March 7, 2008

Off the Shelf

Got books? Read, don’t talk!

By Vanessa Menor
Librarian, Evergreen Branch Library

Spring is just around the corner; which in my family means “Spring Cleaning.” Are you ready to try? The library can help, with a variety of books for different levels. Almost everything can be cleaned: houses, closets, cars, computers and arteries. An important part of cleaning is taking care of clutter. Do you have books lying around? Books that were read once, but you don’t need anymore? The library would love to have them. Books donated to the library are given to the Friends of the Evergreen Branch Library; the books are sold and the profits given to the Library to support programs and special events.

I love my cell phone; and I know that I’m not the only one. Many libraries, including the Santa Clara County Library, have a “No Cell Phone Use” policy in place, because of the number of problems that come with them. Why are cell phones a problem? Because we often forget that other people are listening. The most common problems areas are:

1. Talking During Storytime – if you can hear me, I can hear you; and your talking is distracting to me and the people around you. Please do not disrupt the program.

2. In the Tech Center – The Tech Center is designated for quiet computer use.

3. In the Information Desk Line – Quite often there is a long line at the Information Desk. While you are starting/continuing/finishing your phone conversation, library staff, and the people behind you in line, must wait. Please be respectful of other people’s time.

4. Inappropriate Vocabulary and Volume - A public library is not the right place for calls that include excessive profanity, shouting or detailed medical and legal problems.

Library staff is trained to deal with difficult situations; if someone’s cell phone use is disturbing you, please let us know and we will take care of it.

Evergreen 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.

Conversation Club
Wednesdays, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. in Study Room A
Adults are invited to join our Conversation Club to practice their English language skills.

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, at 7:00 p.m. Classes will be in English and Spanish and taught by Pastor John & Judith Goldstein

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

Evergreen Library, Study Room A, first and third Wednesdays, at 7:00 p.m. Classes will be in English and Chinese and taught by Librarian Shu-Hua Liu

Sikh Gurdwara, Saturdays, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Classes will be in Hindi, Panjabi and English and taught by Dr. Sraon

District 8 Roundtable
Tuesday, Mar. 11, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Community Room

The Roundtable is a forum for Evergreen community members and neighborhood associations to meet and discuss on-going issues in our district.

Asian Law Alliance
Saturday, Mar. 15, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in the Community Room

Asian Law Alliance will be at the Evergreen Library every third Saturday of the month to assist those who wish to apply for US citizenship. Services in English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Vietnamese will include review of eligibility for citizenship, free assistance in filling up the citizenship forms and medical waivers, free legal advice, and preparation for the naturalization test. This event takes place in the Community Room

For Children and Families

Storytimes
*Preschool Storytime, for ages 3-5, Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m.

*Mother Goose Time, 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, Fridays at 11:30 a.m.

*After these storytimes, there will be Stay & Play. Stay & Play is an opportunity for parents to socialize while their children play with educational toys.

Fabulous Friday Kids' Book Club
Friday, Mar. 14, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Bring a book to share with the group. Something that you're reading for fun, a book that you've loved, or even one you've hated! Let's vote on a book to read as a group. For kids ages 8-12 please. This event takes place in the Community Room

For news of other library activities, including those at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library visit: http://www.sjlibrary.org/about/events/.

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 sjlibrary.org.

Library closing

All branches of the San José Public Library system will be closed for Staff In-Service from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2008. Regularly scheduled hours will resume at 1pm.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library will be open 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., providing full service including telephone reference and online services.

Periodic scheduling of Staff In-Service days enable all staff to participate in training necessary to respond to changing customer needs.