Library News
Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Hearing Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Transition Plan
Posted on June 02, 2023
Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Hearing
Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Transition Plan
Notice of availability and notice of public hearing of the proposed Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Transition Plan updated May 4, 2023, was given by order of the Sonoma County Library Director on June 2, 2023. The Sonoma County Library Commission approved the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Transition Plan dated July 1, 2022, on September 7, 2022, which has now been updated to include the Central Library Annex.
All public agencies with greater than 50 employees like the Sonoma County Library must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act Title II (28CFR part 35.150(d)) to actively plan for equal access for people with disabilities.
A copy of the proposed Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Transition Plan can be reviewed at the Central Santa Rosa Library, Cloverdale Regional Library, Forestville Community Library, Guerneville Regional Library, Healdsburg Regional Library, Northwest Santa Rosa Library, Occidental Community Library, Petaluma Regional Library, Rincon Valley Regional Library, Rohnert Park – Cotati Regional Library, Roseland Regional Library, Sebastopol Regional Library, Sonoma Valley Regional Library, and Windsor Regional Library during normal work hours, and via the internet at https://www.sonomalibrary.org/ (search for ADA).
Notice is hereby given that the Sonoma County Library will conduct a public hearing at the date time and location stated below for the adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Transition Plan, to protect qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination on the basis of disability in the services, programs and activities of local governments.
Date: Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library
Notice is hereby given that any and all persons interested in this matter may attend the hearing and testify or present evidence concerning any matter related thereto.
This notice is given by order of the Sonoma County Library Director and is dated June 2, 2023.
Celebrating Juneteenth in Sonoma County!
Posted on May 30, 2023
Freedom Day
Juneteenth has long been celebrated by Black communities across the U.S., and in 2021 President Biden proclaimed June 19th, Juneteenth, a national holiday.
Juneteenth History
First celebrated on June 19, 1865, when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the slaveholding state of Texas at the conclusion of the Civil War; Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
Remnants of slavery lingered in some former Confederate states which did not officially abolish slavery within their jurisdiction until later. In Sonoma County, citizens of Petaluma, Santa Rosa and Healdsburg included both supporters and opponents of the confederacy.
Local History
In 1954, beloved foster parent and faith leader Marteal Perry brought the celebration to Sonoma County from her hometown of Alta, Texas. She hosted Juneteenth for county residents at her South Wright Road property for many years.
In recognition of Juneteenth 2023, Sonoma County Library locations will be closed on Monday June 19, 2023. Check out the highlighted resources and community celebrations below.
Books, Collections, And Resources:
Check out these recommended books and movies our librarians have created for you:
- Adults: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Cinema, Cooking, Fiber Arts
- Teens: (English)
- Children: ages 0-12
Celebrating Juneteenth in eBooks, Streaming Media, and more:
Community Events
53rd Annual MLK Community Festival Celebration of Diversity and Inclusion
with the BiblioBus!
Saturday, June 17, 2023
10am - 6pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Park – 1671 Hendley Street, Santa Rosa
The Healdsburg Jazz Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 17, 2023
2pm - 8pm
Healdsburg Plaza- Corner of Healdsburg Avenue and Matheson Street
How Black Foodways shaped American Cuisine
Saturday, June 17, 2023
5pm - 8pm
Sonoma County Center – 276 E Napa Street, Sonoma
Websites
- Juneteenth - National Museum of African American History
"Juneteenth is a time to gather as a family, reflect on the past and look to the future. Discover ways to celebrate this African American cultural tradition of music, food and freedom." - “Black in the Bay”
An Oakland Public Library blog - KQED’s Reparations in California
On the task force to study reparations for Black Californians - The Black Family: United by History, Restored by Storytelling
A toolkit to empower families to preserve their own histories
¡Celebre el Orgullo con la biblioteca!
Posted on May 23, 2023
Únase a la celebración del Mes del Orgullo este junio, el cual es un periodo para promover la autoafirmación, la dignidad, la equidad y la mayor visibilidad de la comunidad de personas lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transgénero, queer, intersexuales, y asexuales (LGBTQIA+). ¡La Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma se enorgullece de ser una de las homenajeadas del 2023 en la Marcha del Orgullo del Condado de Sonoma de este año! Lo invitamos a vernos en la marcha el sábado, 3 de junio, y también a que visite nuestra caseta en el festival.
Al celebrar, recordamos que la Marcha del Orgullo comenzó como una protesta. Mientras continuamos viendo el aumento de leyes antitransgénero y antiqueer por todo el país, es crucial que las voces de la comunidad LGBTQIA+ sean escuchadas y protegidas.
La Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma está comprometida con la libertad de información y con proporcionar acceso a materiales de la biblioteca que reflejen las diversas y vibrantes vidas de las personas LGBTQIA+, como la novela gráfica de Maia Kokabe (pronombres: e/em/eir) Género Queer, el libro número uno de los libros más censurados durante dos años consecutivos. Ante el drástico aumento de la censura de libros en todo Estados Unidos, permanecemos firmes protegiendo la libertad de lectura. Las sedes de nuestra biblioteca son espacios donde la comunidad queer siempre será bienvenida y celebrada, no solo durante el Mes del Orgullo, sino también todos los días.
¡Dele un vistazo a los siguientes proyectos, eventos, listas de libros y recursos que han recopilado los bibliotecarios de la Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma para ayudarlo a celebrar el Mes del Orgullo este año!
