Events at the King Library

Monday, January 5, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Rooms 225/229, 2nd Floor
Don't Let Your TV Become Extinct! Beginning in February, television will broadcast in digital instead of analog. For older sets, this can be a problem. Come to a workshop designed to give you the full information on this transformation. A guest speaker from the Federal Communications Commission will give a brief overview of the DTV transition.For more information:1-888-CALL-FCC (Voice) 1-888-TELL-FCC (TTY) Visit: www.dtv.gov DTV transition Hosted by General Collections. Co-sponsored by Friends of the King Library.

Saturday, January 10, 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Children's Room, 1st Floor
Hindi and English bilingual story time for children has stories, songs and rhymes to capture the best of both worlds, teaching the children the importance of both languages and cultures. For more information, call (408) 808-2183.

Happy Holidays!

All San Jose Public Libraries will be closed December 24th and 25th, and December 31st and January 1st! The Almaden Branch wishes you a wonderful holiday season, and we look forward to serving you in 2009.

VTA updates

VTA HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

VTA is the ideal and hassle-free transportation alternative to all your holiday celebrations on New Year’s Eve. VTA will be offering free service on all light rail and bus lines from 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 31 until 3:59 a.m. Thursday, January 1, 2009. VTA will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Wednesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 31 and a Sunday/Holiday schedule Thursday, December 25 and Thursday, January 1.
There will also be extended New Year’s Eve service in the late evening for:
Light Rail (Alum Rock- Santa Teresa and Mountain View-Winchester lines) *Full extended schedules
Last trip leaving Santa Teresa at 1:55 a.m., the last stop at 3:01 a.m. at Alum Rock
Last trip leaving Alum Rock at 1:36 a.m., the last stop at 2:47 a.m. at Santa Teresa
Last trip leaving Winchester at 1:09 a.m., the last stop at 1:36 a.m. at Civic Center (does not go to Mountain View)
Last trip leaving Mountain View at 12:45 a.m., the last stop at 1:56 a.m. at Winchester
Express Line 180 (to the Fremont BART Station) *Full extended schedule
Last Northbound bus leaving Diridon Station at 2:09 a.m. arriving at Fremont BART at 2:50 a.m.
Last Southbound bus leaving Fremont BART at 2:56 a.m. arriving at 2nd & Santa Clara at 3:29 a.m. (Does not go to the Diridon Station)
The following commute bus lines will be cancelled on Friday, December 26 & Friday, January 2: 101, 102, 103, 104, 120, 121, 122, 140, 168, 182, 304, 321, 328, 330 and the River Oaks Shuttle. All other VTA service will be running on a normal weekday schedule.

Keeping Faith

For the month of January, the Almaden Book Buddies will discuss Keeping Faith, by Jodi Picoult. "When seven-year-old Faith White and her mother, Mariah, swing by the house on the way to ballet class, they find that Daddy is home and he's brought a playmate. This is not the first time he's been caught cheating. After the fuss and feathers have settled and Dad has moved out, Faith begins talking to an imaginary friend who, it seems, is God. And God is not male but female. Faith is able to effect miraculous cures and is also occasionally afflicted with stigmata. When the media gets wind of this, the circus begins. The local rabbi takes an interest (Faith and Mariah are technically Jewish), and the local Catholic priest pays several inquiring visits. There is also a gaggle of psychologists. Throw in a professional atheist for the romance angle and a vicious custody fight with an egomaniacal lawyer, and you have a riveting read. Picot gets better and better with each book" (Library Journal). All readers are invited to attend. This event takes place on Tuesday, January 6th, at 1:30 in the afternoon.

History Book Club--Tues, Dec. 16th, 6:30 p.m.

Join the History Book Club in discussing Brutal Journey: The Epic Story of the First Crossing of North America by Paul Schneider. "...would-be conquistador Pánfilo de Narváez was given another chance by the king of Spain, who awarded him governorship over the entire Gulf Coast of the modern United States. But Narváez's luck was no better this time: the expedition, which arrived in 1528, was a complete disaster. Out of the 400 men who went ashore in Florida, only four made it to Mexico eight years later, long after Narváez himself was lost at sea in a makeshift boat" (Publisher's Weekly). Written using limited documentation, and rife with adventure mixed with colonialism, Brutal Journey promises to offer good topics for discussion. All history enthusiasts are invited to attend.

Spare the Air

The Bay Area Air District has issued a Winter Spare the Air Alert for Tuesday, November 25, 2008, which bans wood burning both indoors and outdoors through noon tomorrow.

Air quality in the Bay Area is forecast to be unhealthy. It is illegal for Bay Area residents and businesses to burn wood or manufactured firelogs in fireplaces, wood stoves and inserts, pellet stoves, and outdoor fire-pits. This wood-burning ban will be in effect for Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, southern Sonoma and southwestern Solano Counties.

You will receive an AirAlert email each day that a Winter Spare the Air Alert is in effect.

Winter air pollution is mainly caused by small particle pollution or particulate matter (PM) from wood smoke. Smoke from wood-burning fires is linked to illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and lung disease, and is especially harmful for children and the elderly.

