Press Releases
9/15/08
EVENT: Teddy Randazzo Jr, and Michael Manring
DATE:Sunday, October 5, 2008
TIME: 3 p.m. . LOCATION: Doña Benicia Room, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510
HIGHLIGHTS:Two amazing performers will team up for a concert of Randazzo’s unique tapping, slapping, finger style and open tuning guitar techniques and Manring’s innovative approach as a bassist and composer. Manring has also toured around the world and received Grammy and Bammie nominations as well as many awards including Bassist of the Year from readers of the Bass Player Magazine. For additional information check these performer’s websites at http://www.manthing.com/ and http://www.woodsongacoustics.com/music/randazzo.php
This is free and appropriate for all ages. For more information, call the Library at (707)746-4343 or check www.benicialibrary.org
9/12/08
SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL LIBRARY CARD MONTH
September is National Library Card Month. Last year 524 people received their first Benicia Library Card in September. This year we are hoping to surpass this number. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.
Benicia Library card owners will receive an extra bonus this month. Forty-one businesses in Benicia have teamed up with the Library and are offering discounts or gifts when you come in and show your Benicia Library card. This can either be a card you have had or a new card.
The businesses that we have teamed up with this year are: Camellia Tea Room, Char’s Hot Dogs, Double Rainbow, First Street Café, Java Point, Kinder’s Meats and Deli, Mike & Gayle’s, Old Thyme Deli, Sahara Restaurant, Union Hotel Restaurant, ABC Music, Advanced Mortgage, Artcentric Pottery, Be Chic Boutique, Benicia Bay Company, Benicia Chamber of Commerce, Benicia Cleaners, Benicia Floral & Gifts, Benicia Knitting Circle, Benicia Main Street, Blush, Bookshop Benicia, Buddy’s Barkery, Buttons & Bows, Christina S, Discover Yesterday Antiques, Down Family Lane, Foot Solutions, Griswold Painting, Ironhorse, Jerry Gapay, DDS, Magnolia, My Girl, Nancy’s Bake Shop[, Piccolo, Realty World, Re/Max Gold, Solar Clothing, State Farm Insurance, Studio 41, Umpqua Bank, and Wellness Wisdom.
The Library would like to thank these businesses for teaming up with the Library and for having the vision to realize how important a library card is to own. Please visit these businesses and show your support for them and to the Benicia Library.
A library card is the smartest card you can own. Everything you use your card for is free. You can pick up a DVD, listen to a CD, prepare your resume, take a computer class and attend a concert. All of this is free. You can also join a book club, attend story times with your children, read a magazine, see a new art exhibit and do research for your term paper. This is just a small list of what is available at the Library.
There are even ways to use your library card from home: put holds on anything you can check out at the Library simply by going online or picking up the telephone and calling the Library; use our databases at home to find magazine, journal, and newspaper articles; trace your family tree; do homework; or research business questions; request a book from another library in the United States using RequestPartner.
Last, but not least, if you don’t have a library card, you can apply from home and save yourself time when you come into the Library for pickup. In the meantime, you can use your e-card to access databases and place holds on books from home.
For information on all of the above and more, you can go to our website www.benicialibrary.org. You can also come into the library to pick up information or call us at 746-4343 to ask about programs we are sponsoring.
Upcoming events: September 1-30, Library Card Month, look for businesses that will give you discounts if you show your new or existing Benicia Library Card; September 13, 10am-4pm, Friends of the Library Book Sale; September 22, 7pm, Health Benefits of Meditation; September 23,7pm, Family Storytime age 4-8; Don’t forget to buy your bricks, check in the Library for information or check our website For further information about what the Library has to offer check out our website at www.benicialibrary.org or call 707-746-4343
8/29/08
New (and old) online databases @ your library
Now that the new school year is upon us, those homework assignments are also back on the horizon. Whether you are a parent helping your student, a high school student doing your own research, or a college student working on a term paper, the Library offers many great resources to help you with your search for reliable information.
Online databases are an often overlooked research tool available on the Library’s website .(http://www.benicialibrary.org/) or in the Library. Under the Research tab on our website a wide variety of databases are arranged by category or by simply clicking on the SNAP Database link wher you will get the entire list. A library card is required to access these from home but don't despair ir you don't have one. You can set up an e-card by simply filling out the application online.
Our database topics cover quite an assortment of subjects from automotive repair to biographies and everything in between. Magazine and newspaper articles can be found on EBSCOhost and ProQuest, biographies can be found in the Biography Resource Center, and Reference USA provides a source of information on businesses and people, containing detailed information on more than 14 million U.S. businesses, and 210 million U.S. residents. The Points of View Reference Center is a full text database designed to provide students and schools with a series of controversial essays that present multiple sides of the current issue. Essays provide questions and materials for further thought and study and are accompanied by thousands of supporting articles from the world's top political and societal publications.
New databases to check out this fall include the Automotive Repair Reference Center, the Home Improvement Reference Center, and the Small Engine Repair Reference Center. The Automotive Repair Reference Center (replaces the Mitchell database) and is available from home. It provides information for vehicles from 1945 to present including drawings, step-by-step photographs, technical service bulletins and recalls, and enhanced wiring diagrams for easy viewing and printing. The Home Improvement Reference Center focuses on home improvement and home repair, including outdoor projects, electrical projects, remodeling projects, plumbing projects, wood projects, decorating projects and maintenance. It also includes instructions, tips, and suggestions for a variety of home improvement projects. The Small Engine Repair Reference Center is a full text database derived from the full set of small engine repair manuals from Clymer. Clymer repair manuals provide step-by-step procedures based upon the complete disassembly of the machine. Photos and illustration guide the reader through every job, making it easy to reduce repair costs and make it possible to safely and enjoyably service small engines.
