October 19, 2007

Off the Shelf

Library offers new activities

By Vanessa Menor
Evergreen Branch Librarian

Enthusiasm for school at the end of August and the end the October are two completely different animals. Technically a love song, “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling” by the Righteous Brothers perfectly describes this change in attitude. The new and exciting changes turn into routine and the shine wears off.

How can we bring the excitement back? If the school routine has become blah, it’s time to find new activities, and the library has a variety of programs to help. Joining a book club is a great way to read for fun, and meet new people. No essays or tests required. The Kids’ Book Club, held the second Friday of the month, is for children ages 8-12. Teens and Adults are invited to join our Adult Book Club that meets the first Wednesday of the month. Our Friday Flicks program is a great way to start the weekend. We’ll be showing a variety of movies, the first Friday of every month, on our big screen in the community room. One of my favorite programs is the Fabulous Friday Craft Event. On the last Friday of the month we make crafts to take home.

The Friends’ of the Evergreen Branch Library are accepting book donations. Your donations of gently used books are sold by the Friends, and the profits are used for special branch events and programs. We’re especially interested in relatively new paperbacks and hardcovers, and children’s books. Unfortunately, we cannot accept encyclopedia sets, textbooks older than five years, Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, or National Georgraphics.

Do you need help locating the library? You can find information about the Evergreen Library and all of the other branches, through our Web site www.sjlibrary.org. When you get here, the helpful staff at the information desk will work with you to find what you want and/or need.


Evergreen Library’s Calendar

For Adults and Teens

- Integral Tai Chi Classes

Mondays, 7 - 8 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, 1:30 – 2:30 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 Lutheran Church, Classroom One, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, at 7 p.m.. Classes will be in English and Spanish and taught by Pastor John & Judith Goldstein

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

Sikh Gurwara, Saturdays, 2 – 4 p.m.. Classes will be in Hindi, Panjabi and English and taught by Dr. Sraon

- Evergreen Garden Club Lecture

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 7 – 8 p.m. in the Community Room

The Evergreen Valley Garden Club will be presenting a lecture "Making Your Own Compost” by Member Sally Brooks-Shulke.

- Citizenship Q & A Program

Saturday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Community Room

Do you have questions about your citizenship application or application process? Check out the Citizenship Q & A session.

- Evergreen Adult Book Club – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Join us for a discussion of Jane Austen's most famous novel and one of the first romantic comedies in the history of the novel!

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. Family Storytime has been cancelled on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

Reading to Children volunteer Grandma Carol, for ages 3-5, Thursdays at 11:30 a.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 Craft

Friday, Oct. 26, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. in the Community Room
Come make a special craft to take home! For ages 6+ please.

- Fabulous Friday Flicks – The Princess Bride

Friday, Nov. 2, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Some of the best movies are based on books, and the books are usually better! In “The Princess Bride” the beautiful Buttercup is kidnapped in order to marry the Prince Humperdinck, while Westley (her childhood beau) attempts to save her.

- Lotus in the West - English/Vietnamese Storytime

Saturday, Nov. 3, 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. in the Community Room

Join us for Lotus in the West, a Vietnamese/English storytime, with songs, crafts and snacks. For children of all ages.
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.