For more information about the wood burning rule, or to check before you burn, visit www.sparetheair.org or call 1-877-4-NO-BURN.

There is NO free transit program during the winter Spare the Air season.

To see the current air quality forecast, visit www.sparetheair.org

Thank you for doing your part to Spare the Air!

This AirAlert is provided by your Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

ESL Conversation Club will take a break

The ESL Conversation Club at Almaden Library will be taking a break, from December 24th-January 14th. We will meet again on January 21st. At our last meeting before the holiday (December 17th), we will have a potluck. Bring a dish to share, and celebrate with us! All ESL learners are welcome.

ESL Book Club reads A Christmas Carol

The ESL Book Club will be discussing one of the most famous Christmas classics of all time, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, on Thursday, December 18th, 1-2 p.m. in the Program Room. The writing is challenging, but the book is very short, less than ½" thick! Also, you probably know the story already, which will make it even more enjoyable. You may want to read the book, and then watch one of the many versions of the movie. Two fun versions are The Muppet Christmas Carol (starring the Muppets!), or Scrooged, which is set in the 1980’s and stars comedian Bill Murray. Also, on Wednesday, December 3rd, at 4 p.m., the Traveling Lantern Production company will be performing A Christmas Carol in the Community Room of the Almaden Branch Library and Community Center. That event is open to the entire family!

Almaden Book Buddies--Tuesday, December 2nd, 1:30

The Almaden Book Buddies will discuss one of Bill Bryson's funniest travelogues, In a Sunburned Country, which is about traveling through Australia. One of the most memorable chapters is dedicated to all of the things that are lethal in that great country! Bill Bryson manages to deliver a lot of laughs while also sharing the beauty of the landscape. Join us to discuss his work in the Program Room of the Almaden Library on Tuesday, December 2nd, at 1:30.

Baby Sign Language--Learn to "Talk" to your Baby

This event takes place at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library 150 E. San Fernando St., in the Children’s Room, 1st Floor, on Sunday, November 16th, 3:30-5:00 p.m. Call (408) 808-2183 for more information.
Learn to "talk" to your baby with teacher William P. White. (Babies are most welcome, though not required.) If your baby is napping or cranky, it is perfectly fine to come without your baby because we are teaching you, the parents, baby sign language. This workshop introduces basic baby signs that are based on American Sign Language (ASL) and is designed for parents with hearing babies who range in age from birth to 18 months old. You will learn about the latest research and all the tricks on how to teach your baby to sign. Fun activities and songs will show you how easy it can be to integrate simple signs into your everyday.

Interested in genealogy?

Saturday, November 15, 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Computer Lab 125, 1st Floor, King Library
Genealogy on the Internet
This class will introduce you to websites and databases to allow you to fill out those family tree limbs! Prerequisite: Must have basic computer skills. Hosted by General Collections.
Co-sponsored by Friends of the King Library. For more information, call (408) 808-2397.

Get out and vote!

Today is Election Day, and there are a lot of hot issues on the ballot for San Jose, and for the state of California, in addition to voting for the next president of the United States. To learn more about the issues, or to find out where your polling place is, visit smartvoter.org.

Vote for Books Election Party--November 5th

Come and celebrate the books with the top votes from voteforbooks.com and our in-house ballots. Make your vote count and enjoy Election cake. For ages 6-14.This event takes place in the Program Room Wednesday, November 5th, 4:30-5:00 p.m.

Moon Struck - View the Moon with the San Jose Astronomical Association

There will be a fun moon related craft program starting Thursday, November 6th at 4:45 p.m. and ending at 5:10 p.m. This craft project is geared for school age children and will be held in the library's program room. At 5:15 p.m. there will be a fun puppet program held in the Children's area and at 5:45 we'll break for an opportunity to check out additional stargazing books and materials. When the library closes at 6:00 p.m. (weather permitting) we'll have the opportunity to observe the night sky courtesy of the San Jose Astronomical Association. Chief astronomer, Jim Van Nuland commented "we'll have lots of good stuff to show -- a nice quarter moon, bright Jupiter, faint Uranus, the Ring Nebula, the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, colorful double star Albireo in Cygnus, probably a galaxy or two if the air is clear enough." This should be a great event for the entire family.This event takes place in the Program Room, Children's Area and Outside of the Library.

Water For Elephants Discussion--Tuesday, Nov 4th 1:30-2:30

Join the Almaden Book Buddies in discussing Sara Gruen's beautiful and thrilling book, Water for Elephants. "Life is good for Jacob Jankowski. He's about to graduate from veterinary school and about to gain the girl of his dreams. Then his parents are killed in a car crash, leaving him in the middle of the Great Depression with no home, no family, and no career. Almost by accident, Jacob joins the circus. There he falls in love with the beautiful performer Marlena, who is married to the circus' psychotic animal trainer. He also meets the other love of his life, Rosie the elephant. This lushly romantic novel travels back in forth in time between Jacob's present day in a nursing home and his adventures in the surprisingly harsh world of 1930s circuses." All readers are invited to attend.

