September 13, 2007

CHECK IT OUT

Almaden Branch Library offers September events

Health and wellness series
On Saturdays Sept. 15 through Sept. 29, from 2:30 to 4 p.m., you are invited to a series of free yoga workshops that will be held in the large community room. Topics include: Healthy Nutrition through Ayurveda, Yoga and Your Health, and Empowering our Youth.

Learn more about “Sri Sri Yoga,” a type of yoga that combines yoga and meditation for better harmony in our body, mind and spirit. These sessions will also provide an opportunity for practicing various yoga stretching techniques, focused meditation, and overall relaxation. The last session, on Sept. 29, will be geared for the entire family and will be part of the city-sponsored celebration “Day of Play.”

‘Growing Up Asian in America’ exhibit
During September, the library is pleased to host the “Growing Up Asian in America Exhibit.” This year's entrants were asked to submit artwork or essays on the subject of superheroes.

Among the many outstanding award winners who will receive scholarship funds, two are from the Almaden area: Yeji Lee, Castillero Middle School, who won third place in the Art category and Eunbee Jang, Bret Harte Middle School, who won honorable mention in the Art category.

This popular exhibit will be touring San Jose public libraries for the remainder of this year. For more information about the contest or to view the winning works online, see the Asian Pacific Fund Web site: http://www.asianpacificfund.org/awards/guaa/.

Banned Books Week – Sept. 29 to Oct. 6
First observed in 1982, Banned Books Week reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.

The event is sponsored by the American Library Association, the Association of American Publishers and is endorsed by the Library of Congress Center for the Book.

According to the American Library Association, books that have been banned the most in 2006 include: “Harry Potter” (series) by J.K. Rowling, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker, “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton, “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding, “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, “Goosebumps” (Series) by R.L. Stine, “How to Eat Fried Worms” by Thomas Rockwell, “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger and “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain..

The Almaden Branch Library will feature a book display recognizing the importance of reading in our culture and the vital need for intellectual freedom.

Library 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.

There will be a special “Celebrate Our Constitution Story Time” with the Daughters of the American Revolution as our guests on Wednesday, Sept. 19.

- 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.

- 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 care givers.

- Teeth Story Time (Dental Care for the Family) Wednesday, Sept. 26 from 6:30 to 7 p.m. there will be a special family story time sponsored by the Santa Clara County Hygienists Association. Learn more about the importance of good dental health and healthy eating in this informative and fun program. This event takes place in the library’s program room.

- Computer help at the library - Saturdays, Sept. 15, 22, 29 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 tutorial is held in the library’s tech center and is limited to two participants per session. Register at the library’s information desk.

- Reading to children volunteers will be available in the children’s area on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

- Blogging 101 with Blogger.com - On Tuesday, Sept. 25 from 1 to 2 p.m., get your own blog up and running, or ask any questions regarding blogging at this interactive workshop. This event takes place in the library’s tech center.

- 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 the History Book Club Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss Barbara Ehrenreich’s “Dancing in the Streets: A History of Collective Joy.” This book examines the human impulse toward collective joy, historically expressed in communal celebrations involving revelries of feasting, costuming and dancing, from the ancient Greeks’ worship of Dionysus to the more recent “carnivalization” of sports. Tea and cookies will be served. This event takes place in the library’s program room.

- On Monday, Oct. 1, the Almaden Library homework center opens. This educational outreach is designed for students in grades kindergarten through grade 12 and will be held in the library’s program room. Two professional tutors will be on hand to help with any regular homework assignments or special projects. The hours are Mondays and Tuesdays 3:30 to 6 p.m. and Wednesdays and Thursdays 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

- On Friday, Oct. 5 at 4 p.m., teens, ages 13-18, are invited to participate in the monthly teensReach meeting held in the library’s program room. The purpose of this 45-minute meeting is to provide input on library programming and purchases that are geared for teens. Community service credits are given to participating students. Light refreshments are served courtesy of the Friends of the Almaden Library.

- For more information about news and events at the Almaden Branch Library, visit http://almadenbranch.blogspot.com.

Almaden Branch Library is located at 6445 Camden Avenue. The library opens at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13 due to the in-service held at the branches. The library will be closed Monday, Oct. 8 for Columbus Day. Regular hours are Monday 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday-Wednesday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For questions, 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.