MENLO PARK LIBRARY News and Events MAR/APR MAR/APR

2020 MENLO PARK LIBRARY news and events MAR/APR MAR/APR

pg8 pg10 pg13 SCIENCE NIGHT SEED LIBRARY FRANCISCO JIMÉNEZ Our 10th after-hours STEAM We introduce Seed Libraries at The lauded author visits Menlo Park celebration features hands-on both of our locations, plus a special to talk about living and writing a learning and fun exhibition and events to get you migrant’s life growing Young readers proudly display the new Little Free Library in their home garden. The library box was one of two dozen installed across Menlo Park in 2019 to encourage literacy, sharing, and community spirit. Learn more at menlolibrary.org/littlefreelibrary

MAIN LIBRARY 800 Alma Street, Menlo Park CA 94025 650-330-2500 QUOTE OF THE MONTH Monday, 10:00 am–9:00 pm Tuesday, Noon–9:00 pm ON THE ESSENTIAL QUALITY OF BOOKS Wednesday, 10:00 am–9:00 pm Thursday, 10:00 am–6:00 pm Friday, 10:00 am–6:00 pm Saturday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm Sunday, Noon–5:00 pm Closed Sunday, April 12, 2020 “If you have a garden and a library, you have Menlopark.org/library everything you need.”

BELLE HAVEN BRANCH —Cicero 413 Ivy Drive, Menlo Park CA 94025 650-330-2540 Monday, Noon–9:00 pm Tuesday, Noon–9:00 pm Wednesday, Noon–9:00 pm Thursday, 10:00 am–6:00 pm Friday, 10:00 am–6:00 pm Saturday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm Sunday, Noon–5:00 pm Closed Sunday, April 12, 2020 Menlopark.org/library

ONLINE IN-HOUSE SOCIAL MEDIA Manage your library account, download Our friendly staff are here to assist Connect with us on Instagram and e-books, stream videos, and more you 7 days a week. Books, Facebook: @menloparklibrary menlopark.org/library events, community Twitter: @menlolibrary

page 2 YOU CAN COUNT ON US. CAN WE COUNT (ON) YOU?

Come visit Menlo Par Lirary for more information on the US Census 2020.

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SPOTLIGHT ON: COMICS ART FEST

Staff Picks–Comic Arts During the month of March, the Menlo Park Library is teaming up with other libraries throughout San Mateo County to celebrate the importance of comics, both as an art form and as valid literature!

Check out the events right here in Menlo Park, and

Delicious in Dungeon by Ryoko Kui see the full March slate at www.comicartsfest.com “Dungeons & Dragons meets Bon Appetit. Read this if your dungeon crawl isn’t complete until you’ve vanquished and eaten your enemies.” —Sarah, Library Assistant

PLCAF SMALL PRESS COMICS-MAKING WORKSHOP COMICS EXPO Saturday, March 14 Saturday, March 7 1:00–2:00 pm 10:00 am–4:00 pm Menlo Park Main Library: Redwood City Downtown Library, Downstairs program room 1044 Middlefield Road Registration recommended: Ages 8-14 Meet dozens of comics creators, Cartoonist and art instructor Khalid and take advantage of illustration Birdsong, creator of the syndicated They Called Us Enemy by George Takei workshops, author talks, and book online comic strip “Little Fried “This novel set in WWII is told by George signings! View the list of artists at Chicken and Sushi,” will help polish Takei as a child in the Japanese Intern- www.comicartsfest.com. students’ comics-drawing skills ment camps. It is both heartbreaking in this fun class. Non-registered and powerful. I liked this book so much, COMIC ARTIST PANEL: attendees will be admitted at 1:05, I added it to the Teen Zone & booklist.” THE ROAD TO PUBLICATION space permitting. —Gina, Librarian Monday, March 9 6:30–8:00 pm FILM SCREENING: Menlo Park Main Library: SHE MAKES COMICS Downstairs program room Monday, March 30 A panel of artists, led by Nidhi 6:30–8:00 pm Chanani (author of “Pashima”), talk Menlo Park Main Library: about their paths to finding homes Downstairs program room for their art, whether in print or Women have been writing, drawing, online. Scheduled participants and reading comics since the include Ajuan Mance, Mai Nguyen, medium’s beginnings in the late 19th Meggie Ramm, and Josh Elder. century. Today, there are scores of women involved in comics and its Nimona by Noelle Stevenson “The story has a lot of hidden depth and vibrant fan culture. This documentary touches on some serious topics without presents interviews with some of the ever really losing its lighthearted tone.” most influential women in comics. —Nora, Librarian Rated PG-13.

