Thank You!
The San José Public Library appreciates the tremendous contributions and efforts made by all our volunteers. Every year, each of our library locations and units selects an individual volunteer to recognize as their Volunteer of the Year.
We are truly grateful that they chose to volunteer with our Library.
2026 Volunteer of the Year
Adult Literacy & ESL - Jerry Dyer
Jerry has been a committed volunteer tutor for Adult Literacy and ESL for over 3 years. He works with a group of low-level ESL learners twice a week at King Library and has formed a very supportive community with this group of students. He is always willing to integrate a new student or two to his class. Jerry is always willing to jump in and lend a hand, whether it be to help at an event, to give feedback to staff about our program, or allowing new tutors to observe his class. He plays a key role in helping other tutors hone their skills in our tutor support meetings. He is a model tutor, so caring and faithful. We are so fortunate to have him as a volunteer in our program.
Almaden Branch Library - Lynn Rice
Lynn started the ELL Conversation Club three years ago. She started with around 4-6 participants the first year and now we have built the program to a regular attendance of up to 16 participants. She prepares for the program and finds topics to discuss. She leads a group of three facilitators and have guided them to be successful facilitators in their own right. She is engaging, friendly, and always so proper. I have come to rely on her and the program ELL Conversation Club runs on its own with very little help from me.
Alviso Branch Library - Janani Janakiraman
Early last year, Janani came to the Alviso branch to inquire about joining our Storytime and reading to our participants. She showed incredible initiative in that she already had a book (that she wrote herself!) that she wanted to read to our audience. We onboarded her as a volunteer soon after so that she can join our Storytime for a couple visits. Since it was clear that she was passionate about reading to children, we began the Reading to Children program for her to do weekly at Alviso. As a volunteer Reader to Children, Janani showed amazing persistence and consistently came to her volunteer shifts in case any children wanted to enjoy a reading from her. Overtime, we saw Janani's growth as a volunteer and is also happy to lend a hand for other events we may have. Some children come back often just to join Janani for a reading! For 2026, Janani was an easy choice as Volunteer of the Year of the Alviso branch. We are very proud of her work in helping children with their literacy and look forward to working with her further!
Bascom Branch Library - Dolores M.
If you frequent Bascom Library, or have popped into our Friends' Book sales, you have undoubtedly run into our dedicated and very friendly volunteer, Dolores M. Dolores has been with the Bascom Friends group since the library first opened its doors in 2013. In addition to serving as the Friends' treasurer, she manages the steady stream of donations for Bascom Library Friends’ book sales and the Book Nook. She is also the digital voice behind the Bascom Friends’ active Facebook page.
Berryessa Branch Library - Samira Prasad
Samira leads our ELL Conversations Club programs. Due to our branch’s needs, she was willing to try being our ELL Conversations Club facilitator without previous experience. She continued to improve her knowledge by attending training courses on her own. She has gone above and beyond our expectations as a volunteer for this program, offering it twice a week and with planned out lessons. She provides her students and the library with extra help and support when needed.
Biblioteca Latinoamericana Branch Library-Gayle Shean
Since August 2025, Gayle has served as the facilitator of the ESL Conversation Class at Biblioteca Latinoamericana, dedicating up to six hours each week to supporting adult learners in our community. Gayle independently develops and plans each lesson, creating a welcoming classroom environment where participants can practice English, build confidence, and connect with one another. What makes Gayle’s work especially meaningful is the care she brings to every aspect of the program. She takes the time to get to know each participant—their families, their stories, and the challenges they face in their daily lives. Her class has grown into a close-knit and supportive community where participants feel seen, valued, and encouraged. Gayle often brings homemade treats to share during class, adding a thoughtful and personal touch that helps make the space feel warm and inviting. At the end of each month, Gayle organizes a special “real-life” simulation activity where participants practice real-world situations. To make these experiences possible, she recruits additional volunteers to help facilitate the simulations—an extraordinary effort that demonstrates her initiative and dedication to creating meaningful learning opportunities for participants. Even when participants are unable to continue attending after their initial evaluations, Gayle remains committed to showing up each week and providing a reliable, welcoming space for anyone who wants to learn. Her program is one of the most consistent and structured classroom-style programs at the branch, and it serves an important need in the community. Through her energy, creativity, and genuine care for others, Gayle has created more than just a class—she has built a supportive learning community. Her dedication makes a lasting impact on the lives of participants and embodies the library’s mission to provide a safe and welcoming place for all.
