Library News
"Bringing Our Stories to the Table:" Release of Adult Learner Writing Collection
Posted on January 18, 2018
The Sonoma County Library Adult Literacy Program is pleased to announce the release of the 2017 Adult Learner Writing Collection: Bringing Our Stories to the Table
We will be celebrating the release and the accomplishments of our adult literacy authors with a Book Release Party on Saturday, January 20, 2018 from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm in the Central Library Forum Room.
We would like to take this opportunity to express how proud we are of the adult learners who are working so hard on improving their literacy skills and meeting their learning goals. Also, we are appreciative of the hard work and dedication of the hundreds of volunteer tutors countywide who help our adult learners. This writing collection is a wonderful reflection of the different backgrounds, cultures, and stories of this wonderfully diverse group of learners.
Copies of the 2017 Adult Learner Writing Collection -- which includes stories, recipes, and poems -- are on their way to all Sonoma County Library branch shelves immediately after the 1/20/18 release event. We hope you will all take the opportunity to check them out and to learn from these inspiring Sonoma County adult learners.
It's time for the 2018 Mock Caldecott Contest!
Posted on January 05, 2018
It's time to choose our favorite 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. The Caldecott Medal, named for illustrator Randolph Caldecott, is awarded annually by the American Library Association to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
You will see the 11 books we think are worth considering above. These books, selected by Sonoma County Library staff, all fit the criteria of books to be considered for the Caldecott Medal. You can find copies of these books at your local branch for review. For more information, visit our Mock Caldecott page on the website. Let us know who YOU think will win by voting for your favorites, either online or at the library. Voting will be open from January 8 - February 7.Sonoma County's winners will be announced in your local branch and online February 9.
VOTING IS OVER!
Library Nominated to Participate in California Revealed
Posted on January 04, 2018
The Sonoma County Library is thrilled to announce approval of its California Revealed nomination for a unique project. California Revealed is a State Library initiative to support California’s public libraries, in partnership with other local heritage groups, to digitize, preserve, and serve online historically significant California artifacts and culture.
Sonoma County Library Associate Joanna Kolosov nominated a “hidden” collection of newspaper clippings which feature Sonoma County women and Japanese Americans who served in the military during World War II. The collection comprises 74 multi-part records which represent a portion of a larger collection that is housed at the Sonoma County History & Genealogy Library but has not been cataloged. The Library is excited to have the opportunity to make these materials accessible to the public in a digital format.
The Sonoma County Library was one of 81 institutions to nominate over 11,000 items. The Library’s addition will be added to the California Revealed database, housed within the California State Library, made accessible through the Internet Archive and California Light & Sound, as well as on the Library’s Sonoma Heritage Collectionwebsite.
Sonoma County Library’s local history and genealogy collection is a community resource of immense value located adjacent to the Central Santa Rosa Library in the Library’s Annex building. This historical collection includes more than 40,000 photographs, a comprehensive collection of Sonoma County historical works, county, family and property history, access to the Sonoma County Archives, Sonoma County History Index with thousands of references to county events, places and people, wide ranging newspaper clippings files, and more!
To learn more about the California Revealed project and the Sonoma County History & Genealogy Library, contact History & Genealogy Manager Katherine Rinehart at 545-0831 x 1562 or krinehart@sonoma.lib.ca.us.
Northwest Library Will Temporarily Close for Refresh January 16
Posted on December 29, 2017
The Northwest Library will move to a temporary location beginning on Tuesday, January 16th, 2018, to permit extensive renovation of the existing building. The renovations will continue into Spring 2018.
The temporary site will have a Book Drop and Holds may be picked up.
Please visit us at the temporary location, from January 16 to April/May, 2018:
Guerneville Road Plaza
1331 Guerneville Road, Suite O.
Hours:
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri & Sat: 10am-2 pm
Wed: 3pm - 7pm
New Sonoma County Library Mobile App Launches
Library Launches New Version of Mobile App
Posted on December 22, 2017
On December 22, 2017, Sonoma County Library launched the next generation of our Library App. Built by Solus UK Ltd in tight coordination and integration with our library systems provider, Sirsi-Dynix, we are excited to give our patrons speedier and more detailed, direct access to our systems and services.
The Sonoma County Library app from Solus/Sirsi-Dynix offers our mobile users (staff and patrons) the ability to:
- Search for library materials using familiar search designations, filters and fields
- Locate their Nearest Library branch address, hours and phone number - with corresponding links to GPS for directions or easy calling on their mobile phones
- Manage Library Account Checkouts, Holds, Devices, Display Preferences, Language Preference (English or Spanish)
- View upcoming events at the patron’s branch or across the library system
- Scan an ISBN Barcode to see if a book is available at the library
- Directly access eResources like Discover and Go, LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com), Mango Languages and ProQuest Newspapers
- Search specifically for eBooks
- Access the library’s social media pages
- Link directly to Ask Us for any questions a patron may have
The new app is now available for download from the apple store and the android store.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sonoma-county-libraries/id1256222234?mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.sol.SonomaCountyLibraries
Winter Break Activities at the Library
Posted on December 18, 2017
The Sonoma County Library has a variety of activities scheduled for children, tweens and teens during the winter school break.
Beginning Saturday, December 23 through Monday, January 8, the Library is offering free programs ranging from winter crafts, Lego Clubs and Read to a Dog events, to Magician Mike Della Penna, Circus of Smiles, STEAM programs, kids' yoga and zumba, crafts, coding, makerspaces, learning to do magic tricks, musical Jam Sessions, Virtual Reality, chess games, family movies, and more!
