Are you a young adult who enjoys listening to audiobooks?  Or an adult who enjoys listening to young adult (YA) audiobooks?  Or just someone with an interest in audiobooks?  Then let me tell you about a great program happening this summer. For the third year in a row, SYNC, sponsored by AudioFile, is offering two free audiobook downloads per week from May 30 to June 5, 2013.  The downloads consist of one current YA title thematically paired with a classic title.  These eAudiobooks are yours to keep and listen to whenever you want to.  Just visit this page every week starting Thursday, May 30, 2013 to download the two titles.

See the selections from SYNC for Summer 2013 below!

And if you can’t wait or you want to preview the offerings, you can always check out some version of each title from SJPL.  See the link after each for SJPL’s offerings.

May 30 – June 5, 2013
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks (SJPL)
The Tempest by William Shakespeare (SJPL)

June 6 – June 12, 2013
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood (SJPL)
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (SJPL)

June 13 – June 19, 2013
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (SJPL)
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya (SJPL)

June 20 – June 26, 2013
Once by Morris Gleitzman (SJPL)
Letter From Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr. (SJPL)

June 27 – July 3, 2013
Rotters by Daniel Kraus (SJPL)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (SJPL)

July 4 – July 10, 2013
Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford (SJPL)
She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith (SJPL)

July 11 – July 17, 2013
The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann (SJPL)
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (SJPL)

July 18 – July 24, 2013
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (SJPL)
Hamlet by William Shakespeare (SJPL)

July 25 – July 31, 2013
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen (SJPL)
The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain (SJPL)

Aug 1 – Aug 7, 2013
Death Cloud by Andrew Lane (SJPL)
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (SJPL)

Aug 8 – Aug 14, 2013
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis (SJPL)
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll (SJPL)

Aug 15 – Aug 21, 2013
Sold by Patricia McCormick (SJPL)
Let Me Stand Alone by Rachel Corrie (SJPL)

Did you miss Free Comic Book Day? Yes - there is a official day in which comic book stores around the Country and participating library systems promote the importance of literacy through comics and graphic novels. A crazy concept I hope many won’t miss for next years event. Because of prior commitments, my family and I missed out on the opportunity to attend this years give away that the SJPL was facilitating throughout all of our branches. Nevertheless, that didn’t stop me from taking my boys to stock up on some new reading material the day before at our local comic book store.

The Free Comic Book Day event occurs every year on the first Saturday of the month of May. Participating comic book stores around the country join together to promote the importance of having brick and mortar comic book shops and how they inspire literacy for the youth by giving away free comics. Growing up, i couldn’t get enough of comic books. From Bill Watterson’s - Calvin and Hobbes, to Marvel’s Spider-Man, it seemed to be the only way my mom could get me to read as a kid. As I grew up, I  then graduated onto more lengthy reads. However - if it weren’t for the influence of the early graphic novels in my youth, I would have never appreciated the art of storytelling as I do now. Back then, the internet along with other online media was still a new concept and the digitization of any literature for consumer use was in its early stages. Too early for it to be readily available for the average household. There was no eBay, no Google, no iPhones, no Amazon, and no eBooks of any kind just yet. I'm sure the majority of you remember those days. However, my kids and the current fortunate generations don't.

Today the majority of our information and consumer goodies come from the vast amount of online services available at just the click of a button, or two. No need for a car ride or locating the address of your destination - since there is no destination, just a URL address. This however does not mean we have improved the consumers experience. That remains to be subjective. I personally still enjoy the experience of browsing through dust filled stacks of comics or books. I don't always know what i came for, but i do know i'm looking for something new. The physical interaction of picking the brain of the comic connoisseur sitting behind the register and discovering new finds while roaming the room, is an experience that humbles the reader. Just as one can walk into the library and browse your favorite subject of choice, then decide what item for the day you want to take home and explore more. The same sense of mystique I hoped my two boys would take away from their visit, became successful. The adventure in searching for just the right comic to purchase and being able to flip through the pages before making their decision has already got them bugging me to bring them back the following weekend. Granted these comics were not free, you can only imagine how excited our library customers were at the Free Comic Book Day event.

Even if you missed out on the fun from this past weekend, you can still enjoy free comic books here at the library. They are not free to keep, however still free to borrow :) - with a great selection of Manga, Graphic Novels, and dozens of comic series to choose from. To stay updated on fun future events for all library customers to enjoy, be sure to check our Events page regularly.

