Visit your local library for help during these tough times!

During these hard economic times the San Jose Public Library staff has banded together to offer our community help in many areas including: resume building, online job searching, practice interview techniques, eating healthy on a budget, tax help, and ways to relieve stress.

Check out these employment links...




Educational Park Branch Library invites you to our:


Free2Succeed: Get that job!
One-on-one assistance for resumes, job searching, and interview practice! Pre-registration is required.
Thru May



Join us for Laughaway Yoga and relieve some stress

Laughaway Yoga Workshop Laughter benefits are to control stress, improve productivity, develop trust, improve teamwork, improve leadership, improve lung capacity, improve immune system and improve participation etc. You will be glad to know that Laughaway conducts laughter seminar to improve health and happiness for maximum number of people for maximum time.
Saturday March 28 12:00


Parenting Workshop
Healthy Structure Learn how to develop age appropriate rules, stay in charge, and stick together. These topics and more will be addressed by a Community Outreach specialist from CAPA (Community Access for Prevention Activities / Alum Rock Counseling Center)
Wednesday April 1 6:00 pm


Music & Movement with Preschoolers
Move, dance and sing with your preschooler to a variety of music. We will make a take-home art activity out of common household objects and learn different ways to play with bean bags, scarves, rhythm sticks and blankets. Parents are encouraged to replicate these activities at home using items found around the house. This program is for parents and children ages two to five.
Wednesday April 15 6:00pm

A New Year begins...

Welcome, friends of Educational Park Branch Library:

As the New Year Begins your local library has many things to offer:

Hands on Computer Help (Spanish, Mandarin, and English):

Must come in and schedule an appointment.


Homework Center (Monday thru Thursday)

This program is offered to all student K-12, and includes assitance in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Please come in an register to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

Open Mike! Rock Out Time... For Teens every Tuesday begining January 20th

Teens come and share your talent and creativity! You can Rock out with your guitars, Ukuleles, Sing your heart out with our Karaoke machine, Showcase your dance routine, Freestyle, or Read your poetry... It is YOUR time to show off!

Stepping Workshop

Friday, January 23 from 3:30 - 4:00

Join us and learn to use your whole body as a musical rhythmic instrument in a Stepping Workshop. STEPPING is a century-old tradition of dance performed by African American fraternities and sororities in which teams compete in rhythmic, precision dance moves. Come and share the fun...

Chinese New Year Youth Musical Performance

Saturday January 31 at 12 PM

Please come and enjoy this Chinese youth musical performance to celebrate Chinese New Year!

Feb 4^th Parenting Workshop - Encourage Your Children
Wednesday 6-7:30

Learn how to listen to and support your children. Find out how to establish goals with children and how to have family meetings. These topics and more will be addressed by a Community Outreach specialist from CAPA (Community Access for Prevention Activities / Alum Rock Counseling Center)

Come down to your library and enjoy!!!

The Winter time...

Welcome and Happy Holidays from Educational Park!

Throughout the month of December there are many special programs happening for your well being and entertainment! Please come and join us for these wonderful and exciting engagements…

Saturday, December 6^th from 1:00 - 3:00

Meet Santa at the library --- Families are invited to bring their little ones down and take a picture with Santa Claus…children will also receive a treat!

Tuesday, December 9th from 3:00 – 4:00

Living Green: This special lecture is designed to educate teens about energy saving techniques and solar renewable energy.

Wednesday, December 10^th from 6:30 -7:30

A parenting specialist from CAPA (Community Access for Prevention Activities / Alum Rock Counseling Center) will be here to help parents focus on listening to their kids and giving the support they need.

Thursday, December 11^th from 1:00 – 4:00

Do you need help looking for a job, updating your resume, or finding childcare services while you at work…if so come down and visit Mobile One-Stop Van for Jobseekers.

Also,

Thursday, December 11^th from 3:00 – 4:00

Local San Jose author of East Side Dreams, Art Rodriguez, will be at Educational Park to talk about his experiences and raffle off some of his books…

It will be a great time!

Saturday, December 13 from 11:30 – 12:00

A Special Puppet story time with Miss Margaret.

*****P.S. San Jose Public Library just renewed our contract with Live Homework Help, this tutoring site offers tutoring in math, science, English, and much much more! It is a valuable resource for students to use... (the link is located on the right:)

Come down to the library and enjoy these fun and exciting programs!

Get Library Event Info Sent to You Automatically!

Having trouble keeping track of the many programs the library offers?

We have a new option for you: RSS feeds. Sign up for information about the libraries you visit by following the link here: http://sjlibrary.org/rss/index.htm. This way you will always know what is happening at the library without having to go from web page to web page to web page : ( . If you have any trouble, please click the help button at the top of the page or post a comment here--I will answer your questions!

