October 22, 2004

Branches offer local alternatives to Evergreen patrons

By Liz Gill
Special to the Times

Some change is good, and a big change could be very good. The Evergreen community us about to see a big change in library services, and when all is said and done, a new library building will emerge.

The Evergreen Branch Library is about to be replaced. It will be closed and demolished after Nov. 30. A new 21,000 square foot facility will be built on the same site. This building, situated closer to the creek and scheduled for completion in about two years, will be more spacious, more modern and far more comfortable.

Evergreen, as well as all of the new library buildings in the Branch Facilities Master Plan, will be outfitted with state-of-the-art technology, a public art display, a community room, a café and a welcoming environment.

Move to Tully Branch Library
The staff and the materials from the Evergreen branch will move to a brand new library about to open on Tully Road.

The new Tully Branch Library, located at 870 Tully Rd., is scheduled to open Jan. 31. The nearest cross street to this library is Kenoga Drive. It is six miles from the intersection of White and Aborn Roads. There will be a two-month period when the Evergreen area is without local library service.

Other options
In the meantime, the nearest libraries are: Seventrees Branch Library at 3597 Cas Dr. at Capital Expressway and the Hillview Branch Library at 2255 Ocala Ave. near Adrian Way.

The Alum Rock Branch Library is scheduled to open in early 2005. It is being rebuilt on the same site on the corner of Alum Rock Road and White Road. For many years the Alum Rock Library was part of the Santa Clara County Library System. With the opening of the new building, it will become part of the San Jose City Library System. The old building will be demolished and the parking area enlarged.

Another new library is the Vineland Branch Library in the Blossom Hill area. It is located at 1450 Blossom Hill Rd. near Meridian.

The Martin Luther King Main Library remains part of the whole city library system. Your current library card may be used at all system libraries.

All of this is happening because, in 2000, the residents of San Jose elected to pass a multi-million dollar bond measure adding six new libraries and expanding 14 other branches. For many years the population of the Evergreen community has been growing, and the libraries have been unable to provide adequate service.

With the completion of this building program, the entire city, including Evergreen, will benefit. All of the branches will be outfitted with state-of-the art technology and acquire collections tailored to neighborhood needs and Internet skills.

The newer branches will have public art displays, community rooms and cafes to create a comfortable and welcoming environment.

Friends plan November book sale, seek donations, volunteers

The Friends of the Evergreen Library will be holding a “Going Out of Business” book sale on Saturday, Nov. 20, from10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the grounds of the Evergreen Branch Library.

The book sale will be run entirely by volunteers before, during and after the sale. A lot of preparation is needed in advance of the sale, such as sorting and storage of books. Another aspect of the preparation is arranging publicity and making signs to announce the sale. Other tasks are assigned for the sale day, such as cashiering, bagging and keeping merchandise neat and in order. After the sale comes clean up.

Donations of books, videos, puzzles, tapes and CDs will be accepted at the Evergreen Library. These items should be tagged for FEL.

If you would like to participate in some advance planning and become a volunteer, please call Liz Gill, secretary of the Friends of Evergreen Library, at (408) 238-4621 and ask for details.

Save our libraries:“Yes on S”

Voters on Nov. 2 will decide the future of the San Jose Public Library system, whose benefits and services have won national recognition as the 2004 “Library of the Year.”

Measure S proposes a 10-year parcel tax of $25 per average homeowner, adjusted for inflation capped at 3 percent annually. This measure is urgently needed to replace funding currently supplied by Measure E, which sunsets this year. Without a two-thirds approval of S, the SJPL system faces radical cutbacks in materials, capabilities and service levels.

Measure S is endorsed by the Friends of Evergreen Library as well as many other community leaders and organizations, including:

- League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara
- San Jose Police Officer’s Association
- South Bay Labor Council
- San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Santa Clara County Democratic Party
- Mayor Ron Gonzales
- San Jose City Council members