February 9, 2007

Off the Shelf

Celebrating Valentine’s Day at the Library

By Vanessa Menor
Evergreen Branch Librarian

There are still a few days left, and the library can help. We have a ton of resources just waiting to be used. If we don’t have what you’re looking for, then we can help you find it. Just ask - that’s what we’re here for. If you don’t have a valentine, what should you do? Think of the library. We’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with Valentine’s themed storytimes and free checkouts. Actually, we have free checkouts everyday, but it’s something that can’t be said too often. If you borrow items, and bring them back on time, the library is a free resource available to everyone in the community. That means you.

The Evergreen Branch Library is located at 2635 Aborn Rd, between White and Capitol. Depending on which way you’re traveling, at the Kettmann intersection, it’s either a right or left turn directly into the library’s parking lot. If you’re thinking “The library is for kids doing homework,” or “I don’t like to read, so there’s nothing there for me,” think again. The library has more than you might realize! We have books, music CDs, children’s and adult videos and DVDs, adult DVDs in over 10 languages, magazines, newspapers, online resources, Internet/word processing computers with a printer, photocopier, a Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies stand, books for sale, books on tape and CD (very helpful for us commuters), and a fireplace lounge with comfy seating.

Do you need a library card? Stop by with photo ID and proof of your address (for many people a driver’s license is perfect.) The online form is easy to fill out, and library staff is happy to help if you need it. After you fill out the form, go to the information desk, tell the staff member that you’ve applied for your card, and you’re on your way. Take a look at my picture, if I’m at the information desk when you get a new card, ask me for a tour.

“Where are the vending machines?” has been a popular question the last few weeks. With a Grand Opening on Feb. 9 and 10, our Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies stand is now ready for business. It’s a great place with snacks and a variety of drinks. Stop by for a treat, there’s something for everyone.

Valentine’s Day isn’t the only holiday in February. There is also T?t Nguyên ?án, more commonly know as T?t, on Feb. 18. Chinese New Year - also on Feb. 18 – will herald in the Year of the Pig and will signal the end of a 12-year cycle. We’ll be celebrating Tet and Chinese New Year with a craft and special storytime. On Thursday, Feb. 22, at our Terrific Thursdays Afterschool Craft at 3:30 p.m., we’ll be making Lion Masks. On Saturday, Feb. 24, we’ll be having a bilingual Vietnamese-English storytime. If you made a Lion Mask on the Thursday, bring it with you for a special activity!

Hey kids, do you like board games? On Fridays at 3:30 p.m., we have a board game program. A retired teacher is volunteering his time to facilitate the program. Games include Scrabble, Cranium, Pictionary, Outburst Jr, and more for kids ages 9-15. For more information, please contact the library.

Teens looking for volunteer hours, please come to our next teensReach meeting. The teensReach group meets the third Thursday of the month, which is Feb. 15, at 3:30 p.m. At our meeting we’ll be talking about fundraising and we’ll be planning our March 24 book sale.

Evergreen Library’s Calendar

For Children and Families
- Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. – Preschool Storytime and Stay & Play
- Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. – Family Storytimes

- Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. – Mother Goose Storytime and Stay & Play

- Fridays, 11:30 a.m. – Toddler Storytime and Stay & Play

- Thursday, Feb.1, 3:30 p.m. – Bookin’ It! A Book Club for Teens, for teens 13-18
- Thursday, Feb 8, 3:30 p.m. – Kids’ Book Club, ages 8-12
- Thursday, Feb 15, 3:30 p.m. – teensReach Meeting
- Thursday, Feb. 22, 3:30 p.m. – Terrific Thursday Afterschool Craft

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

Tai Chi Class – Mondays in February 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Integral tai chi, created by Master Ce Hang Truong, is a self-healing system that integrates tai chi, yoga, relaxation and meditation to heal the mind, body and spirit. This comprehensive approach involves a series of 10 body movement postures each designed to increase balance, awareness, endurance, flexibility, flow, concentration, energy and spiritual transformation. Integral tai chi can be simply and easily learned and practiced for all ages and body types. Tai Chi Classes meet in the Community Room

Library Closures
Monday, Feb. 19, 2007 – Presidents’ Day

Vanessa Menor 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 www.sjlibrary.org.