Susan Orlean Closes out SCCLD Distinguished Author Series
Third event to take place at Campbell Heritage Theatre on December 11
Famed writer Susan Orlean will speak about her acclaimed work The Library Book at Campbell Heritage Theatre on Wednesday, December 11 at 7:30 pm. Orlean will talk about the process of researching and writing the bestseller, which explores the history, power and future of libraries, while also investigating the 1986 arson that burnt 400,000 books and nearly destroyed the Los Angeles Public Library.
Orlean, with her eye for the moving, the hilarious and the surprising, has been telling stories for more than three decades. A staff writer at The New Yorker since 1992, she has written seven books, including The Library Book. Several of her books have been adapted to film. An engaging and unforgettable speaker, Orlean also lectures on her books and other topics.
This event is free and open to the public. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Participants are encouraged to arrive early as space is limited. Copies of The Library Book will be sold at the event. A Q&A and opportunity for autographs will take place following the talk.
The Distinguished Author Series has brought together three well-known writers to discuss their nonfiction books that have dominated bestseller lists and sparked meaningful conversations. Click here to see clips from our events with Sonia Nazario and John Carreyrou.
Who: Susan Orlean, Author of The Library Book
When: Wednesday, December 11 @ 7:30 pm
Where: Campbell Heritage Theater, 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell, CA 95008
Get a Sneak Peek at the Brand New Library Website
The SCCLD website is fully redesigned, with multiple upgrades
To kick off the 2020 New Year, SCCLD will be launching a brand new, completely redesigned website on January 6, 2020. As a library patron, you can be one of the first to preview the new site now before our full public launch.
A key library service, the website currently averages 126,000 unique visitors per month. We know many of you are very familiar with and enjoy the online catalog area of the website, so that experience will remain the same. All other pages in the site have been greatly enhanced to help you find, discover and experience the many things the library has to offer.
Discover upcoming library events, learn about exciting library services, browse new books and movies for all ages, enjoy booklists and blog posts, and take the latest poll (then see how others voted). Main areas of the website include:
- Feature Titles: Discover great books, music, and movies based on your interests.
- Online Library 24/7: Access eBooks & Audiobooks, eMagazines & News, eMovies & Music, and Online Research Services. Log in with your library card, or if you do not have a library account, get a free digital library card instantly as part of our brand new eCard service.
- Learn 24/7: If you are a student in grades K-12 or college you can get help with your studies from a free online tutor as well as online classes and tutorials on a vast number of subjects (hobbies, scholarly, and professional). Adult English learners can receive in-person instruction through the Reading Program, ESL courses, as well as take online courses.
- Events: Fill your calendar with our libraries’ exciting free programs for all ages.
- Kids & Families: One-stop shopping for your family library needs including books, online services, events, early learning services, homework help, online tutors, and more.
- Teens: Offers a variety of materials, services and activities for ages 13-18, including homework help, book recommendations, contests, polls, college and career, and more.
- Services: Access your library account information, computer services, book a meeting room, passport services, and resources on a variety of subjects: adult literacy, smart investing, English as a Second Language, genealogy, and more.
- Connect: Contact us, make a suggestion, check out our newsroom and blog posts, volunteer, apply for a job, or following us on social media.
Want a brief tour of the homepage? Watch this video, opens a new window showing highlights from the homepage.
Don’t have a library account? If you live within the Library District, get a free digital library card instantly as part of our brand new online eCard service.
Looking for the Locations & Hours link? When the new website launches on January 6, the Locations & Hours link will be available in the main navigation atop our website pages. Also, as of January 6, the Locations pages will include the sections: About the Library, Meeting Rooms, Friends' Booksales, and more!
Our web team has worked hard to bring you an improved online user experience. We’re still adding more information and content before the official public launch on January 6, 2020, but we hope that you enjoy this sneak peek of our new website. We welcome your feedback at webmaster@sccl.org.
Have a Seat and Make Yourself Comfortable
Cupertino, opens a new window, Milpitas, opens a new window and Saratoga, opens a new window libraries all adding comfort and convenience
SCCLD continues its efforts to expand and improve its facilities with upgrade projects at three libraries. With more than 3,349,000 visitors to our eight libraries annually, seating is in high demand. In order to provide a welcoming space for our visitors, the Cupertino, Milpitas and Saratoga libraries have recently expanded their available seating with much appreciation from our patrons. Major improvements to the audio/visual equipment are also underway at Milpitas and Saratoga libraries. Below is a summary of improvements at each site.