Fall Book Sale, November 1st, 9am-3pm

Bargain hunters you won't want to miss this! The Almaden Branch Library is having its Fall Book Sale. This hugely popular event is sponsored by the Friends of the Almaden Library and will be staged in the large community room next to the library's entrance. There will be a large selection of gently used and sometimes new books covering a wide range of topics and interests. Entertainment videos, DVDs, CDs and cassettes will also be available for purchase. There will be a special "Bag of Books" sale from 2 to 3 p.m. All proceeds benefit Almaden Branch Library programs and services. If you love books, you won't want to miss this event. For more information, please call (408) 808-3040.

Harvest Festival--Saturday, October 25th, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You are invited to participate in our 2nd annual Harvest Festival! It is sponsored by the Almaden Community Center and Library. Our festival will include a pumpkin patch, haunted house, silent auction, plant sales, arts activities, and interesting vendor booths.

ESL Book Club reads The Face on the Milk Carton

"Fifteen-year-old Janie Johnson's life is turned upside down when she notices the picture of a missing girl on the back of a milk carton. A girl named Jennie Spring, with red hair much like her own, was kidnapped twelve years ago. Janie wonders if she could be this face on the milk carton when other questions about her own past begin to arise. Why has she never seen her own birth certificate? Are her parents not really her parents?" Join the ESL Book Club in discussing The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney. To borrow a copy of the book, and to get a reading guide, please call or visit the Almaden Library Information Desk. All teen and adult ESL learners are invited to attend. This event takes place Thursday, October 16th, 1-2 p.m. in the Program Room.

Partners in Reading Adult Literacy Volunteer Tutor Training

Wednesday, October 1, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, 1st Floor, King Library
Imagine that you could not read a bus schedule or interpret the directions on a medicine bottle. Please consider becoming a volunteer tutor for the adult literacy program, Partners in Reading, at the San José Public Library. The experience is rewarding and exciting. You will be working with an English-speaking adult who is 18 years or older. One-on-one tutoring will take place within branches of the San José Public Library and other public sites in San José.
Qualifications:
18 years of age or older
High school diploma or GED
Read or write at the 12th grade level or above
Attend 14 hours of tutor training
Patience
Flexibility
Cultural sensitivity
Sense of humor
Two hours tutoring per week for a minimum of six months (twice a week is best)
Enthusiasm!
The next Tutor Orientation will be on Wednesday, October 1. Tutor Training will take place on Saturday, October 4, and Saturday, October 11. All sessions are required and participants must register in advance. Please call (408) 808-2361 if you have any questions. Registration required.

Banned Books Week--Celebrating the Freedom to Read

Celebrate Banned Books Week by visiting your local library and checking out a book that has been banned. At Almaden, we have some banned books on display, and ready to be checked out. At the King Library, on Saturday, October 4th, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM in Rooms 225/229 on the 2nd Floor, Dr. Jim Schmidt will speak on Intellectual Freedom and Amy Sonnie will speak on her challenged book, Revolutionary Voices. Everyone is welcome to attend. The King Library will also have games as well as people reading passages from their favorite banned or challenged books. This event is sponsored by ALASC and LISSTEN. For additional information, contact Heather Devine (408) 536-6046. Banned Books Week this year falls from September 27th to October 4th.

Constitution Story Time, Wednesday, September 17th

We are pleased to offer a special "Constitution Story Time" geared for the whole family. Our special guests are from the Daughters of the American Revolution and they will help explain to the children the history and importance of the U.S. Constitution. There will also be a fun craft project for the children.This event takes place in the Program Room on Wednesday, September 17th, 6:30-7:15 p.m.

Tuesday, September 16th, 6:30-7:30

Travel back in time to the truth behind the legends of when the Persian Empire invaded the Greek city-states and read Persian Fire: the First World Empire and the Battle for the West by Tom Holland. Publishers Weekly says that "Holland doesn't impose a modern sensibility on the ancient civilizations he describes, and he delves into the background histories of both sides with equally fascinating detail. Though matters of Greek history like the brutal social structure of the Spartans are well known, the story of the Persian empire—like the usurper Darius's claim that every royal personage he assassinated was actually an imposter—should be fresh and surprising to many readers, while Holland's graceful, modern voice will captivate those intimidated by Herodotus." Join us for our discussion in the Program Room of the Almaden Library over tea and cookies.

ESL Book Club reads The Joy Luck Club

Join the ESL Book Club at 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 18th to discuss Amy Tan's famous and beloved work, The Joy Luck Club. This book focuses on the stories of four different Chinese-American women and their daughters. "With wit and sensitivity, Amy Tan examines the sometimes painful, often tender, and always deep connection between mothers and daughters. As each woman reveals her secrets, trying to unravel the truth about her life, the strings become more tangled, more entwined. Mothers boast or despair over daughters, and daughters roll their eyes even as they feel the inextricable tightening of their matriarchal ties. Tan is an astute storyteller, enticing readers to immerse themselves into these lives of complexity and mystery" (Amazon). All teen and adult ESL learners are invited to attend.

