|
|
February is Black History Month Black History Month was created to recognize the achievements and influence of African Americans. Black artists, musicians, sports figures, writers, activists, scientists, politicians, and actors have made important and varied contributions to American culture and society. This year’s theme is Black Health and Wellness, which according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora. Join us for programs dedicated to Black History Month. For kids and families, we offer Quilts with Peopleologie. Learn about some of the traditional quilt patterns created by Black Americans and passed down for generations. Then, create your own no-sew quilt block. Please register for these events.
|
Celebrate the Lunar New Year Billions of people around the world are getting ready to celebrate the Year of the Tiger during the Lunar New Year, which starts on Tuesday, February 1. In China, it’s called the Spring Festival. In Korea, it’s Seollal. In Vietnam, it’s Tết Nguyên Đán. Be sure to stop by the library and pick up Lunar New Year picture books for the little ones or books, movies and more for all ages! The Mercury News has listed a number of events happening around the Bay Area, from San Francisco to Santana Row and places in between. If you prefer to stay home, the Smithsonian American Art Museum is hosting a free Lunar New Year Virtual Celebration where you can watch performances and traditions.
|
|
Special SVR Event: Watercolor Painting with Tyler Gordon We have a special opportunity for kids and teens. On Tuesday, February 15 at 7 p.m., join us for a virtual watercolor painting session with local teen artist and prodigy Tyler Gordon. His paintings have gotten a lot of attention and his videos have gone viral. He was commissioned to do a cover image for Time magazine and just recently published a book, We Can: Portraits of Power. His program will cover his journey into worldwide fame and he will lead us through a watercolor art lesson.
|
Student Resource: Princeton Review Series Parents, if you are curious about what the core skills are for your child’s grade, or you’d like to help support their learning, we have a new tool for you. The Princeton Review Series has books for each grade level that focuses on more than a dozen core skills. Help your child avoid common pitfalls and mistakes, enjoy the educational activities and games that promote learning and much more. Learn more about the Princeton Review Series here.
|
#BookTok Trends If you are on the popular social media app, TikTok, you may have come across the popular hashtag #BookTok. Book tastemakers and enthusiasts use that hashtag to bring attention to particular books, and that gets people chatting about them. This may explain why a bestseller list may suddenly be inundated with random titles, or an older book may have dozens of holds on it!
|
Special Event Featuring Poet Laureate Tshaka Campbell The new Santa Clara County Poet Laureate Tshaka Campbell will be formally introduced to the public on Tuesday, February 8 during the Board of Supervisors meeting. He will read a selection of his work as part of the invocation. Campbell is a director on the Board of Poetry Center San José, and curates the program, Beautiful Black Books. Campbell also conducts lectures, workshops in creative writing, spiritual verse, and other related topics. He is a talented poet, author, and musician with four books and three albums.
|
Celebrate Valentine's Day Valentine’s Day is coming up on Monday, February 14. Several of our libraries are offering childrens' craft supplies to make cards for friends or family members. Stop by Los Altos Library anytime Monday, February 7 to Saturday, February 12 or Morgan Hill Library from 3-4 p.m. Monday, February 7 to Friday, February 11. For those who would rather read about love and romance, our librarians have created booklists for teens and adults. Or if you celebrate Singles Awareness Day on Tuesday, February 15, we offer the booklist, Singles.
|
Tax Season is Here The IRS is now accepting and processing 2021 tax returns. This year isn’t the same as usual, as many parents received the Child Tax Credit payments. There’s also the Recovery Rebate Tax Credit for those who did not receive a stimulus payment, or received a partial payment. To help people understand some of the tax law changes, we are hosting a special virtual event on Saturday, February 5 at 11 a.m. A certified financial planner will discuss the changes and how it might affect your personal financial situation. Strategies for tax savings will also be discussed. Please register for this Zoom event. This year’s tax deadline is Monday, April 18 because this year's Emancipation Day in Washington D.C. falls on Friday, April 15.
|
Overdrive App Changes We want to remind patrons about changes coming to our free eBook and Audiobook resource, Overdrive and its apps. On Tuesday, February 1, the Overdrive app is going to be removed from all app stores. The app will continue to be functional until December, when it will be retired. We encourage patrons to download the Libby app if you haven’t already done so. This app will continue to be supported and updated in the future. It is available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play. This video tutorial can help you get started on Libby. Find additional Online Library help here.
|
Career Online High School Registration Open We have an amazing opportunity to help reengage adults into the education system and help them achieve their career goals. Career Online High School is a convenient and flexible program that is conducted entirely online and self-paced. Earn an accredited high school diploma or receive a career certificate in one of ten high-growth, high demand fields. To qualify, applicants must be at least 19 years of age and have completed at least the 8th grade. Applicants must have a valid SCCLD library card and be a resident living within the Santa Clara County Library District. Students must be willing to spend 10 hours a week on coursework to complete all 36 semesters. Learn more and register here. *SCCLD is happy to partner with Gale, a Cengage Company, and the California State Library to offer this program to patrons.
|
|
Join the Library with an Instant Free eCard If you live in Santa Clara County and do not have a library card with the Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD), or would like additional household members to have their own library accounts, the instant free eCard is for you. eCards are available to all residents who live within Santa Clara County Library District with a valid residential mailing address (P.O. Box not accepted). You can also visit any of our libraries during open hours to convert your eCard, or apply for a full use card to check out any of our physical and digital materials and resources. Renew your library card online! If you have a library card and would like to keep it current, now you can renew your library card online! SCCLD makes it easy to keep your account current and active. No visit to the library needed if your account is in good standing and you live within the Greater Bay Area. For more information or to renew online, visit sccld.org/cardrenewal. |
|
|
We're here for you Staff is available to answer your questions Monday - Saturday (excluding holidays). Or text us at (833) 209-6600.
|
|
|
|
|