SALINAS PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
MAY 2014

Snappy on the move! Snappy gets his daily exercise on the lawn at John Steinbeck Library.

Snappy celebrated his 6th birthday during National Library Week last month. Over 300 people attended his birthday party and our first annual egg hunt on the lawn at John Steinbeck Library.

Author Night: Rescued Poems is the title of book that took author Michael Roddy 35 years to write. On Thursday, the 17th of April at 6pm, Mike read a few of his poems to an audience of about 30 people. Michael shared his delightful stories and encouraged local youth to commit to reading a poem a day. Thank you Mike for having all the proceeds from the sale of your book go directly to the Friends of the Salinas Public Library(FOSPL)!

Latest News at the Salinas Public Library

Winners of Teen Poetry Contest April 8th, 2014

Winners

Honorable Mention:

Omar Guzman, Alisal

Fernando Gonzalez, Alisal

Everett Esteban, Alvarez

3rd Place: Joshua Draeger, Salinas

2nd Place: Sammi Tuttle, Salinas

1st Place: Ashley Hibbs, Salinas

School Poetry Trophy: Salinas High School

Participants:

Alisal: Ruben Gonzalez, Jennifer Sosa, Orlando Sanchez, Bryan Sumagang, Jonathan Rico

Alvarez: Alexis Perez, Angelo Rubio, Natalie Leon, Justin Thorton, Issac Guzman, Megan Lindsey

North Salinas: Samantha Trevino, Danae Snell, Jasmine Contapay, Diana Hernandez, Aurora Rayo, Destiny Gabriel, Raymond Garcia, William Dosch,

Saliinas: Ruben Cota, Aaron McDowell, Taylor Mandujano, Harry McDonough, Brian Sandoval, Zachary Way

Rancho Cielo: Juan Cervantes

Congratulations to the winners!

Teen Film Festival Winners 2014

1st Place

Marissa Martinez

Dreamcatcher

2nd Place

Jimmy Raines Jr.

Dream Girl

3rd Place

Carson Soriano

Chess Wars

Honorable Mention:

Joshua Christopher Jose Torres Hopkins by Joel Gonzales, Claire by Haley Glidden, and Library by Justin Korsgaard.

Snappy Drawing and Writing Contest Winners

We had an all time record of 118 entrants!!

Please note that at Salinas Public Library, all the contestants were winners.

El Gabilan Library

1st place: Best Snappy Picture and Story: Lennon Star Barrett (age 9)

2nd place: Best Snappy Picture with a Rainbow: Lizbeth Esparza (age 9)

3rd place: Best Snappy Picture Showing Royalty: Zoe Cabrera (age 3)

John Steinbeck Library

1st place: Arianna Budde (age 11)

2nd place:Megun Costs (age 9)

3rd place:Victoria Ruiz (age 5)

Cesar Chavez Library

1st place: Alberto Santiago Gonzalez (7 yrs old)

2nd place: Lisseth Mora (12 yrs old)

3rd place: Diana Avila (8 yrs old).

Last Year's Teen Poet Winner Mikey Frias on Ted Talks!

Mikey Frias was on TedTalks Monterey this last Saturday, April 26th, 2014 at the Monterey Institute of International Studies(MIIS). Mikey read one of his poems and talked about his life in Salinas, California. The theme if this year's TedTalks Monterey was Edge. Those who are on the edge of discovery, transformation, and invention were invited to speak. Nice job Mikey! If you wish to see his talk, go to TedxMonterey.

First Annual Teen Film Festival Movie!

Come see the films!

The showing of the first annual Teen Film Festival movie occurred at the John Steinbeck Library on Thursday, May 8th at 6pm. The 6 movies that were entered in the film festival this year were viewed in the teen lounge. Next year we have a goal of getting more teens involved, so come find out how you can participate next year.

Everyone is welcome to join us for programs and activities at the John Steinbeck Library, the El Gabilan Library, and the Cesar Chavez Library. Please check out our website for the latest activities, times, and dates.

Come join the Chinese Language Class on Saturdays from 12:30-1:30 pm at the John Steinbeck Library. The class will meet for 8 weeks. There is still room, so if you are interested and between the ages of 6-12 years old, please email Kris at krissalinaspublic@gmail.com to reserve your spot or call 758-7447.

