June 2012
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text sizeWhen You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
When You Reach Me (AR 6.0, Level 4.5) by Rebecca Stead is partially a tribute to Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. Stead's book won the Newbery Award in 2010. If you like science fiction, mystery and historical fiction, you will enjoy this unique story.
It is 1979 and Miranda is helping her mother to prepare for her appearance on The $20,000 Pyramid quiz show. Miranda, foundering after the loss of a friendship, finds new friends when she decides to work at the deli near her school. Soon, she starts to find mysterious notes with information that could have only have come from the future.
Miranda learns about racism, epilepsy, time travel, and friendship as she progresses through her sixth grade year. Do you think she will be able to help the person she is supposed to help? Read this and find out!
Growing Up In Heaven: The Eternal Connection Between Parent and Child
Written by James Van Praagh, a renowned and beloved medium, Growing Up in Heaven offers a clear, accurate and insightful view about children who pass away at an early age.
Due to his gifted skills to communicate with the souls who have crossed over to heaven, James Van Praagh has relayed the messages from these children to their parents as well as other parents who have lost their child (when that child is still young) to understand: after leaving behind the body in this world, that soul still lives on, studies, then advances to the higher level together with other loving souls such as grandparents and relatives who crossed over before that soul. That soul will be protected by these loving souls, will never feel lonely, and will be guided by the Master Spirits in order to evolve to the next higher level. This understanding will help parents to reduce the pain of losing a child when that child is very young.
The author also shows parents how to communicate with the soul of their young child by using a method called "automatic handwriting." The parent will need to make an appointment with the soul; on the day and at the exact time of the apointment, the parent will need to go into a quiet room, turn off the TV and the phones, sit down with a paper and a pen on the table. The parent will need to relax the body and allow the hand to freely move. After the session is over, the parent will know that the message truly comes from the soul of the child who passed away.
James Van Praagh also reveals that there are four types of soul: Young Sould, Old Soul, (James emphasizes that it has nothing to do with age), Mature Soul, and Angel Soul.
Young Soul: lives heavily on feelings, loves to harm/vex others, and depends heavily on materials.
Old Soul: still lives and depends on materials but orients himself/herself more towards a spiritual life. This person loves to research and study about spiritual life, begins to guide other people, and loves to serve other human beings.
Mature Soul: this person is normally a master, a philosopher, someone who guides the society/a big crowd to advance spiritually to the higher level.
Angel Soul: Someone whose voice, opinions, or actions influences the whole world (e.g. The Pope, The Dalai Lama). Their activities always aim at serving mankind and the whole world. From the time of birth, these souls already cultivate to walk the path of a Spiritual Leader.
In summary, this book is very essential in order to help us understand life on the other side. It is a very efficacious guide for both parent and child. It provides healing to the grieving parents who never stop thinking about their departed young children. It is an account of true stories and uplifting messages of love.
Dog Blog #3: The Well Mannered Pooch
The Well Mannered Pooch - some ideas from the SJPL collection:
Good dog! : The Easy Way to Train Your Dog, by Sarah Whitehead. London, England: Collins & Brown, c2011.
Sarah’s credentials: owner of Clever Dog Training Company, Masters degree in Animal Behavior, member of the Association of Pet Behavior Counselors, and MD of Alpha Education. She is the author of several books on animal behavior.
Philosophy: “Training is all about clever strategy – not bullish tactics”
Good Dog! is a beautifully photographed training manual illustrating the instructional moves of both human trainer and canine subjects. Sprinkled throughout the chapter on “Training Your Dog,” are red-boxed highlighted common problems/solution charts to assist in the progress of the pupil.
It’s Me Or The Dog, How To Have The Perfect Pet, by Victoria Stillwell. New York: Hyperion, c2007.
Victoria’s credentials: Dog walker, volunteer and then staff member of a number of rescue agencies and shelters, star of Animal Planet’s, Me or the Dog, behavior advisor to rescue shelters throughout the world and wasthe 2011 recipient of the “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award, recognizes individuals in the media who have the power to influence millions of people and use this to positively promote the joys and benefits of pet ownership”
Philosophy: “Training isn’t about imposing your will on your dog; it’s about giving him the tools he needs to live in your world.”
It’s Me or the Dog teaches humans basic canine communication and treat based cognitive instruction. Nice layout – less impressive photography. Information on toys, tricks, leashes and collars included.
No Bad Dogs : The Woodhouse Way, by Barbara Woodhouse. New York, N.Y.: Fireside, 1992, c1982.
Barbara’s credentials: trainer of 17,000 dogs and their owners in her 30 years of experience, international star of PBS series, “Training Dogs the Woodhouse Way.” (Note: Barbara passed away in 1988.)
Philosophy: “There is no such thing as a difficult dog, only an inexperienced owner.”
No Bad Dogs, written in old school style, is a classic. Some questionable advise, but thoroughly entertaining. Black and white photos included.
SEARCHING FOR DOGS AND TRAINING THROUGH THE CATALOG
- Key word search: Dog Training
- Key word search: Dog Behavior
- Key word search: Dog Training and Fiction
- Keyword search: Dog and Training and Juvenile
- Keyword search: DVDs on Dog Training
Remember: should you not have a four footed companion to practice your teaching skills on, please visit: The San José Animal Care Center today. Share your heart and your home. Behavior modification links available. Also, some of the best training may not get through your four footed friend's noggin in the first round of instruction. If necessary, for some of the more egregious offenses, please consult with Nolo Press’, Dog Law.
Last Night in Twisted River: A Novel (Review)
John Irving's Last Night in Twisted River, is an epic tale of a father and son's travel through both time and place. During their odyssey they encounter Irvingesque bears, sky-divers, an eccentric New England woodsman, and a relentless sheriff. The author paints a marvelous travelogue, rich in detail that involves the reader totally.
Summertime Crafts
Remember the crafts you did in summer camp?
Lanyards by the yard, painted rocks, sand-cast wax candles, tie-dye t-shirts?
Its officially summer now, and if you recall these activities fondly, roll up your sleeves and teach a new generation how to get creative with what's on hand!
These books might get your creative juices flowing...
Don't forget to check out these craft programs at the library this month!
Nora Ephron
Nora Ephron, who died June 26th at the age of 71, was a very talented screenwriter, director and essayist. She was a native of New York City, but she moved with her screenwriter parents to Beverly Hills after World War 2 and she spent her childhood in California. She moved back to the East Coast to attend Wellesey College, where she majored in Political Science. After she graduated she had brief time working as an intern in the JFK White House. (Humorously covered in an essay in I Feel Bad About My Neck)
She was married three times, once to Carl Bernstein, half of the Washington Post investigative team that broke the Watergate scandal. Her most enduring work came in the hugely popular movies, When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle, which warmly and convincingly probed romantic relationships.
Mad Science : pHantastic pHun
Everyone is invited to join us at Edenvale Branch Library on Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012 at 6:00 PM for a FREE science treat with Mad Science's Phantastic Phun!
Be blown away by awesome chemical reactions!
You've seen a rainbow in the sky, now watch as we make one in a tube.
Learn all about gravity, balance and centripetal force.
Be dazzled by some amazing optical illusions. You won't believe your eyes!
This program is best for kids ages 3 to 12, and of course their parents.
This program is part of the 2012 Summer Reading Celebration and is made possible through the generous contributions of the Friends of the Edenvale Branch Library!
Kid’s Concert and Magic with Peter Apel
Join us at Almaden Branch Library on Thursday, July 5th, 2012 at 4:30 PM for a music and magic performance with Peter Apel, including his new giant 'dream size' book.
Peter is a singer-songwriter, magician, and creator of fun, original music for kids.
Each appearance includes Peter's special blend of original music, magic, and humor delivered with unique care and respect for the kids.
This show is full of music parents can enjoy along with their children.
This program is part of the 2012 Summer Reading Celebration and is made possible by the generosity of the Friends of the Almaden Branch Library.
Fancy Nancy The 100th Day of School
It's going to be the 100th day of school, and kids in Fancy Nancy's class are bringing in different items that can match with the number 100. Fancy Nancy tries to be imaginative, but cannot come up with anything, yet. Then, after her sister's goldfish doesn't move anymore and then gets buried in the family yard, Fancy Nancy comes up with a poem and an imaginative poster to commemorate the fish.