So the next time it takes too long to find the right site on a long Google search, take a look at these databases and you may just be pleasantly surprised! And if you need a librarian to help guide you to the right source feel free to call the Library or even IM us (http://www.benicialibrary.org/) and go to the “Ask Librarian Meebo box). We are here to help!
Upcoming events: September 1-30, Library Card Month, look for businesses that will give you discounts if you show your new or existing Benicia Library Card; September 5 7pm, Moonlight Film Festival; September 8, Literacy Awareness Day; September 11, 6pm, Friends of the Library Members Only Book Sale; September 13, 10am-4pm, Friends of the Library Book Sale; September 22, 7pm, Health Benefits of Meditation; September 23,7pm, Family Storytime age 4-8; Don’t forget to buy your bricks, check in the Library for information or check our website
For further information about what the Library has to offer check out our website at www.benicialibrary.org or call 707-746-4343
8/15/08
EVENT: HEALTH BENEFITS OF MEDITATION
DATE: Monday, September 22, 2008
TIME: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. LOCATION: Doña Benicia Room, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510
HIGHLIGHTS: Marshall Zaslove, MD, an experienced physician/researcher with 36 years of mediation experience, will present a workshop that will explore and demonstrate the latest discoveries into preventive, healing, and pain-relieving effects of meditation. This event will take place on Monday, September 22 from 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. in the Doña Benicia Room of the Benicia Public Library.
Dr. Zazlove will base his presentation on the ‘Inner and Outer Peace through Meditation’ by Rajinder Singh.
This is free and appropriate for young adults and adults. For more information, call the Library at (707)746-4343 or check www.benicialibrary.org
7/15/2009
EVENT: California of the Past Reception
DATE: Saturday, August 9, 2008
TIME: 2 – 5 p.m.LOCATION: Doña Benicia Room, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510
HIGHLIGHTS:
The Benicia Public Library is proud to host an open reception as we honor the participants of the last year who allowed their stories of early Benicia to be captured for the California of the Past Oral History Grant. We will be unveiling their stories on Saturday, August 9th, 2008, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Doña Benicia Room of the Library.
If you have an anecdote or memory you would like to share you will be able to fill out an application at the reception. The Library will also accept old photographs of Benicia and surrounding areas from any resident who is willing to allow us to scan their photos for future stories.
7/15/2008
EVENT: EAST BAY BANJO CLUB
DATE: Sunday, August 3, 2008
TIME: 3 p.m.LOCATION: Doña Benicia Room, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510 HIGHLIGHTS:
The Benicia Public Library is proud to present the East Bay Banjo Club, in a free concert on Sunday, August 3rd 2008, at 3 p.m. in the Doña Benicia Room of the Library.
Enjoy an afternoon of “Banjos Wall to Wall” with Dixieland Jazz and Big Band music from the teens, 20’s and 30’s using four-string banjos exclusively.
See http://www.eastbaybanjo.org for more information including a history of the group.
Concert is free and appropriate for all ages. For more information, call the Library at 707.746-4343 or check www.benicialibrary.org
To Benicia Herald
7/6/08 Now that summer is upon us, the Library is a great place for kids to spend some time being entertained and have an opportunity to learn while having fun. The community looks forward to our summer reading programs each year for all age groups. These reading programs also have free events to entertain kids of all ages.
For the 0-8 age group, the following is a description of the events that will take place for the remainder of the summer. All of these shows are on Tuesdays from 7 to 7:45pm.
July 8 – Rebecca Nile, the Bubble Lady – With creative stories woven throughout the show, she selects volunteers to help her in creating a variety of amusing bubble sculptures. When one bubble pops there is always another close behind. As the show mounts towards the finale, the bubbles grow in size.
July 15 – Andrea Gaspari Andrea will bring instruments, props, music, and puppets to lead the children through fun games, story-dances, & activities.
July 22 – Erica Lann-Clark – Ms. Lann-Clark mixes storytelling and theater with a strong accent on humor. In her stories, things are not what they seem at first glance; everyday people become heroes; a single act of kindness alters many roots; a plain worm transforms and a blue butterfly emerges.
July 29 – Puppet Art Theatre – “Tommy’s Space bug Adventure” Tommy loves books about outer space and bugs. His greatest wish is to someday travel in a real live spaceship. Little does Tommy know his wish is about to come true. Come and see what happens to Tommy.
For the 8-14 age group, the following is a description of the fun events in store this summer onWednesdays from 3-4pm:
July 9 – Swetha Dixit – Experience Indian culture by learning to say some Indian words and clap new rhythms using classical storytelling dance techniques. With traditional costumes and decorations, Swetha illuminates the connection of this ancient art of Indian dance.
July 16 – Mad Science – Learn science through fun hands on experiments that are as entertaining as they are educational. Mad Science is proud to have introduced millions of children to a world of discovery while sparking their imagination.
July 23 – Kirk Walker, Storyteller - Kirk offers a dynamic blend of music, mime and emotion. He is a gifted storyteller who has a talent for giving classic fairytales a fun and contemporary twist.
