Library News

Money Smart Week 2019

March 30th-April 6th, 2019 is Money Smart Week!

Posted on March 29, 2019

Sonoma County Library is happy to share Money Smart Week!

Money Smart Week is a national initiative through the American Library Association and the Federal Reserve Bank, we’re celebrating by offering financial literacy programming for adults and for youth.

Youth Programs

The Library will be offering a number fun and engaging of events for children and teens, to help support their understanding of money and finances:

Money Smart Kids Storytime (with wooden bank activity) (ages 3-6)

Children are invited to come to this special family storytime to learn how to become “money smart” while having fun with stories, activities and a craft.

Central Thu. Mar. 28, 11:00 am
Rohnert Park Sat. Mar. 30, 10:30 am
Healdsburg Tue. Apr. 2, 10:30 am

Money Smart Kids: Sammy’s Big Dream Storytime! (ages 3-6)

In this special storytime kids will learn how to make savings a habit with Sammy the Rabbit. Together we'll read Sammy's Big Dream! and participate in a coloring activity featuring Sammy's tips for saving money.

Guerneville Tue. Apr. 2, 11:00 am
Roseland Tue. Apr. 2, 11:30 am
Sonoma Thu. Apr. 4, 11:30 am

Sammy the Rabbit Singalong and Storytime! (All Ages)

Join us for an interactive reading of Sammy's Big Dream! with the author, a sing along, and coloring activity. Sammy teaches children the importance of forming good money habits at an early age to become self-sufficient. Ask Sammy for his autograph and take your picture with him too!

Petaluma Sat. Mar. 30, 2pm-4pm

Middle Earth Money Smart

Plan and budget a journey from Hobbiton to the Lonely Mountain as one of the characters from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, and earn a 3D-printed middle earth coin.

Sebastopol Sat. Mar. 30-Sat. Apr. 6, Drop in all day

Bite of Reality: Financial Awareness for Teens (grades 7-12)

Join us for a fun interactive personal finance simulation! Participants will be assigned an identity—occupation, salary, spouse, children, etc.—and they must then use the details of their identity to make financial ends meet while "purchasing" basic life needs like housing, transportation, groceries and dining. Presented by professionals from Redwood Credit Union.

Healdsburg Wed. Apr. 10, 4:00 pm
Rohnert Park Fri. Apr. 26, 4:00 pm

Adult Events

The Library will be also be offering a number educational events for adults:

Frauds, Scams, and Other Types of Elder Abuse

Often, financial exploitation or falling for scams is the starting point for other types of elder abuse. This presentation discusses signs to watch out for with our neighbors and loved ones, as well as common frauds and scams that increasingly target older adults. Presented by Donata Mikulik, Elder Justice Coordinator with the local non-profit Senior Advocacy Services.

Healdsburg Mon. Apr. 1, 11:00 am
Rincon Valley Tue. Apr. 2, 11:00 am
Sonoma Valley Wed. Apr. 3, 11:00 am
Cloverdale Fri. Apr. 5, 11:00 am

6 Keys to Financial Success

Personal finance doesn’t have to be super sophisticated--learn how to take control of your money through these six keys to financial success with California Society of CPAs. Presenter David Lo will share tips to improve your financial literacy and ability to save. This free program is a great way to put your on the path to financial independence!

Central Library Wed. Apr. 3, 7:00 pm

Shred Day

Shredding unneeded documents may prevent identity theft, and we can help! Join us at one of our Community Shred Days for fast, free and confidential shredding.

Rincon Valley Sat. Apr. 6, 10:00 am -1:00 pm
Rohnert Park Sat. Apr. 6, 10:00 am -1:00 pm

California Author Project

California Author Project

Posted on March 26, 2019

Sonoma County Library is participating in a local author contest that will accept submissions of adult and young adult fiction, to be recognized as the top independently-published eBooks in California. Winners will be chosen by librarians.

Winners in each category will receive $500 as well as:

Inclusion in Indie California, a digital collection of local authors on BiblioBoard Library
Honors at the 2020 Public Library Association Conference in Nashville, TN
Opportunities to promote the winning title at California public libraries
Inclusion in a full page spread in Library Journal, one of America’s oldest and most renowned trade publications for library news

This contest is a fantastic prospect to elevate the careers of indie-published authors. Winning authors will reach hundreds if not thousands of new readers via the library, and can also leverage being an award-winning indie author for additional marketing opportunities.

