Bad News

Unfortunately, I must report that the news on the City’s budget continues to be dire. Due to the economic downturn, the City has had to find ways to cut over five million dollars from its budget this year. Further complicating our budget dilemma have been the budget take-aways by the State which have been in the millions of dollars. Our sales tax revenue is down 26% and property tax is down 10%, even before the values reset. Today, Livermore has 53 fewer employees than it did a year ago due to service cut-backs, attrition, lay-offs and other cost-cutting measures. Revenue declines continue from the lingering housing crisis and losses in sales tax revenue. Ongoing discussions with the City’s bargaining units have not been as fruitful as hoped. As a result, each City department was asked to propose an additional 5% in expenditure cuts.

Sadly, for the Library, the latest round of cuts has reduced the Springtown Branch Library hours to one day a week effective November 1, 2010. This reduction has resulted in the layoff of 2FTE employees. The Springtown Branch Library is now open Tuesdays, from noon until 8 PM. The Springtown Library will specialize in express services which include popular, heavily borrowed current materials such as new books, DVD’s and audio books. On the night that the City Council voted to close the Springtown library, they also voted to cut over half a million dollars each from both the police and fire departments.

The Civic Center Library remains open, seven days a week, evenings and weekends and has all of the programs and services enjoyed at Springtown plus many, many more. We sincerely hope Springtown patrons will continue to use the Livermore Library, even if only one day per week. We apologize for any difficulty they may experience in getting to the library on that day; however, library services continue to be available.

Library staff continues to be committed to offering the best possible resources and services with our limited staffing at our two other library sites. We have upgraded our self check out software and very much appreciate the willingness of our patrons to help us by checking out their own materials. We continue to expect that the community will use the library and its wealth of resources and will bear with us as we cope in these difficult times .

The Friends of the Library continue to help us fill some of the gaps in our budget by providing money for many of our programs. They generously fund our Authors and Arts programs and our upcoming Livermore Reads Together program. Several generous donations contributed to another successful Summer Reading Program. The donations of library materials that come to the Library and the Friends have helped to supplement our limited materials budget.

Our volunteer opportunities continue to grow. If anyone would like to volunteer, please contact Librarian Blanche Angelo at 925-373-5500 Ext. 5574. Your help is very much appreciated.

Livermore Reads Together

In February 2011, residents of Livermore will again be encouraged to read the same book. This year that book is 1906 by James Dalessandro. This novel centers on the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.

Supported by a generous contribution from the Friends of the Livermore Library, the month long celebration will be kicked off on Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 2 PM with a presentation by the author, James Dalessandro. A reception will follow featuring famous San Francisco food treats and turn of the century music by Greg Pane.

During the month the earthquake theme will represented with a variety of exciting programs and displays. The Civic Center Art Gallery will include replicas of newspaper headlines from the time along with photographs and music of the time.

Confirmed programs include :

Jack London: Eyewitness to the Great Quake performance by Live Oakes Educational theater
James Smith speaking on Lost Landmarks of San Francisco
Frisky Frolics/Tin Pan Alley Troubadours
Disaster Preparedness presentation
Dramatic reading from the book
Silent films of the earthquake
US Geological Survey presentation on earthquakes
Vine Cinema showing of the movie "San Francisco"
Livermore at the time of the earthquake presentation

Additional exciting programs are in the planning stages. All of the events will be listed on the library website www.livermore.lib.ca.us and in brochures available at all libraries.

Local book discussion groups are encouraged to select 1906 as their book choice for February. Book club kits, available for check out, include copies of the book, discussion questions and tips for leading book discussions.

Library Snapshot Day

In conjunction with a national event, libraries across California participated in Snapshot: One Day in the Life of California Libraries on Monday, October 4. All three Livermore libraries collected information, comments and photographs from events in this typical library day.Patrons were asked to complete a form telling us why the library is important to them, why they visited the library on this day and any other feedback they wish to give us. The purpose of the day was to promote libraries and provide indisputable proof that libraries consistently provide invaluable services to our community.

