May 2, 2008

Cambrian Library News

Could you be the next San Jose Teen Idol?

Are you in your school choir? Taking voice lessons? Do you carry a good tune while in the shower? If you’re a San Jose resident between the ages of 12-19, you could be the next San Jose Idol!

The San Jose Public Library is sponsoring its second annual San Jose Idol contest this month. At Cambrian Branch Library, the competition will be held Saturday, April 12 at 2 p.m. in the Community Room.

Cash prizes of $50, $25, and $10 will be awarded to the top three contestants, and the first-place winner will go on to the final competition at King Library on May 17. Pick up a registration form at the Information Desk on the second floor and return it by April 9.

Month of the Young Child events
April is Month of the Young Child, and Cambrian Library is celebrating with special events. Join us on Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m. for Andrea’s Musical Adventures, which will include singing, dancing, musical instruments, and audience participation throughout the entire show. Attendance is limited; please arrive by 1:30 p.m. to receive a free ticket.

On Saturday, April 19 at 10:30 a.m., the library will offer a “Music and Movement With Preschoolers” parent/child workshop. Find out how music and movement stimulate brain development, and learn simple and fun activities you and your preschooler can do at home.

This event will be in the Community Room and takes the place of our regular Saturday story time. Attendance is limited; please sign up in advance at the Information Desk on the second floor.

The whole family is sure to enjoy the 20th Annual San Jose Children’s Faire, to be held Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown San Jose in front of the Children’s Discovery Museum. “Growing Up Green: Healthy Children, Healthy Families, Healthy Community” is the theme for this year’s event, which will feature stage entertainment, special attractions, and hands-on activities for children ages 2-12, as well as information about education, child care, health and safety, creative arts, and recreational programs.

Friends Book Sale
Don’t miss the Friends of Cambrian Library Book Sale on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Community Room. Browse a wide variety of used books as well as a large selection of videos and audiobooks. You’ll find great bargains and beautiful books! Take advantage of the Bargain Bag Sale from 3-4 p.m. All proceeds benefit Cambrian Library.

Free tax help
The deadline for filing tax returns is almost here. If your income was under $40,000, you can receive assistance from trained volunteers with the IRS Volunteer Tax Assistance (VITA) program on Saturday, April 5 and April 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will help you file your return electronically from our Internet Café on the second floor.

Computer classes
A new computer class geared for senior citizens takes place on Thursdays, April 3, 10, and 17 from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Tech Center on the second floor. This course includes an introduction to computers, word processing, spreadsheets, and the Internet. Please sign up at the second-floor Information Desk.

The library also has beginning computer classes for people of all ages on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. in the Tech Center. In addition, we’re offering Beginning Internet on Wednesday, April 2 April 30; Beginning Microsoft Word on Wednesday, April 9; and Excel Basics on Wednesday, April 16. All Wednesday classes are from 6-7 p.m.

Cambrian Mystery Book Club
Love a good mystery? Join our mystery book club, which next meets on Wednesday, April 23 at 6:45 p.m. in Meeting Room B.

ESL Conversation Club
Practice your English-speaking skills in a fun, relaxed environment. Our Conversation Club will meet on Tuesday, April 8 and April 22 at 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B.

Butterfly craft
Turn an ordinary coffee filter into a colorful butterfly! This after-school craft event will be held in the Community Room on Wednesday, April 9 from 3-4 p.m. Materials are provided by Friends of Cambrian Library.

Relaxation workshop
Kathy Horne, certified hypnotherapist, will guide you through relaxation and imagery exercises that stimulate imagination, enhance self-awareness, and relieve stress. This event takes place Wednesday, April 16, from 7-8 p.m. in the Community Room.

Peace Corps informational meeting
Recruiters will explain the many different opportunities in the Peace Corps. Join us on Thursday, April 17, at 6 p.m. in the Community Room.

Managing arthritis
Discover techniques to manage arthritis and joint disease pain. Learn simple lifestyle changes to help you maintain a good quality of life. This event will be held Tuesday, April 22 from 7-8 p.m. in the Community Room.

Manga drawing
Local artist Heather Le will once again teach manga drawing classes on Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. These classes are geared for teens and older and can be repeated as many times as you like.

Calling all teens
Cambrian Library invites you to join our teensReach chapter. Get involved with your local library, have fun and earn community service credit in the process. The next teensReach meeting is Tuesday, April 8 at 5 p.m.

Game Day
Enjoy an afternoon of board games on Friday, April 4, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in our Community Room. Bring your friends!

Story times
Our story times feature books, fingerplays, puppets, music, movement, and more. Five story times are held each week. In addition, trained volunteers read to children three times each week. See our Web site or call or come in for a schedule.

Regular library hours are Monday 2-7 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cambrian Library is located at 1780 Hillsdale Ave. and can be reached by calling (408) 808-3080. For news of other library activities, including those at King Library, visit http://www.sjlibrary.org/about/events/.