Announcing SJPL Volunteers of the Year!
Every year, each of our twenty-two branches and units selects its Volunteer of the Year. From these nominees one volunteer is selected for system wide recognition as San José Public Library’s Volunteer of the Year. We congratulate Urvi Gupta who won the award for 2013.
Urvi Gupta, a junior at the Harker School, coordinates a program called OneInMath at the Berryessa, Evergreen and Hillview branch libraries. The program helps primary students in grades K – 2 improve their math skills and serves over 250 children at three library locations. Urvi created sets of course content for the program and uploaded videos of math concepts that build on the skills learned in prior sets. In addition, Urvi trained over twenty teen volunteers to coach children in the program. Urvi’s leadership and organizational skills are instrumental in bringing this much appreciated program to the San Jose community. Congratulations Urvi!
San José Public Library salutes all of the Volunteers of the Year who have made such positive contributions to our community. We are truly grateful that you choose to volunteer with the library!
Liesel Wilson - Almaden Branch Library
For over six years Liesel Wilson has served as the treasurer of the Friends of Almaden Library. She regularly supports author visits and other special library programs such as Silicon Valley Reads by assisting with the sale of the author’s books. Liesel is also an enthusiastic worker at the Friends’ semi-annual book sales.
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Margaret Fitch - Alviso Branch Library & Joyce Ellington Branch Library
Margaret Fitch is a dedicated volunteer whose responsibilities include serving as president of the Alviso Friends of the Library, planning and promoting the Friends’ book sales, and volunteering with the Reading to Children program. Margaret also presents wonderful puppet theater programs to the community every month at the Joyce Ellington branch.
Isabel Vasquez - Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock Branch Library
Isabel Vasquez leads the ESL Conversation Club and periodically the ESL Citizenship Study Group at the Dr. Roberto Cruz – Alum Rock Library. For the past three years, Isabel has faithfully committed two to four hours a week leading both programs. Isabel has a passion for education and strongly believes in helping others empower themselves.
Justin Neff - Berryessa Branch Library
Every Saturday afternoon, Justin Neff facilitates the ESL Conversation Club at the Berryessa Branch. Justin’s dedication and well planned lessons are appreciated by staff and customers alike. He incorporates innovative teaching methods that keep participants coming back for more!
Regina Andres - Biblioteca Latinoamericana Branch Library
Regina is a student at Gunderson High School. She began as a volunteer at the Biblioteca branch in May of 2012 and has since contributed 135 hours of volunteer service. Regina served as a Summer Reading Celebration volunteer where she registered participants, handed out prizes, explained the program and answered questions. She is currently an active teensReach participant and secretary of the group.
Manpreet Bedi - Cambrian Branch Library
Manpreet Bedi is an invaluable member of the Friends group at Cambrian. She serves on the board as secretary and volunteers several hours each week to sort and price donations for book sales, including identifying high value items to sell on the web. Manpreet also shares her skills teaching a weekly Senior Computer Workshop, a great service to the community.
The Friends of the East San José Carnegie Library - East San José Carnegie Branch Library
For many years, The Friends of the East San José Carnegie Library have provided funding for library programs and services such as craft programs and performance presentations for children, refreshments for teensReach meetings and special guest speakers and presentations for adults. The Friends exemplify a true spirit of giving back to the community and are greatly appreciated.
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Donica Ericsson - Edenvale Branch Library
Donica Ericsson is the facilitator for the ESL Conversation Club at Edenvale. She is knowledgeable, organized and patient with adults, enabling individuals to increase their conversation skills in English. Donica has built a rapport with the students in the group that continues to grow.
Wilma Hashii - Hillview Branch Library
Wilma Hashii leads Hillview’s Friends of the Library program. Wilma has been instrumental in recruiting new Friends members, training Friends, participating in events, and coordinating book sales at Hillview. Additionally, she has encouraged Friends to generously support library programs, including the summer reading program on a system-wide level.