Staff Picks

Book Title:
Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman

This past month staff pick is from Estrella. Estrella is a staff member at the Salinas Public Libraries. She is an avid reader and loves books. She also likes to take care of our beloved mascot, Snappy, the turtle. Here is what she has to say:

Soon I Will Be Invincible is the verbose title of Austin Grossman's superhero novel. The story is written in two alternating points of view; one from the diabolically clever Dr. Impossible, and the other from Fatale, the cyborg heroine who has just joined the League of Champions. The plot begins with Dr. Impossible's 12 prison break, and the League knows it's not to retire to a quiet island someplace. He's obviously back to planning yet another grandiose scheme, but no one can guess what, as all his past schemes have been one dangerous surprise after another. (He tried a fungus epidemic. Mind controlled insects even. He's seriously tried everything.) Moreover, their team leader Corefire is missing, and he was the only thing that kept Dr. Impossible from destroying/ruling the world last time. It starts off like every other superhero plot, but on its way to the end it breaks and rearranges every superhero clich� into something that's both familiar yet new, and concludes with the ultimate trope breaker of them all. This item is currently displayed in the Teen Lounge at the John Steinbeck Library for those interested.

English Conversation Class at John Steinbeck Library

English Conversation Club on Saturdays from 10-11:30am. There are 2 more classes before the summer. We plan to have more classes in the fall. Contact Marissa for more information: 758-7319.

Easter and Snappy's Birthday at the Salinas Public Library

Kids at the Cesar Chavez Library enjoyed Snappy's cake for his 6th birthday party, crafts, and a story.

Mission Projects at John Steinbeck Library!

At John Steinbeck this last few months, librarian Elizabeth helped over 50 students make their California Missions out of every day objects. She also helped them with the researched need to help write their reports. Look for us next year as we continue to help students on their school project. If there is a yearly project you would like to see us do a program on, please let us know. The Salinas Public Library welcomes your suggestions. We are here to help. 758-7447.

Cesar Chavez's Birthday was March 31, 2014

At the the Salinas Public Library we celebrated Cesar Chavez's birthday with stories and discussion about his life. Mr. Chavez was a farm worker and civil rights activist who fought for the rights of the fieldworkers when he co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with Dolores Huerta. The movie Fight in the Fields, Cesar Chavez and the Farmerworkers' Struggle is a PBS special that tells about how he started a nonviolent Latino Civil Rights Movement to help the people in the fields fight for their rights . If you are interested, the movie can be checked out at the Salinas Public Library.

Fun Fact: Mr. Chavez would have been 87 years old if he had lived to this day.

Literacy News

The Literacy Team is partnering with Action Council, another F5MC funded partner, to provide monthly educational workshops for parents. Our first workshop was held May 3rd at Cesar Chavez Library from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm. The workshops are divided into two parts. The first part is spent with parents engaging with a Parent Educator on a special topic of child rearing while their children are in another room engaging in play. The second part is spent with parents interacting with their children and putting into practice what they have just learned. There were 15 parents in attendance, and 25 children. Parents were so excited with the new information that they've asked for weekly workshops.

Summer Reading at the Salinas Public Library

The SPL staff is getting ready for Summer Reading! Paws For Reading is the theme. We are gearing up for chances to win: books, prizes, and field trips. We also plan to have a lot of furry friends visiting this summer from the SPCA, Animal Friends Rescue, and the Rescue Rabbits Rock. This year you can earn prizes 2 ways: 1) Attend 4 library events, and 2) Read 4 books. Also, every time you turn in a reading log, you will also get a chance to put your name in a drawing event to attend field trips. Confused? Do not worry. We can explain it all when you come sign your child up for a Pawsport. Please be looking in the next newsletter for the July calendar of events. Below is the June calendar. Be looking to sign-up for summer reading on May 27th, 2014 at your local library branch!

Save the Date! Come to the Kick Off Carnival Event

June 7, 2014 is the date. For the first time ever, all three branches of the Salinas Public Library are hosting a carnival kick-off event for Summer Reading. You will be able to earn free prizes, AND sign-up for Summer Reading all on the same date. It promises to be an event to remember. We plan to have a bounce house and tables with fun games to play. Please come put and join the fun! We will start at 11am sharp at all three branches.

Adult Summer Reading Comes to El Gabilan and John Steinbeck Libraries!

We want to know that we have listened to your requests, so this year we are offering a Summer Reading Program for Adults. Look for a flyer with the details in the next few weeks on how you can earn your free books and be ready to sign up on June 7th, 2014.

Adult Book Club at John Steinbeck Library