Does your child have difficulties with reading or writing? Help will be available this summer with Read Write Discover (RWD), a mentoring program at the Biblioteca Latinoamericana. The program is free, and is aimed at students who have trouble reading, or whose families face language barriers in their communities. High school students will be trained to help children in grades 1-8 with reading and writing.

The session begins with an orientation for families on Monday, June 10, 2013 from 11:00 - 1:00 PM. Tutors work with the same students each week on Mondays and Tuesdays from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm on specific weeks during June, July and August.

Please visit the Read Write Discover (RWD) information desk on one of the dates below to find out more!

Monday, June 3, 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Tuesday, June 4, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Wednesday, June 5, 4:00 – 6:00 pm

If you have any questions about this program, please email rwdiscover@gmail.com.

Formerly known as the food stamp program, Calfresh is the state of California’s supplemental food budgeting program. Its purpose is to assist low-income families and individuals with getting the food and nutrition they need. Participants in the program use a EBT card to buy food the same way they would use any other debit card at grocery stores and farmers’ markets.

Various branches of the San Jose Public Library host ongoing pre-screening and application assistance sessions for those who think they may qualify for the program. See our events calendar for dates, times, and locations.

Second Harvest Food Bank of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties has some very helpful information on its web site about how the Calfresh Program works and who is eligible for it. It also debunks common myths about the program (for example, applying can’t hurt your immigration status and you don’t need to have children to be eligible).

If you have a talent for creating comic/manga style illustrated short stories, you are invited to enter San José Public Library’s Graphic Novel Making Contest for all ages as part of our Summer Reading Celebration, 2013. This contest is sponsored by San José Public Library, Hijinx Comics, San José Museum of Art and TRY Japan Culture Group.

Here’s how to enter …

• Create your own comic book with a maximum length of 8 pages, including the cover page.
• Use letter-size paper (8.5 x 11) with black-and-white drawings and text on one side only.
• Each submission must be the creative and original work of a single individual—the author/illustrator.
• The contest is limited to amateur authors/ illustrators only.
• Computer generated images are acceptable as long as they are your original work (no clip art)
• Consider submitting a photocopy that is an accurate reflection of the original (as submissions are non-returnable).
• San José Public Library reserves the right to reproduce your work. You can reuse all your work after the contest.
• Be sure to print and complete the creative works release form. Include your Name, Age, Contact Information and Signature.
• Entries can be submitted to any San José Public Library location no later than 8p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2013. 
• Entries can also be submitted online to sjplgraphicnovelmakingcontest@gmail.com as a jpeg or pdf attachment.
• There is a limit of one entry per contestant.

Entries will be judged on content and illustrations by a panel of library staff and comic industry professionals. All cash prizes will be awarded as gift cards. 

• Children (up to age 6): first prize $25; second prize $15
• Children (7-12): first prize $40; second prize $20
• Teens (ages 13-17): first prize $100; second prize $70; third prize $50
• Adults (age 18 and above): first prize $100; second prize $70; third prize $50

Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at a reception to be held at the Seven Trees Branch Library on Saturday, August 24th at 2:00 p.m.in the Community Room. 

Check out the award winning entries from 2012, 2011 and 2010.   

San José Public Library staff members are ineligible to participate.

San José Public Library reserves the right to refuse submissions that are not appropriate for a general audience. This contest is open to all California residents.

Jóvenes de la Biblioteca caminaron al centro el 11 de abril para visitar cuatro museos de arte.  Aprendieron de muchos eventos y actividades de que podrían aprovecharse.  También comieron pizza. 

Teens from the Biblioteca Latinoamericana took a walk downtown April 11, 2013 to visit several San Jose art museums.  In the morning they went to the Institute for Contemporary Art, the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles, and MACLA (Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana), all on South First Street.  The teens also heard about several upcoming art events and activities in the SOFA district, most of them free.  After a pizza lunch they continued on to the San Jose Museum of Art.  Comments from the teens included:

• The trip made me learn about places and art that I didn't know we had around and near our neighborhood
• What I liked about this trip is that we got to bond more 
• What I liked most overall was the karaoke [at the San Jose Museum of Art] - we should have one for teensReach 
• My favorite part was eating pizza 
•   I liked how in the first museum...the paintings there were like popping out...in the second the textiles were so colorful and pretty....in the third, I really liked the painting "Soy la noche" 
•  I really like the MACLA museum because I didn't know about it and I really want to go to their music recording classes 

For more pictures/para mas fotos: :: Bibliot eca Facebook!