page 4 Children & Families

SCIENCE NIGHT Thursday, March 19 6:30–8:30 pm Main Library: Great Hall (after-hours) Drop-in: Adults and children grades kindergarten and up. Our 10th Science Night features after-hours, hands-on fun and fascination, with a wealth of visitors including Marine Science Institute and Science Made Fun.

BANANA SLUG STRING BAND: DIRT MADE MY LUNCH Sunday, March 22 2:00–2:45 pm Belle Haven Branch Drop-in: Primary schoolers with their families MARCH STORYTELLER JOHN WEAVER: FANTASTICAL IRISH TALES Learn about earth science while singing along, during a lively, SILLY GOOSE AND VAL Tuesday, March 17 interactive concert of joyous music, Sunday, March 8 4:00–4:45 pm plus puppets, theater, and surprises. 2:00–3:00 pm Main Library: Belle Haven Branch Downstairs program room Drop-in: Ages 3+ with family Drop-in: Ages 5+ On tour from the East Coast! Enjoy Laugh as you meet the legendary a fast-paced, funny musical show characters Oona McCool and Eileen featuring puppets, ventriloquism, O’Rourke, as well as the husbands dancing, singing, and “100% they have to help out of some audience participation.” hilarious predicaments!

COMICS-MAKING WORKSHOP Saturday, March 14 1:00–2:00 pm Main Library: Downstairs program room Registration recommended: Ages 8-14 Cartoonist and teacher Khalid Birdsong, creator of the syndicated online comic strip “Little Fried Chicken and Sushi,” will help students polish their drawing skills in this fun class. Non-registered attendees will be admitted at 1:05, space permitting.

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APRIL INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO Thursday, April 16 MAGICAL NATHANIEL: 6:30–8:30 pm BY THE NUMBERS Main Library: Great Hall (after-hours) Sunday, April 5 Drop-in: Ages 10 and under, with family 2:00–3:00 pm Chamber Music by the Bay presents a Belle Haven Branch brief after-hours musical program with, Drop-in: Ages 8 and up followed by a chance for children to Be entertained and informed about get a feel for the instruments! the 2020 Census during this brand- new show! Nathaniel’s numerical GET GROWING miracles astound even the skeptics, Sunday, April 19 while emphasizing the importance 2:00–3:30 pm of the Census. Belle Haven Branch In this family gardening program, you’ll MAD SCIENCE FUN STATION: learn how to create a garden, keep it ANIMAL TRACKS healthy, and harvest the results. You’ll Tuesday, April 7 even get to plant a seed to take home 4:00–5:00 pm to start your own garden! Main Library: Downstairs Drop-in: Grades K-3 SPRING CRAFT WORKSHOP Explore the animal kingdom and Saturday, April 25 learn about the habitats, anatomy, 10:30 am–Noon and life cycles of your favorite Main Library: creatures! Make your own animal Downstairs Program Room foot print to take home. Drop in: All ages (over 17 must be accompanied by a child) Celebrate spring with a garden- themed craft morning. Create Café will bring several fun projects for you to decorate your home for spring.

page 6 HOW TO REGISTER ONLINE

1. Choose the storytime that matches your child’s age Online Registration Begins (Registration open until session full): March sessions: Su, 2/16 at noon April sessions: Su, 3/22 at noon May sessions: Su, 4/19 at noon 2. Register online at menlopark.org/Storytimes

Storytime

Storytime promotes the joy of reading, and helps to develop early literacy skills. Please model participation for your child! We offer storytimes in month-long, by-registration sessions. For those looking for a walk-in session, our “Family Storytime” and “Just for Everybody” sessions are designed to accommodate mixed ages and are available without registration.

