Palo Alto City Library 270 Forest Ave. 650-329-2436 www.cityofpaloalto.org/library Palo Alto City Library Bimonthly Newsleer January-February 2017 Welcome, 2017! And welcome to a new year of library exploraon to come! Upcoming Grant Project! Hot Off the Shelf The Library received a 2017 Peninsula Library Partnership Technology Grant, entled “Posioning Libraries for the Virtual Future.” The $14,000 fund will help staff build and improve upon available technology and evaluate its usefulness, sustainability and engagement with users. Other specifics about the grant include the introducon of two robot greeters who will provide direconal assistance at a branch. The Library will also enhance the exisng 3D printer program, bringing the service to its fullest capability by pairing a printer with a powerful workstaon that will run responsive and intuive modeling soſtware. The Library will aim to engage and draw in the community, generate excitement, find new partners, and expand our image as a technology resource for our customers. The mission of the Palo Alto City Library is to connect and strengthen our diverse community through knowledge, resources, and opportunies. We inspire and nurture innovaon, discovery, and delight. With this mission, the library staff and stakeholders set a bold vision for the community: We want to be a place to support a flourishing Palo Alto where everyone can achieve their dreams. That gives us many challenges that we hope we are answering and ancipang as the community connues to grow. With these thoughts in mind, we sent various members of the library staff to training in 2016, with the Harwood Instute (hp:// www.theharwoodinstute.org/), to help us beer engage with and listen to all of Palo Alto. The American Library Associaon and Harwood have developed a Public Innovators Lab designed for libraries, with the intenon of “turning outward” to help organizaons solve problems and change how communies work together. Because the Library’s Strategic Plan is nearly at its me-bound end, you will noce us asking you for your thoughts on how we can make Palo Alto flourish! Part of our responsibility as a community learning instuon is to provide Palo Alto with the most accurate informaon possible. The librarians are specially trained to ensure that any request you make is kept confidenal, and gives you the informaon you need to be successful. Our excellent staff put together informaon about fake news to make sure Palo Altans can discern news, whether bad or fake, and crically examine what the facts might really be. Be sure to visit our website to learn more. You can be sure that the fine staff will connue to help everyone of every age beer understand the world and what’s happening in it. This is at the core of our library services, which get the right books and the best informaon into the hands of anyone coming to see us or vising online. Finally, I do want to thank our smart, creave, and dedicated staff for a fantasc 2016! They are exceponal. You may have noced that some long-me employees have rered and that we have new members of our team who bring new talents and enthusiasm to their work. This has resulted in experiments with our 3-D printers, a new BikePALS outreach service, expanded teen programs, services to non-nave English speakers, and new aenon to the library volunteer program, among other things. We will connue to innovate – did you know that PACL is considered a leader in library services in the country, if not the world? – all the while striving to make everyone feel welcome. And we look forward to listening to you in 2017. I invite you to join us, [email protected]. —Monique leConge Ziesenhenne, Palo Alto City Library Director
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Palo Alto City Library 270 Forest Ave.
650-329-2436 www.cityofpaloalto.org/library
Palo Alto City Library Bimonthly Newsletter January-February 2017
Welcome, 2017! And welcome to a new year of library exploration to come!
Upcoming Grant Project!
Hot Off the Shelf
The Library received a 2017 Peninsula Library Partnership Technology Grant, entitled “Positioning Libraries for the Virtual Future.” The
$14,000 fund will help staff build and improve upon available technology and evaluate its usefulness, sustainability and engagement with
users. Other specifics about the grant include the introduction of two robot greeters who will provide directional assistance at a
branch. The Library will also enhance the existing 3D printer program, bringing the service to its fullest capability by pairing a printer with
a powerful workstation that will run responsive and intuitive modeling software. The Library will aim to engage and draw in the
community, generate excitement, find new partners, and expand our image as a technology resource for our customers.
The mission of the Palo Alto City Library is to connect and
strengthen our diverse community through knowledge,
resources, and opportunities. We inspire and nurture
innovation, discovery, and delight.
