Author: Christy La

STEAM Programs at the Library: Digital Discovery Workshops

In the Community Room of the Edenvale Branch Library, pipe cleaners and cardboard scraps become elementary school children’s best friends. While the teachers and volunteers can manage the students’ excitement, they can’t limit their creativity. With funding support from the San José Public Library Foundation (SJPLF), this three-day Digital Discovery Workshop held at eight different San José Public Library branches fosters a fun, hands-on environment for learning about the digital world.

Using iPads and robots provided by the library, the children can dip their toes into aspects of robotics and technology. In a controlled classroom environment, the teacher encouraged his students to let loose and explore. The learners were quick to show off their bites of code with each other, along with tricks their robot companions did.

“I like the hands-on learning. We actually get to play around with the apps. We learned about coding robots and 3D modeling. It’s fun.” -Participant

Recently, the Edenvale Branch invited educators from The Tech Interactive to teach a workshop on gravity-powered cars. The challenge: building a car that can roll down a ramp without glue, tape, or scissors. The materials provided—cardboard, wheel axles, pipe cleaners, and more—were all recycled from past activities. Additionally, elementary-aged children must think outside the box to send their car rolling, using rubber bands to hold together vehicles and wooden planks as makeshift hammers.

For each day of the Digital Discovery Workshop, eight hours morphs into a fun exploration of the vast tech world enveloping the Bay Area while also providing the students with a toolkit to create or code their wildest ideas.

To learn more about how SJPLF prioritizes digital empowerment as a focus area and how you can support the impact, visit sjplf.org/DigitalEmpowerment.

Learn more about Digital Discovery Workshops See photos from the workshop

Written by Jillian Cheng, Communications Intern

San José Public Library Awarded $500,000 Grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York to Expand ESL, College, and Career Readiness Programs

The San José Public Library (SJPL) is one of only eleven public libraries nationwide to receive a $500,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to launch a transformative two-year programming initiative that expands SJPL’s English as a Second Language (ESL), college, and career readiness programs.

“This grant reinforces the vital role our library plays in opening doors to education, job opportunities, and lifelong learning,” said City Manager Jennifer Maguire. “It’s an honor to be the only library in the San Francisco Bay Area to be recognized across the country and we take pride in knowing that this funding will help San José lead the way in building a more inclusive and empowered community.”

This grant, part of the “Libraries as Pillars of Education and Democracy” initiative, will allow SJPL to enhance and expand existing programming, which currently serves 13,000 individuals annually, launch new workforce development, college readiness, and financial literacy services, and support an additional 2,000 San José residents as they pursue their educational and career goals.

“San José is a city full of innovators — and now, 2,000 more people, mostly our teens and English language learners, will be able to access the skills and training to succeed,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. “We’re proud that the San José Public Library has received this national recognition — and with it, an investment that will strengthen our city’s workforce and boost educational attainment across our community.”

With the support of the Carnegie Corporation, SJPL will:
• Expand ESL programming with a new workforce-focused curriculum designed to help adult learners improve their English skills, job readiness, and confidence.
• Launch a college and career readiness pipeline for teens, offering post-secondary education workshops, college affordability and financial literacy training, and near-peer mentorships.
• Distribute 100 computing devices to low-income participants and integrate digital skills training for ESL learners and young adults.
• Engage education and workforce stakeholders to strengthen cross-sector partnerships and better align services.

“Libraries offer open doors to knowledge and self-empowerment,” said Jill Bourne, City Librarian. “With support from the Carnegie Corporation, San José libraries will expand and deepen the city’s educational and career opportunities for youth and adults – opportunities that give our residents the transformational power to chart a new future for themselves and their families.”

The grant comes at a pivotal time for San José. Despite Silicon Valley’s economic success, many residents face significant challenges. Over 65,000 residents speak English less than “very well,” and more than 54,000 young adults in the city have no education beyond high school. A recent San José Youth Commission survey also found that only 15% of teens were aware of the available college and career resources. Additionally, the high cost of living, limited access to
affordable educational resources, and gaps in broadband and technology access continue to disproportionately affect families, especially in underserved neighborhoods.

“The San José Public Library Foundation is thrilled that Carnegie Corporation is resuming their investment in our public libraries. This grant is a vote of confidence that recognizes libraries’ role in empowering our communities from one of the leading philanthropic entities. Andrew Carnegie’s commitment to the power of libraries lives on through this award, which will touch the lives of nearly 15,000 San José residents in transformative ways,” said Dr. Dawn Coppin, CEO San José Public Library Foundation.

