Events at the Downtown Library
Scroll Down to See Pickleweed Events
The San Rafael Libraries will be closed December 24, 25, 26 & December 30, January 1, 2
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Get the New MARINet Library Catalog App
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Beginning 11/28, you can download the new MARINet BiblioMobile from both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. BiblioMobile is an app with all the basic functions of the library catalog formatted for your smartphone or tablet. Search for books, eBooks, and A/V; place or cancel holds; renew your items; and add items to your ”shelf.” It also includes a map with all the locations of the MARINet libraries, their hours, contact info, and holidays. It even has your library card barcode!
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Virtual Reality Lab for All Ages
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 We invite all ages to explore educational games, beautiful natural environments, and engaging stories using the Oculus Rift. Library staff will show you how to use it and help you with the equipment. Just bring yourself and your sense of adventure! Program available courtesy of the CEC Makerspace and the Marin County Free Library, funded by a grant from the California State Library.
Drop-in and give it a try:
Pickleweed Library – every Wednesday 3-5pm
Downtown Library – every Tuesday 4-6pm (except 12/6)
Downtown Library – Saturday, December 17, 10-noon
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Reading Buddies
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 Reading Buddies pairs adult and teen volunteers with elementary school aged youth for 20 minute appointments. During the appointment, the child will practice reading with their Reading Buddy one-on-one, and receive help and guidance with difficult words, comprehension, and other reading skills. We also have bilingual volunteers available who can help in both English and Spanish.
Through December 14, the Downtown Library will offer weekly appointments:
- Mondays 4-5pm
- Tuesdays 4-5pm
- Wednesdays 5-6pm
- Sundays 1-2pm
- First and Third Saturdays 10-11am
For more information and to schedule an appointment, visit or call the Downtown Library’s Children’s Reference Desk (415-485-3322).
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STEAM Saturdays
 Are You Down with Gravity? - Saturday, December 3, from 11:00 - 11:45 am
Come explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math at the library! We're hosting a series of STEAM Saturdays, with STEAM powered stories, rhymes, songs, crafts, experiments, and sensory experiences for preschool children ages 3-6 and their caregivers. Please wear comfy clothes that are okay to get messy.
For children ages 3-6 and their caregivers. Space is limited, please register at the Children's Reference Desk, or call us at (415) 485-3322
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Spanish Conversation Club
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 Ongoing, every Monday, from 1:00 – 2:45 in the Library Meeting Room
December 5, 12, & 19 (no class 12/26)
Join our ongoing Spanish conversation group that meets every Monday afternoon at 1 pm. The club emphasis is on learning useful “classic Latin” Spanish conversation in a wide variety of everyday social situations. Drop-ins and all levels of Spanish are welcome.
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Holiday Book Sale at the Friends Store
 Tuesday, December 6 through Saturday, December 10, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Open 'til 7pm on Thursday, December 8
Friends Books, 1016 C Street, between 4th and 5th
Everything in the store – all books, CDs, DVDs, and audio books will be marked down. It’s a perfect time to do holiday shopping as many of our books are in brand new condition which makes them ideal for gift giving. We’ll be serving hot cider and cookies in the afternoons so everyone is invited for some good cheer and a treat!
Proceeds benefit the San Rafael Public Library and Pickleweed branch.
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 First Wednesday Art Talk
Read My Pins: The Madeleine Albright Collection
Wednesday, December 7 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Council Chambers, San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Ave. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Seating is limited, admission is free. Docent Speaker: Clara Morrissey – FAMSF
Madeleine Albright was named the first female Secretary of State in 1997, and became, at the time, the highest ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government. This exhibition showcases over 200 pins which she famously used to make poignant diplomatic statements.
Albright began using jewelry as a form of communication after Saddam Hussein’s press referred to her as an “unparalleled serpent.” She responded by wearing a golden snake brooch to her next meeting with Iraqi officials. She wore a bee brooch whenever she thought she was walking into a “sting,” and a balloon pin if talks were likely to go well.
First Wednesday Art Talks are sponsored by the Friends of the San Rafael Public Library.
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Color Me Calm - Adult Coloring Group
Thursday, December 8, 6:00 - 7:30 pm - last evening class
Tuesday, December 20, 2:00 - 3:30 pm - this class will continue into the New Year
Join us for music and coloring in the Library Meeting Room. Carl Jung prescribed coloring to his patients to calm their minds, but the health benefits go beyond relaxation. Coloring is a structured activity and so it also activates the logic part of the brain, trains the brain to focus, and helps us exercise our fine motor skills.We’ll provide a variety of coloring sheets, bookmarks, and colored pencils, but feel free to bring your own favorite supplies.