Spare the Air!

Tomorrow, Wednesday August 27, is a Spare the Air Day in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Concentrations of ground-level ozone pollution are forecast to be unhealthy tomorrow. Hot temperatures and light winds will combine to produce poor air quality for the Bay Area.
To help prevent smog tomorrow, please:
- Drive less
- Telecommute -- work from home instead of driving to work
- Take public transit, walk or bike - visit 511.org for transit info
- Carpool or vanpool with friends or co-workers
- Refuel on the way home in the evening and don't top off
Public transit is NOT free tomorrow.
To plan your commute online, visit 511.org.
To monitor current air quality conditions, visit www.sparetheair.org
This AirAlert is provided by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Thank you for doing your part to Spare the Air!

Author Art Rodriguez: Reading and Book Signing

Wednesday, August 27, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
King Library, 150 E San Fernando, San Jose
Rooms 225/229, 2nd Floor
Art Rodriguez, author of East Side Dreams; Forgotten Memories; The Monkey Box; and Those Oldies but Goodies, will read from his books and discuss his life and work. Book sale and signing will follow. Light refreshments will be served. For information, call (408) 808-2397.

Story Time for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

We are pleased to offer a series of three Story Times tailored for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ages 3-7). Offered on the 2nd Saturday of September, October and November at 10:30 a.m., there will be music, fingerplays, stories and puppets for the children's entertainment and socialization. Youth Services Librarian, Ed Koetitz, “Mr. K” is a seasoned storyteller and will have his trusty sidekick "Shaggy the Sheepdog" to keep things interesting. Please call (408) 808-3040 for more information and preregistration.

September 2nd--New Book Club Meeting

The Almaden Library is starting a brand new Book Club! We will be focusing on reading fiction and popular interest titles. Come to our first meeting to discuss March by Geraldine Brooks, and help choose our titles to read for future meetings.

Our first meeting is Tuesday, September 2nd from 1-2 p.m. in the Program Room.

Remember, even if this book isn't your cup of tea, come to the meeting anyway--controversy just makes the discussion more exciting!

Project Vote Smart Bus Stops at King Library

Sunday, August 17, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Corner of Fourth and San Fernando Streets

Project Vote Smart, a nonpartisan voter education organization, is currently touring the nation with their Voter Self-Defense System bus. The bus will be in San Jose and parked in front of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, from 3:00 - 5:00 PM on Sunday, August 17. The Voter Self-Defense System is designed to teach voters how to defend themselves against the rhetoric and misinformation of modern political campaigns. For more information, call 408) 808-2042.

Sizzlin' Summer Night Car Show and Carnival

The Almaden Community Center and Library are pleased to host their first annual Sizzlin' Summer Night Car Show and Carnival. This event takes place on Friday, August 15th from 6-9 p.m.

In addition to the amazing show cars and carnival games, there will be food, cotton candy, art activities, music, and fun prizes. All of the proceeds will be donated to Almaden Community Center's Scholarship Fund. This event takes place in the Parking Lot and Courtyard. Call (408) 268-1133 for more information.

Databases--What are they?

Learn how to use the library even when you are at home! Databases combine the top academic and popular magazines into one easy, searchable platform. If you want reliable information, databases are a must. Please call ahead to reserve your spot, or sign up at the Almaden Library Information Desk. These event will take place on Friday, August 15th from 10-10:50 a.m. inside the Tech Center.

Tuesday, August 12th, 6:30 p.m.

Success with Fuchsias!

Learn successful tips from the San Jose Fuchsia Society to learn how to grow beautiful and colorful fuchsia plants.This event takes place in the Program Room from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12th.

Caterpillar Puppets--Thursday, August 7th at 3 p.m.

We are pleased to have the Caterpillar Puppets as our special guest. These puppeteers are “guaranteed to generate giggles” with their hand puppets and silly stories. This program is ideally suited for ages 2 - 10 and is part of the annual Summer Reading Celebration. The theme of this year's Summer Reading Celebration is "Catch the Reading Bug!"This event takes place in the Community Room.

Growing up Asian in America 2008

For the entire month of August, view the winning art entries!

Three colorful canvas panels showcase winning art and essay entries, with 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place winners displayed, along with honorable mentions. All entries were submitted by Asian-American students from the San Francisco Bay area, with many winners coming from San José and Santa Clara County.The Asian Pacific Fund selects a new theme for the “Growing Up Asian in America” contest every year, and with the Beijing Summer Olympics coming up, we asked students to share their ideas on winning and losing. Stop by to view the winning entries at this location anytime during the month.

Teen Metamorphosis Game Party!

Teen Metamorphosis Game Party--Thursday, July 31st, 3:00-3:45 p.m.

Join the activities and morph into the superhero you always wanted to be. This program is ideally suited for ages 12 - 18 and is part of the annual Summer Reading Celebration. For kids, the theme of this year's Summer Reading Celebration is "Catch the Reading Bug!" The teens have the theme "Metamorphosis."This event takes place in the Community Room.

