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.

Barry’s The Great Influenza is a history of the 1918 flu epidemic. However, the book is of interest not just as history, but as an education in the science of medicine and the nature of disease. Largely forgotten today, in its era the epidemic was as much of a crisis as the first world war that was being fought at the same time. Barry’s narrative moves along at a brisk pace as he explains how wartime preparation and troop movements altered the progress of the epidemic at the same time that the epidemic forced changes in the conduct of the war. Rural areas far from the fighting, both in the US and elsewhere, also suffered from the ravages of the disease despite never hearing a shot fired in anger. But while the public has largely forgotten, medicine has not forgotten the 1918 epidemic, as in the intervening decades researchers have continued to study samples collected during the plague years, advancing the science of epidemiology against the possibility of future plagues. And Barry seamlessly integrates these modern discoveries into the historical record, creating a rather interesting detective story which traces the origin, spread, and decline of the disease. In an era when world-wide epidemic scares are a feature of the evening news, Barry’s tale of one of the first pandemics is useful as well as entertaining reading.

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. 

Social Workers in the Library Now Offered Three Times a Month

At King Library: Now offered twice a month – every first and fourth Mondays of the month, 6 to 8 p.m.

Call: (408) 808-2350

Or

At Biblioteca Latinoamericana – offered once a month – every third Wed. of the month 6 to 8 p.m. (Spanish/English bilingual Social Worker available)

Call: (408) 294-1237

Is something happening in your life that you have questions about concerning:

• Education
• Emergency Services - food/clothing/housing and crisis support
• Employment
• Family Matters - parenting, childcare, divorce, elder issues and domestic violence
• Health Improvement - mental, physical and health insurance
• Immigration
• Support Groups - men, women and teens

Make an appointment to get a FREE 20 minute session of information and referral or advice, from a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Everyone at some point in their lives could use the advice of a social worker. Our volunteer social workers are offering it - Free of Charge.

Social Workers in the Library, is a partnership of the San José Public Library, San José State University's School of Social Work,  National Association Of Social Workers - California Chapter, and  SJSU School of Library and Information Services.