January 12, 2007

Off the Shelf

January: looking back on the opening of the new Evergreen Branch Library

By Diane Hughes
Adult Services librarian, Evergreen Branch Library
Special to the Times

It’s January of 2007, and we can look back with pride at the new Evergreen Library’s grand opening, which has passed gloriously into history. The community is grateful for this new jewel, if attendance is any indication. We seem to be full of energetic children with interested parents in tow.

The Teen Center is full of students reading and studying and the Tech Center is full of computer users. The Christmas bustle has settled down to “back to school as usual.” At this time, you may want to begin the New Year with new projects, clean up the garden or start cooking more healthy meals. Our collection can help you get started with up-to-the-minute DVDs, videos, CD’s, VCD’s, book tapes, books and magazines.

- “Tortilla Curtain” Book Discussion, Jan. 17
The first meeting of the Evergreen Adult Book Club will be Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m., in the Community Room. We will meet the third Wednesday of every month from January to October. On Jan. 17, the Book Club will review and discuss, “The Tortilla Curtain,” by T.C. Boyle. This is the book selected by the San Jose Public Library Foundation, the Santa Clara County Office of Education and the Santa Clara County Library to read together as the Silicon Valley Reads 2007 Project. We will review it in preparation for the Feb. 10, Silicon Valley Reads program.

- Evergreen’s Calendar for Children and Families
We offer “Stay and Play” for parents and children after morning story times for 30 minutes. It’s a great chance to stay and play with your children using educational toys provided by the Friends of the Evergreen Library and meet other parents and children.

- Tuesdays: 11:30 a.m., Preschool Story time - for children 3-5.

- Tuesdays: 6:30 p.m., Family Story time - for children of all ages and their families.

- Wednesdays: 11:30 a.m., Mother Goose Storytime - for children under 2.

- Fridays: 11:30 a.m., Toddler Story time - for children 2-3.

- Brain Games: Fridays: 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Fun and games at the library: Scrabble, Cranium and more, ages 9-15 only please.

- Tooth-time Story time: Jan. 20 at 11:30 a.m.
Stories and songs about teeth, and a special visit from Barbara Duncan from the Santa Clara Valley Dental Hygienists Association round out the program. Learn how to brush your teeth and practice brushing on puppets and get a special treat.

- Thursday, Jan. 25 at 3:30 p. m. Calendarific Craft. You and your friends will be able to make a calendar to take home. For ages 6 and up.

- Parent Workshop
Parents and preschoolers are invited to this FREE workshop on Jan. 30 at 11:30 a.m. to have fun with movement activities using parachutes, beanbags, scarves and sticks. Discover what your children learn through play. You will learn simple ways to do these activities at home with materials found around the house

- Teen Events
TeensReach Meeting, Games and DDR Party Thursday, Jan. 18 at 3:30 p.m.
It’s our first teensReach meeting of the year and we’re celebrating. We’ll have video games, board games, a craft and snacks. We’ll also have DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION on the big screen! For teens 13-18 only, please.

- Adult Events
Attention Job Seekers: The Work 2 Future Van will be here parked at the Evergreen Branch Library Fridays in January from 1 to 4 p.m. This van offers free job search assistance, resume help and childcare information to name a few of the services offered. www.work2future.biz.

- Garden Club
The Evergreen Valley Garden Club, in partnership with the Evergreen Branch Library, will be holding monthly classes on gardening topics free to the public. This month the Jan. 24 meeting - held from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. - will be followed by a free class to learn how to make a garden under glass. Now that’s exciting!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Day is a Holiday. The Evergreen Branch Library will close Jan. 15 in commemoration of Dr. King and his outstanding work and leadership in the Civil Rights movement.

- Library Friends
Friends of the Evergreen Library will be meeting Thursday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m.

Join this great group and get involved with helping your library!