Written by Jane O'Connor.
Audiobook of the Year
Tina Fey’s Bossypants is awarded Audiobook of the Year 2012, by the Audio Publishers Association. For all of the 2012 winners and finalists listed in various categories, pleas visit the Audies Competition; the titles are grouped in more than two dozen categories including works of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s. Provided with the list are book reviews to read, as well as segments of the audios to listen.
Allan Wolf’s The Watch that Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic won the award for Distinguished Achievement in Production. “This production tells the story of the passengers on the TITANIC through interlinked poems from multiple perspectives. Five narrators help listeners keep the large cast straight as they create appropriate and distinct voices for each character.” You may listen to an excerpt of this audiobook at the Audies Competition site. Currently in our neighborhood, there is a copy only at Santa Clara County Library though.
For downloadable audiobooks at SJPL, visit Overdrive; and use library card and PIN to download. Below are a couple high-interest titles:
In general, for ebooks and audiobooks, visit the library’s download page; for books or recorded books, see our catalog. For example, here are, besides download, two different formats of Tina Fey’s:
Bossypants (Print)
Bossypants (Book CD)
Happy reading and listening!
The Holocaust (1939-1945)
The Holocaust (1939 -1945)
Genocide, meticulously planned in Nazi Germany and executed with international complicity, resulting in the destruction of the European Jewish Community (Six million people - men, women and over one million children) and taking the lives of “political dissidents, P.O.W.'s, Slavs, Gypsies, homosexuals and the mentally ill. “ The Holocaust: a nightmare of brutal, technologically assisted criminality, with a destructive fallout working its devilment first amongst the living, and then into the being of generations to come.
Maus Trilogy, by Art Spiegelman
In graphic novel format, Art Spiegelman presents a unique and deeply personal account of the Holocaust, intertwining history, parental interview, and his own memoir of historically induced emotional trauma. A tragic tale made bearable by its artistic presentation.
Maus II: A Survivor's Tale : And Here My Troubles Began
Vladek Spiegelman's lifestory continues in this anguishing chronical of separation, loss, survival and lasting wounds.
The inside story of the creation of Art Spiegelman's 1992 Pulitzer Prize awarded graphic novel, Maus. (Complete with hyperlinked DVD.)
Exhibit: The Courage To Remember
On Exhibit through July 12th, 2012 at King Library – 5th Floor – Cultural Heritage Area
The Courage To Remember" is a 42 panel educational exhibit on the Holocaust of 1933-1945. It is an historical account of the Nazis' murderous campaign in which 6 million Jews and others (political dissidents, P.O.W.'s, Slavs, Gypsies, homosexuals and the mentally ill) were killed between 1933 and 1945. The crimes of the Nazis during the Holocaust serve as a dark chapter of the 20th century. Yet, the causes of the Holocaust remain with us today. Man's flawed nature, racism and complacency of ordinary people in the persecution of others persist therefore, the need for this exhibit. Individual citizens must have the courage to remember, educate themselves of this tragedy and commit to prevent such crimes from happening again.
This exhibit of the Museum of Tolerance is made possible by an educational grant from SNCF and presented by the Foundation for California.
The Holocaust - A Research Guide to the SJPL Catalog
Additional Resources:
Two Exceptional Interview Books
I have not interviewed for a job in several years, but recently find myself in that process
again. As such, I thought it wise to consult books on interviewing. Of the many books I skimmed through, two books were undeniable standouts and have provided me with a wealth of practical information. They were, The Essential Book of Interviewing by Arnold B. Kanter, and 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview, by John Kador. I highly recommend these books for any readers interested in learning more about the interview process.
One idea from The Essential Book of Interviewing that really appealed to me was to create a commercial that sells oneself as a product. The author reasoned that creating a commercial gets one to be creative, to tell something personal while using simple and easy to understand language, to be positive, upbeat, and direct, and to have a theme. This exercise struck me as a great way to develop an opening or closing elevator speech. And, I can attest that envisioning myself as a product sold through a commercial advertisement was a real help as I prepared myself for upcoming interviews.
In closing, I’d like to include some ideas I’ve picked up from most interview skills books. For example, it’s very important for the interviewee to take their time, listen fully to the questions being asked, and answer each part of the question fully, without rambling. Every book mentioned this point. Additionally, the interviewer needs to learn if the candidate can think and solve problems, plan projects and meet deadlines, and interact well with others while taking the leadership role, when needed. It is the candidate’s job to ensure they address these key areas.
Best of luck to everyone reading this blog! Ciao.
Yoga in Photos
It’s not infrequently that the cover of a well-marketed library book grabs my attention and compels me to look a little closer at it. One such recent book, Yoga, by Linda Sparrowe, not only drew my attention, but compelled me to check it out. As someone with a long-term interest in yoga, though one who finds many yoga manuals reader unfriendly and hard to follow, I found this book to be nothing short of inspirational. This book is not a manual, however; rather, Yoga is a visual photo exploration (photos by David Martinez) of extremely advanced yoga postures. The photos are artistic and the yoga postures are simply awesome. Now, I must confess that I cannot personally perform any of the advanced postures presented in this work. Instead, the book served as motivation, and inspired me to re-commit myself to a regular yoga practice. If yoga is of any interest to you, the reader of this blog post, I highly recommend checking out Yoga, by Linda Sparrowe. I guarantee the flexibility of the practitioners pictured within it will impress. If nothing less, it’s wonderful to know there are those who can contort their bodies and maintain the suppleness of the very young. Okay, I’m off to practice now…ciao!
Cancer Prevention Workshops in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese
In the month of July, San Jose Public Library will be hosting two Cancer Prevention Workshops with a focus on women over the age of 50. These bilingual workshops
are about the prevention and detection of breast cancer and cervical cancer, as well as how you can take care of your health.
Đến để học hỏi về các phương pháp phòng ngừa và khám phá bệnh ung thư ngực và cổ tử cung, và cách giữ gìn sức khoẻ.
Mặc dù lớp đặc biệt dành cho phụ nữ trên 50 tuổi, nhưng mọi người đều có thể đến tham dự.
En este taller bilingüe, las mujeres aprenderán sobre la prevención y detección de cáncer del seno y cáncer del cérvix, y los pasos necesarios para mantener su salud.
Cancer Prevention Workshop for Women (Vietnamese/English)
Lớp Giảng Về Phòng Ngừa Bệnh Ung Thu Phụ Nữ
Saturday, July 21st, 2012 - 11:30am
Cancer Prevention Workshop for Women (English/Spanish)
Taller bilingüe para mujeres, sobre la prevención y detección del cáncer.
Alum Rock Branch Library (Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock)
Wednesday, July 25th, 2012 - 6:30pm
If you are interested in reading more about this topic, you may want to look at some library books about Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, and/or cancer prevention.
San José Public Library Receives 2012 Urban Libraries Council Top Innovators Award
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San José, CA—The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) has selected San José Public Library (SJPL) as one of only ten libraries to receive the 2012 ULC Top Innovators Award. SJPL was selected for its Work Wise literacy program in the category of Education, Literacy & Lifelong Learning.
Work Wise is a vocational ESL and literacy training program that improves the job performance of workers in San José. Through a combination of classroom instruction tailored to the specific industry, and individual tutoring provided by trained volunteers, participants improved their English skills and increased their proficiency on the job. San José Public Library’s adult literacy program Partners in Reading, developed and delivered Work Wise.
“We are proud to be recognized for this innovative program, where 97% of participants improved their competence on the job,” said Anne Cain, SJPL Interim Library Director. “Workplace literacy is a win-win for employees and employers in San José and we look forward to expanding this service.”
In announcing the 10 Top Innovators, ULC President and CEO Susan Benton said the winning programs demonstrate the remarkable work that occurs in libraries every day. "These programs emphasize the foundations of 21st century library service and demonstrate how public libraries are building community and changing lives everyday,” Benton said. "We congratulate the winners for their innovation, creativity, and commitment to meeting the changing needs of the communities they serve."
The 10 innovative programs were selected from nearly 200 entries. ULC, a membership organization made up of North America's leading public library systems, launched the Innovations Initiative in 2010 to capture and showcase creative programs that demonstrate the vital role public libraries play today in community life.