The results of One Day in the Life of the Livermore Public Library showed we had 56,488 card holders. Attendance on that day numbered 1,420 visitors and 3,269 items were borrowed. Staff answered 205 reference questions in person and 42 via phone, e-mail or text messaging. Over 600 library patrons used our computers. There were 2 children’s storytimes with an attendance of 117. Eighteen people received literacy tutoring and eleven students received help in the Homework Help Center at the Rincon Branch Library.

Comments included “ It’s a place of quiet peace, a place to contemplate and dream, a place to explore new worlds and people”; “ The library is a tremendous community resource”; The library is my get away place!”; “Knowledge is power…” ; “Very friendly people and clean environment”. Someone even wrote a poem about the library!

The Livermore Public Library continues to be a valuable and well loved community asset.

SUMMER READING FOR EVERYONE @ THE LIBRARY

In these days of tight money, the Livermore Public Library continues to be one of the best summer bargains around. Whether you are doing a staycation or just looking for summer fun, the Summer Reading Program has something for everyone.

The theme of this year’s Summer Reading Game for children is Make a Splash @ Your Library. As in the past, the game is designed for independent readers who read and report on books for prizes. However, the game itself has be revamped to keep up with the changing conditions at the library. Prizes this year are book charms, swimming or bowling coupons and a medal and City Council presentation for those who read 100 books over the summer. The game begins on June 11 and finishes on August 14.

Kids can attend several performance, storytime or craft programs at all facilities. This year the performance programs have again been generously underwritten by the Friends of the Livermore Library. Performers include magicians, jugglers, music, circus performers, wild animals, drummers, and glow-in-the-dark puppets!

Read To Me
Younger pre-readers, including babies, can enroll in Ducky’s Game. In Ducky’s Game, parents and their children complete reading and other fun activities and receive points and stickers along the way. Those who complete the game board win a special prize!

Teen Summer Reading
Teens this summer are invited to participate in the Teen Reading Program . Teens can win prizes by reading books and writing a short review on their game card. If they complete their game card by reading and reviewing six (6) books, they will win a “Make Waves @ Your Library” t-shirt!

Adult Summer Reading
In addition to Summer Reading programs for children and teens, this year the Library will hold its second annual Summer Reading program for adults – Water Your Mind - Read! Although families are encouraged to read together, an adult does not have to have a child in the summer reading program to join. In this program, adults read books, write short reviews on their entry form, and turn it in for a prize and to be entered in a drawing for one of the grand prizes, a “Book and Garden Lover’s Basket.”

Teen ‘Zine
The next edition of, Fusion, the Livermore Public Library “teen zine,” is available, providing a creative outlet for teen artists and authors of various ethnicities to share their talents and their unique perspectives on the world. This edition is again funded by a $2500 from the Rotarian Foundation of Livermore and a donation of $1500 from the Friends. Created by teens for teens, Fusion combines the artistic talents of Livermore teen artists, poets, and writers into a free table top publication throughout the community.Check it out at http://www.livermore.lib.ca.us/screens/Fusion2.pdf.

Budget Situation

Unfortunately, the news on the City’s budget continues to be bleak. The City has just completed preparations for the next two year budget, 2010 to 2012. Revenue declines continue from the lingering housing crisis and losses in sales tax revenue. Despite the best efforts of all of the City departments, a $6M gap exists between expenses and revenues for the 2010-2011 fiscal year and a $7.5M gap for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Previous departmental budgets are financially unsustainable, so the City cannot continue to provide City services at present levels. Ongoing discussions have identified across the board service reductions to address the City’s on-going structural deficit. Each City department was asked to reduce expenditures by an additional 10%. Unfortunately, some of these reductions will result in additional layoffs.