Here + Queer, Sonoma County
Comparte tu orgullo. Recupera tu historia. Conéctate con tu comunidad.
Here + Queer, Sonoma County es un proyecto que archiva y amplía las historias de las comunidades de lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transgénero, queer, intersexuales, y asexuales (LGBTQIA+) del condado de Sonoma. A lo largo de la historia, las personas LGBTQ+ han luchado por la igualdad, la representación y la dignidad en la sociedad.
Here + Queer se esfuerza por resaltar las historias ricas y dinámicas de la cultura y el activismo queer, para documentar las luchas y alegrías de la vida queer.
Este proyecto acepta contenido digital en forma de narrativas personales, ensayos, anécdotas, fotografías, trabajos creativos, material audiovisual, y más. El proyecto busca activamente materiales de la comunidad: todas las edades y orígenes, de todos los períodos de tiempo en la historia del condado de Sonoma. Se acepta contenido digital anónimo, y envíos en inglés y español.
Tus historias fortalecerán, enriquecerán, y profundizarán nuestra comprensión de las comunidades queer.
Sube y Comparte tus Experiencias
Eventos de la Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma
Elaboración de arcoíris (Adolescentes & Adultos)
¡Celebra el Orgullo y disfruta de un proyecto artesanal meditativo, eligiendo diferente colores para tu creación!
Biblioteca regional de Cloverdale
Martes, 6 de junio, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Biblioteca noroeste de Santa Rosa
Miércoles, 21 de junio, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Biblioteca central de Santa Rosa
Viernes, 23 de junio, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Biblioteca regional de Roseland
Miércoles, 28 de junio, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Viernes, 9 de junio, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
¡Creatividad adolescente!
Biblioteca regional de Roseland
¡Ven y haz una manualidad en la Biblioteca Regional de Roseland todos los viernes de 4:30-5:30pm! Cada semana habrá una manualidad diferente para los adolescentes, así que traigan sus mentes creativas. Se proporcionarán bocaditos y todos los materiales.
Sábado, 10 de junio de 11:00am a 12:00pm
Club de lectura LGBTQIA+ de la Biblioteca de Guerneville
La Biblioteca Regional de Guerneville le invita a su nuevo club de lectura para adultos, el cual se centra en las voces de la comunidad LGBTQIA+. Las reuniones se llevan a cabo el segundo sábado de cada mes de 11am a 12pm. Habrá copias impresas disponibles en la sede un mes antes de la discusión.
Martes, 13 de junio de 6:00pm a 7:00pm
Club de lectura Takeout: Detransition, Baby
Participe con nosotros el segundo martes de cada mes a las 6:00 p. m. en la discusión de una novela contemporánea u obra de no ficción diferente cada mes.
Este mes discutiremos la obra de Torrey Peters: Detransition, Baby. Descripción de la editorial: "[Una novela] sobre tres mujeres, transgénero y cisgénero, cuyas vidas entran en conflicto después de que un embarazo inesperado las obliga a enfrentar sus deseos más profundos sobre el género, la maternidad y el sexo...". Habrá copias impresas disponibles de Detransition, Baby en la sede un mes antes de la discusión.
Conoce al rey drag Vera, quien nos leerá cuentos infantiles y compartir otras actividades divertidas que fomentan el aprendizaje.
Biblioteca regional de Petaluma
Sábado, 17 de junio, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Biblioteca regional de Rincon Valley
Sábado, 17 de junio, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Biblioteca regional de Windsor
Domingo, 18 de junio, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Biblioteca central de Santa Rosa
Domingo, 18 de junio, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Club de lectura queer (para adultos) en modalidad virtual
Miércoles, 14 de junio a las 6:00pm
The Passing Playbook de Isaac Fitzsimons
Acompañe de forma virtual a los bibliotecarios para hablar de libros enfocados en las voces de las personas LGBTQIA+. Las reuniones se llevan a cabo el segundo miércoles de cada mes (de enero a diciembre) de 6:00pm a 7:00 pm. Para obtener más información, visite: https://sonomalibrary.org/queerbookclub
Las copias físicas del libro se encuentran disponibles (mientras duren existencias).
Hora de cuentos LGBTQIA+ Orgullo para las familias
Biblioteca regional de Rohnert Park-Cotati
Viernes, 23 de junio, 10:30am - 11:30am
El viernes 23 de junio habrá un especial hora de cuentos familiar para celebrar el Mes del Orgullo LGBTQIA+. El evento incluye libros, juegos con los dedos, rimas, y canciones. Para familias y cuidadores con niños de 0 a 6 años. Después del programa, las familias pueden socializar y "quedarse y jugar" en la sala del foro con la colección de juguetes y rompecabezas de la biblioteca. No es necesario registrarse.
Club de lectura del orgullo para adolescentes (grados 9-12)
Biblioteca Regional de Sebastopol
Viernes, 23 de junio, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
¡Reúnete con otros adolescentes para hablar sobre libros centrados en las voces LGBTQIA+! Copias gratuitas de los libros estarán disponibles en el mostrador de referencia. Es recomendado registrarte, pero de todos modos estás invitado sí o sí te registras. Si no tuviste tiempo para leer o terminar el libro del mes, todavía eres bienvenido a asistir. Se proporcionarán botanas. Este es un espacio seguro e inclusivo, y todos los adolescentes de 7º a 12º grado son bienvenidos (incluidos los aliados).
