June 16, 2005

Vineland Branch Library news

Summer Reading Celebrations and proposed cut in hours

By Ed Koetitz
Young Adult Librarian

Summer Reading Celebration’s ‘Super Readers–Super Heroes’ underway
The Summer Reading Celebration, an eight-week program, starts Saturday, June 18 and concludes Aug. 13.
As a special treat, there will be a series of fun-filled programs that will be held on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in Vineland’s community room. On June 21, Miss Nancy and Mr. K will present their “Extravaganza of Stories, Music and Magic” and on June 28, P&T Puppet Theatre presents “The Adventures of Spider and Fly—Super Heroes.”

Follow the adventures of this dynamic duo as they seek to rescue Little Miss Muffet and other popular literary figures. This program is Peter Brizzi’s newest show and is guaranteed to entertain young and old alike.

San Jose Public Library’s Summer Reading Celebration is an annual program designed to support family literacy through the promotion of reading and library usage. The entire family is encouraged to sign up and earn credits together for accumulated minutes of reading. Credits may be cashed in for a prize at each milestone.

Proposed library service changes
The following changes are proposed to take effect July 1, if approved by the San Jose City Council: Branch hours may be reduced from 51 to 47, all branch libraries open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, all branches closed on Mondays and limited service available at paired branches on alternating days of the week, either Wednesday or Thursday. Branches operating on limited service days will have clerical staff available to assist with library card application or replacement, check out and renewal of materials, fines and lost book payments. Branches operating on limited service days will not have librarians available to provide story times, homework or after school assistance, programs, computer labs or reference information. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library open hours would remain unchanged, however fewer staff may result in reduced service levels. Longer waits for assistance or materials may occur.

Events
- The Evening Book Discussion group meets from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7 in the library’s community room. Join us in a stimulating discussion of Robert Stone’s “Bear and His Daughter.” Visitors are welcome.

- The Adult Mystery Book Club will meet on Wednesday, June 8 at 6:45 p.m. in Vineland’s community room. The book under discussion is Ngaio Marsh’s “Death and the Dancing Footman.” All mystery lovers are invited to attend.

- Science Fiction fans—we have a book club for you! On Saturday, June 11 at 2 p.m., we will discuss Nancy Kress’s “Beggars in Spain.” Visitors are always welcome.

- The book discussion group for seniors (50+) meets on Thursday, June 23, at 10:15 a.m. in the library’s community room. The book under discussion is Geraldine Brooks’ “Year of Wonders.”

- On Friday, June 3 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 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.

- Fire Safety Story Time gets underway on Wednesday, June 15 at 11:15 a.m. The San Jose Fire Department will be the special guests for a fire safety talk and demonstration geared to preschoolers and their caregivers. This will be held in Vineland’s community room.

- The After-School Youth Activity Program is set for Wednesday, June 15 from 3:15–4:45 p.m. Vineland Branch Library is hosting a fun program geared to students in the sixth through the 12th grades. The Friends of the Library will be providing free sodas and snacks. This event takes place in Vineland’s community room.

- The ESL Conversation Club is held every Tuesday at 1:15 p.m. in Study Room A. This 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 community room.

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

- 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.

- Mother Goose Story Time (ages 12–24 months) is held on Tuesdays at 11:10 a.m. This is a 20-minute program.

- 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. 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. For questions, please call (408) 808-3000 during business hours. Email may be sent at any time: vl.sjpl@sjlibrary.org.