For the library, this will mean the elimination of a vacant Librarian position and the reorganization of our Technical Services Department with the reduction of a Library Assistant and two part-time Library Clerks. Due to seniority in the organization, several staff will be relocating to the public service areas. We will also be relying more heavily on self service for our patrons as there will be less staff available for assistance, particularly at the Civic Center Library. We are not alone as all other departments in the City are experiencing cuts as well including Police. We can only hope that things will get better over time.

On a positive note, the library faired very well in the community budget workshops. The top three city services as ranked by attendees were public safety, library and economic development. When asked to reduce, maintain or increase funding for city services, the library branches received the highest votes for increased funding from the community budget workshop attendees. Therefore, when budget cuts were to be made, it was felt that the branches had already suffered enough and were not to be cut further. Cuts in hours for the Civic Center Library were considered but it was felt that the facility should remain open for use but with less staffing. Therefore, the Civic Center library will continue to offer 63 hours of service, seven days a week, evenings and weekends. However, there will most likely be longer waits for service and a greater emphasis on the use of the self check machines.

Library staff continues to be committed to offering the best possible resources and services with limited staffing. I continue to expect that the community will use the library and its wealth of resources and bear with us as we cope in these difficult times.

The Friends of the Library are helping to fill some gaps in our budget by providing money for many of our programs. The Friends are supporting our Paws to Read program and the Free2 Succeed Job Center. The Friends have helped support our limited materials acquisitions by funding the popular ReferenceUSA database.

Our volunteer opportunities continue to grow. If anyone would like to volunteer, please contact Librarian Blanche Angelo at 925-373-5500 Ext. 5574. Your help is very much appreciated.

Difficult Times

As many of you know by now, the Library and the City have been hit by the recent economic downturn. The bottom line for the General Fund of the City, which funds library services, is that the revenues do not match the current budgeted expenditures. The Library, along with all other City departments has made cuts to meet this shortfall. The following cuts have been made to the library’s current budget and to the budget for the next 2 year budget cycle:

An additional $50,000 cut to cuts already made in funds for temporary, hourly workers. This area of the budget will now be down to the amount of money needed for the remainder of the year to fund library pages, delivery drivers and IT assistants who help the public with our computers. There will be a little bit of money available for fill behind for absences but very little. In the next 2 year budget this will also be a cut, however, staff will do a better job of spreading the needs for fill behind throughout the year and there will be more money available for this than right now. The impact of this budget cut will be longer waits for service systemwide, fewer staff on desks and possible limited time devoted to programming.

An $80,000 cut in the $ 362,000 library materials budget spread over all three library sites and in all library materials. This will reduce our materials budget to $282,000 which is 6% of total budget and $3.34 per capita. The recommended portion of a library budget for library materials is 10% to 12%. This is lower than many of the Bay Area libraries of our size. This cut will result in fewer library materials, longer waits for new and popular materials as a result of fewer copies, less depth of collection and the possible discontinuation of electronic databases.

The most difficult cut and the one with the greatest impact is the reduction of the open hours of the library’s two branches. The hours of operation for each of the branch libraries will be from 53 hours per week to 23 hours per week. Each site will be open three days per week and closed mornings of their one evening open. A single compliment of staff alternates between sites. The current Rincon staff is operating both branches. The Springtown staff has moved to the Civic Center Library and there have been layoffs as a result of this cut in funding. The new branch hours are posted elsewhere on thei site. Staff intends to continue to try to deliver as many any of our popular and important programs currently offered at the branches such as the Homework Hangout, Lawyers in the Library, Family Storytime. However, with reduced hours the days of these programs have changed as well as the amount of times the programs are offered.

I have spent over 24 years getting our library where it is today. I am not pleased about these changes which are taking us backward. However, we had no choice as there is just not enough money to continue to provide services at the levels we have previously enjoyed. For the moment there are no hour changes proposed at the Civic Center. We are not alone as all other departments in the City are experiencing cuts as well including Police. We can only hope that things will get better over time.

