Meet the Author: Cara Black

Cara Black frequents a Paris little known outside the beaten tourist track. On her research trips, she interviews French police, private detectives and café owners to come up with ideas for her popular Aimée Leduc detective series.For readers new to Black, each of her mysteries is set in a different arrondissement of Paris.

As Black's many fans have learned, every part of the city has its secrets and political intrigues. The quiet, wealthy Passy neighborhood in the 16th arrondissement is the setting for the 11th installment of the series, Murder in Passy. 

Thursday evening, Black comes to Pacific Grove to read from Murder in Passy; talk about writing, and answer questions. Don't miss this opportunity to visit Paris without leaving P.G.!

 

Meet the Author: Cara Black

Thursday, April 21st

7 p.m.

Sponsored by The Friends of the Pacific Grove Library

Grand Openings! Great Beginnings!

Pacific Grove's Poet-in-Residence

Dr. Barbara Mossberg

presents

OPENING LINES

THAT MADE HISTORY

A hands-on workshop with an extraordinary poet and teacher

who will inspire you to "be bold in your beginnings."

Saturday, April 16, 2011

9 a.m. - noon

$15 per person

Come write your opening line

for your new beginning,

for this new day.

To make your reservation

contact Lisa Maddalena

649-5760 or lmaddale@pacificgrove.lib.ca.us

Mark Your Calendars!

April offers something for everybody

at the Library.

There's entertainment

and serious discussion.

Creative workshops

and civic activism.

A hunt in the park,

and a fascinating look

at murder mysteries

set in Paris.

Mark Your Calendars!

Wednesday, April 6th --- 6 p.m. - City Hall --- City Council Meeting on THE BUDGET. Come join the Library's Friends; speak up for the Library.

Saturday, April 9th --- 9:15 a.m. - Alder and Pine Streets --- March in Good Old Days Parade with "Miss Lisa's" Story Hour Kids. All ages welcome. Walk to support the P.G. Public Library.

Saturday, April 16th --- 9 a.m. - noon - The Library --- Grand Openings! Great Beginnings! Opening Lines that Made History. A hands-on workshop with P.G.'s Poet-in-Residence, Dr. Barbara Mossberg. $15 per person.

Wednesday, April 20th --- 11 a.m. - The Library & Jewell Park --- Pre-School Easter Egg Hunt

Wednesday, April 20th --- 6 p.m. - City Hall --- City Council Meeting on THE BUDGET. Let Council Members know what you want funded.

Thursday, April 21st --- 7 p.m. - The Library --- Cara Black reads from her latest detective novel, Murder in Passy; talks about writing and answers questions. Don't miss this opportunity to visit Paris without leaving P.G.

Special Storytime with Bob Kanegis

Join us

for a Special Storytelling Event

with Bob Kanegis

"Ambassador to the Realm of Possibilities"

and learn how to support Global (Heart) Warming!

Wednesday, March 23 @ 3:45 p.m.

“Over the top wonderful! Bob put on an absolutely charming and engaging show that connected incredibly well with our multi-age audience. From babies to grandparents, Bob had everyone enchanted with his delightful stories and music." - Mary Jennings (Sno-Isle Washington Regional Library)

Poetry Workshop

Can you solve problems through Poetry?

According to Pacific Grove's

Poet-in-Residence,

You Can.

"Pack up your sorrows and gather your joys into poetry solutions -- when creativity is all we've got, it does the job and more."

Problem Solving Through Poetry

Saturday, March 19

9 am - noon

$15 fee

Dr. Barbara Mossberg, a prizewinning poet, author, teacher and scholar has made poetry a central part of her life since childhood. She refers to poetry as the "news we need vitally, a form of expression which can rock our worlds and save the earth and save the day."

This class is limited to 15 students. To register, please call Lisa Maddalena at 648-5760, or email her at lmaddale@pacificgrove.lib.ca.us.

1st Saturday Booksale March 5th

You missed it in February,

(because are amazing volunteers

were on a well-deserved vacation),

But the 1st Saturday Booksale is Back!

Saturday, March 5th

noon - 3 p.m.

Come, Look & Buy, Buy, Buy!

Help us break January's record of $687.00

Green Eggs & Ham!

