On Friday, March 1 the Children's Room of the King Library had a fantastic Seussical Birthday Party!

It was a huge success because of staff and the wonderful volunteers who came out to help us. This year we had a few of our Reading to Children volunteers,  Homework Club coaches plus two other groups helping out: college students from the Sigma Omicron Pi Sorority of San Jose State University and high school students from Cambrian Academy Interact Club. These wonderful volunteers gave us 2 hours of their time on a Friday afternoon and without them the program would not have been as great as it was. We had nearly 100 children and adults enjoying all the activities. The volunteers helped with the craft activity, read to children, manned the different stations and had a great time interacting and laughing with the kids. It was wonderful to see and hear. They thanked us so much for allowing them to volunteer and have such a worthwhile experience. It was a win win situation for all of us! Of course, this program was also made possible by another volunteer organization: The Friends of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library. The Friends donated books which the children received as prizes and sponsored other prizes as well!

This is just one of the ways people can volunteer at the library; it does not have to be a long commitment but just one afternoon, as these volunteers did, to give back to your community and help library staff put on a fun program. We could not have done it without the help of these volunteers. Our hats are off to them!

Would you like to play Dr. Seuss Tic Tac Toe, Pin the Hat on the Cat, Bowling with the Lorax and other fun games? Then join us on Friday, March 1 at 4:00PM in the Children's Room of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library as we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss! It will be a fun filled afternoon! Besides games there will be crafts, stories and prizes for all. It will definitely be a Seussical birthday party! Join the fun and if you would like to get in the mood just check out some Dr. Seuss books before the big day. This is one birthday party you don't want to miss!

This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.

 HappyHapHaHaHHappy HHHHHaHHHappy Lunar New Year and Year of the Snake!

The Children's Room of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library is honored to host  children's author Oliver Chin on Friday, February 15 at 4:00PM as he shares with us a new book in his Chinese Zodiac series: The Year of the Snake . Suzie is a young snake who while seeking adventure meets Lily, a young girl, and other animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Of course, people have negative ideas about snakes and Suzie tries to show them her other characteristics. Children will enjoy meeting Suzie and will be delighted as Suzie tries to discover her unique personality and what a treat to hear a book read by the author himself! Mr. Chin's presentation will be a multi media one and lots of fun for all. Don't miss this special event.

There will also be a craft for children as they make their very own snakes to take home! Of course, if you want to learn about real snakes and other reptiles the library has many books you can borrow and take home.

 Do you have a young child that needs some help with reading? Perhaps some practice reading words out loud and help with reading comprehension, or maybe just some fun reading time to encourage a lifelong love of books?

Join us in the Children's Room at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library for a new program we are offering called Reading Buddies. Reading Buddies, which starts on Monday, February 4 will be offered once a week on Mondays from 4:00 - 5:00PM. We have trained, enthusiastic teen volunteers available to read with your child. Our volunteers will work one-on-one with children so that children can practice their reading in a fun, stress-free environment. This program is recommended for children in Grades K-3. There  is no pre-registration, just come in to the Children's Room and ask at the Information Desk.

Take two parts science, add one part magic, throw in a large dose of audience participation and you've got Xtreme Science Magic, a show being offered in the Children's Room of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library on Saturday, January 26 at 3:00PM. Children and parents alike will enjoy this educational and entertaining show. We guarantee that children will become curious about science and experiments and the San Jose Public Library has many science experiment books that they can browse and borrow. Here's a little taste of what you can expect at Don O'Brien's Xtreme Science Magic show. Don't miss it!

A New Year means new Friday Fun activities in the Children's Room at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. Each Friday at 4:00 PM we will have a different activity: crafts, animals, stories, making play dough and more! Let's see what January, 2013 has to offer:

Friday, January 4: All About Penguins! Learn about penguins, hear some stories and then make a penguin craft using a paper cup, felt and googly eyes. What fun! Of course the library has many books about penguins that you can borrow, take home and read.

Friday, January 11: Goldilocks and the Three What? There are so many versions of this fairy tale that it could be three martians, three hares, three osos or maybe just Goldilocks and one bear! Enjoy some stories about that adventurous young lady Goldilocks and then make a special craft! Here are some titles you might want to try: Rubia and the Three Osos, Goldie and the Three Bears, The Three Snow Bears, Leola and the Honeybears, Beware of the Bears and yes Golilocks and Just One Bear. Of course there are many more versions!

Friday, January 18: Celebrate Dr. King's Birthday: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. Join us as we celebrate his life, his dreams and then create a beautiful "Freedom Bell." We have many books about Dr. King that you can borrow.

Friday, January 25: Family Movie Fun: Join us for a fun family movie and enjoy some refreshments too. It's a great way to start off the weekend and don't forget that San Jose Public Library has many DVDs  for children that you can borrow for free and keep for three weeks. Now that's a bargain!!