Sci-Fi September, Honoring Dolly Parton, Crafting and Tutoring in the Digital Library, and More

Library Newsletter Banner




Interior of Library - Row of Books



"Our Library is for everyone. We are a free resource that helps our community connect, create, and learn."

*Address*
585 Franklin St.
Mountain View, CA 94041

*Phone*
650-903-6887

*Questions?
*Contact Us [ https://library.mountainview.gov/connect/contact-us ]

*Website*
Library.MountainView.gov

*Hours*
Monday-Thursday: 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00-6:00 p.m.






Announcements





The Library will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.






Sci-Fi September





Image depicting the logo for Sci-Fi September 2026




Get ready for another exciting Sci-Fi September! Every year in September, the Library hosts a series of events celebrating science fiction, fantasy, and the real-life science that inspires the stories.

This year, we have another compelling slate of programs for sci-fi aficionados and science buffs of all ages. Here are a few highlights. 

*Events for Adults*


* Thursday, Sept. 10 [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17211493 ]: Join us at Sci-Fi Trivia Night to test your knowledge on all things sci-fi and fantasy. Work with your team to answer the questions and take home a prize.
* Sunday, Sept. 13 [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17268400 ]: Do you think Dungeon Crawler Carl and Princess Donut would wear matching charms? We think yes! Customize a charm bracelet along with your cat's collar in this crafting workshop.
* Saturday, Sept. 19 [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17193004 ]: The creative audio lab Dogbotic is hosting a sci-fi-themed "sound petting zoo" filled with a collection of unusual instruments and sound design props that you can try for yourself.
* Tuesday, Sept. 22 [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17233884 ]: Join us for a virtual conversation with award-winning author Charlie Jane Anders, author of "Lessons in Magic and Disaster [ https://librarycatalog.mountainview.gov/search/card?id=6ba3f4b4-dca6-52da-bd69-f6bffb2b49ae&entityType=FormatGroup ]", "All the Birds in the Sky [ https://librarycatalog.mountainview.gov/search/card?id=e4828926-856f-596b-9bc0-60df6c0bf530&entityType=FormatGroup ]", "The City in the Middle of the Night [ https://librarycatalog.mountainview.gov/search/card?id=e5e22b64-1c74-50d9-a158-3649856d20d1&entityType=FormatGroup ]", and more.
* Thursday, Sept. 24 [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17274404 ]: Come to a virtual conversation with award-winning author Ryka Aoki about her work, including "Light From Uncommon Stars [ https://librarycatalog.mountainview.gov/search/card?id=4007d9f6-5b27-53db-9cf4-61d6f9f8685b&entityType=FormatGroup ]," her creative process, and the ways science fiction and fantasy can explore identity, possibility, and the world around us. 

*Events for Youth*


* Thursday, Sept. 17 [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17329284 ]: Blast off for an out-of-this-world game of Sci-Fi Bingo! Enjoy space-themed bingo, fun facts about the universe, and chances to win prizes as you explore galaxies far, far away.
* Friday, Sept. 18 [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17350829 ]: Design your very own alien using air-dry clay and simple clay-sculpting techniques to give your E.T. creation whichever wild features your imagination can dream up.
* Monday, Sept. 21 [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17231477 ]: Wear your favorite PJs or astronaut suit for an out of this world storytime. Enjoy songs, books, and rhymes as we explore the wonders of space and all things alien.
* Thursday, Sept. 24 [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17329107 ]: Drop in for a special sci-fi themed Let's Create session. 
* Wednesday, Sept: 30 [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17238199 ]: Participate in our sci-fi themed LEGO® building extravaganza!


These events are generously sponsored by the Friends of the Mountain View Library.






Honoring Dolly Parton





Photo of Dolly Parton reading a picture book next to the logo for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library




We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dolly Parton on August 25. Dolly was a champion for literacy, dedicated to providing children and their families with free, specially selected books to inspire a love of reading. Her award-winning Imagination Library initiative has gifted more than 332,411,200 books to children ages 0 to 5 worldwide, including 150,000 books to children throughout Santa Clara County.

