Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week runs from September 26th to October 3rd. It is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted banning of books across the United States. Banned Books Week is brought to you by he American Booksellers Association; American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression; the American Library Association; American Society of Journalists and Authors; Association of American Publishers; and the National Association of College Stores. It is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.
You've probably read some banned books without even knowing it. Here is a list of classics that have banned, challenged and yes, burned in the United States. Also, here is a list of the most challenged books of 2008.

Have you ever been to the Pleasanton Library Book Sale?

It's a wonderful opportunity
to add to your personal library and contribute the Friends of the Library at the same time.

Friday, September 25th 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday, September 26th 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday, September 27th 11:00 pm – 3:00 pm

(Friends of the Library membership necessary for Friday night only)

In the Library Meeting Room Book, Books, and more Books !!!

Science fiction, travel, mystery, home and garden, cookbooks, text books, classics, sports, non-fiction, self- help, spiritual, romance, fiction best sellers, children’s books and more! Most paperback books cost $.50, most hardbacks are $1.00, and other books are specially priced. All proceeds support projects requested by our librarians and patrons. You can make our sale successful!

Library Pathfinders

What is a pathfinder?

A pathfinder is a guide to locating a variety of online and/or offline resources about a specific subject. The Library’s Information Resources page has pathfinders on several popular areas of interest. Depending on the subject, you may find library books, magazines, databases, and other resources; as well as useful web sites and local connections.

Here is what we have currently:

· College and Scholarship Information @ Your Local Library
· Gardening @ Your Local Library
· Health @ Your Local Library
· Job Search @ Your Local Library
· Local History @ Your Local Library
· Starting a Business
· Test Preparation @ Your Local Library
Check it out! And if you have suggestions for other topics you would like to see on the web site, please let us know.

Moon Day

Yes it is Moon Day! Where were you on July 20th, 1969. If you were like me (I realize some of you may not have been born yet), you were glued to the television, watching with amazement. It is still hard to believe when looking at the moon that people have actually taken footsteps on its surface.

If you want to learn more, the library has some books and DVDs that may interest you. Flight to the Moon, Astronaut Biographies, Moon Exploration, Space Fiction. These are just a few of the many books and movies about space, astronauts and NASA available at the Pleasanton Public Library.

More Books!

Are you always looking for book recommendations? The library has introduced a service called Good Reads E-Newsletters Services. Through your email you can receive reviews for all sorts of books. Only read sci-fi? There's a newsletter for you; as well as new fiction, nonfiction and teen reads, just to name a few. All you have to do is sign-up! It's easy.

What Was the Name of That Book?

Do you have trouble remembering what you've read? I've tried keeping track in a notebook or on my calendar, but it just wasn't working, then a friend told me about Goodreads. You can use it just as a place to keep the titles of books you've read, or you can "make friends" and keep up with what other people are reading. You can also rate books and write book reviews, if you are so inclined. Another website is LibraryThing, where you can make a bookshelf and categorize what you've read. Now, when someone asks if you've read any good books lately, you can refer to Goodreads or LibraryThing and tell them exactly what you've read!

Summer Reading

Did you know the Pleasanton Library has an adult summer reading program? This is our second year of providing some fun for adults while encouraging reading and library usage. If you want to participate, come to the library beginning June 13th to sign up. For more information visit the Reading Out West blog. We do have the theme of "The West", but you can read (or listen to) anything you want. We will have a suggested reading list, but if you think about it, the term "the west" encompasses many themes and genres. A few authors and titles do come readily to mind, though; like Wallace Stegner, John Steinbeck, Larry McMurtry, and Zane Grey.
But, what about some mysteries by Tony Hillerman, Sue Grafton, or Laurie R. King? Some short stories by Annie Proulx or Mark Twain and others? And then, there is non-fiction and poetry; try Danger on the Peaks by Gary Snyder or California Plain : remembering barns or Testimonios : early California through the eyes of women, 1815-1848 . Whatever you read this summer, be sure to post your review on the summer reading blog.

May Birthdays

Some famous people were born in the month of May. Ian Fleming, author of the famous James Bond books was born May 28th, 1908. You might enjoy reading one of his books, or watching one of the James Bond films. Did you know he also wrote a children's book? Ian Fleming at the library.
John F. Kennedy, 35th president of the United States was born on May 29th, 1917. It's hard to believe he would be 92, in our minds he is always a young man. John F. Kennedy at the library.
Mel Blanc, who has brought us so many hours of laughter, was also born in May; May 30th, 1908, to be precise. Mel was the voice of Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Tweetie Pie, Sylvester, Porky Pig and the Road Runner!
Mel Blanc at the library.

April Book Sale a Success!

Twice a year the Friends of the Pleasanton Library hold a book sale, one in Spring and one in Fall. The Spring sale raised a total of $20,180.07!!! These dollars go to the library through the Friends organization (you can become a member) and fund many of the music and author programs and the purchase of furniture, for example. If you have never been to the book sale, you will want to mark your calendar for the next one to be held September 25th, 26th and 27th. At the book sale you will find so many books! There are books on nearly every subject, lots of fiction, there are even dvds, videos and cds. All of these items are donated by the public. Our library patrons are awesome!

NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

April 12th through April 18th is

National Library Week! It's time to visit your library and see what's going on here. We have books, of course, but so much more. You can find DVDs, audio-books, e-books, lots of databases, CDs, free Internet, free Wi-fi, storytime for kids and programs of all sorts for all ages.

Here's a link to the library's programs: http://www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/services/library/programs-events-adult.html

See you at the Pleasanton Library