Club de lectura para adolescentes sobre el Orgullo (grados 7-12)
Biblioteca Regional del Noroeste
Martes, 27 de junio de 4:30pm a 5:30pm
¡Reúnase con otros adolescentes para hablar sobre libros enfocados en las voces de las personas LGBTQ+! Las reuniones son presenciales, en la Biblioteca del Noroeste (la que está cerca del centro comercial Coddingtown), el 4.º martes de cada mes, de 4:30 p. m. a 5:30 p. m. Las copias impresas del libro del mes se encuentran disponibles para su préstamo un mes antes de la discusión en la Biblioteca del Noroeste. ¡Se darán bocadillos!
No necesita inscribirse, ¡solo llegue y será bienvenido! ¡Lo invitamos a pasar tiempo con el grupo aunque no haya tenido tiempo para leer o terminar el libro del mes! Este es un espacio seguro e inclusivo. ¡Todos los adolescentes del 7.° al 12.° grado son bienvenidos (incluyendo los aliados)!
Participación de la biblioteca en eventos comunitarios
Sábado, 3 de junio
Sonoma County Pride
Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa
Marcha: de 11:00am a 12:00pm
Festival: de 12:00pm a 5:00pm
¡La Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma es una de las homenajeadas en la Marcha del Orgullo de este año! Venga a vernos en la marcha y luego visite nuestra caseta en el festival. ¡Tendremos sorteos divertidos y el Bibliobus de la biblioteca estará lleno de materiales LGBTQ+ para que pueda darles un vistazo!
Sábado, 10 de junio de 2:00pm a 8:00pm
Festival del Orgullo de Windsor
Se celebrará en Town Green, el sábado, 10 de junio. Acompáñenos para un día de música, comida, juegos y sorpresas coloridas. Este evento ideal para familias, celebra el amor en Windsor entre todas las personas, incluyendo a la comunidad LGBTQIA, será GRATIS y ABIERTO PARA TODO EL PÚBLICO.
Presentaciones en vivo en el Music Fest, actividades divertidas en KidZone, recursos en la feria comunitaria, comida y bebidas en la feria callejera.
ibros, colecciones y recursos
El personal elaboró listas de recomendación de libros:
Orgulla LGBTQIA+ para adultos
Haga clic aquí para descargar la lista completa en formato PDF
Libros queer para adolescentes
Haga clic aquí para descargar la lista completa en formato PDF
Listas de libros para niños
Libros para niños de 0 a 8 años
Haga clic aquí para descargar la lista completa en formato PDF
Libros para niños de 8 a 12 años
Haga clic aquí para descargar la lista completa en formato PDF
Recursos digitales
Explore esta lista en varios formatos con opciones ofrecidas por hoopla, seleccionadas para el Mes del Orgullo. Hay más de 50 artículos para escoger, desde audiolibros hasta películas.
¡Consulte libros electrónicos y audiolibros electrónicos en nuestra nueva guía LGBTQ+, ya disponible en la aplicación Libby! Esta guía estará disponible todo el año y se actualizará con los libros nuevos que se vayan agregando a la colección.
Aprovechando su increíble catálogo de películas LGBTQ+, Kanopy ha preparado una colección para el Mes del Orgullo. Para ver estas películas que abordan desde hechos históricos hasta pioneros que valientemente luchan contra la injusticia, visite: go.kanopy.com/pride
Socios comunitarios
¡Visite los sitios web de nuestros fantásticos socios comunitarios para más eventos y recursos disponibles en junio y en el futuro!
Para obtener más información sobre sus eventos planificados para el Orgullo, puede ver su calendario ingresando here.
Para obtener más información sobre sus eventos planificados para el Orgullo, puede ver su calendario ingresando here.
Para obtener más información sobre sus eventos planificados para el Orgullo, puede ver su calendario ingresando here.
El evento de recaudación de fondos del Día de dar a causas LGBTQIA+, el cual se llevará a cabo el 28 de junio de 2:00pm a 9:00pm
serve la fecha para asistir al evento de recaudación de fondos del Día anual de dar a causas LGBTQIA+ de APT en The Block, Petaluma. Todos son bienvenidos. Es ideal para las familias. ¡Habrá DJ, bailes, comida, rifas de premios locales, juegos y mucho más!
Para obtener más información sobre sus proyectos y planes actuales, haga clic en el siguiente enlace:
Personas mayores LGBTQ+ de Sonoma Valley
Además de ser un cofacilitador de las personas mayores LGBTQ+ de Sonoma Valley, el profesor Gary "Buz" Hermes, también imparte las clases de "Aging Gayfully!" [¡Envejeciendo gaytásticamente!] a través del programa de personas mayores de Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC, por sus siglas en inglés).
Cronología LGBTQI del condado de Sonoma: 1950 - 2000
¡Asegúrate de visitar su carpa en PRIDE 2023!
Conozca la historia de la comunidad LGBTQI del condado de Sonoma:
- Desde nuestro primer bar gay en la década de 1950 hasta nuestro primer resort gay en 1978...
- Desde nuestra primera lucha política hasta los periódicos que nos informaban y entretenían...
- Desde nuestra batalla contra el SIDA hasta los inicios de nuestro Festival del Orgullo...
- ¡Y mucho, mucho más!
