July 19, 2007

CHECK IT OUT

Harry Potter magic transforms Almaden Library and Community Center

By Ed Koetitz
Almaden Branch
Young Adult Librarian
Special to the Times

San Jose Public Library will host a “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” release party from 10 p.m. to midnight on Friday, July 20 at Almaden Library and Community Center at 6445 Camden Ave. To help local fans through the last couple of hours of nail-biting impatience before the release of the book at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, the library has planned fun activities recalling the characters and world of Hogwarts to keep fans entertained until the stroke of midnight.

When the clock strikes midnight, library customers—who are among the first 400 to have both reserved the standard print edition of the seventh book and designated Almaden Library as their pickup point—will be able to check out their copy and immediately begin uncovering the answers to all the burning questions that have tantalized them from the beginning, chief among them:

Who will live and who will die?

Does Harry kill Voldemort?

Do Ron and Hermione get together?

Participants are welcome and encouraged to come in costume, but it is not a requirement. Minors 15 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult; drop-offs are not permitted.

Those who are eligible to check out their reserve copy of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” must have addressed all potential blocks on their library card account by 11:30 p.m. Fine or fee payments will be accepted by credit card only. No other library services will be available that evening.

P&T Theatre Puppets
On Thursday, July 26 at 2:30 p.m., the ever-popular P&T Puppet Theatre presents “The Adventures of Spider and Fly!” Follow the adventures of this dynamic duo as they seek to rescue Little Miss Muffet and other popular literary figures. Will they figure out the clues in time?

This program is Peter Brizzi’s newest show and is guaranteed to entertain young and old alike. We are grateful to the Friends of the Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Library who have generously provided the funds for this program.

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, but there will be no story time in August.

- Preschool Story Times will be held on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:15 a.m. in the library’s program room. “Mr. K” will share stories, finger plays, songs and puppets for children ages 3-5 and their caregivers but not during August.

- 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, except during August.

- Saturdays, July 21, 28 and Aug. 4 from 4 to 5 p.m., get personalized computer instruction from a friendly and knowledgeable volunteer. Questions regarding Word, Excel, PowerPoint, e-mail, and all things Web- or Internet-related will be answered. This class is held in the library’s tech center and is limited to four participants; please register at the library’s information desk.

- Reading to Children volunteers will be available in the children’s area on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 12 to 1 p.m.

- ESL Conversation Club is held Wednesdays from 12 to 1 p.m. in the library’s program room. Come practice your English speaking skills with our friendly conversation group.

- Join us for a fun Adult Summer Reading Murder Mystery Party, Saturday, July 28 at 4 p.m. This murder mystery party will keep our adult summer reading sleuths on their collective toes.

- On Thursday, Aug. 2 at 3 p.m., Fratello Marionettes will present the delightful puppet play, “Peter and the Wolf.” Accompanied by the majestic music of Sergei Prokofiev, follow Peter on his remarkable journey of discovery. This program is guaranteed to entertain both young and old. This program is part of the Summer Reading Celebration and is made possible by the Friends of the Almaden Library.

- On Friday, Aug. 3 at 4 p.m., teens ages 13-18 are invited to participate in the monthly Teens Reach meeting held in the library’s program room. Community service credits are given to participating students. Light refreshments are provided by the Friends of the Almaden Library.

- Join our History Book Club on Tuesday, Aug. 7 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., to discuss Giles Milton’s “Nathaniel’s Nutmeg: or, the True and Incredible Adventures of the Spice Trader Who Changed the Course of History.” Tea and cookies will be served. This event takes place in the library’s program room.

- Summer Reading Celebration Talent Show: Join us Thursday, Aug. 9 at 3 p.m. for Almaden Library’s second annual talent show. Young people ages 4 through 18 are invited to demonstrate their creative and musical skills at this fun-filled event. Pre-registration is required.

Almaden Branch Library is located at 6445 Camden Avenue. 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, call (408) 808-3040 during business hours. E-mail may be sent at any time to ab.sjpl@sjlibrary.org.

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