The Carnegie Corporation of New York was established by Andrew Carnegie, who also funded the construction of more than 2,500 libraries worldwide. SJPL proudly operates one of them – the East San José Carnegie Library, built in 1908 – which remains the only operational Carnegie-built library in Santa Clara County.

To learn more about the Library’s ESL, college, and career readiness programs, visit www.sjpl.org.

About the San José Public Library
San José Public Library (SJPL) is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and in the nation’s 12th largest city. SJPL serves a culturally diverse population of nearly one million and has nearly 750,000 library members. In addition to providing award-winning library services, SJPL proudly leads the City’s Education and Digital Literacy Strategy and the City’s SJ Access digital empowerment initiative. For more information, please visit sjpl.org.

About the City of San José
With nearly one million residents, San José is the largest city in the Bay Area and one of the nation’s most diverse and creative. San José’s transformation into a global innovation center in the heart of Silicon Valley has resulted in the world’s greatest concentration of technology talent and development.

About Carnegie Corporation of New York
Carnegie Corporation of New York was established by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding. Today the foundation works to reduce political polarization through philanthropic support for the issues that Carnegie considered most important: education, democracy, and peace.

About San José Public Library Foundation
The San José Public Library Foundation supports educational programs and resources through the public library, schools, and community-based organizations, to create an educated, equitable, empowered and engaged community.

Celebrating Mother’s Day: The Impact of San José Libraries and How You Can Help

As a mother to two young children myself, I’d like to share what libraries have meant to me.

When my family first moved to San José three years ago with two children under the age of three, we didn’t know anyone. At home with the kids all day, I relied on our public libraries to keep us entertained and engaged in learning. We drove all over town checking out library events, attending storytimes, and borrowing books. Over time, I began to make friends and build community, finding the connection I desperately needed in a new town. It’s a chapter of our lives filled with special memories all thanks to the San José Public Library.

This Mother’s Day, as you honor a mom in your life, consider donating to the San José Public Library Foundation in her name. If we receive your gift of $25 or more by May 1, we will send a Mother’s Day card notifying her of your gift (within U.S. only).

On behalf of moms throughout San José, thank you for supporting our libraries. Your gift is making a difference. We thank you.

Sincerely,
Marly Young
Community Giving Manager
San José Public Library Foundation

send a mother's day card

Why Estate Planning Matters: Secure Your Future & Join Our Free Workshop

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

Around 60% of Americans haven’t created a will or any other estate planning documents, and only about 37% of U.S. adults have completed any type of advance directive for end-of-life care, such as a living will or healthcare power of attorney. We invite you to consider these important questions: 

  • Who do you want to receive your assets?
  • Have you made decisions around finances? 
  • Do you want to support SJPLF through our legacy? 

Estate planning empowers individuals with financial security and control over their assets and how they are transferred to loved ones. Learn about the various estate planning methods, including wills and trusts, and understand the costs associated with each decision. Your estate encompasses everything you own – from real estate and investments to vehicles and personal property. Implementing an estate plan is crucial for proactively deciding asset distribution and ensuring your wishes are followed, providing peace of mind in the face of unexpected events. SJPLF moves proactively within the City of San José through the twenty-five San José Public Library locations to bring philanthropic power to their communities, which includes ensuring that community members are given proper resources and knowledge to create an estate plan that protects their possessions and their loved ones.  

What most people might not realize is that without an estate plan, the state has the power to assign someone to handle your business if you are suddenly incapable of doing so. If there is no estate plan to specify an individual’s wishes, then the state will decide what happens with your belongings. This often might not align with what one intended, so specifying how your assets should be distributed among your heirs or beneficiaries to align with your intentions is why estate planning matters immensely.  

Estate planning covers crucial areas like asset distribution, seamless business succession planning, and strategies to minimize family disputes and avoid probate. Avoiding probate ensures your assets pass directly to your beneficiaries efficiently. A primary goal of estate planning is to protect and secure the care of loved ones in unforeseen circumstances. For example, estate planning allows for the appointment of a guardian for minor children to manage their inheritance until they reach adulthood. Thoughtful estate planning considers unique potential circumstances, associated costs, and their consequences. Furthermore, strategic estate planning can minimize estate taxes, gift taxes, capital gains taxes, and income taxes for both the estate and its beneficiaries. Ultimately, estate planning is meant to give you peace of mind for when difficult times do surface so that you can focus on your situation stress-free knowing that you already made important decisions ahead of time.  