As a 2012 Top Innovator, San José Public Library was honored at the ULC Annual Forum June 21-22, 2012 in Newport Beach, California. View the 2012 Top Innovators Brochure.
About the Urban Libraries Council
As a membership organization made up of America’s premier public library systems and the organizations that serve them, the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) has spent more than 40 years enriching urban communities by strengthening their public libraries. While ULC members primarily represent urban and suburban libraries, lessons from their work are widely used by all libraries. ULC serves as a forum for thought leaders sharing best and next practices resulting from targeted research, education and emerging trends. Its programs are recognized for creating new frameworks that invigorate public libraries and their communities.
About San JoséPublic Library
San José Public Library system (SJPL) is the largest public library between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the West Coast of California, serving a culturally diverse population of approximately 946,000 in the nation’s 10th largest city. SJPL is recognized across the country for its innovation and leadership in the field and is one of the busiest libraries nationwide, with an annual checkout rate of more than 13.5 million items through 19 currently operating locations. In 2011, SJPL received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries. For more information, visit www.sjpl.org.
Dream Big, READ! San José’s Summer Reading Celebration Kicks Off June 1st, 2012
SAN JOSÉ, Calif. ---San José Public Library’s Summer Reading Celebration (SRC) kicks off on Saturday, June 1st, 2012 at all 19 locations. This year’s theme allows children to Dream, Big, teens can Own the Night and adults can stay up reading Into the Night.
Each year 10,000-14,000 participate in the reading celebration and earn prizes as they read making it for a fun and rewarding summer. Signing up for SRC is quick, easy and free. Once the sign-up is completed, every eBook, audio book and/or book the participant reads or listens to from June 1st, 2012 through July 31st, 2012 will count toward program prize requirements. One lucky adult winner will have the chance to win the grand prize, a Kindle Fire. Full prize details are available at www.sjpl.org/summer.
This year, all are invited to the library’s first ever system-wide kickoff celebration at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library on Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 from 1-4 p.m. The kickoff event invites people of all ages to participate in a scavenger hunt inside the King Library. The scavenger hunt will be divided into three groups: families with small children, teens and adults. Each group will have their own set of clues and will have to search for hidden treasures inside the library to win a prize. The kickoff event will also feature a community resource fair and plenty of live entertainment.
Also, the library will once again hold its 4th annual Graphic Novel Making Contest. The contest is open to all ages. Entries must be submitted by 8 p.m. on July 31st, 2012 at any San José Public Library location – one entry per contestant. A panel of library staff and comic industry professionals will judge entries based on content and illustrations. Winners will be announced during a reception held at the Berryessa Branch Library on August 25th, 2012 at 2 p.m. For full details visit www.sjpl.org/graphicnovelcontest
Not only does the Summer Reading Celebration provide great prizes for reading and fun contests but will also feature more than 100 events for all ages that include live performances, activities and programs. Check the library’s online calendar page at www.sjpl.org/calendar for event details and listings at all 19 locations.
The Summer Reading Celebration is made possible with additional support from the Friends of the King Library and branch library Friends groups.
For more information on the Summer Reading Celebration contact your local branch library or visit www.sjpl.org/summer.
About San José Public Library
San José Public Library system (SJPL) is the largest public library system between San Francisco and Los Angeles, serving a culturally diverse population of approximately 946,000 in the nation’s 10th largest city. SJPL is recognized across the country for its innovation and leadership in the field and is one of the busiest library systems nationwide, with an annual checkout rate of nearly 14 million items.
Online Book Club - Local Comics, Week 4
For June 2012, our Online Book Club continues by discussing Aztec of the City by Fernando B. Rodriguez and the winners of last year's Graphic Novel Contest.
Each week, we'll put forth a different question to prompt reflection on the books and their ideas. We hope you will participate in the discussion by leaving comments below!
For Week 4, we'd like to ask:
Why do you think animals in stories tend to be anthropomorphized? What reasons can you come up with to enhance a story about a group of animals with human emotions, motivations and even physical traits?
In three of the Graphic Novel Contest Winners, animals are the main characters and focus of the stories. In The Cliff, the dogs look like dogs but have very complex thoughts and have conversations with each other that seem very human. In Arrow’s Forest Friend, the cats really go on what seems like a cat-like adventure, but once again, they have complex thoughts and human-like conversations. In Rabbit in the Moon, the human-ness goes full-blown and the characters are wearing clothes, walking upright and having an epic adventure.
For myself, I think that the use of animals gives you some leeway in portraying characters in a story. They do not possess the trappings that bog us down about our fellow humans – such as race or a specific cultures. They also seem easier to relate to because they are further away from us. Do you agree?
Big Band Music with the Tenor Band and Ballroom Dancing
Big Band Music with The Tenor Band
June 30th, 2012, Room 225, 2:30pm
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
Relive the Big Band era with dance music by The Tenor Band. Reminisce to the sounds of 'Begin the Beguine' and 'Tenderly'. Dont' miss this entertaining blast from the past! And a chance to ballroom dance.
To request an accommodation for Library-sponsored meetings or events, please call 408-808-2173 or 408-808-2130 (TTY) at least three business days before the meeting/event.
The Madonnas of Lenningrad
The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean
An elderly Russian-American woman prepares to attend her granddaughter’s wedding; suffering from dementia, her mind shuffles between past and present. In 1941 the German army surrounds Leningrad; Marina and other staff at the Hermitage Museum prepare art work for safekeeping. As they walk through the rooms with empty frames and display cases, an attendant helps Marina construct a “memory palace” so these treasures will remain with her. Now, at the wedding, each new event recalls a picture and memories of romance, deprivation and survival. For a slide show of the artwork mentioned in the book click here.
Touch Screen Scanners
At the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, you can have access to the Touch Screen Scanners in the Periodicals section of the Lower Level and at 2nd Floor Reference of the King Library. By implementing the touch screen technology at the library, scanning has become much easier than you think, and you can have all your scanning. In this latest library equipment and service, you can digitize and save your documents in a flash drive without any cost. Also from the Touch Screen Scanners, users can email their scanned documents and photos to a Gmail Google Docs account too. Scanners are useful to transmit documents such as email a resume or send attachments. When you are scanning, you are converting the print text, records, and documents into PDF files, JPEG, or Word documents. If customers need assistance with scanning, library staff are available to help. Remember when you are scanning and digitizing your documents you are preserving your valuable records.
International Languages @ SJPL
When you are at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, don’t miss to browse the International Language section of the 3rd floor. This collection consists of many languages including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and many other Asian, African, and European Languages. In this collection, customers can checkout fiction and non-fiction books. Also, the International Language collection at the SJPL has a media collection including both fiction and non-fiction DVDs and CDs, and they are integrated with each individual language. Many of the SJPL International language collections have dictionaries and ESL materials too. There is also the collection of the International Language publications including many magazines and newspapers. Enjoy browsing the SJPL world of multicultural languages and with your library card you have the privilege to bring the collection of the International Language Books and Media to your home.
2012 Summer Reading Programs at Almaden Branch Library
You want to have a summer of fun? Please join us at the Almaden Branch Library on Thursday afternoons at 4:30 pm for special programs for the family. Below is a schedule of events. :
June 28th, 2012 Magic Show with Perry Yan
July 5th, 2012 Kid's Concert with Peter Apel
July 12th, 2012 Bingo Schmingo
July 19th, 2012 Mad Science: pHantastic pHun
July 26th, 2012 The Corny Crow Show with Steve Chaney
We would like to thank the Friends of the Almaden Library for their help and support in making these programs possible.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover @ The Library - Wednesday, June 27 - 6:30-7:45 p.m.-Almaden Branch LIbrary
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Everyone is invited to bring their favorite stuffed animal to the Library for a sleepover! We will have a bedtime storytime and craft. Then we'll tuck the animals in for the night, while the children go home to their beds. Do the stuffed animals have a night-life? We'll find out with our secret cameras? Ages 3 and up with parent participation.
Location: Almaden Branch Library
Room & Floor: Program Room
Preregistration required?: No
DateTime: Wednesday, June 27th, 2012 - 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Night Image Photo Contest - Win $50!!
Love taking photographs?
Submit your original photo, with a theme of nighttime, and you could win a prize!
