If you have a talent for creating comic/manga style illustrated short stories, you are invited to enter San José Public Library’s Graphic Novel Making Contest for all ages as part of our Summer Reading Celebration, 2012. This contest is sponsored by San José Public Library, Hijinx Comics, San José Museum of Art and TRY Japan Culture Group.

Here’s how to enter …

• Create your own comic book with a maximum length of 8 pages, including the cover page.
• Use letter-size paper (8.5 x 11) with black-and-white drawings and text on one side only
• Each submission must be the creative and original work of a single individual—the author/illustrator.
• Computer generated images are acceptable as long as they are your original work (no clip art)
• Consider submitting a photocopy that is an accurate reflection of the original (as submissions are non-returnable).
• San José Public Library reserves the right to reproduce your work. You can reuse all your work after the contest
• Be sure to print and complete the creative works release form. Include your Name, Age, Contact Information and Signature.
• Entries can be submitted to any San José Public Library location no later than 8p.m. on Tuesday, July 31, 2012.  There is a limit of one entry per contestant.

Entries will be judged on content and illustrations by a panel of library staff and comic industry professionals. All cash prizes will be awarded as gift cards. 

• Children (up to age 6): first place will receive Art Supplies
• Children (7-12):  first place $40, second place $20
• Teens (ages 13-17):  first place $100; second place $70; third place $50
• Adults (age 18 and above):  first place $100; second place $70; third place $50

Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at a reception to be held at the Berryessa Branch Library on Saturday, August 25th at 2:00 p.m.in the Community Room. Check out the award winning entries from 2011 and 2010.

Learn how to make your own comic book, graphic novel or manga!  Author Oliver Chin will be teaching this free workshop for teens at some San José Public Library branches.

San José Public Library staff members are ineligible to participate.

San José Public Library reserves the right to refuse submissions that are not appropriate for a general audience.

Hey everyone its National Library Week, April 8-14!

Celebrate National Library Week with a fun Scavenger Hunt at your local library.  All participants will receive a prize. This program is designed for children ages 6 and up.

While at the library visit the information desk and pick up a heart and tell us why you love your library. 

Did you just purchase a new digital camera or get one as a gift? As a novice, you want to learn how to use your new camera to shoot memorable photos.

Well, then, you are in luck because there is a two-part Basic Digital Photography Workshop scheduled at the Alviso Branch Library for Saturdays, March 24th and March 31st, from 2pm-4pm.

At this two-part workshop, you will learn about the features your digital camera has available, as well as how to edit your photos with image editing software.

Basic Digital Photography Workshop Sessions:

Session 1 - March 24th, 2pm-4pm - Introduction to your camera

Session 2 - March 31st, 2pm-4pm - Creatively edit your images

To participate in this workshop, lease bring your digital camera and its manual.

We strongly recommend that you bring your own laptop with the camera's USB cable to use the editing software in the second session.

Please register at the Information Desk of the Alviso Library or call us at (408) 263-3626.

Do you earn less than $50,000 a year? Do you need help filing your taxes? You can get help from Earn it! Keep it! $ave it! provided by the United Way Silicon Valley.

You can get free tax preparation help from trained volunteers at the library, the Center for Employment Training (CET), Catholic Charities, and other places in Santa Clara County. Last year more than 5,700 customers got free tax help and more than $7.1 million in refunds came back to the community.

If you used to go to the King Library for help from volunteer tax preparers you can go to CET, because they may still have your information from past years.

Click here to see a list of some of the sites that are offering free tax preparation. You can also call 211 or 1-866-896-3597 if you have questions or need to find other places that offer tax help. You can also get tax help at these San José Public Library branches: East Branch, Joyce Ellington, Hillview, Tully, and West Valley.

When you visit a tax preparation site please bring:

• Last year’s tax return if you have it
• Valid ID
• Social Security cards for everyone in your family
• W-2 forms, 1099 forms, and 1098 forms
• A blank check so a refund can be deposited directly into your account

For more information visit http://earnitkeepitsaveit.org/economic-impact-of-free-tax-prep.