Generally libraries are one of the last refuges in today's high decibel world to find peace, solace, and a quiet environment to just sit, read & study, completely undisturbed - a place where stereotypically silence is enforced with noise offenders been shut down with glares of "Sshhh, be quiet" from irritated librarians. But that will not be the case over the next few days at the libraries in Monterey County, CA where, as part of the Monterey County Free Libraries' (MCFL) Summer Reading 2012 program, several branches will host scratch/hip-hop DJs in both turntable performances and Q+A seminars - presented by a series of DJs headed by longtime friend of Amoeba DJ Quest.

"The library system's goal is to reach out to the teenage group in Monterey County, utilize the library's resources as offered, and to also get numbers up for funding due to increasing budget cuts. They have Summer Reading Program performances each summer featuring clowns, theatre, storytelling, singers, but this year is the first time MCFL will feature scratch DJ's. We are really hoping to touch as many audiences and just keep this art alive for the younger crowd. Though geared toward teens, it is open to all age groups," said Jeoanne April Martinez who was instrumental in kick-starting this wonderful free public program during her 3 1/2 years working for MCFL. Recently relocated to Las Vegas, NV Martinez continues to work in a support capacity with the Central Coast California libraries.  "DJ Quest and I worked for about three months on a self-published Beginner's Handbook which will be first released for free during this tour," she said.

Today, Thursday, June 21st, pioneering Bay Area turntablist Eddie Def (pictured belpw), along with his fellow Bullet Proof Scratch Hamsters (later Space Travelers) founding member DJ Cue (pictured left), are both flying into New York City where, over the next few days, they will be performing at a series of DJ events, including this Saturday's big DMC DJ Battle for US Supremacy & NYC Regional DMC DJ battle at at Le Poisson Rouge where they will be the star showcase performers along with host/mc Lord Finesse. More DMC info here.

Upon their arrival today, the two veteran San Francisco turntablists/DJs will be heading directly to East Harlem where they'll be doing a special turntable performance at the prestigious and always fun Tools of War-produced annual summer True School Park Jams. This afternoon's Spanish Harlem Hop Park Jam (which is free like all the Park Jams) is in Spanish Harlem at White Park El Barrio located at Lexington and E. 105th Streets (NY, NY 10029) and is near the #6 Subway line (map it here). It runs from 3pm to 7pm with other scheduled DJ performances today by both Tony Touch and Lean Rock.  Then tomorrow (Friday June 22nd) at 7pm (EST) the two DJs, along with DJ ALF and other guest turntablists, will be performing live (a freestyle set) on WFMU on my weekly radio show Put The Needle On The Record.

This evening Amoeba Music San Francisco will welcome hometown turntable master DJ Quest who, in celebration of his recently released new album Questolous (ZQ Records),  will take to the stage of the Haight Street Amoeba location at 6PM for a free instore performance. Joining the veteran San Francisco turntablist onstage at Amoeba will be some of the collaborators on the new album including Eddie K, Luke Sick, Bas-1, DJ Oaty Love, DJ 2 Fresh and Dawgisht along with emcee Apostle this evening.

An established battle DJ and performing artist, DJ Quest's long list of accolades include his membership of the historic early nineties SF turntablist crew the Bullet Proof Scratch Hamsters with Eddie Def & DJ Cue, who produced the first ever DJ battle record (Hamster Breaks) and who in later years morphed into the Space Travelers (aka Bullet Proof Space Travelers) -- adding DJ Marz, & emcee Eddie K to the lineup. In more recent years he has won praise as the turntable musician in the critically acclaimed envelope-pushing jazz trio Live Human (with bassist Andrew Kushin & percussionist Albert Mathias).