Calabazas Branch Library - Julie Nottage
Julie is a cornerstone of adult programming at Calabazas. What began as hosting a monthly stitch group quickly grew! She now leads a monthly adult crafting program, a monthly gaming session, and a weekly ELL Conversation Club. Balancing her volunteer work with a busy career, Julie brings dedication, creativity, and enthusiasm to the library. We’re grateful for the connections she builds and the welcoming community she helps create at Calabazas.
Cambrian Branch Library - Elizabeth Yoshida
Elizabeth comes every week to ensure that our picture book collection is always in circulation! She selects authors with a high volume of titles to be displayed so that San Jose Public Library's picture book collection is equitably distributed between all of the branches. Sometimes, a Library's picture book collection may become unbalanced when too many of the same titles are returned to one location. By displaying authors on Cambrian Library's Picture Book Author Gondola, patrons will pick up authors or picture books that might otherwise languish on our shelves, spine out. When picture books are displayed with their covers out, patrons are more likely to notice a picture book that might be of interest to them.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library: Access Services- Konstanze Ballschmiter-Zait
Konstanze has been volunteering with Access Services at the King library for over two years. She is an enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer - always willing to tackle any task big or small. Her responsibilities support a range of Access services, including boxing up donations, shelf-reading, organizing and displaying materials, and working on special projects for Access.
Her volunteer experience has encouraged her to make a major career change - moving from program management in the tech industry to the world of library services. Today, she is working as an As-Needed Library Assistant for the Santa Clara City Library system, in addition to volunteering at the King library.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library: California Room - Mia Bajan
Digitizing home media for the Retro Tech program. Mia is very dedicated and has grown so much over the past year. We are very thankful for her volunteer service. Mia has overseen dozens of cherished family home media transfers, spanning hours and hours of audio and visual materials.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library: Digital Equity & Empowerment unit - Anish Roy
The Digital Equity & Empowerment unit nominates Anish Roy for Volunteer of the Year. Anish created and led the library’s first multi-day coding boot camp for middle and high school students, offered in November 2025 and March 2026. He teaches Python for AI and machine learning through hands-on projects, guiding students to build ML models, tackle collaborative problem-solving challenges, and present their work in a showcase. He volunteers to support his community and foster an environment of learning and curiosity. Anish’s dedication has inspired students and strengthened the library’s technology programs.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library: King Public Reference & Resources unit - Bradley Johnson
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library’s King Public Reference and Resource (KPRR) unit is proud to nominate Bradley Johnson for Volunteer of the Year. Bradley serves as a Tech Mentor for our unit and has done an outstanding job helping bridge the digital divide for the diverse communities we serve in San José. Through his dedication and patience, Brad assists countless community members with their technical needs and empowers them with essential digital skills. Brad regularly provides one-on-one technical support, helping patrons learn computer basics such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and printing. He also assists with device troubleshooting, guiding users as they learn to operate smartphones, tablets, and navigate the internet. In addition, Brad helps patrons access library e-resources, including e-books, and supports digital skills development by assisting with tasks such as setting up email accounts, completing online job applications, and navigating social media platforms. What truly sets Brad apart is his individualized coaching style. He provides patient, tailored instruction to people of all skill levels, ensuring every patron feels supported and confident in their learning. Brad’s impact on the KPRR unit and the community we serve cannot be overstated. Week after week, he generously shares his time and expertise to help individuals from all cultures, backgrounds, and economic circumstances gain access to the digital world. Simply put, Brad exemplifies the spirit of service. Congratulations, Brad! You truly deserve this Volunteer of the Year Award.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library: Volunteer Services unit - Luis Ivan Cuevas
