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The Buddha in the Attic
The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka is an eloquent and beautiful novel depicting the lives of "picture brides," young Japanese mail order brides who came to California early in the twentieth century. The author uses a unique, lyrical first person plural voice throughout most of the book. "We sometimes lay awake for hours." "Secretly we hoped to be rescued." Seldom are personal names used and yet the author skillfully conveys the variety of experiences and emotions that these nameless women encounter. Some are only children, no more than fourteen, when they arrive. They find love, but not always with their husbands. They become mothers, raise and bury children, work hard, and build very different lives from the ones they left behind. Otsuka follows them as their children grow up and adopt American customs, forgetting the Japanese ways their mothers cling to. Finally the author revisits the time and place of her previous novel, When the Emperor Was Divine, as she follows them into the dark days of World War II when their lives were uprooted once again. It is a moving, haunting portrait of first generation Japanese American women. This title is also available as an audiobook and a downloadable ebook.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Exhibits
In honor of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a trio of exhibits is presented by the Cultural Heritage Center at King Library:
- The Lives and Contributions of Pioneering Korean Americans
- Pioneering the Valley: The Chinese American Legacy in Santa Clara Valley
- Chinese American Women’s Club of Santa Clara Valley
For virtual exhibits, please visit the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month website, where “The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders…” A treasure trove of exhibits & collection, various images, and audio/video materials is presented here for our learning and enjoyment. And a link to teacher’s resources is provided. We are also informed about the fact that “the month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.”
For America's parks and historic places, please visit the refreshing site of National Park Service's Celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month where National Register of Historic Places showcases, by inside stories and vivid images, highlighted properties of historic and archeological significance. Angel Island Immigration Station and Manzanar National Historic Site are "the only two National Historic Landmarks commemorating Asian American history..." Half a million immigrants went through Angel Island between 1910 and 1940. More may be learned from the site of Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF). Erika Lee and Judy Yung’s Angel Island : Immigrant Gateway to America is a definitive title on Asian immigrant history, and is rewarding to read.
Below are a couple more books for reference:
- Asian American chronology by Xiaojian Zhao
- Voices of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Experience by Sang Chi and Emily Moberg Robinson, editors
- Making and Remaking Asian America Through Immigration Policy, 1850-1990 by Bill Ong Hing
Image Courtesy: National Archives.
Image from: National Archives May- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
April is National Autism Awareness Month
National Autism Awareness Month
My Brother Charlie, by Holly Robinson Peete
For all ages, My Brother Charlie is a beautifully written, heart packed, brightly illustrated, clear and simple introduction to autism.
National Autism Awareness Month (A few facts)
- Autism is a developmental disorder, occurring in children before the age of 3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002494/
- "Autism affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. A baby with autism spectrum disorder may be unresponsive to people, or focus intently on one item to the exclusion of others for long periods of time. A child with ASD may appear to develop normally and then withdraw and become indifferent to social engagement." http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/autism/detail_autism.htm
- About 1 in 88 children have been found to have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD.) Rates appear to be increasing, but this may be due to the increased awareness and diagnostic procedures currently in place. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtm/ss6103a1.htm?s_cid=ss6103a1_w
- Autism is three to four times more common among boys than girls. http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism
San José Public Library Resources on Autism:
Materials
- General: http://catalog.sjlibrary.org/search~/a?searchtype=X&searcharg=autism&SORT=D&searchscope=1
- Fiction: http://catalog.sjlibrary.org/search~S1?/X(Autism)+and+(Fiction)&SORT=D/X(Autism)+and+(Fiction)&SORT=D&SUBKEY=(Autism)+and+(Fiction)/1%2C53%2C53%2CB/browse#anchor_25
- Nonfiction: http://catalog.sjlibrary.org/search~S1/X?SEARCH=((Autism)%20and%20(nonfiction))&SORT=D
Social Workers in the Library
Story time
- Inclusive Storytime at the Library: http://sjpl.org/tags/inclusive-story-time
Additional Resources:
- Autism Society: http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/national-autism-awareness-month/
- First 5 of California: www.f5ac.org/files/AutismScreeningppt.ppt
- Parents Helping Parents:http://www.php.com/
- Plane Tree Medical Library http://www.planetree-sccl.org/
- PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002831/
Preserve cherished photos and memories
When Maria Delaney took the photos out of her folder, her face glowed as she showed me a family photo dated back to the early 1900s. Even though it definitely had signs of deterioration and fading, Maria was at the library to preserve this photo digitally. At Evergreen Branch Library’s Scan Day, Maria and other customers brought photos that weren’t “born digital” and created electronic copies.
Gloria Guel is one of many siblings in her family. “Everyone wanted the same picture but we only have one,” says Guel. So her solution: scan the photos and send electronic copies to everyone.