For the 13-18 age group we are offering a number of events this summer:
Monday, July 14, 3-5pm – Yoga and Snacks – Transform your body and mind through 60 minutes of yoga flowed by healthy alternatives to classic junk food.
Saturday, July 26, 1-4pm – Green Teens and Tie Dye – Find out simple ways teens can “get green” in Benicia. You can start by tie-dyeing something you bring from home. (You must RSVP for this event so we will have enough materials.)
If your kids have not signed up for the Summer Reading Programs, it is not too late. You do not have to sign up to come to any of the free events mentioned above.
Also, if your family is looking for something to do, remember the Library offers free passes to several museums. You just have to come to the Library to check out the passes, or call ahead and reserve the passes for a specific date. The passes that are available are: The Cartoon Art Museum, the Exploratorium, The Asian Art Museum, and the California Historical Society all in San Francisco. We also have passes for the Benicia Historical Museum.
There are many more activities available at the Library to keep your kids busy during the summer. The above are only a few options. Come to the Library to see what is available, or check out our website at www.benicialibrary.org
Upcoming events: July 3, Library closes at 5pm; July 4, Library closed in honor of 4th of July; July 10, Friends of the Library Members-Only Book Sale; July 12 10am-4pm, Friends of the Library Book Sale; July 23 7pm, Demonstration on how to make a breakfast goodie by Nancy from Nancy’s Bake Shop- Dona Benicia Room; August 3 3pm, East Bay Banjo Club For further information about what the Library has to offer check out our website at www.benicialibrary.org or call 707-746-4343
To Benicia Herald
5/23/08
SUMMER READING @ THE LIBRARY
The Library’s Summer Reading Programs are packed with plenty of great events for all ages including adults. It’s easy to sign up, and all of it is free! All of the programs below begin on June 1.
As in the past there are three age groups for kids and teens and one group for adults.
The Junior Summer Reading Program is designed for children from age 0 to 8. The theme this year will be “Catch the Reading Bug”. Children will get rewards for every five books they read. They can count books that are read to them, too – very handy for toddlers and preschoolers.
The Summer Reading Program is designed for children from age 8 to 14.Children set a reading goal, then get rewards at different points on the way to their goal. They also receive a raffle ticket for each hour they read.
In addition, Benicia kids will be able to see great programs every week between June 10th and July 31st. Programs are 7pm Tuesdays for younger kids, ages 3 ½ to 8, and 3pm on Wednesdays for kids between the ages of 8 to 14. These include chances to see bubbles as big as a child, wacky science experiments, puppeteers, storytellers, and even wild animals!
The Teen Summer Reading Program is designed for youth ages 13 & up.Since teens have many different interests, the Library has created opportunities for them to get summer rewards for doing what they choose by playing BINGO. This program includes a wide variety of activities in addition to reading. The teens that enjoy reading can play BINGO with book and literacy related activities. Examples of these are: reading for an hour, reading to a child and rereading a favorite children’s book. On the other hand, teens that don’t want to read over the summer can participate in activities such as: attending a teen event at the Library, going to the Friends of the Library book sale, or bringing a friend to the Library. The more BINGOs they complete, the greater chance they have to win one of the raffle grand prizes of a skateboard donated by Wheels in Motion, a $30 gift certificate to Century 14, or a $50 gift certificate to Sun Valley Mall.
The Adult Summer Reading Program is designed to give adults a fun way to keep track of their summer reading and also to set a great example for your children. This year’s program is “Summer Reading Breakfast BINGO”. Adults will receive BINGO cards with reading and other library activities to mark off on their cards. One square is “Have breakfast at a Benicia restaurant and bring in your receipt”. Prizes will be given out for each 3 squares that are marked off and for getting a BINGO.
On Thursday, June 12 at 7pm, Ron Shoop will once again share his ideas for summer reading. Ron is a representative from Random House and always has wonderful book suggestions.
Nancy from Nancy’s Bake Shop on 1st Street will be at the Library on Wednesday, July 23, to demonstrate how to make baked goods to serve at breakfast. She will also be bringing treats from the shop for tasting.
Check out the library website or come in to receive information on special events in connection to this program.
All of the Summer Reading Programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Benicia Public Library.
Upcoming events: June 2, Green Pest Management for your Summer Garden by Solano County Master Gardeners, 630pm; June 12, Ron Shoop from Random House will talk about summer reading suggestions, 7pm; June 13, Diablo Regional Concert Band spring concert, 8pm; June 19, Library’s 15th birthday celebration, 12-6pm; June 19, Meet and talk to local authors, 7pm; June 20 – 21, Benicia Library Foundation’s New and Gently Used Artwork Auction – if you have artwork to donate call 746-4358; June 22, events for children to celebrate the Library’s birthday: -12:30pm, magic and juggling, 2pm, meet and talk to local children’s authors, 6pm, 48 Hour Mini Film Festival, view the entries and vote on audience favorites For further information about what the Library has to offer check out our website at www.benicialibrary.org or call 707-746-4343
To Benicia Herald
April 24, 2008
Celebrating Volunteers
The week of April 27 is National Volunteer Week. Every day the Library depends on volunteers to keep the Library and its programs up to the standards of the community.
The Library staff knows how important our volunteers are to the success of the Library, but an independent organization has calculated that the value of a volunteer is approximately $20.35 per hour. The staff at the Library knows that the worth of our volunteers is priceless.
