October 31, 2008

Off the Shelf

It’s the prefect season to learn more about our government

By Joy Kim
Special to the Times

Election season is the perfect time to learn more about United States government and history, and Evergreen Branch Library strives to support members of the community in becoming more engaged and informed citizens. Our regular citizenship classes—offered in English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Hindi, and Panjabi—are an opportunity for new Americans to prepare for the citizenship test in a class setting, while our monthly citizenship Q&A, hosted by SIREN, is a place where you can bring your questions about the citizenship application process.

This month Evergreen Branch Library is also hosting a special author visit of interest to teens and adults. John Hennessey is the author of The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation, a new graphic novel guide to America’s founding documents and he’ll be visiting Evergreen Branch Library on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Come learn about American government and democracy and get a behind-the-scenes look at how graphic novels like this one are made.

Finally, all through the month of November, the Evergreen Branch Library will be hosting an exhibit of entries from the “Growing Up Asian in America” Contest. Come see this showcase of winning art and essay entries submitted by Bay Area students of Asian-American descent. Many of the winners came from San Jose and Santa Clara County!

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.

- Citizenship and Immigration Q&A
Saturday, Nov. 1, 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.

- The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 3:30-5:00 p.m., in the Community Room

- Evergreen Library Book Club
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Community Room
This month we are reading and discussing The History of Love by Nicole Krauss.

- District 8 Roundtable
Thursday, Nov. 6, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Community Room
Come together with Evergreen community members and neighborhood associations to discuss on-going issues in our district.

- Friends of the Evergreen Library Meeting
Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:00-7:00 p.m. in Community Room

Join the Friends of the Evergreen Library to discuss ways to support the library and to meet others in the community.

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, Nov. 1, 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

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

- “Growing Up Asian in America 2008” Winning Entries Exhibit
Saturday, Nov. 1 to Sunday, Nov. 30, All Library Open Hours

- Friday Craft
Friday, Nov. 7, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Community Room

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

- Music and Movement with Preschoolers
Saturday, Nov. 8, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Parents will learn to use music to enhance their children’s learning experience. Games with a parachute, bean bags, scarves and rhythm sticks will add to this fun-filled family activity.

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.

Library Closures
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 – All libraries

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.