Upcoming Events

Public events!
 STORYTELLING appearances are in red,

and STORYTIMES at the Livermore Public Library are in brown.

Wednesday, September 5

Menlo Park Main Library

Filling in for storytime:

10:15am Toddler Storytime

800 Alma Street, Menlo Park, California

Monday, September 10

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

**Special Firefighter Visit!**

Wednesday, September 12

Menlo Park Main Library

Filling in for storytimes:

10:15am Toddler Storytime
11:15am Bilingual Toddler Storytime

800 Alma Street, Menlo Park, California

Friday, September 14

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler Storytime
11am Preschool Storytime

Monday, September 17

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime


Wednesday, September 19

Menlo Park Main Library

Filling in for storytimes:

10:15am Toddler Storytime
11:15am Bilingual Toddler Storytime

800 Alma Street, Menlo Park, California

Friday, September 21

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Saturday, September 22

Sunday, September 23

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 and 2:30 each day

(weather dependent)


Monday, September 24

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Wednesday, September 26

Menlo Park Main Library

Filling in for storytimes:

10:15am Toddler Storytime
11:15am Bilingual Toddler Storytime

800 Alma Street, Menlo Park, California

Friday, September 28

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Monday, October 1Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Friday, October 5

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Monday, October 8

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Friday, October 12

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool


Monday, October 15

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Friday, October 19
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Monday, October 22

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Tuesday, October 23

Morro Bay Library

Storytelling at 5pm: Spooky Stories 
625 Harbor Street, Morro Bay, California 

Tuesday, October 23

San Luis Obispo Library

Storytelling at 6:40pm: Spooky Stories
995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California

Wednesday, October 24

Cayucos Public Library

Storytelling at 2pm

310 B Street, Cayucos, California

Wednesday, October 24

Santa Maria Public Library

6:30pm: Scary stories for kids ages 7+

421 S. McClelland Street, Santa Maria, California

Thursday, October 25

Atascadero Library

Storytelling at 3:30pm: Spooky Stories

6850 Morro Road, Atascadero, California

Saturday, October 27

San Luis Obispo Children's Museum

Storytelling at 11am

1010 Nipomo Street (at Monterey), San Luis Obispo, California

Saturday, October 27

Arroyo Grande Library

Storytelling at 2pm: Spooky Stories 
800 W. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande, California



Monday, October 29

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime


Friday, November 2

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Monday, November 5

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Friday, November 9

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Friday, November 16

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Saturday, November 17
Sunday, November 18
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 and 2:30 each day
(weather dependent)

 Monday, November 19

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime


Friday, November 23

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Monday, November 26

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime


Friday, November 30
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Saturday, December 1

Sunday, December 2

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 and 2:30 each day

(weather dependent)

Monday, December 3

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime


Friday, December 7
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Monday, December 10

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime
**Final Pajamatime Family Storytime of 2012** 

Friday, December 14
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool
**Final Livermore Storytimes of 2012**

Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education for Children's Academy of Danville, One World Montessori in Santa Clara, Tri-Valley Natural Families, Fremont Unified School District and Ballard School in Solvang.  Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above.  For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!

Wouldn't you love to have a fish on the wall?

Being a long-time aquarium lover, I really enjoyed seeing this craft at a preschool where I shared stories recently: fish-bowl wall hangings!

Here's how they seem to have been made:

Materials needed:

Paper plate

Blue construction paper (at least as big as the plate)

Colored paper for the fish

Scissors

Glue stick

Pencil

Ribbon

Stapler or Hole Punch

How-to:

1. Place paper plate upside-down on blue construction paper & trace the edge.

2. Cut out the circle of blue paper.

3. Take the paper plate & cut out the flat center circle.

4. Draw fish shapes on the colored paper & cut them out.

5. Draw details onto your fish, if desired.

6. Glue the paper plate, top-side down, onto the circle of blue.  It could also be stapled or "woven" using yarn through punched holes along the perimeter.

7. Now, put the fish in the tank!  Choose your placement & glue them onto the blue background.

8. To hang, staple or hole-punch & tie the ribbon to the top of your "fish tank," and cut the ribbon to the desired length.

A great big "thanks"

At my last storytime of the Livermore Public Library's 2012 Summer Reading Program, a school group that had been attending regularly gave me a great-big, handcrafted "thank you" book. They incorporated some of their favorite elements into their illustrations.  I liked this so much, I had to share!

