Writing Workshop

On Thursday, November 5, from 6:15-8:30 pm, the Corte Madera Library will be hosting a free writing workshop, "Writing Your Spiritual Journey" with Susanne West, MA, CHT, Professor of Psychology at John F. Kennedy University.

No prior writing experience is necessary. In the workshop, you will explore what spirituality means to you, create a spiritual timeline, and explore current influences and areas of inquiry.

Reservations are required, as space is limited. Please contact the Corte Madera Reference Desk at 924-6444 to reserve a spot.

Civic Center Library Book Club - December Selection

Join the Civic Center Library book club on Dec. 2, from 12-1, for a discussion of James Dalessandro's 1906, an historical novel about the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

The club meets each month at the Civic Center Library, and new members are always welcome! For more information, please call (415) 499-6102.

Jewelry Making Workshop for Teens Sponsored by the Friends of the Civic Center Library

Jewelry entrepreneur Chelsee Robinson will show you how to make your own custom-designed necklace or a bracelet and earrings using blown glass, seed, stone, and art glass beads. Acquire a lifelong skill with business potential and have a whole lot of fun!

When: Saturday, November 7, 2009

Where: Civic Center Library, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 427

Time: 2:00 - 3:30 pm

This workshop is free, but space is limited.

To reserve your space, or for more information, please call the Civic Center Reference Desk at 415-499-6058.

Are you ready?

The best time to prepare for a disaster is before it happens! If you need help making a plan, there are many websites that provide advice on developing an emergency preparedness strategy, including lists of supplies, tips on preparing your home or workplace, and what you and your family need to know. Your local library also has books and DVDs that can help you prepare.

Get Ready Marin -- find a local training program, supply checklist, a Get Ready Manual, and more.

Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country -- a downloadable handbook that explains how you can prepare for, survive, and recover from earthquakes.

72 Hours -- San Francisco Office of Emergency Services

Association of Bay Area Governments Earthquake Maps -- liquefaction maps and more

Earthquake Program -- Governors Office of Emergency Services

Earthquakes Survival and Preparedness Resource -- San Francisco Chronicle

Disaster planning material available in the library -- resources in your local library

Giggles & Ghosts

Join us for an evening of not-too-scary tales for the entire family!

Wear a costume, if you like.

When: Tuesday October 27, 6:30 pm
Where: Novato Library

More Halloween fun for younger children at Lapsit Storytime (ages 18 to 36 months)
at 10am on Tuesday Oct 27 & Wednesday Oct 28.

French Impressionism: the Artists and Their Painting

Come to the Corte Madera Library for an evening of art appreciation on Wednesday, October 21. A representative from the docent council of The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco will deliver an illustrated talk on impressionist artists, featuring works on permanent display at the de Young Museum.

Enjoy the presentation and prepare for the two much anticipated exhibitions of works from the Musee d'Orsay in Paris that will be on loan to the de Young Museum during the Musee d'Orsay's renovation next year.

When: Wednesday, October 21, at 7:30 pm
Where: Corte Madera Library

Impressionism, one of the most popular and loved styles of painting, was a 19th century movement centered in Paris. Well-known impressionists are Cassatt, Cezanne, Degas, Manet, Monet, Morisot, Pissaro, Renoir, and Sisley. The lecture will give you an opportunity to take a fascinating look at these and other artists, who saw the world in effervescent color and light, creating glowing paintings of graceful beauty.

This presentation is sponsored by the Friends of the Corte Madera Library.

California Creativity: Innovative Bay Area Painters

A presentation by the docent council of The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Where: Novato Library
When: Saturday October 24, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Through the years, artists working in the Bay Area have demonstrated innovation, imagination, and unparalleled creativity. With paintbrush and color they've shared their visions -- by turns poetic, fanciful, jarring, romantic, or complex -- all creations that have enriched the lives of many. In this presentation, docent Kay Payne talks about a spectrum of artists including David Park, Elmer Bischoff, Wayne Thiebaud, Richard Diebenkorn and Peter Max.

For more information, contact the Novato Library at 415-897-1142.

Celebrate Teen Read Week!

Celebrate Teen Read Week during October 18-24, 2009 at Marin County Free Libraries and attend a free workshop on How to Draw Comics at any one of these branches:

Fairfax Library, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 457-5629
Novato Library, Thursday, Oct. 22, 3:30-5:30 p.m. 897-1142
Corte Madera Library, Thu, Oct. 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 924-6444

Create your own comic book with published author and artist Oliver Chin. Bring your ideas and creativity. Snacks and supplies will be provided along with a FREE Comic Book!

Halloween Storytime with Magic Dan sponsored by the Friends of the Civic Center Library

Come in costume for our Halloween Storytime that promises both tricks and treats.

Ages 3 and up.
Free!




Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Time: 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Where: Civic Center Library, 3501 Civic Center Drive.

For more information please contact the Civic Center Library at 415-507-4048.

Storm Watch in Marin

Find out what's happening with the storm without having to go outside! You can track rainfall, creek levels, traffic and more from your computer.

County of Marin Map with Flood Stage Levels
County of Marin Map with Wind Velocity information
County of Marin Map with Rain totals
County of Marin Rainfall summaries
County of Marin Creek levels (does not include all creeks in Marin)

Corte Madera creek levels
Fairfax creek levels
San Anselmo creek levels

San Francisco Bay Area Storm Track Radar
California Storm Track Radar (long-range)
Satellite Map of Storm System

Power Outage info from PG&E
KCBS Traffic , including CHP Incident Reports & CALTRANS

How to Be Effective in Your Job Search

Looking for help finding a job? Come to the Corte Madera Library on

Saturday, October 17, from 10 am to 12 noon,
for a free workshop on

how to use the Internet for job searching and
how to write resumes that stand out.

Tim McClain, employment counselor from Marin Employment Connection, will discuss techniques that will help you in your job search.

Facebook Class at Novato Library

As part of our series of classes on Social Media Basics, the Novato Library is offering a free class on learning to use Facebook to connect and stay in touch with friends and family.

When: Monday October 19, 7:15-8:30 pm

Where: Novato Library

An established email account is required for this class.

Please sign up at the Novato Library Reference Desk
or call (415) 897-1142.

Our Local History Hero!

The Oct. 9-15 edition of the Pacific Sun features our California Room Librarian Laurie Thompson in their "Hero" column for "keeping Marin history alive (and) making it accessible to a broad audience by sleuthing through files, oral histories and noncirculating books." As the Pacific Sun points out, Laurie's research talents have assisted patrons and contributed to many helpful bibliographies on local history topics including Angel Island, Marin geneaology, houseboats, railroads and historic houses. To see an online sampling of oral histories, images and other resources, visit the Anne T. Kent California Room webpage today!

Find trips, trails & campgrounds near you!

Planning car-free adventures in Bay Area parks has become as easy as visiting www.transitandtrails.org. The new interactive website identifies hundreds of trailheads and campgrounds on an interactive map and links directly to the Metropolitan Transit Commission's 511 Transit Trip Planner and Google Transit.

Once users enter their start location and choose a destination, they can print a detailed trip itinerary with a map, transit times, fares and walking directions to and from the transit stops.

The library has books on hiking, camping and local trails, too, if you're looking for more information before you go!