They’re our favorite publishers of non-fiction for children! The wizards at National Geographic Kids always leave us amazed by their consistently engaging books about science, animals and more. These titles make it easy for the Free Bookmobile staff to keep youth interested in the world around them, even during ages 8 – 13 when kids often make a sharp turn toward fiction. So when our overall supply of science and nature books ran short recently, we reached out to the National Geographic Foundation with our need and they responded with a wonderful shipment of their latest material. We now have dozens of educational titles to offer children who wouldn’t normally get to bring such gems home, to immerse themselves for as long as they want. They also sent a massive box of recent NG Explorer magazines which we will make sure find a home in local schools or aftercare programs serving low-income students. Here’s more on their publishing philosophy:

For over 40 years, the Sonoma County Alliance (SCA) has brought together local leaders from all fields to encourage a healthy economy, maintain a sound environment, protect private property rights and promote a responsive political process. The Alliance accomplishes these goals through public and member education and, from time to time, through advocacy before decision makers.

Strong education leads to a strong workforce, so the SCA is an avid supporter of improving local education in any way possible. Their Education Committee has partnered with Tomorrow’s Leadership Today, the Sonoma County Office of Education, the Santa Rosa Junior College, and other supporters to create a Career Readiness Program. They also host a whimsical annual fundraiser called Bocce for Books, and this year the Free Bookmobile was one of the beneficiaries. We received a grant that will provide a nice boost in our ability to purchase materials for our youngest patrons — board books for little hands, early readers for preschoolers, and Spanish/bilingual books for families to read together. Big thanks to the SCA Education Committee for this opportunity to strengthen our resources and create better outcomes for our many low-income and access-challenged patrons!

After years on our wishlist, a truly West County donation site is now a reality! The friendly folks at Lark Rexall Drugs on Main Street in Guerneville are now welcoming book donations for the Free Bookmobile during business hours. Fortunately all the locals know Lark’s, it’s been a Main Street institution for many decades, and the business itself goes back to the 19th century. As with all our donation sites, please bring a maximum of four boxes or bags per week so that we can transport and sort your books before receiving more. We appreciate donations in all categories and target ages, as long as they are in good condition, with a special need for board books, early readers, and recent/relevant adult non-fiction.

Huge thanks to the Lark’s management and staff for this critical assistance with our mission! Look for the donation bin inside the store, or simply ask one of the clerks where to leave the books. Here are the details, and our full list of donation sites throughout Sonoma County can be found on our website by clicking here:

Lark Rexall Drugs

16251 Main Street, Guerneville

869-9055       https://larkdrugs.com/

Monday – Friday   9 Am – 6:30 Pm

Saturday   10 Am – 6 Pm

Sunday   11 Am – 3 Pm

Hot on the heels of our participation in their Back To School Shopping Spree for underprivileged local children, Active 20-30 Club of Santa Rosa #50 has boosted our program’s ability to reach the most vulnerable: the young and the English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. Though we have the relationships to connect with these populations, we need the right kind of books to offer them. The public is supportive through their used book donations but we just don’t receive nearly enough high quality board books (for babies & toddlers), early readers and picture books (for 4 – 6 year-olds), and Spanish/bilingual books. The latter category is particularly important because getting bilingual books into certain homes allows monolingual Spanish-speaking adults to read along with the little ones, helping them learn English. This type of shared reading is a wonderful, loving, free activity that also enhances interpersonal relationships across generations.

Active 20-30 of Santa Rosa #50′s donation will allow us to purchase a wide range of these crucial books and bring them directly to those target audiences. Active 20-30 Clubs provide young adults with an opportunity for personal growth, friendships and leadership development while improving the quality of life for disadvantaged and special needs children in their communities. The Santa Rosa club dates back to 1929 and these young professionals do a great job of raising money and volunteering, with an emphasis on assisting low-income Santa Rosa and Windsor families. We have been honored to work with them on a number of special events to provide kids with holiday parties, back-to-school supplies, and more.

