Mariposa County Library - News & Calendar

Library News

Sentinel Rock in Yosemite Valley

September 2012 – 3M Cloud Library eBooks
The 3M Cloud Library eBooks are accessible to all Mariposa County Library card holders. Read eBooks on mobile devices with 3M Cloud app, or transfer to most eReaders, except Kindle, with a PC. Log in with a Mariposa County Library card. There is a 14-day loan period per eBook, a maximum of 3 eBooks may be checked out at any time, and a maximum 5 holds per user.

July 2012 – Videos for visually Handicapped
California State Library, Sacramento, CA — The Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) Descriptive Video Service (DVS) launched in 2012 and is going strong. New titles have been added to the collection. Descriptive videos are movies that have a second audio track with a narrator's voice describing the action on the screen during breaks in the dialog and sound effects. The Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) offers both DVD and VHS collections of descriptive videos that patrons may borrow for a two-week checkout. You must complete a separate “Descriptive Video Borrower Registration Form” before you can use the service. See Senior Services for more info.

May 2012 – Mariposa Library Upgrades Merlin
Merlin is an enhanced magnifier that enables the visually handicapped to read small print. It is an enhanced viewer in that you can see the item you are looking at in several different modes and magnifications. These modes change the color of the print and background in combinations that enable those with vision problems to read the print using a more comfortable means. Merlin is now connected to the Internet and available for anyone who is visually handicapped and wishes to go online but needs extra help reading the screen. Merlin is in the senior area of the library and available for anyone who needs a little extra help reading.

May 2012 – May is National Seniors Month
May is National Seniors Month and this year’s theme is “you are never too old to play.” For this reason, the library is hosting two “play dates” for seniors. This year our play time will be two dancing demonstrations to promote fitness while having fun. No prior experience or partner is needed, but you can bring a friend to increase your enjoyment! There is no minimum age, just come on in and play! On Wednesday May 30 we will have a zumba demonstration from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Zumba is a Latin-based dance workout. Kim Keyes and Vickie Blackwell from the Fitness Zone II are demonstrating their talents. They may include a Silver Sneakers workout demonstration as well. Silver Sneakers is specifically tailored to seniors. It's not dance, but it's a super fun workout, using chairs, light weights and resistance bands. On Thursday May 31 we will have a line dancing demonstration from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Pat Cox is bringing this fun exercise to the library. Don’t forget your cowboy boots and 10-gallon hat! Both events will take place in the community room in the library. The purpose of these events is to encourage seniors to get out, stay active, and have fun with others. So ya’ll come on down and join the fiesta. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please call the library at 966-2140 and ask for Lea Ann. For additional opportunities and information for seniors, see Senior Services.

May 2012 – New Display Case at the Library
The Mariposa County Friends of the Library has presented a display case to the Mariposa Library. It is available for any organization or club that wishes to publicize their program by displaying items and information for viewing by the community. The case is lighted with three glass shelves and fabric backing, which allows items to be hung using Velcro. It is located near the Circulation Desk, beside the Large Print shelves. Any group wishing to use the case may call the library at 966-2140 and ask for Janet or Lea Ann. See display case photo under Community Services.

April 2012 – Mariposa Seed library Created
Mariposa County Library is pleased to announce the creation of a community owned seed library located in our main branch. A seed library is a self-perpetuating collection of seeds. So far we have received generous donations from Renee’s Garden, High Mowing Organic Seed, Seed Savers Exchange, and Southern Exposure Seed. We are seeking larger donations from the public as well. If you have special garden plants that you grow each year, please consider sharing your seeds with the community. We are looking for vegetables, herbs, and flowers that do well in our zone 7 climate. More information in Library Areas: Mariposa Seed Library.

September 2011 – Make library payments Online
Library users can use a credit card or debit card to pay their library fees and fines online via the SmartPAY system. Details about SmartPAY. Make a payment through SmartPAY.

