Summer Reading Celebration 2013!

for Adults (Ages 18+)

How to Participate ...

1. Starting June 1, 2013, sign up at your local library and receive an Activity Grid or sign up online and print your own Activity Grid.
    
2. Only activities completed between June 1 - July 31 are eligible. 
    
3. Complete any five squares in a row (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal) on the Activity Grid to enter our biweekly prize drawing. Once your grid is complete, every additional book read earns another entry into the biweekly drawing.
    
4. List the specific book titles you've read, or activities you've done in the What I Did section.

Summer Reading Prizes for Adults!

Each location will have drawings for:

• Friends of the Library bag, small blanket/throw, books (June 20)
• $10 Target Gift Card (July 11)
• $10 OSH Gift Card (July 25)
• iPad Mini (August System-wide Grand Prize)

Graphic Novel Making Contest!

Part of the Summer Reading Celebration

Check our events calendar for other FREE activities to enjoy this summer!

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Jill Bourne has been named Director of Libraries for the City of San José by City Manager Debra Figone. The San José City Council ratified the appointment today to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Jane Light in 2012.

Bourne comes from San Francisco Public Library, where she has served as Deputy City Librarian since 2006. Known as a rising leader in the library community, she was named as a Library Journal "Mover and Shaker" in 2009 and a "Top Innovator" by the Urban Libraries Council in 2010.

"Jill Bourne brings excellent experience from running major urban library systems that will be invaluable to help us reach our goals," said Figone. "Her leadership and vision will be essential as we deal with the major changes and challenges affecting libraries, technology, and resources here in San José."

As Deputy City Librarian in San Francisco, Bourne shared oversight of public services at the system's main library and 27 branches, as well as a citywide capital building program. She led the implementation of programs and initiatives that enhanced public library services, including expanded operating hours, partnerships, public technology, and innovative literary and arts programming.

Bourne led San Francisco’s Digital Media and Learning initiative to develop a digital maker center at the library and a citywide network of connected youth learning programs, with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. In addition she led an environmental public education strategy to strengthen the public library's role in supporting sustainable communities.

Prior to her work in San Francisco, Bourne was Assistant Director for Public Services at the Seattle Public Library for five years.  Figone also acknowledged and thanked Anne Cain, who has served as Interim Director of Libraries for the past year.

"Anne has done a wonderful job to keep our libraries moving forward during this period of transition," the city manager said. "On her watch we’ve successfully opened two new branch libraries already this year, and we’re well on our way to opening two more branches by June. On behalf of our library staff, visitors, and partners, I am grateful for her steady leadership and service."

Figone made the appointment after a national search and getting input from community stakeholders including employees, library "friends" organizations, and partner agencies. "I’m honored to be selected to join an outstanding library system that has earned national recognition for excellence, innovation, and service," said Bourne. "I look forward to working with a great team and building on a strong foundation already in place."

The San José library system includes 22 neighborhood branch libraries and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Main Library in downtown San José. The King Library is jointly operated in collaboration with San José State University, a partnership that is unique among American library systems.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services recognized the San José Public Library with the National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2011. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries that demonstrate extraordinary innovative approaches to public service and community outreach. The San José Public Library was the first municipal library in California to receive the award.

With more than 270 employees and an annual operating budget of $32 million, San José libraries serve more than six million visitors annually, have more than two million items in the collections, and circulate nearly 12 million items per year.

Currently a resident of San Francisco, Bourne has a bachelor’s degree in English from New York University and a master’s in library and information science from the University of Washington. She will start in San José in July, and her annual salary will be $190,000.

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Photo of Jill Bourne available here

CONTACT:

David Vossbrink, Director of Communications
(408) 535-8170; david.vossbrink@sanjoseca.gov

On May 18, 2013, the Educational Park Branch of the San José Public Library will bring a long wait to an end and open its door to the public in a special one-Saturday-only Grand Opening.  Everyone in San José and beyond is welcome to celebrate its opening with us and see what Educational Park can offer.

Located on Educational Park Drive just off McKee, the library is next to Independence High School and the Overfelt Gardens Park.  It houses an extensive collection of brand new books, music, and movies, including an impressive selection of Blu-ray high-definition movies.  The 18,000 square foot building houses a community room, teen room and both adult and children’s wings. In addition, the Educational Park Library is the first one to offer a "Tech Connect" center.  This center not only provides collaborative workspaces outfitted with some of the latest audio-visual editing programs, but also supplies high end laptops and tablets which may be checked out and used anywhere within the library.
 

