Library News
Free SAT Math Refresher Course at Three Locations Over Spring Break
Posted on February 01, 2017
Sonoma County Library will offer a free 2-hour SAT Math Refresher course, during the week of Spring Break in March, for high school juniors who will be taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) in 2017.
Registration opens on March 1, 2017. Students or parents can pick up registration forms at the three libraries where the class will be offered: Sebastopol Regional Library, Sonoma Valley Regional Library, and Rincon Valley Regional Library. Priority registration will be given to high school juniors.
This new class is being offered in response to the success of the SAT Prep Intensives that were offered by the Library in January. Each session will be team-taught by Ana Pimsler and Kristen Cook, high school math instructors at Roseland Collegiate Prep.
The SAT Math Refresher course will include study and review of the math portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Students will be provided with an individual copy of the Official SAT Study Guide for use in the class and extended study at home.
The course is offered at each of the following locations, dates & times:
- Sebastopol Regional Library:
- Tuesday March 21 from 1pm-3pm
- Rincon Valley Regional Library:
- Wednesday March 22 from 5:30pm-7:30pm
- Sonoma Valley Regional Library:
- Thursday March 23 from 3:30pm-5:30pm
Attendance is limited to 25 high school juniors at each location. Students are advised to bring a graphing calculator.
These classes are part of the Library's Path to College series.
For more information, contact Teen Services Librarian Rachel Icaza at 707-545-0831 ext1526 or ricaza@sonoma.lib.ca.us. Read more about services and programs offered by the Library at https://events.sonomalibrary.org/events and keep in touch with the library at www.sonomalibrary.org and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/sonomalibrary.
Are You Ready for LumaCon?
Posted on January 27, 2017
Are you ready for LumaCon?
- Do you like Cosplay, Larping, and Fandoms?
- Do you write or draw, and like to share your work with your peers and your community?
- Are you crafty and like to make things like the teens featured in this Press Democrat article?
- Do you want to meet and talk to professional artists, illustrators, and other supporters of the comic arts?
- Do you play MTG, or have you wondered about role playing and card games?
Well, you are in luck!
Coming this Saturday is the third annual LumaCon-- the comic convention for youth, co-sponsored by the Petaluma branch of the Sonoma County Library and the libraries of Petaluma High School and Casa Grande High School. Whether you come in costume or not, be prepared to be surrounded by enthusiasts of comic, art, and geek culture of all types and of all ages.
LumaCon is a joint venture of the Sonoma County Library, the Petaluma High School Library, and the Casa Grande High School Library, and it is held this year from 10am-4pm at Lucchesi Center in Petaluma on Saturday, January 28.
Caldecott Award Winners 2017
Posted on January 24, 2017
Well Sonoma County, we voted for our favorite picture books in our Mock Caldecott, but on Monday, January 23 the American Library Association (ALA) announced the official award winners at its Midwinter Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.
The winners are:
Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:
Radiant child : the story of young artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaca Steptoe
Four Caldecott Honor Books also were named:
| Take a look at the Sonoma County Mock Caldecott winners. | |||
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For more information and to find out about all the awards given, visit the American Library Association site.
The Night Gardener
Mock Caldecott 2017 Results
Posted on January 19, 2017
The votes are in! Sonoma County has chosen the best picture books of the year!
Every year, children’s book illustrators hold their breath as the Caldecott committee members read, examine, and critique the best illustrated children’s books of the year to finally determine which one deserves the highly regarded award.
For the second year in a row you, Sonoma County picture book lovers, let us know which books you thought would win by voting in our Mock Caldecott.
The children's librarians of Sonoma County Library read hundreds of picture books published in 2016, narrowed them down to 10 (not an easy task!), then left it up to you to choose our winner by voting for your favorites either online or at the library.
Drum roll please . . . The Sonoma County's Mock Caldecott Winner is...
The Night Gardener by Terry Fan and illustrated by Eric Fan
Check back on Tuesday, Jan. 24 to see what books win the official contest!
The numbers were close, but the following titles are our three Honor Books for the year.
