Happy 2012 to Everyone! A New Year and a New month means New Friday Fun Events at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Library. Friday Fun events happen each Friday at 4:00PM throughout the year and are a great way to start off the weekend. Here's what's happening in January!

January 6 : Environmental Craft: Decorate a Canvas Bag! In January the plastic bag ban goes into effect in San Jose. In this craft children will decorate a reusable bag with fabric paint that they can reuse when going shopping or even to carry thier library books.

January 13: Puppet Making for Families! Children love puppets and what could be more fun than making your own.Children will make puppets and then use their puppets to tell a story. Parents will also learn some tips on how to get their children through daily routines by using puppets.

January 20: The Art of Japanese Calligraphy with Hikaru! The word "calligraphy," means "beautiful writing," so come and let Hikaru teach you some. The children use ink and paper to turn their English words into Japanese. It's a fun class and all supplies are provided.

January 27: Lunar New Year Craft! Celebrate the Lunar New Year with your friends at the library as we create a Lunar New Year Craft.

It's a new month which means a whole new line-up of Friday Fun events at the Dr. Martin Luther, King Jr. Library. All Friday Fun events take place on Fridays at 4:00PM and are a great way to start off the weekend. Here's what's happening in October:

• October 7: Game Day - We'll bring out all the board games and puzzles; you play the games and have fun.
• October 14: Pumpkin Story and Craft - Get in the mood for Halloween at this fun program. Hear a Halloween Story and then create your own unique pumpkin.
• October 21: The Art of Japanese Calligraphy with Hikaru - This has become a popular Friday Fun program. Hikaru teaches children how to write words plus their own names in Japanese calligraphy using ink and brushes. All supplies are furnished. This month, don't be surprised if there is a Halloween theme!
• October 28: Annual Halloween Day Parade! Join us for our annual Halloween Parade throughout the King Library. Conroy the Cougar, the library mascot, will lead the goblins, princesses, super heroes and other characters as we go trick or treating on different floors of the library. Festivities begin at 3:00PM in the Children's Room with stories and the decorating of treat bags. Join the fun!

It's a new month which means 4 new Friday Fun programs at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. Our Friday Fun programs start at 4:00PM and are always a fun way to start off the weekend. Here's our line up for August.

August 5: Food on My Plate: Goodbye Food Pyramid, Hello Food Plate! The USDA has replaced the Food Pyramid with the Food Plate. Children and adults will learn about how it works and children will be making a food plate craft. A fun and informative program for all.

August 12: Game Day: We will bring out the board games and puzzles and everyone is invited to come play and have fun!

August 19: The Art of Japanese Calligraphy with Hikaru: Learn the Art of Japanese Calligraphy with Hikaru. She'll be teaching the strokes to write different words. All supplies are provided.

August 26: Play Bingo for Fun and Prizes: Bingo is back by popular demand. Join us as we play Bingo for fun and prizes. Of course, one of our prizes is a book!

It's a new month which means a new assortment of Friday Fun programs at the Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr. Library. Each of our Friday Fun programs start at 4:00PM and are a great way to start off the weekend. Here's our line-up for June:

• June 3 - Let's Make Play Dough. All it takes is some flour, salt, water, oil and food coloring; we'll supply the ingredients and children will make the play dough and then let their imaginations fly.
• June 10 - Go Wild! Learn about the Don Edwards S.F. Bay National Wildlife Refuge through stories and fun activities.
• June 17 - The "Art of Japanese Calligraphy," with Hikaru. We supply the ink and brushes and you will leave knowing how to create words with Japanese Calligraphy. Hikaru also teaches each child how to write his or her name in Japanese. This is a fun class!
• June 24 - Decorate Your Own Passport! This program is part of our Summer Reading Celebration programs; children will have fun making and designing their own "passports." During Summer Reading, children can bring their passports to all our libraries to get a special stamp or sticker at the summer reading table.

May is here which means new Friday Fun events at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. Remember all Friday Fun events start at 4:00PM and are FREE! These events are a great way to start off your weekend. Here's our May line-up:

May 6 - Mother's Day Crafts presented by "The Organized Socialites," of San Jose State University. We'll be making mother's day cards, balloon animals and paper/tissue flowers. Loads of fun!

May 13 - Make a Pinata. It's never too late to celebrate "Cinco de Mayo." Children will have the opportunity to make mini pinatas filled with fun prizes! All supplies will be provided.

May 20 - The "Art of Japanese Calligraphy" with Hikaru.

May 27 - More Origami Fun - we'll be making simple origami figures and creating a collage. Don't miss out!

It's a new month which means new activities for our Friday Fun program at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. All our Friday Fun activities start at 4:00PM and are FREE!

April 8 -   Make Your Own Book!

April 15 - Learn the Art of Japanese Calligraphy with Hikaru.

April 22 - Fun with Origami.

April 29 - Snack Smart, learn about healthy snacks plus make a healthy smoothie to enjoy.