News from the San Carlos Library

News from the San Carlos Library – Dec. 15, 2017

By Sue Hotz

Looking forward

2017 has flown by and I still don’t have my 36,000 pictures organized; our ancestry tree completed; or my memoir written. Perhaps 2018 will be the year I complete these elusive resolutions!

The San Carlos Friends of the Library (SCFOL) wishes every one of you a healthy and joyous New Year and hope to see you at the library in 2018. Remember, Friends’ memberships, starting at $5, are an indicator of your support for our libraries, and allow you to participate in the SCFOL monthly Used Book Pre-sale; memberships also provide the funds to purchase branch books, programs, and equipment.

Message from the branch manager

The San Carlos Branch Library was the place for opportunity, discovery and inspiration in 2017. We had many participants at our monthly programs and great attendance at our feature events. Our annual Summer Reading Program helped children to bridge the gap between the school years and our adult patrons were entertained by our author and educational programs.

So far this year, we have held 244 programs for adults with 3,118 participants. San Diego County Aging & Independent Services told the community all that they had to offer and the Death Café discussed end-of-life concerns in an open, friendly environment. A series of health programs presented by Oasis attracted people who wanted to know more about fat, salt and sugar in their diet. Patrons learned about the history of San Diego in San Diego Invites the World, about the 1915 World’s Fair, and Jim Bregante told us about growing up on the San Diego Waterfront. Our six-week Memoir Writing Class taught people how to gather notes and begin writing their own story. The community also enjoyed listening to authors speak about their works at our monthly Author Talk.

We held 194 programs for children with 4,785 participants in 2017. Children learned about the scientific method while working at the Challenge Island and Paper Insect events. We also introduced many young people to the arts with our special programs. They learned to act at the Reader’s Theatre, to dance and sing during Canta y Baila Conmigo and to be creative at the Recycled Art Workshop. The Summer Reading Program brought in over 600 participants and 700 people enjoyed the weekly events. There were musical performances, jugglers, animals and science experiments. In October, the library launched the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program to encourage parents and caregivers to read to their children and develop early literacy skills.

Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers and staff who make our library such a special community gathering place! We look forward to more exciting events in 2018!

—David Ege, branch manager, San Carlos Branch Library

Artists

Take time out of your holiday schedule to visit our art gallery. Roger Scott’s heartwarming photographs of Balboa Park are on display until Jan. 4.

Jan. 8–Feb. 1, the SewMates quilters are back! Barbara Dixson, Sarah Esch, Gloria Henderson, Peggy Howe, Florence Kopf, Betty Leal, LaVera Oberle, Wanda Pasek, Jackie Renger, Barbra Shepard, Madeleine Strozier, Clairon Tade, Bobbi Tusinski, and Judy Wilson are showing their hand-crafted quilts depicting this year’s theme, “Nature and Wildlife.” You will see bears in a forest, and birds of a feather flocking together. Please stop by the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery to see the awesome display by this talented group.

Books for your reading list

Jan. 11, 12:30–2 p.m., the Library Book Club is discussing “Go Set a Watchman” by Harper Lee. Lee won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for “To Kill a Mockingbird.” In “Watchman,” Lee has 26-year-old Jean Louise Finch, aka Scout, returning home to Maycomb, Alabama, after an absence of 17 years. The book is chockfull of flashbacks to Finch’s childhood as she ponders how her early experiences are affecting her current emotional and intellectual struggles.

Remember to check the website monthly under “Library Services-Available Titles” to see what new adult and youth titles have been purchased for your reading pleasure.

Speaker and OASIS programs

OASIS: Dec. 15, 2–4 p.m., bring your iPad and iPhone to the library. Barbara Smith will give us a sampler of “Gadgets, Gizmos, and Fun Apps,” we can’t live without.

Jan. 19, 2–3 p.m.: “Old Town to New Town.” Join us as the San Diego History Center discusses the transformation of early San Diego from a small Mexican pueblo to the second largest city in California. As the demographics quickly changed with statehood, the pueblo’s plaza and adobe buildings, as well as its distance from the waterfront, did not meet the needs of the new population. This presentation explores the geographical shift from Old Town to modern San Diego — as well as the cultural and economic implications of the move.

Youth programs

Friday, Dec. 29, 10–11:30 a.m., “Clifford the Big Red Dog Party:” Kids ages 7 and under can meet everyone’s favorite oversize canine, Clifford the Big Red Dog, in person! Clifford is featured in more than 50 children’s books, and a PBS television show. Storytime takes place at 10 a.m., and all other activities, including crafts, will follow.

During January, visit our branch and find some great kids’ books all wrapped up and ready to be borrowed. Check out the wrapped book; wait to unwrap it until you are home — then open your surprise and enjoy!

Dec. 27, 4–5:15 p.m., “Challenge Island: Spinning Waters:” Kids ages 8–12 will design a variety of spinning tops using common household items and learn how differences in weight, balance, and placement on axis affect rotational motion of a spinning object. Registration required, call 619-527-3430.

For more fun weekly events for youth, check out the library calendar online.