Now you will never again have to miss out on things like our actor's workshop (tomorrow) or our carnival and thermometer exchange on Saturday!

See you at a program soon.......

Cool Free Films in San Jose Neighborhoods?

It's true! The San Jose Public Library has teamed up with the Int'l Latino Film Society to bring you several inspiring and incredible films for the month of June.



The first showing was at Educational Park (the screening room was a short stroll from the library--we showed you where). Please read more information about our screening and the series here and here.

There are still two screening opportunities left: 21 Saturday at Hillview Library and 28 Saturday at Biblioteca Library.

The theme of this series is What Cannot Left Behind, and as you watch these films and listen to the speakers, we invite you to think about what makes you "you," what informs your sense of identity. How much has place shaped the person you have become? If you were separated from your homeland or if you left your place of birth--how much of it would you keep with you?

When you watch these films and reflect on your own experiences and the experiences of those you know and love, you may want to investigate the topic of immigration more fully. Over the coming weeks those of us with blogs will be providing suggestions for additional materials on this subject.

This week our recommendations for further exploration into the topic of immigration include very diverse perspectives--from those who are trafficked into new countries against their will and those who find disappointment in their adopted countries to refugees and those who must flee their homes for political reasons.

Unveiled / A Woman's Journey Through Politics, Love, and Obedience by Deborah Kanafani.

This memoir documents an American woman's experiences and struggles in the Middle East.

Find this item in our catalogue here: http://mill1.sjlibrary.org/search?/tunveiled/tunveiled/1%2C4%2C7%2CB/frameset&FF=tunveiled&4%2C%2C4

A Crime So Monstrous : Face-to-Face with Modern-Day Slavery / E. Benjamin Skinner.

In this account, Skinner makes the case that there are more slaves today than at any other time in history. Fascinating and upsetting, many types of slavery are explored, including sexual trafficking.

Find it in our catalogue here:

http://mill1.sjlibrary.org/search~/a?searchtype=X&searcharg=crime+so+monstrous&SORT=A&searchscope=1

The Latehomecomer : A Hmong Family Memoir / Kao Kalia Yang.

This memoir, highly recommended by Publisher's Weekly, traces the poignant tale of a Hmong family and makes vivid the experience of being a refugee in a country where people know nothing about you.

Find it here: http://mill1.sjlibrary.org/search~/a?searchtype=X&searcharg=late+homecomer&SORT=A&searchscope=1

The Bitter Sea : Coming of Age in a China Before Mao / Charles N. Li.
This memoir describes the transformation of a country and the effect that transformation has on the development of one of its citizens--as Ni struggles to define and redefine his life in the face of staggering changes.
Available at these libraries: http://mill1.sjlibrary.org/search?/Xbitter+sea&searchscope=1&SORT=A/Xbitter+sea&searchscope=1&SORT=A&SUBKEY=bitter%20sea/1%2C9%2C9%2CB/frameset&FF=Xbitter+sea&searchscope=1&SORT=A&1%2C1%2C

Let Them In : The Case for Open Borders / Jason L. Riley
This analysis of the facts of immigration makes a case that few in public are today making--that immigration is overwhelmingly positive for the United States and that many, many benefits are reaped from people coming into the country.
Request or locate this book here: http://mill1.sjlibrary.org/search?/Xlet+them+in&searchscope=1&SORT=A/Xlet+them+in&searchscope=1&SORT=A&SUBKEY=let%20them%20in/1%2C101%2C101%2CB/frameset&FF=Xlet+them+in&searchscope=1&SORT=A&1%2C1%2C


Remember, every book you read this summer qualifies you for the chance to win prizes--ask about Adult Summer Reading at your local library for more details!

Falcon Fever--All Things Precious and Predatory

This is such a cool time in San Jose. Carlos and Clara are busy raising their just-hatched chicks and there are many ways you can choose to observe them in their family life! Let us know what you see by posing a comment to this blog.

You can click on the Nest Cam or you can view the birds through the scopes when you visit the main library downtown (it will be on the eighth floor--ask any staff member for help if you have trouble finding it). The chicks are beginning to be quite active and they are very fluffy.

These are peregrine falcons, and they used to be endangered. Fortunately the outlook for the species has improved so much they have been taken off the endangered list.

