Jan 29, 2004

Vineland Branch Library News

By Ed Koetitz, Young Adult Librarian
Special to the Times

Vineland Branch Library is open Sundays
San Jose residents have four additional options for Sunday walk-in library service in addition to the downtown King Library. Responding to a request from the San Jose City Council to pilot a program of Sunday hours at neighborhood branches, San Jose Public Library will open four geographically dispersed branches: Berryessa, Evergreen, Vineland and West Valley , from 1 to 5 p.m. The pilot hours will continue through the end of June, 2004.

Funding this initiative requires an adjustment of hours during the remainder of the week at all branch locations. For the duration of the pilot, standardized hours shared by all branches will be as follows:

· Monday-Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
· Thursday-Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The adjusted hours give working families increased opportunities to use library services at locations near home. Sunday visitors will enjoy most of the services that are available any other day of the week.

“Sunday service at our libraries will help more of our residents and families take advantage of our community’s excellent resources for learning and recreation,” said San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales. “Libraries are essential to the quality of life in our neighborhoods, and I’m pleased we have found a creative solution to make them more accessible to more people."

"We think of our libraries as the community’s living room,” adds Library Director Jane Light. “Sunday has traditionally been the one day of the week that families could spend together if they chose. We hope that many families who have otherwise found it difficult to get to the library will take advantage of this opportunity to find out what we have to offer."

Events
- Toddler Story Time (ages 24-35 months) is held on Fridays at 10:15 a.m. and Preschool Story Time (ages 3-5) is at 11:15 a.m.
- Story Time Express, a 15-minute story time for preschoolers, is held every Tuesday and Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
- The Evening Book Discussion group meets on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. They will be discussing Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451.” This classic is the 2004 Silicon Valley Reads selection and will be highlighted during the month of February.
- On Saturday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. there will be a Silicon Valley Reads sponsored discussion of “Fahrenheit 451.” This will be held in Vineland Library’s community room.

- The book discussion group for seniors (50+) meets on Thursday, Feb. 26th at 10:15 a.m. in the library’s community room. The book under discussion is Mark Salzman’s “Lying Awake.”
- Family Story Time is held every Wednesday, at 7 p.m. Children ages 3-8 and their families are invited to participate in an evening of stories, songs, puppets and interactive activities.
- On Friday, Feb. 13, at 4 p.m., teens (ages 13-18) are invited to participate in our monthly Teens Reach meeting held in the library’s community room. The purpose of the group is to provide input on library programming and acquisitions that are geared for teens and it also seeks to foster leadership and academic skills. Community service credits are given to participating students. Light refreshments will be served.

Vineland Branch Library is located at 1450 Blossom Hill Road. It is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The library will be closed Monday, Feb. 16 for Presidents’ Day. For questions, please call 978-1212 during business hours. E-mail may be sent at any time: vl.sjpl@sjlibrary.org.