Volunteers to the Library help in many different aspects. The Friends of the Library help with funding through their book sales. The money from these book sales help fund special programs for the community and also helps to purchase books for the Library. The monthly book sales raise over $48,000 a year. This work is all performed by a volunteer organization of Friends supporters. The Friends have approximately 30 volunteers that do anything from sorting books, picking up books from donors, and working at the book sales. This is a short list of the responsibilities of the Friends volunteers.
The Benicia Library Foundation has a dedicated group of board members with a goal to create a $10 million endowment. This endowment will allow the Library to mature in an innovative and creative manner.
The Benicia Library Board is an advisory committee appointed by City Council. This group of community members approves policies necessary for the administration and protection of the public library.
The Library has an active art gallery that puts on new exhibits on a monthly basis. The selection of artists that show in this gallery does not happen by itself. This undertaking is performed by the Art Gallery Advisory Committee that have the responsibility of selecting the art that will be shown in the gallery.
We are thrilled to have a dedicated group of teen volunteers. These amazing teens perform tasks that help make the Library a better place for everyone. The following is just some of the support the teens provide: keeping the Teen Zone neat and making sure the books are in the right place; creating original bulletin board displays for upcoming events; helping the teen librarian plan and implement the annual Moonlight Film Festival; putting together displays of books with high teen appeal.
Throughout the year the teen volunteers work over 1,500 hours. Needless to say they are an integral part of the Library. If you are interested in volunteering this summer come to the Customer Service Desk for an application.
Volunteers for the Adult Literacy & ESL Program are a wonderful and invaluable asset. Volunteers support the program in a number of ways: assisting at special events, small groups, workshops, reading groups, and much more. Many are volunteer tutors that work with an adult learner that requests assistance with their reading, writing, and comprehension skills.
The Literacy program has more than 80 volunteers that serve in short-term and long-term capacities. Some have been with the program for more than 14 years. No matter how long or short their volunteer efforts, the program is stronger because of the volunteer spirit they bring.
The Adult Volunteer Program has a group of approximately 30 active volunteers that help with the day-to-day workings of the Library. Some of these volunteers have been helping out for as long as 20 years. These volunteers have important tasks that the staff does not have the time to accomplish. Some of these tasks include: processing of books, working on deleting old books, covering books, shelf-reading to make sure the books on the shelves are in the correct place so they can be found by patrons and staff, and various special projects that come up during the year.
Every day, the Library has several volunteers donating their time to help make our Library an even better asset to our community. The staff of the Library is very appreciative to our volunteers not only during Volunteer Week, but all year long.
For further information about what the Library has to offer check out our website at www.benicialibrary.org or call 707-746-4343. Upcoming events: April 30, Author Nanette Gartrell, MD will discuss her book "My Answer is NO If That's OK with You", 7pm; May 8, Friends of the Library book sale, 10-4; May 18, Spinning Wheel bluegrass concert, 3pm; June 19, Library's 15th birthday celebration 12-6pm; June 19 Come meet and talk to local authors, 7pm; June 20-21 Benicia Library Foundation's New and Gently Used Artwork Auction - if you have artwork to donate call 746-
y Answer is No If That’s OK with You”, 7pm; May 8, Friends of the Library members book sale, 6-8pm; May 10, Friends of the Library book sale, 10-4; May 18, Spinning Wheel bluegrass concert, 3pm; June 19, Library’s 15th birthday celebration 12-6pm; June 19 Come meet and talk to local authors, 7pm; June 20 - 21Benicia Library Foundation’s New and Gently Used Artwork Auction – if you have artwork to donate call 746-4358; June 22, events for children to celebrate the Library’s birthday, including local children’s authors at 2pm.
To Benicia Herald
April 10, 2008
Celebrate National Library Week
April 13-19
National Library Week begins on April 13. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.
Beginning on Monday, April 14, the Library will celebrate National Library Week by sponsoring our yearly Theme Week. This is a week that the Library puts aside to celebrate and plan something exciting for the community. In past years we have had Aloha Week, Olympic Week, and Alpine Week. This year we will be sponsoring Medieval Week.
When you come into the Library on Monday, the Library will be transformed into a Medieval village. We will have coloring contests and counting contests for the youth, a trivia contest for all ages, and theme movies going on in the Library. The teens will be hosting a Medieval event on Friday, April 18 and will be showing the movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”. Also, the Friday afternoon moving will be the “Sword in the Stone”. On Saturday, April 19 at 3pm in the Dona Benicia Room come and see falcons and other birds of prey from the Medieval times. Come join us for Medieval Week!
Do you realize that our “new” Library will be celebrating its 15th birthday on June 19? The Library has a collection of 122,963 items, which includes: DVDs, videos, music CD’s, novels and nonfiction books for all ages. There are 19,674 library cardholders in Benicia and 232,724 visitors came to the Library last year. We offered 691 programs in 2007, which include: musical performances, book clubs, author events, children’s events, teen events, and special displays. This was 23% more programs than last year.
Last year we circulated 320,873 items, which is equivalent to every person in Benicia checking out 12 items during the year. Measure B, which is a 1/8 cent sales tax which was approved by the citizens of Solano County in 1998, contributed more than ever before - $700,000 this fiscal year! Thank you for supporting the Library by shopping Benicia first.
As you can see from the above information, the Library has many things to be proud of, but none of this could have happened without the support of the community. It is with your support that we are able to provide so many programs at the Library.
For information on all of the above and more, you can go to our website www.benicialibrary.org. You can also come into the Library to pick up information or call us at 746-4343 to ask about programs we are sponsoring.