Her gift of early literacy is a legacy that lives on through her Imagination Library. Thank you, Dolly, for bringing light to so many lives. We will always love you.

Learn more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at ImaginationLibrary.com [ https://imaginationlibrary.com/ ]. To enroll your child (ages 0-5) in the Imagination Library to receive a free book every month, visit SCCLD.org/ImaginationLibrary [ https://sccld.org/imaginationlibrary/ ].






Crafting and Tutoring in the Digital Library





Photo of a child writing in a notebook.




We're happy to announce that we've added two new resources that you can access through the Digital Library. Both are accessible for free with your library card.


* Creativebug [ https://www.creativebug.com/lib/mountainview ] offers thousands of video classes on a variety of arts and crafts projects, including painting, knitting, crocheting, sewing, screen printing, and more.

* HomeworkCA [ https://leo.tutor.com/?ProgramGuid=026b8dab-7295-438e-9121-99f14a4bec59 ] offers free online tutoring for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, available 24/7 and covering 250+ subjects and a host of test prep materials provided by The Princeton Review. This resource is provided by the California State Library.





Past Program Highlights





Photo of participants holding up completed landscape drawings





Participants in the Landscape Drawing for Beginners program learned how to sketch rock faces, forests, grass, and roads using techniques taught by art instructor Agnes Wong.

________________________________________________________________________








Photo of three stuffed animals playing a board game on the floor





Children enjoyed a nighttime storytime and dropped off their plushies for a Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the Library, where the plushies had all sorts of adventures.

________________________________________________________________________








Photo of a staff member handing out ice cream to attendees at the End of Summer Dance Party





Nearly 300 residents came together for the End of Summer Dance Party, enjoying frozen treats and music spun by the Library DJ.

________________________________________________________________________








Photo of a child using a screwdriver to take apart a keyboard





Kids explored how electronic devices work by attending our Tech Take Apart program, where they safely dismantled equipment such as CPUs, keyboards, and cassette recorders and learned how to recycle them responsibly.

________________________________________________________________________








Photo of a hand and skeleton project during the Amplify program





Children learned about human anatomy by making a working lung model, hand joint, and stethoscope in a program taught by a teen from the Amplify: Teen Voices [ https://library.mountainview.gov/visit/teen-services/amplify-teen-voices ] program.

________________________________________________________________________








Photo of a group of youths building a robot together on the floor





Teens and tweens joined the Paly Robotics team for a hands-on robot-building workshop, where they learned basic concepts in electronics, terminology, and technical problem-solving, then worked together to build a working prototype.

