WHAT:
Free community celebration featuring a ceremonial ribbon cutting, entertainment and children’s activities. Immediately following the brief dedication ceremony, residents will be able to obtain library cards and enjoy full use of the library.

WHEN:
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Dedication ceremony at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: 1230 S. Blaney Ave. San Jose, CA

WHO:

Chuck Reed, Mayor, City of San José 

Pete Constant, Councilmember, District 1

Pat Wolfe, President, San José Library Foundation

Jean Lee, Chair, Library Commission

Kerry Adams Hapner, Director, Cultural Affairs

WHY:  Event marks the dedication of the new and expanded Calabazas Branch Library.  This 10,420 sq. ft. library will feature a Community Living Room with a fireplace, Internet Café, Group Study Room, Teen Room, Family Place, Community Room, and a Marketplace.   The new library will also feature touchscreen computers, as well as, free Wi-Fi throughout the building.  Public art at the library features artwork by Living Lenses – Po Shu Wang and Louise Bertelsen titled "The Singing Stone." On-site parking will accommodate 47 vehicles. Additional street parking is available.

###

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Jill Bourne has been named Director of Libraries for the City of San José by City Manager Debra Figone. The San José City Council ratified the appointment today to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Jane Light in 2012.

Bourne comes from San Francisco Public Library, where she has served as Deputy City Librarian since 2006. Known as a rising leader in the library community, she was named as a Library Journal "Mover and Shaker" in 2009 and a "Top Innovator" by the Urban Libraries Council in 2010.

"Jill Bourne brings excellent experience from running major urban library systems that will be invaluable to help us reach our goals," said Figone. "Her leadership and vision will be essential as we deal with the major changes and challenges affecting libraries, technology, and resources here in San José."

As Deputy City Librarian in San Francisco, Bourne shared oversight of public services at the system's main library and 27 branches, as well as a citywide capital building program. She led the implementation of programs and initiatives that enhanced public library services, including expanded operating hours, partnerships, public technology, and innovative literary and arts programming.

Bourne led San Francisco’s Digital Media and Learning initiative to develop a digital maker center at the library and a citywide network of connected youth learning programs, with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. In addition she led an environmental public education strategy to strengthen the public library's role in supporting sustainable communities.

Prior to her work in San Francisco, Bourne was Assistant Director for Public Services at the Seattle Public Library for five years.  Figone also acknowledged and thanked Anne Cain, who has served as Interim Director of Libraries for the past year.

"Anne has done a wonderful job to keep our libraries moving forward during this period of transition," the city manager said. "On her watch we’ve successfully opened two new branch libraries already this year, and we’re well on our way to opening two more branches by June. On behalf of our library staff, visitors, and partners, I am grateful for her steady leadership and service."

Figone made the appointment after a national search and getting input from community stakeholders including employees, library "friends" organizations, and partner agencies. "I’m honored to be selected to join an outstanding library system that has earned national recognition for excellence, innovation, and service," said Bourne. "I look forward to working with a great team and building on a strong foundation already in place."

The San José library system includes 22 neighborhood branch libraries and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Main Library in downtown San José. The King Library is jointly operated in collaboration with San José State University, a partnership that is unique among American library systems.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services recognized the San José Public Library with the National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2011. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries that demonstrate extraordinary innovative approaches to public service and community outreach. The San José Public Library was the first municipal library in California to receive the award.

With more than 270 employees and an annual operating budget of $32 million, San José libraries serve more than six million visitors annually, have more than two million items in the collections, and circulate nearly 12 million items per year.

Currently a resident of San Francisco, Bourne has a bachelor’s degree in English from New York University and a master’s in library and information science from the University of Washington. She will start in San José in July, and her annual salary will be $190,000.

# # #

Photo of Jill Bourne available here

CONTACT:

David Vossbrink, Director of Communications
(408) 535-8170; david.vossbrink@sanjoseca.gov

Congratulations BOTB 2013 Winners!

1st Place

Lizard Kingdom Progressive Rock

“Lizard Kingdom is heavily influenced by bands such as the Fall of Troy, Ricky Martin, Sha Na Na, Nickelback, Milli Vanilli, and Brian Wilson. In our spare time, we enjoy making balloon animals. Collectively our favorite food is pickles. Our pre-show ritual is we gather around, and run with scissors to display bravery.”

Video

2nd Place

Cactus  Experimental/Fusion

"Cactus is a group that plays for the sheer love of all different kinds of music, whether it be jazz, blues, alternative, classic rock, or Motown. Each practice is always different consisting of spontaneous new ideas every time. We enjoy the simple things in life, humor, and acting weird and crazy!"

Video

3rd Place

Half N Half   Indie Rock

“We have been together since Fall 2011, and started out playing covers. But with HALF of us wanting to play this, n Half of us wanting to play that, we finally decided to collaborate to write our own music! “

Video

Supporters:

The library gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of its community sponsors:

• Live 105.3 FM
• PinUp Productions
• San Jose Pro Drum
• Steetlight Records
• San Jose Rock Shop
• Music Village
• Music Go Round

Seven Trees Branch Grand Opening

January 26, 2013 at 11:00 AM

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For August, 2012, our Online Book Club continues by discussing The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Each week, we'll put forth a different question to prompt reflection on the book and it's ideas. We hope you will participate in the discussion by leaving comments below!

Question for Week 4:
When Amir and Baba move to the States their relationship changes. Discuss these changes in their relationship.

As I considered the changes in the relationship between Amir and Baba during their lives in America, I was struck by the details the author does not talk about, as well as the ones he does. Baba and Amir moved from a large, wealthy home to a refugee camp to a small apartment. How did the intimacies of sharing this small space with only each other affect them? Also, Amir becomes more dominant as he becomes "the English speaker" for a father who speaks only broken English. How does that affect them?

Baba certainly retains his authority as the father. "Don't you challenge me in public, Amir. Ever. Who do you think you are?" he says after leaving the doctor's office. Baba is also the one to speak to General Taheri about Amir and Soraya becoming engaged, following Afghan custom.

He shows his love by supporting Amir financially through his job at the gas station, and later spends his life savings on Amir's wedding. And on the day of "lafz, the ceremony of "giving word" for the engagement of Amir and Soraya, Baba says that "It's the happiest day of my life, Amir." Finally, Baba retained his nang and namoose throughout his life. "Honor and pride. The tenets of Pashtun men."

One of Amir's childhood wishes comes true. In America, he and Baba spend a great deal of time together, at home and later working together buying and selling flea market items. I think this time together, as well as Baba's illness, shows Amir that Baba is not just his father, but a man with human frailities. Such a man is less intimidating and more approachable than a distant, lionized authority figure. After Baba called General Taheri to ask if he could come by to discuss "an honorable matter... Amir bursts into giggles, and Baba joins in". It is good to see them sharing such a moment.

Amir also realizes that his father is proud of his writing ability when Baba shows Soraya the book Amir first wrote stories in. Baba accepted Amir's writing as he went to college, but showing the book off was more... much like showing off the blue kite from Amir's tournament.

Readers, please join us at 7:00 PM tomorrow, August 23, 2012 as Khaled Hosseini comes to San Jose Public Library for an author talk and discussion at Almaden Library and Community Center. Meet the author of this month's book, The Kite Runner. We hope to see you there!

See our Online Book Club page for more information about this book and the previous weeks' questions