Downloadable Audio Books
Downloadable audiobooks and eBooks are here! Check the library’s web page for the link to the Digital Book Library, made possible by the generous support of the Foundation and Friends. Santa Clara City Library has joined the Califa Digital Library Consortium, and we can now offer access to a collection of more than 1,000 titles—with new titles added each quarter.
These books can be downloaded for listening on a computer or portable digital listening device, or for reading online. The formats are OverDrive Audio Books, Adobe eBooks, and Mobipocket eBooks. All titles require the appropriate listening and viewing software to be downloaded to your computer the first time that you are using the service on any machine. Users cannot download audiobooks and ebooks on public access computers in the library.
We hope you will enjoy these new services.
Downloadable audiobooks and eBooks are here! Check the library’s web page for the link to the Digital Book Library, made possible by the generous support of the Foundation and Friends. Santa Clara City Library has joined the Califa Digital Library Consortium, and we can now offer access to a collection of more than 1,000 titles—with new titles added each quarter.
These books can be downloaded for listening on a computer or portable digital listening device, or for reading online. The formats are OverDrive Audio Books, Adobe eBooks, and Mobipocket eBooks. All titles require the appropriate listening and viewing software to be downloaded to your computer the first time that you are using the service on any machine. Users cannot download audiobooks and ebooks on public access computers in the library.
We hope you will enjoy these new services.
BookLettersTM Online Reviews Available
Our BookLetters online “reading advisor” is available now, with the support of the Foundation and Friends. BookLetters features reviews, recommendations, annotations and audio and video clips. It is linked from the main library web page, as well as from the Reader’s Links page.
Most lists are topical, but there are also lists of award winners in many categories.Most of the online newsletters (click on Newsletter Signup) are published once or twice a month. BookLetters Daily provides reviews and excerpts for one title each week.
If you don’t want to subscribe, browse online by clicking on Bestsellers & Awards. Both the online and the newsletter versions have links to our own SCCL catalog for each title included.
Our BookLetters online “reading advisor” is available now, with the support of the Foundation and Friends. BookLetters features reviews, recommendations, annotations and audio and video clips. It is linked from the main library web page, as well as from the Reader’s Links page.
Most lists are topical, but there are also lists of award winners in many categories.Most of the online newsletters (click on Newsletter Signup) are published once or twice a month. BookLetters Daily provides reviews and excerpts for one title each week.
If you don’t want to subscribe, browse online by clicking on Bestsellers & Awards. Both the online and the newsletter versions have links to our own SCCL catalog for each title included.
Meet Our Board Members
With this edition of the newsletter we would like to introduce you to two of our board members—Lee Love Broughman and David Strnger-Calvert—both of whom became involved with the Foundation and Friends of the Library by volunteering at the monthly book sales on the third Saturday of the month. They had been tireless volunteers for a total of over three years, and it soon became apparent that they could provide valuable contributions to the leadership of the organization by joining the Board of Directors.
We are very fortunate as a foundation and as a community to have these two talented, hard-working individuals dedicated to our cause. Please introduce yourself next time you see them at a monthly sale, in the bookstore or around the library.
With this edition of the newsletter we would like to introduce you to two of our board members—Lee Love Broughman and David Strnger-Calvert—both of whom became involved with the Foundation and Friends of the Library by volunteering at the monthly book sales on the third Saturday of the month. They had been tireless volunteers for a total of over three years, and it soon became apparent that they could provide valuable contributions to the leadership of the organization by joining the Board of Directors.
We are very fortunate as a foundation and as a community to have these two talented, hard-working individuals dedicated to our cause. Please introduce yourself next time you see them at a monthly sale, in the bookstore or around the library.
has been a board member for just over a year and serves as chair of the Marketing Committee which has responsibility for, among other things, the creation of this newsletter. Lee also serves in the book store—stop by and say “Hi” any Tuesday between 4 and 6 PM.
During her time away from the Library, Lee works as a senior buyer for Northrop Grumman Corporation in Sunnyvale.
has been on the board for two years and currently serves as vice-chairman. In this capacity he takes on the knotty problems of reviewing our many complicated documents for accuracy, and for creating many of the lengthy procedural items necessary for a smooth running organization. David is also a member of the Santa Clara County Historical and Genealogical Society.
