LIBRARY TOWN HALL MEETING Pittsburg 9/25/WED (7 TO 8:30 pm)

Confirmed:  15 Sep 13



Posted:  29 Aug 13

1.  At the time of this writing, the Pittsburg Library Town Hall meeting hadn't yet appeared on the County library website, but I called this afternoon and learned of the 25 September meeting date at the Pittsburg Library.  Be sure to mark your calendars.

2.  A flyer for the meeting hasn't been received yet, but will be posted when available.  Meanwhile, you can learn more about these meetings on this 26 July City-Journal bulletin.

3.  Last, but certainly not least:

• I also learned that Chris Brown, former Acting Pittsburg Library Manager, is now Manager of the Pleasant Hill branch.  Congratulations, Chris!  
• Becky Nielson is now in charge of the Pittsburg branch.  Congrats to Becky, too!

David Nelson






All Original Content © 2013 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.

LIBRARY TOWN HALL MEETING: Bay Point 9/10/TUE(6:30 to 8:00pm)

Posted:  20 Aug 13

Click here to check for town hall meetings scheduled, so far, in your own Contra Costa community.

Please allow a few seconds for the embedded flyer, below, to load for viewing.

Bay Point Library Town Hall

FREE BOOKS!! County Library Giveaway (8/15 to 8/31) (9am to 5pm)

Posted:  16 Aug 13

Please give the flyer, below, a few extra seconds to load for your viewing.

Ccclib Book Giveaway

County Library System -- SUMMER TOWN HALL MEETINGS (City-by-City)

Posted:  26 July 13

COUNTY-NEIGHBORS GET TO HELP 

SHAPE THE LIBRARY SYSTEM 

THE WAY WE WANT IT!

Ref:  (a)  COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM NEWSLETTER - July 2013 (another award & more!)
          (b) PITTSBURG: LIBRARY BIRTHDAY BASH & GRAND REOPENING - 7/27/SAT/11:00

1.  Purposes

To highlight the neat calendar contained in reference (a).  You don't want to miss this.  It really is a neat thing to take a peek at.  I thought I'd duplicate here to be more sure that you won't overlook this.
(Nicely done, Library System!)

To remind County-neighbors to come and check out the great changes at the Pittsburg branch, as indicated in reference (b).  [An After-Action report on this event may be viewed by clicking here]


2.  In the library system's own words:

Contribute to the future of Contra Costa County Library as we shape our new strategic plan!

This summer and fall, each community will be hosting a town hall meeting where residents and stakeholders can share their vision and voice their opinions on the Library and what its priorities and goals should be.

For dates, times, and locations of the Town Hall Meetings, please see our events calendar. If your city or town is not yet listed, it will be as soon as the dates are confirmed!


3.  I'll Just Bet:

I'll bet that at least one of the dates can work for you.  Doesn't have to be in your own City, if the date proves inconvenient.

In fact, it might be a good chance to meet some distant County-neighbors --- and explore other County branches -- all are unique and worth checking out and taking fullest advantage. [And, you just might learn of powers you might never have imagined the system could give you and your family.]

As their accumulation of awards and our own great personal experiences with them proves, they are taking all of this seriously, for a better future for us all.  Lucky us!


4.  Suggestion:

Mark your own calendars, right now -- lest you forget


D. Nelson

Contra Costa County Library BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: 7/21/SUN/ 12 to 5 pm / Pleasant Hill

Posted:  20 July 2013

Contra Costa County Library Birthday Celebration: This Sunday!

Contra Costa County Library is 100 years old! Please join us on Sunday, July 21, at Pleasant Hill Park for a special celebration featuring arts and crafts, children's performers, music, and fun for the whole family. Check out our guide to performances and activities for everyone. Sunday, July 21 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Pleasant Hill Park 147 Gregory Lane in Pleasant Hill

COUNTY LIBRARY NEWSLETTER - July 2013 (another award & more!) CONGRATULATIONS!

Posted:  17 July 13

HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM FOR WINNING ANOTHER PRESTIGIOUS AWARD WITHIN THE LAST 8 MONTHS!  

