Kids News
Mock Caldecott 2020 Results
Posted on January 24, 2020
The votes are in! Sonoma County has chosen the best picture books of the year!
Drum roll please . . . The Sonoma County's Mock Caldecott Winner is...There Are No Bears in this Bakery, by Julia Sarcone-Roach.
Every year, children’s book illustrators hold their breath as the Caldecott committee members read, examine, and critique the best illustrated children’s books of the year to finally determine which one deserves the highly regarded award.
For the fifth year in a row, you let us know which books you thought would win by voting in our Mock Caldecott contest.
The children's librarians of Sonoma County Library read hundreds of picture books published in 2019, narrowed their favorites down to 8 (not an easy task!), then left it up to you to choose our winner by voting for your favorites either online or at the library.
The numbers were close, but the following titles are our three Honor Books for the year.
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By Brendan Wenzel |
Dancing hands: how Teresa Carreño played the piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle and Rafael López |
by endy Meddour and Daniel Egnéus, illustration |
Winter Break Activities at the Library
Posted on December 30, 2019
Beginning Saturday, December 21 through Saturday, January 4, the Library is offering free programs ranging from winter crafts, Build Clubs and Read to a Dog events, to Magician Mike Della Penna, Animal Music, holiday puppet shows, kids' yoga and zumba, virtual reality, and more!
All events are free.
For more information, check the library’s online calendar at https://sonomalibrary.org/events, or Ask A Librarian.
Mock Caldecott 2020
Posted on December 23, 2019
It's almost time to choose our favorite picture books of the year!
Every year, children’s book illustrators hold their breath as the Caldecott committee members read, examine and critique the best illustrated children’s books of the year to finally determine which one deserves the highly regarded award.
For the past five years, Sonoma County Library has been hosting our own Mock Caldecott Contest, where we select the books WE feel are the best illustrated children's books of the year. Below, you will see the eight books we think are worth considering. These books, selected by Sonoma County Library staff, all fit the criteria of books to be considered for the Caldecott Medal. You can find copies of these books at your local branch.
Let us know who YOU think will win by voting for your favorites—either online or at the library. Voting will be open from January 2 through January 23.
Sonoma County's winners will be announced in your local branch and online Jan. 25!
Planting stories: the life of librarian and storyteller Pura Belpré
by Anika Aldamuy Denise
and Paola Escobar, illustration
Dancing hands: how Teresa Carreño played the piano for President Lincoln
by Margarita Engle
and Rafael López
Library celebrates Native American Heritage Month in November
Posted on November 07, 2019
Sonoma County Library is showcasing the rich history and traditions of Native Americans in Sonoma County by celebrating National Native American Heritage Month with a series of events in November.
National Native American Heritage Month events take place throughout November with presentations, Meet the Illustrator events, and traditional basket making/weaving classes at several participating branches.
“We welcome and celebrate all cultures at Sonoma County Library,” said Sonoma County Library Events Specialist Megan Backus. “We look forward to recognizing the history and heritage of this important part of our Sonoma County community every November during National Native American Heritage Month, as well as throughout the year.”
Sonoma County is home to a number of Native American Tribes dating back to over 12,000 years. From the Coast, Miwoks; in the norther near the Mayacamas Mountain Range dwelled Wintuns, Wapo and Miyakmahs; in the lower Valley, Pomos; near the edge of San Pablo Bay, Koskiwok; and in the southeast corner, Patwins; to name a few.
National Native American Heritage Month events are free and open to all.
Petaluma and Rohnert Park-Cotati libraries to host Halloween events
Posted on October 30, 2019
Unsure of where to take your kids for Halloween? All are invited to Trick or Treat in the Library on Thursday, October 31, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Petaluma and Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Libraries. Join your favorite library staff for a not-so-spooky Halloween event featuring stories, songs and silliness.
“In light of the widespread evacuations and poor air quality throughout Sonoma County, and after observing uncertainty from community members about where to take their kids trick or treating, we will be hosting indoor trick or treating events at our Petaluma and Rohnert Park-Cotati branches on Thursday, October 31,” said Library Director Ann Hammond. “We hope these events bring a semblance of normality to our families during this challenging time.”
