Entrance to the exhibit Fearless by Ana Lazaro

Celebrate Women’s History Month

Three of Ana Lazaro paintings at the Mary L. Stephens Davis LibraryMarch is Women’s history month. A great way to celebrate is to check out your local library to see if they have anything special planned. I went to the Yolo Library in Davis and they currently have three (3!) exhibits to celebrate women.

The first exhibit is Fearless by Davis based artist, Ana Lazaro, in the Blanchard Room. The Blanchard Room is the left entrance of the library and is open during opening hours. Lazaro’s works are mostly acrylic on wood and depict famous women, like Maya Angelou, Dorothea Lange, and Dolores Huerta. The portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is especially striking. I enjoyed the short biography of the subjects and the notes about the books and other library materials available to borrow. Some of the pieces are auctioned off as giclées (high resolution prints) to benefit the Friends of the Yolo Library.

Poster of Herstory 2 an curated by Dr. Chang C. ChenFor the second exhibit you have to go to the other end of the library. Herstory 1 & 2: The Legal History of Chinese American Women is shown until the end of May in all Yolo County libraries. This collection of legal milestones was curated by Dr. Chang C. Chen. An amazing reference to brave Chinese American women from women’s suffrage, to the first Chinese American female to hold the office of Secretary of State, and other less known stories. 

A collage of riot grrlrs images and zinesI was delighted to see a collage of Riot Grrrls at the teen center. Pictures of women in all shapes and colors ready to riot. 

Pictures of Riot GrrrlsMary L. Stephens Davis Library

is located at 315 E 14th St in Davis. Opening hours are Monday 12 to 8 p.m, Tuesday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 5:30 p.m.

Does your library have an exhibit celebrating women?

Call me Ishmael phone, Los Gatos library

Call me Ishmael

Call me Ishmael phone, Los Gatos library

“Press any button to hear a story from an anonymous bibliophile about a story they loved.”  This is the sentence you hear when you pick up the receiver of the old pay phone in the Los Gatos library.

Reviews are read from different book lovers. Unfortunately there was no volume button. Some recordings are hard to listen to from the recording quality and the speed of the reader. But the personal account is priceless. Some are short and sweet but most of them are true personal recollections.  

Press 0 and you’ll hear a pitch for ‘Call me Ishmael’ or if you are at home in front of your computer you can watch their YouTube video for their earlier kickstarter project.

Current book selection from Call me Ishmael, Los Gatos library

Currently the book selections are from Sarah Boynton’s Pyjama Time! , a picture book, to classics like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, to the Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.

If you like to record your own review you can do this by calling 774.325.0503. On the CMI website you can also listen to featured calls.

Los Gatos library (front entrance)

A fun way of learning about new books! The personal touch of the stories makes it feel like a friend is telling you about a book they loved, and the Los Gatos library is a great place to hang and discover new books.

What book would you review?

 

Attend an Event at the Menlo Park library

Attend an Event at the Menlo Park library

Me giving a presentation at the Menlo Park libraryLast Tuesday I presented ‘Unexpected things to do in San Mateo County’ in the Menlo Park library. I forgot to mention there that one unexpected things to do in San Mateo County is to go to your local library and attend an event.

John Weaver introducing me at the Menlo Park libraryThere were about 16 attendees. I was very grateful for the knowledgeable audience. We had a wonderful exchange about all the interesting things to do in San Mateo County. From the notetaking I gathered that I also gave great suggestions. As soon as I have 50 things to do in San Mateo County I will publish this on my 50 things to do page and update this post.

Whiteboard announcing my talk and the December events at the Menlo Park libraryLast month was all about storytelling at the library. The December event list includes ‘A Visit with Rosa Parks’ and ‘The American Advertising Calendar Plate’. They also offer regular scheduled programs like knitting and board game meetups.

You can find the adult program here:

https://menlopark.org/543/Adults

Event coordinator John Weaver does an excellent job keeping the events diverse and engaging. Thank you John for inviting me!

Another ‘Thank you’ goes out to my husband for helping me with great suggestions and taking the photos. And to Sharon, who by the way, reads and edits every post, and has always great advice. Both coached me through this presentation.

Have you ever attended a library event?