In November 2012, they won the coveted "2012 National Medal for Museum and Library Service," in Washington, DC. (see this blog article).  

And now this, the " 2013 National Association of Counties Achievement Award for Veterans Connect," (see below) 

OH, VERY WELL DONE!!  LUCKY US!

Library Survey: Give Us Your 2¢ Contra Costa County Library is asking for your input on its services in order to better serve the needs of the community. Your feedback will help us greatly as we work on our new strategic plan. The link to the brief online survey, which runs until July 31, isccclib.org/mylibrary. Please share the survey link with family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues so they can voice their opinions too. Town Hall Meetings Contribute to the future of Contra Costa County Library as we shape our new strategic plan! This summer and fall, each community will be hosting a town hall meeting where residents and stakeholders can share their vision and voice their opinions on the Library and what its priorities and goals should be. For dates, times, and locations of the Town Hall Meetings, please see our events calendar. If your city or town is not yet listed, it will be as soon as the dates are confirmed! Contra Costa County Library Birthday Celebration: This Sunday! Contra Costa County Library is 100 years old! Please join us on Sunday, July 21, at Pleasant Hill Park for a special celebration featuring arts and crafts, children's performers, music, and fun for the whole family. Check out our guide to performances and activities for everyone. Sunday, July 21 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Pleasant Hill Park 147 Gregory Lane in Pleasant Hill Read! Discuss! Act! Put words into action by reading a great book, discussing it with others, and using your new-found knowledge to engage in a community service project related to the book's topic. Hercules Library is hosting book to action events featuring Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Learn more. Summer Reading is Delicious Get out of the heat and give yourself a treat! Summer Reading festivities are happening now at our community library locations. Please check our calendar for events taking place near you. More Upcoming Programs and Events Inclusive Storytimes Hercules Library Every Tuesday 6:00 p.m. - 6:25 p.m. A fun family storytime for everyone! This inclusive storytime is for all children, including children with disabilities, ESL learners, and anyone looking to hear some fun stories. There will be a simple craft afterward. Meet the Pinole Police Department Pinole Library Monday July 29 at 2:00 Police come to the Library to talk about safety issues for kids. Contact the library for more details. OneBEAT Drum Circle Program for Kids, Teens and Adults El Sobrante Library Monday, August 12 from 7:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Join us for an exciting evening of community drumming with facilitators from DRUMMM Rhythmic Events! Achievement Award for Library's Veterans Connect Contra Costa County Library received a 2013 National Association of Counties Achievement Award for Veterans Connect, a library project that connected county veterans with critical information resources. These resources included Welcome Home events staffed by the County Veterans Service Officer; job recruiters from Google, the FBI, and the County Sheriff's; library cards to homeless veterans; library books; and a library subject guide. Art Passages Launches Library Exhibit The public is invited to see the new exhibit, Contra Costa Libraries: A 21st Century Look at our County's Libraries, featuring the work of artist Philip Liborio Gangi. The exhibit is housed in the Contra Costa County Administration Building at 651 Pine Street in Martinez. Read more. ©2013 Contra Costa County Library | 1750 Oak Park Boulevard | Pleasant Hill CA | 94523 | You are receiving this e-mail from Contra Costa County Library because you told us it’s okay to contact you with library news, or you signed up for eNews via the Online Library or in person. Thank you for your interest and support.

Powered by Mad Mimi ®

COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM WINS PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL AWARD!

Posted: 15 Nov 12

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CCCLS!  

WE ALREADY KNOW YOU'RE GREAT... 

BUT, IT'S NICE TO KNOW THE NATION AGREES!

1.  Purpose

To proudly announce a significant achievement by our Contra Costa County Library System.  The System was recently awarded the "2012 National Medal for Museum and Library Service" at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.  The award was presented under the auspices of "The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)"

Sections 3, 4 and 5, below, are interesting excerpts selected from the ceremonial brochure, which may be found, in its entirety, at this website (click here)

2.  Background

This evening, I had the privilege of attending a meeting of the County Library Commission, sitting in as an alternate (prospective) for Library Commissioner, District 5, Greg Enholm.  Approximately 25 board members were in attendance, representing the various Cities and Communities of the County.  There were about 10 guests also present to show their keen interest and support for the System.  County Supervisor Candace Andersen, District 2, was also present and spoke kind words of enthusiastic support and commitment.

