The New Era - All about Sweet Home since 1929

Sometimes it's best to start at the beginning.

Once upon a time, in Cupertino, Calif., a little girl loved books so much she created her own library in the family's garage to share literature with all the neighborhood kids.

She cherished the city's Bookmobile, which gave out silver dollars to every child for reading. And though her family had no tradition of higher education, that love of books would carry through many years later to a long career of caring for her communities with literature.

Rose Peda is the star of this story.

The Sweet Home library director is retiring after nine years...