Each book that is submitted to the contest must be:

Independently-published
In the category of adult or young adult fiction
Written by a California resident
Available in either PDF or ePUB format

The contest will accept submissions April 1, 2019 through May 31, 2019. Authors can submit here.

Spanish eBooks and eAudiobooks Moving to Overdrive

Posted on March 20, 2019

El mensaje en español sigue abajo.

The Sonoma County Library is adding Spanish language eBook and eAudiobook titles to our OverDrive platform and its app Libby. OverDrive has a comprehensive catalog for Spanish language books, similar to Odilo. An Español room will be created in OverDrive in early April to house all Spanish language materials in one place for easy access.

Having our Spanish language books on Overdrive (a platform where we have 40,000 registered users) helps us reach more people interested in our Spanish language collections. When this transition is complete in early April, we will discontinue the Odilo platform.

We are working with OverDrive to move the approximately 1,000 titles owned on Odilo to the OverDrive platform by April 20. Holds lists will be transferred when Odilo retires. For information about how to get started with OverDrive and Libby visit the Getting Started with OverDrive page.

The timeline:

March 2019 – We will start buying all new Spanish eBooks and eAudiobooks for Children, Teens and Adults in OverDrive.

April 8 – Launch of the Español room in OverDrive and Libby, check out the new space!

April 10 – Odilo retires and holds on file will be moved to OverDrive and Libby.

*Please complete reading or listening to titles in Odilo by April 9; your checkouts will not automatically transfer to OverDrive.

April 22-23 – All Odilo titles appear in OverDrive.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local branch or submit your questions online at Contact Us: We Want to Help

La Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma esta añadiendo libros electrónicos y audio libros en español a nuestra plataforma OverDrive y a su app Libby. OverDrive tiene un catálogo muy completo de libros en español, similar al de Odilo. A principios de abril, se va a crear una sala de español en OverDrive, para tener todos los materiales en idioma español en un solo lugar, donde sea fácil accederlos.

Tener nuestros libros en español en Overdrive (una plataforma que tiene 40,000 usuarios registrados) nos ayuda a llegar a más gente que esté interesada en nuestras colecciones en ese idioma. Cuando esta transición esté terminada, a principios de abril, vamos a dejar de usar la plataforma Odilo.

Estamos trabajando con OverDrive para mover, para el 20 de abril, aproximadamente 1,000 títulos que tenemos en Odilo a la plataforma de OverDrive. Las listas de reservas se van a transferir cuando Odilo sea retirado. Para mayor información sobre cómo usar OverDrive y Libby visite la página Getting Started with OverDrive.

El calendario:

Marzo 2019 – Vamos a empezar a comprar todos los nuevos libros electrónicos y audio libros en español, para niños, jóvenes y adultos en OverDrive.

8 de abril – Lanzamiento de la sala en español en OverDrive y en Libby, ¡Cheque este nuevo espacio!

10 de abril – Odilo esta retirado y las reservas que estén registrados se cambiarán a OverDrive y Libby.

*Por favor termine de leer o de escuchar los títulos en Odilo antes del 9 de abril; los títulos que haya sacado en préstamo no serán transferidos automáticamente a OverDrive.

22-23 de abril – Todos los títulos en Odilo ahora aparecen en OverDrive.

Si tiene cualquier duda o pregunta, por favor contacte a su sucursal local o mándenos sus preguntas en línea a Contact Us: We Want to Help

There are lots of fun activities for kids and teens at the Library over spring break weeks.

Spring Break at the Library 2019

Posted on March 15, 2019

Looking for something to do with kids over the weeks of Spring Break? The Sonoma County Library has a variety of activities scheduled for children, tweens and teens during spring school vacation weeks.

Beginning Friday, March 15 through Saturday, March 23, the Library will offer free programs ranging from storytimes and Read to a Dog events to silly Seuss shows, from gaming programs to Zumba for kids, STEM programs, paper airplanes, kids' yoga, crafts, makerspaces, and more!

All events are free.

For more information, check the library’s online calendar at http://events.sonomalibrary.org/events, or Ask A Librarian.