JUST FOR BABIES JUST FOR PRESCHOOL By registration: Ages 0–12 months By registration: Ages 3–5 years Celebrate the special bond between A mixed-age group, with a fun mix of you and your baby! This program material! Adults will participate along STORYTIMES–MAIN LIBRARY offers finger plays, puppets, bouncing, with the children in stories, games and books, all to encourage brain and and activities aimed at strengthening M 10:15 am Just for Ones* language development vocabulary, socialization and other 11:15 am Just for Twos** preschool skills. T 7:00 pm Family Storytime JUST FOR ONES By registration: Ages 12–24 months JUST FOR EVERYBODY W 10:15 am Just for Ones and Twos* This program is focused on language Drop-in: All ages 11:15 am Just for Ones* development and socialization through This program is focused on language TH 10:15 am Just for Everybody singing, stories, and interaction. development and socialization 11:15 am Just for Preschool through singing, rhymes and finger JUST FOR TWOS play. Fun for kids and their grown-ups F 10:15 am Just for Babies By registration: Ages 24–36 months in the Great Hall at Main Library! * Please register for only one morning Older tots enjoy simple books, storytime. Drop-in storytimes are rhyming games and songs that build FAMILY STORYTIME open to all. the foundation for literacy. We will Drop-in: All ages play while we learn! We choose books and songs to span STORYTIME–BELLE HAVEN the age differences and engage the BRANCH LIBRARY JUST FOR ONES AND TWOS children on multiple levels. Fun for F 10:15 am Family Storytime By registration: Ages 12–36 months kids and their grown-ups in a small- Older tots enjoy simple books, group setting. rhyming games and songs that build the foundation for literacy. We will play while we learn! View our events online at menlopark.org/library

page 7 Special Programs

Volunteer With Us Belle Haven Homework Center

Make a difference in your Need help with your homework? community by becoming a Come to the Homework Center at the Belle Haven Branch Library! Menlo Park Library volunteer. We’re offering free after-school homework help for students HOMEWORK CENTER . Offer afterschool homework in grades K-12 help, including reading, writing, math, and science, for students DROP-IN HOURS in grades K-12 at the Belle Monday, 3:15–5:15 pm Haven Branch Library. Tuesday, 3:15–5:15 pm Requirements Wednesday, 1:15–5:15 pm • Ages: 14+ Thursday, 3:15–5:15 pm • Commitment: Tutor for 2-3 hours a weeks for a minimum of six months. To apply: [email protected] PROJECT READ Prefer working with adults? Help an adult English language learner achieve their goals and improve their reading, writing, and speaking skills. Requirements • Ages: 18+ • Commitment: Tutor for 2-3 hours a weeks for a minimum of six months. To apply: [email protected]

Science Night X Thursday, March 19 | 6:30–8:30 pm | Main Library Our tenth Science Night is coming! Join us after-hours for fun and fascination, with exhibits and hands-on activities, make-and-take projects, and experiments aimed at elementary school-aged children, all the way up to adults. Presenters include: • Marine Science Institute • San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory • Science Made Fun • Space Cookies VEX Team 1868