Today, in Pacific Grove and across America, librarians, teachers & children celebrated what would be the 107th birthday of Dr. Seuss, author of beloved classics like:

Cat in the Hat

Horton Hears a Who

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

and

Green Eggs & Ham

At the Library, Lisa Maddalena and Linda Pagnella read stories by Dr. Seuss, and then served up colorful plates of green eggs & ham!

Just another example of how the PG Library rocks with fun and flavorful programs for children!

Mark Your March Calendars

It's March!

The Library has some great

programs and events this month,

so mark your calendars and save these dates!

Daffy Dave

Juggling & Magic

Saturday, March 5, 3 p.m.

1st Saturday Book Sale

Saturday, March 5, noon - 3 p.m.

Poetry Workshop with Dr. Barbara Mossberg

Saturday, March 19, time t.b.a.

Bob Kanegis

Tales & Trails Storytelling

Saturday, March 23, 3:45 p.m.

Meet the Editor/Author - Joe Livernois

You've been reading his editorials in The Monterey Herald for years. And now you have the opportunity to hear him speak.

Joe Livernois

Pacific Grove Public Library

Thursday, February 24th

7 p.m.

In addition to talking about his 27 years of experience at The Herald, Joe will discuss his memoir, The Road to Guanajuato. It's a book about his family's quest to reunite with their "quirky" expatriate patriarch and make sense of their collective past.

It promises to be an engaging, entertaining and insightful evening. Join us!

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Suggested Donation: $5

Refreshments Included.

Love & Libraries

Tickets $10

Available at Bookmark Music, 307 Forest Avenue

and The Works, 667 Lighthouse Avenue.

All proceeds donated to the Library's Children’s Department.
Share the Love!

Puppet Show - on Saturday!

The perennially, popular Puppet Company returns to the Pacific Grove Public Library to present:

Perez and Mondinga

Saturday, February 5th

2 p.m.

Adapted from a Latin American folktale, Perez and Mondinga features Mondinga Cockroach, the rich little Pig, the loud Rooster, the evil Cat, and Perez Mouse in a story of true love.

Don't miss this tale told with humor, well crafted puppets and colorful scenic effects. Recommended for ages 3 and up!

Legos in the Library!

If you were in the Library Wednesday afternoon, you probably noticed a lot of activity in the Children's Room. Senior (& Children's) Librarian, Lisa Maddalena, hosted the Library's first Lego Show & Tell event.
It was a HUGE success. Although it was primarily promoted in Kindergarten and First Grade classrooms, boys and girls of all ages came to share their favorite lego creations....

....and look at what others created.

The response was so enthusiastic, that Lisa is considering making it an annual event, and expanding it into an event for kids of all ages. (Yes, even older "kids" with gray hair!)

Friends of the Library Annual Meeting - Part 2

Ideas. Ideas.Ideas.

During the Friends of the Library Annual Meeting, the room was bursting with participants' dreams for the Library.
During a "Conversation Cafe", facilitated by Elin Kelsey, Pagrovians let their imaginations spill out on paper.
Writing Workshops. Tech Lab. Tool Lending. Satellite Center for Olli at CSUMB. A 2nd story! Open during the Farmer's Market. Book Clubs. Teen Center. Movie Night. Miniature Golf in the Library!

Annual brochure sent to all residents every year. Live Music. A PG Speakers Bureau. New Website. More Ebooks. More databases. MORE MAGAZINES! Restore the interior of the Carnegie Library Reading Room. More Hours: open at least 5 days a week.

You took the theme of Refresh! to heart. And it's all down on paper. Only a few ideas are captured here... A full report is being compiled by the Friends, and will be available soon. Stay tuned.

Friends of the Library Annual Meeting

On Saturday, the Friends of the Library held their Annual Meeting, and it was a wonderful event!

Judy Archibald, the President of the Friends, offered a warm welcome. Dick Grimmer gave an encouraging Treasurer's Report. Six terrific new Board members were nominated and elected to join the existing splendid Board Members. And that was just in the first fifteen minutes!

Next, Judy announced the Friend's receipt of a bequest by Pagrovian, Erna Morris. A $100,000 check was presented to the Friends, with a promise that another $250,000 would be forthcoming in February.

In keeping with Erna's wishes and to help ensure the future of the Pacific Grove Public Library, the Friends' Board announced their decision to establish a PG Library Foundation for long-term fundraising!

