April 7, 2007

Off the Shelf

Life’s full of questions for a librarian

By Vanessa Menor
Evergreen Branch Librarian

“Can I ask you a quick question?”
Of the top five questions I hear every day, this is, by far, the number one. Other popular questions are:

2. Vietnamese DVD?
3. Can you help me?
4. Where are the bathrooms?
5. What time do you open/close?

Veterinarians take care of animals’ health. Police officers keep the peace. Librarians answer questions. I love answering questions. Why? Because, like every Miss America hopeful in the 1980s, I want to help people, and I help them by helping them find answers and/or information. There are many types of questions: long or short, simple or complicated, quick or time consuming. Questions are my job.

The number one fear in America is public speaking. The fear of asking for help doesn’t have an official number, but it’s probably in the top five. Asking for help at the library is not easy. Sometimes the topic is personal or embarrassing, it could be hard to phrase, or is something you feel “everyone” else already knows.

What should you do if you have a hard question? Call us at (408) 808-3060 or email us at ev.sjpl@sjlibrary.org. It might be easier to ask your question if it’s not face to face. If there is something that you need to know, then that question is important. We are here to help, not to judge.

Do you know what a librarian looks like? The old stereotype of glasses, super tight bun, frown, sensible shoes and dowdy clothing isn’t particularly flattering. Thankfully, we’ve moved forward with the times. And we’ve let our hair down. While the work attire of librarians and cheerleaders is still drastically different, we now look like “regular” people. Or at least I thought we did. Last week, a woman approached me and asked “Are you a librarian? Can you help me find this book?” The answer to that is always “of course.” We were in the travel section debating the merits of Lonely Planet publications (my favorite) vs Fodor’s (her favorite) when I heard a voice whisper in my ear. “What are you doing? You don’t work here!” Oh. I looked at my friend and realized he was right. I was in the Sunnyvale Public Library. I guess a librarian is a librarian even if she’s not at work.

Evergreen Branch Idol - Teen Vocal Contest
Saturday, April 21st, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Community Room

Will you be the next San Jose Teen Idol? If you're 12-19, then you can compete for a chance to win the San Jose Public Library's first San Jose Idol competition! Complete rules will be available in the library. The winner will become the San Jose Teen Idol. First prize winner will win $50, second prize will win $25 and third prize will win $10. The first place winner will be one of the finalists to compete at the main event downtown at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library!

Evergreen Adult Book Club
Wednesday, April 18th, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Elizabeth Wydeville: The Slan-dered Queen is a biography of the Queen Consort of Edward IV and mother of the two princes who disappeared from the Tower of London while under the protection of Richard III. Arlene Okerlund, the author, will be joining us for the discussion. Dr. Okerlund is a professor of English at San Jose State University. Copies will be available in advance at the Information Desk. This event takes place in the Community Room.

Upcoming Adult Book Club Events

- Wednesday, May 16th, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Plainsong by Kent Haruf

A heartstrong story of family and romance, tribulation and tenacity, set on the High Plains east of Denver.

- Wednesday, June 20th, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Please read a book or two of your choice by mystery writers, Ann Parker, Louise Ure or Camille Minichino in preparation for their visit in July.

- Wednesday, July 18th, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Author visit by Sisters in Crime authors Ann Parker, Louise Ure and Camille Minichino. . Sisters in Crime is an international organization of writers, readers, booksellers, librarians, agents, editors, reviewers and teachers interested in raising awareness of women's contributions to the mystery genre. The organization was founded in 1986 by Sara Paretsky with other women mystery writers and enthusiasts and now has over 45 local chapters around the world.

Evergreen Library’s Calendar

For Children and Families

- Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. – Preschool Storytime and Stay & Play

- Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. – Family Storytime

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

- Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. – Reading with Grandma Carol

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

- Fridays, 3:30 p.m. – Games and fun! For all ages.

- Thursday, April 12th, 3:30 p.m. – Kids’ Book Club, for kids 8-12

Teens and Adults

- Thursday, April 19th, 3:30 p.m. – teensReach Meeting

Pastor John Goldstein from Grace Lutheran Church will be visiting to talk to our group about programs and services teens would be interested in. teensReach is group for teens 12-18 who are interested in participating in library fundraising and programming.

- Wednesday, April 25th, 7 – 8 p.m. - Evergreen Garden Club Meeting & Lecture

At this month's meeting the Evergreen Valley Garden Club will be presenting a lecture "Growing Hydrangeas - Easier
Than You Think” by club member Ruth Eastman.

This event takes place in the Community Room.

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.