Artist's Statement: "As the title suggests, the mural celebrates the human imagination and our quest for the acquisition of information and ideas. Implicit in the quest is freedom in other areas. Along with "Free Books," the freedoms that all Americans are guaranteed and hold dear are enumerated at the bottom of the mural in low-relief lettering. Benjamin Franklin is a central figure because, as the "Father of American Liberties," he well understood how important free lending libraries were, and remain, as supports to and stimulation for the other freedoms contained in our constitution's "Bill of Rights." Franklin recognized that the free exchange of ideas is necessary for maintaining a citizenry capable of fostering and continuing our democracy. He and the children on their magic-carpet books fly over the landscape of Castro Valley. Franklin holds a kite (referencing his interest in science and experiments with electricity) with a design that represents the original American flag and a rainbow tail signifying the cultural diversity that is a hallmark of our area. The border is handmade carved-relief tile. The circular medallions show native flora: sticky monkey, Douglas iris, checkerbloom, Ceanothus, western columbine, yarrow, coyote mint, and blazing star. The phrases include: free speech, free people, free books, free thinking, free assembly, free press, free electronics, free education, and free country."