Summer Reading Celebration Begins - Get a Clue @ your library
The Summer Reading Celebration, an eight-week program, starts Saturday, June 16 and concludes August 11. Reach each of the five reading milestones for a cumulative total of 30 hours of reading and earn fun prizes such as a magnifying glass, painting sheets, flashing L.E.D. ball, and a book of your choice.

This year Get a Clue @ your library serves children (birth through grade 5) and YNK @ your library serves teens (grades 6-12). During July, a separate component for adults, Summer Sleuthing @ your library, invites adults to read books and win prizes through weekly drawings at all San Jose Public Library locations. Prizes for adults include movie tickets and concession vouchers from Camera Cimema Theatres, as well as bookstore, restaurant, and coffee shop gift certificates.

As a special treat, there will be a series of fun-filled programs that will entertain and delight children of all ages. On Thursday, June 21, at 3 p.m., come and enjoy the remarkable musical talents of ZunZun. This ensemble celebrates the wide variety of musical expression in the various cultures of the Americas. This show explores our shared cultural and natural surroundings through music and sound. ZunZun invites audience members' participation to use clues embedded in the music and lyrics to solve a mystery! Their performances utilize physical comedy, audience participation, and remarkable musical ability. This lively show is perfect way to kickoff your Summer Reading Celebration.

On Thursday, June 28 at 3 p.m., Miss Nancy, Mr. K., and friends present "Get a Clue Crew @ Your Library." There will be stories, magic, music, and more mysterious happenings. You won’t want to miss the hilarity and crazy antics of our Get a Clue Crew.

A fun “Magic Workshop for Teens” will take place, Thursday, July 5 at 3 p.m. in the community room. Come and demonstrate your favorite magic tricks and share the inside scoop on how the trick was done. The magic you share could be card tricks, sleight of hand tricks or any other type of magic you enjoy performing.

On Thursday, July 12 at 3 p.m. enjoy the “Short Attention Span Circus” with Jean-Paul Valjean. Jean-Paul was born in Algeria and he began his training in the circus arts as an acrobat and contortionist. At the young age of 5, he made his debut as the youngest high-wire performer in the world in London, England. This was the start of a long and distinguished career showcasing his talents in numerous European and American circuses and variety shows.
The goal of the Summer Reading Celebration program is to help our young people to become enthusiastic and proficient readers. We are grateful to the Friends of the Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Library who have generously provided the funds for the program’s prizes and incentives.

Events

■ Family Story Time will be held on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s program room. There will be fun stories, songs, and finger plays geared for the whole family.
■ Preschool Story Times will be held on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:15 a.m. in the library’s program room. “Mr. K” will be sharing stories, finger plays, songs and puppets, for children ages 3-5 and their caregivers (no story time on Friday, June 22 – library opens at 1 p.m.).
■ Mother Goose Story Time is held on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. Barbara Gilbert, children’s librarian, will present nursery rhymes, finger plays, stories and songs for children (12 months to 2 years) and their caregivers (no story time on Friday, June 22 – library opens at 1 p.m.).
■ Saturdays, June 16, 23, and 30 from 4 to 5 p.m., get personalized instruction from a friendly and knowledgeable volunteer. Questions regarding Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email, and all things Web or Internet related will be answered. This class is held in the library’s tech center and is limited to four participants; please register at the library’s information desk.
■ Blogging 101 with Blogger.com – On Tuesday, June 19 at 11 a.m. we are pleased to offer a class on how to set up your own personal blog. A blog is a quick and easy way publish your content on the Web. Learn how to get your own free blog with Blogger.com. The class is limited to the first 12 patrons. Basic Web skills are recommended. Class held in the library’s Tech Center.
■ Wednesday, June 27, from 6 to 7 p.m., get personalized instruction in Persian from an experienced computer volunteer. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email, and other Internet resources will be explained and demonstrated. This class is held in the library’s tech center and is limited to four participants; register at the library’s information desk.
■ ‘Reading to Children’ volunteers will be available in the children’s area on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursdays from 12 to 1 p.m.
■ ESL Conversation Club is held Wednesdays from 12 to 1 p.m. in the library’s program room. Come practice your English speaking skills with our friendly conversation group.
■ Join our History Book Club Tuesday, July 3, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., to discuss Patricia Cornwell’s “Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper – Case Closed.” Tea and cookies will be served. This event takes place in the library’s program room.
■ On Friday, July 6 at 4 p.m., teens (ages 13-18) are invited to participate in our monthly Teens Reach meeting held in the library’s program room. Our guest speakers from the Art of Living foundation and will be exploring the topic of “Stress Reduction for Teens.” In addition, teens are encouraged to volunteer this summer to help run our annual Summer Reading Celebration. At the Almaden Branch, we hope to sign-up over 2,200 participants in this significant literacy outreach. Community service credits are given to participating students. Light refreshments are provided by the Friends of the Almaden Branch Library.
■ Attention Almaden Summer Sleuths! On Tuesday, July 10, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., meet mystery writer Hailey Lind from “Sisters in Crime”, and join the Adult Summer Reading Celebration. This intriguing event is tailored for adults and takes place in the library’s program room.


Almaden Branch Library is located at 6445 Camden Avenue. The library opens at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 22 due to the in-service held at the branches. Our regular hours are: Mon. 2 – 7 p.m., Tue. – Wed. 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Thu. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For questions, please call (408) 808-3040 during business hours. Email may be sent at any time: ab.sjpl@sjlibrary.org. Ed Koetitz is a Youth Services Librarian at the Almaden Branch Library.