Si tiene historias que contar de este período de tiempo, ¡quieren escucharlas!
Festival de cine LGBTQI OUTWatch
El festival de cine LGBTQI OUTwatch de Wine Country se llevará a cabo desde el viernes, 9 de junio, hasta el domingo, 11 de junio, como parte del calendario de eventos de Sonoma County Pride. Después de tres años de pausa debido a la pandemia, OUTwatch regresa para exhibir tres películas narrativas entretenidas y dos documentales que invitan a la reflexión. Rialto Cinemas en Sebastopol será nuevamente el anfitrión del festival. Para obtener más información, ingrese a: www.outwatchfilmfest.org.
Celebrate Pride with the Library!
Posted on May 23, 2023
Join us in celebrating Pride Month this June, which serves as a time to promote the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community. Sonoma County Library is proud to be a 2023 honoree in this year’s Sonoma County Pride Parade! We welcome you to come see us in the parade on Saturday, June 3, and visit our booth at the festival.
While we celebrate, we recall that Pride began as a protest. As we continue to see increased anti-trans and anti-queer legislation passed across the country, it’s critical that the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community are heard and protected.
Sonoma County Library is committed to freedom of information and providing access to library materials that reflect the diverse and vibrant lives of LGBTQIA+ people, such as local author Maia Kobabe’s (e/em/eir) graphic novel Gender Queer, the number one most banned book two years in a row. Amidst the drastic rise in book bans throughout the U.S., we remain steadfast in protecting the freedom to read. Our library branches are spaces where the queer community will always be welcomed and celebrated, not just during Pride Month, but every day.
Check out the following projects, events, book lists, and resources compiled by librarians at Sonoma County Library to help you celebrate Pride this year!
Here + Queer, Sonoma County
Share your pride. Reclaim your history. Connect with your community.
Here + Queer, Sonoma County collects, archives, and amplifies the histories of Sonoma County’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities. Throughout history, LGBTQIA+ people have fought for equality, representation, and dignity in society.
Here + Queer strives to uncover the rich and dynamic stories of queer culture and activism, documenting the struggles and joys of queer life.
This project accepts digital content in the form of personal narratives, essays, anecdotes, photographs, creative works, audiovisual material, and more. The project actively seeks submissions from all ages and backgrounds, from all time periods in Sonoma County history. Anonymous submissions are supported, as well as submissions in English and Spanish.
Your stories will empower, enrich, and deepen our understanding of queer communities.
Upload & Share Your Experiences
Sonoma County Library Events
Wrapped Rainbows Crafting (Teens & Adults)
Celebrate Pride and enjoy a meditative craft project, choosing from a rainbow of colors for your creation! Advanced registration is encouraged.
Cloverdale Regional Library
Tuesday, June 6, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Northwest Santa Rosa Library
Wednesday, June 21, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Central Santa Rosa Library
Friday, June 23, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Roseland Regional Library
Wednesday, June 28, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Friday, June 9, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Create Teen! Pride Themed Craft
Roseland Regional Library
Come and craft at Roseland Regional Library every Friday from 4:30-5:30pm! Each week there will be a different craft for teens to do, so bring your creative minds. Snacks and all materials will be provided.
Saturday, June 10, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Guerneville Library LGBTQIA+ Book Club
The Guerneville Regional Library invites you to its new book club for adults that centers on LGBTQ+ voices. Meetings occur on the second Saturday of the month from 11 am-12 pm. Print copies will be available in the branch a month before the discussion.
Tuesday, June 13, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Takeout Book Club: Detransition, Baby
Join us on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM as we discuss a different contemporary novel or work of nonfiction.
This month we'll be discussing Torrey Peters' Detransition, Baby. "[A novel] about three women--transgender and cisgender--whose lives collide after an unexpected pregnancy forces them to confront their deepest desires around gender, motherhood, and sex..."-- Publisher's description. Print copies of Detransition, Baby will be available in the branch a month before the discussion.
Drag Story Hour
Meet drag king Vera, who will read children’s books and engage in other fun learning activities.
Petaluma Regional Library
Saturday, June 17, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rincon Valley Regional Library
Saturday, June 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Windsor Regional Library
Sunday, June 18, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Central Santa Rosa Library
Sunday, June 18, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Queer Book Club (adults) - Virtual
Wednesday, June 14, 6:00pm
The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons
Join librarians virtually to discuss books centering on LGBTQ+ voices. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of the month (January-December) from 6-7 pm. For more information please visit: https://sonomalibrary.org/queerbookclub
Physical copies of the book are available (while supplies last).
LGBTQIA+ Pride Family Storytime
Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library
Friday, June 23, 10:30am
Friday, June 23th will be a special "Pride Family Storytime," to celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. Family storytime includes books, fingerplays, rhymes and songs. For families and caregivers with children, ages 0-6. After the storytime program, families are welcome to socialize, and "stay & play" in the forum room with the library collection of toys and puzzles. No registration is required.
Pride Book Club for Teens (Grades 9-12)
Sebastopol Regional Library
Friday, June 23, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Meet with other teens to discuss books centering LGBTQIA+ voices! Free copies of the books will be available at the reference desk. Registration is encouraged but not required. Drop-ins are welcome. If you didn’t have time to read or finish the month’s book, you are still welcome to attend. Snacks will be provided. This is a safe and inclusive space, and all teens 9th-12th grade are welcome (including allies).
