July 25, 2008

Off the Shelf

Unlike sports, reading ‘season’ is year-round

By Vanessa Menor
Librarian, Evergreen Branch Library
Special to the Times

Unlike baseball which is for summer or hockey which is for winter, reading is a year-round activity. I love reading in the winter; when it’s cold and dark outside I love curling up in a nest of blankets and pillows (a fat sleeping cat is optional) and letting time roll past. Summer reading, especially soaking up the sun at the beach is another favorite of mine. Spring reading, with the windows open for fresh air, reminds me that winter never lasts forever…it just sometimes feels that way. Fall reading reminds me of back to school. I’ve been out of school for years, but I still remember the excitement of hitting the school library on the first day back to see what was new.

Reading and the library go together like peanut butter and jam. We have books. We have a lot of books. With a San Jose Public Library card you have access to the materials in your branch library, from other branches, the joint public-university library downtown and through other libraries in California and Nevada through our Link+ partnership and even more through the ILS (Inter Library Services.)

Not only do we have books, but we have reading incentive programs! Our Summer Reading Celebration continues. The last day to collect prizes (for kids and teens) or turn in an entry form for adults is Saturday, Aug. 9. Visit the library for more information about our summer reading program and special events.

Some of you may be thinking Borders and Barnes & Noble do the same thing…they do but slightly differently. We each have our strengths and weaknesses. The library has a huge selection of new and older titles, our check-out limit of 100 means it’s easy to get everything that you’d like; we have books, magazines, books on CD, DVDs, videos and music CDs. The library is a great place to get a book that you’ll only read once, or to try something completely different without having to worry about the cost. At book stores, there is a huge selection of new and popular titles, but it can be a little hard to find older books or items on uncommon subjects. At bookstores, you can get as much as you can *afford,* which for me is a lot less than 100. Libraries and bookstores complement each other; you can use either or both…we both want to help you find what you need.

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.

Wii Wednesdays
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the Community Room
The library has a Nintendo Wii! School age children and teens are welcome to attend and play baseball, tennis, etc.

Friends of the Evergreen Library Book Sale
Saturday, July 26, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Here is a chance to choose from a wide selection of used books and media. GREAT BARGAINS! BEAUTIFUL BOOKS! All proceeds benefit the library. This book sale is sponsored by Friends of the Evergreen Library.

Citizenship and Immigration Q & A
Saturday, Aug. 2, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in Group Study Room B

Do you have questions about your citizenship application or application process? Would you like to know whether you are qualified for “special consideration?” Check out the Citizenship Q & A sessions in English/Vietnamese/Chinese and Spanish.

Healthy Cooking with a Master Chef
Saturday, Aug. 2, 1:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. in the Community Room.

Join us for a fantastic summer program. A Master Chef from Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association (PCFMA) will show you how to choose produce, answer questions and demonstrate healthy cooking with recipes using fresh ingredients. This program is part of the library’s Adult Summer Reading Celebration.

District 8 Roundtable
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 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. It is a gathering of key community stakeholders and meets to develop action plans and bring closure to the issues discussed. Additional parking is available across the street at Grace Church.

For Children and Families

Bug Craft
Friday, Aug. 1, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Join us to make a very special bug craft. This program is part of our Summer Reading Celebration.

Talent Show
Friday, Aug. 8, 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Community Room

Can you sing, dance, play an instrument, perform a magic show or read poetry? Are you between the ages of 5-13? If your answer is yes, you are welcome to participate in our talent show. Registration begins on the 19th of July.

David ‘PapaHugs’ Sharpe
Saturday, Aug. 9, 3:00-4:00 p.m. in the Community Room

Join us for a special program to mark the completion of a successful Summer Reading Celebration with our favorite music man, David Sharpe. Children, their parents and grandparents will laugh and sing along to the songs of PapaHugs.

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.