August 7, 2008

Check it Out!

Sizzlin’ Summer Night Car Show and Carnival among the Almaden Branch Library August events

By Ed Koetitz, Almaden Youth Services Librarian
Special to the Times

On Friday, Aug. 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. the Almaden Community Center and Library will host its first annual Sizzlin’ Summer Night Car Show and Carnival. In addition to the amazing show cars and carnival games, there will be cotton candy, other foods, art activities, music and fun prizes. All of the proceeds will be donated to Almaden Community Center’s Scholarship Fund. For more information, please call (408) 268-1133.

Story time for children with autism spectrum disorder
On Saturday, Sept.13 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. we are pleased to offer a series of three story times tailored for children with autism spectrum disorder (ages 3-7). Presented on the second Saturday in September, October and November, there will be music, fingerplays, stories and puppets for the children’s entertainment and socialization. Youth Services Librarian, Ed Koetitz, “Mr. K” is a seasoned storyteller and will have his trusty sidekick “Shaggy the Sheepdog” to keep things interesting. This event takes place in the program room. Please call (408) 808-3040 for more information and pre-registration is required.

Events
Please note: there will be no story times offered in August. On Tuesday, Sept. 2 the story time schedule will resume as follows:

- 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 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.

- 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.

- Growing up Asian in America, 2008’s Winning Entries Exhibit - During the month of August, Almaden Library is pleased to host the popular “Growing up Asian in America” exhibit. Three colorful canvas panels showcase the winning art and essay entries. It should be mentioned that quite a few of the winners are from San Jose and Santa Clara County. With the interest in the Beijing Summer Olympics, the contestants were asked to share their ideas on winning and losing. Stop by to view the winning entries at the Almaden Library.

- Reading to Children – Every Wednesday from 2 to 3 p.m., Almaden Library is pleased to have our volunteer, Gill Lee, reading to children in the Doris Dillon Children’s area of the library.

- Historic Book Club – On Tuesday, Aug. 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., join the History Book Club as they discuss Walter Isaacson’s “Einstein: His Life and Universe.” This event takes place in the program room.

- Databases – What are they? On Friday, Aug. 15 from 10 to 10:55 a.m. learn how to use the library even when you are at home. Databases combine the top academic and popular magazines into one easy, searchable platform. If you want reliable information, databases are a must. Please call ahead to reserve your spot, or sign up at the Almaden Library Information Desk Space is limited, so call to register early 408-808-3040. This event takes place in the Tech Center.

- Success with Fuchsias – On Tuesday, Aug. 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., learn successful techniques from an expert on how to grow beautiful and colorful fuchsia plants. This program takes place in the library’s program room.

- Bipolar Advantage – On Monday, Aug. 25 from 5 to 6 p.m., come and receive information concerning individuals who are bipolar and/or have depression. The question at hand is: can we make these traits work for us rather than against us? This event takes place in the program room.

- Introductory Book Club Meeting – On Tuesday, Sept. 2 from 1 to 2 p.m., the Almaden Library is starting a brand new book club! We will be focusing on reading fiction and popular interest titles. Come to our first meeting to discuss “March” by Geraldine Brooks, and help choose our titles to read for future meetings. This event takes place in the program room.

- On Friday, Sept. 5, 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. Community service credits are given to participating students. Light refreshments are provided by the Friends of the Almaden Library.

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 Avenue. Please note: the library will be closed Monday, Sept. 1 for Labor Day. 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.