We are increasing our volunteer opportunities and many in the community have stepped forward to help us put on programs such as Paws to Read, the Homework Center at the Rincon Branch and as craft assistants for children’s programs. Assistance in the maintenance of the library by volunteering as shelf stewards has helped us keep the libraries organized and looking great. If anyone would like to volunteer, please contact Librarian Blanche Angelo at 925-373-5500 Ext. 5574. Your help is very much appreciated.

WELLS FARGO GRANTS $5000 TO FREE2 SUCCEED JOB CENTER

There are some positive things happening for the library. Wells Fargo Bank has given us a $5,000 grant to support the Free2 Succeed Job Center at the Civic Center Library. Representatives from Wells Fargo presented the check to members of the Library Board in front of the Civic Center Library at 10:30 am on Friday, December 18.
The Free2 Succeed Job Center offers one on one career counseling sessions. Sessions are averaging 50 per month with a waiting list for scheduling of 35 to 40 people. These private, free sessions offer career planning advice, techniques for successful interviewing and skills for online job applications as well as resume suggestions and critiques with general career and job counseling thrown in.

LIVERMORE READS TOGETHER
The Annual Livermore Reads Together campaign is happening again in February this year. The chosen book is John Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley In Search of America. Supported by a generous contribution from the Friends, the month long celebration has been kicked off with a presentation by Tom Steinbeck, John Steinbeck’s son on Sunday, January 24 at 2 pm at the Civic Center Library. This exciting event featured a display of a 1950’s travel trailer and entertainment by Extended Roots.

During the month a Steinbeck photographic exhibit will be on display in the Civic Center Art Gallery. Other events include TV host Doug McConnell, movie night with the feature film Grapes of Wrath at the Vine Theater, programs highlighting dogs, road trips, Steinbeck and much, much more. All of the events are listed on this library website www.livermore.lib.ca.us and in brochures available at all libraries.
We hope everyone will read this exciting book and take part in all the wonderful programs being presented in conjunction with Livermore Reads Together.

Five Years New

Believe it or not the “new” Civic Center Library has been open for five years! The Library continues to be an amazing building. Finishes in the building have worn very well and many people tell us it still feels new to them. The Library is a showpiece of the community with many people bringing their out of town visitors to see their wonderful library.


We have added a few pieces of furniture and equipment—much of which has been provided through the generosity of the Friends. Funds have bee provided for us to add the Peek A Book station in the Youth Room and the Brightboard at the entrance announcing our library events. The Friends also purchased the scooter that helps less mobile folks navigate the library. We have purchased additional chairs for our programs in the Craft Room with a Friends donation. The Library has added some display shelving, a computer reservation system and a print management system. We have also added two early literacy workstations in the Youth Room.


Outside the Library, the landscaping has grown up and is now much more lush and mature. Check out the now fully formed children’s topiary on the north end of the building!! The trees in the front are forming a nice canopy over the entrance and the infamous mosaic is holding up very well to the elements and foot traffic. In the spring, with the landscaping in bloom, the site is truly beautiful.


The building functions very well as a library. It is easily navigated by patrons and there is still plenty of room for expansion of the library collection. Even when the parking lot is full, the building does not seem crowded. I have heard many people say it is just like a second living room for them. Spaces have been easily adapted to changing ideas in the delivery of library services such as increased self help. The Friends Bookstore and the Cafe are popular .


I recently had someone ask me what I would do differently now that we have lived in the building for five years. There is very little I would change. Perhaps a different configuration for the Community Meeting Room—more square than rectangular---also less kitchen space in that area and more storage for chairs and tables. Outside, I would add more parking. In the design process, we thought we had more than enough as it is more than required by code. However, come by the library on a day of children’s or special programming and it is difficult to find a space. I guess we are victims of our own success!! We would like to build an overflow parking lot at the rear of the building but, so far, have not come up with the over $100,000 needed to build it. Otherwise, the building and its spaces are great. And the community seems to like it—use of the library has increased 25% since we opened in 2004.

