Research and Homework Tips
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Learn a Language
What is on your 2013 resolution list? Is learning a new language on your list?
Our library has many resources to help you learn a foreign language.
Whether you want to learn Asian languages such as Japanese, Chinese, Hindi, Vietnamese, and Korean or European languages like German, Italian, Swedish, and Russian, you can find learning materials in a variety of formats. Our library has books, DVDs and CDs.
In addition, we have an electronic resource called Mango Language that you can access from home 24/7. Once you create a new account, you can start keeping track of your learning progress.
One patron told me he had spent more than 100 hours in learning Spanish using Mango language. He was able to hold a basic conversation with a Mexican clerk when he went shopping. His successful story is encouraging and inspiring. It proves you don’t have to spend money on hiring a private tutor to learn a foreign language. Make use of the library’s free resources as you like. You are welcome to browse our catalog to check out the collections that you want. Time and practice are two keys of successful language learning.
Family Learning Center Computer Orientation
San José Public Library has a total of 7 library branches that have Family Learning Centers (FLC). These branches are Bascom (opens on February 23, 2013), Biblioteca Latinoamericana, Dr. Roberto Cruz Alum Rock, East Branch, Hillview, Seven Trees, and Tully Community Branch. Each Family Learning Center has books, DVDs, audio CDs, and kits on topics such as English as Second Language, Citizenship, job search, and exams, with an intention to help new Americans succeed in United States.
In addition, all Family Learning Centers computers are also equiped with ESL software that are specially installed for English learners. If you would like to learn how to use a computer to learn English, a few Family Learning Centers do offer Computer Orientation weekly .
The schedule of FLC Orientation is below:
- Dr. Roberto Cruz Alum Rock: Tuesdays 1-2 PM (in English and/or Spanish)
- Seven Trees Branch: Thursdays 11-12 Noon (in English and/or Spanish)
- Tully Branch: Wednesdays 6-7 PM (in English and/or Vietnamese)
At each orientation, adult and children learners will be introduced to ESL software, websites to learn English, how to type, and Live Homework Help on Family Learning Center computers.
Quý vị sẽ được hướng dẫn về cách sử dụng máy điện toán của Trung Tâm Giáo Dục Gia Đình để học Anh Văn, học đánh máy, hoặc để được giúp đở làm baì vở của các em.
Estudiantes adultos y niños serán introducidos al software de ESL y otros recursos para aprender. Nuestros programas le enseñan a escribir a máquina y ayuda en vivo atraves del intrenet también es disponible en las computadoras del FLC.
If you have any questions about the Family Learning Center, please don't hesitate to give a Family Learning Center Coordinator a call. Hope to see you at one of the Family Learning Centers.
Tax Time and Help
As sure as the sun rises in the east, tax time is here. January 30, 2013, is the first day of the season to file tax returns. The news article Get Ready to File Your Taxes provides a brief reference to the timeframe for filing returns either claiming tax credits (education credits, etc.) or filing other more complex returns.
No one likes to pay higher taxes than required. A post, Investing: Take steps now to reduce 2013 taxes, in USA Today, gives a couple tips for investors to plan ahead. As to the impact of the American Tax Relief Act 0f 2012, CCH Group provides an analysis for you to peruse. It highlights the various effects on individuals, including:
- 39.6% tax rate for incomes above $400,000 ($450,000 for families);
- All other Bush-era tax rates extended;
- And more.
There is also free Vita tax help provided "your 2012 income must be less than $51,000 and you CANNOT be filing as Married, Filing Separate return."
And for your money matters in general, please see the library's Your Money page.
Ultimately, here is the Internal Revenue Service.
Lunar New Year and Korean "Seollal(설날)"
A lunar calendar is a calendar that is based on cycles of
the lunar phase. Because there are about 
twelve lunations (synodic months) in a solar year, this period (354.37 days) is sometimes referred to as a lunar year as quoted on wikipedia.
China (including Hong Kong), Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia celebrate the lunar new year.
Koreans call "Seollal(설날)" for the lunar new year day.
Here is the informative video for "Seollal."
Koreans count their age from conception and base it on the lunar year. Korean babies are officially one year old when they get born, and Koreans will not use the 1st of January as the day when they get older, but the first day of the lunar new year (which is usually in early February).
Bayarea Lunar New Year Event
San Jose Public Library Collections
Lunar New Year Crafts in San Jose Public Library
Additional Information
Like Something? Don't Like Something? Spread the Word!
