Support San José's vibrant culture through diverse arts and culture programs, fostering creativity, preserving heritage, and enriching community life.
Empowering Young Creatives
Inspire innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering the next generation of creative leaders.
Fostering a Love for Literature
Enhance literacy and creativity, building a community of lifelong readers and writers.
Preserving and Exploring Heritage
Connect residents with San José’s rich history, fostering community identity and pride.
Expanding Access to Arts and Culture
Increase participation in artistic and cultural activities, enriching community diversity and inclusion.
TeenHQ
This teen dream hub provides the best environment for innovation to flourish. At TeenHQ, you can be you!
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Artrepreneurs
A series to teach creative middle and high school students to take their passions and turn them into a small business. Students learn financial literacy skills, small business skills, and how to take their creative work to the next level.
California room
The California Room collects materials on California history with an emphasis on San Jose and Santa Clara Valley.
Art & Culture at the Branches
SJPLF is excited to help increase hands-on artistic experiences and expand access to cultural resources. We support arts and crafts programs, activity kits, and cultural events at San José library branches, and help fund the Library’s collections and events.
Literary Arts
SJPLF supports year-round Literary Arts programs like the Winter Reading Challenge, Spring into Poetry Contest, Summer Learning Program, Graphic Novel Making Contest, Halloween Booktacular, Local Lit, and the Fall Short Story Contest.
Learn MoreImpact by the numbers
19,000 Nearly 19,000 free books distributed as part of Summer Learning and Winter Reading Challange last year.
95 95 submissions each round for both the Spring Into Poetry contest and the Short Story contest.
100 Access over 100 years of history using the California Room’s new Mercury News Digital Archive
“One of our absolute favorite learning classes. I cannot believe how much my child is growing in their artistic talent and knowledge of the ABCs. Thank you so much for offering these classes!”