An "Official" Little Free Library

So, the other day I was looking at the Official Website of the Little Free Library (to see where the closest one to Zürich is), and I noticed that the only "official" one in the 91711 is in way north Claremont - on La Junta. Of course, I had to go by and check it out. This is a pretty big outfit with the regular little house, a bench behind it with children's books, and a table next to it with "beach reading" books. It's a little out of the way, but if you are like me, you need to check it out. You can read about other book sharing free libraries here.

Library Exhibit Follow-Up

I just found out that the exhibit about the history of the Claremont Public Library is now online, so if you missed it, you can read about it here. 

Claremont Library - 100 Years Old

I did not make it to the Opening Party for the Library's Centennial last Saturday, but I wanted to see the historical exhibit about the library's past 100 years. My postcard from the Friends of the Claremont Library altered me to the fact that this exhibit is very temporary - closing this coming Sunday - so I got over to the Garner House in Memorial Park this morning.

I am not one for reading long articles hanging on walls in exhibits, but I read just about every word in this show. When you are reading about something in your own life (and the library is a big part of mine), it becomes infinitely interesting. 

I asked the young man who let me in if this information is collected anywhere besides this ephemeral exhibit, and he said that it will soon (in a month or so?) be on a website somewhere - either the historical society or Friends of the Claremont Library. It was not clear to me, but I will be on the lookout for it - or perhaps someone will let me know!

The exhibit is open today until 1:00, tomorrow through Sunday from 1-5, and it is free. Go!

The exhibit is in the back of the Garner House.

I really like maps, especially old ones. This is part of a very large map in the exhibit.

Here are photos on one board of the original library, a Spanish Revival building which sat where the current library does. It's too bad that the building was too small and could not be expanded. Most people agree that the current structure is visually unappealing. (Except for the newly renovated Children's Room.)

I did not know that the Friends of the Claremont Library began in 1957. I have only been aware of it for the past 10 or so years. 

Significant Rain

Some reports declared that Claremont had 1.28 inches of rain. I do not know if that was just Friday's storm, or the whole few days of rain. At the library on Friday, you could see some of the mess that the rain made, but I am not complaining. We need it. 

You can see some other photos of rain damage on my friend's blog here.

The 10-day forecast shows no rain for Claremont, but I am hoping for another few storms, or more, this winter.

Farewell to Vista's Librarian

It comes with the territory of working with a group of people. For one reason or another, the players change due to retirement, moving, career change, or something else. Now Vista is saying good-bye to our librarian. Yes, even though each elementary school has the position of "Library Media Aide", Cindy Dewey (so aptly named for her job) is an actual, certified librarian. She has done so much for the kids from book clubs, blogging with student book reports (written and video), encouraging every reader as well as buying books with her own money to make sure kids have the books they really want to read.     She is moving to Albany, NY since her husband is starting a new job, and although we wish her well in her new life, we will miss her terribly.

Last night the staff had a party to celebrate Cindy's last 8 years with Vista, and we enjoyed this cake made by one of our recently retired teachers. If you click on the photo of this little story on top of the cake, you can read about our love for Cindy.

Take One Candle Light a Room

Our book club will be discussing Susan Straight's Take One Candle Light a Room this month. It was selected as this year's Claremont On the Same Page read. We are a little slow on the uptake since the events for the selection were in the fall.

Anyway, this book has been lauded by a variety of reviewers who, I think, have a great deal more patience than I do when it comes to this style of writing. I found the choppy style (not quite stream of consciousness, but close in some places), the plethora of characters and the amount of details which do not add either to the plot nor the tone of the story too confusing.

I think the story itself bears telling, once I sort of figured out what it was, but I felt as though I waded through so much extraneous stuff. For example, there was attention paid to the fact that the narrator was bitten by fire ants, and how that stung her legs like crazy, and then they applied some home remedies to her bites which helped some but not a lot. I have no idea how that illuminated either the plot nor the characters.

This is the second book by Straight that I have read, but I don't think I'll choose another one unless it's for a book club.

Book Lovers Sale

Today I told H, "It seems that even though I always try to get rid of things, it seems as though I can always buy more books." He answered, "That's one transgression I will grant you." So, yeah. (And truthfully, there are plenty of books which go through the revolving door of my house. In and then out to a friend, or a donation, or to paperbackswap.com.) 

It's December, and that means too many fun things to do, even on a rainy Saturday. First thing on my list yesterday was to get to the Claremont Library Book Lovers Sale. This is not to be confused with the  bi-annual sale where you can get a book for a buck. This one caters to discerning reader with better quality/more "expensive" type of books. 

I particularly enjoyed this section in the corner of the library - the Plain Brown Wrapper Collection. Just click on the photo for a closer view of the scandalous titles. 

Here are books for the young and young-at-heart.

Coffee table books for the art lover.

Travel, anyone?

But here, this was my treasure of the day. Now I don't have to ask you to give me your copy, Dad! It was a deal for only $8 (after using my $2 off credit for being a member of the Friends of the Claremont Library). (I had seen a copy in Vancouver, BC over a year ago for $15, and I passed it up then.)

Children's Room at the Library

I wish I had thought to take photos of the Children's Room at the Claremont Library before the remodel, but I didn't. However, here are some photos I snapped yesterday when I went in. I did not take photos of the computers since kids were working on them (including one Vista student working on her science fair project), but there seems to plenty of them for homework. 

The grand opening will officially be January 18, 2014. You can read about it here.