________________________________________________________________________








Upcoming Programs





Upcoming Programs





* Tuesdays, Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29: Outdoor Storytime [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17142481 ]
* Tuesday, Sept. 1: The Democracy We Must Keep: Why the Ideas that Built America Still Matter with David O. Stewart [ https://libraryc.org/mountainviewlibrary/194746 ]
* Tuesdays, Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29: Community Preservation Lab Scanning Service [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/calendar/libraryevents?t=d&q=Community%20Preservation%20Lab%20Scanning%20Service&cid=8800&cal=8800&inc=0 ]
* Wednesdays, Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30: Baby Storytime [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17170809 ]
* Wednesdays, Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30: ESL Conversation Club [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/calendar/libraryevents?t=d&q=ESL%20Conversation%20Club&cid=8800&cal=8800&inc=0 ]
* Thursday, Sept. 3: Cuesta Park Storytime [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17295774 ]
* Thursday, Sept. 3: From Her Mesa to Yours: Authentic Family-Style Cooking with Jenny Martinez [ https://libraryc.org/mountainviewlibrary/196789 ]
* Thursdays, Sept. 3, 10, 17 & 24: Community Preservation Lab Scanning Service [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/calendar/libraryevents?t=d&q=Community%20Preservation%20Lab%20Scanning%20Service&cid=8800&cal=8800&inc=0 ]
* Thursday, Sept. 3: Black Holes and Quantum Mechanics [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17233699 ]
* Fridays, Sept. 4, 11, 18 & 25: Baby Storytime: Rerun [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17170825 ]
* Friday, Sept. 4: Pages and Paws [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/16357819 ]
* Saturday, Sept. 5: Sew Sew Saturday [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/15691279 ]
* Tuesday, Sept. 8: Writing the Nightmare: A Ship Called Sickness and One Unforgettable Space Crew with Daniel Kraus [ https://libraryc.org/mountainviewlibrary/194065 ]
* Tuesday, Sept. 8: Landscape Design for Beginners [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/14959849 ]
* Wednesday, Sept. 9: Bilingual Storytime: Mandarin/English [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17329104 ]
* Wednesday, Sept. 9: Ukulele Jam Sing and Play Along [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17028027 ]
* Thursday, Sept. 10: Magical Bridge Storytime [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17290230 ]
* Thursdays, Sept. 10 & 24: Let's Create [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/calendar/libraryevents?t=d&q=Let%27s%20Create&cid=8800&cal=8800&inc=0 ]
* Thursday, Sept. 10: Sci-Fi Trivia Night [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17211493 ]
* Friday, Sept. 11: Amplify: TOTALS Youth Life Skills: Social Skills [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/16755117 ]
* Saturday, Sept. 12: Mid-Autumn Festival Story Celebration [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/16188977 ]
* Sunday, Sept. 13: Sci-Fi Fur-endship Charm Workshop [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17268400 ]
* Tuesday, Sept. 15: Sewing with FabMo: Robot Aprons [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/14866776 ]
* Thursday, Sept. 17: The Comeback Conversation: Shifting from Surviving to Thriving with Yasmine Cheyenne [ https://libraryc.org/mountainviewlibrary/196108 ]
* Thursday, Sept. 17: Sci-Fi Bingo [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17329284 ]
* Friday, Sept. 18: Space Buddies: Alien Maker Lab [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17350829 ]
* Saturday, Sept. 19: Drop-in Bike Clinic [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/15917713 ]
* Saturday, Sept. 19: Dogbotic Build a Synth [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/16910625 ]
* Saturday, Sept. 19: Dogbotic Sound Petting Zoo [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17193004 ]
* Sunday, Sept. 20: Mid-Autumn Festival Chinese Calligraphy Workshop [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17209864 ]
* Monday, Sept. 21: Sci-Fi Pajama Storytime [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17231477 ]
* Tuesday, Sept. 22: Cricut Basics - Paper Flowers [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17300952 ]
* Tuesday, Sept. 22: Author Talk with Charlie Jane Anders [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17233884 ]
* Wednesday, Sept. 23: When the Tiger Smoked a Pipe: The Art of Korea [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/15921906 ]
* Wednesday, Sept. 23: Words at Play Game Night [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17281039 ]
* Thursday, Sept. 24: Where the Paletero Man Goes: A Journey of Neighborhood, Music, and Art with Lucky Diaz [ https://libraryc.org/mountainviewlibrary/197470 ]
* Thursday, Sept. 24: Paletero Man: un viaje por el barrio, la música y el arte con Lucky Diaz [ https://libraryc.org/mountainviewlibrary/198151 ]
* Thursday, Sept. 24: Author Talk with Ryka Aoki [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17274404 ]
* Friday, Sept. 25: Amplify: TOTALS Youth Life Skills: Public Speaking [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/16755118 ]
* Saturday, Sept. 26: Needle Crafts Circle [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/16612702 ]
* Saturday, Sept. 26: Amplify: Coco: Intro to Coding [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17235060 ]
* Monday, Sept. 28: Choose Your Own Adventure Book Club [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17449113 ]
* Monday, Sept. 28: Smart Start Babytime [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/16916948 ]
* Tuesday, Sept. 29: Intro to 3D Printing: Science Fiction Edition [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17238451 ]
* Wednesday, Sept. 30: LEGO® Time [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17238199 ]





History Spotlight: Death Race –

America’s First Video Game Controversy 










In mid-1976, the Mountain View-based firm Exidy (a portmanteau of “excellence in dynamics”) introduced a video game cabinet called Death Race. The premise of the game, which featured twin steering wheels and accelerator pedals, was simple enough: insert a quarter and try to hit as many “gremlins” with your “car” as possible in 99 seconds. Despite Death Race’s crude, abstract graphics, it quickly became controversial as journalists and parents realized that crowds of America’s youth were gathering at arcades to play a game with the immoral objective of hitting pedestrians with cars.

