May 11, 2006

Almaden Branch Library News

Almaden Branch Library prepares for grand opening

By Ed Koetitz
Young Adult Librarian
Almaden Community Center and Library

The grand opening of the new Almaden Branch Library and Community Center is fast approaching, and those who’ve seen the facility have had nothing but positive comments. “This place is amazing,” “There is WOW written all over this facility,” and “Who would have guessed we’d get a resource like this for our kids?” were just of the few comments overheard during a recent sneak peek at the new library and community center.

To see this remarkable place for yourself, you have an invitation to join us on Saturday, May 13 at 11 a.m. to celebrate the grand opening of the Almaden Branch Library and Community Center. The opening ceremony will be held outside at the main entrance of the new complex located at 6445 Camden Avenue. The entire complex has 65,000 square feet with the library portion having including more than 20,000 square feet. This eye-popping facility will be a tremendous community resource for the residents of the Almaden Valley and surrounding neighborhoods.

The library is well stocked with a wide variety of books, paperbacks, DVDs, CDs, and audio-books geared for young children, teens and adults alike. At Saturday’s grand opening, the Friends of the Almaden Library will supply refreshments and there will be programs and events scheduled for everyone’s enjoyment. At 2:30 p.m., “Mr. K” will present a fun family story time with his puppet sidekick “Shaggy the Sheepdog” in the library’s Doris Dillon Children’s Center. There will be limited parking on site with additional parking available at Castillero Middle School, 6384 Leyland Park Drive (a shuttle will be provided from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

Events
- Friends of the Almaden Branch Library will have its annual meeting and celebrate their 25th anniversary on Tuesday, May 30 at 6 p.m. This event will be held in the library’s program room.

- Teens (ages 13-18) are invited to participate in the monthly Teens Reach meeting held in the library’s program room on Friday, June 2 at 4 p.m. The purpose of the group is to provide input on library programming and purchases that are geared for teens. You won’t want to miss the first meeting in the new branch library. Community service credits are given to participating students. Light refreshments are served.

- Family Story Time is Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s program room. Our new children’s librarian, Barbara Gilbert, will share fun stories, songs and finger plays geared toward the whole family.

- Preschool Story Time will be held on Fridays at 10:30 in the library’s program room. “Mr. K” will share stories, finger plays, songs and puppets for children ages 3-5 and their caregivers.

Almaden Branch Library is located at 6445 Camden Avenue. The library will be closed Monday, May 29 for Memorial Day. Regular hours are: Mondays 2 p.m.-7 p.m.; Tuesdays-Wednesdays 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Saturdays 10 a.m-6 p.m. For questions, please call 808-3040 during business hours. E-mail may be sent at any time to ab.sjpl@sjlibrary.org.