Edward S. Curtis Exhibit

From talking to someone who works at Honnold Library recently, I learned about the current exhibit of photographs by Edward S. Curtis, an ethnographer and photographer of the American West in the early 20th Century at the library. Since I had to return some books anyway, I thought I'd take a look.

This exhibit is definitely worth the time to explore. The photos show a great deal of detail and expression of the Native American people from across the country. 

I would suggest going during a non-prime study time since students study near these photos and it seems intrusive to try to look at them when you are standing just a few feet away from someone busy with their studies.

FOCL Fall Book Sale

This year the used book sale at the Claremont Library, hosted by the Friends of the Claremont Library features free tote bags for members as well as a $2 coupon for books that they sell during the regularly scheduled hours. Not a member? No problem. Just join at the door!

Another Little Free Library

When we went into LA for our Peruvian reunion, we met our friends in Grand Park by the fountain which is also right by a Starbucks. In front of the Starbucks and in at least one other place in the park I found these pink Little Free Libraries.

Unfortunately, this little library had only one book. Or maybe that means that people took books out and are reading them, which would mean that it was fortunately.

Pella, Iowa

During our Iowa trip, one group of people went to the shooting range, but some of us (the sisters-in-law and me) went to Pella. Pella was founded by Dutch immigrants and retains a pervasive Dutch flavor. I saw at least four windmills, Dutch-inspired architecture and handicrafts.

This information booth sits in the town square

Dutch Delft Blue 

Dutch wooden shoes, of course

Some of the architecture

We just happened to be at the Klokkenspel when the little figures appeared with music. We watched as each character appeared and tried to figure out what it meant. This particular guy came out with his rifle while the chimes played Home on the Range. When I finally went over to the sign to find out what we had seen, I saw that he was Wyatt Earp, a Pella resident.

As we left town, I saw a Little Free Library, and a look on the internet shows that this is the one such library in Pella.

Iowa State Capitol

Back to our regularly scheduled internet, here is the post I meant to write yesterday.

I've been to Des Moines a number of times in my life (being a midwestern girl and all), but I have never been to the Capitol. Since we were already downtown at the West End Salvage, we thought we ought to take a little look-see at the state government. The building is beautiful and did not disappoint. We were too late for an official tour, but we didn't mind wandering around on our own. 

The dome is made of real gold.

Looking up on the inside.

I took the most pictures in the library. It is probably the most beautiful library I have ever seen. They could have filmed parts of the Harry Potter movies here.

Nano Days at the Library

I just returned from the library where my friend David (physics professor at Pomona College) was hosting Nano Days, a science event for everyone. The room was bustling with people of all ages who went from table to table where they could learn about something related to nano science. Each table was staffed by a volunteer - a teacher, a student, someone who was interested and knowledgeable about their topic.

I really enjoyed the hands-on experience, which is what makes any kind of learning much more fun and memorable.

This is not the first Nano-on-the-Road experience. You can read about Nano Days at Sycamore at my friend Judy's blog.

A full room! Fun for all ages!

These people are learning about memory wire. You can stretch out a wire spring to any distorted shape, but when you heat it up (with a hair dryer this time), it returns to its original wire shape.

We learned about incandescence - from butterfly wings to nail polish dropped on water (dip dark paper into the water under the polish and create a cool oil-slick image.

Add a few crystals to water, and they absorb it all, just the way a disposable diaper works.

So Long and Farewell, Stone Center

 It is with great sadness that I heard last night that the George G. Stone Center for Children's Books (The Stone Library) will be closing its doors for good. The last day for the public to come is next Wednesday, Dec. 19. The library has been a part of CGU's School of Educational Studies since 1962, and it has been a part of our lives since we moved here in 1986. Declines in patronage and use by the Teacher Education Program and a shift in academic emphases have "finally forced the question of long-term sustainability of the library," said the Dean of the School of Educational Studies in a letter to the CGU community.

My daughters grew up reading in this wonderful treasure of a library. We would come after nap times and spend a hour or so reading books and checking out a stack to take home. It's here where we first learned about Harry Potter and The Golden Compass books. Carolyn Angus, the library director, was always ready with some of the very best book recommendations that we had. We loved the new and used book sales, the friends we made and met in the cozy space.

Although I don't read many children's books anymore, I will certainly miss knowing that this very special place will no longer be there.

The first home we knew for this collection of the books was this building on 10th St.

A number of years ago, the library moved to its current location on College Ave.

Here is the room with picture books and I Can Read books.

Further Adventures of the Little Free Libraries

My friend Judy and her blog have kept me apprised of the newest additions to Claremont's Little Free Libraries which seem to be popping up in various locales throughout town. When last I blogged about these little gems, I knew of two - the first one I saw on the corner of Cambridge and 9th St., the one near The Press.  The Claremont Courier also mentioned the one in front of the new Crepe restaurant in the Packing House (where we have not yet had a chance to eat, despite our one attempt).

Then I heard about one in front of my friend Marjorie's house on N. Mills. It's on the east side just north of Foothill.  This morning I drove by and took a picture of the box as well as the contents. 

Judy's blog post yesterday altered me to yet another Little Free Library, this one in the 400 block of W. Harrison on the north side of the street. In its previous life, this repository was a small refrigerator. I not only snapped photos of the contents and the outside of this library, but I also deposited my copy of Amy Tan's One Hundred Secret Senses and took out a John Irving novel, The Fourth Hand.