February 2011 – Adult Literacy Program
Would you or someone you know like help with reading and writing skills? The Mariposa County Library offers free tutoring for English speaking Mariposa County residents age 18 or older. Trained volunteer tutors will work with learners on a one-to-one basis in the library or other public location. Learners work at their own pace to achieve goals they set for themselves. For example, if a learner wants to write a resume, help children with homework, or pass a driver’s test, instruction is directed to achieving those goals. All program materials are provided free of charge to learners. Hours are flexible to fit in with the learner’s schedule. This program is provided in conjunction with the Merced Library Read and Succeed adult literacy program. For more information, call the Mariposa Library, 209-966-2140 or stop by the library during normal hours of operation. Leave your name and phone number or email address and the Literacy Coordinator will contact you.

January 2011 – Free movies & popcorn
Come to the library for free movies and popcorn on the second Wednesday of every month, at 3:00 p.m. in the library Community Room. All ages are welcome; children 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. See the library’s Facebook page for upcoming movie titles.

October 2010 – 'Wii for All' on Saturdays
Everyone is welcome to come join the fun at Wii for All, on Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. in the Mariposa Library Community Room.

September 2010 – Adult Gathering
Physical and mental exercise combined with companionship are important factors for promoting healthy living for adults who may become isolated in our modern society. If you know of anyone who could use a short outing with friends, bring them by the library for some fun and camaraderie. Wii is available for anyone looking for some fun and exercise. Using Wii, bowling, race car driving, going on a safari, tennis, dancing, even playing in a band are all readily accomplished. Wii Fit can be used to increase balance and stamina. Brainage and puzzle books will be available for those wanting some mental challenges. Heard of Sudoku or Kakuro and are curious about them? Come on in and find out. Stop by and join the fun on the second Wednesday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the library Community Room. Refreshments are served.

September 2010 – Library's Amazon Wish List
Anyone who wishes to donate books or movies to the library can do so via the library's Amazon Wish List. The Wish List includes the library's ship-to address, so you can pick out an item and have it sent to the library as you checkout at Amazon. Each donor will have a ‘donated by’ notice placed in the item and have 'first read' if the donated item is a book, or 'first watch' if it's a movie. Please note: 'Donated by' plates will automatically be placed on items donated via the Wish List unless the library is notified that the donor wants to remain anonymous.

August 2010 – Teen Knowledge Needed
Teens who wish to share their knowledge of computers and Wii are needed at the library. Computer tutors are needed to teach adults basic computer skills. This after school program involves teens who teach these skills on a one-on-one basis. Wii instructors are also needed for the Friday morning adult gathering and for the Saturday afternoon Wii for all. This is a great opportunity for students who need community service time for their college resumes. Anyone interested in participating in these programs can contact Lea Ann at the library.

August 2010 – Library joins Facebook
The library's Facebook page is geared toward teens but also has information for their parents, and even parents of younger children. Find out about events like Teen Scene, where teens enjoy after school activities with snacks, Wii, board games, and free movies — at the library.

April 2009 – April is Poetry Month !
Everyone! Please submit your original poetry, art, photography, songs, and stories for display at the Mariposa County Library during the month of April. All entries will be included in our 2009 anthology. All participants will receive a copy of our book! Entries should be suitable for all ages. Cowboy Poetry: Come celebrate the 8th Annual Cowboy Poetry Week at the Mariposa Library on Thursday, April 23 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. Cowboy Poet Wendy Brown-Barry will be performing and giving suggestions on how to write your own Cowboy Poetry.

June 2008 – Read to Mr. Gunny at the Library
Mr. Gunny, a certified Therapy Dog with Therapy Dogs International, Inc. "Tail Wagging Tutors" program, has announced his Summer Schedule at the Mariposa County Library. Keep up your reading skills this summer by reading to Mr. Gunny from 10:30 am to 11:30 am on the following Fridays: June 20, July 11, July 18, and August 1. Mr. Gunny, a five-year-old Australian Shepherd, will be waiting for you in the Children’s Room with his handler, Marilyn Rudzik, a retired Special Education Teacher. As a "Tail Wagging Tutor" Mr. Gunny also works at the Merced County Library, tutored in Room 7 at MES last semester, and also makes visits to J.C. Fremont Hospital once a month. Although Australian Shepherds traditionally do not have tails, you will find Mr. Gunny wagging his whole body in anticipation of hearing a good story from his readers.

