eBook help

Have you tried borrowing an e-book from the library? It can be a complex process.  Every  database is  different  and every  device demands different procedures/software  , etc.  You  can  come in  anytime and get help , but it  is sometimes busy  and crowed at t he reference  desk.  So  we  have  trained some teen volunteers and  have specific times  when  you  can  come in get  some  help.

Our  teens  have  been introduced  to Overdrive.   Overdrive  uses  most  of  the different platforms for  ereaders and also  has  some  audiobooks  that  can be  borrowed.

They  will be  available on  Mondays  from 1:30  to  3:30  as  part  of  our  Teen/Senior  gadget  and computer help program.   They will also  be  available  from 1:00 to  7:00 pm  most  Tuesdays  during  the  summer  ( Check our facebook page for updates)

What you need to bring:

• Library card
  your charged device Including usb ( nook, ipod, kindle, Ipad , phone)
  Your laptop ( some devices require software tha loaded to your computer and we can help)
  Your amazon or itunes account information

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Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Yesterday , the circus wasn’t here. Today, its  black  and  white tents  fill  the field.  Every one waits for  evening when Le Cirque des Rêves opens  its  gates.   The  circus  is  full of wonder . The  tents  have magicians , a beautiful tattooed contortionist, magical  ice gardens,  and  more.

None of  the circus  guest  know  that  there is a larger story  behind  the circus.  Celia and Marco have  been  trained from childhood by rival  magicians . They  are in a contest , but they don’t know  the rules.   The  circus  is  the game  board.

The pace of  Night  Circus is dream like , meandering and convoluted. Iimaginatively written, this  book  will paint visions across your  imagination.

 
Look for the book, the audio book, or the ebook.

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Let’s Play a Game!

“Reading is so Delicious!” is a summer reading game for all, held at the Fremont Main Library, as well as other Alameda County Library branches. The photo features Darlene Crittendon at the Info Desk, spinning the prize wheel which will determine how many spaces she can advance on the game board. Part of the fun of the game is to try the activities suggested on the game board – Darlene has tried roti, an ethnic food she has not eaten before. Of course, she is also reading!

Reading has become a family activity. Darlene’s daughter is also playing the game and she may finish before her mom. All participants playing – Pre-K, kids, teens, and adults will receive a first prize of a book bag, a final prize of a book and will also be entered in a raffle when they finish the game. Adults could win an ebook reader; teens could win an iPad, and kids could win a gift certificate.  To play the game, adults sign-up at the first floor Information Desk; teens sign-up at the Reference Desk upstairs; and kids and pre-K readers sign-up at the Children’s Desk.

But the most important reward is the reading itself. Fremont’s book display complements the theme – here you can find books by celebrity chefs (Remember Julia Child?), mysteries and fiction with a culinary theme, books about food such as titles by Michael Pollan (“Omnivore’s Dilemma”) or Julie Powell’s “Julie and Julia.” Join others and nourish your brain this summer.

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Flag Day

Flag Day is observed across the United States every year on June 14th. This observance is to commemorate the adoption of the American flag as the official flag of the United States. The first American flag is said to have been designed and hand-sewn by Betsy Ross during the time of the American Revolution. That first flag, known as the Betsy Ross flag, had 13 alternating red and white stripes and 13 white stars to represent the original 13 colonies. Our flag today still has the 13 alternating red and white stripes to represent the original colonies and 50 white stars to represent the 50 States that make up the United States of America. Did you know that there are rules for how to display the American Flag? Here are a few rules to follow:

• The flag should be flown during daylight and when it is not raining.
• The flag should never be flown upside down.
• The flag should not be used for advertising.
• When lowered to be put away, no part of the flag should touch the ground, it should be received by waiting hands and arms, and folded in a ceremoniously way.
• The flag should be cleaned and mended.

You can take a look here to see more rules for displaying the American Flag.

If you would like to make a flag craft to celebrate flag day today check out enchantedlearning.com for fun projects to make at home.

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Interesting facts about dreams

Does everyone dream?

Yes. Laboratory studies have shown that we experience our most vivid dreams during a type of sleep called Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. During REM sleep the brain is very active, the eyes move back and forth rapidly under the lids, and the large muscles of the body are relaxed. REM sleep occurs every 90 – 100 minutes, 3 to 4 times a night, and lasts longer as the night progresses. The final REM period may last as long as 45 minutes. Less vivid dreams occur at other times during the night.

Are dreams in color?

Most dreams are in color, although people may not be aware of it, either because they have difficulty remembering their dreams or because color is such a natural part of visual experience. People who are very aware of color while awake probably notice color more often in their dreams.

Do dreams have meaning?

Although scientists continue to debate this issue, most people who work with their dreams, either by themselves or with others, find that their dreams are very meaningful for them. Dreams are useful in learning more about the dreamer’s feelings, thoughts, behavior, motives, and values. Many find that dreams can help them solve problems. Further, artists, writers, and scientists often get creative ideas from dreams. Read more

Excerpts  from International Association for the Study of Dreams

Books on dreams @ library

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Anne Frank’s Diary

 On this date, June 12, in 1942, Anne Frank received her diary for her 13^th birthday. Actually an autograph book she admired in the window of a nearby shop, Anne’s father Otto made a gift of the book to his daughter, and she used it as a diary. Not only did Anne record day-to-day happenings in her life, but also reported on what it was like to be Jewish and in hiding during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam, Holland, during World War II.  Covering a little over two years of her life, Anne would never realize her observances would become a gift to the world.