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Lynda for Libraries
Free Online Learning with Lynda.com
Posted on January 18, 2017
Effective January 18, 2017, Sonoma County Library cardholders have FREE ACCESS to LinkedinLearning's (formerly Lynda.com) collection of online courses and tutorials to learn business, technology, and creative skills!
LinkedinLearning (formerly Lynda.com) is a leading online learning company that offers a collection of online courses that are available helps anyone learn business, technology and creative skills through award-winning video tutorials that are available online anytime, anywhere. Thanks to the passage of Measure Y, all you need to use LinkedinLearning (formerly Lynda.com) in Sonoma County is your Sonoma County Library card!
LinkedinLearning (formerly Lynda.com) features an ever-expanding collection of more than 3,000 courses and 150,000 award-winning video tutorials taught by industry experts. The courses and tutorials cover a variety of topic and skill areas including office productivity applications, databases, spreadsheets, Photoshop, multimedia production, business savvy, specialized applications, organizational skills and Adobe Acrobat. Because everyone learns in their own way and at their own pace, Lynda.com offers users the flexibility to get a quick answer or dive deep and undergo an entire training series.
"Connecting our customers in Sonoma County with learning resources to enhance individual skills, acquire new skills to advance at work and build foundational skills for success in school is important to Sonoma County Library. We are excited that the library’s subscription to Lynda.com will let the public and our own staff access the tutorials and classes they need for free and on their own schedules," said Rauno Saarinen, eResources & Discovery Specialist, Sonoma County Library.
With thousands of courses offered, you can choose a course that best fits your interests and passion including in 3D Printing + Animation, Design, Education + ELearning, IT, Marketing, and Photography, to name a few. With unlimited access to LinkedinLearning's (formerly Lynda.com) courses, you can learn anywhere using your computer, tablet or mobile device. Courses are as short as 3 minutes to more extensive series deepening your knowledge on the topic of your choice.
Library cards may be obtained by visiting any of the Sonoma County Library’s 15 branches throughout the county with a current identification or get an eCard online and immediately start using our online resources, like LinkedinLearning (formerly Lynda.com)
Weather Affecting Library Services
Posted on January 11, 2017
Information will be shared here on the effect of this winter storm system on Sonoma County Library branches.
Thank you, and let’s be safe, everyone!
Wednesday, January 11:
2:36 PM:
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The Forestville Rural Station will not open this afternoon (3-6:30 p.m.), as the access road is flooded. El Molino High School is also closed today.
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Guerneville Library will close at 5 p.m. Some parts of River Road and Pocket Canyon are flooded and dangerous to drive in the dark.
10:50 AM:
- Occidental Rural Station is closed today (12-5) due to flooding and road closures in the lower Russian River.
10:00 am:
- Guerneville Library and Sebastopol Library will be opening as scheduled (10:00 am-8:00 pm).
Tuesday, January 10:
2:09 PM:
- Sebastopol Library is without electricity, and due to dangerous road conditions, it is being closed.
1:15 pm:
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The Guerneville Library Advisory Board Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 11 has been cancelled due to weather condition and will be rescheduled.
1:09 PM:
- Guerneville Library has lost power. Due to flooding in the access roads, and the river’s continuous rise, the Library is closed now.
- Occidental Rural Station is closed today (12-5) due to flooding and road closures in the lower Russian River.
- Forestville Rural Station(3-6:30) will be closed tonight due to flooding in the access road and surroundings.
The other branches are doing OK. Several branches report leaks, but no major problems have been reported.
We will update as news is received.
Thank you, and please stay dry and safe, everyone!
Central Library Hosts Youth Art Show
Posted on January 05, 2017
Sonoma County Library is hosting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sonoma County’s National Fine Arts Exhibit at the Central Santa Rosa Library until January 12th.
“We love seeing local youth art beautifying the shelves of our Central Library,” said Angelina Cacioppo, Community Engagement Coordinator for the Sonoma County Library. “The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County does such tremendous work with the youth of Sonoma County, we’re proud to display the artwork these kids have worked so diligently on.”