Gabrielle Boles - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library - Administration
Gabrielle Boles serves as a Program Coordinator for the ESL Conversation Club program. Formerly an ESL instructor at the university level, Gabrielle brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the program. She trains new facilitators and plans and facilitates networking meetings for the volunteers. Due to her energy and enthusiasm, the number of volunteer-led conversation clubs has grown from seven to twenty clubs throughout the system.
Jingcai Liu - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library - Reference
A retired engineer, Jingcai Liu wanted to give back to the community. His goal was to share his knowledge of computers and internet resources with the senior Mandarin speaking community in San José. Jingcai approached the reference desk with his offer and has since presented several popular computer courses to the community.
Brenda Lu - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library - Youth Services
As a freshman at Notre Dame High School, Brenda Lu was required to do ten hours of community service a year but since December 2011 she has volunteered a total of 259 hours! Brenda is a responsible volunteer and teensReach member. She is always willing to do special projects and helps with the Friday Fun programs.
Maimona Afzal - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library - Youth Services
Maimona Afzal, a student at San Jose State, began as a Reader to Children in 2011. This past year, she increased her responsibilities to become a Reading to Children Program Coordinator, assisting with volunteer training and facilitating networking meetings. Passionate about young children, Maimona also volunteers with the Homework Club at the King Library.
Julie Oborny - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library - Partners in Reading
Julie is a dynamic MLIS student who holds three volunteer positions with Partners in Reading, SJPL’s adult literacy program. She instructs assigned learners, teaches during drop-in times, and coordinates the computer lab. The positive innovative changes that she implemented in the lab have increased productivity and efficiency for both staff and learners.
Sonja Tran - Pearl Avenue Branch Library
Sonja Tran is the president of teensReach, the youth advisory council for the Pearl Avenue Branch. She has been involved in various activities including assisting with the Summer Reading Celebration and the Friends of the Library book sales. She is currently creating a puppet show for young children with other teensReach members.
Sharin Greenleaf - Rose Garden Branch Library
For almost four years, Sharin Greenleaf has served as president of the Friends of the Rose Garden library and works diligently to keep the organization running smoothly. This year, Sharin coordinated book sales, volunteers, and donation sorting. Under Sharin’s leadership, the Friends have provided stellar programming and services to the Rose Garden community.
Santa Teresa teensReach Group - Santa Teresa Branch Library
The entire teensReach group is being recognized as Volunteers of the Year for the Santa Teresa Branch. They have helped lead numerous programs for children, including volunteering weekly as homework coaches; running a monthly Origami program; volunteering at the Summer Reading Celebration table; and leading gaming programs, movie fun days and craft programs. The teensReach volunteers are also an integral part of the Friends book sales that are held several times a year.
Ann Barrett & Erin McFadden - Tully Community Branch Library
Anne Barrett and Erin McFadden are co-presidents of the Friends of the Tully Community Branch Library. Anne and Erin come to the Library weekly to organize and maintain the Friends Book Sale area. Funding from the Friends supports many ongoing and special events including Family Learning Center programs, Reading Buddies, art activities and entertainers. Anne and Erin have demonstrated a strong and enduring commitment to serving the community and helping the Tully Community Branch Library.
Bruce Appler - Vineland Branch Library
Bruce Appler has been an active member of the Friends of Vineland library since the opening of the branch in 2004. He is very active in coordinating the book sales, from sorting and displaying books to managing volunteers. Bruce also serves on the Friends’ board and is involved in planning the group’s activities.
Cassandra Strouss - Willow Glen Branch Library
Cassandra Strouss has been volunteering with Willow Glen since May of last year. Cassandra visits the branch twice a week to keep the children’s picture books clean and in alphabetical order. Cassandra is much appreciated by the Willow Glen community for her dedication and cheerful demeanor.
Kazuko Akama - West Valley Branch Library
Kazuko Akama hosts a weekly Reading to Children program in Japanese and English at the West Valley Branch. The program is immensely popular with the community; Kazuko averages 45-50 attendees per session. She has been an active volunteer at West Valley for almost a decade.
