Question of the week: "Can I donate books to the library?"

The Mission Branch Library receives many generous materials donations such as books, DVDs, CDs, and more. Some of these items we're able to add to our collection here at the Mission Branch (and we have an area where we display some of the book donations on our Staff Picks table), and we're very grateful to those of you who think of us when donating such items. The items we can't use in the branch get sent on to the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, a "nonprofit organization that advocates, fundraises, and provides critical support for the San Francisco Public Library" (http://www.friendssfpl.org/?About_Friends). The Friends organization has a couple locations where they sell the donated items that are forwarded to them from the branches as well as those that are donated directly to them: Book Bay Main at the Main library, and Book Bay Fort Mason. Additionally the Friends organization raises money through book sales, including their bimonthly Steps Sales at the Larkin Street entrance of the Main Library on the first and third Wednesday of every month (April through October), and the annual Big Book Sale which occurs every fall and is the largest book sale on the West Coast.

We definitely encourage you to drop items off at the Mission branch if you have a single box or stack of books. If you have multiple boxes there is a Friends of the San Francisco Public Library Donation Center nearby at 438 Treat Avenue (between 17th and 18th Streets). Also, you can take donations directly to their store locations at Book Bay Main and Book Bay Fort Mason. Something to keep in mind is that we here at the Mission Branch as well as the Friends organization cannot use books that are damp, moldy or otherwise badly damaged; sets of encyclopedias like World Book, Britannica, etc.; legal statutes and casebooks; or magazines of any sort. Those items you can take to Goodwill or Salvation Army, except maybe for the books that are damp, moldy or otherwise badly damaged -- not sure if they want those.

Staff Picks Table

If you've been in the branch in the last few months, perhaps you've noticed that we now have a new Staff Picks table. This table was donated to us by a patron who wanted to see, in one place, books we've read and recommend others to read. We couldn't have been happier about this generous gift. Soon we'll be including notecards on the table with our reviews of the books. But until then, you can always check this blog, on which we post staff recommended reading reviews. And if you're in the branch, have a look at the titles on the table, which is located next to the New Books section on the far west wall of the 2nd floor.

Staff Recommended Reading: Roads to Quoz

Roads to Quoz: An American Mosey by William Least Heat-Moon is as attractive for the folksy erudition and cantilevered but thoroughly sound architecture of its prose as for the odd, whimsical, provocative thoughts, themes, and facts ("quozzes") it traces through the byways and waterways of our nation. William Least Heat-Moon, whose name alone is enough to invite readership, came to fame exploring vanishing small-town America via his Blue Highways. Still a traveling man but now experience-ripened and learned, he lets us in on the series of side-road trips he and his wife took questing rare, curious, place-related discoveries. The travel counterpart to a Slow Food meal is this local, organic, satisfying read of many courses with a full palate of flavors.

Judy

Carnaval 2010

We're finally posting some photos from Carnaval! The Mission Branch had the pleasure of taking part in the annual Carnaval parade here in the Mission. Staffmembers walked along with the San Francisco Public Library Bookmobile to promote the library and the Mission Branch. The theme was "Where the Wild Things Are..."

Staff recommended reading: Market Day

Beautifully and simply told, this wonderfully illustrated graphic novel tells the story of Mendleman, a Jewish rug maker, who goes into town on "market day" in an attempt to sell his rugs. But when he finds out that the owner of the store where he usually sells his rugs is no longer there, and that the new owner doesn't care to buy his rugs, Mendleman's world is thrown into chaos as he begins to question his profession, his life, and all of existence. James Sturm, author of the great graphic novel collection James Sturm's America: God, Gold and Golems, elegantly brings to life through words and pictures the hustle and bustle of an early 1900s Eastern European village marketplace. Additionally, Sturm effectively incorporates Jewish beliefs and spirituality into the tale. For instance, Mendleman talks about how, after a debate over the exact time of the setting sun signaling the beginning of the Sabbath, he made a rug with the colors purple and black so that when dawn comes and the light of day fades, you can no longer tell the difference between the colors, and you know then that Sabbath has begun and prayers can be made. I highly recommend this book, especially for those who have never read a graphic novel before. This is a great one to begin with.

Check to see if the Mission Branch's copy is available, or, if not, reserve a copy from another branch...

Market Day by James Sturm

Brian

Summer Reading at the Library!

Here at the Mission Branch (and at many other San Francisco Public Library branches) there will be three summer reading programs happening, covering all age groups. You'll notice the common theme this summer is water!

Adult Summer Reading
The summer reading program isn't just for kids this year. The Adult Summer Reading Program is a competition between the two sides of the city -- Oceanside branches and Bayside branches -- to see which side of town reads the most this summer! Adults can sign up for the Adult Summer Reading Program here at the Mission Branch beginning Friday, June 4th. As participants read books or listen to audiobooks, they can check off the number of books read in the sign-up binder at their library. Watch the water gauge at your local library rise for each book read. More info here.

Teen Summer Read 2010: Go with the Flow!
Register at your local library starting June 5th (you must be 13 years of age or older). You will receive a Go With the Flow gameboard. Complete 6 tasks on the gameboard. Activities include reading, visiting environmental places in San Francisco, getting friends to sign up, or going to library events! When you complete your 6 activities, come back to the library by July 31, 2010, to claim your prize: a flash drive and raffle ticket, the latter of which makes you eligible to win a MacBook, iPod Nano, Nintendo Wii or MP3 players! You must be present to win grand prizes on August 4, 2010, from 4:00pm - 6:00pm at the Main Library. Get your game board signed off by the librarian (anywhere on the form) and keep it - this is your party invitation to the Teen Summer Read Party and the Grand Prize Raffle! More info here.

Water Your Imagination: Children's Summer Reading Club
Beginning June 4, children through age 13 can up in the children's room to keep track of the books they read and win prizes. The more you read, the more prizes you can win! When you complete your eight-hour summer reading log you will earn a grand prize. AND while your are earning your grand prize check out our awesome free summer programs happening at our branches. The program ends July 31. More info here.

Annual Mission Branch Open House/Cinco de Mayo

If you missed out on our annual open house/Cinco de Mayo event on May 1, you're in luck, because we took some pictures.

Diana Gameros with Cajon accompaniment...
























Maria Luna prepares for her presentation of traditional dance and music of Mexico...



ABADA Capoeira performs...