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Getting to Know Jack Frost - Marin Master Gardeners
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 Friday, December 9 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm in the Library Meeting Room
Jack Frost is an imp and can wreak havoc on your garden. In this Marin Master
Gardener seminar presented by Lois Stevens, you will learn about frost and freeze conditions, how they affect your garden, and measures you can take to prevent or reduce frost/freeze damage to your garden.
Lois Stevens has been a UC Marin Master Gardener since 2008 and been gardening for nearly 50 years. She currently chairs the Marin Master Gardener Help Desk service, has been responsible for training new Master Gardeners, served on the Board of Directors, and makes presentations about the Master Gardener program and garden related topics at events such as this. CE: 1 CE unit, UC sponsored.
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Read to a Dog
Saturday, December 10, from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Readers 5 years and older are invited to book an appointment to read to a dog at the San Rafael Public Library! Make your appointment at the Children’s Reference Desk, or call us at 415-485-3322.
Dogs are ideal reading partners, providing comfort and unconditional acceptance that can allow children to focus better and read with greater confidence. The Marin Humane Society’s SHARE a Book program is designed to help children improve their literacy skills, and to offer an opportunity for them to have fun reading to dogs!
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Holiday Card Crafting Workshop for Adults and Teens
Sunday, December 11 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm in the Library Meeting Room
Make greeting cards and gift tags for the holiday of your choice. We’ll provide a variety of papers, decorative embellishments, found objects, rubber stamps, and ephemera. Everything is free but you are encouraged to bring your own materials to personalize your cards or to share with others. No loose glitter please! For adults and teens.
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Great Books Reading/Discussion Group
All sessions are on various Monday evenings from 6:30 – 7:30 pm in the Library Meeting Room
Monday, Monday, December 12 – "Discourse on the Origin of Inequality" Part 2 from T he Social Contract by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Read the selection ahead of time, and then come to the library to discuss. We have a hard copy to photocopy or read in-library, or go to our Great Books page to print a copy from home and to see the full schedule for more readings through December.
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Genealogy with Jeff
Meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month.
Tuesday, December 13 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm in the Library Meeting Room
Our speaker, Jeffery Vaillant, President of the Sonoma County Genealogy Society and genealogy junkie, will share tips, tools, and resources for solving your family genealogy challenges. The basics will be discussed on how to get started in your own research, from starting your family tree to finding information to add bark to the branches!
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Learn to Create Keynote Presentations
Meets every 4th Tuesday of the month in the Library Meeting Room.
Tuesday, December 27 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Part 1 at 2:00: Ron Matteri from the Golden Gate Computer Society (GGCS) will demonstrate creating a Keynote presentation in the meeting room.
Part 2 at 3:00: We'll move to the TechZone to practice and create on our iMacs. Bring your iPad and/or a flash drive with your photos.
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Weekly Storytimes @ the Downtown Library
 Baby Time!
Tuesdays, December 6 and 13, 10:30 - 11:00 am
For children birth - 18 months old with a caregiver.
Family Storytime
Wednesdays, December 7 and 14, 10:30 - 11:00 am
Thursdays, December 1, 8, and 15, 10:30 - 11:00 am
For children birth - 5 years old with a caregiver.
Please Note: We will not have storytimes 12/20-22 and 12/27-29 due to the Christmas and New Year's Holidays. We apologize for any inconvenience.
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Events at the Pickleweed Library
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 Saturday Morning Storytime and Craft
Saturday, December 3rd at 11:30am. Enjoy bilingual songs and stories and join us for a fun craft time. For the whole family.
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Lego Club
Thursday, December 1st from 4-5pm. Join us to build with our great collection of Legos. For children from 5-12 years old. Please sign up before hand by calling 415-485-3483.
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Book Club/Club de Lectura en Español
Friday, December 9th, 4-5pm. Join our book club and enjoy a fun discussion of this month’s book.
Viernes, 9 de Diciembre de 4 a 5pm. Unáse al Club de Lectura y disfrute una divertida platica sobre el libro del mes.
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 Quilting Class for Adults
Thursday, December 8th, 6-7pm. Help us design and make a community quilt to decorate the library and learn techniques for quilting.
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Weekly Storytimes in October @
Pickleweed Library
Bilingual Family Storytime
Wednesdays, 6:00-6:30pm, Stories, songs and movement for the whole family.
Bilingual Toddler Time
Thursdays, 11:30-12:00, Stories, songs and movement, followed by 30 minutes of free play, toys provided.
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Reading Buddies
Get a half hour of reading assistance with a Reading Buddy!!
For children in grades 1-3 who want to practice reading with a dedicated volunteer. Sign up required. please call 415-485-3483.
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Questions?