There are two contests at Edenvale Branch Library: one for Teens (12-17), and one for Adults.
Both contests have the same rules and prize for the winner: $50 dollar gift certificate to San José Camera and Video.
The contest ends on July 16th, 2012 and winners announced on July 18th, 2012.
You must come in to the library to get an entry form.
This program is part of the Summer Reading Celebration 2012.
Other night photo examples:
Night Image Photo Contest - Win $50!
Love taking photographs?
Submit your original photo, with a theme of nighttime, and you could win a prize!
There are two contests at Almaden Branch Library: one for Teens (12-17), and one for Adults.
Both contests have the same rules and prize for the winner: $50 dollar gift certificate to San José Camera and Video.
The contest ends on July 14th, 2012 and winners announced on July 18th, 2012.
You must come in to the library to get an entry form.
This program is part of the Summer Reading Celebration 2012.
Other night photo examples:
Adult Summer Reading Fun
San Jose Public Library system’s Summer Reading Celebration started June 1st, 2012 and will continue through July 31st, 2012. The program is for readers of all ages. “Into the Night” is the theme for this year’s adult reading participation designed for those 18 and over. Participants can either submit book reviews online (in Evanced) or in person using paper entry forms at their local library. There is no minimum number of books required during the program. Any book qualifies: English or non-English, fiction or non-fiction, on paper format , ebook , or a book on CD. Each library has a box at the summer reading table to collect the paper entry forms. Enter the bi-weekly raffle drawing for prizes (re-useable book bag with goodies and a flexible book light). Customers may not be aware of the adult book clubs at the branch libraries. At Cambrian library the next meeting of the mystery book club will be Wednesday, June 27th, 2012 at 6:45 pm. At West Valley the book club will meet Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 at 6:30 pm. Good luck with the raffle!
Reading Rainbow on YouTube!
Remember Reading Rainbow? This fun public TV show starring LeVar Burton encouraged reading by focusing on a theme from a book, explored through segments and stories; it also included book recommendations. You can view all the episodes on YouTube. The show is now making a come-back as a for-pay app for the iPad; an Android version is coming soon! Look for it in your app stores and check out this recent interview with LeVar Burton.
A Colorful Way to Learn about a Great American!
The Remarkable Benjamin Franklin is part of a wonderful set of National Geographic picture book biographies by Cheryl Harness. The beautiful illustrations and easy to read text make the story of Benjamin Franklin’s life accessible and interesting to young and old. The book is full of Franklin’s famous quotes, experiments, inventions and life adventures. There is also a great timeline of “The 18th Century World of Benjamin Franklin” in the back of the book and a list of recommended books for young readers who want to learn more about this fascinating man.
Did you know that Benjamin Franklin was the youngest of ten children? The young Ben Franklin was both a candlemaker and a printer, as well as a statesman and postmaster. He promoted civic institutions we take for granted such as libraries, hospitals, paved roads and volunteer firefighters. He was one of the great scientists of his time (he invented both the lightning rod and bifocals) as well as one of the greatest statesmen. Find this and other books about Benjamin Franklin in the Children's Biographies section of your library.
Teen Talent Show 2012
Show off your unique talent and win prizes, too!
Do you sing, love to dance, do stand-up comedy or have a unique talent??? Compete in our first round of Teen Talent Show competitions to win prizes and a spot at our final talent show event on Saturday, August 11th @ 2pm at at the Almaden Branch Library.
Visit a participating library to sign-up!
Registration packets will be available at participating San José Public Library locations. Participants must submit their registration form at the location where they want to compete.
Check out pictures of past Teen Talent Show Competitions
Regional Competitions: Prizes 1st place $50, 2nd place $25, 3rd $10
Tully Community Branch, July 5th @ 2pm
Edenvale Branch, July 18th @ 6pm
Hillview Branch, July 19th @ 3pm
Santa Teresa Branch, July 21st @ 3pm
Cambrian Branch, July 25th @ 6:00pm
Evergreen Branch, July 26th @ 4pm
Final Competition: Prizes 1st place $100, 2nd place $75, 3rd place $50
Saturday, August 11th @ 2pm
Join us for the grand finale of Teen Talent Show 2012 at the Almaden Branch Library.
The first and second place winners from our local contests will compete for the honor of becoming the San José Teen Talent 2012. Come early and bring your family and friends to cheer on your favorite talent!
Juggling Performance and Workshop with Michael Pearce: Saturday, June 23rd 2012
Michael entertains children of all ages with an amazing 15-minute performance,
juggli
ng as many as 7 balls and 5 clubs. A 30-minute juggling workshop, led by Michael, will follow the performance.
This program is made possible through the generous contributions of the Friends of the Santa Teresa Branch Library.
Date: Saturday, June 23rd, 2012
Time: 3:30pm
Place: Santa Teresa Branch Library Community Room
Kids' Concert with Peter Apel at Santa Teresa Library
On Saturday, July 7th 2012, Santa Teresa Bran
ch Library will present a special kids' concert featuring local musician, storyteller, magician and entertainer extraordinaire Peter Apel. Young music fans will be delighted by Peter's special blend of original music, magic and humor, delivered with unique care and respect towards children. In January 2011, Peter received the "Kids' Music Award" for best album for his CD I've Got a Dinosaur on My Head, available for checkout at San Jose Public Library.
Visit Peter's official website to get a preview of what promises to be an entertaining afternoon of songs and stories.
Date & Time: Saturday, July 7th 2012 at 3:30pm
Place: Santa Teresa Branch Library Community Room
I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher
Have you seen the Academy Award winning movie The Blind Side? It is based on the true story of the relationship that formed between Michael Oher and the Tuohy family. Michael was a homeless Black teen from the ghetto who improbably attended a wealthy suburban school in Memphis. He met Shawn and Leigh Anne Tuohy, a white couple whose son and daughter attended the same school. Eventually, Michael was adopted by the Tuohys, received a college degree in criminal justice, and became a professional football player (currently with the Baltimore Ravens).
I thought the movie was terrific, but I wondered how true-to-life it was. Then I saw a book in my local library that answered some questions I had. The book is I Beat the Odds, and is written by Michael Oher himself (along with co-author Don Yaeger). He recalls his life, and also speaks about how he was able to move from an inner city ghetto to the life he wanted. Mr. Oher relates his recognition that his natural athleticism could lead to a way out, his determination to discover and take that path, and the difficulties of being homeless.
If a “good” book is one that makes us think and question our beliefs, then “I Beat the Odds” qualifies. You can find both the book and the movie The Blind Side at the San Jose Public Library. You may also be interested in two other related books. Michael Lewis’s 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, was the impetus for the 2009 movie. Also, Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy have written a book In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving, which details their own philosophy and beliefs. Both are also available from the library!
Joyce Ellington Volunteer Becomes A U.S. Citizen!
Congratulations to Morteza Yousefian on passing his U.S. Citizenship test and becoming a new U.S. Citizen!
Morteza (Mori) started volunteering at the Joyce Ellington Branch Library back in 2009 as an ESL Conversation Club Tutor. Shortly afterwards, he moved away from our area to attend school. Then, he returned on September 2011 to become a member of the Friends of the Joyce Ellington Library. Ever since then, he volunteers by coming in 2 to 3 times a week by helping to maintain the Friends Bookstore by sorting book donations and restocking shelves. He also helps with the Friends Booksale events at Joyce Ellington Branch Booksale with setup and other duties.
Every time that Mori comes in, he always greets the library staff with a friendly smile.
Morteza is a great example of what it means to volunteer and give back to your community, especially a community that has adopted him.
To celebrate the spirit of our country's upcoming Independence celebration, let's acknowledge and thank Mori (Morteza Yousefian) and his contributions as a volunteer at the Joyce Ellington Branch Library!
Yolanda Anaya & Adrian Barrientos
Volunteer Coordinators
Joyce Ellington Branch Library
Portuguese Fado Music by Ramana Vieira
Ramana Vieira's Fado Music
Room 225, 2:30pm
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library
Called the "New Voice of Portuguese World Music", this powerful vocalist is making her mark as one of the premier contemporary Fado artists. She has been featured in the New York Times, has headlined the world's largest Portuguese festival, performed at the 2010 Encontro festival in Macau, and one of her songs was played in an Olympic opening ceremony.