Volunteer News
Meet Erik Petersen, ESL Conversation Club Facilitator at Biblioteca Latinoamericana
Volunteer Erik Petersen is the ESL Conversation Club Facilitator at Biblioteca Latinoamericana. Every Wednesday at 6:00 PM, he leads the ESL Conversation Club. In this blog posting, Erik answers questions about himself and his interests.
Tell us about yourself.
I am a San Jose native who's lived in the South Bay my entire life. What I've always appreciated about growing up in the Bay Area is its sheer diversity. From a young age, I'd been exposed to various Latin American and Asian cultures that exist in San Jose, including their languages like Spanish and Tagalog. This is partly what spurred my initial interest in language. I decided to take Latin classes in high school, and knew by the end of my senior year I wanted to study language science in college. As of last spring, I finished up a linguistics and German language double major at SJSU. Having studied these two complementary degrees, I feel that I can contribute what I learned about language itself to the club. Topics we discuss range from current local or national events to language and cultural comparison. An analytical approach to language and a natural curiosity have allowed me to learn just as much from attendees as I hope they learn from the club itself.
Why are you interested in volunteering?
I wanted to get involved with volunteering since I'd never done any before. I have a goal of eventually teaching English abroad. I figured this position is great way to test the waters. I have a friend with similar goals who leads an ESL conversation club at the Berryessa branch, and he recommended it to me. Helping others improve their skill in English has been rewarding, especially having been on the other side of the aisle, so to speak. I spent a year studying in Germany, and I really appreciated those who would patiently spend the time to converse with me. That sort of exchange improved my German in ways that were impossible in the classroom. Likewise, conversation club is distinct from the ESL classes at the library in that it's more informal and less about grammar or pronunciation. Seeing as I'm a facilitator, I don't consider myself a teacher in the sense of being the 'head' of the club. Rather my role is to help create an environment where attendees feel comfortable to add to discussion or introduce topics of their own. Of course I answer questions and moderate discussions, but if a positive conversation is happening I keep my interruptions to a minimum. The club is for attendees to speak up, not me!
What do you like about Biblioteca Latinoamericana?
One thing I have noticed is the amount of activities available at this location. It seems every week I come in there is something to see: children's story time, ESL classes, and even creative cultural displays. I also appreciate the very existence of a multicultural library providing bilingual services. In my experience, the employees who provide those services have all been very helpful, and I've seen a clear mutual appreciation among all the volunteers. Overall, I view Biblioteca Latinoamericana as a unique offering among public libraries in the South Bay.
Read to Children and Make a Difference!
Give children the joy of reading by reading aloud to youngsters at one of the San Jose Public Libraries. Reading occurs in the library's children's area at designated times throughout the day. Specialized training is provided to all incoming volunteers. Several of our library branches are seeking volunteers to read to children on an ongoing basis (minimum 6 month commitment). Bilingual volunteers (Spanish/English) are especially needed. This position requires fingerprinting.
Training is on Saturday, June 22, 2013 from 12:00pm - 3:00pm at the King Library. Please complete the application form and register for training here.
Computer Help at Seven Trees Library
Is your computer driving you crazy? Are you mystified by all the menus in Microsoft Word? Do you want to set up an email account but don’t know where to begin? Do you wish you could start connecting with family and friends using Facebook?
Computers can be frustrating for many of us. Fortunately, help is available at your library. Let our knowledgeable, patient Seven Trees Library volunteers help you solve your computer problems. Here at the Seven Trees Library we have two volunteer Tech Mentors and one volunteer eBooks Coach. A Tech Mentor is available to assist you every Wednesday evening from 5:00-6:00PM and Saturdays from 11:00AM-1:00PM. Our eBooks Coach is available every Saturday from 12:00-2:00PM. No appointment is necessary. Come to the Seven Trees Library and get the one-on-one help you need!
He didn't talk to a Seven Trees Tech Mentor . . .
They did . . .
Volunteer Opportunities
If you don't see what you're looking for here, other volunteer opportunities in your community can be found on californialibraries.volunteermatch.org.
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