Each year the Boys & Girls Clubs of America reaches out to 4,000 Clubs across the country and conduct a search to identify talented, young artists. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County serves over 6,000 young people at 32 Club locations across Sonoma County. The National Fine Arts Exhibit will display works art in 9 media categories including monochromatic drawing, multicolored drawing, watercolor, pastel, oil & acrylic painting, mixed media, printmaking, collage, and group projects. Artwork for each media category is divided into age groups: 6-9, 10-12, 13-15, & 16-18.
On January 10th at 1:00pm at the Central Library, four local judges will evaluate each art category and age group and will select winners. This year’s judges are Brett Lear (Director of the Sonoma County Library), Kristen Madsen (Executive Director of Creative Sonoma), Pam Chanter (Vice President of Vantreo Insurance), and Briana Gonzalez (Community Coordinator for the Redwood Credit Union).
Winners will continue to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Fine Arts Exhibit in the organization’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia for judging at the national level besides Boys & Girls Club Members from around the country. Winning artists will receive engraved plaques and congratulations from Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s President Jim Clark.
We are thrilled to be able to host this exhibit, and grateful to the community partnerships that made it happen. Stop by the Central Santa Rosa Library at 211 E Street in Santa Rosa to see the wonderful artwork of our Sonoma County children! The artwork will be displayed in the teen section until January 12th.
Make This Year Your Healthiest Yet!
Posted on December 29, 2016
Sonoma County Library is here to support your New Year’s health resolution! “Healthy Living at your Library” is a series of free educational classes and events with a focus on nutrition, healthy cooking and physical fitness. Attend our free fitness and cooking classes, and join our Healthy Living Club for a chance to win prizes.
The Library has identified health literacy as an educational need in the community and has developed this health series with local partners including Sonoma County Department of Health Services, Santa Rosa Junior College, Sonoma County YMCA, Ceres Community Project, St. Joseph Health, Northern California Center for Well-Being, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, and others.
Classes this winter include Family Bootcamp, Winter Vegetables: Beyond Broccoli, Senior Health Literacy, Ayurveda: Body Type Systems, Core and HIIT Express, Transform Your Posture Through Yoga and more. Pre-registration is required.
Sign up for our Healthy Living Club and you could win a prize! To qualify, all you have to do is: attend three healthy living classes, check out a health book or fitness DVD, and complete a personal fitness challenge. Turn in your completed Club Card to your library by May 31, 2017 to be entered in the prize drawing. Prizes include an Instant Pot, blender, Sonoma County Parks pass, a Fitbit, yoga kit, assortment of spices and $50 gift cards.
Visit or call your local library to sign up for classes and get a Club Card today! Full class schedule available online at www.sonomalibrary.org/health
Day One
12 Days of Winter Break
Posted on December 22, 2016
Home for the holidays? Traveling to see friends and family? Not sure how to fill your time? The Sonoma County Library’s 12 Days of Winter Break is here to guide you through your winter days at home or away.