Thank you once again, Active 20-30 of Santa Rosa #50!

While not based on a book, Grease is a great choice for a fun night out! Please join us at the Rialto Cinemas in downtown Sebastopol for an evening of popcorn, singing, and a bag of fine local chocolate to take home. Singing is optional, but in a darkened theater, who’s gonna know it was you? This fundraiser supports the efforts of the Free Bookmobile’s parent organization, the Sonoma County Public Library Foundation (SCPLF). Founded in 1986, SCPLF aims for strengthening and promoting use of library resources, enthusiasm for reading, and increased literacy for all Sonoma County residents. The Foundation has over the years offered services such as free books for all local newborns, support for the Adult Literacy and Summer Reading programs, and collaboration on the establishment of new library branches in low-income areas.

Tickets are just $20 in advance or $25 per person at the door. Just click here to go to the official “Buy Now” page and reserve your spot. Oh and spread the word…the Free Bookmobile will also be there to do what we do best…offer you terrific books!

Stepping forward for the seventh straight year to provide major funding for our program is the Ernest L. and Ruth W. Finley Foundation! We feel especially honored to receive this ongoing support because the Finley Foundation board members are long-time members of and advocates for a strong Sonoma County. Their experience and wisdom, earned over many years of deep community involvement, gives them a keen sense of what constitutes prudent investment in the region. Their endorsement means the world to us and will power much of our work over the next 12 months as we continue to spread literacy and love of reading to anyone and everyone. Thank you so very much!

Since 1985 the Finley Foundation has been a tremendous source of funding for community programs throughout the North Bay, particularly in the areas of child welfare, health and human services, and arts and culture. Some of their high-profile projects include the Finley Community Center & Aquatic Center and the Social Advocates for Youth Finley Dream Center.

Program Assistant Dori King

We are delighted to announce the addition of Dori King to our staff as our new Program Assistant! Dori has been a dedicated volunteer since 2011 when her daughter chose to engineer a book drive for the Free Bookmobile as her special eighth grade “Knighting” project. In fact Dori’s entire family jumped on board and has never left us. They have been looking after our Petaluma book donation partners as well as providing lots of on-site assistance during busy events and pretty much anything else we ask them to do. Dori has other community commitments and a busy household so we feel fortunate that she has carved out a little more from her schedule to handle the part-time PA duties, which include social media, volunteer recruiting, and event promotions.

Dori replaces long-time PA and volunteer Stacy Graham (née Ruppert), who has reluctantly stepped back from the bookmobile to put more time into her marketing career and marriage. We wish Stacy all the best and hope that she stops by occasionally to say hi and find something great to read!

Since 2014, Landmark Vineyards has been supporting local organizations that make our communities thrive. They take a special interest in increasing quality of life for the residents of the Russian River and Sonoma Valleys, and have awarded the Free Bookmobile of Sonoma County a community grant to expand services to those populations throughout 2018! We are very excited about this new partnership and all who will benefit. The Free Bookmobile will reach at least 20% more children, families and seniors with this funding and is already on the road to access-challenged locations we would not otherwise have been able to serve.

We appreciate that Landmark Vineyards grant programs are open to all focus areas and causes. They know that each community in the regions they support has its own unique character and needs. Landmark wants to support what matters to those living and working in these areas, whether that is education, the environment, arts or health, to name a few. Thank you!

Mobile Librarian Allison Randall

You may have met her already at one of our events! Our new staff member is Mobile Librarian Allison Randall. She received a Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from San Jose State University last year, with focused studies on youth materials and programming, including early literacy practices and STEM education. Allison finished her term at SJSU with a Director’s Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion. She is also mother of three and a volunteer with a Girls on the Run after-school mentorship program.

We have been in training with Allison since January and she has been on the road solo since March. We love how she connects with children in particular. “I am passionate about getting to know my community better and working with individuals and families to build relationships and literacy opportunities,” Allison told us. Sounds like a great fit for the Free Bookmobile program values. Be sure to say hello and welcome her to the team on your next visit to our rolling library of love!