Her extraordinary gift of bringing the historic style of Fade into modern times is her unique trademark.
Her Ensemble now features the beautiful Portuguese guitarra, a signature sound in Fado music.
Online Book Club - Local Comics, Week 3
For June 2012, our Online Book Club continues by discussing Aztec of the City by Fernando B. Rodriguez and the winners of last year's Graphic Novel Contest.
Each week, we'll put forth a different question to prompt reflection on the books and their ideas. We hope you will participate in the discussion by leaving comments below!
For Week 3, we'd like to ask:
Where do superheroes come from?
There are so many different super-hero origins, but what threads do you see that run through all of them? What turns a regular person or a regular mutant or alien or whomever into a hero instead of a villain? In Aztec of the City, Tony Torres is an ex-con just out of prison trying to keep on the straight and narrow when a random act of violence spurs him to act. That decision to stand up for another launches him towards a new destiny. In the case of Tony Avalos, he is told by his grandmother that he has a destiny, he is born of an ancient and powerful line of Aztec warriors. The two origins couldn’t be more different. Tony Torres has been on the other side, and is making amends. Tony Avalos is a vessel for something that is bigger than he is. Which kind of superhero do you prefer? One who has mystic or magical or supernatural powers or one who has the will to stand up for what's right?
Beginning Salsa Dance Class at the Edenvale Branch Library
Bienvenidos! Welcome to Salsa! Come to the Community Room at Edenvale Branch Library on Tuesday June 19th, 2012 at 6:00 PM in order to learn the basic hand motions, foot placement and dance style of salsa. If you are a beginner or looking to improve your salsa basics, this is the class for you. Partner not required. Students should wear comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes or dance appropriate shoes. This program is for adults of all ages as well as teens ages 16 and up.
This program is made possible through the generous contributions of the Friends of the Edenvale Branch Library.
Would you like more information about salsa dancing? Check out these instructional DVDs!
Dance off the Inches. Sizzling Salsa
Learn to Dance in Minutes. Salsa & Merengue
San Jose Public Library has many other instructional DVDs that you may be interested in. Come on by, and visit! Any DVD that you check out from one SJPL location may be returned to any other SJPL location.
West Valley Book Club's July Pick: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
The West Valley Book Club will meet on Wednesday, July 11th 2012 at 6:30 PM to discuss Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. We have this book in various formats, including print, audio, downloadable eBook, and eAudio. Want to learn how to download this book onto your computer or eReader device? Join us at West Valley on Wednesday, June 20 2012 at 4:30pm OR Friday, July 6 2012 at 2:00pm. We're offering monthly workshops throughout the summer for people to learn how to use SJPL's growing and thriving eBook collections!
At times stern, at other times patient, at times perceptive, at other times in sad denial, Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher, deplores the changes in her little town of Crosby, Maine, and in the world at large, but she doesn’t always recognize the changes in those around her: a lounge musician haunted by a past romance; a former student who has lost the will to live; Olive’s own adult child, who feels tyrannized by her irrational sensitivities; and her husband, Henry, who finds his loyalty to his marriage both a blessing and a curse.
As the townspeople grapple with their problems, mild and dire, Olive is brought to a deeper understanding of herself and her life–sometimes painfully, but always with ruthless honesty. Olive Kitteridge offers profound insights into the human condition–its conflicts, its tragedies and joys, and the endurance it requires. (From Amazon.com)
Whether you read the book or the eBook, please join us in July for lively literary conversation!
Deceased Aristocracy
Scott Westerfeld says that he set out to write the space opera that he would have liked, and he came up with one that a lot of us like. In this tale he weaves together an espionage story, political intrigue, romance, future history, the ethics and ramifications of artificial intelligence, the ethics and ramifications of immortality, a commando raid, and one of science fiction’s more elaborate and high-tech ship-to-ship battles. And this empire is ruled by heroes who have passed on to their reward, both literally and figuratively, as the emperor has the power to grant immortality to those who obey him, but only if they agree to die in the process. Originally written as one novel to be called Succession, the publisher decided to split the story into two books: The Risen Empire, and The Killing of Worlds. (They’re not sequels, but one story in two volumes.)
LSI Lends a Hand
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San Jose Public Library would like to thank the nearly 40 volunteers from LSI Corporation who generously gave their time to assist in the library recently. On Monday and Wednesday, volunteers worked at the Edenvale and Almaden branches, reorganizing book shelves that had become out of order. Staff reported that the shelves were much improved and resources could now be found more easily. On Tuesday and Thursday, other volunteers tackled the shelves at the Seventrees and Educational Park branch libraries. These libraries are scheduled to open later this year, so volunteers cleaned shelves and arranged books and media in preparation for opening.
LSI organizes a Volunteer Week every year, offering employees an opportunity to donate time to various public agencies and non-profit organizations. SJPL is grateful to be one of the lucky recipients!
Leaving India
Leaving India : my family's journey from five villages to five continents by Minal Hajratwala.
From the Indian state of Gujarat, descendants of the Khatri clan have migrated and scattered aroundthe globe. Beginning with the story of her great grandfather who went to Fiji and became a successful merchant, Minal Hajratwaladescribes her extended family’s diaspora, focusing on a particular relative in each generation while discussing the historical, political and social issues that led to their leaving their home country and settling in another. Her relatives in South Africa built their business under apartheid; an ancestor in India participated in Gandhi’s salt march. Minal’s own family of origin, who eventually settled in the United States, highlights the complications of immigration: at one time each member travelled on a passport from a different country of birth. At the end of the book, Minal’s relatives reside in India , Fiji, Australia, Great Britain, South Africa, Hong Kong, Canada and the United States. A fascinating story of immigration and the process of assimilation into new cultures and identities.
Summer Reading Guide
For books hot off the press, Los Angeles Times presents a Summer Reading Guide, good for beach reads as well as more ambitious reading. Fiction and non-fiction are listed under the categories of Beach Reads, History and Biography, Young Adult & Children, Lifestyle, Quirky, and Audio.
You may need to look in various library systems to find these new books though. For San Jose Public Library, please look up our catalog and Downloads page; and "request" your particular books, ebooks, or audio books when they are not currently on shelf. To start you off, below are examples of the titles found in our catalog:
Home, by Toni Morrison (and Home [sound recording])
In One Person, by John Irving (and In one person [sound recording] )
Sacre bleu: a comedy d'art, by Christopher Moore (and ebook Sacre bleu)
For Bay Area bestsellers, please visit SFGate. The top bestsellers in our catalog include, but not limited to, the following:
Bring Up the Bodies: a novel, by Hilary Mantel.
Mission to Paris, by Alan Furst
An American Tapestry, by Rachel L. Swams.
To win prizes for reading, come join the library’s Summer Reading Celebration at your branch libraries or online!
Tuesdays & Saturdays ESL Conversation Club
Every Tuesday at 4:00pm and Saturday at 2:00pm there are ESL Conversation Club sessions at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. The sessions are held in a small group discussion format where customers make new friends and enjoy discussing popular topics. The club meets in room 390 which is located on 3rd floor. In these ESL Conversation sessions, customers enjoy learning and practicing English language in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. Attendees can learn and interact with other participants. In the library, also there are the ESL books combined with media for checkout at all SJPL branches. Also, library customers can use the library ESL electronic resources with a valid library card. All levels are welcome.
“Zero” written by Kathryn Otoshi
Zero compares herself to others. She feels isolated and not very special in the world of numbers.
With a little help from her friends Zero begins to appreciate that she has a special place in the world of numbers. She has true value.
Zero is written by Kathryn Otoshi.
Funny Movie: Monkey Business
Monkey Business, which can be found in Link+, is a hilarious movie starring Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, and Marilyn Monroe. Cary Grant, who is so great in screwball comedies, partners with the dancing legend, Ginger Rogers, in this irrepressible comedy. Ginger Rogers gets to shine as a comedian in this movie about chemistry and the fountain of youth.
Though Monroe has a very minor role, she does have a side-splitting scene with Grant in a very fast car. Acting as a staid scientist, Grant becomes a teenager when he takes the magic potion. Rogers seems to regress even further as she cries and tattletales on anyone who stands in her way.
