February 9, 2006

Vineland Branch Library news

Meet the ‘Silicon Valley Reads’ author – Julie Otsuka

By Ed Koetitz
Young Adult Librarian
Special to the Times

Julie Otsuka

On Saturday, Feb. 4 at 1 p.m., we are pleased to present Julie Otsuka, author of the “Silicon Valley Reads” selection “When the Emperor Was Divine.” Her remarkable first novel opens with a woman reading a sign in a post office window. It is an ominous forewarning of things to come. She readies herself and her two young children for a journey that will take them to the high desert plains of Utah and into a world that will shatter their illusions forever. We never learn the names of the young boy and girl who were forced to leave their Berkeley home in 1942 and spend over three years in the dusty, barren desert camp with their mother. Their father was taken from the home in his slippers by the FBI and shipped off to a remote New Mexico internment camp, his fate unclear. After the war, when they have been reunited, the family tries to put their ransacked house and shattered lives back together.

Their pre-war happiness and optimism for the future does not return as they struggle to merely survive. This event will be held in Vineland’s community room.

Events
- Yoga for fitness and health – Vineland Branch Library is please to offer a free yoga class on Mondays from 5:30–6:30 p.m. (no class Feb. 20). Our instructor, Vandana Kadam, will give useful tips and demonstrate various yoga techniques for maximum benefit. Bring comfortable clothing and a yoga mat or anything that will provide you with a cushion to lie on. This class takes place in the community room.

- Adult Mystery Book Club will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6:45 p.m. in Vineland’s community room. The book under discussion will be Linda Fairstein’s “Bone Vault.” All mystery fans are invited to attend.

- On Friday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. teens (ages 13-18) are invited to participate in the monthly Teens Reach meeting held in the library’s community room. The purpose of the group is to provide input on library programming and purchases that are geared for teens. Community service credits are given to participating students. Light refreshments are served.

- Science Fiction buffs … we have a book club for you! On Saturday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. we will be discussing Kurt Vonnegut’s classic “Slaughterhouse Five.” Visitors are always welcome.

- Valentine’s Story and Craft Time – Saturday, Feb. 11 from 3 to 4 p.m. come and enjoy this fun family story and craft experience that will have a Valentine’s Day theme (suitable for ages 3 and up). All craft supplies are provided free. This event takes place the community room.

- Movies and Munchies - On Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 3:15–4:30 p.m. Vineland branch library is hosting a fun program geared to students in the sixth through the 12th grades (we will be showing a G-rated film geared to teens). The Friends of the Library will be providing free snacks and sodas. This event takes place in Vineland’s community room.

- The Evening Book Discussion Group will meet Tuesday, Feb. 21 7 to 9 p.m. Join us in a stimulating discussion of Louise Steinman’s “The Souvenir: a Daughter Discovers her Father’s War.” This book is a “Silicon Valley Reads” selection. Visitors are always welcome.

- The book discussion group for seniors (50+) meets on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 10:15 a.m. in the library’s community room. The book under discussion is Mary McGarry Morris’ novel “The Lost Mother.” Visitors are cordially welcome.

- The ESL Conversation Club is held every Tuesday at 1:15 p.m. in Study Room A. This one-hour session is a great way to practice your English and to make friends at the library. No pre-registration required.

- Family Story Time will be held on Saturdays at 11 a.m. in Vineland’s children’s area.

-“Mr. K’s” preschool story time will be held on Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m. in the community room.

- Chinese/English Story Time will be presented on Wednesday, Feb. 15 and March 1 at 7 p.m.

- Persian/English Story Time will be presented on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.

- On Fridays, Toddler Story Time (ages 24-35 months) is held 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 Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. and Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Vineland Branch Library is located at 1450 Blossom Hill Road. The library will be closed Sunday and Monday, Feb. 19 and 20 for the Presidents’ Day holiday. Regular hours are Mondays 2 p.m.-7p.m.; Tuesdays-Wednesdays 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Thursdays-Saturdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m. For questions, call 808-3000 during business hours. E-mail may be sent at any time: vl.sjpl@sjlibrary.org.