With this mission, the library staff and stakeholders set a bold
vision for the community: We want to be a place to support a
flourishing Palo Alto where everyone can achieve their dreams.
That gives us many challenges that we hope we are answering
and anticipating as the community continues to grow. With
these thoughts in mind, we sent various members of the library
staff to training in 2016, with the Harwood Institute (http://
www.theharwoodinstitute.org/), to help us better engage with
and listen to all of Palo Alto. The American Library Association
and Harwood have developed a Public Innovators Lab designed
for libraries, with the intention of “turning outward” to help
organizations solve problems and change how communities
work together. Because the Library’s Strategic Plan is nearly at
its time-bound end, you will notice us asking you for your
thoughts on how we can make Palo Alto flourish!
Part of our responsibility as a community learning institution is
to provide Palo Alto with the most accurate information
possible. The librarians are specially trained to ensure that any
request you make is kept confidential, and gives you the
information you need to be successful. Our excellent staff put
together information about fake news to make sure Palo Altans
can discern news, whether bad or fake, and critically examine
what the facts might really be. Be sure to visit our website to
learn more. You can be sure that the fine staff will continue to
help everyone of every age better understand the world and
what’s happening in it. This is at the core of our library services,
which get the right books and the best information into the
hands of anyone coming to see us or visiting online.
Finally, I do want to thank our smart, creative, and dedicated
staff for a fantastic 2016! They are exceptional. You may have
noticed that some long-time employees have retired and that
we have new members of our team who bring new talents and
enthusiasm to their work. This has resulted in experiments with
our 3-D printers, a new BikePALS outreach service, expanded
teen programs, services to non-native English speakers, and new
attention to the library volunteer program, among other things.
We will continue to innovate – did you know that PACL is
considered a leader in library services in the country, if not the
2016 was a very successful year for youth programming! The Library presented almost 900 programs for children with 70,000 attendees and 128 teen programs with well over 2,000 attendees. The Summer Reading Program had more finishers than in previous years with over 1,600 completions. Some highlights:
Children’s Services focused on literacy, learning and fun for children with exciting
STEAM programs, expanded bilingual storytimes and more family fun nights! The
Library also had its first Children’s Book Festival and a Kindergarten Library Card
Campaign to encourage young and emerging readers to sign up for their very
own card.
Teen Services included many new programs designed and implemented by the
Teen Library Advisory Board (TLAB), including the “Post-Its for Positivity”
campaign to support teens during finals week. Other great Teen programs:
writing club, craft events and mini-golf in
the Library!
Bike PALS launched in August 2016 and
has been a community delight wherever
it’s rolled up! Part of the goals and
objectives for Bike PALS is to educate
customers about library services that are
available to them wherever they are,
bring services to people who can’t come
to the library to get them and to hear
from the community about other
interests where the library may be able to assist.
Upgrade to New Library Platform: In February 2016, after months of staff work to set up Sierra, a new library software system and migrate our data, we launched a new library services platform to manage how the Library serves you. This technological investment in the future of Palo Alto's Libraries:
Provides better access to library physical and digital collections
Improves staff efficiencies to deliver our collections to you more quickly, and
Offers contemporary customizations like Chinese, Russian or Spanish interfaces, the ability to write reviews, and the ability to save your own reading history.
3D Printing: 3D printing service began at the Rinconada and Downtown Libraries this past Fall to much excitement! Library users of all ages have been attracted to this engaging new service, with many enjoying the technology as they watch their favorite creations materialize. The service is currently available three days at Rinconada (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) and once at Downtown (Thursdays). Users can sign up on the Library’s event calendar. Stay tuned for upcoming programs and demonstrations in 2017!
Kono for Libraries In November, 2016, the Library launched Kono for Libraries, a new digital magazine service that offers free access to popular titles from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan. During its first month, 1058 articles were checked out! Lifestyle, fashion and travel were the most popular catego-ries. We are the first Library in the nation to offer digital access to Chinese and Japanese titles and are pleased to see the high usage.
Youth Services at the Library! Technology Highlights of 2016
Adult Services at the Library!