If you are getting tired of seeing the repetitive plots of today's romantic comedies, take a stroll down memory lane in this black and white gem!
Career Transitions subscription is ending.
Access to Career Transitions ends Thursday, June 28, so please copy any information you've entered by then! A few alternatives are listed on http://sjpl.org/databases#Care and http://sjpl.org/employment.
Find a Job with "The Web 2.0 Job Finder"
Confused by the new rules of job search? Do you feel like you are spinning your wheels and not getting anywhere? Read The Web 2.0 Job Finder: Winning Social Media strategies to get the job you want from Fortune 500 Hiring Pros by Brenda Greene and Coleen Byrne.
Finding a job has never been more difficult or more competitive. The authors do a good job of simplifying the process and helping the applicant understand the mentality of Fortune 500 recruiters. Using interviews with 35 recruiters and other research, the authors explain the necessity of using social networking tools such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook to promote your “digital brand.” These interviews are particularly revealing. Recruiters explain how your “30 second pitch” is more important than a traditional cover letter that might not even get read.
The authors start by explaining how to create, develop, and maintain an online presence and brand. They also explain clearly how to: adopt best practices for getting a job by writing skill (not job!) specific resumes, target jobs that match your skills and anticipate what a company needs. Chapter 3 is a great introduction to LinkedIn and the “hidden job market.”
Brenda Greene also wrote Get the Interview Every time: Proven Resume and Cover Letter Strategies from Fortune 500 Hiring Professionals.
Featured Online Resource: CustomGuide
CustomGuide is pretty cool. What is it? It's free online computer training. Accessible online from home or work. You can learn software programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Quickbooks and a bunch of other software programs too. Did I mention this resource is free with a San José Public Library card? This is a great resource if you need to brush up on your computer skills or perhaps you have staff that need a little bit of extra computer training.
First Private Spacecraft Visited International Space Station
Dragon - the large, commercial bell shaped craft created by company SpaceX delivered last month 1,000 pounds of provisions to the International Space Station (ISS) and brought back more than 1,400 pounds of old equipment. It is on display at company's rocket factory in McGregor and looks "almost untouched", as SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk told the reporters. He is also CEO of Palo Alto based Tesla Motors. Dragon was built in collaboration with NASA. NASA's Administration commented that nine days test flight was a real success.
SJPL has an interesting book for kids at the library - Living and working aboard the International Space Station by Henry Holden.
Persuasion
Persuasion, Jane Austen's last completed novel, satirizes social status and emotional turmoil with her famed wit and ironic style. Not just any love story – Penguin Classics has compared the romantic narrative to the well-loved fairy tale, “Cinderella,” in the characters, conflict, and aspects of plot. However, this tale is distinguished by the resplendence of literary beauty that is both philosophical and awe-inspiring: the impact of the theme, ‘persuasion,’ is recounted in a cleverly woven path that directs the heroine to her eventual felicity.
Intrigued with the return of her former beau -- Captain Wentworth -- from eight and half years prior, Anne Elliott is placed in the uncomfortable position of remaining in company with him while he is courting another! Austen displays the pain and agony of his return, the unspoken words, and misunderstandings that continue to evolve and devolve in the plot. Along with that conflict is an underlying tension from the recommendations of Lady Russell, who discouraged the engagement all those years ago in the first place.
Gillian Beer explains that Austen was perceptive that the ability to persuade or to be persuaded is crucial in regards to communication. Beer states: "... Jane Austen gradually draws out the implications of discriminating 'just' and 'unjust' persuasion." That is, the narrative displays a profusion of variations of those inducing, or attempting to entice, others—or themselves. Finally, Beer describes Austen's work as: "… the novel's entire brooding on the power pressures, the seductions, and also the new pathways opened by persuasion.” Although, erudite in tone, Persuasion is in effect, a treatise on Austen’s personal challenges with similar phenomena in her own familial relationships. It is one of the most fascinating and enduring novels ever!
A fabulous read!
Cool Down With a History of Frozen Food
In the heat of summer, we welcome any excuse to open up the freezer door and not have to turn on the oven to cook a meal. Why not spend a few hours learning more about the man who invented frozen food and introduced us to conveniences such as the frozen tater tot and out of season fruits and vegetables all year round?
Mark Kurlansky, author of other food tales such as Cod and Salt, has turned his eye towards Clarence Birdseye with his recent title Birdseye: The Adventures of a Curious Man. With a flair for writing about topics most of us wouldn't think about, Kurlansky is able to weave a tale about the man who brought perhaps one of the best food-related inventions of the early twentieth century. By observing that the Inuit often fish during the winter and freeze their catch instantly in the subzero air, Birdseye was inspired to pursue freezing as a viable technique for preserving food.
Most of us have used frozen food sometime in our lives - it's easy, it's convenient, and tastes great. Read this great biography to learn more about the man who invented frozen food and made modern life just that much easier.
The Language of Flowers
The language of flowers : a novel / Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Victoria Jones has spent her childhood in foster care and her teenage years in group homes. Now emancipated at eighteen, she seeks out a job as a florist’s assistant, using her knowledge of the meaning of flowers she learned from Elizabeth, her last foster mother. Though her arrangements change lives, she is hesitant to accept friendship from others, until an exchange with a flower vendor brings up memories from the past, challenging her ideas of the language of flowers. A tale of hope, love and forgiveness set in San Francisco.
If you’re interested in the meaning of flowers, popular in Victorian times, look for books on flower language in the catalog.
Teen Lock-In: The Zombie Apocalypse!
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Get ready to own the night! Teens ages 12-17 are invited to spend a fun-filled Zombie themed evening at participating San Jose Public Library branches on Friday, August 3rd from 8pm to 11pm*. Participate in fun and memorable activities such as s
IMPORTANT: The Teen Lock-In event takes place at the libraries listed below. To register, you and your parent or guardian must come to the library that you prefer to participate in this event and fill-out the registration form. Please submit the form by Friday, July 27th. Space is limited and all teens must be pre-registered and have reviewed two books for the Teen Summer Reading Celebration to participate.
(*Teen Lock-In will be from 7pm to 10pm at Berryessa branch library, Evergreen branch library and Santa Teresa branch library.)
6445 Camden Ave.
San José, CA 95120
(408) 808-3040
ab.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
Berryessa Branch Library (Note: From 7pm to 10pm at this location)
3355 Noble Avenue
San José, CA 95132
(408) 808-3050
bb.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
921 South First St.
San José, CA 95110
(408) 294-1237
bla.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
Evergreen Branch Library (Note: From 7pm to 10pm at this location)
2635 Aborn Rd.
San José, CA 95121
(408) 808-3060
ev.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
1600 Hopkins Dr.
San José, CA 95122
(408) 808-3033
hb.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
Joyce Ellington Branch Library
491 E. Empire St.
San José, CA 95112
(408) 808-3043
je.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
Santa Teresa Branch Library (Note: From 7pm to 10pm at this location)
290 International Circle
San José, CA 95119
(408) 808-3068
sa.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd.
San José, CA 95117
(408) 244-4747
wv.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
Start Preparing for the SAT!
Are you planning on taking the SAT this Fall? San José Public Library will be offering 2 practice tests this summer, giving you the opportunity try your hand at the types of questions you will see on the actual test. These full length practice tests will be proctored by Princeton Review and are open to all high school students. Pre-Registration is required.
Saturday, June 16, 2012 - 10:30am
King Library (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library)
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 - 1:00pm
In addition, you can check out a variety of new study books for both the SAT and the ACT.
Lastly, you may also want to look at the LearningExpress Library Tutorials, Tests, eBooks which are accessible with you library card, and have great College Preparation materials, including tools and tips for both the SAT and ACT.
Online Book Club - Local Comics, Week 2
For June 2012, our Online Book Club continues by discussing Aztec of the City by Fernando B. Rodriguez and the winners of last year's Graphic Novel Contest.
Each week, we'll put forth a different question to prompt reflection on the books and their ideas. We hope you will participate in the discussion by leaving comments below!
For Week 2, we'd like to ask:
What does an author gain from the retelling of a familiar folk tale? In two of the Graphic Novel Contest Winner entries – Little Red Riding Hood and Turning Point, the tale of Little Red Riding Hood is revisited. Both are much darker versions than the one I was told as a child. What themes in the story are most compelling to you? Why?