The Foundation also recognizes that estate planning may appear to be a foreign and daunting task. With our partner, FreeWill, you can create your plans in just 20 minutes online and protect the people and causes you love. This free tool not only helps you to protect your loved ones and assets, but also helps you support our collective will to make our city as equitable as it is diverse for years to come. 

Create my free will

On June 3rd, we are hosting a FREE workshop, Estate Planning for Everyone, from 3 PM to 4 PM at the Cambrian Branch Library (1780 Hillsdale Ave, San Jose, CA 95124). This event is perfect for individuals and families seeking peace of mind and financial security. Featuring guest speakers

• Maris Martinson (Estate Planning Attorney at Berliner Cohen)
• Xiomara Vielman (Financial Advisor, Clarity Financial Management)
• Rosie Cofre (SJPLF Epilogue Society Member)

These industry experts will provide invaluable tips, advice, insights, and resources.

Whether you’re starting your estate planning journey or looking to refine your existing plan, join us for light refreshments as our expert speakers provide invaluable insights.

Register for free

Regardless of your net worth or age, estate planning offers significant benefits for everyone. It saves time, reduces stress, and conserves financial resources for both you and your loved ones, while ensuring the legacy you envision is preserved. Understanding the importance and process of estate planning provides peace of mind, greater control over your assets, and empowers you to support cherished causes like the San José Public Library Foundation through charitable bequests and trusts. Competent and confident estate planning allows you to move beyond basic planning to create a lasting legacy that you and your family can be proud of. We invite you to learn more at our Estate Planning for Everyone workshop and thank you for considering the San José Public Library Foundation in your estate planning.

Support SJPLF in your legacy today RSVP to our free estate planning workshop

New College and Career Fellow to Help Residents Achieve Their Post-Graduation Goals

In a partnership between the San José Public Library Foundation and San José Public Library, we are excited to announce our new College and Career Pathways Fellow, Daniel Lockett. The position, generously funded through Comcast, will help graduates of Library programs such as Career Online High School as they transition from academic programs into higher education and meaningful careers. A first-generation college student and graduate himself, Daniel will work to connect graduates with critical resources such as college counselors, career mentors, and professional development opportunities, to help them achieve their post-graduation goals. This important work will ensure San José residents have the support they need to take the next step in their education and careers.

What interested you about this role? 

I applied for this role because it gave me the opportunity to make an impact on my community. One of the hardest and loneliness things someone can experience is navigating education without the proper support system, which often leads to people giving up. The Career Online High School program offers community members another chance at obtaining their high school diploma, regardless of their reason for not having one. This role gives me the ability to have a direct impact within the program by providing resources and knowledge to the COHS students and alumni that I wish I knew about.  

As a recent graduate yourself, what professional support do you wish you had? 

As a recent graduate, I wish I had a mentor or advisor that could’ve guided me through obtaining internships, networking, or building a professional portfolio. As it goes for most first – generation students or graduates, I was pretty much thrown into the fire once I entered college. A lot of the things I learned, such as resumes or interviewing, were taught to me through my own trial and errors. Even as a graduate, there are things I’m still learning as I go through the workforce. 

What do you hope to achieve in this role? 

I hope I’m able to give clarity to Career Online High School students and graduates, during their decision to pursue further education or a career. I also want to build a support network for students and alumni, allowing them to have confidence in their abilities to succeed during and after the program.    

What is your favorite book? 

The Harry Potter series will always be my favorite, due to the amount of world building, twists, and interesting characters. Looking back, I wish Harry would’ve chosen Slytherin! A bonus series would be the Seven Realms Series by Cinda Williams Chima, a great series with a theme around a lowly thief turning into a powerful and respected wizard with royal blood.   

Do you have a favorite library memory/ Did you enjoy going to the library as a kid? 

I loved libraries as a kid. I used to spend my free time as kid going to the main library when I lived in San Francisco. My favorite memory is my high school librarians knowing me by name because I would check out a new book almost every day.  

Thanks for sharing a little about yourself, Daniel! We look forward to seeing the impact you will have!