Upcoming events: April 10, Friends of the Library Members Book Sale 6pm; April 12, Friends of the Library Book Sale 10am-4pm; April 14, Community Book Discussion on “My California” 7pm; April 19, Falcon’s Court Birds of Prey 3pm, Dona Benicia Room; April 20, Dalt Williams Jazz Quartet 3:00pm; April 30, Author Nanette Gartrell, MD will discuss her book “My Answer is No If That’s OK with You”, 7pm; Benicia Library Foundation’s New and Gently Used Artwork Auction, June 20th and 21st, if you have artwork to donate call 746-4358. June 22, events for children to celebrate the Library's birthday, including local children's authors at 2pm.
To Benicia Herald
March 24, 2008
Benicia Library Makes it Easy To Visit Museums
The Library provides access to a world of new opportunities, education and adventure. The latest item we are making available to help you explore the cultural world are museum passes. This new service is being offered to the community as part of our mission to be a vital center of learning, communication, culture and enjoyment.
Does your family want to plan a trip to the Exploratorium in San Francisco? At the Exploratorium you can discover the science behind the things you do every day in their award winning Accidental Scientist series. You can discover how researchers study climate change and see living mouse stem cells at their Microscope Imaging Station. Their new Mind collection showcases dozens of interactive exhibits and artwork that let you explore thoughts, feelings, and the workings of your own mind. The Library has two passes for the Exploratorium-- each pass entitles two adults and up to four children under the age of 18, to spend the day at the Museum. For more information, go to their website at www.exploratorium.edu.
Are you interested in cartoon art? Check out a pass to San Francisco’s Cartoon Art Museum. Some of their current exhibits are: The Art and Flair of Mary Blair; The Great Comic Book Scare and How it Changed America; the artwork of Creig Flessel which includes his artwork from the 30’s through the 90’s; the artwork of Joey Sayers a local Oakland cartoonist who has a weekly comic strip, “Thingpart”. This museum also offers lecture series and cartooning classes. The Library has one pass that will allow two adults and up to three children under 18 admittance into the museum. Check out their website at www.cartoonart.org.
The Asian Art Museum is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in San Francisco. Their current exhibits include: Japanese Paintings from the Floating World 1690-1850; Sculptures from the Sierra by Zhan Wang; the film Hannari, Geisha Modern; and a trunk show and sale of contemporary fashion and accessories from Kutch, India. The Library has two passes available for checkout and each pass entitles two adults and children under 12 admittance into the Museum. The museum’s website is www.asianart.org.
The Library also has a pass to the California Historical Society in San Francisco. This facility is a research library, which provides an extensive collection of manuscripts, maps, posters, books and pamphlets. A photography collection with over 500,000 images including works by Eadweard Muybridge and Ansel Adams is housed in this Museum. The pass is good for 1 adult and 1 guest. Visit their website at www.californiahistoricalsociety.org.
Of course, this list would not be complete without including our own Benicia Historical Museum. Spend the day learning about our community and how the City and arsenal influenced the development of our country. The Museum is the center where history is seen, enjoyed and preserved. The Library has a family pass that will accommodate admittance for up to 4 people. Visit their website at www.beniciahistoricalmuseum.org.
All of the museum passes can be checked out Monday through Thursday for 24 hours. If you check out a pass on Friday, it does not need to be returned until Sunday at 6pm. All passes must be returned to the Benicia Library and given to someone at the Customer Service Desk. Passes cannot be returned to another library or put in the book drops. The passes can have holds put on them and then picked up at the Customer Service Desk when available.
Upcoming Events: Now through April 15, One Book One Community “My California”; April 14, Community Book discussion on “My California at 7pm; April 20, Jazz Appreciation Month with Dalt Williams Quartet at 3pm; June 20 – 21, Benicia Library Foundation’s New and Gently Used Art Auction – to donate artwork to this fundraiser call 746-4358.
For further information about what the Library has to offer check out our website at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/library.html or call 707-746-4343
Date 3/14/08 for Immediate Release
Event: Jazz Appreciation Month with the Dalt Williams Jazz Quarter and vocalist Tranishis Gholston
Date: Sunday, April 20, 2008
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Dona Benicia Room, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510
Highlights:
The Dalt Williams Quartet with Dalt Williams (leader, acoustic bass, & composer), Barry Robertson (piano/keyboards), Gary Maas (drums), Bob Akers (flute, clarinet, alto & tenor saxophones), and vocalist Tranishia Gholston will perform a FREE jazz concert with a program highlighting "THE ORIGINS & DEVELOPMENT OF JAZZ."
You don't want to miss this entertaining and informative program by talented and experienced musicians to celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month on Sunday, April 20th at 3:00 p.m. in the Dona Benicia Room of the Library.
Concert is free and appropriate for all ages. For more information, call the Library at 707-746-4343 or check the www.benicialibrary.org and www.jazzforalloccasions.com.
Date 2/21/08 for March 1st
ONE BOOK/ONE COMMUNITY
Once again, the Benicia Public Library is providing the community with the opportunity to read the same book during the same timeframe. This is the 3rd year the Library has sponsored this program and the community has always been very receptive of the program and of having the opportunity of being able to discuss the book with each other. Starting on March 1 the Library is offering the book “My California”, a collection of essays written by California authors about California, for our one book, one community program.
The program will span from March 1 to April 15. The books will be available to check out at the Library for a two-week period. No holds can be put on these books. This will make the book available to as many people as possible.
