Ayurveda Lecture Series

Dr. Erika Crotta, a naturopathic doctor with a PhD in Physiology and Ayurvedic Medicine, will present a series of six lectures on the 5,000-year-old holistic health philosophy of Ayurveda. Recognized by the World Health Organization, Ayurvedic treatment includes the use of herbal remedies, diet, yoga, massage and meditation.

There will be lectures every other Thursday from 12 noon to 1:15 pm starting on July 16 and ending on September 24, 2009.

Dr. Crotta’s first topic will be a general overview of Ayurvedic principles entitled: The Science of Good Health.

When: Thursday, July 16, 2009

Time: 12 noon to 1:15 pm

Where: Board of Supervisors Chambers, Room 330, 3501 Civic Center Drive,, San Rafael, CA


The series will continue as follows:

July 30 - Good Digestion is the Basis of Good Health

August 13 – Utilizing the Cycles of Nature to Improve Health

August 27 – The Six Steps of Prevention

September 10 – Food as Medicine

September 24 - The Power of the Mind in Relation to Health

Pre-registration is not required at these free programs.

If you have any questions, please contact the Civic Center Library Reference desk at 499-6058.

Recycling at the Civic Center Library

You can recycle your old cell phones, empty inkjet and laser printer cartridges, digital cameras, video games in their case, iPods, DVDs in their original case, laptop computers and household batteries at the Civic Center Library.

These items do not need to be in working condition, but if you still have the power cords and accessories please include them in your donation. You can drop your electronic items off any time the Library is open. There is a donation box under the Green Living Library sign near the Check Out Desk. For more information, call 499-6058.

Digital Reader/Printer and Scanner at the Civic Center Library

The Civic Center Branch has a digital reader/printer with a flatbed scanner. Images from microfilm or microfiche read with the digital reader/printer may be saved as jpg or pdf files to a flash drive. Images from source materials such as paper documents, books, photos, and slides scanned on the flatbed scanner may also be saved to a flash drive. Public internet stations are available for emailing files of scanned items.

If you would like instruction on use of this equipment, please call the Civic Center Reference Desk at 499-6058 for an appointment.

From the Stacks 2 Libraries Busy in Down Economy

Click to Play

June 2009 Program with

Gail Haar and Scott Bauer

A production of the Marin County Free Library

My Reading History

Now, what was the name of that book I read... Have you ever wanted the library to keep a list of all the books you've checked out, so you could see that list at any time? Now you can!

With My Reading History, you can set up your profile to keep a list of all the things you've checked out--to keep a running list of what you've read/listened to/watched.

If that sounds like something you're interested in, just log in to My MARINet with your library card and PIN. Click on the "Reading History" button and then click on the "Keep History" button. From that point forward, anything you check up will show up on the list. You can turn it off at any time by clicking on "Stop History." You can also delete items from the list. Please note that library staff cannot see your list at any time--only you can see your list.

For more information, check out the My Reading History FAQ or the My Reading History tutorial, or contact your local branch.

Come Visit the Green Living Library!

The Civic Center Branch is home to the Green Living Library, a collection of materials on sustainable living covering topics such as renewable resources, alternative energy, eco-friendly building, and green business practices. You can see what is available in the collection by searching Green Living Library in the subject or keyword box of our catalog.

The San Francisco Story: Art Presentation

In celebration of the Adult Summer Reading Program Master the Art of Reading, the Novato Library is hosting a presentation of The San Francisco Story, 1850-2000, by the docent council of The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

Saturday June 20 at 11:00 am
@ Novato Library

Enjoy the colorful saga of San Francisco through the eyes of artists who echoed the times in which they lived, recording the city as they saw it. Paintings, prints and photographs by Arnold Genthe, Chirua Obata, David Goines, Wayne Thiebaud, and many others illustrate their unique perceptions of the city's beauty and history.

This is a free program and registration is not required. For more information, please contact the Novato Reference Desk at (415) 897-1142.

Master the Art of Reading

Summer reading is not just for kids! Join the adult summer reading program at the library and "Master the Art of Reading" from June 13 through September 30. Book lovers, this is your chance: read and review books, and share your thoughts with others by posting your reviews on the library site. Discover new books to read by browsing reviews. Sign up and log in to see all reviews and write your own.

Libraries Lend a Hand in Tough Times

As recently noted on a Today show segment, libraries can play an important role during challenging economic times. Come to the library and find free Internet and wireless access, free storytimes for children and programs for adults, as well as resources like books, magazines, DVDs and newspapers. Please contact a branch near you if you'd like more information, or help getting started.

Book Talk ... And Bluegrass!

Join us at the Point Reyes Library for an evening of bluegrass and mystery as local bluegrass icon and author John Pedersen discusses his new book, Scroll and Curl, and treats us all to a few tunes!

When: June 23, 6-8 pm

Summer Reading for Kids & Teens

Be Creative and Express Yourself @ the library this summer. Come in to your local branch and sign up for a summer full of reading, events and fun! Find out more by checking out the Kids and Teens pages on the library website.

Learn the Basics of Blogging, Facebook and Twitter at the Novato Library

The Novato Library is offering free classes on Social Media Basics.
This is a three class series. Attend one class or all three! Sign up at the Novato Library Reference Desk or by phone at 897-1142.

Social Media is free, useful, fun, and easy to use. Learn how to blog, use Facebook, and Twitter to stay in touch and share your ideas, photos and other stuff with family, friends, and associates.

Thu June 11 7:00 - 8:30 pm: Set up a Blog on WordPress
Mon June 22 7:15 - 8:30 pm: Create a Facebook page
Sat June 27 1:30 - 3:00 pm: Learn to Tweet

* An established email account is required *

Free Computer Tutoring at the Civic Center Library!

The Civic Center Library offers free, one-one-one tutoring on email, searching the Internet, and using Microsoft Word and Excel. For more information, please call (415) 499-6102.