And the New Almaden Branch Manager is... 

 Hello! I’m Elizabeth Nolan, the Acting Branch Manager for the Almaden and Vineland Branches of San José Public Library. 

Lizzie was previously at the Biblioteca and East Carnegie Branches. Lizzie is a relatively new Californian having previously worked as a Children's Librarian in Washington, DC.  Lizzie reviews for the School Library Journal and served on the 2017 Odyssey Committee for the Association of Children Services (ALSC) - which chooses the best children and young adult audio-books. She also performs Improv comedy and can be found hiking and biking through the Bay Area.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know! My email is Elizabeth.nolan@sjlibrary.org, or you can call the Almaden or Vineland branches to get in touch with me. 

2016 Almaden Branch Library Volunteer of the Year...

Nancy Koppel
Eric Wang is the Almaden branch’s "Math Tutor" who helps K-12 students one-on-one every week with any of their mathematics challenges. Eric started before the 2014 school year. He deserves special recognition due to his merits in versatility, dedication, and management skills. Eric is a versatile tutor who helps in math subjects ranging from elementary to upper high school. Eric’s pleasant personality makes customers of all ages feel at ease. The fact that in two years of volunteering he has missed only two sessions shows how dedicated he is. Eric even offers tutoring year-round, during summers and other times when the schools are off. Eric recruits and selects other teen volunteers to assist in this tutoring program to expand the number of customers helped. 
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Read more about all the 2016 San Jose Library Volunteers of the Year at the San Jose Public Library Website.

Silicon Valley Reads 2017

The Friends of the Almaden Library gifted $1000 to the San Jose Public Library Foundation, in support of Silicon Valley Reads 2017 "...and justice for all".  UNfair by Adam Benforado and Writing My Wrongs by Shaka Senghor  are the two main books selected this year.
 
The goals of Silicon Valley Reads are to promote reading, literacy, and the appreciation of literature among all members of the community to help support the education and lifelong learning that is critical for individual success and for Silicon Valley to maintain its leadership in creativity and innovation.

LEGO® Fun

  You supply the creativity. We supply the LEGO®s (5+ years old) and Duplos (up to 4 years old). Join us for a fun time playing with our huge supply of LEGO®s at the Almaden Library
Because as you may have heard, you can never have too many Legos!

How Are We Using the Funds Raised...

 The Friends of the Almaden Library have given a total of $10,000 to the Almaden Library Gift Trust Fund in 2016. 
 Nancy Donnell, Almaden branch librarian, presented the following plan for the expenditure of these monies:
  • General Library Programs  
  • Programming and Teen Volunteer Refreshments  
  • Ten Year Library and Community Center Anniversary Celebration
  • Homework Club Support
  • Summer Reading Celebration
  • Harvest Festival
  • Collections
    • ​Adult nonfiction needs (Cooking,Arts/Crafts, Health/Fitness)
    • Young Adult classics (Fiction and Nonfiction)
    • Children's nonfiction needs (Science, States, Social Science)
    • Children's fiction (Floppy Picture Books)
    • Periodical orders

 Friends of the Almaden Library Funded Programs
                   January 2017- January 2018

   Date                    Performer
 
 2/25/2017        Samba Samba with James Henry

 4/15/2017        Zun Zun: The WaterBeat
           
 6/10/2017        20 Years of Harry Potter: Intolerance in                                        Rowling's Fantastical Beasts 

6/12/2017        Happy Hollow Zoo Education

6/22/2017         Bri Crabtree: Circus Performer

6/27/2017         Mike's Summer Reading Magic
   
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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 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!