Some Sonoma County Library branches had existing plans for Halloween events that had to be canceled due to branch closures. Library staff in closed branches have been re-deployed to open branches, ensuring that community members have a place to go with electricity, WiFi and charging stations.
Trick or Treat in the Library events are free and open to all. Attendees are welcome to come in costume, although not required.
Sonoma County Library launches virtual reality program
Posted on September 24, 2019
Surf in Angola, hike in England, dive with sharks in Cuba, fly over Manhattan, or hike the canyons of Arizona, without ever leaving the library!
The Sonoma County Library is officially launching its Virtual Reality at the Library program, with an inaugural party for the public at Central Santa Rosa Library on Monday, October 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Attendees will be able to try virtual reality (VR) equipment and a variety of different programs at the party. VR equipment is also available at the Petaluma, Central Santa Rosa, Rincon Valley and Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library branches. “We’re delighted to provide access to virtual reality technology and educate patrons on the extensive uses and purposes of VR,” said Sonoma County Library Digital Literacy Specialist Bridget Hayes. “We invite community members to immerse themselves in the world of virtual reality at our upcoming launch party.”
Sonoma County Library recently added VR headsets Oculus GO, Oculus Quest and ClassVR to its ever-expanding VR lineup. The library has provided opportunities for the community to experience VR since 2017 and plans to utilize the updated VR program to focus on the benefits of immersive learning.
The October 14 launch party at Central Santa Rosa Library from 6:30 to 8 p.m. is free and open to all.
The theme for the party is Travel for free! Immerse yourself in another world with Virtual Reality.
Age restrictions and permission forms apply to some devices. Learn more about Sonoma County Library’s VR services. Access to the library’s VR technology is free and open to Sonoma County Library cardholders.
Virtual Reality at the Library is made possible by the Measure Y sales tax, the community’s investment in free public libraries. Additional VR equipment was funded through a California State Library grant.
Jay Cobb tests a virtual reality headset at a library outreach program with the Kiwanis Club of Oakmont on July 18, 2019. Photo by Bridget Hayes.
Sign up for a library card!
Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month!
Posted on August 30, 2019
This September, Sonoma County Library joins the American Library Association (ALA) and public libraries nationwide to celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month and remind everyone that libraries can be the key to academic success and lifelong learning.
Library cardholders have access to a wealth of free resources that support academic achievement, overall education and personal development.
Sonoma County Third District Supervisor Shirlee Zane believes that libraries are crucial to the community. “[Libraries] serve people of all ages, from the very young to the very old. They are a cornerstone of support for literacy, culture and education, providing invaluable resources to those who use them,” Zane said.
Today’s libraries aren’t only a place of quiet study, but also creative and engaging community centers where patrons can collaborate using new technologies, learn coding, dive into the realm of virtual reality and 3D design, or just relax with peers. With a Sonoma County Library Card, patrons have access to a variety of digital resources including:
- eBooks and audiobooks through OverDrive and the Libby app
- Consumer Reports
- LearningExpress Library
- LinkedIn Learning
- Mango Languages
- RBDigital Magazines
- Tutor.Com
Patrons can also check out Wifi hotspots and Regional Parks Discovery Packs—a backpack containing a Regional Parks parking pass and other goodies to help them enjoy self-guided adventures in the parks. Of course, the library also has a collection of some 650,000 books.
“Sonoma County Library brings joy to patrons of all ages,” said Sonoma County Library Director Ann Hammond. “We offer early literacy and digital resources for children, we provide use of technology and digital tools for teens and older students and we have job skills workshops, book clubs and more for adults. Cardholders also have free access to online tutoring and essay or resume review in English and Spanish.”
If you don't already have a library card, now is the time to get one. For more information on how to sign up for a library card, visit any Sonoma County Library branch in person or visit us online here.
Library Card Sign-up Month is held across the nation each September to mark the beginning of the school year, a tradition since 1987. Throughout the month, the ALA and libraries unite in a national effort to encourage everyone to sign up for a library card.
Volunteer to help kids with homework at your library
Posted on August 16, 2019
Are you ready to help a young person be successful in school? Does helping kids with homework sound like a fun way to spend your afternoon? Are you excited about reading and math?
Consider joining our team of dedicated volunteers helping K-12 students succeed in Sonoma County. The Sonoma County Library is recruiting volunteers for Homework Help at the Petaluma, Northwest Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Rincon Valley Library branches for the 2019-2020 school year.