Speaking on behalf of the City, Mayor Garcia expressed her appreciation for the Friends and the new Foundation. And she shared that the City supports the Library 100%. And this was only the half-way point of the meeting!

Next Senior Librarian, Lisa Maddalena, gave a brief presentation, Refresh! A Plan for Renewal for the Pacific Grove Public Library. With images and examples from other libraries, she highlighted some of the staff's ideas for revitalizing the Library.

Then for the next 45 minutes, attendees gathered around tables and brainstormed about their dreams and ideas for the Library. The room was bursting with ideas!

It truly was wonderful. And yet another testament to the fact that Pagrovians love their Library. (And have some really good ideas for its future. Some of which will be shared in the next blog post!)

Friends of the Library Annual Meeting

This Saturday the Friends of the Library is having their annual meeting, and everyone is welcome!

After a short business meeting, Elin Kelsey will facilitate a discussion of what Pagrovians would like the PG Library to be. The Mayor will say a few words about the Council's vision for the Library. Our Senior Librarian, Lisa Maddalena, will present some ideas the staff would love to develop. And then the floor is yours.

Do you want more E-books at the Library? Would you like more programs offered for your education and enjoyment? Do you think the Library facility could use some refurbishing?

Join us

Saturday, January 15th

2-4 pm

and share your ideas & inspiration.

Emily Dickinson

Last night, Emily Dickinson made a rare public appearance, at our library, and transported her audience into the land of poetry. Every seat was filled. And every person present received a gift - of reverie, "aha!", affirmation, consolation, laughter - something that deeply touched his or her soul.
In celebration of Emily's birth, (December 10, 1830), Dr. Barbara Mossberg shared her scholarship and passion for Dickinson and her poetry. She opened with lines from the well-known poem:

I'm Nobody! Who are you?

Are you - Nobody - too?

Then there's a pair of us!

Don't tell! they'd banish us -- you know!

With wisdom, humor, and splendid storytelling, Dr. Mossberg embedded us into the existence of the unique and gifted poetess.
Watching Dr. Mossberg is not unlike watching a feather with wings. Her voice, face, and body exude lightness, exuberance, wonder and awe.The evening closed with everyone singing "Happy Birthday, Dear Emily," and eating gingerbread made using Dickinson's recipe.

The evening was sponsored and hosted by the Friends of the Library. As Dr. Mossberg said, "The Friends are truly our friends."

BIG BOOK SALE SATURDAY!

Looking for a gift - for a friend?
Looking for a gift - for yourself?
Looking for a good read during a rainy weekend?
Looking for a stash of books for the holidays?

If so - come to the

Friends of the Library Booksale!

Saturday, December 4th

noon - 3 pm

Great books, for children and adults!

A Tribute to Emily Dickinson

It's Emily Dickinson's Birthday! And we're having a celebration of her life and poetry.

Dr. Barbara Mossberg returns, in costume, to share the joy and wonder, sorrow and grief, wild definance and humble grace of one of America's favorite poets.

Please join the celebration

Thursday, December 9th

7 p.m.

There is no frigate like a book

To take us lands away,

Nor any coursers like a page

Of prancing poetry.

This traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of toll;

How frugal is the chariot

That bears a human soul!

26th Annual Haunted House

Save the Date!

The Pacific Grove Library

presents

the 26th Annual

Haunted House!

Thursday, October 28th

6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Recommended ages: 4 and up

$2.00 donation at the door
Come in costume - get a treat!

The Library was humming with inspiration and laughter last night as Dr Barbara Mossberg entranced the audience with her presentation, The Power of the Butterfly: How Books Have Changed the World.

Her talk wove poetry with history, physics, civil rights, "earth rights," personal anecdote, and fascinating facts about John Muir, Henry Thoreau, Abraham Lincoln, and Emily Dickinson to create a rich tapestry - of creative thought - for reflection and as a springboard to action.

Numerous attendees commented on their desire to hear more from PG's Poet in Residence. And we're delighted to report that she is already scheduled to celebrate Emily Dickinson's birthday with us on Friday, December 10th (in costume and gingerbread made from Emily's recipe).

You won't want to miss it. So Save the Date

December 10th

at the PG Library

with PG's Poet in Residence