Citizenship

In October 2008, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began administering a new set of questions for the naturalization exam.

To help library users prepare for the new USCIS naturalization interview, a small group representing numerous SFPL departments (including the Branch Bookmobile Manager) collaborated with the Ethnic Services Committee to develop a set of online resources including the following tools to assist our patrons with the recent exam changes:

* A video introduction with transcript
* A guide to naturalization
* Detailed practice materials for the new citizenship exam
* Information about local organizations that can help with the citizenship process
* A list of English as a Second Language (ESL) providers

We're pleased to announce that the new resources are now available on the SFPL website at http://sfpl.org/citizenship

Resources are currently available in 5 languages: English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Russian, with more languages to come in Phase 2 of the project.

These resources are designed to help patrons navigate the processes in their own language, assist staff helping patrons in other languages, and support outside organizations assisting individuals with the citizenship exam.

BOOKMOB

Calling all readers, book lovers, authors, poets, librarians and other literary types! Get ready to make history in San Francisco. You’ve heard of a flash mob? This is a BOOKMOB.

Details: Saturday, September 6th, 11:45 a.m.
Harry Bridges Plaza, Near the Ferry Building
Look for the BOOKMOB[ile] and the codeword OCOB on the median plaza between the Ferry Building and Market Street. Report to the table there for further instructions.
More info and sign-up: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bookmobsf/

Spread the word. Word.

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Backpacks, Basketball, and Bookmobiles

The bookmobile participated in the the Summer of Unity Event at the Potrero Hill Housing Development on August 16th. On August 23rd we will go to another event in the series at Sunnydale. "Summer of Unity celebrations empower and engage youth and families who live in San Francisco’s public housing complexes by bringing fun, food, and resources right to their doorsteps. Event activities include a barbecue, entertainment, a sports tournament, a climbing wall, jump houses, a resource fair, and the Youth Warrior award ceremony,"...and this time, the Mayor's Backpack Give-away and the Bookmobile! Check it out! www.dcyf.org

New Search Feature ------------------------>

The Library has a new search functionality called Encore, and your favorite BookmoBlog now has a search box so you can try it out right away! It's over there, in the upper right. See it? Try it and let us know what you think!

Walk and Roll !

Sunday in the City: the Branch Bookmobile and San Francisco Public Library's contingent walked and rolled in the 38th Annual San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade on June 29th. The Library is proud to have been a part of this historic day, as record numbers of attendees cheered on the parade and attended other Pride events in the City on Saturday and Sunday. (Thanks to all who planned and participated, our photographers, and to KRON 4 for permission to use this clip of the Bookmobile and Team in action!)

May Mobility

The Branch Bookmobiles are headed your way in May. Click the map icons to see information about festivals where you can find the bookmobile. Rollin' rollin' rollin'...


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Clinging to Spring

In between the days of wind and cold snaps, we are still seeing the signs of Spring through the windshield of the bookmobiles. Keith and former bookmobile manager Irene took the bookmobile to the Union Street Spring celebration and they even drove in the Parade (with the help of "professional cow roller skaters." Your guess is as good as mine, but it sounds like fun!). Julio and Wen drove out to the Stonestown YMCA to participate in Healthy Kids Day, and we've got more celebrations coming up! If you don't see the bookmobiles in your neighborhood in May, you're just not looking hard enough! Watch this space for more information about upcoming events. Then come and see us!