Sonoma County Library News
We hope you had a lovely and restful break over the holidays. Maybe you even curled up with a book from your friendly local library or listened to an audiobook while traveling to visit relatives. Read on to discover the latest news on collections, programs, and services. We've also included a special message from Library Director Ann Hammond. We're looking forward to a new year of serving you!
More Videos to Stream
Join the Challenge
We recently launched a new Video Room in OverDrive that includes Great Courses and Signed Stories video content. Great Courses consists of 200 expertly-produced courses by professors such as Neil DeGrasse Tyson while our 122 Signed Stories are animated children's stories performed in sign language.
Can Sonoma County read a million minutes in a month? Booklovers of all ages are invited to join the library in the nationwide 2020 Winter Reading Challenge. Participants can track their reading online at sonomalibrary.beanstack.org and through the Beanstack app. Paper logs are also available at each branch.
New Emergency Preparedness Series
Are you ready for a disaster? Learn what to put in your emergency kit, create a solid evacuation plan, and establish your sources of information and community support by attending classes at your local library. Beginning in January 2020, the Sonoma County Library is hosting the Emergency Preparedness: Sonoma Ready Series to spread the message of emergency preparedness to members of the community.
Upgrades for Library Branches
Several Sonoma County Library branches will be improved in 2020, thanks to the Measure Y sales tax. Coming soon, Central Santa Rosa Library and Guerneville Regional Library will undergo interior upgrades. The work in Guerneville includes new carpet in the community room, comfortable seating, computer tables and chairs, furniture for the children’s area (including an early literacy space), and a teen space. Additional funds for Guerneville's improvements are thanks to the River Friends of the Library.
Staff Picks Favorite Books of 2019
This year, the Sonoma County Library staff voted on their favorite 2019 reads. We have a large staff with diverse reading interests, and we don’t always agree on what the best books of 2019 are. This list represents every title that received more than one vote! Check out any of these titles from your local library branch!
Meet the Author
Children's author Chelsea Johnson will visit Rincon Valley and Sebastopol Regional Libraries on January 18 as part of the Meet the Author Series. Her book "IntersectionAllies" teaches the meaning of community and functions as a mirror in which kids of all genders, races, sexualities, abilities, cultures, and origins can see their whole selves reflected, respected, and celebrated.
A Note from the Director
Each month, we explore one of Library Director Ann Hammond's values that inspire us. This month's value is civility.
"Politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech; polite, reasonable, and respectful behavior.”
—Merriam-Webster
At the Sonoma County Library, civility is a closely held value. We practice civility in the workplace, when we listen thoughtfully to each other and seek common ground and respect. We practice civility in our branches, when we help our patrons discover, learn and share ideas and information that make our communities better, stronger, smarter.
