Back to School

Time to wrap up summer and start thinking about school... Before you know it, you'll have homework to do!

The library is here to help. You can ask us a question in person, on the phone, or electronically via e-mail, instant messaging, or web-based live chat.

You can visit a branch to find information or a quiet place to study. You can search our web site for information to help you prepare for class, work on reports and complete homework. There is a list of student resources on our databases page that includes everything from animal encyclopedias to magazine and newspaper articles. You can also find a Homework Help page for kids, and a Homework Help page for teens.

Library Yarns!

Have you ever wanted to learn to knit? Need help on a knitting project? If you're interested in the knitting arts, come to our free knitting class at 4:30pm on Thursday, September 7th at the Point Reyes Station Library. Bring your own knitting needles and yarn or use the supplies that we 'll provide to enjoy the art of knitting. Our knitting class is free and open to all ages. For additional information, call the Point Reyes Station Library at 663-8375.

Book Discussion Group at the Civic Center Library

Join the Civic Center Library's Brown Bag Book Club on Wednesday, September 27, from 12 noon to 1, for a discussion of Hoot, Carl Hiassen's novel about a young man's campaign to protect a family of endangered owls.

The club meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month, and new members are always welcome!

For more information, email Livia Lewin at llewin@co.marin.ca.us,
or call (415) 499-6058.

Summer Readers in Corte Madera

Congratulations to all those who participated in the summer reading program at the Corte Madera Library this year!

A total of 946 individual readers, both kids and teens, signed up, checked out books, and read, read read.

The town of Corte Madera posted this message from the library on the marquis next to the Parks & Recreation Center on Monday, Aug. 21st, in recognition of the efforts of all our readers.

Sean's Shadow Puppets

Sean Powers brings his talents as musician, storyteller and artist together in mesmerizing shadow puppet shows presented free at several Marin County Free Library branches on Monday, August 21st. You will marvel at Sean's handcrafted shadow puppets as they depict folk tales from around the world using the magical effects of light and shadow. You can see Sean and his puppets at the San Geronimo Library at 10:30am, the Point Reyes Station Library at 1pm and the Bolinas Library at 3pm today. Don't miss this unique opportunity to see the wonders and beauty of a shadow puppet play!

Raffle Winner

Congratulations to Mikayla Durtschi, Grand Raffle Winner of the “Paws, Claws Scales and Tales” Summer Reading Program at the Corte Madera Library.

Mikayla has named her prize puppet “Caramel”. She and 864 other young readers participated in the popular program.

Nordic Mysteries at the Civic Center Library

See what those long northern winter nights produce!

The Civic Center Library has compiled a new booklist, Nordic Mysteries. Check here for recommended works by Karin Fossum, Henning Mankell, Helene Tursten, and other mystery writers from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland.

For more lists of recommended reading, visit the Reader's Corner!

Book Discussion Group at the Corte Madera Library

The Corte Madera Library Morning Book Discussion Group has chosen a classic in the true sense for their fall reading. The group meets on third Wednesdays at 10 a.m. On September 20 they will discuss Don Quixote, Part I, by Miguel de Cervantes, translated by Edith Grossman. They will continue with Don Quixote, Part 2 on October 18; and Driving over Lemons: an Optimist in Andalucia, by Chris Stewart, on November 15.

The first part of Don Quixote was published in 1605, and the second part ten years later. It is generally considered one of the most influential works in Western literature. The opening sentence sets the tone for this tale of an idealistic would-be knight’s adventures: “ In a place in La Mancha, whose name I do not want to recall, there dwelt not so long ago a gentleman of the type wont to keep an unused lance, an old shield, a greyhound for racing, and a skinny old horse."

Driving Over Lemons charmingly tells the contemporary story of the author’s decision to move from England to a remote and delapidated farm without water or electricity in southern Spain, scene of Don Quixote’s wanderings.

Call 924-6444 for more information or to sign up.

Inspired Silliness at the Library

Celebrate summer reading at the library-- come enjoy Owen Baker-Flynn's "Act in a Box", a comedy, juggling and magic variety show sure to delight kids age 3 and up.

See the show on Wednesday, August 16th at 11 am in the Corte Madera Library, or at 7 pm in the Novato Library.

Look out for the Big Bad Woof!

Momma Pig sends her children Strawberry, Woodford and Mason out into the world to create homes of their own with only one warning, watch out for that Big Bad Woof! As these three little pigs plan the homes of their dreams, would you be surprised if the Big Bad Woof schemes to huff, puff and blow those dreams inside out, upside down and tumbling to earth? Will Big Bad Woof win the day or will Strawberry, Woodford and Mason have something to say? Join us at the Fairfax Library on Saturday, August 19th at 11am to see this classic Grimm's fairy tale brought to life, laughter and mirth by Peter Brizzi of P&T Puppet Theatre. This program is free and suitable for preschool ages and up! For more information, phone the Fairfax Library at 457-5629.

Sign up now! Computer Classes at the Civic Center Library in September

The Civic Center Library is providing computer classes on a variety of topics in September!



Explore the library catalog and databases, e-mail basics, internet basics, and bicycling resources on the internet. All classes are free.


For more information including class dates and to register, please call the Reference Desk at 499-6058.

Summer Blowout Sale!

There is still time to make it to the The Book Place's big summer sale. During the August 5-12 sale discounts will be 50% off already-low prices throughout the store, including Better Books. For example, hardback books, normally $3.00 each, will be priced at $1.50, and trade paperbacks, normally $2.00 each, will be only $1.00. It's a perfect time to stock up for summer reading.

Shop early for the best selection, but return on Friday, August 11, and Saturday, August 12, for even lower prices at our bag/box sale.

The Book Place is operated by the Friends of the Marin County Free Library, a nonprofit volunteer organization. All proceeds are used for special programs, needs, and materials for the Marin County Free Libraries. Donations are welcome. We accept books, media and software. No donation is too large or too small. (Please no magazines, textbooks, Reader's Digest Condensed Books, or records.) Donations may be delivered to our shop during regular business hours.

Hours:
Tues, Thurs, Sat: 10-4
Wed: 12-4
Fri: 10-7
Sundays: 12-4 (Bargain Sunday is 12-4, the first Sunday of the month)

The Book Place is located at 1608 Grant Avenue in Novato.

Meet Rex and Boots, Super Sleuths!

When Lady Fromage, the richest mouse in England, discovers that her prized Gold Fish is missing, who does she call? Could it be Super Sleuths Rex & Boots who will accept the assignment to solve this fishy crime? Will bungling but brave greyhound Rex bark up the wrong tree? Will shady sheepdog Sherman sniff at some false leads? Can curiously clever cat Boots claw out the correct clues? Join this cast of entertaining characters at the library this week for a new Swazzle Puppet show! This free program will be presented on Friday, August 11th at the Stinson Beach Library at 11 am and the Inverness Library at 4pm. Come for the mystery, stay for the laughs!

Summer Fun for Teens

There's still time for fun and games before school starts! The Corte Madera Library is hosting a Game Night for teens on Thursday, August 17th, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Come enjoy video games like Need for Speed & Dance Dance Revolution, as well as board games and pizza! To sign up or get more information , call 924-6444.