All events are free.
For more information, check the library’s online calendar at https://sonomalibrary.org/events, or Ask A Librarian.
Play and Learn at the Northwest Library
Posted on December 01, 2017
The Play and Learn Island™ is once again on the move!
The Play and Learn Island™ (PAL) just finished a 2-month stay at the Rincon Valley Library, and is now making its home for the next two months in the Northwest Library, by Coddingtown Mall. The Play and Learn Island™ travels periodically around the County to different library branches to host and share with their communities.
Babies and children learn through play and as part of the Sonoma County Library’s mission to promote the value and joy of reading, we offer opportunities for young children to play while building the skills for learning and literacy in all stages of life. One such opportunity is through our Play and Learn Island™. The hands-on activities provided with the Play and Learn Island™ incorporate problem solving, sorting, sharing, early literacy skills, design and testing, and collaboration. Their colorful design, scale and varied activities appeal to a range of ages, encouraging families to play and explore together, while they imagine, discover, create, and bring learning to life.
Come check out the island--at the Northwest Library for December and January 2018, until we close down for our renovation. Check the schedule to see when it's coming to a branch near you -- and play and learn with us!
Library Adds Digital Access to Local Historical Newspapers
Posted on November 28, 2017
Sonoma County Library adds Sebastopol Times, Sonoma West Times and Sonoma West Times & News to its collection of digital newspaper holdings.
In partnership with Sonoma West Publishers, Newspapers.com, and the California Digital Newspaper Collection, the Sonoma County Library is pleased to be able to offer its patrons digital access to not only Petaluma and Santa Rosa newspapers, but also those papers published in Sebastopol between 1895 and 2016.
Join us for a “microfilm cutting” event on Friday, December 15th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Sebastopol Regional Library (7140 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol). Watch demonstrations on how to search, view, print, and save articles from these newspapers and others included in the library’s online database. Enjoy light refreshments as you research your community’s history and discover its past.
The Sonoma County History & Genealogy Library offers one-on-one instruction in historical and genealogical research Monday through Saturday. Explore local newspapers not yet digitized on microfilm from 1857 through 1969 as well as its extensive collection of photos, city directories, maps, and more!
For more information contact, History & Genealogy Library Manager Katherine Rinehart at 707-545-0831 ext. 1562 or krinehart@sonoma.lib.ca.us. Keep up with all library events at www.sonomalibrary.org and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/sonomalibrary.
Out of this World! Library Pilots Virtual Reality at Two Locations
Posted on November 20, 2017
Have you always wanted to travel the world, fly a plane, take a driver's test, or explore a fantasy land? Well, now you can do these things -- all without leaving the library! -- through Sonoma County Library's new pilot Virtual Reality service.
Thanks to a grant from the California State Library, we received two complete setups of Oculus Rift, including viewer, controllers, and a selection of educational VR software. In this pilot stage, we selected the Healdsburg Library and the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library to launch the service. We're so excited to be able to offer this new service, in our quest to provide equitable access to new technologies that help people to acquire new skills, make informed decisions, and explore new possibilities.
Come check out one of our upcoming Introduction to Virtual Reality events at these two locations; after a short introduction to the equipment, people will have the opportunity to sign up for 15-minute Virtual Reality sessions.
Oculus Rift VR is only available during special events and programs for patrons 14 and older. All participants need to sign a waiver before using the equipment. Minors must provide a legal guardian's signature to participate.
Library's E-Audiobooks Now Available Through Axis360
Posted on November 15, 2017
Effective November 15, 2017, Sonoma County Library has transfered our E-Audiobook titles from the OverDrive platform to the Axis 360 platform. OverDrive will retain our E-Book collection. All new E-Audiobooks will appear in Axis 360, so check there for the newest, hottest titles!
This change allows us to streamline how we provide access to our E-Audiobooks so the majority of E-Audiobook titles can be found in one platform and easy-to-use app. If you prefer to listen rather than read, you can look in Axis 360 to find the majority of titles you want. If you prefer to read rather than listen, you can look in OverDrive. If you typically use our library catalog https://find.sonomalibrary.org/ to search for and find E-Audiobooks to check out, you will still be able to do so, and will be directed to the appropriate platform to borrow and place holds.
Our electronic resources can be managed more efficiently because we have split the E-Audiobooks from the E-Books; we can track usage of our collections, consolidate patron requests to the appropriate platform, and manage our funds more easily.
If you have any E-Audiobooks on hold in OverDrive, don’t worry! You will not lose your place on the waiting list. All current holds will be transferred to Axis 360 within 48 hours of the change. Those of you who currently have E-Audiobooks checked out in OverDrive will not be cut off on November 15, but will have until the end of your checkout to complete your book without interruption. You will not be able to renew that title on OverDrive, but you will be able to find it on the Axis 360 app.
If you have not already downloaded the Axis 360 app, you can do so here: http://sonoma.axis360.baker-taylor.com/AppZone/ReaderList. You can also browse, checkout, place holds, and listen online:http://sonoma.axis360.baker-taylor.com/
E-Audiobooks check out for 21 days. There is a checkout limit of 5 titles, and a hold limit of 3 titles, on downloadable audiobooks. Electronic content will automatically return at the end of the loan period, so there are never any late fees. Return items early to checkout additional titles.
Download the Axis 360 app for your mobile device and start listening today!
