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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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Explore San José History on a Walk with Your Smartphone
San José Public Library Releases Unique Smartphone-Enabled Guided Walking Tours that Connect Users to the City’s History

San José, Calif.– San José Public Library (SJPL) has developed a free new Smartphone enabled self-guided walking tour to give residents and tourists alike an interactive way to explore downtown San José and learn about the City’s history. The tour, called Scan Jose, was developed on a web application (app) made compatible for Smartphones. It showcases historic images from the collections of the San José Public Library’s California Room and the Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History.

Scan Jose directs walkers to a variety of downtown landmarks. At each stop, historic photos and information related to an event that once occurred at that location will appear on the web app. The images used in the web app date back as far as the mid 1800s.

"We are very excited to introduce Scan Jose to the public, as it places some of the rarest pieces of SJPL’s history collection right into users’ hands. Plus, it offers a fun and free new way for residents and visitors to get active, connect with technology, and explore the rich history of our city all at once," said SJPL Director Jane Light.

Users can choose from three distinct tour options including; a walk around Plaza de Cesar Chavez, a stroll down Santa Clara Street, or a trip through some of downtown San José’s most historic tragedies and calamities.

To access Scan Jose, search for scanjose.org on a Smartphone or tablet computer web browser. All of the stops on the tours can also be viewed in 3D with the Layar augmented reality browser. To do this, visit the iTunes app store or the Android Marketplace, download the Layar app, and search for Scan Jose.

Scan Jose was supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. For more information, contact the San José Public Library at (408) 808-2369 or visit scanjose.org.

Scan Jose Launch Event – September 10, 2011

SJPL will host a special group tour of Scan Jose to celebrate its launch on Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This free event is open to the public and will meet in front of the San Jose Museum of Art in downtown San José. Participants will have the opportunity to test out one of the tours on a group walk and should bring their own personal Smartphone to fully enjoy the experience. Library staff will be present to help first time users navigate the web app. Contact SJPL at (408) 808-2369 for more information.

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. Recipient of the prestigious national Library of the Year award, 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.

About the Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History

The Sourisseau Academy promotes local history through sponsoring research, educational programs, and publications. The Academy maintains an extensive photograph collection and historical ephemera relating primarily to the history of Santa Clara County and the central coast region of California. For more information, visit www.sourisseauacademy.org.

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I took the coolest walk this morning.  Thanks to a new library resource made possible by a grant from the California State Library, I joined some friends and took a self-guided tour of historic downtown San José.  By connecting to www.scanjose.org on a Smartphone I was able to view historic photographs from the library's California Room collection as I visited those same spots today.  I took A Walk Around the Plaza which started at the San Jose Museum of Art (formerly both a post office and library) and stopped at San Jose's Chinatown, the site of a suspicious fire, the location of California's original state capitol and historic St. Joseph's Cathedral among other places.  At each stop my phone revealed how that very spot appeared to visitors a hundred years or so ago!  Scan Jose offers two more self guided tours as well.  I can't wait to visit Old Santa Clara Street or experience Tragedies and Calamities from our city's past.  I hope you'll join me.

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.

23rd Annual San José Children's Faire

Saturday, April 16

10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

Bring the whole family to the one-day Faire expected to draw over 5,000 attendees to the outdoor festival, held at Discovery Meadow (in front of the Children's Discovery Museum), in downtown San José.

The theme this year is "Play Together, Learn Together: Growing with Giggles and Grins" and features family-oriented stage entertainment, special attractions, and activity booths offering hands-on activities for children ages 2 -12.  Families can obtain information about education, child care, recreational programs and health and safety resources.  For more information call (408) 808-2617, or visit www.sjpl.org/moyc