In connection with this book, we will have two evenings where authors of the books will be at the Library to speak:
March 18 – Dona Benicia Room 7pm
Daniel Weintraub, author, public affairs columnist for the Sacramento Bee will talk about his involvement in “My California” and will also discuss his new book, “Party of One”.
Patty Millich, Public Awareness Coordinator for the California Arts Council, will speak about the creation of “My California” and the program the book proceeds funds.
March 19 – Dona Benicia Room 7pm
Mary Mackey, author, professor of English at California State University in Sacramento and author of four volumes of poetry, a novella and nine novels.
Gerald Haslam, author or editor of 27 books, most of which are set in his native Great Central Valley. Kathy Kamen Goldmark, author of several novels and founder of the all-author rock band, the Rock Bottom Remainders.
These three authors will talk about their involvement in “My California” and other books they have written.
In conjunction with this program, the Library will also be sponsoring a writing contest. We are asking students and adults to write an essay, “My Benicia”, about their experiences in Benicia. The essay should be no more than 150-200 words. The winners of this contest will be asked to read their stories for the Library’s California Oral History Grant where their stories will be recorded and kept on record. We are asking students in 4th, 8th, and 11th grade to participate. More information will be available at the Library.
Date 2/15/08
For Immediate Release
Sheryl Mebane & Tangria Jazz Group
DATE: Sunday, March 16, 2008TIME: 3 p.m.
LOCATION: Doña Benicia Room, Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510 The Benicia Public Library is proud to present Sheryl Mebane & Tangria Jazz Group in a free concert celebrating Women’s History Month on Sunday, March 16th at 3 p.m. in the Doña Benicia Room of the Library. The program will feature jazz, prose, and poetry from remarkable women combined with a live performance of the works of female composers and musicians that influence Tangria Jazz Group.
Concert is free and appropriate for all ages. For more information, call the Library at 707.746-4343 or check www.benicialibrary.org
Date 11/16/07
The Benicia Herald for publication
Behind the scenes at the Library
When classes come to the Library for a tour before hours, they get to see the Library’s back room, and see all the staff behind the scenes. We thought it would be fun to share some of our behind-the-scenes stories with everyone, not just schoolchildren.
As I take a class through the back door in the morning, the first thing we see is a part-time Department Aide unpacking books. The Library gets between 10 and 24? buckets of books every weekday morning, filled with books returned at other libraries, or books that patrons have requested from Napa, Vacaville, or other area libraries.
Next, we pass the break room, which often doubles as a meeting space. Although the Library has two meeting rooms, they fill up quickly, especially on mornings when there is a storytime or Literacy classes.
Anita’s desk is next. Her desk is filled with the things she needs to do her work: a special printer so she can print out labels for newly catalogued books, binders filled with information about the grants she is working on to update the Library’s website, to archive the memories of Benicians, and to prepare for the upcoming museum exhibit about Benjamin Franklin.
The kids see Carolyn’s desk next. They are always impressed when I tell them that Carolyn, as our interlibrary loan specialist, borrows books from all over the country to satisfy patron requests. Her desk has shelves dedicated to these interlibrary loan books - and often, she has a visitor. Faye, who catalogues books part-time, does not have a desk of her own, and so she uses Carolyn’s on the morning when Carolyn isn’t here. Faye’s work is kept on a cart, which she takes from desk to desk.
Next, we pass a workstation that is shared by the department aides. This is where one can find people checking in the books that arrive in the delivery, in the bookdrop outside, or in the book return slot in the building.
If the kids look to their right, they see the alcove that holds five full-time staff people. They can hear the constant hum of the machinery that the alcove holds. This alcove also has a table at which volunteers work.
To the left, they see Michelle’s desk, and her sets of shelves. After librarians select items for the collection, the orders for these items go through Michelle, who handles payment and receiving of all new items.
From there, I lead the kids into the main part of the Library. They rarely have a chance to see the workspaces in our unfinished basement, or the desks in the other corridor of the staff workspace. They see only a few of the Library’s 56 employees, but they see enough to grasp that the Library is a complex organization, with plenty going on behind the scenes.
Date 11/15/07
Press Release to several papers
Event: Diablo Regional Concert Band: Winter Concert
Date: Friday, December 14, 2007
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510
The Diablo Regional Concert Band will perform their annual Winter Concert at the Benicia Public Library on Friday, December 14th, at 8 p.m.
This 50 member band with members from around the East Bay area will perform in the Library's fireplace area. Conductor, Frank Cavoto, is also available for interviews.
Concert is free and appropriate for all ages. For more infomation, contact the Library at (707) 746-4343.
Date 11/6/07
Released to the Benicia Herald:
INTRODUCING OUR NEW BROWSING COLLECTION
A new collection of DVDs and books for walk-in customers is debuting this month. Most of the items in the Browsing collection are now, highly popular DVDs and books. The collection is primarily for adults, but there will be a few juvenile DVDs and an occasional book on CD as well.
The intent is to provide popular items for our walk-in customers. Traditionally, many SNAP customers have requested our new materials by placing holds, and this process has made materials unavailable for our walk-in customers for long periods of time. Now, in most cases, the Benicia Library will be purchasing several copies of popular titles: one for the regular collection (available for SNAP holds) and one or more for the Browsing collection.
DVDs from this collection will circulate for one week, books will circulate for two weeks, and renewals are not allowed. Customers are encouraged to check out one DVD and/or one book per day so that others may also find titles available in the collection.
