon : And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean (Non-fiction Science)
Join us for the Celestial Event of the Century! Come to the front lawn of the San Rafael Public Library to experience the 2017 solar eclipse, in partnership with the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers. We will provide an informative interpretation, safety glasses and a good time for all. All ages are welcome; no registration required.
This is Marin’s favorite book event of the year, an old-fashioned sale on the lawn sheltered by our beautiful deciduous oak tree. Even on the hottest of days, it is always clement under those layers of leaves.
Huge sections of the arts, children’s, cook books, gardening, and history, plus everything else one might wish to read. Books on CD, Music CDs DVDs, loads of summer reading: a true festival of books!
Volunteers from Friends of the San Rafael Library will set out thousands of books on 30 tables for easy viewing and many more will staff the sale as cashiers and helpers of good cheer.
Come and find out how you can become a supporting member of the Friends or how to become a volunteer.
And, next time you’re downtown, be sure to visit the beautiful Friends Books store, located at 1016 C Street, between 4th and 5th, next to the parking garage. Everything is like-new condition at affordable prices. All proceeds benefit the San Rafael Public Libraries.
In the Hogwart’s tradition, we welcome Professor Ane Carla Rovetta, storyteller and authority on the cyclical magic of nature. Families with children of all ages are invited on this nature walk, whereupon they will learn the folklore and property of plants from firsthand observations, followed by a wreath-making activity that symbolizes the cyclical return of spring. Enjoy this walk along with talisman creation as you learn the science and magic of nature around us. To register for this event, call us at 415-485-3322, or visit the Children’s Reference Desk.
Sing, talk, read, write, PLAY! Did you know that playing is not only fun, it’s also one of the fundamental ways to prepare your child to be a reader? This April through July, in lieu of Thursday Family Storytime, we will be offering a full hour of Stay & Play.
Join us for the Celestial Event of the Century! Come to the front lawn of the San Rafael Public Library to experience the 2017 solar eclipse, in partnership with the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers. We will provide an informative interpretation, safety glasses and a good time for all. All ages are welcome; no registration required.