April 2008 – Celebrating National Poetry Month Poets, artists, writers, photographers and songwriters of all ages are invited to submit their work for display at the Mariposa County Library during the month of April, which has been designated National Poetry Month. The work will later be bound into a 2008 anthology, and each contributor will receive a copy. This year, a contest is also being held to select a title and cover artwork for the anthology. The winners will each be awarded a prize of a $25 gift certificate to Windows on the World Book Store in Mariposa. The deadline to submit contributions to the anthology and the cover contest is Wednesday, April 30 at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced on May 5. Content must be original and suitable for all age levels to be considered. Written work, including short stories, memoirs, poems and songs, should be limited to 500 words and preferably submitted either by email or on floppy disk or CD, although neatly handwritten material will also be accepted. Scanned artwork is preferred; however, original pieces up to 11" x 17" will be accepted, as well as photographs of original 3-dimensional art. For more information or to submit contributions, contact Katie Hertfelder at katie.hertfelder@sjvls.org or 209-966-2140.

January 2008 – Library Extends Hours
The Mariposa County Library, main branch, is extending its hours. The new schedule will start January 22, 2008. New hours:

Monday	8:30 a.m.	– 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday	8:30 a.m.	– 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday	8:30 a.m.	– 6:00 p.m.
Thursday	8:30 a.m.	– 6:00 p.m.
Friday	8:30 a.m.	– 6:00 p.m.
Saturday	8:30 a.m.	– 4:00 p.m.
Sunday	Closed

December 2007 – Search for Old Photos
The county library staff is searching for old photos of former library buildings. If anyone has any pictures of any of the buildings that were used as a library within the county, we would appreciate a copy. If possible, please include the date and location of the building. Our goal is to create a timeline mural of the history of the library. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. If you wish, the photos can be mailed to Mariposa County Library; PO Box 106; Mariposa, CA 95338; Attention: Lea Ann Nichols.

April 2007 – Poetry Month at the Library!
Mariposa Teens: Please submit your original poetry for display at the Mariposa County Library during the month of April. All entries will be included in the 2007 issue of the book Mariposa Teen Express and posted on our blog The Open Page. Submit your poems in person or by email to: Katie.Hertfelder@sjvls.org. All participants will receive a copy of the book. The first 10 entries will receive a gift certificate! Poems should be suitable for readers of all ages, please.

February 2007 – Library REOpens on Saturdays
The main Mariposa County Library is once again open on Saturdays.

October 2006 – Library Closed on Saturdays
Beginning Monday October 2, the Mariposa County Main Library will be closed on Saturdays to help reduce expenditures. Unfortunately, Mariposa County must eliminate 1 million dollars from its current budget. All departments must use their 2005-2006 budgets as a baseline and cut 2%. For the library that means a decrease to the library budget by $7,625. The library only has three line items to help reduce this cost: Personnel-Extra Help; books and audio visuals; and, our contract with the San Joaquin Valley Library System (SJVLS). The three Friends of the Library groups have agreed to help make up the difference of $4,350 for the SJVLS contract and the library will be eliminating Saturday hours to save $3,275. Saturday is our least productive day for check-outs and check-ins. Please stop by the library to see the posted data. The County Librarian would like to stress that when the County’s revenues are normalized the library will again be open on Saturdays. Libraries are part of the American dream. They are a place for education and self-help. And because they offer free access to all, they bring opportunity to all. Library patrons and staff are viewing this closure as a temporary solution.

June 2006 – Read, Baby, Read: Books for Babies
The Mariposa County Library is pleased to announce Books for Babies. The library has a gift for every newborn resident of Mariposa. New babies will be given a gift bag containing: a bib, the booklet Babies Love Books, a brochure with reading tips, a sturdy board book, a bookmark, family reading tips from the Barbara Bush Foundation, the booklet Raising a Reader, Raising a Writer and an application for baby’s first library card! It is never too early to read to your baby and it is never too early to get your baby a library card. The library has the tools parents need to help their newborns develop language and literacy skills. Books for Babies is being sponsored by the Mariposa County Friends of the Library. For more information please contact Janet Chase-Williams at 209-966-2140.

