January 23, 2009

Off the Shelf

Parking no longer a problem at Evergreen Branch Library

By Joy Kim
Special to the Times

Have you ever visited the library and been unable to find a place to park? As regular visitors to the branch already know, parking spots can be scarce during the library’s peak hours. However, that’s not a reason to delay your visit. Our friends at Grace Church of Evergreen are graciously allowing library patrons to use their parking lot. The church is located just across the street from the library at the corner of Aborn and Kettman. So the next time you come to the library and can’t find a space, save time and gas by taking advantage of this generous offer instead of circling the lot.

With lots of great events at the library in the coming weeks, we’re sure to be busy, so don’t forget this tip! On Saturday, Jan. 24, the library will be hosting a Chinese-English bilingual storytime at 11:30 a.m in the Community Room. On the following Saturday, Jan. 31, come Learn to Play Go at the library at 2:00 p.m. Go is also known as baduk in Korean and weiqi in Chinese. The rules of go are very simple and can be learned in just a few minutes, but the game can take a lifetime to master. It’s estimated that there are more possible games of go than there are atoms in the universe! Players of all levels are welcome at this event, and we’ll have members of the Sunnyvale Go Club on hand to teach. For ages 8 and up.

We’ll also be hosting the Friends of the Evergreen Library monthly book sale on Jan. 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Group Study Room B. Please note that the date has been changed from the original date of Jan. 24. We hope to see you there!

Evergreen Branch Library’s Calendar

For Adults and Teens

- Integral Tai Chi Classes
Mondays, 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Community Room

Integral Tai Chi is a self-healing system that integrates tai chi, yoga, relaxation and meditation to heal the mind, body and spirit.

- Citizenship Class
Prepare for the citizenship test with others in a class setting. We will be learning about American history and government. Practice tests will be available.

Class Schedule

- Grace Church, Classroom One, first and third Tuesdays by appointment, at 7:00 p.m. Classes will be in English and Spanish and taught by Pastor John and Judith Goldstein

- Evergreen Library, Study Room A, first and third Tuesdays, at 7:00 p.m. Classes will be taught in English and Vietnamese.

- Evergreen Library, Study Room A, Saturdays, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Classes will be in Hindi, Panjabi and English. Taught by staff from the Sikh Gurdwara.

- Resumes 101, Part 2
Tuesday, Jan. 27, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. in the Tech Center

Getting started with your job search? Come to this two-part class on creating or updating your resume. This part 2 is for those who registered for and attended part 1 of this class on Jan. 13.

- Friends of the Evergreen Library Booksale
Saturday, Jan. 31, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. in Group Study Room B

Find great bargains on used books and media. All proceeds of the sale benefit the library.

- Evergreen Library Book Club: Not a Genuine Black Man by Brian Copeland
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Join us for a meeting of the Evergreen Book Club. We will read and discuss the Silicon Valley Reads 2009 book choice, Not a Genuine Black Man, or, How I Claimed My Piece of Ground in the Lily-white Suburbs by Brian Copeland.

- Reading Buddies Training Session
Thursday, Feb. 5, 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the Community Room

Reading Buddies help children develop and practice reading skills on Thursday afternoons at the library. If you’re between 13-17 years old and enjoy working with children, this program is a great opportunity to share your talents and earn community service hours. Attend this one-hour orientation and training session to get involved. Registration required.

- Citizenship and Immigration Q & A
Saturday, Feb. 7, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. in Study Room A

Do you have questions about your citizenship application or application process? Check out the Citizenship Q & A sessions in English/Vietnamese/Chinese and Spanish.

For Children and Teens

Wii gaming events for school-age children and teens.

Wii Wednesday, Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the Teen Room
Wii Saturday, Saturday, Feb. 7, 3:00-4:30 p.m. in the Community Room

For Children and Families

- Storytimes

Preschool Storytime (plus Stay & Play), for ages 3-5, Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m.
Mother Goose Time (plus Stay & Play), for ages 0-2, Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m.
Family Storytime, for children of all ages, Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Toddler Storytime (plus Stay & Play), for ages 2-3, Fridays at 11:30 a.m.

- Reading Buddies
Thursdays, 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the Family Place (except Feb. 5)

Children in grades K-3 can come to the library and practice their reading skills with a teen buddy.

- Chinese-English Storytime
Saturday, Jan. 24, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Join us for a special bilingual storytime in English and Chinese. Stories, songs and fun.

- Learn to Play Go
Saturday, Jan. 31, 2:00–3:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Learn to play the world’s oldest board game. Members of the Sunnyvale Go Club will be on hand to teach beginners, but players of all levels are welcome. For ages 8 and up.

- Friday Craft
Friday, Feb. 6, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Make a special craft to take home! For ages 6 and up.

For news of other library activities, including those at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library visit: http://www.sjlibrary.org/about/events/. For links to RSS feeds of library events; visit http://www.sjlibrary.org/rss/index.htm.

Joy Kim is a librarian at the Evergreen Branch Library, 2635 Aborn Rd, between Capitol Expressway and White Rd. Evergreen Branch is part of the San Jose Public Library. The library’s phone number is (408) 808-3060. For more information about the library, visit the website at sjlibrary.org.