Teen Pride Book Club (Grades 7-12)
Northwest Regional Library
Tuesday, June 27, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Meet with other teens to discuss books centering LGBTQ+ voices! Meetings are in person, at the Northwest Library (the one by Coddingtown Mall), every 4th Tuesday of the month, from 4:30pm-5:30pm. Print copies of that month’s book are available for checkout at Northwest a month before discussion. Snacks will be provided!
No registration required, and drop-ins are welcome! If you didn’t have time to read or finish the month’s book, you are still welcome to hang out with the group! This is a safe and inclusive space, and all teens 7th-12th grade are welcome (including allies)!
Understanding Gender Identity and Supporting Trans Youth
Guerneville Regional Library
Wednesday, July 19, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Join us for a panel discussion on gender identity and understanding the transgender experience. Panelists include transgender youth, adults, and parents of transgender children who will share their perspectives with us. This program will support, educate and inspire anyone who attends.
Library Appearances at Community Events
Saturday, June 3
Sonoma County Pride
Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa
Parade: 11:00am-12:00pm
Festival: 12:00pm-5:00pm
Sonoma County Library is a Pride Honoree in this year’s parade! Come see us in the parade and then visit our booth at the festival. We will have fun giveaways and the Library’s Bibliobus will be stocked full of LGBTQ+ library materials for you to check out!
Saturday, June 10, 2:00-8:00pm
Held on the Town Green on Saturday, June 10, join us for a day of music, food, games and colorful surprises. This family-friendly event celebrating love in Windsor among all people, including the LGBTQIA community, will be FREE and OPEN TO ALL.
Live performances at the Music Fest, fun activities in the KidZone, resources at the Community Fair, food and Drinks at the Street Fair.
Books, Collections, and Resources
Staff created book recommendation lists:
Queer Fiction for Adults
Click here to download the full list as a PDF
Adult Non-Fiction
Click here to download the full list as a PDF
Queer Cinema on DVD
Queer Books for Teens
Click here to download the full list as a PDF
For more queer YA recommendations, check out these additional lists created
by Librarians at Sonoma County Library:
Celebrate Trans and Gender Expansive Stories
Queer Fantasy for Teens
LGBTQIA+ Graphic Novels for YA
Children’s Book Lists
Books for Kids Ages 0-8
Click here to download the full list as a PDF
Books for Kids Ages 8-12
Click here to download the full list as a PDF
Digital Resources
Explore this multiformat list of hoopla offerings curated for Pride Month. There are over 50 items to choose from ranging from audiobooks to movies.
Browse through eBooks & eAudiobooks in our new LGBTQ+ guide, now available in the Libby app! This guide will stay up all year and refreshes with new books as they are added to the collection.
Drawing from their incredible library of LGBTQ+ films, Kanopy has curated a collection for Pride Month. To view these films that cover everything from historical events to pioneers bravely taking a stand against injustice, visit go.kanopy.com/pride
Community Partners
Visit the websites of our fantastic community partners for more events and resources for June and beyond!
LGBTQ Connection - https://www.lgbtqconnection.org/
For more information on their planned pride events, you can visit their calendar here.
Positive Images - https://www.posimages.org/
For more information on their planned pride events, you can visit their calendar here.
North Bay LGBTQI Families - https://nblgbtqifamilies.org/
For more information on their planned pride events, you can visit their calendar here.
Amor Para Todos (APT) - https://aptamorparatodos.weebly.com/
Give Out Day Fundraiser event on June 28 from 2 - 9pm
Please save the date for APT's annual Give Out Day Fundraiser at The Block in Petaluma. All are welcome. Family friendly, DJ, dancing, food, local raffle prizes, games & more!
For more information on their ongoing projects and plans, you can click the following link:
Sonoma Valley LGBTQ+ Seniors - https://www.aginggayfully.net/
In addition to being a co-facilitator of Sonoma Valley LGBTQ+ Seniors, Professor Gary "Buz" Hermes also teaches Aging Gayfully!" through SRJC's Older Adults Program.
The Sonoma County LGBTQI Timeline: 1950s - 2000
Be sure to visit their tent at PRIDE 2023!
Learn about the history of Sonoma County's LGBTQI Community:
- From our first gay bar in the 1950s to our first gay resort in 1978...
- From our first political struggle to the newspapers that informed and entertained us...
- From our battle against AIDS to the very beginnings of our Pride Festival…
- And much, much more!
If you have stories to tell from this time period, they want to hear them!
OUTWatch LGBTQI Film Festival - https://www.outwatchfilmfest.org/
OUTwatch – Wine Country’s LGBTQI Film Festival will be Friday, June 9 through Sunday, June 11 as part of Sonoma County Pride’s Calendar of Events. After a three-year pandemic pause, OUTwatch returns to showcase three entertaining narrative films and two thought-provoking documentaries. Rialto Cinemas in Sebastopol will again play host to the festival. For more information go to: www.outwatchfilmfest.org.
Affordable Housing Week
Posted on April 28, 2023
May 7-13: Affordable Housing Week at the Rohnert Park – Cotati Regional Library
Did you know that your zip code is one of the most important data points to predict individual and families’ success, from educational outcomes, health factors, and opportunity to thrive?