In 2016, the Palo Alto City Library was able to provide nearly 300 engaging and innovative Adult programs with 5000 attendees. Thanks to the Friends of the Palo Alto Library and our many Library partners, we have been able to provide exceptional programming. A few highlights from 2016 include:
Our New Americans Program continued to flourish in 2016 by providing engaging programs for our immigrant communities, including: ESL Conversation Group sessions; Advanced ESL courses; Welcome to America! series; a new ESL Book Club and Citizenship Clinic. These programs, along with International Collections, an ESL/Citizenship Corner, and outreach efforts help solidify the Library’s commitment to being a welcoming community for all who come to Palo Alto. Expect these programs to grow in 2017!
Knack 4 Knitting—During this holiday season, the group of knitted and donated 124 hats and scarves to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. These items will go to individuals suffering from mental illness in Santa Clara County. The group will continue to meet every Wednesday from 4-6p.m. at Mitchell Park.
Early Voting at Rinconada Library—The Library was proud to support civic engagement this past election year. Over 1700 voters came out early to vote at Rinconada; and hundreds of ballots were accepted at Mitchell Park.
Look for more exciting programs in 2017 including a discussion with author Shaka Senghor March 21 as part of our Silicon Valley Reads celebration, financial planning workshops, and programs about do-it-yourself projects for natural living!
EVENTS AND PROGRAMS IN J ANUARY
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Weekly Storytimes Key: CH = Children’s Library CT = College Terrace Library DO = Downtown Library MP = Mitchell Park Library RI = Rinconada Library MPCC = Mitchell Park Community Center
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Libraries closed for New Year Holiday Happy Birds Performing Parrot Show K * 3:30-4:30 p.m. @ MPCC Watch beautiful and talented birds perform over 25 tricks! Teen Writing Club T * R 4-5:30 p.m.@ RI Share your passion for writing with other teens! Also January 19 Citizenship Clinic A T * R 6:30-8:30 p.m. @ MP Ready to become a U.S. citizen? Learn more, get answers and go through the process. Parenting Program: Empowering Your Daughter A *R 7-8:30 p.m. @ RI Get help with parenthood! A different topic every month. STEAM Lab Saturday: Marshmallow Towers K * R 2:30-3:30 p.m. @ CH Compete to build the tallest structure of marshmallows!
Maker Sunday: 3Doodler Pen T * R 4:30-5:30 p.m. @ MP This month's Maker project: Draw in 3D and play with the 3Doodler. New Year, New Nails T * R 4:30-6:30 p.m. @ MPCC Get inspired with a new look for the school year! Polishes and decals provided. Google Workshop in Mandarin A R 7-8 p.m. @ MP Google staff will teach how to use Google in Mandarin. Palo Alto Camera Club A 7-9 p.m. @ RI Photo competition and exhibition by the Palo Alto Camera Club. Also January 25 Back to Bach K 4-4:45 p.m. @ RI Entertaining and educational presentation of classical music for kids by Back to Bach. Graphic Novel Book Club A T R 7-8:30 p.m. @ MP January’s title: The Song of Roland by Michel Rabagliati Savvy Social Security Planning for Couples A * R 10 a.m.-1 p.m. @ RI Maximize your Social Security benefits, save for retirement. Family Movie at the Library: Finding Dory E * R 7-8:30 p.m. @ RI Wear your pjs to a family movie. Rated PG. Snacks provided. Meditation and Watercolor T * R 4-5 p.m. @ MP Art-making and visualization workshop followed by a color meditation exercise. Libraries closed for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Society of Bookworms K * R 4-5 p.m. @ CH January’s title: The Green Bicycle, by Haifaa al Mansour Teen Writing Club T * R 4-5:30 p.m. @ RI Share your passion for writing with other teens!