National Estate Planning Awareness Month: Estate Planning for Everyone

House Image
Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

64% of Americans say that having a will is important — but 68% don’t have a will in place. October is National Estate Planning Awareness Month and all month long, the San José Public Library Foundation (SJPLF) is celebrating by spreading awareness to the community about the importance and relevance of estate planning. We invite you to consider these important questions: 

  • Who do you want to care for your children or pets in the event of an unforeseen circumstance? 
  • Have you made decisions around finances? 
  • Do you want to support SJPLF through our legacy? 

Estate planning is designed to give individuals security and control of their finances and the transferring of their finances while informing the community of the different methods and costs that each decision entails. An estate includes anything you own, such as automobiles, real estate, investment, and personal possessions. It is important to have an estate plan in place because it will give you the ability to decide how your belongings will be distributed ahead of time when unexpected circumstances occur. SJPLF moves proactively within the City of San José through the twenty-five San José Public Library locations to bring philanthropic power to their communities, which includes ensuring that community members are given proper resources and knowledge to create an estate plan that protects their possessions and their loved ones.  

What most people might not realize is that without an estate plan, the state has the power to assign someone to handle your business if you are suddenly incapable of doing so. If there is no estate plan to specify an individual’s wishes, then the state will decide what happens with your belongings. This often might not align with what one intended, so specifying how your assets should be distributed among your heirs or beneficiaries to align with your intentions is why estate planning matters immensely.  

There are many areas that estate planning addresses, including asset distribution, business succession, minimizing family disputes, and avoiding probate which means ensuring that assets pass directly to beneficiaries. A significant purpose of estate planning is to protect and guarantee the care of loved ones when unexpected and untimely events occur. For instance, if a beneficiary is still under the age of eighteen, a guardian may need to be appointed to manage the account until the beneficiary becomes an adult. Estate planning takes a significant amount of consideration to address all the unique circumstances that potentially could occur as well as the cost and consequences of those decisions. Estate planning can also minimize estate taxes, gift taxes, capital gains taxes, and income taxes on an estate and the beneficiaries. Ultimately, estate planning is meant to give you peace of mind for when difficult times do surface so that you can focus on your situation stress-free knowing that you already made important decisions ahead of time.  

The Foundation also recognizes that estate planning may appear to be a foreign and daunting task. With our partner, FreeWill, you can create your plans in just 20 minutes online and protect the people and causes you love. This free tool not only helps you to protect your loved ones and assets, but also helps you support our collective will to make our city as equitable as it is diverse for years to come. 

Create my free will

On October 21st, we are hosting a FREE workshop, Estate Planning for Everyone, from 3 PM to 4 PM at the Bascom Branch Library (1000 S. Bascom Ave San Jose, CA 95128). This event is perfect for individuals and families seeking peace of mind and financial security. Featuring guest speakers

• Maris Martinson (Estate Planning Attorney at Berliner Cohen)
• Todd P. Langton, CLF (Financial Services Professional, NYLIFE Securities LLC)
• Pat Wolfe (SJPLF Board Member & Epilogue Society Member)

These industry experts will provide invaluable tips, advice, insights, and resources. Whether you’re starting your estate planning journey or looking to refine your existing plan, we encourage you and your loved ones to join us.  

Register for free
Estate Planning for Everyone Workshop Banner

No matter the size of your assets, no matter your age or how wealthy you are, estate planning is beneficial for everyone. It saves time, energy, and resources for you and your loved ones while preserving the legacy you decide to leave behind. Understanding the importance of estate planning and its process will not only give you more peace and control over your possessions, but also empowers you to support causes and organizations you care about through charitable bequests and trusts. When estate planning is executed with competence and confidence, individuals are able to push past just planning, and also leave a legacy that they and their family can be proud of. Thank you for considering the San José Public Library Foundation in your estate planning, and we hope to see you at our Estate Planning for Everyone workshop. 

Support SJPLF in your legacy today RSVP to our free estate planning workshop

Signature Author Event 2024: Top Moments & Media Highlights with Chef Martin Yan

On Saturday, September 21st, the San José Public Library Foundation hosted its first ever Signature Author Event featuring the renowned celebrity from hit show Yan Can Cook, Chef Martin Yan. This inaugural event raised significant funds and awareness for the San José Public Library while providing guests with a truly memorable culinary experience. 