Luis Ivan Cuevas began volunteering with the San José Public Library as an Administrative Assistant in November 2018 with the Volunteer Services Unit. He has since become one of our most dependable and dedicated volunteers. He always show us and communicates proactively to balance his busy school and work schedule, while supporting both inperson and virtual work with exceptional reliability. Not only does Luis contributes his time to the Volunteer Services Unit, but he has helped the California Room with various archive projects and the Marketing & Communications unit at the King Library, consistently bringing positivity, gratitude, and a willingness to take on even the most timesensitive projects — from labeling more than 6,000 children’s books for holiday giveaways to sorting and packaging Service Day supplies. His takes time to streamline our efforts within these tasks to create a workflow that not only works for him, but can be utilzed by other staff or volunteers. His actions strengthen our capacity to serve our community, and elevate the quality of our projects. Over the years, he has digitized systemwide survey results, organized collateral and volunteer materials, and helped create thousands of library buttons and craft items for community events. Luis’ unwavering commitment, adaptability, and genuine enthusiasm for service make him an outstanding contributor and a perfect fit for Volunteer of the Year.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library: Youth Service unit - Jaena Jaug
Jaena is a Library Services Volunteer. While initially brought on to assist with shelving, Jaena has also proved to be a conscientious shelf-reader and have a keen eye for creating exciting displays. She has made herself available to help with programs in both the Children's Room and TeenHQ and worked with other volunteers to build a beautifully crafted Gratitude Tree that is the centerpiece for multiple annual programs. A current MLIS student, Jaena is always interested in learning more about libraries, engaging in conversation with our staff to gain more insight into our work. Her enthusiasm and her passion for helping the community make working with her a true pleasure.
Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock Branch Library - Nestor De La O Vargas
Néstor first proproposed a Spanish language class in 2024. For two years he has donated his time, effort, and skills every week to teach Spanish language skills to anyone. Since then the program has adapted and expanded to meet the needs of the community. Néstor creates a warm, welcoming environment that nurtures learning and community building. I love to see his students happily chatting with each other as they leave the program.
East San José Carnegie Branch Library - Kassia Kurzvski
In 2025, Kassia started volunteering at the East San Jose began Carnegie Library both at our weekly storytime and with the Friends of the Library. At storytime, she is a welcoming, fun, and reliable helper for the kids and their caregivers. She shares songs and stories from her native Brazil and her first language of Portuguese. She has an MBA in digital marketing and her passion for organizing physical and digital spaces has been an asset to our Friends of the Library group.
Edenvale Branch Library - Ramya Senthil
Ramya, our dedicated Homework Club Supervisor and STEM enthusiast at the Edenvale Branch Library. Ramya has become a cornerstone of our community, known for her tireless commitment to empowering the next generation of learners. Fostering Independent Learners As the supervisor of our K-8 Homework Club, Ramya does more than just help with assignments. She focuses on the "whole student," supporting both academic success and social-emotional wellbeing. Through her guidance, students aren’t just getting their homework done; they are learning how to become independent, confident scholars. Igniting Curiosity in STEM Beyond the Homework Club, Ramya brings her passion for education to our STEM programs. She is a driving force behind activities that encourage curiosity and creativity, helping children and families explore the wonders of science and technology in a hands-on environment. Going Above and Beyond Ramya’s impact reaches every corner of our branch. Whether she is: Creating detailed craft samples to inspire young artists. Assisting staff with our bilingual storytime programs. Setting up and coordinating events to ensure every family feels welcome. Ramya truly goes the extra mile to build a community that cares. Her selfless dedication and "above and beyond" attitude make her an invaluable part of the Edenvale team. Thank you, Ramya, for everything you do to make our library a place where everyone can thrive!
Educational Park Branch Library - Christin Ban
Educational Park nominates Christin Ban for Volunteer of the Year. Christin has been volunteering as an ESL instructor for about a year. She expresses great care and passion for her students. Christin creates a welcoming space that fosters compassion and patience to support English learners gain confidence in their speaking skills and feeling apart of the community. Her students speak highly to staff about the class and express continuous gratitude toward Christin. Educational Park is proud and grateful to have Christin as a volunteer.