Cupertino Library's seating improvement project includes new seating areas on both the second floor Adult area and the first floor of the Children's Room. In total, 42 seats were added to the library. In response to the 2016 Patron Survey, both soft seating and counter height (standing) workstations were incorporated into the new seating plans. Counter height tables are powered, and additional outlets have been added in other new seating areas on the second floor. Table dividers are now being added to existing furniture. These changes have been met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Cupertino Library looks forward to its patrons’ continued use of these improvements.
The Milpitas Library will be getting all new technology throughout the building by the spring of 2020. New A/V equipment is being installed in the Auditorium, Children's Activity Room, Computer Training Center, Conference Room...even the Group Study Rooms and Reading Rooms! Our patrons are also enjoying sitting at our 10 new counter height tables, as well as 18 brand new café-style workstations, all of which are located on our second floor. Both new types of furniture include power, making them convenient for studying, working, and charging your personal electronic devices.
In the last few months, the Saratoga Library has added a new group study room, increased seating, and added additional electrical outlets to better serve the community. The Library converted an underutilized staff meeting room into a group study room that accommodates 4-12 people. The space, which is called the Oak Room, may be reserved online one month in advance. Also, the Library added new tables and seating options for patrons of all ages. For adults, seating at the Saratoga Library was increased by more than 25%.
Most importantly, a variety of seating was added to accommodate the needs of the community. At the same time, there are 16 new floor electrical outlets being installed by the end of the year on the adult side for patrons to use to charge their devices. On the children’s side, the library now offers more child-friendly seating – colorful ottomans in two sizes as well as brightly colored chairs at new tables. Overall, seating in children’s area has been increased by more than 10%.
We welcome you to visit all of our libraries and thank you for using the Santa Clara County Library District. Keep an eye on future editions of the newsletter for announcements about other libraries.
Take a Stroll Down Memory Lane: the 2010s
Tracking some of the major literary and entertainment trends of the decade
We asked a group of our librarians to reflect on some of the major developments over the past decade to identify which topics and technologies had the greatest impact. Here are the highlights:
One of the major trends that came up was the film and television adaptations of popular books. The George R.R. Martin book series A Game of Thrones became a successful television show on HBO. Other popular programs based on books are Margaret Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale, which is still airing on Hulu, and Piper Kerman’s memoir, Orange is the New Black, which was featured on Netflix.
On the big screen, several sci-fi novels became successful films, including Andy Weir’s The Martian and Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One. Adaptations with strong female leads also dominated theaters, starting with The Hunger Games and its subsequent sequels, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, and 50 Shades of Gray by E.L. James. Our librarians also saw a rise in female superheroes, like DC Comics’ Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel by Marvel Comics. We also saw the first female Dr. Who! Keeping with the theme of entertainment, several plays became hugely popular in the 2010s, including The Book of Mormon, Hamilton and Frozen.
Technology also advanced, with tablets, smartphones, and gaming consoles becoming more easily accessible. There are many educational apps and services available and the Library offers eBooks, Audiobooks, music and movies that can be accessed online. A few very entertaining games really stand out and made the list of top trends. The first is Minecraft, a sandbox video game that lets users build their own worlds and interact with others. The Library carries dozens of how-to guides for players. Fortnite is another free online multi-player video game that has grown in popularity. And finally, a free app that is enjoyed by people of all ages is Pokémon GO, based on the popular books and TV series.
Of course, a number of major events happened in the 2010s. The deadly Haiti earthquake struck in January 2010, followed by the Deepwater Horizon oilrig disaster in April. The Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010, marking the most significant expansion of coverage in decades. We also saw a great deal of protest and opposition over concerns about economic inequality, particularly the 2011 Occupy Wall Street protests, which started in New York City and soon spread across the country. Also in 2011, Osama bin Laden, the man responsible for the 9/11 attacks, was finally located and neutralized. Hurricane Sandy was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, hitting the entire eastern seaboard.
In 2014, the world watched as rescue crews searched tirelessly for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which remains an unsolved mystery to this day. Marriage equality made the headlines in 2015, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Obergefell v. Hodges that all states must recognize same-sex marriages. 2016 was a major election year with Donald Trump becoming the 45th President, and that’s also when the Paris Agreement took effect, in an effort to combat climate change. The U.S.’s participation in that treaty is in question today. California saw a multi-year drought, but now the state faces a bigger threat with more frequent wildfires. Newspapers locally and around the world covered these topics extensively. Look through the archives of the Mercury News or The New York Times using your library account.