Lego Friday K * 3:30-5 p.m. @ CH Let your imagination soar and come build with us! Family Date Night: Mini Golf in the Library! E * R 7-8:15 p.m. @ CH Bring the family for this special after-hours program! Annual Storytelling Festival E * 1:15-4:15 p.m. @ CH Drop in for refreshments by the fireplace and enjoy the art of storytelling. Retirement and Your Next Stage of Life A R 6:30-8:30 p.m. @ MP Four-part workshop designed to help adults transition from midlife or career into retirement. Series session 1. Afternoon Adventure: Puppet Making K * R 3:30-4:30 p.m. @ CH Design and create your own puppets using a variety of materials. Cult Movie Series: The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension A T * R 7-9 p.m. @ RI 80s Sci-fi favorite starring Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, Jeff Goldblum, and Christopher Lloyd. Rated PG. Snack provided. Family Storytime at Gamble Garden K 11-11:30 a.m. at Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden in the Carriage House. Book Launch: The UN Association-USA: A Little Known History of Advocacy and Action A T 7:30-9 p.m. @ RI Featuring author James Wurst and contributors Ed Elmendorf and Dulcie Leimbach. Dis-counted copies of the book will be available for sale.
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Friends of the Palo Alto Library Monthly Book Sales Every second Saturday and Sunday
Saturday 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Cubberley Community Center
* Preschool - 10:30am, CH * Baby - 10:30 am & 11:30am, MP * Family - 4pm, CT
* Toddler - 10:30am, CH * Pajama - 7pm, MP
* Baby - 10:30 and 11:30am, CH
* Toddler - 10am, MP * Family - 10:30am, DO * Preschool - 11am, MP
* Family - 11am, MP
* Mandarin Bilingual - 11am, MP
* Russian Bilingual - 5pm, MP
Weekly Programs in January and February ESL Beyond the Basics A * R Mondays 2-3 p.m. @ MP
ESL Conversation Group A * Wednesdays 10:30-11:30 a.m. @ MP Knack-4-Knitting T A * R Wednesdays 4-6 p.m. @ MP
Tech Tutoring A Saturdays 10:15 am-12:15 p.m. @ MP Tai Chi E Sundays beginning 1/15 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. @ RI
Monthly Programs in January and February Yoga with Surfer Mike A T * First Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. @ RI
Bay Area Bird Photographers E First Wednesdays 7-8:45 p.m. @RI Citizenship Clinic A T R First Thursdays 6:30-8:30 p.m. @ MP
Friday Fun! K First Fridays 3:30-5 p.m. @ CH and 4-5:30 p.m. @ MP Saturday Board Games A T First Saturdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. @ DO Medicare Mysteries Solved! A R First Saturdays 1-3 p.m. @ MP
Brown Bag Book Club A * Second Tuesdays 11 a.m.-12 p.m. @ RI ESL Book Club A * R Second Thursdays 11 a.m.-12 p.m. @ MP
Bay Area Quiz Club A T Second Sundays 2-6 p.m. @ MP Society of Bookworms K * R Third Thursdays 4-5 p.m. @ CH
Colorful Afternoons A Third Saturdays 1-4 p.m. @ MP Paws to Read K * Third Saturdays 2:30-3:30 p.m. @ CH
Visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/library for detailed listings, late additions and registration.
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Key: A = Adults E = Everyone K = Kids T = Teens * = Program sponsored by the Friends of Palo Alto Library R = registration required
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EVENTS AND PROGRAMS IN FEBRUARY
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Weekly Storytimes
Teen Blind Date with a Book! T * All day, all month @ MP Go on a blind date with a book! If your blind date with a book doesn’t work out, then check out a new one. No hurt feelings! Review your book date for a chance to win prizes. Magician Timothy James K * 3:30-4:30 p.m. @ RI Enjoy amazing illusions with Magician Timothy James. Teen Writing Club T * R 4-5:30 p.m. @ RI Share your passion for writing with other teens! Also February 16 Citizenship Clinic A T R 6:30-8:30 p.m. @ MP Ready to become a U.S. citizen? Learn more, get answers and go through the process. Parenting Program: Boys and Discipline A * R 7-8:30 p.m. @ RI Get help navigating parenthood! A different topic every first Thursday. Volunteer Tax Assistance A 10 a.m.-3 p.m. @ MP Free tax-filing assistance from IRS-certified volunteers VITA. First come, first served. Check our website for details. Last files accepted no later than 2 p.m. STEAM Lab Sunday: Marshmallow Towers K * R 2:30-3:30 p.m. @ MP Compete to build the tallest structure of marshmallows!