One of the blessings of the “new” library is the additional community space. The Community Room and the Craft Room have provided space for us to present a wide variety of public programs such as the Authors and Arts series and Livermore Reads Together. We have been able to present exciting programs tied to our Livermore Reads Together books, musical and theatrical presentations, author talks, how to programs, travel programs and fantastic children’s program such as puppets, magicians, animals and many, many others. The Civic Center Library has become to place to look to for free, educational and worthwhile events. Local community groups also take advantage of the public space and the meeting rooms are heavily booked throughout the year.

Art has an important place in the Civic Center Library and the public art pieces incorporated into the building are holding up well and continue to enhance the beauty of the building. One of my favorite places in the Library is the art gallery. When we opened the building, I was concerned that we would not be able to keep the art gallery filled with art shows. However, the gallery is booked a year ahead and there is sufficient demand for the space that we will have no trouble keeping it filled even beyond the year booking that we do. The art exhibits are varied and exciting and the gallery affords the public an opportunity to appreciate the talents of our local artists.

All of the new technology put into the building five years ago continues to be viable and helps us deliver efficient and effective library service. The patron self check machines are ideal for the grab and go patron and our materials handling book return equipment has enhanced our Borrower’s Services and freed up our staff to provide better customer service. Our computer system continues to be up to date with new and exciting elements added frequently. Recently, the library added e-commerce to the system so patrons may now pay their fines and fees online. We have added new items for borrowing including Wii games and Playaway audio books. E-books are available through the online catalog and, of course, anyone can check on their account at any time by logging into the Library web site at http://www.livermore.lib.ca.us/. The building uses energy efficiently through a heating and air conditioning system shared by the rest of the Civic Center campus. The library’s security systems keep the building and its contents safe and secure. We have a very low loss rate, less than 1%, so they are working. Our maintenance folks keep on top of everything. We have very little damage or graffiti but when we do, they are quick to provide repair or cleanup. Our janitorial service keeps the building very clean and we often get comments on the cleanliness of our facility.

After five years, we continue to be thankful to the community for authorizing the bond measure that got us this beautiful building. We continue to try to provide the best service possible for your library.

SUMMER IS HERE AGAIN !

SUMMER READING FOR EVERYONE @ THE LIBRARY

In these days of tight money, the Livermore Public Library is one of the best summer bargains around. Whether you are doing a staycation or just looking for summer fun, check out all the free reading activities at the three Livermore library locations and even online at www.livermore.lib.ca.us.!!

The theme of this year’s Summer Reading Game for children is Be Creative @ Your Library. As in the past, the game is designed for independent readers who read and report on books for prizes. Prizes this year include grab bag prizes, food coupons, a swim pass or a bowling pass, a tinsel ball, and a medal and City Council presentation for those who read 100 books over the summer. The game begins on June 12 and finishes on August 15.

Kids can also get points for the reading game by attending any of several performance, storytime or craft programs at all facilities. This year the performance programs have been generously underwritten by the Friends of the Livermore Library. Performers include puppets, river otters, the Oakland Zoomobile, taiko, a magician, music, storytelling, and animals of Africa and South America, as well as regular weekly storytimes for all ages.

Kids can also get points for the game by playing the monthly web puzzle on the Library’s web site.

Read To Me

Little ones who do not yet read can also participate in the Summer Reading Game. The Read To Me program encourages parents and siblings to read to preschoolers who then report on the books they have heard. Kids get sticker prizes and when they have listened to 50, they receive a coupon for ice cream. Little ones are invited to also attend all the free programs at all libraries

Teen Summer Reading

Teens this summer are invited to express themselves in the Teen Reading Program this summer. Teens can sign up at any library to read two books in each category of graphic novels, mysteries and historical fiction. After each two books read, the teen will win a prize and be entered into the raffle for the grand prize. Teens are also encouraged to join the Livermore Teen Book Club on Booksprouts.com. where they can discuss the books they have read and provide reviews for others.

