March 20, 2008

Check it out!

Book sale, historic photos on Almaden Library agenda

By Ed Koetitz
Almaden Youth Services Librarian
Special to the Times

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 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.

On Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Almaden Branch Library is having its huge Spring Book Sale.

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 Ave. For more information, call (408) 808-3040.

Dedication of Almaden historic photos
Join us on Saturday, April 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. as we dedicate historic photos of New Almaden, a local history display and 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.

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.

- Toddler Story Times will be held on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. There will be stories, songs, finger plays geared for children (ages 24 to 35 months) and their caregivers Please note: there will be no Toddler Story Time on March 27 – the library is open from 1-6 p.m. on that day.

- 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.

- Almaden Branch Library’s Homework Center takes a break March 20-31. The Homework Center resumes normal operation on April 1 with its hours being Mondays and Tuesdays, 3 to 5:30 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays 3 to 5 p.m. This free educational program has two paid staff members and is held in the library’s program room.

- Basic and Intermediate Computer and Internet Searching Classes - On Thursday, April 3, is the Intermediate Computer and Internet class and on Friday, April 18, is the Basic Computer and Internet class. Both hour-long classes are held in the library’s tech center and start at 10 a.m. To register, sign up at the library’s information desk or call at (408) 808-3040.

- History Book Club – Join us on Tuesday, April 1 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. This month, join the History Book Club as we discuss part I of Doris Kearns Goodwin's work, “Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham.” 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. For further information, please call (408) 808-3040, or ask at the information desk. This event is held in the library’s program room.

- On Friday, April 4, 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. We are pleased to have as our special guest Stephanie Budros who will be conducting an informative “Poetry Workshop for Teens.” Community service credits are given to participating students. Light refreshments are provided by the Friends of the Almaden Library.

- Andrea's Musical Adventure will be presented Saturday, April 12 from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. 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 large community room.

- Music and Movement with Preschoolers - Parent Workshop will be featured Thursday, April 17 from 11 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 a.m.

- Almaden’s San Jose Teen Idol Contest will be held on Saturday, April 26 from 2 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. Register at the Almaden Branch Library by April 25 at the library's information desk. First prize will win $50, second prize $25 and third prize $10. The first-place winner will be one of the finalists to compete for the grand prize downtown on Saturday, May 17.

For news of other library activities, including those at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, visit: http://www.sjlibrary.org/about/events/.

Almaden Branch Library is located at 6445 Camden Ave. Please note: The library will be closed Thursday morning March 27 (we’ll be open from 1-6 p.m.) and will be closed Monday, March 31 for the Cesar Chavez holiday. Regular hours are Monday 2 – 7 p.m.; Tuesday – Wednesday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and Thursday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For questions, please call (408) 808-3040 during business hours. E-mail may be sent at any time: ab.sjpl@sjlibrary.org.

Ed Koetitz is a Youth Services Librarian at the Almaden Branch Library.