September 19, 2008

Off the Shelf

Library can help you get fit, stay healthy

By Joy Kim
Special to the Times

Did you know the library can help you get fit and stay healthy? The Evergreen Library offers members of the community a wide variety of resources to improve and maintain their physical well-being. These resources include books and media on many health topics—such as nutrition, exercise and medical care—as well as access to online databases like Health and Wellness Resource Center.

The library also presents free public events related to health and fitness. Every Monday night the Evergreen Library hosts an Integral Tai Chi class in the community room. In addition to this regular program, the library also organizes one-time special events like the upcoming “Let’s Play Badminton.” Come to the library on Saturday, Sept. 27, between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m., when a local high school coach will share information about the game and demonstrate techniques. Attendees are invited to stay and practice after the program if weather permits, but will need to bring their own racquets and birdies.

Also on Sept. 27, the Friends of the Evergreen Library will be holding their monthly book sale between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. All proceeds from the book sale benefit Evergreen Library, so you can find amazing bargains and support the library at the same time. The sale will take place in one of the library’s group study rooms. Learn more about the Friends of the Evergreen Library at their Web site, www.friendsofevergreenlibrary.org.

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.

- 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 and Judith Goldstein.

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

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

- Sikh Gurdwara, Saturdays, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Classes will be in Hindi, Panjabi and English. As a courtesy, please remove your shoes and cover your head before entering the temple.

- Master Gardeners at the Library
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7:00-8:00 p.m. in Community Room
Join the Evergreen Garden Club for their monthly meeting. Learn all about growing flowers year-round.

- Friends of the Evergreen Library Book Sale
Saturday, Sept. 27, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in Group Study Room A

- Evergreen Library Book Club
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Community Room
We will read and discuss Lipstick Jihad: A Memoir of Growing up Iranian in America and American in Iran by Azadeh Moaveni.

- Citizenship & Immigration Q & A
Saturday, Oct. 4, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. in the Community Room
Do you have questions about your citizenship application or application process? Check out the Citizenship Q & A sessions in English/Vietnamese/Chinese and Spanish.

For Children and Teens

Wii gaming events for school-age children and teens.

- Wii Wednesday
Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the Teen Room

- Wii Saturday
Saturday, Oct. 4, 3:00-4:30 p.m. in the Community Room

For Children and Families

- Story Times
Preschool Storytime (plus Stay & Play), for ages 3-5, Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m.
Mother Goose Time (plus Stay & Play), 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 (plus Stay & Play), Fridays at 11:30 a.m.

- Friday Craft
Friday, Oct. 3, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Community Room
Make a special craft to take home! For ages 6 and up.

- Let’s Play Badminton
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2:00-3:00 p.m., in the Community Room

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

Joy Kim 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.