Palo Alto's libraries will be closed on Tuesday, November 11 for the Veteran's Day holiday and also for Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday, November 27 and 28.  Even when the libraries are closed, you can still search the online catalog, submit reference desk questions, access many online resources, and get book recommendations.

Non-profit organizations and schools that need free books should come to the Bargain Room this month from 4 to 6 pm on Sunday, November 9.  Please bring grocery bags to put books into.  More information.

With Tons of New Donations, Special Hours Continue

Our new expanded hours continue this month, with a Saturday outdoor sale starting at 9 am (weather permitting) outside the Main Room and the Bargain Room opening two hours earlier at 11 am on Sunday.  We still close at 4 pm on both days.
 
This will be a great sale for holiday gift shopping.  Judy Wagstrom, one of our many talented volunteers, created some wonderful whimsical quilt collages (see examples on the right) for the sale.  These collages will make you smile: each one measures approximately 8 by 11 inches and features an image from a vintage postcard set in a frame of unique fabrics.  The craftsmanship is beautiful - many of the pieces are appliquéd with beads, velvet leaves or whimsical buttons.  At just $5 each, these treasures make great inexpensive gifts for friends and family and will be available in the Main Room.
 
Many other interesting items were donated this month too.  We received a large collection of science fiction books and magazines from an estate, including many classics and magazines dating back to the 1960s.  We also received a unique collection of military and military history books, pamphlets, magazines, paper memorabilia, and government-issued  publications.  All these items will be in the Main Room.

 
Preview Our Shelves

Check out some of the tens of thousands of books that will be on sale this weekend using our shelf preview pictures.

The family of Marty Paddock invites the community to a celebration of her life on Saturday, November 22 at 2 pm in the Lucie Stern Community Center at 1305 Middlefield Road.  Marty was manager of the Friends of the Palo Alto Library booksale from 2000 to 2006 and passed away on October 1.

 
Library Bond Measure N Wins

Library bond Measure N garnered 69.5% of votes in yesterday's election, surpassing the required 2/3 margin to pass.  With the victory, the city will raise $76 million to build a new 50,000 square foot Mitchell Park Library and Community Center, remodel and extend the Main Library, and renovate the Downtown Library.  The projects are estimated to take six years to complete.
 
The Yes on N campaign raised approximately $120,000, including a $5,000 donation from the Friends of the Palo Alto Library, while opponents never officially registered as a campaign and reportedly spent only small sums.
 
Back in 2002, library bond Measure D lost when only 61.5% of Palo Altans supported it.  That $49 million effort sought to build a larger library and community center at Mitchell Park and to renovate and expand the Children's Library, but did not include the smaller branches.  Opponents of that measure charged it could raise operating costs and lead to closure of the Downtown and College Terrace libraries.  The 2008 City Council instead embraced those smaller branches by including $4 million for the Downtown Library in the bond measure and funding improvements for the College Terrace branch in advance.  As a result, much of the criticism of this year's bond measure came from those who wanted fewer branches or just one library in the city.
 
See Palo Alto Weekly article and election results.

 
Free Genealogy Class on November 19

Find out more about your ancestors and long-lost relatives on Wednesday, November 19 at the Main Library at 1213 Newell Road.  Librarians will show you how to use Heritage Quest and Ancestry.com, two vast online genealogical databases.  While Ancestry.com can only be used for free at a library, your Palo Alto library card lets you access Heritage Quest from anywhere over the Internet without cost.  The free class will also cover the Palo Alto Historical Association's collection of local photographs and news articles and runs from 10:30 am until noon.  To register, click here and then on the course description in the calendar listing for November 19.

By shopping at Kepler's Books in Menlo Park and Amazon.com, a percentage of your purchase price can help the Palo Alto Libraries at no cost to you.  At Kepler's, just mention to the cashier that you want to support the Friends of the Palo Alto Library.  For Amazon.com, always start your shopping session by clicking here or on the Amazon link on the top right of any of our web pages at www.friendspaloaltolib.org.  Virtually all purchases you make at Amazon are eligible, not just books.  Over the years, we've raised thousands of dollars to help our libraries through these programs.

 
Members-Early Sale on December 13

If you're a member of the Friends of the Palo Alto Library, you'll be able to get in early to the Main Room at our December 13 sale.  At this once-a-year-event, regular members are admitted one hour early and life members get in two hours before non-members.  More information.