If you are interested in getting some photos scanned, you still have a chance! In celebration of National Preservation Week, Scan Days are planned at the following locations and dates:
Friday, April 13th 3-5pm
Saturday, April 21st 11-1pm
Customers are limited to 10 photos/documents to scan. Each customer will receive copies of their items on a CD. If you’d like to see what the library has as far as photos, take a look at our California Room’s Digital Collections.
New languages have been added to Mango!
Three new languages have been added to MUZZY Online - Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, and Russian. Check out this online language learning database and start learning a new language today!
National Preservation Week
National Preservation Week is later this month and on Saturday at King Library you can participate by bringing in some of your historic photographs or documents to be scanned. Library staff will be on hand to assist you and you will receive a copy of your scanned photos on CD.
Scanning will take place from 11am to 1pm on the 3rd floor in Study Room 390. Bring up to 10 items for scanning on a first come, first served basis.
Making digital copies of old family photos is a great way to share your past with your children and other family members who may live far away. This photo is of me on Easter Day in 1969.
Teens, find out if you would do better on the SAT or the ACT!
San Jose public Library and Kaplan will be offering a series of practice tests in April that give you the opportunity see how you would score on the SAT and ACT tests. In this 4 hour practice exam, you will take half of each test, and try your hand at the types of questions you will see on the actual tests. These practice tests are open to all High School Students.
Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 1:00pm
Saturday, April 14, 2012 - 1:00pm
King Library (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library)
Saturday, April 21, 2012 - 11:00am
Saturday, April 21, 2012 - 1:00pm
Saturday, April 28, 2012 - 1:00pm
Please note that pre-registration is required for all of these events. Please contact the library where you would like to take the practice test, in order to pre-register.
In addition, you can check out a variety of new study books for both the SAT and the ACT.
Lastly, you may also want to look at the LearningExpress Library Tutorials, Tests, eBooks which are accessible with you library card, and have great College Preparation materials, including tools and tips for both the SAT and ACT.
Astronaut Megan McArthur's Visit to Evergreen Branch
San Jose Public Library customers enjoyed meeting astronaut Dr. Megan McArthur on March 5th, 2012 at Evergreen Branch Library. This visit was scheduled due to NASA's International Space Station (ISS) national awareness campaign that promotes research opportunities, educates communities about activities performed on the ISS, and communicates the real and potential impacts of the station on our everyday lives. Dr. McArthur was reading Astronaut Handbook children's book on how to become an astronaut and answered questions about ISS, where she was working 14 days, when in space. Adam Padilla, SJPL staff member, filmed a wonderful video of this visit.
Dog Blog - Every Dog's Legal Guide
Is your dog in the pokey and needs to be sprung? Have the law on your side with information extracted from Nolo Press’ magnum opus, 6th edition, by Mary Randolf, J.D.
Every Dog’s Legal Guide – A Must-Have Book for Your Owner
Thirteen chapters broken up into bite sized bits:
- Dogs and people
- State and Local regulation
- Buying and selling dogs
- Landlords and dogs
- Veterinarians
- Traveling with your dog
- Barking dogs
- Assistance dogs
- If a dog is injured or killed
- Providing for pets (Including a chapter on: Why you can’t leave money to a dog- and what happens if you try.)
- Dog bites
- Dangerous dogs
- Cruelty
A guide to legal research and state statutes is included.
Abundant resources (references to corresponding Nolo legal publications) and endnotes provided. For those with furry four-footers and those who live amongst them, I highly recommend this work that is peppered with humor, providing necessary information, simply stated and cleanly formatted.
You’ll find copies of this work located in branches throughout San José, and an eBook to boot.
If you don't have a pooch to share your life with, consider a visit to the San José Animal Care Center Bring a friend home with you today.
Tully Branch Library On-Going Programs
If you haven’t been to our Tully Community Branch Library, come and check it out. Lots of fun programs and lots of materials to check out! DVDs nowadays can be checked out for three weeks. Valid library card and PIN are needed at checkout.
Inclusive Storytime with Stay and Play: 1st Tuesday 11:30-12:00 Noon in Storytime Area.
Bilingual Vietnamese/English Storytime: 2nd Thursday 10:30-11:00 AM in Storytime Area.
Preschool Storytime with Stay and Play: Every Thursday 10:30-11:30 AM except for 1st and 2nd Thursday.
Toddler Storytime with Stay and Play: Every Tuesday 11:30 AM-12:30 PM except for 1st Tuesday.
Stories with Ms. Kathy: Every Tuesday 6:30-7:30 PM in Storytime Area. The program is performed by our wonderful Storytelling volunteer, Kathy B.
Wednesday Fun: Every Wednesday starting at 4 PM in Community Room. Program normally takes approximately 1 hour. It is supervised by library staff with the help of teensReach volunteers.
- First (1st ) Wednesday: Wii Tournament. Children play in a tournament setting. Two names are drawn out to play against each other. Winner goes to next round. They compete until we get a champion. After the tournament they can play by sign up.
- Second (2nd) Wednesday: Game Day. Youths play board games and collect stickers or small giveaways.