page 8 Teens

TEEN HENNA TEEN GAMING Wednesday, March 11 Friday, March 20 3:30–5:00 pm Friday, April 17 Main Library: Downstairs 3:00–5:00 pm Friday, March 13 Main Library: Teen Zone 4:00–5:30 pm Grades 4-12 Belle Haven Branch: Teen Zone Hang out with your friends and Registration Required: Grades 4-12 play the Nintendo Switch in our Every teen will learn about new Teen Zone! We’ll have monthly traditional mehndi art, and receive video gaming tournaments to test a professional henna style from your skills against your friends. our Bay Area henna artist Rachel Anne Palacios. Express yourself TEEN MOVIE & PIZZA with henna! Tuesday, March 31 3:30–5:30 pm DUNGEONS & DRAGONS CLUB Main Library: Teen Zone Saturday, March 14 Registration Required: Grades 4-12 Saturday, April 11 Staying in for Spring Break? Watch 1:00–3:30 pm a teen movie and have some pizza Main Library: Lab B in our Teen Zone! TEEN ADVISORY GROUP (T.A.G.) Grades 6-12 Help create, plan, and implement teen TEEN PLANT TERRARIUM Monthly club for beginners of programs, advise the teen librarian in Dungeons & Dragons. Join us Saturday, April 4 collection development, write book at Ravnica University, and come 3:00–4:30 pm reviews, and promote the library. prepared for cityscapes, dungeons, Main Library: Downstairs Requirements potentially dragons, lots of dice Friday, April 10 and a great afternoon! 3:30–5:00 pm • Ages: 12–18 Belle Haven Branch: Teen Zone • Commitment: Attend a monthly Registration Required: Grades 4-12 meeting for a minimum of one year Create a mini succulent plant terrar- To apply: ium! Space is limited for this craft by Gina Feil: [email protected] teaching artist Christie Inocencio. 650-330-2517

page 9 This March-April, stop by the Main Library to enjoy our temporary exhibition, Seeds: Nature’s Artful Engineering.

As we introduce Seed Libraries at each of our library locations, this special installation vividly portrays the incredible diversity, ingenuity and beauty of seed dispersal mechanism of plants native to California. Seeds and their dispersal mechanisms are one of the final stages in the evolutionary biology of flowering plants.

page 10 MEET THE SEED LIBRARY GLORIOUS BLOOMS AROUND GET GROWING Wednesday, March 4 THE WORLD Sunday, April 19 7:00–8:30 pm Monday, March 23 2:00–3:30 pm Main Library: Fireside 6:30–7:30 pm Belle Haven Branch The Menlo Park Library presents Main Library: Fireside In this family gardening program, its brand-new Seed Library! We’ll Wildlife photographer Joan Sparks you’ll learn how to create a garden, answer your questions about how takes us along on her adventure keep it healthy, and harvest the to “check out” seeds, best tips for photographing 89 species of results. You’ll even get to plant a growing, and more. extraordinary blooms. She’ll share seed to take home to start your information about the flowers, and own garden! GARDENING, SIMPLIFIED maps of their locations. Saturday, March 21 SPRING CRAFT WORKSHOP 1:00–2:30 pm GROWING GREAT TOMATOES Saturday, April 25 Belle Haven Branch Wednesday, April 1 10:30 am–Noon Get acquainted with the Belle 7:00–8:30 pm Main Library: Downstairs Haven Branch’s new seed library, Main Library: Fireside program room and also learn some great tips Would you like to grow your own Drop in: All ages (over 17 must on how to start and maintain a tomatoes—or have more success be accompanied by a child) garden, whether in the ground with the ones you are already Celebrate spring with a or in pots. Plant your own starter growing? Come and learn how to garden-themed craft morning. plant to take home! start and care for tomato plants Create Café will bring several fun to get the best harvest. projects for you to decorate your BANANA SLUG STRING BAND: home for spring. DIRT MADE MY LUNCH JOAN MORRIS: GARDENING Sunday, March 22 WITH WILDLIFE 2:00–2:45 pm Tuesday, April 14 Belle Haven Branch 6:30–7:30 pm Drop-in: Primary schoolers Main Library: Fireside with their families Are deer munching your roses, Learn about earth science while squirrels hiding nuts in your pots, singing along, during a lively, and raccoons tearing up your lawn? interactive concert of joyous Bay Area News Group Pets and music, plus puppets, theater, Wildlife columnist Joan Morris will and surprises. tell you how to combat them without using lethal methods.