Below, I've enlarged the cherry on top of this sundae: the note from the lead teacher.  It reads, "John, thank you for all that you do.  You know how to settle them down.  Love the deep breathing."

Upcoming Events

Public events!
 STORYTELLING appearances are in red,

and STORYTIMES at the Livermore Public Library are in brown.

Friday, August 3

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am All-Ages Storytime

Saturday, August 4

Oakland Zoo

Evening storytelling as a part of the zoo's Family Sundown Safari

**Special after-hours sleepover program** : "...a private sunset tour, meet an animal ambassadors up-close, and make an enrichment craft for one of our Zoo animals. After enjoying a late-night snack, circle around the campfire for interactive storytelling before drifting off to sleep in the Zoo Meadow in your own tent. Wake up to singing siamangs, enjoy a hot breakfast, embark on an early morning tour, and watch the animals enjoy the treats you made for them."

 

Monday, August 6
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
10:30am "Dream Weaver Story Club"
Grades 1-6 ONLY: Science experiments, game shows, scary stories, prizes & more!


Monday, August 6

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

(Final Family Storytime of the Summer)

Friday, August 10

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am All-Ages Storytime

(Final Storytime of the Summer)

Saturday, August 11

Oakland Zoo

Evening storytelling as a part of the zoo's Family Sundown Safari

**Special after-hours sleepover program** : "...a private sunset tour, meet an animal ambassadors up-close, and make an enrichment craft for one of our Zoo animals. After enjoying a late-night snack, circle around the campfire for interactive storytelling before drifting off to sleep in the Zoo Meadow in your own tent. Wake up to singing siamangs, enjoy a hot breakfast, embark on an early morning tour, and watch the animals enjoy the treats you made for them."

Wednesday, August 15

Menlo Park Main Library

Filling in for storytime:

10:15am Toddler Storytime

800 Alma Street, Menlo Park, California

Saturday, August 18

Sunday, August 19

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 and 2:30 each day

(weather dependent)

Saturday, August 25

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Evening storytelling as a part of the park's SUMMER SLEEPOVER

**Special after-hours sleepover program** : "Grab your sleeping bag and join us this summer for a magical campout inside Children’s Fairyland. With rides, special performances, dinner, and a continental breakfast, a summer sleepover creates amazing memories for kids of all ages."

Monday, September 10

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

**Special Firefighter Visit!**

Friday, September 14

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler Storytime
11am Preschool Storytime

Monday, September 17

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime


Friday, September 21

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Saturday, September 22

Sunday, September 23

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 and 2:30 each day

(weather dependent)


Monday, September 24

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Friday, September 28

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Monday, October 1

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Friday, October 5

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Monday, October 8

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Friday, October 12
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool


Monday, October 15

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime
Friday, October 19

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Monday, October 22

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Tuesday, October 23

Morro Bay Library

Storytelling at 5pm: Spooky Stories
625 Harbor Street, Morro Bay, California 

Tuesday, October 23

San Luis Obispo Library

Storytelling at 6:40pm: Spooky Stories
995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California

Wednesday, October 24

Cayucos Public Library

Storytelling at 2pm

310 B Street, Cayucos, California

Wednesday, October 24

Santa Maria Public Library

6:30pm: Scary stories for kids ages 7+

421 S. McClelland Street, Santa Maria, California

Thursday, October 25

Atascadero Library

Storytelling at 3:30pm: Spooky Stories

6850 Morro Road, Atascadero, California

Saturday, October 27

San Luis Obispo Children's Museum

Storytelling at 11am

1010 Nipomo Street (at Monterey), San Luis Obispo, California

Saturday, October 27

Arroyo Grande Library

Storytelling at 2pm: Spooky Stories
800 W. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande, California



Monday, October 29

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime


Friday, November 2

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Monday, November 5

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Friday, November 9

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Friday, November 16

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Saturday, November 17
Sunday, November 18
CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND
Lake Merritt, Oakland
Storytelling at 1:30 and 2:30 each day
(weather dependent)

 Monday, November 19

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime


Friday, November 23

Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Monday, November 26

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime


Friday, November 30
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Saturday, December 1

Sunday, December 2

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 and 2:30 each day

(weather dependent)

Monday, December 3

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime


Friday, December 7
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool

Monday, December 10

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime
**Final Pajamatime Family Storytime of 2012** 

Friday, December 14
Livermore Public Library, Rincon
Bilingual Storytimes:
10:30am Baby/Toddler
11am Preschool
**Final Livermore Storytimes of 2012**

Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education for Children's Academy of Danville, One World Montessori in Santa Clara, Tri-Valley Natural Families, Fremont Unified School District and Ballard School in Solvang.  Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above.  For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!