Adult Summer Reading

A new program this summer is the Adult Summer Reading Program, Master the Art of Reading. Families are encouraged to read together or adults can read alone. An entry form may be picked up at any library. Read any 3 books or listen to 3 audio books between June 12 and August 15. Enter the books titles and authors on the entry form, provide a sentence or two describing the book and if it is recommended to others. Turn in the entry form and the first 100 finishers will be entered into a drawing to win a Booklover’s Basket of prizes.

SUMMER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Several volunteer opportunities are available at the library this summer.

Kids from the 6th grade to the 12th grade can help out with the Summer Reading Program. Jobs include helping out with daytime special programs putting together supplies for craft programs and listening to young children report on the books they have read. All Young Adult Volunteers (YAV’s) must attend a training session to participate. Kids can pick up an application at any library.

Adults are needed to be adult listeners for the Summer Reading Game. Adults listen to the independent readers report on the books they have read and give them their prizes when they reach reading milestones. Training is required to be an adult listener. Check out this volunteer opportunity at any Livermore Library.

Become a literacy tutor for the Livermore READ Project and help adults who want to improve their basic literacy skills or learn English as a Second Language. Volunteers are needed to work one-on-one with motivated adults who are struggling with their current reading and writing skills. No previous tutoring experience is required, and tutoring can be done on any day or at any time. You do not have to be bilingual to work with an English as a Second Language student. All necessary materials and services are free of charge. The READ Project will be conducting training in July. For more information, call 373-5507.

The Library is looking for one or two volunteers to coordinate the Homework Hangout at the Rincon Branch Library. The Homework Hangout offers drop-in homework assistance for youth (grades K-12) on weekday afternoons. The Homework Hangout Coordinator/s will direct an innovative library program that seeks to build literacy in the community and make a difference in the lives of local children. The Homework Hangout Coordinator/s will work primarily with children from lower-performing schools in Livermore. A commitment of 9 months (September-May) is required for the Homework Hangout Coordinator/s position. For further information, contact Rosemary Dukelow at 373-5500, ext. 5514.

JAZZ IN JULY

Again this year the Library will be presenting it annual Jazz in July series. All programs are Sunday afternoons in July at 2 PM at the Civic Center Library in the Craft Room.
Programs planned include:

Mimi Fox/Cindy Browne Rosefield Duo Sunday, July 5 2PM

Internationally know jazz guitarist Mimi Fox is joined by bassist Cindy Brown Rosefield. Guitar Player Magazine say Fox is”a prodigious talent” while Brown Rosefield is an instructor of music and jazz at Las Positas College.

Jazz Idiom: Blueprints, Stills and Frames Sunday, July 12 2PM

California photographer Charles L. Robinson and California Poet Laureate Al Young are showcased in this beautiful book of music, photography and poetry that pays homage to one of the most exciting times in American music history. Join them as they discuss their jazz stories.

Jazz and the Great American Songbook Sunday, July 19 2 PM

Pianist Dennis Edwards and bassist Steve Webber narrate the lives and play the music of America’s greatest “pop” composers including George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Henry Mancini in the CD release celebration.

Night Harvest Sunday July 26 2PM

Come hear this string-driven modern jazz quartet that blends Asian, Celtic, Gypsy, Zydeco, Brazilian and African music.

LAB’S ED MOSES TO SPEAK ON NIF

Creating a Star on Earth -- the National Ignition Facility

On Wednesday,July 15 in the Craft Room of the Civic Center Library at 7 p.m., Ed Moses, a principal associate director at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, will talk about the Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF), the world's largest and highest-energy laser system. NIF will create extreme conditions of temperature and pressure found in nature only in the cores of stars and giant planets to advance national security, astrophysics and the quest for fusion energy.