What would become known as Anne Frank: the Diary of a Young Girl would eventually be published in over 60 languages.

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English-Chinese Baby Bounce Is Coming Back

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The ever popular bilingual English Chinese Baby Bounce for babies under 2 years old is going to resume this Thursday, 6/14, at 1 pm.  There are 3 meetings in June, 6/14, 6/21 and 6/28. 

Bring your baby and join us for 20-minute of fun in singing, rhyming, story reading in both English and Mandarin Chinese.  No registration is required.

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Literary Journeys on BART

If you go on a BART ride one of these days, take a look around the station and the car you’re in.  You’ll probably see any of three new posters East Bay artist Owen Smith has created for BART for a series called “Literary Journeys.”  The posters depict BART riders lost in Dashiell Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon”, Jack London’s “Call of the Wild”, and Amy Tan’s “Joy Luck Club.”

Until I joined the Alameda County Library as a staff member almost five years ago, I commuted each work day by BART.

Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club

Now I don’t miss the late trains, crowded cars, fare increases and the occasional threats and actuality of BART employees going on strike.  I do miss the reading time that each BART ride guaranteed.  Boarding a train three stops from its Fremont starting point assured me of a seat, but the return trip was more of a game of chance since Fremont-bound trains did not come as often as passengers would have preferred.  Still, I usually had the opportunity to read and block out the mass of humanity around me.  I knew when it was time to disembark by the section of the daily newspaper I had just set aside or by the number of pages I had just read of the book that was in my tote bag.

One of the books I know I read as a BART commuter was “The Joy Luck Club”.  I remember clearly how touched I was  by the passages about the mother abandoning her young twin daughters by the road side while escaping the foreign power occupation of her town.  I remember I dared not look up, hoping no one noticed me as I pressed a tissue near each eye to stop those tears and being careful not to dislodge my contact lenses.  Looking back, I think my hormones were at play at that time since just months earlier I had given birth to my second child.

Take your own literary journeys on BART.  Check out works by Dashiell Hammett, Jack London, Amy Tan and your other favorite authors from the library’s collection.

Jack London’s The Call of the Wild

Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon

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GOOD-BYE RAY BRADBURY

Ray Bradbury

The literary world has lost a giant, and the library, a great friend. Ray Douglas Bradbury passed away June 5, 2012 at the age of 91  in Los Angeles (he would have been 92 on August 22.) Mr. Bradbury was a great fan of science fiction, of theater and movies, and of libraries. This writer wishes to thank Mr. Bradbury for the legacy he leaves behind.

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2012 Summer Events at Centerville Library

	Tuesday, June 19, 1:00-5:30 P.M. Thursday, June 21, 10:00 A.M.-5:30 P.M. Kids Library Camp Learn  about how library works, how to find homework help, play games, and lots of fun activities.  For grades 4-7.  Registration is required and is already full. Check out how much fun we had in this 2011 camp video.
	Thursday, June 28, 2-3 P.M. Storyteller Michael Katz Animated and interactive stories for kids of all ages. This program will be held in the library’s meeting room. Seats are  limited.  A free ticket is required to attend. Tickets are available 30 minutes prior to program start time.
	Thursday, July 5, 2-4 P.M. Family Movie Time: The Adventures of Tintin Based on a series of comic books created by Belgian artist Hergé (Georges Remi).  Directed by Steven Spielberg. Rated PG.
	Thursday, July 12, 2-3 P.M. Reading Is Delicious with Singer Patricia Shih Join Patricia Shih, a multiple national award-winning singer-songwriter, for a fun-filled family concert full of laughter and joy! This program will be held in the library’s meeting room. Seats are  limited.   A free ticket is required to attend. Tickets are available 30 minutes prior to program start time
	Thursday, July 19, 2-3 P.M. Mr. SHAP Join Mr. Shap, a magician and balloon twister for his amazing ” Super Happenings Always Possible” show with us! This program will be held outdoors in the library’s patio. Some sitting areas may not have shade. Please wear a hat to shield the sun.
	Thursday, July 26, 2-3 P.M. The Corny Crow Show with Steve Chaney Don’t miss Steve Chaney’s hilarious show with Corny Crow!  It’s so funny that you can’t stop laughing. This program will be held outdoors in the library’s patio.  Some sitting areas may not have shade.  Please wear a hat to shield the sun.
	Tuesday, August 2 , 2-3 P.M. Card Making Crafts for Teens and Tweens Participants will use some simple scrapbook and stamping techniques to create their cards. All materials will be supplied you just need to bring your creativity! For kids ages 10 and up. Space will be limited and tickets will be given out 30 minutes before the program.
	Every Tuesday and Thursday, August 7 – 30, 1:30-3:30 P.M. Intro to Algebra A 4-week math preparation class for incoming 7th graders only. Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday during the month of August. Get ready for junior high math. Learn basic algebra concepts with Jonathan Lu, a USA Junior Math Olympiad qualifier from MSJ High School.  Registration is required. Limit to 20 seats.

Centerville Library is located at 3801 Nicolet Ave., Fremont, CA 94536
For more information, please call 510-795-2629 or email cchang@aclibrary.org or egamell@aclibrary.org

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