In honor of National Friendship Day (August 3rd), the San José Public Library will recognize various Volunteer Groups, highlighting groups that have gone above and beyond to support their communities while working hand-in-hand with their friends. We are thrilled to highlight the work of several stellar SJPL volunteer groups throughout our great city.
Our volunteers generously devote their time and talents to strengthen our libraries—championing literacy, expanding access to resources, and enriching the library experience for everyone in our community. They are a vital part of our library family, and we deeply appreciate all that they do.
Please join us in congratulating the following groups!
Library Branch: Santa Teresa
Group: Gia L., Luna L., Chloe B., Hannah K., Madeline H., Kaylee V., Stuti P., Aditi V., Rajeswari B., Elliot S., Indigo C., Julie M., Manuel M., Rinji V., Joshua H., Shreya C., Kaitlin D.
Nomination: Around 18 to 25 teens volunteering in Santa Teresa Branch’s Teens Reach Group meet monthly to suggest program ideas, prepare materials, or volunteer in programs for children and teens at the library. Teens Reach volunteers proposed the idea of a Harvest/Halloween Festival and led the community event – providing games, crafts, and goodies to almost 200 individuals in October 2024! The teens have taken initiative in caring well for their library and those around them by thoughtfully decorating the library, creating interactive displays, assisting during children’s programs, leading teen programs, and helping curate book displays for children. Teens Reach volunteers actively collaborate to complete projects for the library such as our Summer Learning Map and a spring Science Exhibit for Kids. The teen volunteers also lead popular math, STEM, life skills, and craft programs for their peers and younger children throughout the year at the library. Teens Reach members merit special recognition for their enthusiasm, teamwork, dedication, and hard work in serving their community with programs that they create and deliver themselves!
Library Branch: Biblioteca Latinoamericana
Group: Leslie Aguilar and Casey Anatasio
Nomination: Since February 2024, Casey and Leslie have been dedicated volunteers for the Lego Club at Biblioteca Latinoamericana. Leslie has contributed 60 hours of service, while Casey has contributed 45 hours. Their commitment has impacted the program's success. Each Saturday afternoon, Casey and Leslie set up the Lego materials in the Children's Area, welcoming children and their families. They engage with participants, encourage creativity, and take time to appreciate the Lego creations made by the children. At the end of each session, they ensure that the Legos are boxed up and returned to where they are stored between programs. Biblioteca Latinoamericana is fortunate to have such dependable volunteers. Thanks in large part to Casey and Leslie's dedication, the Lego Club has become an activity that children and families look forward to. Leslie and Casie are kind people who are an important part of the Biblioteca Latinoamericana community.
From a previous Interview:
Casey: I volunteer as a Lego assistant, and I do it not only to get community service hours but because I enjoy it, since I can make fun, memorable memories with my community.
Casey: My fondest memory has been working with kids who have very peculiar and interesting ideas on Lego builds. It shows the creativity and imagination in everyone, which I find interesting and fun.
Leslie: I volunteer because i want to inspire children to love reading, discover new ideas, and see the library as a place where they can learn and grow.
Leslie: My fondest memory is meeting children who are funny and kind.
Library Branch: Joyce Ellington
Group: Matthew Alejandre, Mauricio Alejandre, Camila Avalos, Yahir Gasga Diaz, Carlos Jones, Sebastian Lopez, Eber Sorto, Lucia Trujillo, Naomi Trujillo
Nomination: The teen volunteers from Muwekma Ohlone Middle School make a huge impact at the Joyce Ellington Branch Library. They single-handedly jump-started teen volunteering at our Branch. We were having trouble recruiting teens to volunteer and then suddenly this active group arrived on the scene. They brought in friends and attracted new teen volunteers. They arrive after school as a group of six to eight teens who are eager to find ways to volunteer. They attend monthly Teens Reach Meetings and help at large cultural events. They come weekly to clean and disinfect the well-loved and well-used Children’s Area toys. They used their experience volunteering at the Library as the subject for their school’s Community Service Program Showcase. They actively participated in an author visit asking thoughtful questions and making inciteful comments. They also joined in the DRUMMM Rhythmic Events program. The Ohlone teens have made a positive contribution to Joyce Ellington Branch through their sheer numbers and exuberance for volunteering. Staff are happy to work with them as they are respectful, conscientious and they create a welcoming environment for all teens in the Library. Thank you Muwekma Ohlone Middle School teens!
Library Branch: Edenvale
Group: Jackie Zucker, Ramya Senthil, Caitlin Kong, Kate Nguyen, Thaovy Huynh, Amy Martinez
Nomination: The Group supports local youth and are interested in education mentorship. Their one-on-one tutoring service provides local youth in grades K-8 with free assistance on challenging homework assignments in reading, writing, and math. The group is experienced, compassionate and are dedicated community members to help coordinate this library program. The group activity merits special recognition for their dedication for the Homework Club program at Edenvale in supporting the community need for enabling students become independent learners. Extraordinary learning environment at the library, supporting students social emotional growth and academic success for life long learning. Safe welcoming space dedicated for learning, commitment for consistence in academic excellence, longstanding community engagement with student, parents and volunteers promoting library services.
Library Branch: West Valley
Group: Katherine Wang, Ananya Gurushankar, Maryanne Davies, Isabel Yang, and Mia Tang
Nomination: The Girls Empowered in Math and Science (GEMS) teen volunteer group is responsible for brainstorming, planning, and presenting a workshop to host at the library on a monthly basis. Each workshop is different and often involves multiple hands-on activities for children to experience. The volunteers explain and teach the science behind the activities and have a positive, encouraging manner in their interactions with the children who attend. This group is deserving of recognition for the consistency, creativity, positivity, and clear passion these teens bring to this program in wanting to help children access resources and learn about STEAM. They may also serve as role models for other girls who want to go into STEM in the future. The group has contributed to our branch by increasing the amount of STEAM programming we can offer our community and has made a positive contribution to our branch and the library department by helping to educate children and making STEAM fun through the various activities they provide.
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