For All Ages

SILLY SEUSS SHOW (ages 4 & up)

Windsor Sat. Mar. 16, 10:30 am
Petaluma Sat. Mar. 16, 1:00 pm
Cloverdale Mon. Mar. 18, 11:00 am
Rohnert Park Thu. Mar. 21, 10:30 am
Sonoma Thu. Mar. 21, 4:00 pm
Guerneville Sat. Mar. 23, 11:00 am
Central Sat. Mar. 23, 3:00 pm

PAPER AIRPLANES!

Petaluma Fri. Mar. 22, 2:00 pm

ART TIME (ages 3-7)

Windsor Sat. Mar. 23, 10:30 am

ART WITH JENDALA (grades 3-6)

Healdsburg Fri. Mar. 15, 4:00 pm

Family Movie time

Central How to Train Your Dragon (PG) Fri. Mar. 15, 4:00 pm

BOARD GAMES ARE FOR EVERYBODY

Sebastopol Tue. Mar. 19, 3:30 pm-5:00 pm

Events For Grades K-6

MAKER STUDIO: LEGO ROBOTICS

Northwest Fri. Mar. 15, 4:00 pm-5:30 pm
Rincon Valley Mon. Mar. 18, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm

BAY AREA DISCOVERY MUSEUM’S TRY IT TRUCK (grades K-5)

Rincon Valley Sat. Mar. 16, 11:00 am-1:00 pm

CREATING COMICS w/ BRIAN KOLM (grades 4-6)

Rincon Sat. Mar. 16, 2:00 pm-3:30 pm

LEARN HOW TO DO MAGIC TRICKS! (ages 8-12)

Northwest Mon. Mar. 18, 11:00 am
Cloverdale Mon. Mar. 18, 4:00 pm
Rohnert Park Wed. Mar. 20, 4:00 pm
Petaluma Thu. Mar. 21, 3:00 pm
Windsor Fri. Mar. 22, 4:00 pm
Roseland Sat. Mar. 23, 12:00 pm

GET YOUR GAME ON w/ ROLLING VIDEO GAMES! (ages 7 & up)

Central Fri. Mar. 22, 3:00 pm-5:00 pm

WRITING CLUB FOR KIDS 9 & UP

Windsor Fri. Mar. 15, 4:00 pm
Healdsburg Mon. Mar. 18, 4:00 pm
Rincon Valley Thu. Mar. 21, 4:00 pm
Sebastopol Fri. Mar. 22, 3:30 pm

Zumba for Kids 5 & up

Cloverdale Fri. Mar. 15, 1:30 pm
Windsor Thu. Mar. 21, 4:00 pm
Rohnert Park Fri. Mar. 22, 4:00 pm
Central Sat. Mar. 23, 1:00 pm

Events For Teens

Teen Anime & Manga Club

Rincon Valley, Tue. Mar. 19, 3:30 pm

TEEN BOOK CLUB

Cloverdale Library, Tue. Mar. 27, 3:30 pm

Game On! Board Games

Cloverdale Library, Wed. Mar. 20, 2:30 pm

Magic the Gathering CLUB

Central Library, Wed. Mar. 20, 4:00 pm

YOUTH CHESS CLUB

Rincon Valley Library, Wed. Mar. 20, 3:30 pm

Dungeons & Dragons

Sebastopol Library, Thu. Mar. 21, 3:00 pm

Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament

Cloverdale Library, Sat. Mar. 23, 1:00-5:30 pm

Women's History Month 2019

Posted on February 20, 2019

March is Women’s History Month, celebrate at your local Sonoma County Library!

Established in Sonoma County in 1978, President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation declaring the first week of March National Women’s History Week in 1980 and in 1987 Congress officially declared March Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month celebrates the contributions of women and brings awareness to the historical impact women have made throughout the world.

The Sonoma County Library is offering a number of events throughout the county to celebrate women. These events include:

Jose-Luis Orozco in Concert at Three Libraries

Posted on February 19, 2019

José-Luis Orozco is an acknowledged expert in children's music and a wonderful interactive performer. We are excited to welcome him to Sonoma County Library! Please tell your friends about this free concert for children, and check out one of his music CDs from the library after the show.

