SAN JOSE, Calif.—San José Children’s Faire, to be held 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 21st, is expected to draw over 5,000 attendees to Discovery Meadow (in front of the Children’s Discovery Museum) in downtown San José. “Rock, Roll and Read” is the theme for this year’s annual event, which features family-oriented stage entertainment, special attractions, and activity booths offering hands-on activities for children, ages two to 12, in addition to information for families about education, child care, health and safety resources, and recreational programs.

The Faire, now in its 24^th year, is a free, one-day, outdoor festival designed to link parents and caregivers of young children with community organizations that serve their needs and is the highlight of the City of San José’s “Month of the Young Child” celebration.

The “Month of the Young Child” is the local extension of the national “Week of the Young Child” celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It was established in 1971 in recognition that early childhood experiences (birth to age 8) lay the foundation for success in school and later life.

On Tuesday, April 3rd, San José City Council proclaimed April 2012 as “Month of the Young Child” in the City of San José, encouraging both individuals and organizations to support this observance.  Additional activities marking San José Public Library’s celebration of the “Month of the Young Child” include:

• City Council recognition of this year’s recipients of the “Outstanding Contributors to Child Care Awards” on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 in San José City Hall Council Chambers.
• Children’s art displays, providing insight into the imagination and development of young children at the Children’s Faire.
• More activities at selected library branches may be located by visiting San José Public Library MOYC events  .

For more information, visit www.sjpl.org/moyc or call (408) 808-2617

IMLS Press Contacts

202-653-4632

Natasha Marstiller, nmarstiller@imls.gov

Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov

San José  Public Library Receives Highest National Honor for Its

Outstanding Community Service

San José, CA—The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has selected the San José Public Library (SJPL)as one of only ten libraries and museums to receive the 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries that demonstrate extraordinary innovative approaches to public service and community outreach.

San José Public Library is the first city library in California to receive the award and was selected for meeting the information and learning needs of its ethnically diverse community, stellar innovative and educational programs, and for providing its customers with on demand services and self-service options that enhance their library experience such as self-checkout machines and online account services.

“Congratulations to the San José Public Library on receiving the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.  The work you have done is an inspiration to libraries and museums throughout the nation,” said Susan Hildreth, IMLS Director. “With innovation, creativity and a great deal of heart you have achieved an outstanding level of public service.”

 “I am pleased that the San José Public Library System is receiving this distinguished recognition from the Institute of Museum and Library Services,” said Congressman Mike Honda, who nominated San José Public Library for the award. “Here in Silicon Valley, we pride ourselves on innovation. SJPL is an international model for providing traditional and cutting edge library services to all Silicon Valley residents. Under the direction of Jane Light, the SJPL developed new programs and methods which have positively redefined the role of libraries in our community.”

As the recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, San José Public Library will be honored during the National Medal ceremony in Washington D.C. later this year and receive a $10,000 award. Story Corps will also be visiting San José Public Library to document community members’ stories about the medal-winning library and its impact on their lives.

“We are extremely proud of our libraries here in San José and I’d like to thank the Institute for Museum and Library Services for this distinguished honor,” said Mayor Chuck Reed. “This award is a testament to the many staff, volunteers and supporters who have helped San José libraries continue to provide excellent services during these tough budget times.”

The other institutions that received the 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service are:

• Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL
• Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY
• Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, OH
• EdVenture Children’s Museum, Columbia, SC
• Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA
• Hill Museum & Manuscript Library, Collegeville, MN
• Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, VA
• Madison Children’s Museum, Madison, WI
• Weippe Public Library & Discovery Center, Weippe, ID

“I am truly honored and delighted that IMLS has chosen San José Public Library as one of the ten institutions to receive the National Medal,” said Jane Light, SJPL Library Director. “It is indeed a recognition that could not have been achieved if it weren’t for the dedicated and friendly staff members that work very hard every day to provide the much needed and heavily used library services the community desires.”

More about the Medal

IMLS is the primary source of federal funding for museums and libraries. The National Medal for Museum and Library Service was created to highlight the vital role these institutions play in American society. Recipients are selected by the director of IMLS following an open nomination process and based on the recommendations of the National Museum and Library Services Board.