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Spotlight On MARCH LITERATURE BOOK GROUP: TO THE LIGHTHOUSE All events located in Main Library SPINNERS MEET Tuesday, March 10 unless noted. Sunday, March 1 7:15–8:30 pm ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLUB 12:30–3:30 pm Main Library: Learning Lab Main Library: Fireside Wednesdays Virginia Woolf’s 1927 work is said to 5:00–6:00 pm Meet up with hand spinning enthusiasts be “a novel to the last degree severe to spin and share techniques and and uncompromising…beyond being New Session! Thursdays ideas on creating your own beautiful about the very nature of reality, it is 11:00 am–Noon unique yarns. All skill levels welcome. itself a vision of reality.” Want to improve your English? Bring your spindles, spinning wheels Come practice with people from or e-spinners! MYSTERY READERS GROUP all over the world! MEDIEVAL MYSTERIES FILM DISCUSSION GROUP CIRCA 1066–1485 PROJECT READ Monday, March 2 Wednesday, March 18 Improve your English reading, writ- 6:30–7:45 pm 7:00–9:00 pm ing and speaking skills by working Main Library: Learning Lab Main Library: Learning Lab one-on-one with a volunteer tutor. Join other film fans and discuss a movie In the medieval world, there were To apply: that played at the Aquarius Theatre few local law forces. The sleuths in [email protected] the previous weekend. these mysteries tend to be medical FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY practitioners, the clergy, or someone WOMEN WHO IDENTIFY, RECRUIT SPRING BOOK SALE assigned by the local ruler. AND ELECT Saturday, March 7 Monday, March 2 SCI-FI/FANTASY BOOK GROUP: 10:00 am–2:00 pm 7:00–8:00 pm ARTEMIS Sunday, March 8 Main Library: Fireside Monday, March 23 Noon–2:00 Women’s Rights and Civil Rights 7:15–8:30 pm Save on great books, DVDs, & more, Main Library: Learning Lab while supporting library programs. activist Carolyn Mayer Marshall is the founder of WIRE, a non-partisan or- From Andy Weir, author of The READ PLAY LEARN ganization started to help women get Martian: Jazz has been smuggling elected or appointed to office in Santa contraband to the lunar city of Saturday, March 14 Clara and San Mateo Counties. Artemis for years, but when a job Saturday, April 11 goes wrong she becomes embroiled 11:00 am–Noon ADULT BOARD GAME MEETUP in a dangerous conspiracy. Belle Haven Branch Sunday, March 8 English language learners are 12:30–3:30 pm KNITTING MEETUP invited to a monthly storytime for Main Library: Main floor, past the Wednesday, March 25 the whole family. Learn ways to get Learning Lab 7:00–9:00 pm your children ready to read and to Main Library: Fireside express their creativity. Enjoy this opportunity to socialize and perhaps try out a game you’ve never Get together with other adults for LIBRARY COMMISSION seen before. Try out the selection of yarn arts & laughs! All are welcome, games provided, or bring your own novice or pro. Monday, March 16 to share! 6:30–8:30 pm Belle Haven Branch Monday, April 20 6:30–8:30 pm Check online calendar for location Meetings are open to the public. Your comments are welcomed. page 12 LAUGHTER YOGA ADULT BOARD GAME MEETUP SPINNERS MEET Thursday, March 26 Sunday, April 5 Sunday, April 5 2:00–3:00 pm 12:30–3:30 pm 12:30–3:30 pm Main Library: Downstairs Main Library: Main floor, past Main Library: Learning Lab program room the learning labs Meet up with hand spinning enthusiasts Laughter is the best medicine! Laughter Enjoy this opportunity to socialize to spin and share techniques and Yoga combines the healing benefits and perhaps try out a game you’ve ideas on creating your own beautiful of yoga and laughter, and may even never seen before. Try out the unique yarns. All skill levels welcome. help participants alleviate stress and selection of games provided, or Bring your spindles, spinning wheels depression. No special clothing or bring your own to share! or e-spinners! equipment needed.

