October 12, 2006

OFF THE SHELF

Almaden Branch Library to hold kindergarten readiness class
Oct. 14 and fall book sale Oct. 21

By Ed Koetitz, Young Adult Librarian
Special to the Times

Fall book sale: Bargain hunters won’t want to miss this!

On Saturday, October 21 from 9 a.m.– 3 p.m., Almaden Branch Library is having its Big Fall Book Sale. This hugely popular event will be staged in the large community room next to the library's entrance. At this book sale there will be a large selection of gently used and sometimes new books covering a wide range of topics and interests. Entertainment videos, DVDs, CDs and cassettes will also be available for purchase. There will be a special "Bag of Books" sale from 2 to 3 p.m. All proceeds benefit Almaden Branch Library programs and services. If you love books, you won't want to miss this event. This event takes place in the community room.

Kindergarten Readiness: A workshop for interested parents
On Saturday, Oct 14, 2:30-3:30 p.m., we are pleased to offer an informative workshop tailored for busy parents. Have a child that is soon to be enrolling in kindergarten? Do you have questions regarding your child’s skills (both cognitive and motor)? Is your child prepared for the transition into a classroom setting? This workshop will answer all your questions! Teachers, a Child Development Specialist, a Representative from SJSD Enrollment Center and other representatives from SJSD, and other experts are scheduled to speak. Call (408) 272-3663 for pre-registration.

Celebrate Teen Read Week Oct. 16 -21
Get Active @ Your Library will be held Oct. 16-21 and is geared toward students in sixth through 12th grades. Two events of special interest: our essay writing contest and the Friday gym activity bash. The theme of the one-page essay is based on this quotation: "Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are." Winners will receive gift certificates at their favorite stores ($100 for first, $50 for second and $25 for third). Get details of the contest at the library’s information desk. Our gym program will be held Friday, Oct. 20 from 3–5 p.m. and there will be prizes and fun activities for our young adults as they “Get Active @ Your Library.”

Events

- Five Secrets to Looking and Feeling Young. On Tuesday, Oct. 24, 1:30-3 p.m., the Wellness Awareness Foundation and the Almaden Branch Library will present a talk by Dr. Joseph Chiu, a leading expert on health and wellness. You will learn why diets don't work, why eating fat doesn't make you fat, what hormone is out of control in your body, and how to regain your energy and vitality. Dr. Chiu is a chiropractor practicing in San Jose, and is a volunteer speaker for the Doctors’ Speakers Bureau. This event takes place in the Community Room.

- Family Story Time will be held on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s program room. Barbara Gilbert, Almaden’s children’s librarian, will be sharing fun stories, songs, and finger plays geared toward the whole family.

- Preschool Story Time is held on Tuesdays 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.

- Mother Goose Story Time is held on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. Almaden's Mother Goose story time will feature nursery rhymes, fingerplays, simple stories and songs for children (12 months to 2 years) and their caregivers.

- Drop-in Internet Help. On Saturdays from 11 a.m.–12 p.m., questions about e-mail or searching the Web in general will be addressed. Please register at the library’s information desk. This instruction takes place in the library’s tech center.

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

- On Saturday, Oct.28, 3 – 4 p.m. we will host an “E-books and E-audio books” workshop. This event takes place in the library’s program room.

- On Friday, Nov. 3, 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. The purpose of the group is to provide input on library programming and purchases geared toward teens. Community service credits are given to participating students. Light refreshments are served.

- On Tuesday, Nov. 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m., be part of the History Book Club. Join us as we discuss “1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus” by Charles C. Mann.

Almaden Branch Library is located at 6445 Camden Avenue. The library will be closed Friday, Nov. 11 for Veterans’ Day. Regular hours are: Monday 2 p.m.–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: ab.sjpl@sjlibrary.org.