With the rise in cost of private media subscriptions remember that you can still check out DVD's at your local library for free. Feature films now have a lending period of 3 weeks at San José Public Library and you can borrow up to 10 titles.  We have a wide variety of items.  I enjoy the National Geographic documentaries that are available.  Here are some titles to keep an eye out for: A Traveler's Guide to the Planets and Monster Black Holes. Come in and browse our collections!

San José Public Library Hosts National Geographic Super Star,

Author and Astronomer David Aguilar    

Thursday, January 13^th at 7 p.m.

The Almaden Branch Library and Community Center proudly hosts a dynamic presentation by author David Aguilar, who is also a prominent astronomer, NASA digital imager, and contributor to History Channel’s program “The Universe.”  Families, educators, stargazers and space enthusiast are invited to this free event to meet the author and hear him talk about outer space, the wonderment of science and his book SuperStars!

During his intriguing presentation Mr. Aguilar guides the audience through a galaxy of stars bringing all those mesmerizing little dots of light in the night sky to life.  He will also give the San José Public Library audience the very first “peek” at his new book, 13 Planets, that will be published this coming March.

This event is part of the Doris Dillon Author Series and is made possible by the San José Public Library Foundation and co-sponsored by Hicklebee's Bookstore.  A gift card to Hicklebee’s Bookstore will be awarded to the lucky school library with the most families in attendance.  Plus, a few members of the audience will also receive a copy of Aguilar’s new book.  

Rave reviews for David Aguilar’s presentations:

“David did a fabulous job with the assembly at Sunnyside Environmental School--his presentation has the perfect balance of drama, educational content and humor to keep students spellbound.  That he was able to hold the interest of and entertain a group whose ages spanned 3rd grade to 8th grade is especially noteworthy. His twin messages--about being alive to the wonders of the universe and using persistence, curiosity and self-motivation to craft a satisfying life--made quite an impression on his audience.” – Media escort in Portland.

“David was spectacular. I think the audience was in awe.” – Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville, IL

About the Author

David Aguilar is the Director of Science Information at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the former Director of the Fiske Planetarium and Science Center at the University of Colorado. He is also an accomplished astronomy illustrator and an experienced educator with an enormous enthusiasm for bringing science to children.

The event will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at the Almaden Branch Library and Community Center, 6445 Camden Ave.  San Jose, CA 95120.   No reservations are required.  For more information call 808-3040 or visit www.sjpl.org.

To request an accommodation for Library-sponsored meetings or events, please call 408-808-3040 or 408-808-2130 (TTY) at least three business days before the meeting/event.