Did you miss Free Comic Book Day? Yes - there is a official day in which comic book stores around the Country and participating library systems promote the importance of literacy through comics and graphic novels. A crazy concept I hope many won’t miss for next years event. Because of prior commitments, my family and I missed out on the opportunity to attend this years give away that the SJPL was facilitating throughout all of our branches. Nevertheless, that didn’t stop me from taking my boys to stock up on some new reading material the day before at our local comic book store.

The Free Comic Book Day event occurs every year on the first Saturday of the month of May. Participating comic book stores around the country join together to promote the importance of having brick and mortar comic book shops and how they inspire literacy for the youth by giving away free comics. Growing up, i couldn’t get enough of comic books. From Bill Watterson’s - Calvin and Hobbes, to Marvel’s Spider-Man, it seemed to be the only way my mom could get me to read as a kid. As I grew up, I  then graduated onto more lengthy reads. However - if it weren’t for the influence of the early graphic novels in my youth, I would have never appreciated the art of storytelling as I do now. Back then, the internet along with other online media was still a new concept and the digitization of any literature for consumer use was in its early stages. Too early for it to be readily available for the average household. There was no eBay, no Google, no iPhones, no Amazon, and no eBooks of any kind just yet. I'm sure the majority of you remember those days. However, my kids and the current fortunate generations don't.

Today the majority of our information and consumer goodies come from the vast amount of online services available at just the click of a button, or two. No need for a car ride or locating the address of your destination - since there is no destination, just a URL address. This however does not mean we have improved the consumers experience. That remains to be subjective. I personally still enjoy the experience of browsing through dust filled stacks of comics or books. I don't always know what i came for, but i do know i'm looking for something new. The physical interaction of picking the brain of the comic connoisseur sitting behind the register and discovering new finds while roaming the room, is an experience that humbles the reader. Just as one can walk into the library and browse your favorite subject of choice, then decide what item for the day you want to take home and explore more. The same sense of mystique I hoped my two boys would take away from their visit, became successful. The adventure in searching for just the right comic to purchase and being able to flip through the pages before making their decision has already got them bugging me to bring them back the following weekend. Granted these comics were not free, you can only imagine how excited our library customers were at the Free Comic Book Day event.

Even if you missed out on the fun from this past weekend, you can still enjoy free comic books here at the library. They are not free to keep, however still free to borrow :) - with a great selection of Manga, Graphic Novels, and dozens of comic series to choose from. To stay updated on fun future events for all library customers to enjoy, be sure to check our Events page regularly.

May is National Bike Month!  It’s time to celebrate for both avid and casual bikers alike.  The Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition shares an interesting statistic with us on their website, "Almost 40 percent of Bay Area commuters live within just five miles of their workplace, a bike-able distance for even inexperienced cyclists." May is the perfect time to give bike commuting a try, starting with Bike to Work Day on Thursday, May 9.  The San José Public Library is encouraging participation by offering "Energizer Stations" at three locations from 6:00 – 9:00 AM (6:30 - 9:30 AM at King).  The Energizer Stations will offer free refreshments, including coffee and water, as well as snacks.  Bike commuters will also receive Bike to Work Day bags full of tips on safety and useful bicycling information, while supplies last. And finally, we will also have helpers ready to handle light bike repair if needed.  Stop by King Library, Alum Rock Branch, or Bascom Branch to take a break and get some encouragement on your way to work!

But it doesn’t stop there!  Get some healthy competition going at your workplace by joining the Company Bike Challenge.  Sign up with co-workers to log miles and compete throughout the month of May.  Or if you’re looking for a more social experience, try San José Bike Party.  They have frequent bike riding events, often with a fun theme, and everyone is invited.  Or if you want to learn more about bike maintenance and repair, check out the San José Bike Clinic, San José’s "community pop-up bicycle workshop".  If you or someone you know wants to bike but can’t afford to, check out Good Karma Bikes.  They provide homeless and low income working people with safe, reliable bicycle transportation, as well as bicycle mechanic skills.

Take advantage of the beautiful May weather in San José and start a healthy habit that will have you beating the traffic, helping the environment, and getting fit.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 1:00 -3:00 PM at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, Room 225

Journalism professors visiting from Afghanistan will discuss the progress of women's rights in Afghanistan and the challenges of moving forward after international military forces withdraw in 2014.

This event sponsored by the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Women's Studies and Middle East Studies Programs, San Jose State University is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

International Women's Day, celebrated on March 8, 2013 throughout the world, honors women's economic, political and social achievements. The United Nations theme for International Women’s Day 2013, "A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women" seeks to strengthen international community’s commitment to put an end to violence against women.

Every parent has heard these words before, but when a young girl meets a potato the rolls are changed.  Check out I'm Bored and many more great new picture books at the library.  If you are still bored, join in some of our great events for families (click on links to view times and dates):

• Family Storytime (Spa/Eng) – Cuentos para Familias
• Reading to Furry Friends
• Lunar New Year Craft for Kids

Or take a look at our full calendar of events. 

We will do our best to keep your boredom at bay.

Seven Trees Branch Grand Opening

January 26, 2013 at 11:00 AM

Keep checking back for updates!