For myself, I was very taken by the idea of redemption and reframing that Little Red Riding Hood introduced me to. I have always been very clear on who was the hero in that folktale and it certainly never was the Big Bad Wolf – although in the story of the Three Little Pigs, I did feel for him! In the graphic novel, though the Wolf seems to be the one who is most unforgiving of himself and interestingly Little Red is the one with innocent belief – as she was in the original story! I enjoyed the way that turned the story onto its head.
Summertime and the Living is Easy!
Now that Memorial Day is past and school is out (or soon will be), people will be firing up their grills, packing picnic baskets and making all kinds of plans for meals al fresco. I know I will be attending at least three outdoor concerts this summer and taking along a picnic for all guests at the table. I also love to spend time outdoors grilling meat and vegetables and sharing good food with good friends and soon-to-be friends. So many foods can be easily grilled for a wonderful noon picnic or an evening barbeque and there is something for everyone--meat dishes, vegetarian dishes, seafood dishes, etc. If you want to get out of the of the steak and burger rut and try something different, come visit any of our branches. We have lots of cookbooks and "how to" books to make your outdoor culinary adventures leaving people wanting more. You will find most of these materials in the 641.5xx call number range. Or see a list of books about grilling and barbecuing.
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Sister City Art Collaboration Project: San Jose, CA and Yekaterinburg, Russia
Yekaterinburg, Russia is one of San Jose's seven sister- cities and is situated in the middle of the Eurasian continent, on the border of Europe and Asia. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library was contacted by Valentina Karimova of the American Information Center in Yekaterinburg, Russia to tell us about the "Celebrating Creativity in the US and Russia Project," and if we would be willing to cooperate with them on this project. Of course, we agreed, and were fortunate to find art teacher, Darla McKenna, of downtown Notre Dame High School who was excited about the project and motivated her students to participate. The students at Notre Dame and in Yekaterinburg worked on the project for 3 months using various media to capture views and famous sights of their respective cities. All of the drawings were then placed in two sketchbooks with one residing at Notre Dame and the other in Yekaterinburg. This was a wonderful collaboration by the students of these two cities and they created some interesting sketches. You can view the artwork at Sister- City Art Collaboration Project. Enjoy the sketches!
Storyteller of Marrakesh
The Storyteller of Marrakesh by Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya
An enigmatic pair of lovers arrives at Marrakesh’s Jemaa el Fna square, captivates merchants and onlookers, and mysteriously disappears. Hassan the storyteller, whose brother is implicated in the crime, relates the event, while his listeners interrupt, giving their own memories and interpretations. As the story progresses, fascinating details are revealed about the city of Marrakesh, its visitors and inhabitants.
Author Joydeep Roy Bhattacharya tells about the writing of the book in his interview here.
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
In 2010, a documentary called "Cave of Forgotten Dreams" won 9 film awards. I was fortunate enough to see this amazing film twice on large screens in the movie theaters, including once in 3D. The cave that is revealed is Chauvet Cave in France. Closed by a landslide for at least 25,000 years, it was discovered in 1994. Inside the cave are beautiful rock formations, bones, footprints... and the oldest paintings in the world.
Director Werner Hertzog and three others were allowed access to the cave for 4 hours at a time for 6 days. They were not allowed to touch anything other than the narrow, suspended walkway reaching through a portion of the cave. Specially constructed filming equiptment was used to make the movie.
Chauvet cave will never be open to the public, but you can see this remarkable cave on film. San Jose Public Library card holders can check out the "Cave of Forgotten Dreams" on DVD for free, and can even place a request for it.
Your public libraries hold books and films on many wonders. Explore them at your local library!
Evergreen's June teensReach Newsletter
Summer returns and your help and participation for the Summer Reading Program will be very much appreciated! Besides Summer Reading Program, there are a few programs coming up at Evergreen Library and your help will be needed. These programs all take place inside the community room. Please arrive 20 minutes earlier before the start of each program to help prepare and set-up.
- Father's Day Craft for Kids - Wednesday, June 13th, 2012 from 4pm to 5pm. Help kids create a special craft for Father's Day!
- Game and Math for Kids - Friday, June 14th, 2012 from 4pm to 5pm. Assist children on learning how to play mathematical games.
- Making Musical Instruments for Kids - Monday, June 18th, 2012 from 4pm to 5pm. This is a fun program where you will help children make musical instruments.
- Advanced Craft: Dream Journal - Wednesday, June 20th, 2012 from 4pm to 5pm. Help teens paint and design their own journal! You can make and design your own as well.
The next teensReach meeting at Evergreen Branch will be on June 20th, 2012 from 5 pm to 6 pm inside the Community Room. Come and be informed about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Not a teensReach member? Sign-Up today at your nearest SJPL branch: http://www.sjpl.org/teensreach
Enter Adult Summer Reading and Win a Kindle!
Would you like to win a Kindle Fire?
If so, you should enter the Adult Summer Reading Celebration at Almaden Branch Library or any San José branch library between now and July 31, 2012.
It's really easy:
- Enter at your local library or online.
- Read a book every 2 weeks, review it (2 sentences is OK), submit your review, and you're entered into our bi-weekly prize drawing! You can read your review and others here!
Bi-weekly prizes include:
- Starbucks Gift Card®
- Flexible Book Light
- Re-usable book bags with goodies
3. You may submit your review online after setting up a personal account or you may pick up a paper review form at your local branch library, fill it out, and put the form into the Adult Summer Reading Box at the library.
What could be easier?
You're wondering: Where does the Kindle Fire fit in? Well, if you submit at least one short review between now and July 31, 2012, you are entered into the Adult Grand Prize drawing for a Kindle Fire, which will be given out at the end of Summer Reading on July 31, 2012.
Then you can do next summer's reading on your new Kindle Fire.
Long Live Bradbury!
Ray Bradbury has died at the age of 91.
Do you know Bradbury? Do you read Bradbury? If not this is your chance to get to know him through a kaleidoscopic projection of imagery of Bradbury Stories: 100 Of His Most Celebrated Tales (HarperCollins, 2005). Short stories seem to work in this ever-increasingly busy world with the Internet, Social Networking, and cell phones among other gadgets. You can easily go through one story in 3 or 5 minutes, and then get distracted by other things in life without having your story disrupted the next time you pick up the book again. Bradbury’s stories are definitely great reads due to their incredible depth and variants. Besides his sci-fi stories (his longtime obsession with planet Mars) you will discover other stories of that explore family love, romantic love, fairy tales, and horror. Some stories read like Hollywood screenplays (due to the author’s associations with the movie industry) but not without emotional depths: The Drummer Boy of Shiloh, Banshee, Henry The Ninth, Downwind from Gettysburg. Others create dreamlike atmospheres and mystery: That Woman on the Lawn, The Wish, Death and the Maiden. Others explore time-space travel with interesting personae: Darling Adolf, The Laurel and Hardy Love Affair. Across all tales there hangs a veil of nostalgia and doom, with a risk of being excessively poetic. Reading one story in this collection will definitely drive you to the next, and you will find it difficult to put down the book.
Check out other Ray Bradbury's books.
蘇童的紅粉世界
蘇童本名童忠貴，江蘇蘇州人，北京師範大學中文系畢業，代表作品包括《紅粉》、《妻妾成群》、《已婚男人》和《離婚指南》等。其中《妻妾成群》被導演張藝謀改編成電影《大紅燈籠高高掛》，叫好叫座，蘇童名聲因而 更響亮。
蘇童《紅粉》如同是一部女性生命史。藉由〈紅粉〉、〈婦女生活〉、〈女孩為什麼哭泣〉、〈舒農〉四個中篇，述說女性在如何現實生活裡爭取生存的權利。四個中篇，品盡人生滋味，看遍人生百態。
〈紅粉〉寫一九五０年代的政府解救改造妓女，敘說兩個情比姊妹深的妓女與一個男人之間糾葛無奈，亦反映出面對現實無能為力的生活樣貌。
〈婦女生活〉，故事橫跨近五十年時間，講述上海一個舊式家庭四代女性，因著變幻無常的情感命運而有著孤零 而掙扎的一生。
〈女孩為什麼哭泣〉男主角是一個不得志的年輕作家，不確定自己的生活，也抓不住身邊來來去去不同性格的女孩。三十歲以後人生最終落實了，想起昔日，「不由得唏噓長嘆起來」。
〈舒農〉則以一個十四歲性格乖僻的男孩視角來張望生活週遭，幻想自己是一隻貓探看這畸形的生活模式及混亂不堪的世界。
蘇童擅長刻劃女性形象，如他所言也許這是因為女性更令人關注，凝聚著更多的小說因素。蘇童筆下女性任性而薄命，頗具“紅顔薄命”的古訓。蘇童的敘事優雅從容，清雅平實，將敘事與抒情結合得恰到好處。對於蘇童優雅的風格，某些作家譏其為“脂粉氣”或“女性味” ，各位看官欣賞後就自己品味決定了。
Online Book Club - Local Comics, Week 1
For June 2012, our Online Book Club continues by discussing Aztec of the City by Fernando B. Rodriguez and the winners of last year's Graphic Novel Contest.
