The eagerly anticipated winter semiannual mega book sale is happening on Saturday, February 1, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM! In addition to the usual fabulous bargains on a huge inventory of books, media, and more, this sale will feature something new—an opportunity to meet a local author! 

That’s right—Anna Bushi, author of the Land of Magadha trilogy, set in medieval India, as well as historical romance and fantasy books, will be at the sale. You’ll have a chance to chat with Anna about her writing process, inspiration, and all things books—and maybe even purchase a signed copy of one or more of her titles for yourself or as a gift. 

At the book sale, you’ll also find wonderful bargains on books for all ages—board and picture books for tots, easy readers, exciting young adult books for teens, fiction and nonfiction for adults, antiquarian books and collectors’ editions, plus CDs and DVDs. Fill the popular big yellow bag for a single low price, or pay by the book! 

All proceeds help support our library. The Scripps Miramar Ranch Library is located at 10301 Scripps Lake Drive, near Miramar Lake. Visit www.srfol.org or call 858-538-8158 for more information.

Spread love and support your library!

Celebrate Valentine's Day with a meaningful gesture that spreads love and supports your library! With a $25 tax-deductible donation, you can purchase a book for the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library in a subject area of your choice. A distinctive bookplate will be placed inside the book to honor your gift recipient, who will also receive a letter acknowledging your thoughtful contribution.

Perfect for Valentine's Day, anniversaries, teacher appreciation, or simply to show someone you care, this heartfelt gift celebrates the joy of reading for all ages. Bookplate order forms are available at the Welcome Table in the library or online at https://www.srfol.org/bookplates.htm. Share the love of reading and make a lasting impact today!

Our library offers a wealth of great programs for children, teens, and families.   For complete details and updates, check our website. Highlighted events are sponsored by SRFOL.  

The Griffins of Elderwood Read Aloud 

Tuesdays @ 3 pm 

Join local author Janet Racciato as she reads from The Griffins of Elderwood series. Chiara's town is being overrun by wyverns. These small, deadly dragons have always threatened livestock, but now they are attacking people. Chiara and her friend Zae find some unlikely allies in their fight to protect their village. Recommended for age 8 and up.  

Storytime 

Wednesdays & 1st/3rd Thursdays @ 10 am 

Enjoy books, songs, egg shakers, and sign language for toddlers and preschoolers. 

FIRST Robotics: Intermediate Level 

February 15 @ 10 am 

Ages 8-16 are invited to design, build, and program robots in preparation for FIRST competitions. No prior experience is required—beginners are welcome, and those with experience can further develop their skills. Registration for this event will be open from February 1, 2025, at 9:30 AM to February 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM.

Chess Club 

February 1 & 15 @ 11 am–1 pm 

Play chess with other families! Hosted by Level UP Enrichment. Ages 6-12. 

Girls Who Code Open House and Registration 

Monday, February 10, 6–7 pm; grades 3–12.   Learn more about the Girls Who Code Club and register for the next session. 

Still Life Drawing Techniques with ArtReach 

February 6 @ 3 pm 

In this workshop, learn how to use different drawing mediums, such as charcoal and graphite, elements such as line, shape, and value, and fun drawing techniques that train your eyes for life drawing! Ages 8+. 

Mini Movers and Music 

February 10 & 24 @ 11:30 am 

Energetic dance and movement class for young children with new themes weekly. 

Family Art Project: Valentine Pop-up cards 

February 20 @ 3 pm 

Celebrate Valentine’s Day all month by making an art-ful pop-up heart card with Family Arts Collaborative! 

Pajama Signing Story Time 

February 11 @ 6 pm 

Cozy up in your pajamas for stories and Baby Sign Language. 

Art Class with Art Smarts 

February 19 @ 4 pm 

Fun art activities for ages 5-17. Supplies provided, first come, first served. 

Family Board Game Afternoon 

February 22 @ 2–4 pm 

Enjoy award-winning board games for ages 2-17 with Toy Hermit. 

Kamishibai StoryBox Theatre 

February 25 @ 6 pm 

Experience dramatic storytelling with a wooden theatre in this Japanese tradition. 

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie with Trinity Theatre

Trinity Theatre Company presents Storytime: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, a magical and interactive experience for kids and families.

This free program brings beloved children’s books to life with an engaging book reading and a fun, interactive theatrical performance. Perfect for sparking young imaginations and fostering a love of reading. Bring the whole family for an unforgettable adventure filled with storytelling and creativity.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 10:00am - 10:30am

A Seed Library is a community resource that provides free seeds for vegetables, flowers, and other garden plants to the public. Established by Sustainable Scripps Ranch (SSR) with donations from seed companies, sponsored by the Scripps Ranch Friends of the Library (SRFOL), and managed by the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library staff, the Scripps Miramar Seed Library is open to everyone—no library card required. Seed recipients are encouraged to save seeds from their harvests and return them to the library to help sustain the collection. When returning seeds, please provide the species name and confirm that they are organic. Donations to SRFOL for the Seed Library’s support, including seed purchases and mailing expenses, are also welcome. A new inventory list for January 2025, meticulously prepared by Scripps Ranch Library Assistant Ashu Agarwal, is now available on the SRFOL website at https://www.srfol.org/seed-library.htm. Start growing today!

This month the Book Discussion Group is reading Some Luck by Jane Smiley.  Join the discussion on Thursday, February 27, from 12:30–2 pm in the library’s Seminar Room.  Bring your lunch, if you’d like.  New members welcome!  Copies of this book are available at the circulation desk. The full list of our 2025 selections will be available soon on the SRFOL website.

This month's recommendation comes from Angie Stava, Catalog Librarian, Central Library. Stava recommends: The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum: The Rise and Fall of an American Organized-Crime Boss by Margalit Fox. “Imagine landing in New York in 1850 with no money, knowing that no matter how hard you peddled, you would be doomed to poverty in the tenements. Would you accept it? Or, like Fredericka Mandelbaum, would you make your own luck? Within just twenty years, German Jewish immigrant Mandelbaum rose from...” To read Stava's full review, check out the January 12th, 2025 issue of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Check out the book here:

The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum: The Rise and Fall of an American Organized-Crime Boss by Margalit Fox

https://sandiego.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S161C1815894

Playlist:

Rogues’ Gallery: The Birth of Modern Policing and Organized Crime in Gilded Age New York by John Oller

https://sandiego.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S161C1611314

Island of Vice: Theodore Roosevelt’s Doomed Quest to Clean Up Sin-Loving New York by Richard Zacks

https://sandiego.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S161C188053

A Dirty Year: Sex, Suffrage, and Scandal in Gilded Age New York by William Wilson Greer

https://sandiego.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S161C1827084

Recommended Reads is an ongoing partnership with The San Diego Union-Tribune. Every other week, Behind the Desk goes in-depth on the books we recommend. Read the Sunday Paper to see our most recent reviews or view our past archive on the SDPL website: sandiego.gov/sdplreviews