Google Workshop in Russian A R 11 a.m.-12 p.m. @ MP Google staff will teach how to use Google in Russian. Anti/Valentine Party T * R 4:30-6:30 p.m. @ MP LED lit up cards, button making, pencil duct tape roses, contests, chocolate! Love it or hate it, there’s something for everyone. Yoga with Surfer Mike A T * 5:30-6:30 p.m. @ RI Palo Alto Camera Club A 7-9 p.m. @ RI Drop in for a photo competition/exhibition by the Palo Alto Camera Club. Also Feb. 22 Graphic Novel Book Club T A * R 7-8:30 p.m. @ MP February’s title: Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea, by Guy Delisle
Savvy Social Security Planning for Women A * R 10 a.m.-1 p.m. @ RI Maximize your Social Security benefits and save more for retirement. Volunteer Tax Assistance A 10 a.m.-3 p.m. @ MP Free tax-filing assistance from IRS-certified volunteers VITA. First come, first served. Check our website for details. Last files accepted no later than 2 p.m. Society of Bookworms K * R 4-5 p.m. @ CH February’s title: The Underground Abductor, Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales
Teen Writing Club T * R 4-5:30 p.m. @ RI Share your passion for writing with other teens!
NEW: Brat Pack Movie Night: Sixteen Candles A R 7-8:45 p.m. @ MP Timeless 80s John Hughes high school movies every third Thursday of the month. Come for the drama, stay for the classic 80s soundtrack. Rated PG. Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County A 7-8:30 p.m. @ RI Enjoy a seasonal talk related to gardening and exchange tips.
Lego Friday K * 3:30-5 p.m. @ CH Let your imagination soar and come build with us!
Family Date Night: Game Night and Puzzle Swap K * R 7-8:15 p.m. Bring the family to a special after-hours program at the library.
Volunteer Tax Assistance A 10 a.m.-3 p.m. @ MP Free tax-filing assistance from IRS-certified volunteers VITA. First come, first
served. Check our website for details. Last files accepted at 2 p.m. Lunar New Year Celebration E * 11 a.m.-1 p.m. @ MP This event for all ages will feature lion dancing, crafts and more! What It’s Like to be Stranded on an Island with Fidel Castro A 2:30-4 p.m. @ RI Local photographer Jim Colton shares a photographic narrative of life in Cuba since the Revolution.
Libraries closed for President’s Day Afternoon Adventure: Dumpling Workshop K * R 3:30-5 p.m. @ MP Learn to make your own dumplings to take home. .
Cult Movie Series: Harold and Maude T A * 7-9 p.m. @ RI Join us for a classic cult movie in the beautiful Embarcadero Room at
Rinconada Library the 4th Thursday of the month. This month: a dark romantic comedy starring Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon. Snacks provided. Rated PG.
Family Storytime at Gamble Garden K 11-11:30 a.m. at the Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden in the Carriage House.
Creative Writing Celebration T * 7-8:30 p.m. @ RI Join us for an evening celebrating and practicing creative writing. We will also honor the winners and participants of the Kids & Teens Writing Contest.
Volunteer Tax Assistance A 10 a.m.-3 p.m. @ MP Free tax-filing assistance from IRS-certified volunteers VITA. First come, first
served. Check our website for details. Last files accepted at 2 p.m. Is Small Business Ownership Right for You? A 7-8:30 p.m. @ MP Three-part workshop series by business experts FranNet will help
you decide if owning a business is right for you. Continues May 23 and August 22
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Key: A = Adults E = Everyone K = Kids T = Teens * = Program sponsored by the Friends of Palo Alto Library, R = registration required
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Key: CH = Children’s Library CT = College Terrace Library DO = Downtown Library MP = Mitchell Park Library RI = Rinconada Library MPCC = Mitchell Park Community Center