Performance photos

That child is missing a really good part.  That's okay; there are a LOT of really good parts!

Here's a posting by the Daly City Library's Westlake Branch, with photos from my storytelling performance there on July 12, 2012.  It was a fun time, & I hope to be back soon with still more stories & silliness!

Upcoming Events

Public events!
 STORYTELLING appearances are in red,

and STORYTIMES at the Livermore Public Library are in brown.

Friday, July 6

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am All-Ages Storytime

Monday, July 9
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
10:30am "Dream Weaver Story Club"
Grades 1-6 ONLY: Science experiments, game shows, scary stories, prizes & more!

Monday, July 9

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Thursday, July 12
Daly City Library, Westlake Branch
Storytelling at 10:15am

Friday, July 13

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am All-Ages Storytime

Saturday, July 14

Oakland Zoo

Evening storytelling as a part of the zoo's Family Sundown Safari

**Special after-hours sleepover program**

 "...a private sunset tour, meet an animal ambassadors up-close, and make an enrichment craft for one of our Zoo animals. After enjoying a late-night snack, circle around the campfire for interactive storytelling before drifting off to sleep in the Zoo Meadow in your own tent. Wake up to singing siamangs, enjoy a hot breakfast, embark on an early morning tour, and watch the animals enjoy the treats you made for them."

Monday, July 16
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
10:30am "Dream Weaver Story Club"
Grades 1-6 ONLY: Science experiments, game shows, scary stories, prizes & more!


Monday, July 16

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Thursday, July 19
Milpitas Library
Storytelling at 3pm

Friday, July 20

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am All-Ages Storytime

Saturday, July 21

Oakland Zoo

Evening storytelling as a part of the zoo's Family Sundown Safari

**Special after-hours sleepover program**

"...a private sunset tour, meet an animal ambassadors up-close, and make an enrichment craft for one of our Zoo animals. After enjoying a late-night snack, circle around the campfire for interactive storytelling before drifting off to sleep in the Zoo Meadow in your own tent. Wake up to singing siamangs, enjoy a hot breakfast, embark on an early morning tour, and watch the animals enjoy the treats you made for them."

Monday, July 23
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
10:30am "Dream Weaver Story Club"
Grades 1-6 ONLY: Science experiments, game shows, scary stories, prizes & more!


Monday, July 23

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime
**STUFFED ANIMAL SLEEPOVER!  Leave your stuffed animal behind after storytime, then come the next day to pick it up & receive photos of all the fun it had overnight at the library!** 

Wednesday, July 25

Menlo Park Main Library

Filling in for storytimes:

10:15am Toddler Storytime
11:15am Bilingual Toddler Storytime 

800 Alma Street, Menlo Park, California

 

Thursday, July 26

Tracy Public Library

Storytelling at 4pm
20 E. Eaton Avenue, Tracy, California

Friday, July 27

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am All-Ages Storytime

Saturday, July 28

Oakland Zoo

Evening storytelling as a part of the zoo's Family Sundown Safari

**Special after-hours sleepover program**

"...a private sunset tour, meet an animal ambassadors up-close, and make an enrichment craft for one of our Zoo animals. After enjoying a late-night snack, circle around the campfire for interactive storytelling before drifting off to sleep in the Zoo Meadow in your own tent. Wake up to singing siamangs, enjoy a hot breakfast, embark on an early morning tour, and watch the animals enjoy the treats you made for them."

Monday, July 30
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
10:30am "Dream Weaver Story Club"
Grades 1-6 ONLY: Science experiments, game shows, scary stories, prizes & more!


Monday, July 30

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

Tueday, July 31

Fremont Main Library

Storytelling at 7pm

Friday, August 3

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am All-Ages Storytime

Saturday, August 4

Oakland Zoo

Evening storytelling as a part of the zoo's Family Sundown Safari

**Special after-hours sleepover program** : "...a private sunset tour, meet an animal ambassadors up-close, and make an enrichment craft for one of our Zoo animals. After enjoying a late-night snack, circle around the campfire for interactive storytelling before drifting off to sleep in the Zoo Meadow in your own tent. Wake up to singing siamangs, enjoy a hot breakfast, embark on an early morning tour, and watch the animals enjoy the treats you made for them."