Day 1
On the first day of winter break, my Library gave to me… a cookbook to help feed my family. The Library has thousands of cookbooks to check out and plan delicious meals the whole family will love. Plan a meal following a special diet, learn a new cultural cuisine, or learn new twists on your favorite, go-to recipes. See available cookbooks on the Library’s website or visit your local branch today. http://sclib.us/3z
Day 2
On the second day of winter break, my Library gave to me… a free movie to watch with my family! Watch a movie for free using the streaming service Hoopla Digital. Library cardholders can also borrow audiobooks, movies, music, TV shows, and more and watch or listen instantly! Check it out today! https://sonomalibrary.org/hoopla-digital
Day 3
On the third day of winter break, my Library gave to me… an e-book to read while traveling. Using your library card, you can download an e-book for free and directly to your e-reader or mobile device. Check out an e-book today: https://sonomalibrary.org/digital-media/e-books
Day 4
On the fourth day of winter break, my Library gave to me… help researching my family. Getting nostalgic after visiting loved ones this winter? Visit the History & Genealogy Library to trace your roots and learn about your ancestors! Use resources only found within the Library including ancestrylibrary.com and historical records and periodicals to support your research. https://sonomalibrary.org/locations/sonoma-county-history-and-genealogy-library/genealogy-resources
Day 5
On the fifth day of winter break, my Library gave to me… an audiobook to listen to! Tired of listening to holiday music? Traveling this winter? Download and borrow an audiobook for free using OverDrive or Hoopla Digital and listen directly from your mobile device: https://sonomalibrary.org/digital-media/audiobooks
Day 6
On the sixth day of winter break, my Library gave to me… an engaging, fun Storytime for the kids! The Library offers a range of different story times across the county for children newborn to 5 years old. Get the wiggles out, learn new stories, read together as a family, or attend a bilingual story time at a local branch near you! https://sonomalibrary.org/kids/early-literacy/storytimes
Day 7
On the seventh day of winter break, my Library gave to me… support with a healthy New Year’s resolution! Join the Library’s Healthy Living at your Library Club. This series offers free educational classes and events focusing on nutrition and physical fitness. Attend 3 healthy living classes, check out a health book or fitness DVD, and complete a physical fitness challenge by May 31st, 2017 to be entered in the Healthy Living prize drawing. Find out more information here: https://sonomalibrary.org/events/programs/healthy-living-at-your-library
Day 8
On the eighth day of winter break, my Library gave to me… a free subscription to my favorite magazine! Download and read your favorite magazine using the Library’s new service, Zinio for Libraries. Choose from over 160 magazines and read instantly on any device using your library card. Download a magazine today: https://sonomalibrary.org/zinio
Day 9
On the ninth day of winter break, my Library gave to me… advice on how to spend my money! Use the Library resources to set a personal budget including checking out new books on personal finance:
- Why personal finance doesn’t have to be complicated, by Helaine Olen & Harold Pollack
- Personal Finance For Dummies, by Eric Tyson, MBA
- What your financial advisor isn’t telling you: the 10 essential truths you need to know about your money, by Lisa Davidson.
Visit your community library to use Morningstar Investment Research Center to learn about and track your stocks and fund investments. Find more information here: http://sclib.us/3y.
Day 10
On the tenth day of winter break, my Library gave to me… help studying for SATs. Planning for college? Attend a free SAT intensive prep class at one of the Library’s local branches. These 5-hour classes include study and review of problematic areas of all four sections of the new SAT. Find a workshop near you: https://sonomalibrary.org/events/programs/the-path-to-college/
Day 11
On the eleventh day of winter break, my Library gave to me… a book group to join! Read a new book and discuss with others at your local library branch. Find the right book club to fit your reading taste and join today! Search branches and book groups here: https://sonomalibrary.org/events/book-groups
Day 12
On the twelfth day of winter break, my Library gave to me… help learning a new language using Mango Languages! With just your library card, you can have access to Mango Language that offers over 60 languages to learn. Find a language you’d like to learn today: https://sonomalibrary.org/library-collection/mango-languages
Cloverdale reopens
Cloverdale Reopens
Posted on December 19, 2016
Just in time for the holiday season, the Cloverdale community will receive a special gift on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. The Sonoma County Library invites the community to join us for the reopening celebration at the Cloverdale Regional Library!
A ribbon cutting ceremony with community leaders and library officials will kick off the reopening celebration. Refreshments and music will follow the ribbon cutting ceremony.
“The residents of Cloverdale have waited patiently, and the wait is finally over,” said the new Cloverdale Branch Manager Stephanie Hope-Cochran. “Patrons will take great pride as they re-enter their treasured community jewel filled with a vibrant new look and amenities such as a single service desk and an express check-out kiosk.”
The facility closed in September for the “refresh” project but will resume regular operations on December 20 at 10:00 a.m. The 7,200 sq. ft. building interior flaunts a fresh coat of paint, and the beautiful space features newly installed carpeting, furnishings, new layout, technology additions and, seismic bracing. Cloverdale Regional Library also received an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) upgrade in the parking lot.