April 2006 – April is National Poetry Month
Mariposa teens age 12-19: Please submit your original poetry for display at the Mariposa County Library during the month of April. All entries will be included in the 2006 issue of Mariposa Teen Express and posted on our new blog The Open Page. All participants will receive a copy of the book Mariposa Teen Express, a collection of original poetry by local teens to celebrate poetry month each April. The first 10 entries will receive a gift certificate! Poems should be suitable for readers of all ages, please.

August 2005 – Teen blog
Local teens have a blog on the Web. The Open Page is written and maintained by young adults, and published by the Mariposa County Library. Local teens submit their own articles, poetry, book & movie reviews, photo essays, jokes and other stuff. And teens can email in their submissions. Check out the blog to find out what's going on at the library for young adults and to read some great original material.

August 2004 – Online Business Directory
The Mariposa County Library has added yet another service for library cardholders. Reference USA, a nationwide business and residential directory, is a powerful informational database. This Internet-based reference service is an index of public, private, small, medium, and large companies providing addresses, sales information, and executive's names for over 13 million U.S. and Canadian businesses. The database is updated monthly, and is searchable by state, city, zip code, SIC code, and yellow page headings. Searches can be customized by company size, sales volume, geographic location, industry, etc. – making it easy for business owners to get information about potential new customers. Many of the listings are for small businesses. Information on more than 12 million U.S. businesses; 102 million U.S. residents; 683,000 U.S. health care providers; 1 million Canadian businesses; and 11 million Canadian residents is currently contained in ReferenceUSA.

August 2004 – ebooks collection available
The Mariposa County Library and public libraries in the Central and South San Joaquin Valley are pleased to announce the availability of electronic books, or eBooks, through a cooperative purchase of the San Joaquin Valley Library System (SJVLS). Adding to a growing array of services that library cardholders can access from their home computers, the eBooks collection currently offers a selection of more than 700 books to be read online, or downloaded and read offline on personal computers or PDAs running the free Adobe Reader software. Titles in the collection include a wide variety of children's and adult fiction and nonfiction works. Among the nonfiction topics are cookbooks, computer repair and programming, do-it-yourself legal guides, personal self-improvement, health and fitness, sports, travel, and more. Library users can browse the available titles from any computer, but must register for a free eBook account at an SJVLS library before books can be checked out or downloaded at home.

January 2004 – Library Hours and days change
The Mariposa County Library is always trying to improve service to its library patrons. The Mariposa County Main Library will change the hours and days of operation for a six (6) month trial period beginning January 5, 2004 through July 3, 2004. Tuesday through Friday hours remain the same, Saturday hours change, and Monday hours are added. Changes are as follows:

FROM:
Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

TO:
Monday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Before the trial period ends a survey will be given to library patrons to see if the new hours and days conform to their needs. Additionally, usage statistics will be gathered to see if Monday is a better day for library services to be provided. This will then be reported back to the Board of Supervisors. Additional benefits include better use of staff time, as well as salary savings because Extra Help hours would not need to be used as heavily for Saturdays. And patrons have requested that we be open on Mondays. If you have questions or concerns please contact Jacque Meriam at 966-2140.

November 2003 – New Library Circulation System
The Mariposa County Library, in conjunction with other member libraries of the San Joaquin Valley Library System, will be installing a new automated circulation system the week of November 10, 2003. During the transition there will be some disruption of library service, with the circulation system being limited November 10-13. All libraries will be closed Tuesday, November 11 for Veterans Day. The Mariposa Main Library will also be closed Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15 in order to bring the new circulation system online and check in all items and return them to the shelves. Library staff will endeavor to minimize any inconvenience this transition may present, but customers should be aware that there will be some limitations on service. During the transition the library will only be able to check items out. Patrons must have their library cards to check out materials, no other form of ID is required. Also, there is a 5 item limit, and no renewals or new hold requests are permitted during this period of transition. The library will continue to accept library card applications during the downtime. However, no new or replacement library cards can actually be issued during this time. The automated system provides many functions to library staff and customers, including the circulation of library materials, the registration of library patrons, the acquisition and cataloging of library materials, and the online catalog. Through the automated system, library customers have open access to the facilities of all nine member libraries of the San Joaquin Valley Library System. The current automated system, Dynix of Provo, Utah, has served the San Joaquin Valley Library system for thirteen years but is based on outdated technology. This new system, Horizon, developed by the same company, will provide greater flexibility to meet our expanding needs. The Mariposa County Library System apologizes for any inconvenience to its patrons.