Finally, the 2010s had some short-lived trends. Some of the biggest fads include man buns, Gangnam Style and Rainbow Loom bracelets. Others have aimed to do good, such as the Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised awareness about ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Meanwhile, Marie Kondo has helped people simplify and organize their homes and lives with the KonMari method.
There’s your look back of the 2010s. Let us know what you think the big trends of the 2020s will be by engaging with us on Facebook. You can also read BookBub’s list of the best books of the decade.
Tips from the Library to Create Holiday Cheer
Gift giving tips, craft ideas, and resources to help you thrive
Feeling stressed about all the things you have to cross off your To Do List? Don’t be! The Library has a bevy of ideas to help make your holidays memorable.
Check out the top gift guides from Consumer Reports to find the right gift for loved ones. Planning your holiday meals and decorations? The Library has many helpful online resources, including CreativeBug, which offers a number of craft projects that you can keep or give as a gift. Our eMagazine service RBdigital has a number of popular publications with many ideas, instructions, recipes and more to make your holidays festive. Our other eMagazine service, Flipster features TIME magazine, the December 2 issue of which lists “The 100 Best Inventions of 2019.” You can find great food recommendations on The New York Times Online site.
Our librarians have created a booklist featuring inspiring, intriguing and entertaining books that would make wonderful gifts! There’s also a Best Books to Give Kids 2019 list. We also have great suggestions for eBooks, including Jingle All the Way (Cooking and holiday themed reads), Snowy Day Reads for Kids, Pumpkin Spice Latte Cozy Mysteries, and Sweet Holiday Treats (baking recipes). Lastly, for those trying to avoid putting on weight during the holidays, we have a new Health & Fitness guide.
Freegal Music offers streaming music and lets you create your own playlist of holiday music. Medici.tv offers live and recorded concerts to get you in the holiday spirit. You can watch the Nutcracker and various wintertime concerts. You can also follow the Event Calendar on the SCCLD homepage for upcoming live events. And don’t forget the many films and more available for free through Kanopy!
Looking Back at 2019 and Forward to 2020: Thoughts from the County Librarian
A reflection on where we’ve been and where we’re headed
There has been much to celebrate this year in library services, and much more to look forward to in the decade to come. The Library is so much more than a repository for books—we are a source for creative inspiration, empower you with tools for lifelong learning, and a connection point to your community. We value our patrons and strive to provide you with the materials, programs, services and staff support you need to enjoy all the Library has to offer. Some of the highlights from this past year included:
- Adding Sunday hours at Campbell, Gilroy and Morgan Hill for all libraries to offer service 7 days per week
- Expanding passport services to a third location--the Los Altos Library
- Hosting the very first South County Mini Maker Faire at the Gilroy Library
- Offering early learning readiness centers at the Gilroy and Morgan Hill libraries
- Hosting our first ever Teen Battle of the Bands at the Milpitas Library
- Food for Fines generated 32,280 pounds in food donations, providing almost 27,000 meals
- Engaging our communities to read over 255,000 books over the summer
- Offering the first annual Distinguished Author Series
- Upgraded and expanded available seating at the Cupertino, Milpitas and Saratoga libraries
- Creating over 90,000 student eAccounts providing every student from every public school within our Library District with access to our full online library
It was a busy, but fulfilling year!
Looking ahead, we have multiple upgrades on the horizon for three of our libraries--Morgan Hill, Cupertino and Campbell. The Morgan Hill Library expansion is already underway with a 2,500 square foot addition that will expand the children’s area and add a second community room to the library. The City of Cupertino has approved adding a two-floor addition to the Cupertino Library, providing a dedicated Community Room, expanding the children’s area and more. And the City of Campbell is moving forward with their planning for voter approved Measure O to build a new Campbell Police Station and fully renovated Campbell Library.
We are starting the New Year out with the full public launch of our brand new website! We have other significant initiatives starting in 2020, including offering homework help at the library, having laptops available for loan in each of our libraries, new programs to support family literacy, and for our diverse communities in the Silicon Valley, we’re expanding our ESL programs to all of our libraries with programs targeting different needs. Of course, our librarians are always hard at work to create programs and provide the right materials our patrons will enjoy.
On behalf of the Santa Clara County Library District, we wish you and yours Happy Holidays and hope to see you at one of our libraries, bookmobile stops, or visiting us on our new website!
