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A MESSAGE FROM THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR
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As the year comes to a close, I'd like to take the time to reflect on all that the Library has accomplished with and for the community. It is also a great time to dream big dreams for 2019 and beyond. Many thanks are in order to our partners, our customers, our staff, our support organizations, and the great Redwood City community for supporting the library's mission to cultivate community by welcoming all people to experience the shared joys of literacy and learning.
Join me below in looking back and looking forward!
Happy New Year,
Derek E. Wolfgram, Library Director
Looking back on 2018
Our programs for children and families are growing! In partnership with
Speech Goals and Learning Together we continued to offer Hand in Hand/Dame la Mano, a bilingual storytime for children with speech delays, autism and other special needs. Our early childhood learning center installations expanded with a Farmers Market Truck interactive play area at Fair Oaks Branch Library, and a STEAM-inspired installation at Schaberg Branch Library.
 2018 was a great year for our branch libraries! Fair Oaks Branch Library was remodeled and reopened in June, with expanded square footage, a new Teen Space, an interactive play area, new children's furniture and shelving, new comfortable seating, new carpet and upholstery, more power outlets, and more. Schaberg Branch Library now has an Early Childhood Learning Center. The interactive and literacy-rich environment is designed to encourage parents and children to play collaboratively. In September, Redwood Shores Branch Library celebrated its 10 year anniversary with entertainment and birthday cake for the community.
 We continue to focus on our Service Priorities -- one of which is to offer welcoming and inclusive services. In March, we launched every-Tuesday Social Services Office Hours: local agencies offer help with housing resources, mental health or barriers to assistance, with support from the Friends of the Redwood City Library. In September, we held our first ever Human Library. During the event, customers checked out human "books," such as a Muslim, Recovering Addict and a Police Officer, to read through one-on-one 20-minute conversations. The Human Library was an exceptionally meaningful opportunity to break down barriers.
 In October we celebrated the first graduates of Career Online High School--
Project READ
and Redwood City Public Library's high school program! In partnership with the Gale Cengage Company, the Redwood City Library Foundation and the California State Library, we are able to provide matching funds to offer scholarship awards for Career Online High School to qualified students hoping to earn a high school diploma and advance their careers.
Looking forward to 2019
As I return to the Library from a seven month temporary assignment heading up Human Resources for the City of Redwood City, I want to express my gratitude to Library Division Managers Sarah La Torra and Elizabeth Meeks, who kept things running smoothly as they
alternated serving as Acting Library Directors, as well as Jenny Barnes for helping backfill some of Liz's and Sarah's regular duties.
The Library staff and I have a lot of ideas we've been gathering over the last several months about how to best serve the residents of Redwood City and North Fair Oaks in the years ahead. We'll be continuing to develop new Library services in support of our five community aspirations. While we haven't completed a new 2019-2020 plan yet, we already know about a few
highlights
we are thrilled to share:
- Expanded hotspots for checkout at Fair Oaks Branch Library and Downtown Library
- Designing a Makerspace for the Downtown Library
- Library takeover program: the community takes over designing library programs!
- Human Library returns in April
- Redwood Shores Branch Library gets a Pirate Ship
- A Bookdrop Art Contest for Schaberg Branch Library and Redwood Shores Branch Library
- And so much more...
We'll be working on a new set of service priorities for 2019-2020 over the next couple months, and I hope you won't hesitate to reach out to me at
[email protected] with your ideas!
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TOP PICKS IN LIBRARY EVENTS
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JOIN THE WINTER READING CLUB!
DECEMBER 1 - JANUARY 5
ALL REDWOOD CITY LIBRARIES
Read or listen to 5 books by January 5, 2019 and receive a goody bag and free kids' meal at The Old Spaghetti Factory. For ages 0-12.
Learn More
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SOCIAL SERVICES
"OFFICE HOURS"
TUESDAYS
1-3 pm
DOWNTOWN LIBRARY
Local community resources offer access to Social Services. Get help with housing resources, mental health or barriers to assistance.
Learn More
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DUNGEONS & DRAGONS
SATURDAY JANUARY 5
, 1-4 pm
DOWNTOWN LIBRARY
Interested in joining a Dungeons & Dragons campaign here at the Downtown Library? No experience needed.
Learn More
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UNDERSTANDING ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA
TUESDAY JANUARY 8
, 10:30 am
DOWNTOWN LIBRARY
Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's Association resources and more.
Learn More
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BOOK CLUB FOR KIDS
THURSDAYS STARTING JANUARY 10
, 6 pm
DOWNTOWN LIBRARY
For children in grades 3-5. Books will be provided. Please sign up at the Children's Desk!
Learn More
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No Fireworks in Redwood City. Help keep our community safe. Learn more
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SEND TO A FRIEND
Have a friend you think might be interested?
!
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