This Week @ the Library

There is something for everybody at the Library this week.

Make A Splash Summer Reading Club Events continue on Wednesday at 2 pm, when Randall McGee and his dragon, Groark, take center stage in the Children's Room. (All Summer Reading Club events are open and free for all.)

Immediately afterwards, in the arcade, is a ribbon cutting celebration for Kykat Publishing. You may have read about Jeanne Osio and her daughter Lisa Osio Lavin in The Herald. They've published their first book together, Flying Pieces of Macaroni & Cheese. Stop by between 3-6 pm to meet them and buy their book. 25% of proceeds will be donated to the Library.

And last but not least, on Sunday the 13th, we are delighted to present Jane Smiley. Writer Extraordinaire: Pulitzer Prize winner, childrens book author, biographer (Charles Dickens), and essayist. Join us in Chautauqua Hall at 2 pm. ($10 fee.) A special reception begin at 3:30 in the Library, for an additional fee of $25.

Maps to Borrow!

It's June. School's out. Summer's here. And for many of you that means Summer Vacations!

As you plan your vacations, keep in mind the Library has a Map File. It includes road maps from all the states, some of the major cities, and a few from other countries.

You'll also find special maps such as historical maps, maps on world climate, and the special maps issued by National Geographic magazine.

In these days of GPS and Google maps, a folding map may seem archaic. However, they have their advantages and allure. You're not limited to a small screen size so you get a larger perspective, re-folding a map can be as challenging as sudoku (if you like puzzles), and it's said that reading a map enhances the brain's navigational senses.

So whether you're going on a trip, or have a case of cartophilia, come check out our Map File. Maps can be checked out for 2 weeks, and they can be renewed.

Summer Reading Club Begins!

It's Summertime!

and that means

Summer Reading Club!

The fun begins Tuesday, June 1st.

Come in, sign up, and get

your Summer Reading Log.

And don't miss the Summer Reading Club Program Wednesday, June 2nd

Live Animal Show with Wild Animal Things of Salinas

2 pm at Jewel Park!

Facebook - FYI

Ever since we launched our Facebook page, people have commented that they can't visit us, because they don't have a personal Facebook account. Well, guess what? Anyone can visit us on Facebook! If you don't have a Facebook account, you can't post messages or add comments. But you can read everything on the Wall, as well as check at our Events page, Photos and even the Blog.

Check it out here.

Or you can click on the Find us on Facebook button at the bottom of our home page.

Better Budget News!

At this evening's City Council Meeting, the Council voted unanimously to increase the Library's budget for FY 2010/11! Yes, that's right, an increase in General Fund monies was allotted to our budget!

Councilperson Lisa Bennett gave an impassioned plea for greater support for the Library, and made the motion to raise the General Fund allocation from $550,000 to $600,000. After thoughtful discussion among the six Council members, the motion was passed unanimously.

Will this allow the Library to be open more hours? Not yet. However it will allow more part-time staffing - which will help us catch up on the backlog of routine tasks and special projects that have been on hold during the severe budget cuts of the past three years.

Also, as Councilperson Bennett emphasized, increased support by the Council sends a strong message to Pagrovians that together we can rebuild the Library to be strong and vibrant once again. She painted an inspiring scenario that with General Fund support and a successful Library ballot measure, the Library's budget could be restored to its previous funding level of $1.1 - $1.2 million.

The recommended changes are contingent on a second reading and final approval of the Budget on June 16th. Meanwhile, you may want to drop your City Council members a Thank You.

Budget News....

It's that time of year at City Hall - "Budget Season." On Wednesday, March 25th, the City Council will review the Recommended Budget for FY 2010/11 in a Special Meeting designated specifically for that purpose.

The 138 page document is available for review at the Library, and online.

How does the Library fare? Better... and worse... than hoped for last year at this time.

Because Measure J narrowly lost the election, (approximately 30 votes shy of the needed 67%), the Library will not receive an influx of new funds.

However, due to solid citizen support, new leadership at City Hall and a concerned City Council, it is recommended that the Library continue to receive funding from the General Fund. In fact there is a slight increase in General Fund monies, (that essentially replaces a generous gift towards operating funds received from the Friends of the Library last fiscal year).

If the Recommended Budget is passed, the Library will remain open the same number of hours and days: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 am - 6 pm. Fridays and Saturdays noon - 5 pm.

The meeting commences Wednesday at 6 pm. All interested persons are encouraged to attend.

Rollin Pickford Exhibit Continues Through May 31st

The Library has been honored this month to display sketches and ephemera from the collection of Rollin Pickford.

Pickford has been painting watercolors for over 60 years, and his mastery is evident in every stroke.

He has painted thousands of watercolors; the majority in Fresno, where he has lived most of his life. Their evocative chronicle of a vanishing rural landscape has earned him the title of “painter laureate of the San Joaquin Valley.”

The Monterey Bay Peninsula also figures prominently in his work. Beginning in the late 1960s, he painted here every summer.

Several Pagrovians recall seeing him around town. He spent hours walking about, absorbing a scene before painting it. As he explained:

"It takes a long time to study a landscape and absorb all the facets of it. You don't get that immediately, and walking around is the best way to let it come into your consciousness."

"The Chinese are famous for walking through a landscape sometimes for two days or three, not making any image. Then they go back to their studio to make the paintings of what they have absorbed."

We invite you to come in and enjoy "the poetry" of Pickford's paintings. And if you're interested in learning more about this amazing artist, check out California Light, The Watercolors of Rollin Pickford, or the inspiring documentary, Master of Light: the Life and Watercolors of Rollin Pickford.

To view more images of Rollin Pickford, visit his son's website, Pickford Pictures.

Our thanks to Melissa Pickford Smith for the loan of all items in the exhibit.
And our best wishes to Rollin Pickford, as he celebrates his 98th birthday this month!