Libraries Will Get You Through Times Of No Money Better Than Money Will Get You Through Times Of No Libraries!

In these challenging economic times, libraries are one of the best values around. Historically, libraries have seen a significant increase in use during difficult monetary situations and the Livermore Public Library is no exception. Use of library services is up 15%, proving that folks are reaching for their library card instead of their credit card when going out for a book or DVD.
Just a few examples of ways in which library patrons are capitalizing on their local library…
The economy has prompted you to cut back excess spending. Where do you get the latest movies and all the books you want to read for free? The public library.
You don’t have a computer but just lost your job. Where do you go to post your resume or job-search online? The public library!
You can't really afford an expensive night out with friends. Where can you gather for free workshops, seminars, entertainment and discussion groups? The public library.!
Besides all the free stuff, the library can help in tough times by providing resources such as do-it-yourself information, including how to cut home energy costs, freelance, home business and entrepreneur guide books, as well as information on the new green-collar jobs and other green economy opportunities.
In some instances, patrons have given up their Internet service to save money and are using the library's free service. Computers are an integral and important aspect of the library. People come here with their own notebook computers to use the library’s fast wireless connection. The library even offers free classes to teach basic computer skills.
Even just “hanging” in the library can be economical. On these blustery, rainy winter days, the coziness and warmth of the library is a welcome place to sit and read books and magazines patrons no longer need a get on subscription.
Finally, libraries offer wonderful, free experiences for families. Livermore’s day time story times are fun and well attended and the family story times bring parents and children together for an evening or afternoon of storytelling and entertainment.
The library remains one of the best ‘bargains’ in town and during these tough times, more and more people are taking advantage of it.

Free2 Succeed Job Center

In hopes of providing the community with some much needed support in the employment arena, the library has created the Free2 Succeed Job Center. With an increase in both Alameda County’s and Contra Costa County’s unemployment rate and with some of the area’s largest employers hosting layoffs, the community is experiencing a growing need for job assistance services.
Funded by an innovation grant from the Bay Area Library and Information Services network, the Free2 Succeed Job Center offers free one-on-one career advising sessions where patrons can receive assistance with resumes and cover letters, help in completing online applications, interviewing techniques, career assessment, and more. The library is hosting a variety of workshops and programs featuring employment-related topics. For a listing of events, check this website under Free2 Succeed Job Center. For further information about the Free2 Succeed Job Center or to set up an appointment, you can also contact Career Counselor Megan Pittsley at (925) 373-5500 Ext. 5595. Recent events including job fairs, resume workshops and electronic job seeking workshops have been very well attended.
In conjunction with the Free2 Succeed Job Center, the Library is now providing the Vault Online Career Library which provides career information for students and professionals through 71 Vault Career Guidebooks. It also includes over 4,000+ Company Profiles and 50 extended Company Profiles customizable to Livermore. Sample resumes and cover letters, and interview tips and over 1000 Career advice articles are included.
Another new database is the Learning Express Test Database. This database provides preparation for career and academic exams and skills remediation. It offers online practice tests that preview the official exams such as Federal clerical worker, Firefighter, Postal Worker, Real Estate broker, Catholic High School Entrance, AP chemistry as well as self-paced courses for certification exams, placement tests, and academic assessments such as Business Writing, GED, GRE, TOEFL, English Grammar and Math Skills (Spanish) and computer skills tutorials. These valuable databases can be used both in the library and remotely with a Livermore Public Library card. Click on the database notices on the home page.