As Matthew Desmond wrote in “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City,”
“The home is the wellspring of personhood. It is where our identity takes root and blossoms, where as children, we imagine, play, and question, and as adolescents, we retreat and try. As we grow older, we hope to settle into a place to raise a family or pursue work. When we try to understand ourselves, we often begin by considering the kind of home in which we were raised.”
Access to safe, stable, affordable homes is one of the most important tools to create strong, thriving, equitable communities. Among the many stressors of the last few years facing Sonoma County residents, the increasing cost of housing intimately affects the health and safety of our families and communities. That is why the Rohnert Park – Cotati Regional Library is joining residents, community groups, and library systems from around the San Francisco Bay Area region to celebrate Affordable Housing Month.
At the library, we believe that Affordable Housing Month is about coming together to acknowledge the impact and necessity of safe and affordable homes for individuals, families, and communities. We intend to share information about the history of housing inequality and the efforts our communities can support to create equity.
From Monday, May 7 through Saturday, May 13, between 2-4 each day, the Rohnert Park – Cotati Library will host affordable housing organization representatives who can connect residents to more housing resources. Click here for more information. We will engage families with housing crafts and activities and share information through a book and information display.
Imagine: A community where everyone sees you as their neighbor and where we are all stronger together for it!
Books Available from the Library
- This Side of Home by Renee Watson
- The Yellow House by Sarah M Broom
- Evicted by Matthew Desmond
- A Place To Stay: A Shelter Story by Erin Gunti
- What We’ll Build: Plans For Our Future Together by Oliver Jeffers
- Alejandra Fights Back! by Leticia Hernández-Linares
- Halsey Street by Naima Coster
Other local Housing events:
- Thursday, May 4, 2023, 1:00pm Sonoma County Housing Solutions Summit on Housing Solutions | Luther Burbank Center, Santa Rosa. Get tickets here: https://generationhousing.org/summit/
- Saturday, May 6, 10:00am First Time Home Buyer Seminar. Century 21 Epic & Kind Lending | Rohnert Park – Cotati Regional Library (this program is not sponsored by the Sonoma County Library)
- Thursday, May 18, 5:00pm Generation Housing Affordable Housing Month House Party | Crossroad Apartments, 841 Liana Dr, Santa Rosa: https://generationhousing.org/events/
Rohnert Park – Cotati and Countywide Resources Include:
- https://www.cotaticity.org/218/Housing-Resources
- https://www.ci.rohnert-park.ca.us/business/living/housing/affordable_housing
- https://nsc-housing.org/city-of-rohnert-park
- https://www.cotaticity.org/214/Affordable-Housing
- https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/development-services/community-development-commission/divisions/housing-and-neighborhood-investment/affordable-housing-inventory
or more information about the Bay Area’s Affordable Housing Month celebration, you can also visit: www.affordablehousingmonth.org
¡Celebra a los Asiáticos Americanos e Isleños del Pacifico en el Condado de Sonoma!
Posted on April 27, 2023
Mayo es el Mes de la Herencia de los Asiáticos Americanos e Isleños del Pacífico (AAPI). Designado por Congreso en 1977, el Mes de la Herencia AAPI es una celebración anual de cómo la comunidad AAPI ha enriquecido la historia de América y continúa siendo vital para su éxito.
Únete a la Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma para celebrar las voces de AAPI durante el mes de mayo y más allá. Consulta los siguientes eventos AAPI, listas de libros, películas, música, y más—todo disponible gratuitamente a través de tu Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma. Conéctate con las siguientes organizaciones locales AAPI y recursos de la comunidad para seguir aprendiendo.
Eventos en la biblioteca:
See all upcoming AAPI events on our Calendar of Events
Celebrando después el mes de AAPI:
Conferencias virtuales para celebrar el arte y la cultura asiática – Virtual
Este programa estará presentado en inglés.
https://events.sonomalibrary.org/events/upcoming?keywords=Asian%20Art%20Museum
Libros, Colecciones Y Más:
¿Cómo Puedes Ayudar A Detener El Odio Contra Personas AAPI?
- Aprende sobre el contexto histórico y moderno de odio contra personas AAPI. Aquí tienes algunos recursos para empezar:
- Un reporte sobre la historia de discriminación contra Americanos Chinos en el Condado de Sonoma.
- Un discurso sobre los orígenes del término “Americano Asiático” y cómo sucedió que vino de las luchas del Movimiento de Poder Negro, el movimiento anti-guerra, y el Movimiento de Indígenas de los Estados Unidos.
- Discursos dentro de los estudios de lo Americano Asiático y del género sobre la hipersexualización de mujeres Asiáticas como un ejemplo de género racializado.
- Un artículo escrito por una persona con 16 años sobre desmantelando los estereotipos de personas Asiáticas.
- ¡Lee historias y libros escritos por autores AAPI! Revisa listas en esta página de libros recomendados por bibliotecarios.
- Toma Acción:
- Si encuentras un incidente de odio, lo puedes reportar aquí.
- Revisa esta colección de recursos en contra de la violencia contra personas Asiáticas.
- Aprende y comparte lo que aprendes con este recurso sobre asuntos Americanos Asiáticos para estudiantes del Kinder hasta los que están cumpliendo la preparatoria: Confronting Xenophobia and Supporting Asian and Asian/Pacific American Communities during COVID-19.
- Si compartas unos recursos en los medios, puedes usar el hashtag #StopAsianHate.