- Third (3rd) Wednesday: Movie Flick! (Movie Day). Youths watch movie in Community Room. Popcorn and mixed drink are served.
- Fourth (4th) Wednesday: Craft Activity/ Contest. Youths will participate in an art and craft activity or a contest. The program is normally presented or supplied by Unit of Programming Services.
- Fifth (5th) Wednesday: Game Day will take place if we have the fifth Wednesday of month.
Bilingual Library Tour (Spanish & Vietnamese upon request). This is one of the Family Learning Center Programs. The tour begins at Market Place and led by Family Learning Center Coordinator, Chieu Nguyen, and/or a Spanish speaking staff.
Special group library tours can be arranged to introduce ESL students and immigrant families to library services and resources. The guided tour will be given in either Spanish or Vietnamese upon request. Please call the branch at (408) 808-3030 for more information.
Citizenship Class – Wednesdays (6-8PM). This is one of the Family Learning Center Programs. the class takes place in Community Room and it is onducted by volunteers.
U.S. History & Civic lessons will be given to enable adult immigrants to pass the citizenship test.
Citizenship Mock Interview – Wednesdays (6-8 PM). This is one of the Family Learning Center Programs. The program takes place in Community Room at the same time with Citizenship Class and it is conducted by volunteers.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to practice for the citizenship interview! If you think you are ready for the interview, come and let our staff put you through the test. Trained volunteers will simulate the interview process and help prepare you for the actual test.
Conversation Group - Wednesdays (5-6PM). This is one of the Family Learning Center Programs and takes place in Family Learning Center Classroom. The program is facilitated by the Family Learning Center Coordinator/Librarian, Chieu Nguyen.
ESL learners will have the opportunity to practice their conversation skills in a comfortable and friendly environment.
ESL Class – Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (10:00-12:00 PM). This is one of the Family Learning Center Programs and takes place in Community Room. ESL classes are being offered by East Side Adult Education Program and the Tully Community Branch Library. Students must register with Overfelt Adult Center at 1901 Cunningham Ave, San Jose. Phone 408-254-8100. There will be $30 fee.
FLC Computer Orientation – Wednesday (6-7 PM). This is one of the Family Learning Center Programs and takes place in Family Learning Center Computer Area. The program is conducted by Family Learning Center Coordinator/Librarian.
Adult & children learners will be introduced to ESL software and other resources available on the Family Learning Center computers.
Music and Movement with Preschoolers – First Thursday (10:30AM-11:00 AM). This is one of the Family Learning Center Programs and it takes place in Children’s Storytime Area. Parents will be taught to use music to enhance the children’s learning experience. Parents and children will have the opportunity to do craft and play music games such as, parachutes, bean bags, scarves and rhythm sticks.
ESL Computer Class – 2nd Thursday of each month (11 AM–12 Noon). This is one of the Family Learning Center Programs and it takes place in Family Learning Center Computer Area. Program is conducted by Family Coordinator / Librarian, Chieu Nguyen.
ESL learners will have the opportunity to learn basic computer skills. The class will include mouse exercise, typing, MS Word, MS Excel, and Internet Explorer usages for emailing and searching.
Computer Tutoring for ESL Learners – Every Monday in even months (10 AM–12 Noon). This is one of the Family Learning Center Programs and it takes place in Family Learning Center Computer Area. The program is conducted by volunteer.
ESL learners will be tutored on basic computer skills i.e. mouse exercise, typing, MS Word, MS Excel, Internet Explorer usages for emailing and searching.
Homework Center: Every Tuesday and Wednesday 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM. This is one of the Family Learning Center Programs and it takes place in the classroom. Program ends in April 2012 and will resume after the summer.
Free homework help from teensReach volunteers with 3.0 Average GPA to youths grades K-8th.
teensReach Meeting and Training: Third Wednesday 6-8 PM in FLC Classroom. Conducted by Michele Rowic, teensReach Coordinator and Volunteer Supervisor.
Join a monthly meeting for teens interested in library and community volunteer activities. Bring your creativity to enhance the library's outreach to the community. All teens are invited to attend. Newcomers please fill out the teensReach application available at the information desk. Right after the monthly meeting, new teensReach volunteers will be provided an orientation and training at 7:00-8:00 PM.
Monthly Booksale by teensReach: First Tuesdays 4-7 PM in Community Room.
Adult Volunteers Recruitment: Interviews conducted by Michele Rowic, teensReach Coordinator and Volunteer Supervisor. Please call Michele at 408-808-3030 for more information.
Singing Class for Seniors 50 plus in Vietnamese. Every Wednesday 5:30-8:00 PM
Basic Computer Class in Vietnamese. Every Wednesday 7-8 PM
Basic Computer Class (with Spanish translation). Every Tuesday 6:30-8: 00 PM.
Let's take a quick virtual tour created by our staff, Mark Lorensen. Have fun and hope to see around at Tully Library.
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