Friends of the Livermore Library Generosity

Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Livermore Library, the library will has two new pieces of equipment to help make the library experience more enjoyable for our patrons.
A Brightboard Digital Signboard has been installed at the Civic Center Library in the foyer where the mapping kiosk was formerly located. The Brightboard Digital Signage System allows the library to put full color, high resolution images anywhere in the library to promote, advertise and market library programs and services. It currently advertises all of our programs and some of the basic services of the library. The self contained, solid state pedestal unit utilizes a 32” diagonal LCD screen to present messages in bight colors and wide viewing angle for maximum impact. The unit may also be moved around the library to facilitate directions to program locations and to announce special events anywhere in the library.
The Youth Room at the Civic Center Library has a Peek-A-Book Kiosk for kids. This innovative system inspires children to explore the library’s collection of children’s books by offering audio visual presentations that highlight the content of selected books through mini-book reviews. The Peek A Book allows children to watch short book previews and then select the titles they want to take home. The kiosk uses an interactive touchscreen where Billy the Bookworm tells children what part of the screen to touch to activate a preview of a book. The preview entices children to borrow the actual book to learn how the story ends. The Library has purchased multiple copies of the previewed books which are on the Peek A Book Kiosk for borrowing.
Many of the library’s more popular speakers and arts programs are held in the Youth Craft Room in order to accommodate more attendees. The Friends of the Library recently purchased 150 padded folding chairs for this room. This will eliminate the need to rent chairs for these programs and will make set up for the programs much easier.
Help support the Friends by visiting their bookstore at the Civic Center Library where you will find many gently used books for incredibly low prices! A wonderful way to put books on empty bookshelves in your home! Also visit the Friends monthly book sales under the portico of the old library. More bargains are to be found the first Sunday of every month from noon to 5 pm.

Livermore Reads Together Again

It’s almost here—the annual Livermore Reads Together celebration! In February, the community will be reading Michael Pollan’s book In Defense of Food. Supported by a generous contribution from the Friends, the month long celebration will be kicked off with a special mini-food festival on Sunday, January 29 at 2 pm at the Civic Center Library. This exciting event will feature food tasting from local food producers, a key note by Christine Wente of Wente Vineyards, wine tasting and winemaker Karl Wente and his Front Porch Band.
During the month of February, a food and agriculture art exhibit will be on display in the Civic Center Art Gallery. Other events include Chef Joey Altman and the Back Burner Blues Band, a family movie night with the feature film Ratatouille, a program featuring cooking with Trader Joe’s, programs on organic and home grown foods, Wii’s “Cookin Mama” game program for adults and a teen chef cook-off. All of the events are listed on the library website and in brochures available at all libraries.
Local book discussion groups are encouraged to select In Defense of Food as their book choice for February. Book club kits, available for check out, include copies of the book, discussion questions and tips for leading book discussions.

Science Chats

In cooperation with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the Library will be presenting a series of Science Chats during 2009, the Year of Science. Science Chats are quarterly public discussions with leading scientists on timely topics of interest. The first Science Chat will be Tuesday, January 13 at 7:00 PM at the Civic Center Library featuring Dr. John Knezovich. Dr. Knezovich will speak on carbon dating, anthrax and forensic science. He was recently appointed Director of Strategic University Relations at LLNL after serving as Director of the Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry for the past 10 years. Science Chats are open to the public. You are encouraged to bring family, friends and an open mind, ready to learn and ask questions at these stimulating discussions.

Science Books

The Library recently received a $5000 community giving gift from the Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) Community Gift Program. This generous gift has purchased two hundred sixty seven (267) science books, DVD’s and magazines for the library’s children’s collection. Titles purchased were recent publications which were positively reviewed in standard review media or suggested by an Advisory Committee made up of science and education professionals. Subscriptions to three magazines for children were purchased - Click, Ask, and Muse. All are published for children about science, each for a different age group. Each book, magazine and DVD has a bookplate noting that it is a gift of the Lawrence Livermore National Security Foundation, LLC. This project has updated science books for students who use the Livermore Public Library. Particular topics addressed were computers, conservation, energy, water, recycling, general science, natural history, mathematics, geometry, probability, astronomy, physics, mechanics, sound, light, electricity, magnetism, chemistry, earth science, geology, hydrology, meteorology, petrology, paleontology, fossils, genetics, ecology, plants, mammals, human body, applied science and space.