Chef Martin Yan captivated the audience with a lively cooking demonstration, sharing the stories and inspiration behind his 30+ cookbooks. Attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch featuring Chef Yan’s award-winning dishes, paired with thoughtfully curated wines that were generously provided by Bouchaine Vineyards. Each guest was gifted an autographed copy of his newest cookbook “Best of Yan Can Cook“, and additional autographed copies of his latest works including “My Asian Kitchen” were also available for purchase at the door, with a portion of proceeds going back to the Library. 

The event concluded with an exciting lion dance celebration out in the plaza as Chef Martin Yan met and greeted guests.

Thank you to our dedicated staff, volunteers, vendors, event sponsors, and most importantly, our community for helping us bring this event to life. We truly could not have done it without each and every single person! 

Want to see the event in action and learn more about its impact? Check out our official recap video and curated collection of media coverage to see how our first ever Signature Author Event made headlines! 

Watch the recap video Read the media highlights

About Chef Yan

“If Yan Can Cook, So Can You!” has always been the motto of Chef Martin Yan! With his extraordinaire, popular television host of more than 3,500 culinary and travel TV shows and author of 34 cookbooks including his brand-new cookbooks – “Martin Yan’s Best of Yan Can Cook” and “MY Asian Kitchen”. He is one of the most recognizable Chinese Chef in the culinary world, from Shanghai to San Francisco, with a career spanning over four decades. Promoting Chinese and Asian cuisines, making the food easy for the cook has been his life-long mission. 

His award-winning public television series, Yan Can Cook, airing since 1978, has introduced generations of audiences to Chinese and Asian cuisines.  Chef Yan has received numerous awards and recognitions including the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, and the lifetime achievement award from the International Association of Cooking Professionals. He was also honored with the 2023 Culinary Excellence Award at the Sonoma International Film Festival. 

Never the one to rest on his laurels, Chef Yan has remained an active international food and cultural ambassador. He roams the world working with home chefs and top chefs to entertain and educate the public, sharing his unique humor and strong passion for cooking. 

 

View photos from the event

Chef Martin Yan headlines San José Library Foundation fundraiser

Originally Published: August 25, 2024 at 7:14 am

Rosie’s Donor Story: Why I Give To The Library

Born in Zacatecas, Mexico in 1927, my father Hijinio Reynoso, Sr was born with a passion for learning. Unfortunately, he was told by my grandmother that learning and any form of education was a thing of the devil…so… he was not allowed to go to school. But that didn’t stop him. He took it upon himself to acquire items like eggs from the neighbors’ chickens and other knickknacks he could sell so he could get the money to purchase school materials. He proudly walked into the first day of school only to have his mother storm in and pull him out after only one hour. That was the extent of my father’s formal education. 

Rosie and Dad

It wasn’t until he was 25 years old that someone shared with him that you could travel the world through books. Up until that point, he was illiterate. His passion for learning was reignited….so…. he taught himself to read and write. 

 My father’s primary occupation was as a farm laborer picking oranges. After a long exhausting day of manual labor, his co-workers would return home to relax and watch T.V. My father rushed home to read. I don’t ever remember coming home and not seeing a book in my father’s hand or near him. 

Growing up my father would always ask me “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I’m sure it’s a common question all parents ask their children. In my case, no matter what I said, he would always respond “well you know you have to go to school for that and you have to study lots of books”. As a young child, I wanted to be a ballerina and a firefighter. 

Books were as common in our house as food in a refrigerator. When we ran out, we would go to the library to check out more to “fill our pantry”. I learned to read when I was 3 years old and, from that age, it was engrained in me that books are to be respected, honored and cherished. We were not allowed to write in books, mark pages with “dog ears” or lay books on the floor. 

Now, imagine my shock when I went off to college and I was told to mark the “important points” in my textbook by highlighting the section or underlining it with a pencil (and maybe even a pen). That was culture shock! 

Education, learning, and books were always important to my father. When I lost him at the ripe age of 94 in 2021, I wanted to honor his memory and his influence on me and his influence on others by doing more than just a yearly donation to the San José Library Foundation. I wanted to find a way to honor him and the public libraries that have always been at the center of my life as a child, a young adult and now with my own children. That is why my husband and I decided to include the San José Public Library Foundation in our Family Trust.

Rosie SJPLF Epilogue Society Member

By adding us to her Family Trust, Rosie joined SJPLF’s Epilogue Society, what we call our community of legacy givers. We are so grateful for Rosie’s passionate support and openness to share her library story.

Please join Rosie in sharing your library story with us at development@sjplf.org.

Learn more about legacy giving