For more interesting resources on the web, please check out these sites:

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Peregrine_Falcon.html

PA Falcon Cam

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/falcon/falconinfo.html

Defenders of Wildlife

http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/peregrine_falcon.php

Peregrine Fund

http://www.peregrinefund.org/explore_raptors/falcons/peregrin.html

Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group (this is our own local group that monitors San Jose falcons)

http://www.peregrinefund.org/explore_raptors/falcons/peregrin.html

Rochester Falconcam (this is an especially good site for educators and parents who are looking for fun activities). The people here were also kind enough to share their images with our blog--thank you! This particular photo was taken by Gary Chadwick, one of their local falcon watchers.

http://www.rfalconcam.com

http://www.peregrinefund.org/explore_raptors/falcons/peregrin.html

In the Library

We have some great databases for you to use to find out even more information for your personal interest or for a report.

http://sjlibrary.org/research/databases/index.htm?getType=4

Some related library materials you might be interested in (and I am including fiction and film) include:

My Side of the Mountain

The Kidnapped Falcon

The Maltese Falcon

The Peregrine Falcon

The Peregrine Falcon: Endangered No More

Saving the Peregrine Falcon

The Case of the Missing Falcon

Click on any of the above links to find them in our catalog or browse your own terms here. There are many, many more items available.

And don't forget, as you get interested in other topics, we can support your learning in those areas too--whether you want to find out more about endangered species, other birds of prey like owls, conservation efforts, or anything else at all. Ask us a question!

Remember--the nest may only be active for three more weeks or so--so start your observing and learning of this incredible bird of prey today!

We Have a Winner!

Congratulations Carlos!

He won 4 tickets (valued at $44) to Santa Mesa. We look forward to hearing his thoughts on the film and the entire San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival experience (in San Jose).

To everyone else, thanks for entering the contest and please continue to visit and interact with our blog. Get your current, user-friendly info here!

As for our poll results:

69% of you said that you would like to see films in the library for free

63% said you would like to see films for free in a San Jose park

61% said you like to pay to see films in San Jose theaters

38% said you prefer to see movies at Camera or other independent locations

15% said you go to other cities with larger selections of showing films

Thank you for your participation and I will keep you posted on film events in the library!

How to Win San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival Movie Tickets for Next Saturday!

At Educational Park we love film, especially independent film that offer unique perspectives. Our partner, the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, is coming to town next weekend with a number of fantastic movies.

Find more about the films scheduled to show in San Jose by downloading the mini guide here. The mini guides are also available in the community information area of the library--ask us to show you where they are.

I am very proud to announce that several directors are going to be speaking about filmmaking and the creative process at King library at 3pm on 22 March--check out our events listing page for details. SJPL is excited to bring art to the library and to the community we serve.

At 4:30pm on that same day, Santa Mesa will be screened and SJPL is offering you the opportunity to win 2 free tickets. If having a unique, intriguing and inexpensive evening of film with a friend, family member or date sounds good to you--this is your chance!

How will we know that you voted? Simple! Vote in the poll to the left and above. --^

Then you have two options. Option one: send me an email at carine.risley@sjlibrary.org telling me whether or not this is your first visit to our blog, your name, and the best way to contact you (in the subject line of your email please write: Ticket Contest.

Option two: If you are in Educational Park Library, then this may be the best option for you: vote in our poll (any staff person will let you use our computers to do so), then fill out the entry form and return it to a staff member).

Good luck and I look forward to announcing the winner on Friday of next week 21 March 2008!

A Valentine from Educational Park: We Love You

Valentine's Day is in less than one week! But don't panic--your library is here as always to help you have the most successful day ever.

Need some ideas to help you show your love?

Come into the library and get inspired. We have romantic films, documentaries about the history of the holiday, books about the roots of Valentine's day, cookbooks to help you plan a romantic meal, travel books for that vaction you've been meaning to take with your significant other, books on wine and champagne for your intimate celebration, crafty books to help you make a special personal little something, and smart, motivated staff ready to help you with whatever you need to celebrate the holiday.

Also, investigate these interesting suggestions for the Chronicle and the Mercury News.

Nursing a broken heart? If you need an antidote to Valentine's Day--check out on of the many library Anti-Valentine's Day events--ours is on Monday.

And also on Monday is our never-before-done, stay-open-late event: A Movie, A Meal, & Meanings. Join us and get your week of love started off right!

Civic Duty Fatigue? Tired of Hearing About the Candidates on the News But Still Not Ready for 5 February?

Not to worry! Your librarian has gathered together a number of valuable resources.

Grab a friend or family member and review these information sources together.

First things first.

Are you registered to vote? If you haven't yet--it is not too late. Click here to download the Voter Registration form in Spanish or English and make sure you get it postmarked by 22 January.

Newspaper coverage. Click here for the special election section of the Mercury News, here for special election section of the New York Times, and here for the special election section of the San Francisco Chronicle. These sites are rich with information: covering everything from breaking campaign news, the latest poll results, and results of debates to lists of upcoming primaries and photos of poll places. The Mercury News also includes their own Editorial Recommendations.

For those of you who live in Santa Clara County, the link to our local Registrar of Voters with information about local measures can be found here.

Click here for a personalized list of your nearest polling locations.

Maybe you want to combine your patriotism and respect for our political process with the opportunity to earn a little extra money? Follow this link to earn between $100-$150 when you serve as an election officer.