- Más recursos:
- Información de la Asian Mental Health Collective y NAMI
- Recursos de la comunidad de California reunidos por el Grupo Legislativo Asiático Americano e Isleño Pacífico.
Colaboradores En La Comunidad:
- AAPI Coalition of the North Bay
- APIAFSA (Asian Pacific Islander American Faculty and Staff Association of Sonoma State University)
- FAASSU (Filipino American Association of Sonoma State University)
- FANHS (Filipino American National Historical Society Sonoma County Chapter)
- RECA (Redwood Empire Chinese Association)
- Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League
- Sonoma County Matsuri Festival
- Sonoma County Taiko
- Sonoma County JACL (Japanese American Citizens League)
- SOVA (Sonoma County Vietnamese Association)
- A report on the history of discrimination against Chinese Americans in Sonoma County
- An article that discusses the origins of the term “Asian American” and how it came about from the struggles of the Black Power Movement, anti-war movement, and American Indian Movements
- Information from the Asian Mental Health Collective and NAMI
- California community resources collected by the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus
La biblioteca está en contra del prejuicio e intolerancia, y apoya la equidad, diversidad y la inclusión. Revisa nuestra declaración sobre el racismo la equidad social aquí.
Celebrating Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Sonoma County!
Posted on April 20, 2023
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. First designated by Congress in 1977, AAPI Heritage Month is an annual celebration of the ways the AAPI community has enriched America's history and continues to be vital to its success.
Join Sonoma County Library in celebrating AAPI voices during the month of May and beyond. Below, check out AAPI events, book lists, movies, music, and more—all available for free through your Sonoma County Library. Connect with local AAPI organizations and community resources listed below to keep learning.
Library Events:
Year of the Rabbit - Family Book Reading
(grades PreK-3)
Say hello to Rosie, a rascally rabbit with an enormous ear for adventure.
The Discovery of Anime and Manga
with Oliver Chin
(grades K-8)
Say hello to Rosie, a rascally rabbit with an enormous ear for adventure.
Intro to Chinese Calligraphy for Teens
(grades 7-12)
This workshop introduces teens to the essential elements of Chinese Calligraphy, including how to hold the brush, basic strokes, and simple words.
Anime Drawing Workshops
with Oliver Chin
(grades 7-12)
In this 2-hour workshop, author and artist Oliver Chin will teach you have to draw in the Japanese comics and animation (manga & anime) style.
Sonoma County Taiko Performances
(all ages)
Sonoma County Taiko has been bringing the thunderous excitement of Taiko drumming to two libraries this May!
Faith Ako: Traditional and Contemporary
Hawaiian Music
(all ages)
Faith Ako whisks you to the islands with original songs and Hawaiian classics.
Queer Book Club: Light from Uncommong Stars
Shizuka Satomi made a deal with the devil: to escape damnation, she must entice seven other violin prodigies to trade their souls for success. She has already delivered six.
Dial a Story
Call (707) 755-2050 to listen to a recording of your children’s librarians reading storybooks in both English and Spanish. This Month’s titles will include books by AAPI authors and featuring AAPI stories.
Celebrate AAPI Beyond May:
Asian Art Museum Lectures: Meets virtually the second Saturday of every month at 11:00am.
https://events.sonomalibrary.org/events/upcoming?keywords=Asian%20Art%20Museum
Books, Collections, And Resources:
History And Genealogy Resources
Genealogy
- In search of your Asian roots: genealogical research on Chinese surnames
- Chinese American names: tradition and transition
- Asian American genealogical sourcebook
- A genealogist's guide to discovering your immigrant & ethnic ancestors: how to find and record your unique heritage
- Hawaiian genealogies: extracted from Hawaiian language newspapers
- Tracing Your Philippine Ancestors
Sonoma County History
- The Chinese in Sonoma County, California, 1900-1930: the aftermath of exclusion
- Giri: the Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League oral history project
- The loss of property of the Japanese during World War II: with special emphasis on Sonoma County, California
- Samurai of the wine country: a biography of Kanaye Nagasawa
- Japanese immigrants in the North Bay region: their movements, achievements and settlements 1870-1930
Archival and Digital Collections
- Verified written reports in compliance with Section 5 of the Alien Land Law of 1920
65 depositions regarding Japanese-owned properties in Sonoma County, filed between 1921 and 1949. - Newspaper Clippings from the Petaluma Argus-Courier of local women and Japanese Americans enlisted in the armed services during World War II. More information here: Japanese Americans in Sonoma County - Documenting a conflicted past" by Joanna Kolosov
- DVD – Remembering Our Manongs: Sonoma County’s Filipino history
- DVD - The Chinese-American experience in Petaluma: an interview with Lance Lew
Local community information and organizations
- AAPI Coalition of the North Bay
- APIAFSA (Asian Pacific Islander American Faculty and Staff Association of Sonoma State University)
- FAASSU (Filipino American Association of Sonoma State University)
- FANHS (Filipino American National Historical Society Sonoma County Chapter)
- RECA (Redwood Empire Chinese Association)
- Sonoma County Japanese American Citizens League
- Sonoma County Matsuri Festival
- Sonoma County Taiko
- Sonoma County JACL (Japanese American Citizens League)
- SOVA (Sonoma County Vietnamese Association)
- A report on the history of discrimination against Chinese Americans in Sonoma County
- An article that discusses the origins of the term “Asian American” and how it came about from the struggles of the Black Power Movement, anti-war movement, and American Indian Movements
- Information from the Asian Mental Health Collective and NAMI
- California community resources collected by the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus
The library stands against bigotry and intolerance, and supports equity diversity and inclusion. See our statement on racism and social equity here.
