November 14, 2008

Off the Shelf

Special storytimes to be offered at Evergreen Library

By Joy Kim
Special to the Times

Storytimes are some of the most popular programs at the Evergreen Branch Library, and over the next two weeks, we will be offering two special storytimes especially for children and families. On Saturday, Nov. 15, librarian Leslie Tanaka will be presenting a special bilingual storytime in Japanese and English from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Family Place. The following Wednesday, Nov. 19, the City of San José’s Recycle Plus Program will be joining us during our regular Family Storytime at 6:30 p.m. Their special Recycling Storytime will help kids learn more about recycling and protecting the environment in a fun, playful way.

There are a few things that caregivers can do to help their children get the most out of storytime. First, we encourage families to arrive on time and for caregivers to sit with their children during the presentation. Storytime is a great opportunity for adults to model good behaviors by listening and participating, and children who practice these skills will be more prepared for preschool and kindergarten. Caregivers can also help make the storytime experience better for all by turning off their cell phones and keeping other conversations to a minimum during the stories, songs and fingerplays. Finally, we encourage all attendees to check out books after storytime to help make reading an important part of their families’ routines and activities.

You won’t want to miss any of our storytimes before Thanksgiving, because we’ll be taking a break from them during the month of December. Don’t worry—we won’t be gone for long! After our December break, storytimes will start up again in January at their regular times.


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.

- teensReach Meeting
Friday, Nov. 21, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Join our teensReach group and learn about volunteering in the library, earn community service credit, and help make the library as great as it can be. Teens ages 13-18 can pick up a teensReach application at the Evergreen information desk.

- Friends of the Evergreen Library Booksale
Saturday, Nov. 22, 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.

- Master Gardeners at the Library
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 7-8:00 p.m.

Learn how to create a holiday centerpiece with Vicki Rasmussen.

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

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 Nov. 27)
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

- Japanese/English Storytime
Saturday, Nov. 15, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in the Family Place
Join us for a special bilingual storytime in Japanese and English—there will be stories, songs and fun!

- Recycling Storytime
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Family Place
Join us as the City of San Jose’s Recycle Plus Program Outreach Team read a recycling-themed story, assemble a “garbage monster” that the children help disassemble and determine what is garbage and what is recycling. This program celebrates America Recycles Day.

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
- Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008 – All libraries
- Friday, Nov. 28, 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.