July 2003 – Homebound delivery program
The Mariposa County Library's new Homebound Delivery Program brings library materials to homebound residents of Mariposa County each month. Trained volunteers visit homebound residents to deliver or pick up library materials. Library staff selects books and other materials according to the preferences of the homebound library users. If you're a homebound resident interested in the program, or if you'd like to be a program volunteer, read more about Homebound Delivery.

June 2003 – TEENS – Read for the Rewards
New in 2003 — a Summer Reading Program for teens! Sign up today if you are age 13-18. The program runs from June 18 to August 20 at the Mariposa County Library. Prizes include a delicious treat for every 300 pages you read; a paperback book for reaching a total of 1000 pages; and a movie pass for reaching a total of 2000 pages. And the Grand Prize is a portable CD player! To enter the Grand Prize drawing, fill in a Book Review form for each book you read. The Grand Prize drawing and Pizza Party will be held on Wednesday, August 20 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Mariposa County Library, main branch. Hope to see you there!

October 2002 – New Fee Schedule
The Mariposa County Library System updated the fee schedule effective October 1, 2002. The last time a fee or fine schedule was implemented was September 1996. Fees and other charges are penalties for not returning borrowed items on time, and for damaged or lost items. Full list of fees and charges. The new fee schedule eliminates hold fees on items borrowed from within the San Joaquin Valley Library System. However, the interlibrary loan fee of $1.25 per item borrowed from outside the San Joaquin Valley Library System remains the same. The library system offers a variety of services without charge, but without fee-based services the library does not have the ability to charge for damaged or lost items. Everyone can avoid charges by returning items undamaged and on time. Items can generally be renewed without charge before they become overdue. The new fees for books, magazines, audiocassettes, and CDs rise to 25¢ per overdue day, to a maximum of $4.00 per item. Fees for new books and videos are 50¢ per overdue day, to a maximum of $5.00 per item.

October 2001 – New Library Hours
On October 29, 2001 the Mariposa County Library changed its hours of operation as follows: On Tuesday through Friday, the library opens at 9:30 a.m. (thirty minutes earlier). On Tuesday and Thursday, the library closes at 6:00 p.m. (one hour earlier). The total number of hours the library is open remains the same. These new hours allow the library to be used more efficiently since circulation statistics show that there is little activity after 6:00 p.m. Children's Story Time remains the same, Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. We hope the benefits of these changes outweigh any inconvenience to library users. Full schedule of hours

October 2001 – Million Penny Project Benefits Library
Funds from the Million Penny Project are now being used to purchase new books, audios, videos, and magazines for the children and young adult sections of the library. In the spring of 1996 the Mariposa Elementary School Student Council started this project to raise funds for the library, and elementary and middle school students of Mariposa carried it out. By the spring of 1998 a million pennies – $10,000 – had been collected in classroom jars and donation containers located at local businesses. By the spring of 2001 the funds had grown to $13,000. In the fall of 2001 Mariposa Elementary School gave the money to the new library.

June 2001 – Red Cloud Forms New Friends Chapter & Plans Expansion
A new chapter of the Friends of the Library has formed to support the Red Cloud Library, our branch in Greeley Hill. This new group has voted unanimously to support the expansion of the Red Cloud Library from the current 550 square feet to 2,500 square feet. A nearby site has been leased and the group is now planning the move. They have also begun raising funds to construct a new building for the library.

December 2000 – New Library Opens
After about 30 years of fund raising and planning by the Friends of the Library and community leaders, the new Mariposa County Library opened on December 19, 2000. With more than three times the space of the former library, this is the fourth building the main library has occupied in the library's 107-year history.