Did you hear about the wolf spider so big that it took several shots to kill it?  Did you know that Mr. Rogers was a Marine Sniper in Vietnam or that you can prevent Facebook from using your posts by including a simple copyright notification?  What about Manti Te'o’s internet "girlfriend?"

Everything you just read was a lie. How many of you have actually been taken in by one of these hoaxes?  (I'll admit to believing that Mr. Rogers was a sniper.)  Often it's one of your friends sharing it through Facebook or Twitter.  Other times you hear about it on the local news.  How do you know when something is legit?  Is there any way to tell? 

We think so.  That’s why the San José public library is offering the "News Know How" program this summer at the new Educational Park Branch.  We're bringing in real reporters to show you how to separate fact from opinion and hoax from reality.  For two weeks you’ll work with Reporters, Librarians, and your fellow teens to create your own project (check out last year's projects).  Now you may be asking yourself.  Why should I spend two precious weeks of my summer actually learning?  Well, not only will your project be presented online for you to show off, you'll also receive a stipend (read money) for going through the program. 

The program will run for approximately five hours a day Monday through Friday from June 17 to June 28, 2013. Once you've applied you will be contacted in order to schedule an interview. Interviews will begin May 1, 2013 and continue until all the spots are filled. Please contact Erik Berman (Erik.Berman@sjlibrary.org) if you have any questions.

Applications are now live.  Click here to be taken to the registration page.    Once you've completed the application, you will recieve an email with additional information.

Who do you trust for your daily news? CNN, Fox News, NBC, CBS, The Drug Report, Reuters, the Huffington Post? We have so much news coming in so fast and so frequently that it can feel like you can never catch up with the latest Supreme Court decision or celebrity gaffe.  (I just checked my smart phone and two new articles have been released on my favorite news app.)  Knowing who to believe and how to evaluate the credibility of a given article is becoming more important than ever thanks to the influx of news sources and corporate news agencies, be it independent blogs or even the posts from your local library (which of course are impeccably credible).   

That's why the San José Public Library, with the help of American Library Association and the Open Society Foundations, is offering the News Know How media literacy program this June at the newly opening library, Educational Park.  The Library will be recruiting 15 students to participate in a special two week crash course in media literacy.  Students will learn how to critically evaluate the news they see every day.  They will spot misinformation and propaganda; they will check sources and distinguish between a reporter's fact and opinions.  In the end, as teams, they will produce their own report, sharing what they learned with the rest of the world.

The program will run for aproximately five hours a day June 17 - 28, 2013 at the Educational Park Branch of the San José Public Library.  Participants must commit to the full two weeks and to completing the final project.  In return they will receive a stipend.

Any teen interested in the program should follow this link to register.    Applicants will recieve an email with instructions concerning the next step.

The library is a great place to learn new crafts. Every month we have craft programs for kids. In March we celebrated Dr. Seuss' Birthday by creating "Cat in the Hat" and ''Red Fish, Blue Fish" crafts, and on March 23rd we'll be making Play Dough in the library. But you don't have to wait for a craft program to have fun learning new crafts. The library has some great craft books that can teach you how to do new and exciting craft projects. Come by the library and check one of them out!

Please join us at the Santa Teresa Branch Library this afternoon for our program Reading to Dogs! In this program, children can practice their literacy skills by reading to loveable furry friends.  The program starts today (May 30th 2012) at 4:30pm in the children's area.  See you then!

Hark, what is that beautiful music you're hearing? Well, we're bringing in live music this month at West Valley Branch Library to celebrate the holiday season! If you missed Elizabeth Erickson's lovely harp performance last week, there are still two more great opportunities to join us for some live seasonal music.

Stop by on Saturday, December 10 at 2pm for a performance by the De Anza Circle recorder ensemble. They've prepared some delightful holiday music from around the world. Bring the family! Maybe it will inspire you or your little ones to pick up a recorder of your own to play. We've got books & DVDs to help you learn.

Join us the following week on Saturday, December 17 at 4pm for a Holiday Concert with the South Bay Guitar Society Quartet, made possible by generous support from the Friends of the West Valley Library. These accomplished guitarists will be playing a medley of traditional, classical, and popular holiday selections for all to enjoy. Thinking about adding a guitar now to that holiday wishlist? You can also check out lots of books & DVDs to help you learn how to play your new guitar.

We hope to see you soon at West Valley Branch Library. You're always welcome to stop by if you need a break from the crowded malls, the chores, and that neverending to-do list. Why not kick back and enjoy some amazing music from talented local performers?

Gaming in public libraries is all the rage, and for many reasons, including the most important one...It's just plain fun! Check out ilovelibraries.org if you're having a hard time making the connection between games and the library. There was even a National Gaming Day held at libraries nationwide last month, with simultaneous video game tournaments and board games enjoyed by all.

We've been hosting gaming events regularly here at West Valley Branch Library for well over three years now, with our monthly Game On! parties for teens and various events for kids and teens during our Summer Reading Celebration and other times of the year. You can join in the fun at our next scheduled event, a Wii Tournament for Kids & Teens on Thursday, Dec. 23 at 4pm in the West Valley Branch Library's Community Room. Many students will be on Winter Break, so it's a great opportunity to get away from some of the pre-holiday stress at the mall or perhaps take a break from those chores or homework projects at home! Play some classic board games or enter the Wii Tournament for a chance to win a prize.

Stay tuned for more gaming events at West Valley in 2011, including another Wii Tournament scheduled for Jan. 19 at 3:30pm. Let the games begin!