There’s More to the Story
Posted on April 18, 2023
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a library? Some people picture a big building full of books, magazines, maybe a few CDs and DVDs. Others recall visiting a library to get help with job hunting, researching a term paper or perusing college catalogs and travel guides.
Many think fondly of their library as the place that hosts story times for kids, and maybe a magician, puppet show or gardening class. Some know that the library hosts musical performances, emergency preparedness workshops, tax filing assistance, computer literacy classes, chess and yoga clubs, teen poetry slams and art shows.
They are all correct! A modern library is much more than a place to check out books, a quiet spot to read, or a place to gather. The branches and collections of the Sonoma County Library function as community hubs, providing free access to a world of knowledge, in person and online.
National Library Week, held this year from April 23-29, is an opportunity to celebrate an audacious and remarkable idea – that information and knowledge should be accessible to anyone, anytime, absolutely free.
The theme of National Library Week is “There’s More to the Story” and evidence of that theme is everywhere in your local libraries. From technology lending, to job skills workshops for teens, to activities that celebrate our diversity and creativity, we meet you where you need us.
Want to learn how to work that tablet your grandkids got you for your birthday? Come to the library and take part in a Tech Help session. Want to check out a toolbox with materials and instructions that help you weatherize your home? Come to the library and ask for a DIY Toolkit. Need high speed internet access for a school project? Come to the library and check out a WiFi hotspot.
We’re online for you as well, 24/7. Your library card unlocks software training, world language lessons, access to the mighty Britannica, streaming films and documentaries, family history databases, even Consumer Reports, the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times – all free with a Sonoma County Library card.
Libraries are for everyone. We welcome and celebrate you, regardless of your ethnicity, age, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious belief. In a time when there are attempts to suppress access to books featuring LGBTQIA+/BIPOC characters, your library will continue to amplify diverse voices and speak out for the right to read.
Celebrate National Library Week with your library! Join the Sonoma County Library for events that inspire and delight; from story times to book clubs, from audiobooks to streaming video, there’s something for everyone. This National Library Week, show your support for your free public libraries by visiting us in person or online, and be sure to follow us on social media to stay up to date on events and more. Share your story with the hashtags #NationalLibraryWeek and #SonomaCountyLibrary.
Erika Thibault is the Library Director of the Sonoma County Library
Semana de Conocimiento Financiero del 15 - 21 de abril
Posted on April 13, 2023
¿Quieres crear un presupuesto familiar pero no sabes por dónde empezar? ¿Tienes curiosidad por saber cómo planificar tu jubilación? ¡La Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma te puede ayudar!
La Semana de Conocimiento Financiero es un programa nacional de educación pública que empodera a las personas con el conocimiento y las habilidades para tomar decisiones financieras personales informadas. ¡Echa un vistazo a estos eventos gratuitos de conocimiento financiero a continuación!
Eventos de Conocimiento Financiero
¡Educación financiera para niños! Utiliza materiales decorativos para diseñar tu propio banco de dinero para llevar a casa. Todos los materiales proporcionados. Recomendado para los grados K-6. Únete a nosotros en dos ubicaciones de la biblioteca: Sonoma Valley y Rohnert Park-Cotati.
Manejando la finanzas: Guía de finanzas para tutores legales. Nunca es demasiado pronto para poner en marcha los planes financieros. Únase a nosotros para aprender a manejar las finanzas de otra persona, prepararse para los costos futuros de atención y los beneficios de la planificación temprana. Disponible en línea, o también puede asistir a una proyección en vivo en dos ubicaciones de la biblioteca: Petaluma y Rohnert Park-Cotati.
Programas virtuales de la Reserva Federal
Todos los días del 15 al 20 de abril, de 11:00 a 11:20 am:
- lunes 17 de abril - Presupuesto familiar
- martes 18 de abril - Instituciones Financieras *en español con subtítulos en inglés
- miércoles 19 de abril - Asistencia de la deuda
- jueves 20 de abril - Planes de jubilación del empleador
Money Smart Week is April 15-21
Posted on April 13, 2023
Want to create a family budget but don't know where to begin? Curious how to plan for retirement? Sonoma County Library has got you covered!
Money Smart Week is a national public education program that empowers people with the knowledge and skills to make better-informed personal financial decisions. Check out these free money-smart events below!
Money Smart Events
Money Smart Kids! Use decorative materials to design your own money bank to take home. All materials provided. Recommended for grades K-6. Join us at two library locations: Sonoma Valley and Rohnert Park-Cotati.
Managing Money: A Caregiver's Guide to Finances. It's never too early to put financial plans in place. Join us to learn tips for managing someone else's finances, how to prepare for future care costs, and the benefits of early planning.
Available online, or attend a live screening at two library locations: Petaluma and Rohnert Park-Cotati.
Virtual Programs from the Federal Reserve
Every day from April 15-20, 11:00 - 11:20 am:
- Monday, April 17 - Family Budgeting
- Tuesday, April 18 - Instituciones Financieras (Financial Institutions) *in Spanish with English captions
- Wednesday, April 19 - Debt Relief
- Thursday, April 20 - Employer Retirement Plans