Roseland Library               Thursday, March 7 at 10:00 am
Windsor Library                 Thursday, March 7 at 4:00 pm
Sonoma Valley Library     Friday, March 8 at 10:30 am

------------

José-Luis Orozco es un experto reconocido en la música infantil y un intérprete interactivo maravilloso. ¡Estamos muy contentos de darle la bienvenida a la Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma! Por favor, cuéntele a sus amigos sobre este concierto gratis para niños, y saque uno de sus CD de música de la biblioteca después del espectáculo.

Biblioteca de Roseland    jueves, 7 de marzo a las 10:00 am
Biblioteca de Windsor      jueves, 7 de marzo a las 4:00 pm
Biblioteca de Sonoma      viernes, 8 de marzo a las 10:30 am

Improving your electronic book experience: Moving from Axis 360 to OverDrive

Posted on February 15, 2019

Update: We are happy to inform you that the Axis 360 holds were successfully transferred from Axis 360 to Overdrive. Please note that a snapshot of the holds lists was taken on the 25^th of February and that is the point from which the lists were rebuilt. This means there may be items on hold for you that you have already had access to. If you have already listened to or read materials you had requested on Axis please cancel your current hold in OverDrive so the next person waiting in line can access the material. Thank you very much for your support and patience during this transfer process.

El mensaje en español sigue abajo.

Dear Library Patron,

We are constantly working to enhance your digital experience, and we are improving our system for how you read, listen to, check out and reserve eBook and eAudiobook titles. The library is moving eBooks and eAudiobooks from the Axis 360 platform to our OverDrive website and Libby app. This change will go into effect on Monday, March 4, 2019.

Why make a change?

After receiving complaints and concerns about Axis 360, we studied both platforms and concluded that OverDrive is simply a better platform for our patrons. It’s faster, easier and offers more titles!

OverDrive (and its app, Libby) is easy to use and is very reliable.
Having eBooks and eAudiobooks in one place makes it easier to find what you want.
We are doubling your checkouts, from six to 12.
We are doubling your holds, from five to 10.
You will be able to listen to MP3s on OverDrive.

Your holds will transfer

If you have holds on Axis 360, they will be moved to OverDrive, we will make an announcement on our website when this process is complete.

Please note: Any wish lists you have in Axis 360 will not move to OverDrive. The same titles will be on Overdrive, so you can add them to your wish list there after the move is complete.

Do I need to do anything?

No. Try exploring the OverDrive website and downloading the Libby app if you haven't used them before. Here is the OverDrive “Getting Started Guide,” including device specific instructions.

Please Note: Your current checkouts in Axis 360 will not move to OverDrive. We highly encourage you to finish reading or listening to your current checkouts prior to March 4th.

The timeline

February 19^:No new holds can be placed in Axis 360. Look for new titles and always available eAudiobook titles in OverDrive or Libby!
February 25: No new checkouts in Axis 360. No worries, try OverDrive or Libby!
March 4: Axis 360 no longer available; eBooks and eAudiobooks that are moving to OverDrive will be unavailable for up to 24 hours until the move is complete.
March 5: all eBooks and eAudiobooks formerly on Axis 360 will be available on OverDrive.
March 5: Transferring of holds from Axis 360 to Overdrive starts. When the transition is complete email notices will be sent to Axis 360 users with current email addresses on their Axis account. Please check before Feb 25 to make sure your email is correct so we can keep you informed. You can also check out library news on our home page for updates.

We will let you know when the move is complete and the holds lists have been recreated. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local branch or submit your questions online.

Questions can be submitted online for:

Sonoma County Library patrons at Contact Us: We Want to Help

Mendocino County Library patrons at: Ask a Librarian

Lake County Library patrons at: Ask a Question

¿Cómo mejorar su experiencia con los libros electrónicos? Estamos cambiando de Axis 360 a OverDrive

Estimado Usuario de la Biblioteca,

Estamos trabajando constantemente para mejorar su experiencia digital, y estamos actualizando nuestro sistema que se utiliza para leer, escuchar, sacar en préstamo y reservar los títulos de libros y de audiolibros electrónicos. La biblioteca está cambiando sus libros electrónicos y audiolibros de la plataforma Axis 360 a nuestra página OverDrive y a la Libby app. Este cambio entrará en efecto el lunes 4 de marzo de 2019.

¿Por qué hacemos este cambio?