We hope our customers will enjoy this new service. Hope to see you soon!
Holiday Coat Drive
The Benicia Police Department’s dispatchers are sponsoring a coat drive for Mission Solano, a rescue mission helping men, women and children from Solano County. The drive will run through November 20th. If you would like to make a donation, there will be a drop off box at the Library. Coats of all types and sizes are welcome, as long as they are clean and in good condition. You can also drop your donations off at the Police Station 24 hours a day. The entrance to the station is under construction, so use the call box and you will be told where to drop off the coats. For more information you may call 745-3411.
For information on all of the above and more, you can go to our website www.benicialibrary.org. You can also come into the library to pick up information or call us at 746-4343 to ask about programs we are sponsoring.
Upcoming events: November 10, Friends of the Library Bag Sale 10am-4pm; November 10, Old School Game Day – teens 3pm-5pm; November 12, Library closed in honor of Veterans’ Day; November 21, Library closes at 5pm for Thanksgiving; November 22-23, Library closed for Thanksgiving
Date: 10/01/07
Event/Calendar Item: For Immediate Release
EVENT: Kaiser Permanente Presentation: Flu and the West Nile Virus
DATE: Tuesday, October 16th
TIME: 7 p.m.LOCATION: Doña Benicia Room in the Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510 HIGHLIGHTS:
The Benicia Public Library, in coordination with Kaiser Permanente, will present another physician presentation in cooperation with Kaiser's community outreach program.
The event will be held on Tuesday, October 16th at 7 p.m. with Chief of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Stephen Parodi of the KP Vallejo facility. He will be discussing the Flu and the West Nile Virus in the Doña Benicia Room.
Event is free and open to the public.
For more information, call the Library at 707.746-4343 or check http://www.benicialibrary.org/
To the Benicia Herald for 9/21/07 publication:
WORLD WAR II THROUGH THE EYES OF BENICIA VETERANS
World War II “touched every family, on every street, in every town in America,” says Ken Burns whose new seven part PBS documentary The War premiers on PBS September 23.
The Benicia Public Library is sponsoring a program in conjunction with the series The War. With 1,000 WWII veterans passing away every week in America, the Library staff thinks it is important for people hear stories directly from local residents.
On September 28 at 7pm in the Library’s Dona Benicia Room, the community will have a chance to hear first hand accounts about Normandy, Pearl Harbor and Iwo Jima. The moderator for this program is John Halliday, a Benicia resident who is a geologist by profession. John has taken a strong interest over the past years in American History, specializing in the American Civil War and World War II.
Martin Schwager, a San Francisco native who now makes his home in Benicia, was a 2nd Lieutenant commanding a coast artillery battery at Fort Shafter during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Following the attack, he received additional training with an anti-aircraft battery, and participated in the invasion of North Africa. Mr. Schwager remained in Europe through the end of the War.
Mark Tatum, a Benicia resident, served in the Pacific theater of operations with the U.S. Navy aboard the ship U.S.S. Carteret. During the Battle of Iwo Jima, he went ashore with a beach battalion early in the fighting, serving as a radioman. From Red Beach 2, he witnessed the famous flag raising on Mt. Surabachi. Mr. Tatum also went ashore with his beach battalion during the invasion of Okinawa.
Louis Vecchi a Martinez native, who now makes his home in Benicia, served in the famed 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. As a Corporal and later Platoon Sergeant, he fought in every campaign undertaken by his regiment. These included parachuting into Normandy on D-Day; parachuting into Holland in the Market Garden campaign; and fighting across Germany, liberating at least one concentration camp along the way. Despite being wounded in combat, he remained in the line as long as his regiment was engaged.
The program will consist of some first hand accounts of battles during the War and there will also be time for questions. All three participants will have war memorabilia for the audience to look at during the program.
For information on all of the above and more, you can go to our website http://www.benicialibrary.org/. You can also come into the library to pick up information or call us at 746-4343 to ask about programs we are sponsoring.
For the Benicia Herald for publishing on 9/20/07:
SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL LIBRARY CARD MONTH
September is National Library Card Month. Last year 231 people received their first Benicia Library Card. This year we are hoping to surpass this number. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library, perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning. Benicia Library card owners will receive an extra bonus this month. Forty-four businesses in Benicia have teamed up with the Library and are offering discounts or gifts when you come in and show your Benicia Library card. This can either be a card you have had, or a new card. The businesses that we have teamed up with this year are:Café Voltaire, Camellia Tea Room, Char’s Hot Dogs, Double Rainbow, First Street Café, Java Point, Kinder’s Meats and Deli, Mike & Gayle’s, Old Thyme Deli, Petals, Sahara Restaurant, Union Hotel Restaurant, Advanced Mortgage, Artcentric Pottery, Be Chic Boutique, Benicia Bay Company, Benicia Chamber of Commerce, Benicia Floral & Gifts, Benicia Knitting Circle, Benicia Main Street, Blush, Buddy’s Barkery, Buttons & Bows, Christina S, Cooper’s Doll House, Discover Yesterday Antiques, Down Family Lane, Elite Etiquette, Griswold Painting, Ironhorse, Jerry Gapay, DDS, Magnolia, Mortgage Strategies, Piccolo, Posh, Realty World, Re/Max Gold, Shiroco’s, Solar Clothing, State Farm Insurance, Studio 41, Urban Alternatives, UBS Financial, Wellness Wisdom The Library would like to thank these businesses for teaming up with the Library and for having the vision to realize how important a library card is to own. Please visit these businesses and show your support to them and to the Benicia Library. A library card is the smartest card you can own. Everything you use your card for is free. You can pick up a DVD, listen to a CD, prepare your resume, take a computer class and attend a concert. All of this is free. You can also join a book club, attend story times with your children, read a magazine, see a new art exhibit and do research for your term paper. This is just a small list of what is available at the Library. There are even ways to use your library card from home: put holds on anything you can check out at the Library simply by going online or picking up the telephone and calling the Library; learn English or a foreign language through our new Rosetta Stone database or NetLibrary’s Pimsleur series; use our databases at home to find magazine, journal, and newspaper articles; trace your family tree; do homework or research business questions; request a book from another library in the United States using RequestPartner. You also have the opportunity to download an eBook or eAudiobook onto your computer and MP3. Last, but not least, if you don’t have a library card, you can apply from home and save yourself time when you come into the Library for pickup. In the meantime, you can use your e-card to access databases and place holds on books from home.