Buggy Bingo--Today!

Buggy Bingo - Win Prizes!

Play buggy bingo and win small prizes. Everybody wins! This program is ideally suited for ages 6 - 12 and is part of the annual Summer Reading Celebration. The theme of this year's Summer Reading Celebration is "Catch the Reading Bug!"

This event takes place in Community Room from 3:00-3:45 today, Thursday, July 24th.

New Book Club beginning at Almaden Library!

The Almaden Library is starting a brand new book club, focusing on fiction and popular interest titles. Our introductory meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2nd, from 1-2 p.m. We will discuss meeting times, choose the titles for upcoming months, and discuss March, by Geraldine Brooks.

Feel free to pass on this information to anyone you think may be interested, and if you have any questions, please call the Almaden Library at 408-808-3040.

June 14th--Summer Reading Club begins!!!

Visit your local library and sign up for the Summer Reading Club! Children can "catch the reading bug", teens can experience "metamorposis" while adults "savor the summer!"

The Summer Reading Club runs at all San Jose Public Libraries from June 14th until August 9th. All readers are eligible to participate, and all readers are eligible to win fun prizes. Keep an eye on our events page at http://www.sjlibrary.org/about/events/ to find out what kind of fun summer program is coming to your branch next!

Events at the King Library

Sunday, June 15, 2:00 PM
Exploration Room, Mezzanine
My Little Critters: Art Project with Paul Gonzalez
Join artist Paul Gonzalez in creating small, colorful animal sculptures. This program is great for children, teens and their families. Part of our Summer Reading Celebration. For information, call (408) 808-2183.

Wednesday, June 18, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Teen Center, 3rd Floor
My World, My Community Digital Photography Project Teens— Do something fun and creative this summer! Learn photography basics, explore downtown San José and tell us what is important in your community. Earn community service credit too. Join us for a FREE 10-week digital photography and writing documentary project where teens like you will explore, investigate and present their discoveries about downtown San José. Learn to express yourself through art, culture, and history in a creative and relaxing environment. This program is for teens 13-18 years old. For more information, go to http://www.sjlibrary.org/about/events/my_world.htm or call (408) 808-2397. If you would like to sign up for the program, please email: howiseeitkinglibrary@gmail.com.

Thursday, June 19, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Teen Center, 3rd Floor
Morph Your Garbage--Don't throw those chip bags and candy wrappers away! Learn how to make Snack Paper Wallets! With some thread, plastic, tape and your favorite snack wrapper, morph your "garbage" into something useful. Use it for yourself or as a unique gift for someone else! All supplies will be provided. This program is for teens 12-18. Part of our Summer Reading Celebration. For information, call (408) 808-2397.

Thursday, June 19, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Children’s Room, 1st Floor,
Studio 150: Origami Every Thursday at 4:00 PM--join us in the King Library Children’s Room for exciting art activities. This week, we will make several origami objects. Children, teens and their families are welcome. For information, call (408) 808-2183.

A Conversation with Michael Bautista

Please join the Almaden Library and the South Bay Guitar Society for music and conversation with featured artist Michael Bautista. He has performed the "Concierto de Aranjuez" for the Ambassador of Spain, given a solo performance for Senator John Kerry, and in 2005 was honored to perform as a soloist in Carnegie Hall. He was a finalist in the 2006 Christopher Parkening International Guitar Competition, the world’s preeminent classical guitar competition. For more information about Bautista, visit the South Bay Guitar Society's website at http://www.sbgs.org.

This event will take place from 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 31st in the Program Room. Remember, the Master Gardener's Tomatoes, Chilies and Peppers workshop takes place earlier that day, in the same place, from 11-12:30 p.m. You could attend the tomato lecture in the morning, go have lunch, then come back for Bautista's performance!

For any questions, please call the Almaden Library at 408-808-3040.

ESL Book Club is reading Al Capone does my Shirts

Join the Almaden Library on Thursday, June 19th, 1-2 p.m. for June's selection, the New York Times best seller, Al Capone does my Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. Imagine growing up in 1935 at Alcatraz, a prison island in San Francisco! This book is funny, fascinating, and refreshing. All adult ESL learners are invited to attend. Ask at the Almaden Library Information Desk if you have any questions, or call 408-808-3040. This event takes place in the Program Room.

Events at the King Library

Sunday, May 18, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PMRooms 225/229, 2nd Floor
Chinese Opera Presentation Featuring Margaret Sze – Reunion of Yang Yanhui and His Family Enjoy the DVD Chinese Opera Presentation featuring Margaret Sze – Reunion of Yang Yanhui and his family. For more information contact: Susana Liu at (408) 808-2088.

Thursday, May 22, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Children's Room, 1st Floor Studio 150: Lei Day Learn how to make a candy lei and a fabric flower lei. All materials are provided at this free program for children, teens and their families. For information, call (408) 808-2183.

