Hope you all had a great time participating in the Summer Reading Program and enjoyed your summer. In September, we will be transitioning to another exciting season at the library: Fall. When you think of "Fall", don't just think about the falling leaves - think about Halloween! Thanksgiving! and of course, Christmas! And so there will be many fun seasonal programs coming up at Evergreen library that you all can participate in.
 
For September, we need your help and assistance for the following programs:

• Monday, September 10 at 4pm: Mexican Independence Day Celebration This is A fun filled family fiesta in celebration of Mexican Independence Day. There will be stories and craft activities for the whole family. This will take place in the community room. 
 
• Wednesday, September 19 at 4pm: Scrapbook Your Notebook. Help teens and tweens decorate notebooks with scrap booking paper, stickers and much more. 
 
• Friday, September 28 at 4pm: Felt Pencil Bags Craft. Help teens sew their own pencil case!  

The next teensReach meeting will be on Wednesday, September 19, 5pm-6pm inside the Community Room. Come and be informed about events happening at Evergreen branch library and get to know other teensReach members. Until then, enjoy the remaining days of summer sunshine!

On Thursday, June 21, 2012, teensReach volunteers (with the assistance of the staff) presented a fun puppet and variety show at the Almaden Branch Library.  This program was part of the Summer Reading Celebration and was held in the large Community Room.  The show's directors were Almaden Branch Librarian, Ed Koetitz and Pirjo Polari-Khan, adult volunteer (photo on the left).  Opening the show were the colorful chicken and duck marionettes that danced and interacted with the children to their delight.  A humoreous musical skit was presented called "Dog Rules" that detailed the rules that all dogs must follow.  Featured at the end of the show, was the puppet play called "Mr. Eagle's Park," which was written by Irma Polari, Polari-Khan's mother, and tells the story of an eagle that takes over a park but soon learns that it's no fun to play by himself.  Carol Rosen, Correspondant for the MercuryNew.Com wrote an informative article that can be found here. 

Summer fun continues in July! Here are a few programs that you can all participate, besides the Summer Reading Program (these programs will take place inside the community room):

• Monday, July 9th 2012 (4pm - 5pm): Advanced Craft - Make your own "Death Mask": Help teens and tweens work on a fun craft and make their own "Death Mask"! Supplies will be provided.
• Monday, July 16th 2012 (4pm - 5pm): Night Owls Story and Craft - Assist children in making an owl puppet to take home. Materials will be provided for this craft.
• Wednesday, July 18th 2012 (5pm - 6pm): teensReach Meeting - Come and be informed about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities at Evergreen Branch library. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

I also like to remind you all about fun contests and programs that you and your friends can check out! 

• Teen Lock-In: August 3rd 2012 Friday, 7pm to 10pm. This is a celebration of all the great work that you have done by having a Zombie-themed party! Please let me know if you can make it and I will sign you up.
• Teen Talent Show: The Teen Talent Show at Evergreen will be on Thursday, July 26th 2012 @ 4pm. If you plan to participate, please pick up the registration packet at the Info Desk and turn it in asap. More info here: http://www.sjpl.org/TeenTalentShow
• Graphic Novel Contest: Deadline for graphic novel submissions is Tuesday, July 31st 2012, no later than 8p.m. More info here: http://www.sjpl.org/GraphicNovelContest
• Night Photo Contest: Deadline is July 15th 2012 Sunday. Submit your original photo, with a theme of nighttime, and you could win a prize! All photos should be the creative work of the individual entering the contest, and only one entry will be accepted per person.  Your photo should be at least 3½” X 5” and no larger than 8½” X 11”.  

And if you've already submitted 5 book reviews for the Summer Reading Celebration, please remember to redeem your free book prize! 

Summer returns and your help and participation for the Summer Reading Program will be very much appreciated! Besides Summer Reading Program, there are a few programs coming up at Evergreen Library and your help will be needed. These programs all take place inside the community room. Please arrive 20 minutes earlier before the start of each program to help prepare and set-up.

• Father's Day Craft for Kids - Wednesday, June 13th, 2012 from 4pm to 5pm. Help kids create a special craft for Father's Day!
• Game and Math for Kids - Friday, June 14th, 2012 from 4pm to 5pm. Assist children on learning how to play mathematical games.
• Making Musical Instruments for Kids - Monday, June 18th, 2012 from 4pm to 5pm. This is a fun program where you will help children make musical instruments.
• Advanced Craft: Dream Journal - Wednesday, June 20th, 2012 from 4pm to 5pm. Help teens paint and design their own journal! You can make and design your own as well.

The next teensReach meeting at Evergreen Branch will be on June 20th, 2012 from 5 pm to 6 pm inside the Community Room. Come and be informed about upcoming volunteer opportunities.

On Thursday, May 31st, 2012 from 4pm-5pm, there will an important special training event for all interested teens who want to volunteer for the Summer Reading Celebration 2012 program at the Joyce Ellington Branch Library.

We are especially inviting members of the Joyce Ellington Library's teensReach group to this special training event!

Those volunteers attending this event will learn to sign-up kids for the Summer Reading Celebration program, award prizes and assist Joyce Ellington Library staff in summer programs.

Summer Reading Celebration 2012 starts on Friday, June 1st, 2012 and ends on Tuesday, July 31st, 2012.

For more information on this training for volunteers or to become a volunteer at the Joyce Ellington Library Branch, please contact Adrian Barrientos, Youth Services Librarian at (408) 808-3043 or by e-mail: adrian.barrientos@sjlibrary.org.