Do you have the time to read a book written by one of the presidential candidates? The following are just a few of the books we have available at San Jose Public Library--just click on the candidate's name to get linked to something s/he authored.

Biden

Clinton
Giuliani
Huckabee

Edwards

McCain

Kucinich

Obama

Richardson

Have more questions or suggestions? Call or come in to the library or log into Ask A Librarian from our homepage and we will be happy to help you.

And don't forget! 30 January 2007 at 7pm we will be having a Pros and Cons of the Propositions program at our library. At the program, you will be referred this great site: SmartVoter.

I'll see you then! Remember--Election Day is less than three weeks away....

Election Day is 5 February? Propositions? Candidates? Where Do I Vote? Transportation Funds? Indian Gaming Compacts? Help!

30 January 2008

7pm @ Educational Park Library

Pros and Cons of Props and More

Voter Education Program

Presented By the Nonpartisan
League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara

1770 Educational Park Drive San Jose CA 95133 408-272-3663

Arm Yourself With Knowledge. Be Informed.

Silicon Valley Reads: Let's Get Started!

Official Selection: The Distant Land Of My Father





We invite everyone to participate in reading, discussing, and exploring this book. If you start today, you have 40 days to complete the book in time for our very special evening supporting the book. There will be free food, a free screening of an excellent film, discussion of the work, and prizes. That means you will complete the book by 11 February(the day of our program) if you read only 10 pages a day! Set a good example for your children or for your parents. Read with your friends, coworkers, family--read in the coffee shop, while you spare the air and take public transportation, while you wait for appointments, before you go to sleep, just as you awake, when you want to unwind. Have fun!

We are just a couple of days into the New Year!

It is the Perfect Time for Resolutions

Maybe you have vowed:

to learn a new craft or perfect an old one, like knitting or crocheting;
to hone your cooking skills or deepen your knowledge of international cuisines;
to lose weight or improve your overall health;
to make sure your children are read to everyday;
to participate in the community and culture of Silicon Valley Reads by reading the official selection;
to become capable in home repairs;
to become a more active gardener;
to improve your relationships;
to become a happier person;
to become a more generous and charitable person.

The public library is the perfect place to help you succeed in your goals and hopes for 2008. We have a wealth of resources and information that will give you all the knowledge and encouragement you need. So please come check out your options at Educational Park and good luck!

Here are some links to additional resolution resources:

A New Year's Resolution Revolution: Fox News Business

Made a resolution? Here's how to stick to it: BBC News

LIBRARY NOTES: Books can help with New Year resolutions: Coulee News

APA Offers Tips for Attaining Your New Year's Resolutions: HealthyMinds.org

Three Cool New Books on the Shelves Right Now!

Grab Them Before They Go:

Available NOW in our New Nonfiction Section.

Post a Comment & Let Us Know How You Like Them!

The True Cost Of Happiness: The Real Story Behind Managing Your Money

Do you wish you knew more about managing your personal finances? Or do you need to create a financial plan that is not intimidating? This interesting and practical book invites the reader to assess the role that family models, social conventions, and ethnic and gender expectations play in determining one's attitude about money. Included are checklists, questions to ask yourself, and sections on saving, changing your financial habits, planning for two, and teaching effective money attitudes to your children. This is a user-friendly entry into the world of financial responsibility.

No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach

This photo-rich book documents all the places Bourdain has visited for his television show of the same name. Bourdain's trademark sense of humor and attention to absurdity is present in vignettes about places on each of the five continents! Sections include descriptions of chefs across the globe, specific restaurant recommendations, and assessments of bathrooms by country. A fun, lively, and quick read.

Rosa's New Mexican Table

A beautifully designed cookbook--lovely to behold and filled with desire-inducing recipes such as "hot avocado soup," "peach pico de gallo," "almond cinnamon cookies," and "swiss chard with beets, queso Oaxaca, and raisins." Recommended for the chef who wants to explore Mexican cuisine with New York Chef Roberto Santibañez. Contents include a focus on techniques and a primer on chiles.

What's An Ebook?!!

An Ebook is super easy and convenient to use!

Some materials are great to have in digital form--like language learning CDs and up-to-the-second how-to technology books.

Learn Arabic, Chinese, French, Hindi, and more! Solve that pesky computer problem using library resources. Fix that iPod problem the moment it happens. And more!

Ebooks: Selected (paid for by us, FREE for you) to support you and your needs. Check out our four collections at: http://www.sjlibrary.org/research/ebooks/index.htm

Need help? Read FAQs here: http://www.sjlibrary.org/research/ebooks/faq.htm
Or call us at the branch, come in and ask us for a demonstration, or log in to AskNow for chat help (see earlier post).

Questions make us happy! So get that information you need whenever you need it, day or night!