Thursday, May 22, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMRooms 225/229, 2nd Floor
The Unreleased Beatles: Music and Film
The Unreleased Beatles details the incredible breadth of music the Beatles recorded but did not release, as well as film footage of the group that hasn't been made commercially available. Beatles expert Richie Unterberger examines an array of material, including unreleased studio outtakes, BBC radio recordings from 1962-1965, live concert performances, home demo recordings, fan club Christmas recordings, and other informal demos done outside of EMI studios. The wealth of unreleased gems encompasses The Beatles' entire career, from a recording the Quarrymen made on July 6, 1957 (aka "the day John met Paul"), right up to outtakes from the final sessions of Let It Be in 1970. Also includes a general overview of Beatles bootlegs, their songs recorded by other artists in the 1960's, never-recorded material, and more than 100 photos. Richie Unterberger has been writing about little-known rock and popular music of all kinds for more than 20 years. Copies of The Unreleased Beatles: Music and Film will be available for purchase. Hosted by General Collections. Co-sponsored by Friends of the King Library. For information, call (408) 808-2397.

Saturday, May 24, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PMRoom 255, 2nd Floor
The Art of Flower Arranging
Obtain the basic skills of flower arrangement for different occasions. What are the methods for arranging flowers and how do you select the proper design or color? A professional florist will lecture and demonstrate flower arrangement for a variety of occasions: birthdays, get well, home decor, love, wedding, prom, and graduation. Join the excitement and get answers to your flower arrangement questions! Hosted by General Collections. Co-sponsored by Friends of the King Library. For information, call (408) 808-2393.

“Catch the Reading Bug!” Starts Saturday, June 14th

■ “Catch the Reading Bug!” will be the theme of the 2008 Summer Reading Celebration for children from birth through grade 5 at San José Public Library. A complementary theme, “Metamorphosis @ your library,” invites concurrent teen participation. The entire family is encouraged to sign up and earn credits together for accumulated minutes of reading starting Saturday, June 14. Credits may be cashed in for a fun prize at any one of several milestones, cumulatively representing 30 hours of reading or being read to. Parents may also choose to participate in the adult summer reading program, “Savor the Summer @ your library.” Check our web pages for more information, including special programs scheduled throughout the city. Summer Reading Celebration is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, Round Table Pizza and the San Jose Mercury News, with additional support from Bay Area Parent™ and other community organizations.

Hand Art Contest--Saturday June 7, 11 a.m.--2 p.m.

Hand Art Contest - Hand Therapy Awareness and Injury Prevention Week
In honor of the Hand Therapy Awareness and Injury Prevention Week (June 9-13), we are please to host a unique hand art contest, which is sponsored by the American Society of Hand Therapist (California Chapter). On the day of the art show, bring your hand art work (may be art work of any medium that features the hands) for display and judging. There will be prizes of $100 dollars for Junior High, $100 for Senior High and $200 for Adult participants.

California and the Civil War

Join the History Book Club on Tuesday, June 3rd, 6:30-7:30 p.m. to discuss California's role during the Civil War. We are reading The California Gold Rush and the Coming of the Civil War by Leonard L. Richards. “Richards, a leading historian of 19th-century America superbly illuminates gold rush California as a land in contention between national pro- and anti-slavery lobbies in the decade leading up to the Civil War.” Tea and cookies will be served. For more information, please call the Almaden Library at 408-808-3040.

Tomatoes, Chilies and Peppers with the Master Gardeners!

You say tomato....Saturday, May 31st

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Join the Master Gardeners and the Almaden Library for a hands-on workshop on how to grow your best 2008 tomatoes, chilies and peppers. Enjoy having fresh grown fixings for salsa, gazpacho and bruschetta all summer long. For more information, or to sign up, visit the Almaden Library Information Desk or call 408-808-3040. Drop in attendees are also welcome.

Stories Under the Stars

On Friday, May 2 at 8 p.m., the Almaden Library and Community Center (6445 Camden Ave., San Jose) is pleased to host a "Stories Under the Stars" program. This event will feature stories and songs about the wonders of the night sky and will take place in the small amphitheater next to the Almaden Library (please dress warmly and bring blankets). The astronomers from the San Jose Astronomical Association will give a brief presentation at 8:20 p.m. and afterwards everyone will have an opportunity to observe the Moon, Mars, Saturn, a few double stars, and several distant star clusters. The astronomers will stay as long as there are people wanting to view the night sky. Special thanks go to Jim Van Nuland from the San Jose Astronomical Association who helped make this event possible. This event is tailored for families with children ages 6 to 12. For more information please call (408) 808-3040.

Adults--Give us your input!

The San Jose Public Library is seeking to expand and improve the range of programs we offer for adults. Please take a few minutes to let us know areas of interest to you. Click on the link below to take the survey.

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB227P7KACMJN

Continued discussion for Team of Rivals--Tuesday, May 6th

This month, join the History Book Club on Tuesday, May 6th at 6:30 p.m. as we continue our discussion with part 2 of Doris Kearns Goodwin's work, Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. In this work, Lincoln's ability to bring disparate groups and men into his presidency and use their talents to hold the country together is exemplified. Tea and cookies will be served. In this work, Lincoln's ability to bring disparate groups and men into his presidency and use their talents to hold the country together is exemplified. Tea and cookies will be served.