 

Monday, August 6
Livermore Public Library, Civic Center
10:30am "Dream Weaver Story Club"
Grades 1-6 ONLY: Science experiments, game shows, scary stories, prizes & more!


Monday, August 6

Livermore Public Library, Civic Center

7pm Pajamatime Family Storytime

(Final Family Storytime of the Summer)

Friday, August 10

Livermore Public Library, Rincon

10:30am All-Ages Storytime

(Final Storytime of the Summer)

Saturday, August 11

Oakland Zoo

Evening storytelling as a part of the zoo's Family Sundown Safari

**Special after-hours sleepover program** : "...a private sunset tour, meet an animal ambassadors up-close, and make an enrichment craft for one of our Zoo animals. After enjoying a late-night snack, circle around the campfire for interactive storytelling before drifting off to sleep in the Zoo Meadow in your own tent. Wake up to singing siamangs, enjoy a hot breakfast, embark on an early morning tour, and watch the animals enjoy the treats you made for them."

Saturday, August 18

Sunday, August 19

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 and 2:30 each day

(weather dependent)

Saturday, August 25

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Evening storytelling as a part of the park's SUMMER SLEEPOVER

**Special after-hours sleepover program** : "Grab your sleeping bag and join us this summer for a magical campout inside Children’s Fairyland. With rides, special performances, dinner, and a continental breakfast, a summer sleepover creates amazing memories for kids of all ages."

Saturday, September 22

Sunday, September 23

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND

Lake Merritt, Oakland

Storytelling at 1:30 and 2:30 each day

(weather dependent)


Tuesday, October 23

Morro Bay Library

Storytelling at 5pm: Spooky Stories
625 Harbor Street, Morro Bay, California 


Tuesday, October 23

San Luis Obispo Library

Storytelling at 6:40pm: Spooky Stories
995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California

Wednesday, October 24

Cayucos Public Library

Storytelling at 2pm

310 B Street, Cayucos, California

Wednesday, October 24

Santa Maria Public Library

6:30pm: Scary stories for kids ages 7+

421 S. McClelland Street, Santa Maria, California

Thursday, October 25

Atascadero Library

Storytelling at 3:30pm: Spooky Stories

6850 Morro Road, Atascadero, California

Saturday, October 27

San Luis Obispo Children's Museum

Storytelling at 11am

1010 Nipomo Street (at Monterey), San Luis Obispo, California

Saturday, October 27

Arroyo Grande Library

Storytelling at 2pm: Spooky Stories
800 W. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande, California



Other recent or upcoming events include storytelling & education for Children's Academy of Danville, Acorn Learning Center, Kings Valley Christian Preschool, Tutor Time, Club Sport Pleasanton, Congregational Church of San Mateo, Tri-Valley Natural Families, Fremont Unified School District and Ballard School in Solvang.  Private events (for schools, etc.) do not show up in listings above.  For regular updates, connect with me on Facebook!

"Just go to the library."

I love this editorial by Ryan Miller, the Executive Editor of the San Luis Obispo New Times.  With all the possible issues--both local & international--he could have targeted for his weekly chunk of the newspaper, he decided to remind people that libraries exist; they exist for all of us, and that they are beautiful.

Please read this inspiring piece of writing, and pass it along-- and then take a friend or two on a joy ride to the local library.



The following article was posted on June 7th, 2012, in the New Times - Volume 26, Issue 45 

On the books  

Support your local library--and yourself, while you're at it

 Go to the library.

That’s basically everything I set out to say to you today.

It’s simple, really. Just go to the library.

I don’t think I should have to make a case for why this is such a vitally important action for you to take, why an ongoing commitment to literacy, education, and access to knowledge is an excellent use of your time. I do, however, have more space to fill, so I might as well say a few words on the subject, because there are probably a few of you thinking, “Wait, what? Libraries? Those musty things are still around?”

Yes, they are very much still around, and they do more than you probably think. Various branches in our local Black Gold system offer the expected books and periodicals, as well as CDs (books and music) to fill your commutes with something other than talk radio, DVDs, and even video games. So if Gone With the Wind just isn’t your thing, you can check out Lego Indiana Jones for the Wii.

There are events for kids, computers for anyone to access, and resources available to people looking to better their lives. There are even actual, live, real, sentient human beings eager to help you find what you’re looking for.