Keep checking back here for the latest sneak peeks and updates about the library, its opening, and its events. 

Contact:                                                                                                          

Elizabeth Chavarin   

Office: 1-408-808-2175

San José Public Library Reopens Seven Trees Branch

 Community Celebration Marks Grand Opening of New Seven Trees Branch

SAN JOSE, CALIF. –Southside residents joined City and Library officials today to celebrate the grand opening of the new and expanded Seven Trees Branch Library. At 15,567 sq. ft., the ultra modern, light-filled library encompasses the entire second floor of the community center/library facility.  Following a brief dedication ceremony, visitors were free to explore the library, check out library materials, and enjoy light refreshments and free entertainment.

"Thanks to our residents’ support, San José has been able to build new branch libraries throughout the city," said Mayor Chuck Reed." The new Seven Trees Branch Library, together with the adjacent community center, is an important resource for residents of all ages."

The new library – designed by Rob Wellington Quigley Architects (Palo Alto, CA) and constructed by Gonsalves and Stronck Construction Inc. (San Carlos, CA) – features an open layout with large glass areas to maximize natural light.  This joint use facility received LEED gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The new Seven Trees Branch also includes the common elements of all new library construction in San José:

• Community living room with a fireplace
• Tech Center
• Group and quiet study areas
• Teen Room

The library also features a Family Learning Center which offers innovative programs and services for families and individuals looking to improve their literacy and life skills.  

"This community really, really cares about their library, and they are excited to use it.  People are coming in, sitting, reading books, using computers, and just enjoying the space," said Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen." This is a new gathering place for our community to grow stronger together.  We appreciate all the hard work that went into making it a reality," said Nguyen.

Public art for the project, created by San José-based Samuel Rodriguez and Matt Rodriguez, was designed around the idea of community and a customized urban bicycle referred to as a lowrider bike. The art piece, Potential, uses a series of frosted panels displaying bicycle lowrider parts intermingled with imagery and words to depict the diversity of the Seven Trees community.

"We are delighted to again be providing library services in the Seven Trees neighborhood," said Interim Library Director Anne Cain.

Seven Trees Branch Library is the sixteenth bond-funded branch library project to be completed. The Branch Library Bond Measure, approved in November 2000, provided $212 million dedicated to the construction of six new and fourteen expanded branch libraries in San José. All but one of the planned projects has been completed with three additional openings occurring between now and June 8, 2013. Visit sjpl.org/NewLibraries for updates on San José branch library developments.

Seven Trees Branch Library, located at 3590 Cas Drive, is open Wednesday, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; and closed Sunday – Tuesday.  For more information, call 1-408-808-3056 or visit SJPL.org/SevenTrees.

Pictures

Seven Trees Branch Library Pictures

Check out a video tour of the new library:

English               Spanish          Vietnamese

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The Office of Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen presents
Operation Prom Dress 2013

Don't let the tough economy discourage students from attending Prom. 

Donate a new or gently used dress today!

Donations are currently being accepted through March 3, 2013.

Stop by one of the following branch libraries to make your donation:

• Almaden Branch
• Berryessa Branch
• Cambrian Branch
• Rose Garden Branch
• Santa Teresa Branch
• Tully Branch
• Vineland Branch
• West Valley Branch
• Willow Glen Branch

For a full list of participating locations click here.

COME TAKE A SNEAK PEEK WITH US:

http://youtu.be/5ljZqVnA3Bo - English
http://youtu.be/J6NdEyx42Y8 - Spanish
http://youtu.be/sytnSqBpzlE - Vietnamese

The entire second floor at the Seven Trees Community Center is dedicated to the library which features an open layout with plenty of natural light.

Highlights of the library include a Community Living Room with a fireplace, Tech Center, Group and Quiet Study Areas, Teen Center, Family Place and a Marketplace.

The new library will also feature a Family Learning Center with innovative programs and services for families and individuals to improve literacy and life skills.

The building is Gold LEED Certified. 

Other Highlights:

Library: 15, 567 sq. ft.

Construction Cost: $8.9 million

Public Art Cost: $210,000

Budget source: Nov. 2000 Library Bond

Project Started: Summer 2008

Project Completed: Spring 2010

Parking Spaces: 216