“Our dedicated volunteers love engaging with families and sharing their unique skills to help kids learn. This weekly commitment is a great way to become involved in your community and help your library thrive!” said Cailin Yeager, Children’s Librarian at Petaluma Regional Library.
You can help children and teens throughout the school year, with homework assignments and literacy and mathematics skills. You will be helping students of all ages individually, or in small groups on a drop-in basis. The library will train you. A criminal background check (paid for by the library) is required for volunteers 18 and up.
Take this opportunity to make homework more fun for young people, gain education and library-related experience and have a great time. To apply, please contact the librarian in charge of Homework Help at your branch:
Cloverdale Regional Library: Donna Romeo: dromeo@sonomalibrary.org (707) 894-5271
Petaluma Regional Library: Gigi Gilbert-Igelsrud: ggilbert-igelsrud@sonomalibrary.org (707) 763-9801
Northwest Santa Rosa Library: Kim Popenuck: kpopenuck@sonomalibrary.org (707) 546-2265
Rincon Valley Library: Bill Coolidge: bcoolidge@sonomalibrary.org (707) 537-0162
Sebastopol Regional Library: Rosalie Abbott: rabbott@sonomalibrary.org (707) 823-7691.
To stay up to date on what’s happening (library events, services and updates) at the Sonoma County Library, visit www.sonomalibrary.org and connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sonomalibrary.
LINK+ borrow more materials from more libraries
Borrow More Materials from More Libraries with LINK+
Posted on July 15, 2019
Not finding what you are looking for at your local branch? You now have access to a single, online searchable catalog of over 70 California and Nevada libraries; all you need is your Sonoma County Library card. With this new free service, called LINK+, patrons can request books, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs and more to be delivered to their local branch. LINK+ is known for its quick service, with most items arriving within a week.
“We’re so excited to leverage the massive collections of other libraries and make over nine million additional items available for checkout,” said Jaime Anderson, Sonoma County Library Collection Services Division Manager. “LINK+ expands on the spirit of libraries to freely share resources and will greatly benefit our patrons.”
When the Sonoma County Library catalog does not have the item that a cardholder would like to check out, they can search the LINK+ catalog. Most materials loan for 21 days, with one renewal (subject to approval of lending library). Patrons can place requests online and monitor the progress of requests any time through their LINK+ account.
The library will still offer traditional interlibrary loan service for materials unavailable within LINK+.
Check out LINK+ at sonomalibrary.org/linkplus or navigate through the Books and More page of the website. LINK+ is free and open to all with a Sonoma County Library card.
Fine Free library image
Library to eliminate fines for 80,000 patrons
Posted on July 01, 2019
On July 1, the Sonoma County Library went “fine-free” and eliminated overdue fines for items returned late, as well as forgiving past fines. In all, more than 80,000 people — 30 percent of all library borrowers — had their overdue fines waived.
“Research shows that charging fines doesn’t make a difference in whether people bring back books on time,” said Sarah Vantrease, Public Services Division Manager for the library. “Instead, we see that fines drive people away.”
While overdue fines are on their way out, some fees will remain. “We will no longer track and collect fines for overdue materials, but you still have to bring them back,” Vantrease said. Books, CDs, DVDs and other items that are kept more than 42 days after their due date will be considered “lost” and a replacement fee will be added to the borrower’s account. Returning the lost item in good condition will result in the fee being removed.
Library fines can be an extra burden for a family that may be struggling to manage the high cost of living in Sonoma County. “People want to be responsible and do the right thing, but sometimes have to make choices about which bills to pay,” said Sonoma County Library Director Ann Hammond. “Thirty percent of our patrons owe fines right now, and that’s not a good way to do business.”
“Eliminating fines and making it easier to use the library is the right thing to do,” Hammond said. “We are not in the business of collecting fines, we are in the business of sharing books and other materials to help the people of Sonoma County discover, learn and share ideas and information.”
Going fine-free is part of a plan to increase access to libraries. In addition to eliminating all past fines and not charging new fines, we are changing our library card policy. The library will still require photo identification to get a library card, but the requirement to provide proof-of-address will be eliminated, to better serve displaced, shelterless and seasonal residents.