Our new library catalog software offers several ways for you to share your opinions with other library patrons.
Once you are looking at the library's listing of a certain item, near the top of this screen you will see a row of stars. Click on one of these to give the item a rating of from 1 (on the left) to 5 (on the right). If you are not already logged into your own account at this point, you will be prompted to log in, but once you are logged in, the record will accept your rating and average it with the ratings other library patrons have given that item.
Toward the bottom of the item's record, you will find a link for a "community review." As a member of the library's community, you may post a review here.
The community tags option allows you to add searchable terms to the item's record, to help other patrons find similar items. I thought people who like squirrels might enjoy this book and added that word as a tag, so now, Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend will turn up when people search the catalog for the term "squirrels."
The community discussion option works like a website forum, and allows you and others to exchange remarks about this item. Currently, any postings here are identified as "anonymous" to protect patron information, though this service is intended to be more personalized as time goes by.
So no need to be shy; engage in the conversation, or start one of your own!
A Simple Life
It's a new year, a good time to reaffirm my belief in a simple life and rekindle my efforts to be a conscious consumer. I found good advices and resources in The Frugal Issue of Consumer-Action. The article of “Reap rewards of frugality in 6 steps”offers clear action items to follow, from finding a sense of freedom to keeping good company.
If you would like to have a more comprehensive list of resources for yourself or others in hard times, there is a Financial Empowerment Resource Sheet that covers topics like Internet, credits, food, health care, taxes and more. This Sheet "details government programs that you might qualify for to boost your family income and help make ends meet."
Happy Australia Day!
January 26 is Australia Day, marking the landing of the first European settlers on the Australian continent. These first settlers were guards and convicts from English prisons. In the last twenty years Australia Day has moved from an observance of a historical event to a celebration recognzing Australia’s uniqueness, diversity, achievements. It’s a time for family and community get togethers and picnics.
Read more about how Australians celebrate at the Australia Day website
For further readings about the European discovery of Australia:
- The Fatal Impact: the Invasion of the South Pacific, 1767-1840 by Alan Moorehead
- The Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes
- The Road to Botany Bay: An Exploration of Landscape and History by Paul Carter
- Australian History for Dummies by Alex McDermott
Health Resources from San Jose Public Library
Looking up health information online is daunting, and you may find yourself searching through a sea of good, bad and incomplete information. What to believe?
It may give you some peace of mind to know that your San Jose Public Library card gives you access to the following subscription health information databases. You can access these databases at any SJPL branch or at home by entering your library card and PIN numbers.
Covers all areas of health and wellness from mainstream medicine to holistic and integrated medicine. Includes topics such as aging, cancer, diabetes, drugs and alcohol, fitness, nutrition and dietetics, and children's health.
Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition
Articles on nursing and allied health.
Medical information for student research and for patients and caregivers.
Information on diseases and conditions, hospitals and physicians, and medical drugs. Includes links to a medical encyclopedia and dictionary, and clinical trials. From the National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health.
Video Clips for the First Korean Class at King Library
Did you miss the First Korean class at King Library?.JPG)
Do not worry about it!
Watch these video clips, and come to the next class.
The First Korean Class at King Library (January 17)
6 week session
Thursdays 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
January 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21
Study Room 390, 3rd Floor
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose
(408)808-2183/2331
Free Admission/ No Sign-up
San Jose Public Library Collections:
Tutoring Programs at Evergreen
We have many tutoring programs available at the Evergreen Branch Library starting January 2013. All programs are free and are run by our very active volunteers.
Volunteer Manuel Beronilla will provide tutoring in Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Physics and Statistics for high schoolers. This program will be every Thursday (starting January 17) in Group Study Room A at 4:00 p.m. Please drop in, no registration required.
Volunteer Siri Balusu provides tutoring in Math and Science for kids in grades 3-6 every Tuesday and Wednesday starting at 5:00 p.m. in Group Study Room B. Registration is not required.
Volunteer Urvi Gupta will begin her OneInMath program at 4:30 p.m. in the Community Room on Tuesday, January 15. Kids in grades K-2 will learn simple ways to add and subtract. This will help them understand math concepts quickly. Video instructions and face-to-face tutoring will be provided. This program is also offered at the Berryessa and Hillview libraries. Registration is required, so please sign up online at the OneInMath website.
Tutoring for all grade levels is also provided online through tutor.com. All you need is your valid Library card number and pin number.
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