APRIL

ART THAT COUNTS Wednesday, April 1 6:30–8:00 pm Main Library: Downstairs HOLIDAY CLOSURES Advance Registration Required Both the Main Library and Adults, sign up to be counted! Belle Haven Branch will be Mark Census Day by creating art closed on Sunday, April 12. to celebrate your heritage. Art facilitator Christie Inocencio will bring all the supplies you need FOR MORE INFORMATION to create on canvas, in collage, • menlopark.org/adults and other methods. • facebook.com/ menloparklibrary • 650-330-2501

Francisco Jiménez: Living and Writing a Migrant’s Life Thursday, April 2 6:30–8:00 pm Main Library: Great Hall (after-hours) The internationally-acclaimed author’s four-book series— The Circuit, Breaking Through, Reaching Out, Taking Hold– has been included in the American Library Association Booklist’s 50 Best Young Adult Books of All Time. Dr. Jiménez, who emigrated with his family from Tlaquepaque, Mexico to California and as a child worked alongside his parents in the fields of California, will talk about his life and career.

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FILM DISCUSSION GROUP LITERATURE BOOK GROUP: SCI-FI/FANTASY BOOK GROUP: Monday, April 6 TRANSIT THE COLOR OF MAGIC 6:30–7:45 pm Tuesday, April 14 Monday, April 27 Main Library: Learning Lab 7:15–8:30 pm 7:15–8:30 pm Main Library: Learning Lab Join other film fans and discuss a Main Library: Learning Lab movie that played at the Aquarius The second novel in Rachel Cusk’s The first novel in Terry Pratchett’s Theatre the previous weekend. trilogy that began with Outline, one extensive Discworld series. The tour- of The New York Times Book Review’s ist Twoflower and his wizard guide, FILM AND DISCUSSION: ten best books of 2015. In the wake Rincewind, stumble through a series CALIFORNIA’S FORGOTTEN of family collapse, a writer and her of Death-defying adventures. CHILDREN two young sons move to London. “SO, WHAT ARE YOU?” Wednesday, April 8 6:00–8:00 pm MYSTERY READERS GROUP Wednesday, April 29 Main Library: Downstairs event room THE AMERICAN WEST 7:00–8:00 pm Main Library: Fireside This award-winning documentary Wednesday, April 15 recounts true stories of girls and 7:00–9:00 pm On the eve of the 40th anniversary boys who were commercially sexually Main Library: Learning Lab of the Fall of Saigon, Judi Le shares exploited in California and are now When the sleuth is a Fish & Game her story: her family fled Vietnam, survivors and courageous leaders Warden, things can get wild! Join landing in an Arkansas refugee camp, fighting for the rights of victims world- us as we discuss mysteries set in our then settling in Katy, Texas. In a wide. Following the film, there will be national parks, and wherever else the moving and hilarious performance, a discussion with members of the Bay western meets crime fiction. Le recounts her struggles as a young Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition. girl straddling two cultures. KNITTING MEETUP Wednesday, April 22 7:00–9:00 pm Main Library: Fireside Get together with other adults for yarn arts & laughs! All are welcome, novice or pro.

NOVELIST Trying to find your next great read? The library catalog now has integrated book recommendations from Novelist. When you search the catalog you’ll see Novelist recommendations for other books you might enjoy. Need something compelling to keep you reading until your hold comes in? Click on the “While You Wait” link to find great titles that are available today.

page 14 TEAR HERE TEAR HERE TEAR HERE

PLACE FIRST See you at the CLASS STAMP library! HERE

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Show this postcard at a library event in March or April for a chance to win a prize. From:

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