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Trees - Joyce Kilmer

Trees are just awesome!  They lower heating and cooling costs by providing shade and wind breaks, remove carbon dioxide and add oxygen to the atmosphere.  They're beautiful and if treated properly, a tree will live longer than you or I!

Did you know that you can get a free tree to plant in your yard from Our City Forest?  You apply for a tree - and I don't mean a little stick in a plastic bag like you got on Arbor Day when you were a kid - I'm talking about a tree that's 8-10 feet tall!  In order to get the tree, you have to agree to take care of it for a minimum of three years, watering it, keeping it trimmed and the area around free from debris.  That commitment is something you'd do anyway!

Trees need loving care!  Learn about how to plant, water and maintain trees from these resources at SJPL!

Celebrate the Month of the Young Child at the

25th Annual San Jose Children's Faire! 

Saturday, April 13, 2013

10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The Faire is 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 "Explore the Possibilities" 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 1-408-808-2617 or visit www.sjpl.org/moyc

 Volunteer, Manuel Beronilla III provides free tutoring for high school students at the Evergreen Branch Library every Thursday at 4:00 p.m. in Group Study Room A. He is a contributing Math Faculty at the Art Institute of California-San Francisco, and The National Hispanic University. He has a PhD in Mathematics, a Master's degree in Math Teaching and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. He is a new immigrant from the Philippines and has been teaching in a State University and other private colleges for more than 15 years He teaches college Math, Physics, Statistics and Research. He also has a California teaching credential valid until 2016.

He says “It has always been my passion to reach out and share my knowledge with students interested in learning and that is why I enjoy my current job. Since I am only teaching a couple of math subjects in the morning, I wanted to spend my spare time productively by volunteering. I got interested in tutoring at the library. I believe that my talents are a gift, and it is also my responsibility to give back to the community.”

“Evergreen is the closest location for me, so I started in this library. I have not tried to other places yet, but am interested to reach out to other places as much as I can.”

When asked what advice he had for anyone just starting to volunteer, he says “We are given so much blessings and gifts. It is our responsibility to contribute to the welfare of the community and help make the world a better place to live. There is no other way to feel satisfaction, contentment, importance, and blessedness, than doing a volunteer job. The feeling for doing something free of charge is priceless. Be passionate, reach out and help each other in any way we can. That is the only way to Happiness.”
 

Check out the listing below for a preview of some of the events you won't want to miss.  All events are open to the public and FREE of charge. 

Join us at Downtown Ice this Saturday, December 8! - Present your San Jose Public Library this Saturday between noon-5:30 p.m. at Downtown Ice  and receive $10 skate admission (Limit one person per card).  While there, have fun skating with Curious George, check out the movie on an LCD screen and stop by the library's table for a fun activity from 1-3 p.m.  

Holiday Bingo - Come play Holiday Bingo for fun and prizes!

Holiday Season in Berryessa! - Join us in our 5th annual Holiday Seasons in Berryessa with non-stop songs, dances, and prize-drawings.  The library will have book giveaways for children (while supplies last), crafts and a beautiful "Winter Wonderland" scenery for your photo op.  Bring your family and camera to capture the holiday spirit.  Also includes booths of local schools and organizations.  Come and celebrate the holidays with us.

Fratello Marionettes presents "The North Pole Review" - Join the fun with a puppet extravaganza! Meet a frosty juggling penguin, an ice skating snowman, and the Hawaiian singing sensation the "Hi-Fi Sisters."  Great fun for all ages!

Holiday Concert with South Bay Guitar Society - Celebrate the holiday season with the acclaimed South Bay Guitar Society Duo (Ben Zussman and Jerry Snyder). Watch as they perform  holiday selections and a sing-along 

Holiday Handbell Concert - Join us for "Christmas Handbells in the Glen," and enjoy seasonal music selections performed by The Willow Glen Ringers Handbell Choir.

Notre Dame High School students present a "Special Holiday Show" - Enjoy a special holiday program presented by local high school students.

Holiday and Winter Card Making for Adults - Make your own card this holiday season. All supplies provided. This workshop is for adult participants.

Tween Craft: Holiday Picture Frame - Come join us and enjoy the holiday spirit by creating picture frames for yourself or as a gift for your loved ones. Bring your friends and join the fun! All supplies will be provided.

Holiday Origami - We will supply the paper and patterns. You practice the Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures called Orgimai.

Make your own snowflake: story and craft - Enjoy a winter story. Then, make your own snowflake with pipe cleaners. All supplies are provided. Ages 4 and up with their parents.