Evergreen Branch Library- Nishka Komanduri
Nishka’s volunteer responsibilities include tutoring young students with their homework; leading a coding class for children; being an ambassador for our annual Summer Learning program; aiding a librarian with her coding classes; assisting with our quarterly book sales; and taking part in helping with our holiday programs, such as our Winter Holiday Event and Lunar New Year Event. Nishka merits special recognition because, since 2024, she has participated in numerous of our volunteer opportunities. In addition, she works well with staff, has a great attitude, and engages very positively with the community. She has logged close to 160 hours in just one year and three months. The impact Nishka has made on Evergreen has been tremendous. Our branch has historically offered a wide range of fun and engaging programs to the youth, which we are proud of. Nishka has greatly contributed to this tradition. She has participated in many volunteer opportunities, excelled, and even leads one of her own. And the feedback we have received – large attendance, children smiling, families excited – has illustrated to us the success of her contributions. The impact Nishka has had on our library system has been equally tremendous. Our library has recently made a push to provide more STEM-based programs to San Jose communities. Nishka has worked closely and very hard with a librarian to lead her own coding program, which falls under STEM. This program has been received very well by our community, due to the consistently large attendance.
Hillview Branch Library - Denix Evans
Denix has been volunteer at Hillview for over a year. He has helped in multiple areas, from big events to displays to shelf reading. He always comes in eager and happy to help. He has brightened everyone's work area by drawing every staff member as a pony (inspired by My Little Pony).
Joyce Ellington Branch Library - Brianna Gaffney
Brianna began her volunteer service at Joyce Ellington in 2024 as a Summer Learning Ambassador. She quickly took off from there designing STEAM activities for Friday Crafternoons and talking with Toddler Storytime caregivers helping to enroll them in the Summer Learning program. When Brianna was ready for a leadership position, she proposed creating book displays in the adult section, and starting the BYOB (Bring Your Own Book) Book Club. Her initiative, creativity and passion in designing the displays and planning the book club was transformative. We now have vibrant, eye-catching book displays and a well-attended book club. Brianna has a warm and engaging personality and shows an active interest and curiosity in everyone she meets. From children to adults, Brianna has gained the confidence and trust of program attendees and developed a following of repeat customers. We are happy to honor Brianna with the Volunteer of the Year Award!
Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library - Meghan Williams
Meghan has been volunteering with Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library for a year, and she has inspired and drawn a lot of people to Mt. Pleasant Library with her crochet. She is patient, welcoming, and a crochet expert who loves to teach people how to make them.
Pearl Avenue Branch Library - Livia Roder
Livia Roder has been a great asset to our library, and to the children who attend her Math Olympiad classes. She started in the Fall of 2024, leading students through mathematic challenges in weekly and monthly programs. During all her events, Livia instructed students with an empathetic and understanding nature, making sure that they fully understood the concepts taught each session. There is no doubt that Livia will excel in any path she chooses.
Rose Garden Branch Library - Arthur Morgan
Arthur Morgan joined the Rose Garden Branch Library as a volunteer in 2023. He is our resident Tech Mentor who always shows up ready and willing to help anyone needing help with technology, be it a smartphone, laptop, or putting together a resume. Arthur always arrives with a great attitude, and has helped a good number of patrons over the years gain confidence with their technological skills. We thank and appreciate Arthur for all he's done for us at the Rose Garden Branch!
Santa Teresa Branch Library - Madeline Huynh
Madeline is the Santa Teresa Branch Toy Sanitation Officer in addition to being an active TeensReach member. As our Sanitation Officer, Madeline is responsible for cleaning the toys for: baby lapsit storytime, the floor mats for the storytimes, and the toys in the children's area. As a TeensReach member Madeline is involved in various special projects for the library including book displays, helping with library art programs, and much more. Madeline is hardworking, always willing to lend a hand, and goes the extra mile every time she volunteers. The staff think highly of her and we know she will succeed at anything she puts her mind to.
