Happy February from the Healdsburg Library. As always, the library is hopping with activity. We try to offer a variety of events appealing to people of all ages. Let us know if you have other ideas of what you might like.
We’re in the middle of tax season, and Tax-Aide (a partnership between the AARP Foundation and the IRS) provides free assistance at the library every Wednesday from 10–3 from now until Tax Day. Bring your social security card, photo ID, last year’s tax return, income and expense receipts and statements, etc. View our website for more information and a complete list.
On Saturday, March 4 at 10:30 a.m., we will enjoy a performance of eclectic chamber jazz by Colleen O’Brien (vocals and violoncello) and Chris Lee (vibraphone/percussion), who form the performing ensemble PoetryMusic. They have been performing together and with another partner as a trio for over 30 years. The performance has been given the tagline, “Where Words and Music Meet.”
Also on March 4, at 1:30 p.m., we’ll offer another event in our Healthy Living At Your Library series, with a 2-hour interactive senior health literacy class for ages 60 and up. Know your numbers, understand preventable risk factors and practice solutions. The session will include a healthy snack, a breathing exercise and a physical activity. Practice taking your own blood pressure and develop a personal action plan. Finally, you’ll take home a free cookbook. Pre-registration is required — sign up online on our web calendar, call or stop by the library to reserve your spot.
On Wednesday, March 8 at 6 p.m., we offer a musical performance by Steve Taylor-Ramírez. The Northern California performer will provide an evening of folk-rock, Latin and blues that listeners say crosses boundaries.
We’re thrilled to mention another upcoming event that children and parents will particularly enjoy. Children’s author/illustrator Todd Parr will come to the library on Friday, March 10 at 4 p.m. to read, draw, and answer questions. Come hear a story and learn a thing or two about drawing. Also, this will be an opportunity for children to learn about helping out — please bring in a new stuffed animal or book to donate. Your donation will be given to children living in shelters in Sonoma County. Finally, Mr. Parr will sign books at the event and we are partnering with Copperfield’s Books to offer books for purchase.
While setting up free events for you to attend, we’re also still working on preparing improvements to the library’s services and collections as a result of the passage of Measure Y last November. I mentioned already to let us know if you have event ideas, but now is also a good time to speak up and inform us of your other ideas. What would you like to see in the library physically? Would you like to see the librarians providing outreach assistance or support elsewhere in the city in addition to at the library? How can we make a difference in your lives and the lives of those around us? The world of information is one that figures heavily in our quality of life, and as such, questions like these are always on our minds. Feel free to come by and ponder them with us.
Jon Haupt is the Branch Manager of the Healdsburg Regional Library.