About San José Public Library

San José Public Library system (SJPL) is the largest public library system between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the West Coast of California, serving a culturally diverse population of approximately 946,000 in the nation’s 10th largest city. SJPL is recognized across the country for its innovation and leadership in the field and is one of the busiest library systems nationwide, with an annual checkout rate of more than 13.5 million items through 19 currently operating locations. For more information, visit www.sjpl.org.

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Emerging Graphic Novelists Receive Recognition

Winners of San José Public Library 2011 Graphic Novel Contest Announced

SAN JOSE, Calif.— San José Public Library announced winners of this year’s tri-level Graphic Novel Contest on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at the Berryessa Branch Library.

The winners in each of three age level categories are as follows:

Children’s group:

• First prize:        Nidhi Naroth, age 12, “The Cliff”        
• Second prize:    Liam Kirk, age 8, “The Adventures of Agent Bucktooth”      
• Third prize:      ShirleyHuang, age 12, “Arrow’s Forest Friend”

Teens group:

• First prize:        Apanuba Mahmood, age 13, “Flower’s Canvas”         
• Second prize:    Jessica Lee, age 17, “Little Red Riding Hood”
• Third prize:      Nancy Doung, age 17, “Chess: The Black Queen and the White Knight”

Adult group:

• First prize:        Michael Merritt, age 18, “Pure Element: Revelation”
• Second prize:    Jessica Tang, age 18, “Turning Point”
• Third prize:      Darren Tat, age 41, “Rabbit in the Moon”

All the entries were evaluated on content as well as illustrations.  Entry levels were available for children (12 and under), teens (13 – 17) and adults (18+). The contest engaged around 100 participants, eager to share their creative strokes.

The winners’ prizes include gift certificates in the amounts as follows:

• Children’s:  first prize, $50; second prize, $25; third prize, $20
• Teen’s:  first prize, $100; second prize, $75; third prize, $50
• Adult’s:  first prize, $100; second prize, $75; third prize, $50

The San José Public Library system offers a multitude of unique and interesting programs that are open to the public and free of charge. For information about other opportunities, visit the Events page (www.sjpl.org/calendar) or contact your neighborhood library.

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Open a Book, Open a World

San José’s Summer Reading Celebration Kicks Off June 18

SAN JOSE, Calif. ---San José Public Library’s Summer Reading Celebration kicks off on  Saturday, June 18 at all 19 locations. This year’s theme allows participants to travel to a foreign destination through their neighborhood library. 

All are welcome to enrich their minds through reading and learning this summer.  Signing up for the reading celebration is quick, easy and free.  Teens and adults will have the opportunity to register online starting June 18 and create a personal account to record reading accomplishments.  Children are invited to stop by their local branch library with a parent or guardian to sign up and pickup a reading passport to track their progress. 

Once the sign-up is completed, every eBook, audio book and/or book the participant reads or listens to from June 18 through July 30 will count toward program prize requirements.  Full prize details are available at www.sjpl.org/SRC2011. Prizes can be claimed at a local library.

• Children, birth through age 12, start receiving prizes after reading 15 books by themselves, with friends, or with a parent.  Books read to children are also eligible for prizes.  
• Teens, ages 12-18, start receiving prizes after reading five books and either writing or submitting a link to an original video review of each book read.  Those who prefer to submit a video review will be entered into a drawing for an eReader that will be awarded at the end of the reading celebration.
• Adults, ages 18 and over, do not have reading goals, but are encouraged to post a short review of each book they read. Those who do, become eligible for biweekly prize drawings.

The library will also host a variety of multicultural events for all ages that include live performances, activities and programs.  Check the library’s online Calendar page at www.sjpl.org/calendar for event details and listings at all 19 locations. 

This year’s Summer Reading Celebration is made possible with additional support from the Friends of the King Library and branch library Friends groups.

For more information on the Summer Reading Celebration contact your local branch library or visit www.sjpl.org/SRC2011.

About San José Public Library

San José Public Library system (SJPL) is the largest public library system between San Francisco and Los Angeles, serving a culturally diverse population of approximately 946,000 in the nation’s 10th largest city.  SJPL is recognized across the country for its innovation and leadership in the field and is one of the busiest library systems nationwide, with an annual checkout rate of nearly 14 million items.