April 15, 2008

Books & Bytes

May Cultural Events @ the Edenvale Branch Library

• Cultural events are abound at Edenvale Branch Library during the month of May. We begin the month with a Cinco de Mayo Family Craft program, where children and their parents will get to create some fun and easy traditional Mexican crafts. The library will also be hosting Chiquy Boom, a bilingual performer who will present a n entertaining magic show offering loads of energetic activities to engage both kids and adults.

May is also Asian Pacific Heritage Month. In honor of this, the San José Public Library System will be hosting Vietnamese cultural programs for youth in collaboration with San José / Evergreen Community College District. The programs complement a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Museum titled 'Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon" that is on display to June 1 at the San José City College Student Center Building, Community Room SC204. This exhibit was created by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program to tell the story of the Vietnamese-American experience in America, from the significant influx in 1975 to the present. It explores the themes of challenge, contribution and change, emphasizing the vibrant diversity of the Vietnamese-American community. Take in the free exhibit, Mondays through Wednesdays 10 AM to 4 PM, Thursdays 10 AM to 8 PM, and Saturdays 10 AM to 2PM. Join us in celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month at Edenvale Library on May 10, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• You may have noticed newspaper ads or signs on buses in and around the county for something called “Free2.” They advertise a fun and upbeat campaign taking place throughout the Bay Area over the next several months that is designed to raise awareness of how libraries empower our lives every day. Free2 celebrates how libraries help give us the freedom to explore, imagine, connect, create and succeed. At the center of the campaign is an interactive website—WeAreFree2.org where you can:

• Enter an online contest—by May 15—to share your thoughts on what you are free to do, or be, thanks to your local library. You could win one of 10 grand prizes (including a FLIP® Ultra Video camera and an iPod® Shuffle), plus a chance to be featured in future campaign ads.

• Download a Free2 graphic for an iron-on transfer to create your own Free2 t-shirt

• Locate and connect with your closest library.

• Check it out!

For Children:

Wednesday
6:30 pm
Family Storytime

Thursday
10:30 am
Toddler Storytime

Friday
10:30 am
Preschool Storytime

Saturday
May 3rd
1:00-2:00
Family Craft Program: Cinco de Mayo Crafts

Saturday
May 17th
1:00-2:00 pm
Chiquy Boom: Chiquy Boom presents a Silly Magic Show offering loads of energetic activities to entertain both kids and adults in both Spanish and English.

Saturday
May 24th
1:00-3:00 pm
Family Wii Play

For Adults:

Tuesdays
6:30 pm
Internet Classes – Learn about fun and useful websites.

Fridays
4:30 pm
Conversation Club- Adults are invited to join our free ESL Conversation Club to practice their English language skills.

Saturday
May 10th
3:00-5:00 pm
Citizenship Q & A: free citizenship assistance provided by SIREN

Saturday
May 10th
3:00-5:00 pm:
“Exit Saigon: Enter Little Saigon”: The Vietnamese-American Experience in America. An exhibit presented by the Smithsonian Museum

Saturday
May 16th
10:00-12:00 pm
Friends of the Edenvale Branch Library Meeting

Tuesday
May 27th
6:30 pm
Adult Book Club

Edenvale Branch Library is located at 101 Branham Lane East at the intersection of Monterey Highway.  The library’s hours are:  Sunday from 1 - 5 p.m.; Monday 2 - 7 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. -6 p.m.  For more information, including news and events at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, visit the library’s website at www.sjlibrary.org, or call 408-808-3036 during business hours.