In his “spare” time, Dave serves as Director of Intellectual Property for SRI International in Menlo Park and will soon be entering the evening program at Santa Clara University School of Law.
2005 Applied Materials Summer Reading Program
Last summer, with generous support from Applied Materials and the Mission City Community Fund, Agilent Technology, the Youth and Extension Services Division (YES) of the Library presented a highly successful summer reading program. Over the course of six weeks, division staff presented sixty-five programs attended by 7,860 patrons, including:
Last summer, with generous support from Applied Materials and the Mission City Community Fund, Agilent Technology, the Youth and Extension Services Division (YES) of the Library presented a highly successful summer reading program. Over the course of six weeks, division staff presented sixty-five programs attended by 7,860 patrons, including:
- Just 4 Toddlers: musical concerts for young children and their parents
- Preschool Crafts: arts explorations for three to five year olds and their parents (see photos page)
- Family Concerts: family cultural concerts featuring music and stories
- Family Nights: puppetry, storytelling, magic and dance programs for children three and older and their parents (see photos page)
- School Age Programs: programs of interest for students, including creative dramatics, storytelling, clown workshop, and a literature-based reader’s theatre Return of the Swamp Thing
- Hands on Science: Agilent Technologies science programs for fifth to twelfth graders integrating library resources with science experiments
- Teen Programs: a combination of performers, craft and game programs including the ever popular Karaoke & Pizza program to celebrate the conclusion of summer program The staff of the Youth and Extension Services Division are planning the 2006 Applied Materials Summer Reading Program.
Leaving A Legacy For Learning and Enrichment
Several of our donors and friends have inquired about opportunities to make a lasting and future gift to the Foundation and Friends of the Santa Clara City Library.
We recently establish the Foundation and Friends Library Legacy Society. The Legacy Society is an honorary organization that recognizes the generosity of individuals who, during their lifetime, include the Foundation and Friends of the Santa Clara City Library in their estate plan. Perpetual membership is established with written communication from the donor designating the Santa Clara City Library Foundation as an estate beneficiary. None of us knows what the future holds, and that’s the challenge — how to be ready for the unknown? The Legacy Society is an opportunity to help the library with resources to meet the challenges of the future whatever they might be. It’s an important way to assure that knowledge and information continue to be free and accessible to all who live and work in the Santa Clara/Silicon Valley area.
For information on how you can be part of the Legacy Society contact Jack Alotto, at 408-615-2987 or email him.
Several of our donors and friends have inquired about opportunities to make a lasting and future gift to the Foundation and Friends of the Santa Clara City Library.
We recently establish the Foundation and Friends Library Legacy Society. The Legacy Society is an honorary organization that recognizes the generosity of individuals who, during their lifetime, include the Foundation and Friends of the Santa Clara City Library in their estate plan. Perpetual membership is established with written communication from the donor designating the Santa Clara City Library Foundation as an estate beneficiary. None of us knows what the future holds, and that’s the challenge — how to be ready for the unknown? The Legacy Society is an opportunity to help the library with resources to meet the challenges of the future whatever they might be. It’s an important way to assure that knowledge and information continue to be free and accessible to all who live and work in the Santa Clara/Silicon Valley area.
For information on how you can be part of the Legacy Society contact Jack Alotto, at 408-615-2987 or email him.
Kaiser Permanente
Health And Wellness Collection
The Kaiser Permanente Health and Wellness Collection at the Central Park Library, made possible by a grant from Kaiser Permanente (South Bay Service Area), covers a wide range of health topics for the general public such as diabetes, arthritis and cancer. You can also use the collection to learn how to stay healthy and fit, and reduce your risk for many illnesses.
The Health and Wellness collection is housed on the second floor of the Library and includes books, videos, and other materials that can be checked out. You can do a subject search in the Library’s online catalog using the phrase “Kaiser Permanente Health and Wellness Collection” to identify all of the materials purchased with the Kaiser Permanente grant.
As part of the Library’s partnership with Kaiser Permanente, a series of free programs are presented in the Library from time to time. Kaiser Permanente health professionals cover specific topics of interest to you. Look for announcements in the Library or on the Library website.
The Foundation and Friends is grateful for the support Kaiser Permanente has given to our Library.
