Introduction to Speech and Debate
2025-10-17 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Students in Grades 3-5 are invited to learn and practice the elements of speech and debate through hands-on activities. What is “speech and debate” and why do we do it? Elements such as tone of voice, body posture, hand gestures, and eye contact will be demonstrated and practiced, helping improve speeches and debates. The final session will include a mini debate tournament with some time for reflection and Q and A. This series is presented by teen volunteers with speech and debate/public speaking experience.
Free. Limited to 16 students. Participants are expected to attend all sessions. Recommended for 3rd-5th grade students. Priority will be given to registrants followed by online waitlist, then walk-ins if there is space. If anyone registered or waitlisted does not show up by 4:05pm on the first day, their spot may be given to someone else for the series.
If you are on the waitlist or a walk-in hoping to get a spot, please try to come a few minutes early on the first day to see if any open spots remain. Registrants will be checked-in first at the Community Room door and allowed until 4:05 to arrive. Anyone registered or waitlisted who does not attend by 4:05pm on the first day will give up their spot for the series.
ADA Accommodation Requests

Fruit Composition with Pastel
2025-10-17 16:00 - 17:30
Join us for the art workshop, where we will create a beautiful work in the still life genre.
Enjoy creating art and learning about forms and colors, while painting a composition with real fruits! We will use pastel for this project.
After we finish our artwork, everyone will enjoy fresh fruit and socialize with their fellow artists.
This workshop is intended for seniors.
Supplies are provided.
Free. Registration required.
ADA Accommodation Requests

Amplify: Bio Bridge
2025-10-17 16:30 - 17:30
Date: Friday, October 17, 2025 Time: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Location: 1st Floor Program Room
Ever wonder what DNA looks like? In this hands-on activity, children will mash a strawberry, break open its cells, and extract real DNA using simple kitchen ingredients. Watch as the DNA clumps together right before your eyes! Discover the science behind the code of life in a fun and easy way.
This program is for children ages 8-11.
This event is part of Amplify: Teen Voices, a program for teens who want to share their interests and passions with an audience.

Aprenda la lengua y la cultura náhuatl || Learn Náhuatl Language & Culture
2025-10-17 18:00 - 19:30
El náhuatl es una lengua indígena hablada por aproximadamente 1.5 millones de personas nahuas. El náhuatl se habla en el centro de México desde el siglo VII D.C. Hoy en día, hay numerosas personas que hablan náhuatl en el Área de la Bahía.
Este programa será una introducción a la lengua, la cultura y la historia del náhuatl. Aprenderemos habilidades para mantener una conversación básica en náhuatl y hablaremos sobre escritores y artistas que usan el náhuatl para la expresión creativa. También aprenderemos sobre la importancia de mantener la lengua y cultura Náhuatl.
Registro necesario. Para registrarse, llame a la biblioteca. (408) 294-1237
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Nahuatl is an Indigenous language that is spoken by an estimated 1.5 million Nahua people. Nahuatl has been spoken in Central Mexico since at least the 7th century AD. Today, there are numerous people who speak Nahuatl in the Bay Area.
This program will be an introduction to Nahuatl language, culture, and history. We will learn skills for holding a basic conversation in Nahuatl, and we will talk about writers and artists who use Nahuatl for creative expression. We will also learn about the importance of language revitalization.
Registration required. To register call the library. (408) 294-1237
ADA Accommodation Requests

California Writers Club - South Bay Writers Open Mic
2025-10-17 19:30 - 21:30
Are you a writer who would like to read to an audience? Join the South Bay Writers (a chapter of the California Writers Club) for a monthly gathering where anyone may attend and read for up to 10 minutes in any genre. Feedback on your work can be requested from the group, or you can just read!
California Writers Club, founded in 1909, is one of the nation’s oldest professional clubs for writers. Their organization is dedicated to educating writers of all levels and disciplines in the craft of writing and in the marketing of their work.
Free. No registration required
ADA Accommodation Requests

Computer Assembly Workshop [by Appointment]
2025-10-18 00:00
Free. Recommended for ages 10+
With Lab PCs donated by our local community, you will learn:

Components needed to assemble a working computer
How to plan out and shop for a new/used computer components
How to assemble a PC without damaging components

Class Breakdown:

Presentation on minimum necessary components and their functions
Students/families (in small groups) will be given an assortment of components to reassemble into a working computer
Start them up and troubleshoot any problems

Thanks to our patrons and staff for their computer donations!!

My Qualifications:I’ve built my own computers for more than 30 years. My parents worked at IBM and would always bring home new components. I have a valid/active CompTIA A+ certification and a valid/active Cisco Certified Network Associate Certificate.

ADA Accommodation Requests

1:1 Tech Mentor / Giáo Viên Máy Tính
2025-10-18 00:00
Free. By appointment only.
Offered in-person or virtually via Zoom, in English, Español, or Tiếng Việt.
Would you like to find out more about computers? Learn at your own pace!
What We Do:

Intro to computer basics
Account or device setup
Intro to Microsoft Office
Job search & resume help
Navigating/organizing email
And more!

Contact Tiffany Lam by phone (408) 808-3056 or email at tiffany.lam@sjlibrary.org to make an appointment.
ADA Accommodation Requests

Día de los Muertos Scavenger Hunt
2025-10-18 00:00
Want a not-so-spooky activity this fall? The Fall Scavenger Hunt has returned to Biblioteca Latinoamericana, with a Día de los Muertos theme!
We have paper “sugar” skulls hiding throughout the stacks, can you find them all?
Drop in, grab a scavenger hunt clue card and begin exploring Biblioteca Latinoamericana. Visitors who find all the ghosts can stop by the Information Desk for a prize!
ADA Accommodation Requests
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¿Buscas una adventura tenebrosa este otoño? ¡La busqueda de tesoro a regresado a la Biblioteca Latinomericana, inspirada por el día de los muertos!
Tenemos calveras de “azucar” echas de papel escondidas por nuestros estantes. ¿Puedes encontrarlas todas?
¡Obtengan una tarjeta de participación en el escritorio de informacion y empiezen la búsqueda! Los visitantes que puedan encontrar todos los fantasmas se pueden dirigir al escritorio de informacion para obtener un premio!
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