Each week, we'll put forth a different question to prompt reflection on the books and their ideas. We hope you will participate in the discussion by leaving comments below!
For Week 1, we'd like to ask:
Comics and graphic novels follow certain formats that have held fast for decades. Panels depict each scene and carry the story through in a linear fashion. Sometimes, there are interludes or even mini-comics that are interspersed. In Aztec of the City, there is a one page comic called Burrito that is placed in the middle of the first story. What do you think of this formatting style? Does it enhance the experience? Can you think of instances in other art forms or media where this breaking up of the story is used?
I'm not a big comic book reader, though many of my friends are. The process of getting information from the illustrations, layout and text is a new one to me. When I came across the Burrito comic, it completely confused me. I found the cartoon to be humorous, but it broke up the story that was being told about Tony. Though to be fair, the portion before the Burrito comic could be considered exposition and the part after the climax of the story.
How about you? What impact does a formatted break in a comic or graphic novel have on you?
Reference USA Enhancement
Reference USA now offers job listings through Indeed.com. So now when you look up a business it will show any job listings that are available. This is a nice new feature for those of you that use Reference USA in your job search.
New eBook collection: Axis 360!
Meet a new collection of downloadable fiction and non-fiction eBooks: Axis 360! To read eBooks in this collection, first download free Blio e-reader software; it’s available at www.blio.com or at http://www.meetblio.com/download/. You can check out ten titles at a time; titles may not be returned early. Some titles offer text-to-speech capabilities.
Current devices on which Axis 360 titles may be loaded:
* All Microsoft devices
* All Apple mobile devices (i-pod, i-pad, i-phone) - but not Mac desktops
* All Android devices (tablets and phones)
* Kindle Fire
Pulling Princes by Tyne O'Connell
Pulling Princes by Tyne O'Connell caught my eye initially in the book, Royal Match. Royal Match is a reconfigured book that includes the first two titles in the Calypso Chronicles: Pulling Princes and Stealing Princes, which you can find on Link+.
If you are a fan of Louise Rennison's character, Georgia Nicholson, you may enjoy the British colloquialisms that run rampant. I enjoy reading books where characters are thrown into totally alien situations. I expected to see many funny situations with the main character, Calypso, who is from Los Angeles. However, Calypso has lived at the British boarding school for a few years, so the "fish out of water" humor never quite materializes. In fact, Calypso actually seems to use British slang, though she claims to have an American accent.
Calypso is an outsider at the posh boarding school, along with her best friend, Star. However, a fake boyfriend leads to opportunities and problems that she never foresaw. A gifted fencer, she soon finds that her hobby leads to the best opportunity of all!
Free SAT Practice Test - June 9
Almaden Branch Library will be offering a FREE SAT Practice Test on Saturday, June 9th 2012, at 10:15 AM.
The test lasts about 4 hours and will be proctored by The Princeton Review.
Pre-Registration is required.
You may register by calling 408-808-3040 or by visiting the Information Desk at Almaden Branch Library (open Wed 11-8, Thu 10-6, Fri 10-6, Sat 10-6).
If you know anyone who might like to take the practice test, please pass this message along.
National Safety Month for Kids
June is National Safety Month! Learn the tips and best practices on how to stay safe by checking out the following titles!
Safety by Liz Gogerly
This book contains helpful advice about staying safe in today's fast-paced world. Learn about the real concerns to pay attention to at various places: at home, at school and more.
Play it Safe Online by Phyllis Cornwall
Learn how to avoid certain hazzards and dangers online. This book provides tips and advice on how to remain safe online such as not posting certain pictures, how to limit personal information, choosing secure sites and more.
Traffic Safety by Nancy Loewen
Traveling this summer? This book will help you discover common transportation hazards and learn how to avoid or handle them.
Safety at Home by Mary Lee Knowlton
This book provides helpful tips and advice for kids on how to stay safe at home. Learn how to avoid common home-related accidents and injuries by reading this book.
Say No and Go: Stranger Safety by Jill Donahue
Even though your neighborhood might appear safe, dangerous incidents may randomly occur. This book will help you know what they are and how to handle them. Learn how to effectively know your neighbors, watch out for strangers and dealing with people at the doorstep.
For more recommendations, please see a Youth Services Librarian at your library.
Beginning Conversational Mandarin - 6 week Drop-in Sessions, Starting Wed. January 16th
Learn simple words & phrases, in this introduction
to Mandarin Impress your friends, communicate with neighbors or prepare for travel.
6 week session
Wednesdays 3 – 4 p.m.
January 16th, 23rd, 30th 2013
February 6th , 13 & 20th 2013
Study Room 390, 3rd floor
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose
To support your studies:
- Mango Languages - online language course, offering Mandarin - Free with your library card.
- Mandarin Instruction - books and CD courses available at the library
- Mandarin Dictionaries - available at the library
- DVDs in Mandarin - with English subtitles
善用圖書館
親愛的家長們，悠閒的暑假即將來臨，計畫好要如何渡過這麼美好的時光了嗎?告訴您一個最棒的點子，那就是好好利用圖書館，就如同在圖書館培養比爾蓋茲 書中所言，公立圖書館有各式各樣免費的服務，善用圖書館不僅可以培養出最優秀的小孩，也能省下許多教育費用，像我就身受其利。比如說，我的小孩每年都會參加圖書館舉辦的暑期讀書計畫，她們很高興只要閱讀想看的書籍，就可以贏得許多獎品，所以暑假都花很多時間在看書，我也就省下了暑期夏令營的費用。然而，圖書館的獎品其實不是最重要的，最有價值的獎品是您的小孩一生的成就將無可限量。大量閱讀可以增進小孩的閱讀能力，更加為其他科目墊定學習的基礎，進而成為幸福的資優生。為了您的小孩，請帶著全家人一起來圖書館參加各項活動，特別是今天即將開始的暑期讀書計劃。
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Greetings parents! The wonderful summer vacation is around the corner. Do you have any plans for the fabulous summer ahead? If you don’t, then here is the best idea -- using public libraries. Just like mentioned in the book, 在圖書館培養比爾蓋茲 , San Jose Public Library offers many free services and events. Using the services and attending the events helps your children become the best, and also saves you lots of money. I have a good example of these benefits. My girls join summer reading program every year. They were happy to earn many prizes by reading their favorite books, so they spent lots of time reading during summer. Therefore, I saved lot of money for not sending them to summer camps. How awesome is that! However, the biggest benefit of this program is not the prizes you get, but is the future of your child. Because your children read many books, their reading comprehension skills will improve, which can be applied to many other subjects of interest. The learning would become so easy. So for your children’s own good, please take your family to a library near you, attend their events, and also sign up for this child-friendly and educational summer reading program right now!
Friends Forever
Divided into two chapters, this book is about friendship between Jefferson Bear and Figgy Twosocks. Whenever Figgy needs help, Bear is always there. When it's time for Bear to hibernate, Figgy feels lonely, so she builds a white snow bear to remind her of her friend Bear. Along the way, she finds a new friend, Hoptail the squirrel. When spring comes, her friend Bear reappears to play with her, so, in the end, she has two friends: a new one and the old one.
She has learned that sometimes an unhappy thing happens so that it can bring in a new happy thing.
Written by Sally Grindley, illustrated by Penny Dann.
