View college course videos online.

Google Video offers course videos from UCBerkeley online for perusal. Also, check out YouTube's College section.

Learn about eBooks!

I'll be teaching a basic class about SJPL's Digital Library of eBooks and e-Audio Books, next Tuesday, from 6:30 PM. SJPL's Digital Library does take some getting used to and there are some issues with non-approved devices that you should be aware of. Hope to see you there.

This weekend the Library's network and servers will be shutdown for emergency repairs.

The shutdown will begin when the library closes at 6:00 PM on Saturday 9/23. You won't have access to your account information online, or any of the databases and the OPAC.

The planning meeting of the History Book Club is coming up.

Enjoy reading and discussing history books? Then join us for our organizational planning meeting of the History Book Club on October 3, 2006, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, at the Almaden Branch Library. We will meet the first Tuesday of every month, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Program Room. During holidays, we may meet on different days. For more information, please email me at mana dot tominaga at sjlibrary dot org.

Branches are open from 1 to 6 on Friday, September 22.

SJPL branches, including Almaden, are open from 1 to 6 on Friday, September 22, for staff training.

Books I've enjoyed recently...

Join in reading and discussing The Kite Runner.

The novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is the current selection of the Campus Reading Program, which supports a culture of reading. The public is invited to join in reading and discussing the novel with members of the university community. There are several discussion groups planned throughout the semester, including three at King Library. The first one is Tuesday September 19th from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in Room 255-257. Additional discussions in the library will be held on Thursday October 26th, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Wednesday November 15th, 7:30-8:30 p.m. For more information on the Campus Reading Program and a complete listing of all events, please visit: http://www.sjsu.edu/ugs/reading/.

Worried about your teen's presence on MySpace and other social networking sites?

You've probably heard about MySpace, a social-networking site that's popular with teens, but often controversial given the potential for predators and the like. This article from US News and World Report offers practical solutions and insights. Recommended.

Google and ALA join up to celebrate Banned Books Week.

Leslie Burger, ALA President, has a post about Banned Books week on the Official Google Blog. Check out the joint Banned Books portal, too, at http://books.google.com/googlebooks/banned/.

Join us for a book talk about child development issues.

Friends of the Almaden Library present a lecture and book signing by Brock Eide, MD and Fernette Eide, MD for their recently published book entitled The Mislabeled Child: Finding the True Sources and Solutions for Childern's Learning Challenges. All profits will benefit the Friends of the Almaden Library.

Upcoming event: Poetry reading by Le Pham Le.

You and your friends/family are cordially invited to a delightful afternoon of poetry reading by Le Pham Le, author of “From Where the Wind Blows.” She will recite selections from this bilingual collection of poems on nostalgia, love, despairs, hope, future and past. Ms. Le will also discuss Vietnamese poetic style and structure. The event concludes with book signing and reception.

Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, Room 255/257 (Second floor)
Date: Sat., Sep. 16, 2006
Time: 2 to 3 pm

The ALA Banned Books display is up for Patriot Day.

We are presenting a month long display of ALA Banned Books selections to emphasize First Amendment and other American freedoms, in recognition of Patriot Day.

How You can Participate
1. What are your thoughts on censorship? Do you have a favorite banned book? Share your thoughts in the journal provided.
2. Also, look inside each book for a bookmark that notes why that particular book was banned.
3. Check out a banned book!

Join us for an informational event about personal care product choices.

The MLK Library is presenting "The Conscious Consumer: Personal Care Products" on Saturday, September 30, 3:30 pm, featuring a slide show and lecture by Jessie Denver, M. A., Environmental Services Department, City of San Jose. Admission is FREE. You will learn how to make informed choices in terms of reducing human health risks and environmental impacts.

Pluto loses its "Planet" title status.

The Collection Development Advisory Team and the central collection development librarians are aware of the recent change reported in the various news media in regard to the changing status of the celestial body "Pluto". The Library will acquire up-to-date materials as the publishing industry provides them.