Después de recibir varias quejas y comentarios acerca de Axis 360, analizamos ambas plataformas y llegamos a la conclusión de que OverDrive es simplemente una mejor plataforma para nuestros usuarios. ¡Es más rápida, más fácil y ofrece más títulos!

OverDrive (y su app, Libby) son fáciles de usar y muy confiables.
Al tener los libros y audiolibros electrónicos en un solo lugar se hace más fácil encontrar lo que busca.
Estamos duplicando sus préstamos posibles, de 6 a 12.
Estamos duplicando sus reservas, de cinco a 10.
Usted podrá escuchar MP3s en OverDrive.

Sus reservas se van a transferir

Si usted tiene artículos reservados en Axis 360, se conservarán en OverDrive, le daremos una notificación en nuestra página de internet cuando este proceso sea terminado.

Por favor tome en cuenta que: Cualquier lista de deseos que tenga en Axis 360 no será transferida a OverDrive. Los mismos títulos estarán en OverDrive, asi que los puede añadir a su nueva lista de deseos, después de que el cambio se haya concluido.

¿Tengo que hacer algo?

No. Intente explorar la página OverDrive y bajar la Libby app si es que no las ha usado antes. Aquí está la “Guía para Principiantes” de OverDrive, que incluye las instrucciones específicas para cada tipo de aparato.

Por favor considere que: Sus préstamos actuales en Axis 360 no se cambiarán a OverDrive. Le invitamos a que termine de leer o de escuchar sus préstamos actuales antes del 4 de marzo.

El calendario para el cambio es como sigue:

19 de febrero^:No se pueden reservar artículos en Axis 360. ¡Busque los nuevos títulos y los títulos de audiolibros electrónicos que siempre se encuentran disponibles en OverDrive o en Libby!
25 de febrero: Ya no se pueden sacar préstamos en Axis 360. Pero no se preocupe, ¡utilice OverDrive o Libby!
4 de marzo: Axis 360 ya no estará disponible; los libros y audiolibros electrónicos que se pasan a OverDrive no estarán disponibles por un periodo de hasta 24 horas, hasta que el cambio sea terminado.
5 de marzo: todos los libros electrónicos y audiolibros electrónicos que antes se encontraban en Axis 360, estarán disponibles en OverDrive.
5 de marzo: Empieza la transferencia de reservas de Axis 360 a OverDrive. Cuando se termine esta transición, se les enviarán notificaciones por correo electrónico a los usuarios con direcciones de correo electrónico actualizadas en sus cuentas de Axis. Por favor asegúrese antes del 25 de febrero de que su correo electrónico es correcto, para que podamos mantenerlo informado. También puede revisar las noticias de la biblioteca en nuestra página de internet, para mantenerse actualizado.

Le avisaremos cuando este cambio esté terminado y las listas de reservas se hayan recreado. Si tiene preguntas o comentarios, por favor contacte a su sucursal local de la biblioteca o mande sus preguntas en línea.

Las preguntas se pueden mandar en línea a:

Usuarios de la Biblioteca del Condado de Sonoma en Contáctenos: Queremos Ayudarle

Usuarios de la Biblioteca del Condado de Mendocino en: Pregúntele a un Bibliotecario

Usuarios de la Biblioteca del Condado de Lake en: Haga una Pregunta

Celebrate the generations of African Americans who have influenced and enriched our nation and society during Black History Month.

Black History Month 2019

Posted on January 31, 2019

The Sonoma County Library is proud to celebrate Black History Month by offering a variety of events and curating displays and resources for residents of Sonoma County. Enjoy as we pay tribute by celebrating and learning about the generations of African Americans who have influenced and enriched our nation and society.

Since 1976, the month of February has been designated Black History Month, or National African American History Month, and is a time to recognize, celebrate, and honor the rich and diverse history of African Americans.

The month-long celebration includes programs and events for Children & Families, Teens, and Adults. The Library will feature the following:

"Who am I?" Challenge
Come test your knowledge and learn something new! Our Black History Month Challenge will be available the month of February in the Children's Room.

Central Library - Santa Rosa
Petaluma Regional Library
Rincon Valley Regional Library
Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library

African American Folktales with Kirk Waller
Join master storyteller Kirk Waller as he performs stories and songs that explore African and African American culture and history. For children ages 5 and up.