For information on all of the above and more, you can go to our website http://www.benicialibrary.org/. You can also come into the library to pick up information or call us at 746-4343 to ask about programs we are sponsoring.
Upcoming events: September 1 –20 Literacy Program’s gently used book drive in conjunction with Starbucks; September 19 at Noon staff from Kaiser will give a presentation on skin cancer; September 20, Read for the Record; September 28, 7pm. World War II through the eyes of Benicia Veterans – eyewitness stories about Normandy, Pearl Harbor and Iwo Jima; September 30 at 3:30, the Benicia Celtic Band.
8/15/07 For immediate release
EVENT: FREE Concert with the Benicia Celtic Band
DATE: Sunday, September 30, 2007
TIME: 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Dona Benicia Room in the Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510
Highlights: The Benicia Public Library is proud to present the Benicia Celtic Band in a free concert on Sunday, September 30th at 3:30 p.m. in the Dona Benicia Room of the Library.
The Benicia Celtic Band is a subgroup of the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers. In October 2003, local music teacher Stephan Betz formed the Benicia group to provide charity concerts for local schools and churches - at the time the band consisted of a fiddle, drums, guitar, piano and clarinet. Soon after the group expanded to include members of the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers, including bagpipe and various singers who come together for special concerts such as this library concert.
Concert is free and appropriate for all ages. For more information, call the Library at 707-746-4343 or check http://www.benicialibrary.org./
7/13/07 For immediate release
EVENT: FREE Concert with Lee Waterman & Jazz Caliente
DATE: Sunday, August 19, 2007
TIME: 3 p.m.
LOCATION: Do�a Benicia Room in the Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510
HIGHLIGHTS:
The Benicia Public Library is proud to present Lee Waterman & Jazz Caliente in a free concert on Sunday, August 19th at 3 p.m. in the Do�a Benicia Room of the Library.
Jazz Caliente’s jazz-based music presents strong Afro-Cuban and Brazilian influences. All the band members are terrific ensemble players and brilliant soloists. Their repertoire includes many of Waterman’s original compositions, as well his own arrangements of some of the great Latin and Jazz standards.
The following talented musicians make up this lively ensemble: Lee Waterman - Guitarist, Composer, Producer: has performed with sax great John Handy and opened for many headliners including Tito Puente and Pancho Sanchez, Sheldon Brown - Tenor sax and flute: one of Northern California’s finest reed men and a top jazz composer, Michael Wilcox – Bass: currently teaches at the Jazz School in Berkeley and has performed with Richie Cole, the Fifth Dimension and more, Curt Moore – Drums: one of the few American drummers to have fully absorbed the sound and accent of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian percussion into his own style, Tommy Kesecker - Vibraphone and percussion: graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and currently records and tours internationally with world renown group Zakir Hussain and the Rhythm Experience, and Michaelle Goerlitz – Percussion: founding member of Wild Mango ,has played, recorded and toured with a variety of artists including Soul Sauce, the Snake Trio, Voz do Brasil and others. She currently teaches percussion and drums at schools in the Bay area.
Concert is free and appropriate for all ages. For more information, call the Library at 707.746-4343 or check our website at http://www.benicialibrary.org/
7/30/07 For immediate release
Like Scrabble?
Come join in an afternoon of fun word play at the Benicia Public Library
The Benicia Public Library is starting a monthly Sunday afternoon Scrabble program. We invite anyone from age 8 to adult to join us at the library from 1-3 pm on Sunday, August 12th for friendly game play. We will provide all the supplies as well as special tips and techniques for becoming a better player. Don’t know how to play Scrabble? Come and learn! It is free to play and no registration is required.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and is free to the public. For more information, visit the Library’s Web site at www.benicialibrary.org or call the Library at 707-746-4343. The Library is located at 150 East L Street in Benicia.
6/15/07 For immediate release
Event:Diablo Regional Concert Band 5th Annual Patriotic Concert
Date: Thursday, July 5,2007
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: City Park (near Gazebo), Military and First Street, Benicia, CA 94510
Highlights:
- the Diablo Regional Concert Band will perform their 5th Annual Patriotic Concert on Thursday, July 5th at 6:30 p.m.
This will be an outdoor concert and will be held at the City Park (near the Gazebo). Bring a picnic and a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy the sounds of this great band! Conductor, Frank Cavoto, is also available for interviews.
Concert is free and appropriate for all ages. For more information, contact the Library at (707) 746-4343 or the library’s homepage at http://www.benicialibrary.org/