Parent Workshop - Music and Movement with Preschoolers

Music and Movement with Preschoolers - Parent Workshop will be featured Thursday, April 17, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children love music and both music and movement stimulate the brain. Learn to use simple rhythm instruments and techniques to keep a beat. This parent workshop will immediately follow the regularly scheduled Toddler Story Time that starts at 10:30 AM.

Friends of the Almaden Library - Spring Book Sale

Almaden Friends' Spring Book Sale – an event you won’t want to miss. On Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Almaden Branch Library is having its huge Spring Book Sale. This popular event is sponsored by the Friends of the Almaden Branch Libray will be staged in the large community room next to the library's entrance. At this book sale there will be a large selection of gently used and sometimes new books covering a wide range of topics and interests. Entertainment videos, DVDs, CDs and cassettes will also be available for purchase. There will be a special "Bag of Books" sale from 2 to 3 p.m. All proceeds benefit Almaden Branch Library programs and services. If you love books, you won't want to miss this event. The Almaden Branch Library is located at 6445 Camden Avenue. For more information, please call (408) 808-3040.

San Jose Teen Idol Contest at Almaden Library

Almaden’s San Jose Teen Idol Contest will be held on Saturday, April 26 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. If you are 12-19 years old and live in San Jose, you can compete in the San Jose Public Library's singing competition! Please register at the Almaden Branch Library by April 25 at the library's Information Desk. First prize will win $50.00, second prize $25.00 and third prize $10.00. The first place winner will be one of the finalists to compete for the grand prize downtown on Saturday, May 17th.

ESL Book Club--Thursday, April 17th 1-2 p.m.

Join the ESL Book Club to discuss the touching classic, Charlotte's Web. Author "E.B. White reminds us to open our eyes to the wonder and miracle often found in the simplest of things" and communicates the value of friendship and love. All adult ESL learners are welcome to attend. For more information, call (408) 808-3040, or visit the Information Desk.

Andrea's Musical Adventure--Saturday, April 19th

As part of our salute to the Month of the Young Child, we are pleased to have Andrea come and share her musical talent and storytelling skills. Come join the fun as we learn, sing , dance, and play! This event takes place in the Library's Family Place from 2:00--2:45 p.m. Andrea is Bay Area Parent's Family Favorite winner of 2007.

Saturday, April 5th--New Almaden Historical Event

Tomorrow, Saturday April 5th, from 2-4 join the Almaden Library and Community Center for a dedication of historical New Almaden photographs!

We will dedicate historic photos of New Almaden, a local history display, and a collection of materials of local historical interest. Following the dedication, docents will be stationed throughout the facility to add additional interpretation and information regarding the history of New Almaden. Displays and interpretation made possible by the efforts of the Committee for Almaden Historical Awareness and the New Almaden Quicksilver Country Park Association. This event takes place in the Large Community Room.

Free Income Tax Assistance (V.I.T.A.)--King Library

Saturday, March 29, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Room 322, 3rd Floor, King Library

Free Income Tax Assistance is provided by V.I.T.A. every Saturday, beginning February 9 through April 5, 2008. The V.I.T.A. program will offer free income tax assistance for low income, disabled, elderly, or limited English-speaking persons. No appointments are necessary. Customers will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. A sign-up sheet will be available in front of Room 322 on the day of the program. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-829-1040.

The History Book Club is reading about Lincoln

Please join the History Book Club at the Almaden Library to read Part I of Doris Kearns Goodwin's work, Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. One reviewer states that "this engaging work reveals why'Lincoln's road to success was longer, more tortuous, and far less likely' than the other men and why, when opportunity beckoned, Lincoln was "the best prepared to answer the call." We will read this book over two months. Part I will be discussed on Tuesday, April 1st from 6:30-7:30 pm in the Program Room.

History Book Club--Punctuation and Manners!

Join the History Book Club Tuesday, March 4th from 6:30-7:30 in a foray outside of the realm of history, and into the world of grammar and manners when we discuss Eats, Shoots & Leaves: the zero tolerance approach to punctuation and Talk to the Hand: the utter bloody rudeness of the world today, or six good reasons to stay home and bolt the door by Lynne Truss. Tea and cookies will be served. For further information, please call (408) 808-3040, or ask at the Information Desk.This event takes place in the Program Room.

Battle of the Bands--March 1st, 2-4 p.m.

Time's running out! Calling all teen musicians! Now's your chance to be heard. Enter online by February 15th for your chance to compete at a live concert on March 1st and win awesome prizes! Almaden Branch Library is honored to host the exciting "Battle of the Bands" play-off on Saturday, March 1, 2-4 p.m. Join us in the large community room and enjoy the musicianship of our remarkable San Jose teen finalists. In order to enter, contestants must submit an entry email to sjplbattleofthebands@gmail.com by February 15th, which must include a link to the band/performer's music on line. For more details get the official rules at the participating branches or call Katherine Buckles at (408) 244-4766. This program is part of the Teen Tech Week.