Sonoma Valley Library, Saturday, February 2 at 11:00 am
Rincon Valley Library, Saturday, February 2 at 2:00 pm
Cloverdale Regional Library, Friday, February 8 at 11:00 am
Guerneville Regional Library, Saturday February 9 at 11:00 am
Northwest Regional Library (Santa Rosa), Saturday February 9 at 2:00 pm
Sebastopol Regional Library, Saturday, February 23 at 11:00 am
Windsor Regional Library, Saturday February 23 at 4:00 pm

Black History Short Film Series for Kids
Join us for a film viewing and discussion to celebrate Black History Month. For ages 5 & up.

Rincon Valley Regional Library (Santa Rosa), Wednesday February 6 at 6:00 pm
Healdsburg Regional Library, Friday, February 28 at 4:00 pm
Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library, Wednesday, February 13 at 6:00 pm
Cloverdale Regional Library, Thursday, February 21 at 4:00 pm

Library Movie Matinee: Black Panther
Celebrate powerful black culture through a Marvel superhero movie!

Petaluma Regional Library, Saturday March 2 at 3:00 pm

Black History Month Film Series & Discussion: I Am Not Your Negro
View and discuss the film with Laura Ainsworth, Communication Studies Instructor at the Santa Rosa Junior College Communication Studies Department.

Guerneville Regional Library, Wednesday, February 13 at 7:00 pm
Central Santa Rosa Library, Saturday, February 16 at 2:00 pm
Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library, Wednesday, February 27 at 6:00 pm

Black History Month Film Series: I Am Not Your Negro
An up-to-the-minute examination of race in America, using James Baldwin's original words and flood of rich archival material.

Windsor Regional Library, Saturday, February 16 at 2:00 pm
Roseland Community Library, Wednesday, February 20 at 6:30 pm
Petaluma Regional Library, Monday, February 25 at 6 pm
Healdsburg Regional Library, Wednesday, February 27 at 6 pm

Understanding the Civil Rights Movement

Join us for an episode of Eyes on the Prize and a discussion led by Michael Ezra, Professor, American Multicultural Studies at Sonoma State University and Editor, Journal of Civil and Human Rights.

Rincon Valley Library, Wednesday, February 20 at 6 pm
Sonoma Valley Regional Library, February 27 at 6 pm

Click here to visit Sonoma County Library's event calendar

The events are free and open to all.

Mock Caldecott 2019 Results

Posted on January 25, 2019

The votes are in! Sonoma County has chosen the best 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 fourth 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 2018, 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.

Drum roll please . . . The Sonoma County's Mock Caldecott Winner is...

The Sequoia Lives On

by Joanna Cooke

ills. by Fiona Hsieh

Check back on Monday, Jan. 28 to see what books win the official contest!

The numbers were close, but the following titles are our three Honor Books for the year.

Julian is a Mermaid

By Jessica Love

Dreamers

by Yuyi Morales

Ocean Meets Sky

by The Fan Brothers

Children's Winter Reading Challenge launches January 15

Posted on January 15, 2019

In January and February 2019, Sonoma County Library will be joining other libraries around the world to participate in a Children's Winter Reading Challenge. To participate, Sonoma County Library children ages 0-12 are challenged to read at least 600 minutes between January 15-February 28 and track those minutes in Beanstack. Children who meet the goal of reading 600 minutes will earn a free book!

Children and parents are encouraged to log their reading through Sonoma County Library’s new online reading program Beanstack, a web and mobile application, to track self-directed reading time and help build a culture of reading in school and at home. The software makes it easier for students and families to record reading and stay motivated while providing insights and data about reading habits to school and library administrators. It can also suggest book titles readers might enjoy based on their interests and reading “doorways.”

“We’re excited to bring this new platform to Sonoma County, and families can easily register at sonomalibrary.beanstack.org or through the link on the library’s website homepage,” says Kathy DeWeese, Sonoma County Library’s Youth Services Administrator. “January is a great time to start new habits and we hope everyone will be excited to start off the year by making time for reading!”

To enroll, visit sonomalibrary.beanstack.org or your branch library. Paper logs for keeping track of your reading time are also available. To qualify for the challenge, reading times must be recorded on the Beanstack site by February 28, 2019.