Seven Trees Branch Library - Ethan Nguyen
The Seven Trees Library is delighted to honor Ethan Nguyen as our Volunteer of the Year. For the past two years, Ethan has been leading or assisting with dozens of programs, events, and projects. His reliability and dedication to the community is truly unmatched. By mentoring children in our STEM and technology programs, Ethan has helped bridge the digital divide, teaching essential skills like coding and robotics. His commitment and consistent support have significantly enhanced our library’s offerings. We are profoundly grateful for Ethan’s service and are proud to recognize him with this well-deserved honor.
Tully Community Branch Library - Hai Tran
Hai Tran began volunteering at the Tully Community Branch Library in January 2024 and has since dedicated more than 150 hours to serving his local community. As both a Citizenship Class Instructor and an ESL (English as a Second Language) Instructor, he has played an important role in supporting adult learners on their educational journeys. Through his patience, dedication, and thoughtful instruction, Hai has helped many adult students build essential language and literacy skills. His efforts have empowered learners not only to pursue U.S. citizenship but also to better navigate and connect with their local community. Thanks to his continued commitment, adult patrons—particularly within the Vietnamese American community—have come to view the Tully Community Branch Library as a trusted and valuable resource for learning English, gaining civic knowledge, and developing the confidence needed to take the next step toward citizenship.
Village Square Branch Library - Judee English
Judee English is a friend of Village Square Library. She has been an active volunteer since the branch opened in 2016. As one of the Friends of VS, she has helped lead the branch's book sales and successfully helped raise funds to support our branch. Her dedication and leadership is something we are deeply grateful for and cannot thank her enough
Vineland Branch Library - Weihong Z.
Weihong has been volunteering with the Vineland Library for 3 years. Her main contribution has been hosting Vineland’s Saturday Tech Help program, though she has also assisted with a few other events. Her enthusiasm and dedication to volunteering and helping others has made a big difference in improving tech literacy in our community.
West Valley Branch Library - Tooran
Tooran joined the Friends of the West Valley Branch Library in 2020. Initially, she helped with sorting and organizing book donations. After a few months, the Friends found they needed a "book scanner" (someone to scan books to determine their value), and Tooran was happy to accept this new responsibility. She eventually increased her responsibilities as a Friends volunteer by joining the Board. As a member of the Board, Tooran has taken a leadership role at the library by helping to plan Friends' book sales and other Friends' activities. When the President of the West Valley Branch Friends was out of town during a book sale, Tooran once again "stepped up" as a library volunteer. To the great relief of our Friends' President, she agreed to take responsibility for the book sale - planning, organizing, coordinating and supervising multiple volunteers, and managing the book sale from planning and set up, execution, to clean up. The book sale was a success, raising essential funds for the library, in large part to Tooran's leadership. In addition to her work with the Friends, Tooran started a Book Club at the West Valley Branch and leads the club by planning and facilitating their monthly meetings. Tooran's service to the library has been extraordinary. She is here every Tuesday for two hours, and frequently volunteers on Mondays for two to three hours. Her work with the Friends supports their mission to raise money for library programs. In a very real sense, her service helps make many of our programs possible. Sunday STEAM, DIY Beading for Adults, Bingo, Insiders, etc. enrich the lives of our patrons and would not be possible without the ongoing service of our Friends volunteers. Tooran plays an essential role supporting the Friends' ongoing work on behalf of the library. Tooran's hard work, dedication, and commitment help make what we do at the library possible, and our West Valley Branch staff are so grateful for everything she does for the library, our patrons, and the West Valley community!
Willow Glen Branch Library - Aneesha Janbandhu
The Willow Glen Library is happy to honor Aneesha Janbandhu as our Volunteer of the Year for 2026! As the founder of Science Academy, Aneesha has been presenting science based STEM programs for kids at the library since 2023. Her impact has been felt across San Jose. In addition to the Willow Glen Library, Aneesha has also presented at two other library locations, the Bascom Library and the Educational Park Library. Over the years, Aneesha has built up a fan base of regulars - children and parents both - who make a point to attend her programs because they know it will be both educational and fun. And while she is getting ready for new adventures at college in the fall, Aneesha has also ensured that her Science Academy legacy will continue by mentoring other teens as Science Academy Ambassadors. Thank you, Aneesha for all of your hard work and enthusiasm that you impart to the children of our community!