Friday Feb 29th--Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday!

Help us celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday! We'll have stories, crafts, prizes, refreshments, and more! Read Across America is an organization that encourages the love of reading and literacy for all children. All ages are welcome. This event takes place from 3-5 p.m.

Got tax questions?--Information on Schedule A and Schedule C Deductions

Do you know what you can deduct? Do you have a 1040? Schedule A or Schedule C deductions? Do you want to use Education Credits? Join the professionals of H&R Block and the Almaden Library to have your questions answered. Please sign up for this free program at the Information Desk, or by phone, (408) 808-3040. Drop-in participants are also welcome to attend. This event takes place in the Program Room on Tuesday, February 26th from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Meditation for Better Health--Saturday, Feb 23rd

Join us at Almaden Library on Saturday, February 23rd from 1-3 p.m. for a lively, fascinating workshop with an experienced physician/researcher exploring and demonstrating the latest and most astonishing discoveries into the preventative, healing, and pain-relieving effects of meditation. If you want to stay healthy or regain your health, don’t miss this unique workshop. Based on Inner and Outer Peace by Rajinder Singh. Please call (408) 808-3040 to sign up, or visit the Almaden Library Information Desk. Drop-in attendees are also welcome.

King Library--"The Adventures of Eddie Fung"

Tuesday, January 29, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Rooms 225/229, 2nd Floor

The Adventures of Eddie Fung - Slide Show & Talk, Edited by his wife Judy Yung
"The Adventures of Eddie Fung" tells the story of how a Chinatown kid reinvented himself as a Texas cowboy before going overseas with the U.S. Army. On the way to the Philippines, his battalion is captured by the Japanese in Java and sent to Burma to undertake the impossible task of building a railroad through 262 miles of tropical jungle - a project made famous by the film The Bridge on the River Kwai. Working under brutal slave labor conditions, the men completed the railroad in fourteen months at the cost of 12,500 POW and 70,000 Asian civilian lives. Eddie lived to tell how his background helped him to survive captivity as a Japanese POW and how his experiences as the sole Chinese-American member of the most decorated Texan unit of any war all shaped his later life. Ruthanne Lum McCunn, author of God of Luck, describes this book as "a vibrant, compelling portrait of what it means to be a Chinese American, a survivor, a mensch." Hosted by General Collections. Co-sponsored by Friends of the King Library. Book signing follows the program. For more information, call (408) 808-2397.

teensReach meeting--February 1st

Teens (ages 13-18) are invited to participate in our monthly teensReach meeting held in the library’s program room. We are please to have author, Phyllis Mattson as our special guest. Her book is an insightful memoir entitled, War Orphan in San Francisco. Community service credits are given to participating students. Light refreshments are provided by the Friends of the Almaden Library.This event takes place in the Program Room.

History Book Club meets February 5th

Join the History Book Club in discussing volume two of Winston Churchill's writings on the Second World War, Their Finest Hour, which discusses the isolation of Britain in 1940 while Germany was on the offense. Tea and cookies will be served. This event takes place in the Program Room of the Almaden Library. For further information, please call (408) 808-3040, or ask at the Information Desk.This event takes place in the Program Room

Author Bo Caldwell to visit Almaden February 16th

Join the Almaden Library on Saturday, February 16th to hear the Silicon Valley Reads featured author, Bo Caldwell, speaking on her wonderful book, The Distant Land of my Father. Tea and Treats will be served in the Community Room, while Caldwell speaks to the audience. This event is free, and will take place from 3-5 p.m.

ESL Adult Book Club

Yesterday, we had our very first meeting of our all new ESL Book Club! This Book Club is open to all ESL adults who would like to improve their English reading skills, and who would like to spend time with other learners in a fun environment to discuss what they have read. The atmosphere is friendly and informal. So far, our group has eight members, and we have the space for a lot more! Our next meeting is Thursday, February 21st from 1-2 p.m. We will be reading Avi's book, The End of the Beginning: being the adventures of a small snail (and an even smaller ant). To find out more about the Book Club, or to join, call the Almaden Library at 408-808-3040.

teensReach Meeting--Friday, January 11th

Teens (ages 13-18) are invited to participate in our monthly teensReach meeting held in the library's program room on Friday, January 11th, from 4:00-4:45 pm. Community service credits are given to participating students. Light refreshments are provided by the Friends of the Almaden Library.

Voter Education--Tuesday, January 15th, 6:15-7:45

Join the League of Women Voters as they present their nonpartisan voter education tool, SmartVoter.org. During the presentation, they will explain how to use SmartVoter and EasyVoter to obtain information on candidates, issues, and ballot measures. There will also be time for some questions and answers, as well as a description of the key points affecting our community in the February 5th primaries. Tea and cookies will be served. This event takes place in the Program Room of the Almaden Library on Tuesday, January 15th, from 6:15 until 7:45 p.m. For further information, or to express interest in attending, contact the Almaden Library at (408) 808-3040 or sign up at the Information Desk.