The Bay Area video game boom officially began in 1972 with the introduction of Pong by Sunnyvale-based Atari. By 1976, Atari had released a popular home version of Pong and Mountain View’s Fairchild Semiconductor was preparing to launch its own home video game system with interchangeable games, the Channel F. To keep quarters flowing into coffers, arcade operators acquired games with more elaborate theming than the mild-looking Pong cabinet. Upstart game designers such as Exidy flooded the market with increasingly eye-catching cabinets to attract players to what remained simple and very similar games. The Death Race cabinet presented a pair of Grim Reapers as the game’s mascots and evoked heavy metal iconography.  

The cartoonishly shocking imagery worked, and by the Fall of 1976, Exidy had exhausted its initial supply of consoles. Newspapers across the country ran a column by Bob Greene detailing the supposed horrors of the game and Exidy marketing director Paul Jacob’s blasé attitude, quoting him as saying, “The name ‘Death Race’ may shock a few people, we find the game humorous.” 

Death Race was the first of many video games to generate public controversy as technology companies in and around Mountain View pivoted to the consumer market during the 1970s. This Sci-Fi September, we invite you to read up on Mountain View’s rich history at the center of electronic technology in our digital newspaper collection.

As always, we invite you to visit to the Mountain View History Center [ https://library.mountainview.gov/learn/mountain-view-history/history-center-collection ] on the second floor of the Library on Tuesdays from 1:00-5:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 4:00-8:00 p.m.






Online Author Series





Headshots of all five authors featured in the September 2026 Online Authors Series




Every month, the Library hosts virtual events with best-selling authors and renowned thought leaders covering a wide range of topics. Watch the live-streamed events or view past recordings at MountainView.gov/OnlineAuthors [ https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbW91bnRhaW52aWV3Lmdvdi9PbmxpbmVBdXRob3JzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDQwMS45MjY2NDQxMSJ9.Qhub6fLcbyK-EGkigU0X_xej1hBMcemgBFBrhw8NcZs%2Fs%2F3030236784%2Fbr%2F239898205639-l/1/0101019a3fb91ba9-e8a9cfed-f61c-4227-a305-03e8e8dfa7b7-000000/9IiDSbKAoLgsgVYabPa29_xosPCZu36Ox2e10nwBwFw=429 ].

Online Authors in September:


* *Tuesday, Sept. 1 [ https://libraryc.org/mountainviewlibrary/194746 ]*: Join us as we chat with award-winning historian David O. Stewart about his newest work, "The Democracy We Must Keep [ https://librarycatalog.mountainview.gov/search/card?id=60c7645f-dd33-553e-a7f9-cd8ac503f105&entityType=FormatGroup ]", and the question he explores throughout the book: What did America's founders say about democracy, and can we remain true to their vision for America?
* *Thursday, Sept. 3 [ https://libraryc.org/mountainviewlibrary/196789 ]*: Bring the vibrant, comforting flavors of an authentic Mexican kitchen straight to your home by coming to a lively conversation with viral social media star Jenny Martinez as we dive into her celebrated debut cookbook, "My Mexican Mesa, Y Listo! Beautiful Flavors, Family Style [ https://librarycatalog.mountainview.gov/search/card?id=0e597f87-ef43-533b-8567-a3bda17ec292&entityType=FormatGroup ]".
* *Tuesday, Sept. 8 [ https://libraryc.org/mountainviewlibrary/194065 ]*: Prepare to launch into the darkest depths of deep space as we sit down with master storyteller Daniel Kraus, winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, to celebrate the release of his breathtaking new novel, "The Sixth Nik [ https://linkencore.iii.com/iii/encore/record/C__Rb52276643?lang=eng ]".
* *Thursday, Sept. 17 [ https://libraryc.org/mountainviewlibrary/196108 ]*: You're invited to an empowering, eye-opening virtual conversation with renowned wellness expert Yasmine Cheyenne as we discuss her transformative new book, "The Comeback Era: From Limiting Beliefs to Living Without Limits [ https://linkencore.iii.com/iii/encore/record/C__Rb52689673?lang=eng ]".
* *Thursday, Sept. 24* [ https://libraryc.org/mountainviewlibrary/197470 ]: Join us for an energetic conversation as we celebrate the joy of community and summer fun with Latin GRAMMY-winning musician Lucky Diaz, author of the sensational bilingual picture book, "Paletero Man [ https://librarycatalog.mountainview.gov/search/card?id=58b7afd9-2a78-5f80-b779-4be1d21ff467&entityType=FormatGroup ]".
* *Jueves 24 de septiembre [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/event/17187315 ]*: Únete a nosotros para una enérgica conversación mientras celebramos la alegría de la comunidad y la diversión del verano con Lucky Diaz, músico ganador del premio Latin GRAMMY y autor del sensacional libro ilustrado bilingüe, "Paletero Man [ https://librarycatalog.mountainview.gov/search/card?id=58b7afd9-2a78-5f80-b779-4be1d21ff467&entityType=FormatGroup ]".

For more information and to browse all upcoming Online Author Series events, visit MountainView.gov/OnlineAuthors [ https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vbW91bnRhaW52aWV3Lmdvdi9PbmxpbmVBdXRob3JzIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDQwMS45MjY2NDQxMSJ9.AC2Qv3Gn1lNKqhgdDOILy8THHGSTrf9yiJX1r8gl_k4%2Fs%2F3030236784%2Fbr%2F239898205639-l/1/0101019a3fb91ba9-e8a9cfed-f61c-4227-a305-03e8e8dfa7b7-000000/kaZhWmgzjdb13JU817uqVhoifxN9ddhQwalSXGgEiUo=429 ]. This program is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Mountain View Library [ https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxNTYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cubXZsaWJyYXJ5ZnJpZW5kcy5vcmcvIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDQwMS45MjY2NDQxMSJ9.YIl5N8aGseaWFcb7LoYIComs8iGpjJpzPeimXC8y_Go%2Fs%2F3030236784%2Fbr%2F239898205639-l/1/0101019a3fb91ba9-e8a9cfed-f61c-4227-a305-03e8e8dfa7b7-000000/1i6gcd4kHh7UB-ZnHmMLF5ztZOnfxIVSUq68GSjYdE8=429 ].






________________________________________________________________________




Facebook [ https://www.facebook.com/MVPLibrary ]| Instagram [ https://www.instagram.com/mvpubliclibrary/ ]| YouTube [ https://www.youtube.com/@MVPublicLibrary/videos ]

Mountain View Public Library | 585 Franklin St, Mountain View, CA 94041


Contact us at 650-903-6887

Always open online at Library.MountainView.gov [ https://library.mountainview.gov ]

Register for programs at MountainView.gov/LibraryCalendar [ https://mountainview.libcal.com/ ]






Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page [ https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAMOUNTAINVIEW/bulletins/423ca12 ].








*SUBSCRIBER SERVICES*
Manage Subscriptions [ https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAMOUNTAINVIEW/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1 ]  |  Unsubscribe All [ https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAMOUNTAINVIEW/subscriber/one_click_unsubscribe?verification=5.5afd8e99224ae517002aa39def0e8d07&destination=mshinji3056%40gmail.com ]  |  Help [ https://subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com/ ]



________________________________________________________________________


This email was sent to mshinji3056@gmail.com using Granicus Communications Cloud on behalf of: City of Mountain View · 500 Castro St. Mountain View, CA 94041 Granicus Communications logo [ https://granicus.com/solution/digital-communication-engagement/ ]

body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;}