Everyone in their lives comes upon a stumbling block and has no idea where to turn.

Social Workers in the Library are here for you. Let the volunteer social workers help you navigate through the maze of agencies in the community designed to serve your needs.

At King Library: Monday, May 6, 2013  6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Call: 1-408-808-2350

At East Branch Library: Wednesday, May 15, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Call: 1-408-808-3075

(bilingual Spanish/English speaking social worker onsite at East Branch)

Make an appointment to get a FREE 20 minute session of information and referral or advice, from a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Everyone at some point in their lives could use the advice of a social worker. Our volunteer social workers are offering it - Free of Charge.

Social Workers in the Library, is a partnership between the San José Public Library, San José State University's School of Social Work,  National Association Of Social Workers - California Chapter, and the SJSU School of Library and Information Services.

NEED HELP?  Help is here: Social Workers in the Library

At King Library: Every 1^st and 4^th Mondays of the month, 6:00 – 8:00 PM.

Call: 1-408-808-2350 to schedule an appointment

At East Branch Library: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, 6:00 - 8:00 PM.

Call: 1-408-808-3075

Is something happening in your life that you have questions about concerning:

• Education
• Emergency Services- food/clothing/housing and crisis support
• Employment
• Family Matters- parenting, childcare, divorce, elder issues and domestic violence
• Health Improvement- mental, physical and health insurance
• Immigration
• Support Groups- men, women and teens

Make an appointment to get a FREE 20 minute session of information and referral or advice, from a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Everyone at some point in their lives could use the advice of a social worker. Our volunteer social workers are offering it - Free of Charge.

Social Workers in the Library, is a partnership between the San José Public Library, San José State University's School of Social Work,  National Association Of Social Workers - California Chapter, and the SJSU School of Library and Information Services.

NEED HELP?  

Help is here:  Social Workers in the Library

At King Library: Every 1^st and 4^th Mondays of the month, 6 – 8 p.m.

Call: 1-408-808-2350 to schedule an appointment

At East Branch Library: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month, 6-8 p.m.

Call: 1-408-808-3075

Is something happening in your life that you have questions about concerning:

• Education
• Emergency Services - food/clothing/housing and crisis support
• Employment
• Family Matters - parenting, childcare, divorce, elder issues and domestic violence
• Health Improvement - mental, physical and health insurance
• Immigration
• Support Groups - men, women and teens

Make an appointment to get a FREE 20 minute session of information and referral or advice, from a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Everyone at some point in their lives could use the advice of a social worker. Our volunteer social workers are offering it - Free of Charge.

Social Workers in the Library, is a partnership between the San José Public Library, San José State University's School of Social Work,  National Association Of Social Workers - California Chapter, and the SJSU School of Library and Information Services.

Poll your friends about their family's New Year's traditions and you may discover some interesting activities going on around December 31st!

How about a kiss!?  When the ball drops (the Times Square New Year's Countdown) most people find their sweetheart and plant on them a big kiss!

My husband's family puts loose change on the doorstep on New Year's Eve and on New Year's Day brings the money inside.  Its supposed to bring money in all year long.  I did some research on this and it seems to be part of a tradition called First-Footer which is popular in Great Britain.  The first person who walks through the door in the New Year is supposed to bring in luck with them. The first-footers come around to houses just after midnight bearing symbolic gifts including bread, coal for the fire, salt and money for prosperity and a bottle of whiskey to warm the spirits. 

Some people eat black-eyed peas on New Years.  This is supposed to ensure that you'll have plenty all year.  Others eat pickled herring.  Why?  Because herring are plentiful this time of year and they are silver like coins.  Another food often eaten to ensure prosperity in the new year is cornbread - because it is gold in color.  Don't forget the grapes!  Eat 12 grapes at midnight - each one representing a month in the upcoming year.  Here is a neat article from Smithsonian Magazine on traditional New Year's foods.

No doubt, many people make new year's resolutions.  Because of this, the first week of January is officially Diet Resolution Week.  After all those holiday parties, some of us are going to need it!

What about Auld Lang Syne?  Robert Burns wrote the poem Auld Lang Syne which means "old long ago" in 1788 - he claimed it was an old song that had never been in print that he had written down from an old man.  Traditionally it is sung after the New Year is rung in. 

What traditions do you observe for New Year's?

Have you ever tasted “Kimchi, a traditional fermented Korean dish made of vegetables with a variety of seasonings? It is Korea's national dish, and there are hundreds of varieties made with a main vegetable ingredient such as napa cabbage, radish, scallion, or cucumber. Kimchi is also a main ingredient for many Korean dishes such as kimchi stew (김치찌개; kimchi jjigae), kimchi soup (김칫국; kimchiguk), and kimchi fried rice (김치볶음밥; kimchi bokkeumbap) as quoted on wikipedia.org.

You can find more information about Korean food and cook books in San Jose Public Library Collections.

If you have a chance to visit to Korea, stay not only in Seoul, but also in Jeju island (an island off the southern coast of South Korea, the island contains the natural World Heritage Site Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, called as "Island of the Gods” or "the Hawaii of Korea") and Gyeongju (a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea,  the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla (57 BC – 935 AD), called as "the museum without walls.")

Among such historical treasures, Seokguram grotto, Bulguksa temple, Gyeongju Historic Areas and Yangdong Folk Village are designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO) as quoted on wikipedia.org.

You can check more information about South Korea Travel Guidebooks in San Jose Public Library Collections.

Additional information for Jeju Island and Gyeongju:

• Jeju Island History and Travel Information

• Jeju Island Images

• Gyeongju History and Travel Information

• Gyeongju Images

• Korea Travel Information

Learn Korean Language in San Jose Public Library

Korean Research Databases

In this holiday season, do you want to travel to France?  You may want to walk to "champs-elysees" street, take pictures with Eiffel tower, and eat the French baguettes in Paris during this winter? There's a lot of good information to prepare for your trip to France. If you have no time and no money to go to France, do not worry about it. When you cook the gourmet French food at home, you can feel as if you are in France.

Bon appetit et Bon voyage!

San Jose Public Library Collections:

• French Food and Cook Books

• France Travel Books

• French Language Learning Books

You are always welcome to leave your comments after reading these books through "Reader Ratings and Reviews" or "Community Discussion Review" in our Library Catalog.