I was surprised and delighted to discover this achievement and wanted to make sure you were all aware of another tremendous advantage we enjoy as residents of this remarkable County.


3.  From First Lady Michelle Obama

“Congratulations to the winners of the National Medal for Museum and Library Services. This year’s recipients share a common commitment to excellence, spirit of innovative thinking, and determination to serve their home communities. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and embracing new ideas and approaches, these award winners have challenged the conventional notions of what a library or museum can and should be. Congratulations again. I wish you all the best.”

4.  From IMLS Director, Susan H. Hildreth

I am pleased to present the recipients of the 2012 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.  The Medal is the nation’s highest honor for libraries and museums. 

• It celebrates libraries and museums that make a difference for individuals, families, and communities.
• Medal winners are selected from a nationwide nominations process. 
• Successful institutions demonstrate innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community outreach. 
• This year five libraries and five museums have been selected to receive the award.
• The ten institutions honored this year serve communities in both large cities and small towns, with users of all ages. 
• The winners are representative of the great diversity of U.S. libraries and museums and include art, children’s, and science museums, a botanical garden, a school library, and several public libraries. 
• They all share the common bond of having achieved extraordinary success at reaching out to the communities they serve in effective and inventive ways.  

The Institute of Museum and Library Services, together with the National Museum and Library Services Board, is proud to congratulate the winners of the 2012 National Medals for Museum and Library Service.

5.  The Contra Costa County 
Section of the Brochure

Library Services on the Go

In today’s age of mobile platforms and social media, libraries are looking to extend beyond their buildings, and Contra Costa County Library is at the forefront of using new technologies to bring itself to its customers. “Technology is a means to an end,” says County Librarian Barbara L. Flynn. “And the end here is reaching our community and customers.”

Contra Costa County is situated across the bay from San Francisco, and many of its 1,066,696 residents endure long work commutes.  A 2001 study by the U.S. Census Bureau confirmed that, at an average of 34.4 minutes, Contra Costa commuters have the longest slog on the West Coast. 

To meet the needs of the commuting population, Contra Costa created Snap & Go, a mobile application for smart phones. When library cardholders with the app want to read an e-book, they simply snap a picture of a Quick Response (QR) code using a smart phone. 

Within minutes, they’re able to download an e-book and begin listening. The library teamed up with the local transportation system, placing bus ads with QR codes that commuters could photograph as they traveled. “We could meet people where they are,” says Flynn.

Innovative Programs: 

Cultural Access and E-Books

A new program, Discover & Go, helps library customers find free or low-cost entrance passes to local cultural institutions such as museums and galleries. 

• Many libraries offer discount museum passes in paper or laminate form, but patrons must physically go to the library to acquire them. If the pass is not returned then no one else can take advantage of the discount. 
• With Discover & Go, customers can order, download, and print passes from their home, work or library computers. 
• The program allows cultural institutions to reach under-served populations while library customers can explore more of the Bay Area.  
• In August 2012, the library system teamed up with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to offer a thousand $10 metro passes for those ordering museum tickets through the Discover & Go program. 
• This partnership enabled lower income residents to visit cultural destinations without worrying about transportation costs.  

New this year, the library is partnering with the Califa Library Group, the largest library network in California, to create an open source e-book platform. 

Other initiatives include bringing e-book readers to homebound seniors, who often find turning pages and enlarging type easier on such devices, and holding workshops and fairs to teach library goers about available technologies. 

That’s not to say that the library doesn’t embrace the basics. 

For example, Project Second Chance trains tutors for adults who want to develop reading skills—sometimes to gain better employment, sometimes to read to their children or grandchildren. “We don’t limit ourselves to just technology. We excel at being at the forefront of a lot of technologies and services,” says Flynn. “Technology is just one way to provide what customers are asking for, what they are looking to libraries to provide.”

All Original Content © 2012 , The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved -- BUT, I hereby suspend those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along, if you think it will do some good -- as long as it's free of charge, unchanged, and you include this statement.