Welcome Rachel Gaither,
                 Senior Librarian,
​         Almaden/Vineland Libraries

Rachel Gaither recently joined the San Jose  Public Library team as the Senior Librarian for the Almaden and Vineland Branches.

She brings with her over 15 years of experience and was most recently the Senior Librarian at the Pacific Grove Public Library.  

She holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree and a Master of Business Administration from Dominican University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management from St. Mary's College. 

She has two chihuahua mix rescue dogs, has a cook book addiction and she is very excited to be a member of the San Jose Public Library team.​
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2022 Volunteer of the Year at Almaden Branch Library - Laurie Paul

Laurie Paul was the president of Teens Reach for last year.  She ran virtual meetings the entire year with sometimes 30+ volunteers.  She is also one of the leads for the Teen Book Committee who pivoted from book displays in the library to teen newsletters created from the reviews that teens wrote.  Her passion for reading and for libraries is notable in how she steered both groups capably throughout social distancing.

Let's get to know a little about Laurie:
As a child I went to the library a lot and my siblings volunteered at the library, so when I was old enough I was very excited to be able to begin volunteering.  
My first job modeling, I just started this fall.  I learned so much about the fashion industry, how to be my own business, marketing, and how to represent myself and how to work with others. 
My fondest memory has to do with traveling—going to museums for art.  I want to study art history and museum studies. I want to be a museum curator.  
I am most proud of being able to find a purpose, what to do with myself.  Working in an artistic environment, I have discovered what I want to do with my life. 
My biggest challenge would be the quarantine and being homeschooled has made me isolated.  It has been difficult to integrate my experiences online and make them something in the real world. 
My role model is no one in particular.  I have many.  Every person is flawed.  I prefer to take positive traits from different people, all whom I admire. 
My community is the people I have met at the library, people in the LGBTQ, friends and family, people I met in the modeling fashion community. 
Libraries are very important and under- appreciated in the digital age.   Library has social and online programs.  People need more awareness of all that the library offers.
My favorite book is Little Women.  I chose my name Laurie from Little Women.
If I had a superpower, it would be the ability to fly.
I volunteer because it gives me an opportunity to be a leader, experiment with new interests, because I enjoy the environment.
If I weren't volunteering, I'd be doing more reading.

How We Raise Funds


Twice a year, the Friends of the Almaden Library bring out all of the gently used books and media that have been donated and have a one-day sale. The prices are extremely reasonable and the Library's patrons look forward to the events. The money made from these events are donated back to our local library for local programs and needed materials. 
We also have a small amount of books for sale all year round in the lobby of the Library.
Please come and check out our sales. Every dollar donated goes back to your community!

How Are We Using the Funds Raised...

​    Spring 2019:
     FAL donated $6700 towards special collections and various         programs held at the Almaden Library including:
       Summer Learning Programs   $2500
  • African Village Celebrations
  • Wild Mind: Bay Area Wild
  • Magical Moonshine Theatre
  • Children's Discovery Museum: Oh Seuss!
  • Spencer Grey Magic
  • Dave Rocha

    Saturday Music Programs with Sean Mendelson  $1500
  • June, 2019 through November, 2019

    Harvest Festival   $1900
  • Not-So-Scary Halloween Show
  • Little Explorers
  • A New Twist
    Winter Program   $495
  • Traveling Lantern Theater

    Fall 2019:
    FAL donated $11,770 towards special collections and various programs held at the Almaden Library including:
  • Paid Programs  $6800
  • Staff Recognition Pizza Party  $100
  • Story Time and craft supplies   $500
  • Program Room Equipment  $1200
  • Program Supplies $500
  • Program Hardware  $300
  • Programming Subscriptions $270
  • Technology Programming Supplies $1600
  • Collection Enhancement for Juvenile Non-fiction $500

Library News

EXPANDED HOURS AT THE LIBRARY

You joined us six months ago to call for more open hours at your neighborhood library - and it worked! Over the summer we saw library hours and staffing return to pre-pandemic levels.

Now, we are very excited to announce that starting Sunday, October 2, 2022, 16 branch libraries will open on Sundays, expanding hours of operation to 7-days per week! This unprecedented hours expansion in San Jose would not have been possible without your support and advocacy! 

SJPL will pilot Sunday hours (12-5pm) at the following branch libraries:  
  • Alviso
  • Bascom
  • Berryessa
  • Biblioteca Latinoamericana
  • Dr. Roberto Cruz-Alum Rock
  • East San Jose Carnegie
  • Edenvale
  • Educational Park
  • Evergreen
  • Hillview
  • Joyce Ellington
  • Seven Trees
  • Tully Community
  • Vineland
  • West Valley​