And we want those humans to stick around. Like many institutions, libraries have faced their share of funding challenges in recent years. Their survival—even their ability to thrive—is our collective responsibility and benefit. The “State of American’s Libraries Report 2012,” referencing economic turmoil and grim headlines from the previous year, notes: “What became clear through it all was that amid the shifting winds of an economic storm, libraries continue to transform lives, adapting to and adopting new and emerging technologies, and experimenting with innovative and transformational ideas to provide services that empower patrons.”

In a summary in its report, the American Library Association noted good and bad, including a push to reach more underserved populations; funding cuts; challenges to lending ebooks, imposed by major publishers; and an uptick in libraries’ use of social media.

In this way, libraries sort of represent us all. Collectively, we’re muddling through the ups and downs of a system struggling to get back onto a comfortable track. In the report, ALA President Molly Raphael said, “[P]ublic libraries are also serving as a lifeline for people trying to adapt to challenging economic circumstances, providing technology training and online resources for employment, access to government resources, continuing education, retooling for new careers, and starting a small business.” She later pledged to vigorously defend intellectual freedom, a right to privacy, and open access to information.

What’s not to love about all that?

Friends occasionally blink in confusion when they hear that I picked up at the library that book I just read or movie I just saw; I realize their neurons are poking around some dusty, long-neglected pathways: “Oh yeah! Libraries!” It’s like suddenly remembering that carrots exist.

Actually, it’s probably more like rediscovering somersaults.

You probably did somersaults all the time as a kid. But you don’t do them much anymore. Aching joints aside, the simple flips just aren’t on your radar. But try one, and you’ll experience a familiar giddy rush.

That’s an imprecise simile, and I don’t mean to trivialize libraries by equating them with childhood tumbling exercises—though I expect a good many people see libraries as places for kids. I have nothing to base this on, no concrete studies or interviews, but my gut tells me that a few of you reading this consider libraries as places where book reports and school research projects began in the days before the Internet, where story time snares otherwise fidgety toddlers for a few minutes on a brightly colored rug, where college students cram for exams, their tabletops littered with notepaper and energy-boosting drinks.

Libraries are all those things. But they’re more, too.

I’m not going to quote statistics at you to prove my point, because numbers proving that visits and circulation are on the rise are just that: numbers.

I will, however, note this financial detail: According to the State of America’s Libraries report, California has decimated library resources. The previous year’s budget slashed away half of the $30.4 million going to public library programs that include support for inter-library loans and literacy instruction. Subsequently, all remaining funding for the programs was cut, a move that looks to extend into the 2012-2013 cycle.

The California Library Association has been diligent in reporting on committee and subcommittee members to whom you can send a note of funding encouragement. Visit cla-net.org to find the names and contact information for elected officials to whom you can e-mail or fax.

As I wrote this, I had the following checked out to me: 11 books for my children, my wife (she has her own card, but I occasionally pick up items I think she’ll like), and myself; four audio books for my frequent trips between Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo; and a Fleet Foxes album.

I love that I can do this. I love that it costs me virtually nothing (there’s a charge for holds and inter-library loans, as well as late fees I unfortunately and scatter-brainedly incur far too often). I love that my 4-year-old jumps up and down in delight and my 2-year-old dances when I come through the door with a fresh stack of stories for them. I love that my girls fall asleep each night listening to everything from fantastical tales to science facts. I love that I fall asleep most nights with a book in hand.

I love that puppet shows and live animals make the rounds at branches throughout the county. I love that I always find something new to look at when I visit. I love that the adult summer reading program started June 1, and people who read eight books by the end of August get prizes. (Participating libraries are in San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, Creston, Nipomo, Los Osos, Cayucos, and Santa Margarita).

I love my library.

Executive Editor Ryan Miller hopes to see you among the stacks. Send comments to rmiller@newtimesslo.com.

http://www.newtimesslo.com/commentary/7878/on-the-books/
 

Storyteller John & The Three Bears

To me, the art of storytelling is very much a "you really need to be there" experience.  A live program is not designed to be the same as a TV show, and my programs are very interactive.  Every performance is different--different crowds, different venues, different clients.  Every experience, even with the same stories, is unique.

 However, I do frequently get clients interested in a performance video.  Scroll down for a few minutes of me getting some help from a young audience as I try to make my way through "Goldilocks & the Three Bears."

But it's not the same as being there...