Health And Wellness Collection
The Kaiser Permanente Health and Wellness Collection at the Central Park Library, made possible by a grant from Kaiser Permanente (South Bay Service Area), covers a wide range of health topics for the general public such as diabetes, arthritis and cancer. You can also use the collection to learn how to stay healthy and fit, and reduce your risk for many illnesses.
The Health and Wellness collection is housed on the second floor of the Library and includes books, videos, and other materials that can be checked out. You can do a subject search in the Library’s online catalog using the phrase “Kaiser Permanente Health and Wellness Collection” to identify all of the materials purchased with the Kaiser Permanente grant.
As part of the Library’s partnership with Kaiser Permanente, a series of free programs are presented in the Library from time to time. Kaiser Permanente health professionals cover specific topics of interest to you. Look for announcements in the Library or on the Library website.
The Foundation and Friends is grateful for the support Kaiser Permanente has given to our Library.
Why I Am A Dedicated Volunteer for the Friends of the Library
is a retired restaurant owner who now devotes himself to collecting “collectable characters” and volunteering in the bookstore (Thursdays 10 to 1) and at the monthly book sales. His response to why he is a member of the Friends group of devoted volunteers: “I love books!”
is retired from Phillips Electronics, has 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and has lived in Santa Clara for 43 years.
One of the first Friends Volunteers, Elsie started in the original bookstore on El Camino Real in March of 2003, sorting during the week and selling books at the bi-monthly books sales.
Her response to why she volunteers for the Friends: “I Love the Library. I use it so much and it feels like home.” Her passion for books is evident when you talk to her.
has worked at National Semiconductor for many years and is responsible for National’s sponsorship of the Authors and Lecturers Series.
Chris volunteers in the Bookstore on Saturdays, at the monthly book sales, and processes donated books for sale on the Internet.
Chris is an avid reader and a big fan of the Friend’s sponsored LINK+ service. “Even a library as large as ours does not always have all the books on my list. LINK+ allows me to find more obscure books at 65 local and university libraries in the California library system.”
Jessica Ann Stege
is a student at Palmer West College of Chiropractic and will be graduating in March, 2006 and moving back to Chicago to start her practice. Jessica got involved with volunteering through her school about 9 months ago.
She prefer non-fiction books.
is a student at Palmer West College of Chiropractic and will be graduating in March, 2006 and moving back to Chicago to start her practice. Jessica got involved with volunteering through her school about 9 months ago.
She prefer non-fiction books.
Read Santa Clara Literacy Program
Since 1995 Read Santa Clara—the adult and family literacy program of the Santa Clara City Library—has reached out to English-speaking adults who seek to improve their basic reading and writing skills, and realize their potential as family members, workers, community members and lifelong learners. Each year volunteer tutors, trained and supported by the program, provide over 3,000 hours of one-on-one and small-group tutoring to 100 adult learners in the City of Santa Clara who read or write below the 8th grade level, and who seek to achieve diverse literacy goals such as reading to their children, understanding health information, getting a job or passing the citizenship examination.
Adults with children below the age of five benefit from the Families for Literacy Program, where, in addition to tutoring, they bring their families to events at the library to learn how to instill the love of books in their young children. Read Santa Clara also partners with the Santa Clara Unified School District to conduct the Even Start Family Literacy program serving low income immigrant families.
The adult literacy program uses a wide range of real life materials and instructional resources offered free of charge—such as workbooks, audio visual materials and literacy software—to cater to the diverse needs and learning styles of adults. One of the most powerful instructional tools is “language experience” where tutors use the stories of the adult learners to work on basic literacy skills while enabling them to express their thoughts and ideas through the written word. One of the instructional resources used at tutoring sessions is the book of learner writings, titled “In Our Own Words,” that Read Santa Clara has published annually for the past five years.
“In Our Own Words” is funded by the Mission City Community Fund and the Foundation and Friends of the Santa Clara City Library.
Since 1995 Read Santa Clara—the adult and family literacy program of the Santa Clara City Library—has reached out to English-speaking adults who seek to improve their basic reading and writing skills, and realize their potential as family members, workers, community members and lifelong learners. Each year volunteer tutors, trained and supported by the program, provide over 3,000 hours of one-on-one and small-group tutoring to 100 adult learners in the City of Santa Clara who read or write below the 8th grade level, and who seek to achieve diverse literacy goals such as reading to their children, understanding health information, getting a job or passing the citizenship examination.
Adults with children below the age of five benefit from the Families for Literacy Program, where, in addition to tutoring, they bring their families to events at the library to learn how to instill the love of books in their young children. Read Santa Clara also partners with the Santa Clara Unified School District to conduct the Even Start Family Literacy program serving low income immigrant families.
The adult literacy program uses a wide range of real life materials and instructional resources offered free of charge—such as workbooks, audio visual materials and literacy software—to cater to the diverse needs and learning styles of adults. One of the most powerful instructional tools is “language experience” where tutors use the stories of the adult learners to work on basic literacy skills while enabling them to express their thoughts and ideas through the written word. One of the instructional resources used at tutoring sessions is the book of learner writings, titled “In Our Own Words,” that Read Santa Clara has published annually for the past five years.
“In Our Own Words” is funded by the Mission City Community Fund and the Foundation and Friends of the Santa Clara City Library.
Book Recommendations
For grades 7 and up:
“The Sledding Hill” by Chris Crutcher
“Criss Cross” by Lynne Ray Perkins (2006 Newbery Winner)
“The Year of Secret Assignments” by Jaclyn Moriarty
“Montmorency: Gentleman, Thief or Liar?” by Eleanor Updale
“Al Capone Does My Shirts” by Gennifer Choldenko
For grades 7 and up:
“The Sledding Hill” by Chris Crutcher
“Criss Cross” by Lynne Ray Perkins (2006 Newbery Winner)
“The Year of Secret Assignments” by Jaclyn Moriarty
“Montmorency: Gentleman, Thief or Liar?” by Eleanor Updale
“Al Capone Does My Shirts” by Gennifer Choldenko
The AAB Corner
(All About Books)
Here we are again— book reviews from library staff and Foundation board members!!
Last month we invited all of you to contribute to this column. We KNOW you read books—so come on, tell us about your favorites; just a sentence or two will entice us—we all love books. Send your recommendations via email to:
bookreviews@lovethelibrary.org
Include: title, author and a two to three sentence comment.
“Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Esteemed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin examines Lincoln’s political genius as she examines his relationship with three men he selected for his cabinet who were former opponents for the Republican nomination for President. He made it work! So does Kearns—her writing makes it real for the reader.
"First Families" by Bonnie Angelo
A lively romp through the White House during the administration of Teddy Roosevelt and others. How does living in the national fi shbowl affect marriages, rambunctious children, etc? Another approach to history.
A lively romp through the White House during the administration of Teddy Roosevelt and others. How does living in the national fi shbowl affect marriages, rambunctious children, etc? Another approach to history.
"Tortilla Curtain" by T.C. Boyle
(Recommended by Marlene Goldman, Librarian)
Boyle's novel illustrates the complex moral, legal and economic difficulties involved in confronting the illegal migrant dilemma using the random accidental intermingling of the lives of two couples—wealthy suburbanites and migrants. Riveting reading.
(Recommended by Marlene Goldman, Librarian)
Boyle's novel illustrates the complex moral, legal and economic difficulties involved in confronting the illegal migrant dilemma using the random accidental intermingling of the lives of two couples—wealthy suburbanites and migrants. Riveting reading.
"The Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins
(Recommended by Ken Young, Foundation Board Member)
This novel can be seen in London as the musical adapted by Andrew Lloyd Weber. Not traveling to London soon? Try reading the book—one of the earliest examples of a new genre at the time—the mystery novel.
(Recommended by Ken Young, Foundation Board Member)
This novel can be seen in London as the musical adapted by Andrew Lloyd Weber. Not traveling to London soon? Try reading the book—one of the earliest examples of a new genre at the time—the mystery novel.
"Truth and Beauty, A Friendship" by Ann Patchett
(Recommended by Lee Broughman, Foundation Board Member)
The story of Ann's friendship with Poet/Author Lucy Grealy. 20 years of their shared rise to fame.
(Recommended by Lee Broughman, Foundation Board Member)
The story of Ann's friendship with Poet/Author Lucy Grealy. 20 years of their shared rise to fame.
Welcome to the Spring 2006 of Book Stacks, our second edition. As Chairman of the Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to extol the accomplishments of the Foundation and Friends.
We have accomplished a great deal in the last few months. We continued our support of the Applied Materials Summer
We have accomplished a great deal in the last few months. We continued our support of the Applied Materials Summer
Reading Program, our Authors and Speakers Series hosted 4 authors thanks to the support of National Semiconductor, we continued our monthly and Internet book sales, and we funded the library’s new downloadable book program. We also lent support to the Family Reading Program at the Mission Library Family Reading Center, and we established three new endowed funds.
These are busy and exciting times at the Santa Clara City Library! And there are still many projects which still need to be supported. Additional challenges remain and the Foundation and Friends staff and Board of Directors are working to identify and meet those challenges. I hope you will join me and other members of the Foundation Board in pledging your support. For your convenience, we’ve placed a contribution envelope in the center of this newsletter. As a contributor to the Foundation, you can make an impact on the programs and services of the Library—for now and for the future. Your investment will generate the dividend of knowledge, support education and literacy, and change lives for the better.
Thank you for your interest and support of the Santa Clara City Library. I look forward to keeping you informed about the progress of the Foundation and Friends.
Keep browsing our website for in-depth information!
Warm wishes,
Thomas Biagini Chairman
These are busy and exciting times at the Santa Clara City Library! And there are still many projects which still need to be supported. Additional challenges remain and the Foundation and Friends staff and Board of Directors are working to identify and meet those challenges. I hope you will join me and other members of the Foundation Board in pledging your support. For your convenience, we’ve placed a contribution envelope in the center of this newsletter. As a contributor to the Foundation, you can make an impact on the programs and services of the Library—for now and for the future. Your investment will generate the dividend of knowledge, support education and literacy, and change lives for the better.
Thank you for your interest and support of the Santa Clara City Library. I look forward to keeping you informed about the progress of the Foundation and Friends.
Keep browsing our website for in-depth information!
Warm wishes,
Thomas Biagini Chairman
Foundation Chair, Foundation and Friends
How did you get the idea to start the Foundation and Friends?
I was visiting a library in Vancouver, B.C., where I noticed they had names on the book stacks. I thought it might be a good
I was visiting a library in Vancouver, B.C., where I noticed they had names on the book stacks. I thought it might be a good
idea for us to raise funding for the library by doing something similar in Santa Clara. I discussed my ideas with Karen Duffy, the City Librarian at the time, and she was very supportive and agreed it might be a good idea—and the Foundation was born.
Why did you start the Foundation?
I firmly believed that if we presented our strong case for expanding programs, services and the collection of the library to the public—and to corporations and foundations—they would support us financially. I believe we were correct in that belief, and in the last 5 years we’ve accomplished a lot, including the creation of the Health and Wellness Collection, support for the Summer Reading Program, and adding many books, CDs and other media to our collection.
What were some of your goals?
Our initial goal was to enhance the new library building, but that proved to be impossible. By the time we were able to start fund raising, all building decisions had already been made—so our goals changed to being oriented toward achieving some sustainable resources for the library, and we’ve made considerable headway towards those goals.
What challenges face the Foundation and Friends now and in the future?
Our greatest challenge is to recruit and keep skilled, dedicated volunteers and board members who have a passion for the library.
Why did you start the Foundation?
I firmly believed that if we presented our strong case for expanding programs, services and the collection of the library to the public—and to corporations and foundations—they would support us financially. I believe we were correct in that belief, and in the last 5 years we’ve accomplished a lot, including the creation of the Health and Wellness Collection, support for the Summer Reading Program, and adding many books, CDs and other media to our collection.
What were some of your goals?
Our initial goal was to enhance the new library building, but that proved to be impossible. By the time we were able to start fund raising, all building decisions had already been made—so our goals changed to being oriented toward achieving some sustainable resources for the library, and we’ve made considerable headway towards those goals.
What challenges face the Foundation and Friends now and in the future?
Our greatest challenge is to recruit and keep skilled, dedicated volunteers and board members who have a passion for the library.
Photos
Children learn Natya Indian dancing
Children's Librarian Erin (center)
with Anna (right) and her mom, Galina (left)
Children make an owl in a pre-school craft class
Children learning about poetry
Volunteers take a minute to pose for a picture