Traditional Mexican Folk Art Workshop

Posted by on 25 March 17

Learn how to make art in the traditional style of Amate paintings from the state of Guerrero. For children 9-12 years old. Please call 415-485-3483 to sign up.

The Secret Lives of Bees – Marin Master Gardeners

Posted by bonnie on 22 March 17

Bees have great agricultural importance. One out of every three bites we eat can be attributed to the work of bees. In your own home garden, attracting bees will maximize flower, fruit, and vegetable production. It’s easy to turn your garden into a pollinator paradise. Just think like a bee and follow the easy steps presented at this informative seminar.

Our speaker, James Campbell, has been a Master Gardener since 2010 and a beekeeper since 2008. Beekeeping began as an accidental hobby and it soon became a passion. James has mentored new beekeepers in Marin and Sonoma counties and firmly believes bees will tell a beekeeper everything they need to know.

1CE unit; UC sponsored

Dia de los Niños/ Dia de los Libros

Posted by Aaron on 15 March 17

Families with children of all ages are invited to the library to celebrate Dia de los Niños/ Dia de los Libros! Join us on our front lawn for Bilingual Music Time with Mariela Herrera, movement and dancing, a book giveaway and outdoor games. No registration required! Sponsored by the Friends of the San Rafael Public Library.

Writing from the Soul: A Workshop with Susanne West

Posted by bonnie on 14 March 17

Writing from the Soul Workshop

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.

More information about Susanne is available at www.susannewest.com

Once Upon a Twig: Harry Potter Herbology

Posted by Aaron on 11 March 17

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.

Club de Colorear para Adultos

Posted by on 04 March 17

Venga y disfrute de un momento agradable en la biblioteca coloreando y compartiendo en grupo.  No necesita traer materiales, estos serán proveidos por nosotros.

VIRTUAL REALITY LAB / LABORATORIO DE REALIDAD VIRTUAL

Posted by on 03 March 17

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.

Stay & Play

Posted by Aaron on 25 February 17

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!

TeenQuake – Young Writers’ Picnic on the Library Lawn & the Dave Rocha Trio

Posted by bonnie on 23 February 17

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.

Monday Night Reading/Discussion Group

Posted by bonnie on 16 February 17

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.

1. Borges, Jorge Luis. “The Book of Sands” 6 pp.

2. Castellanos, Rosario. Castellanos “Cooking Lesson” 9 pp.

3. Diaz, Junot. “Invierno” 28 pp. (starts on page 119; the link is for the entire book).

4. Garcia Marquez, Gabriel. “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” 4 pp.

5. Guimaraes Rosa, Joao. “The Third Bank of the River” 9 pp.

6. Monterroso, Augusto. “The Eclipse” 2 pp.
a. Viramontes, Helena Maria. “The Moths” 6 pp.

November 19 – 3rd Monday, due to Veteran’s Day Holiday
November’s reading has been postponed and will be discussed on December 10th.

December 10 – William Kent Krueger’s Ordinary Grace

2019

January 14 – Still Life with Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen