Family Storytime: Celebrate Halloween!
2025-10-25 11:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join Librarian Alicia on Saturdays at 11:00 AM for Family Storytime at Mitchell Park Library. Come sing, rhyme, and read stories with us! While this storytime will be geared towards those older than 2 years, all ages are welcome!

Make sure to follow us on YouTube for more stories, songs and rhymes, including a playlist of all of our favorite songs to sing!

Family Storytime
2025-10-25 11:00 - 11:30
Join us for fun stories, fingerplays, action rhymes and songs! Please park strollers in the Children’s room.
For accessibility accommodations (ex. ASL), please fill out the online form at sccld.org/accessibility
7+days prior to the event. If you need assistance with the form, speak with a staff member at your
local library, call (408) 540-3945, or email us at ask@sccl.org.

Family Storytime
2025-10-25 11:00 - 11:30
Join us on Saturday mornings for Family Storytime. This thirty-minute story time features lots of movement, singing, and action. Early literacy focus is on picture books, flannel board stories and fingerplays and an early introduction to group dynamics and socialization.
For accessibility accommodations (ex. ASL), please fill out the online form at sccld.org/accessibility 7+days prior to the event. If you need assistance with the form, speak with a staff member at your local library, call (408) 540-3945, or email us at ask@sccl.org.

Guitar Class for Beginners
2025-10-25 11:00 - 12:00
This 4 class series will cover understanding rhythm and meter, tuning your guitar, finger position on the fretboard, how to read and play chords, and finger picking style of playing. Printed study materials will be provided.
Please bring your own guitar. For ages 12 and up.
Space is limited, please register. Plan to attend all 4 classes.
Thank you to the Friends of the Gilroy Library for generously funding this series.

Volunteer Away Your Fines as a Branch Buddy
2025-10-25 11:00 - 12:00
Every now and then, libraries need a little extra love from the communities they serve. You can volunteer away your library fines at a rate of $20 per hour while helping the library maintain a clean and welcoming environment.
Volunteers will be responsible for:

Cleaning toys and furniture in the children’s area.

Other activities may include any of the following:

Book cover cleaning – Use disinfecting wipes to reinvigorate dingy books.
Bookshelves – Dust shelves and organize library materials.
Deep cleaning computers – Use disinfecting wipes to disinfect computer mice and mouse pads and compressed air to remove any dust particles or debris.
Material inspection – Check books for torn pages, pen marks, etc.

This is a perfect opportunity for anyone interested in volunteering away their library fines.
Details and Requirements:

Must be able to commit to the full session
Anyone under the age of 15 must volunteer alongside a parent/guardian
No experience or special skills necessary
Training and supplies will be provided

Please register online or ask for assistance by calling/visiting our Information Desk. Space is limited.
ADA Accommodation Requests

(Virtual) Practice Your English Speaking Skills - English Language Learner (ELL) Conversation Club
2025-10-25 11:00 - 12:00
Join us to practice, build, and strengthen your English-speaking skills. This is a welcoming and respectful environment for adult learners of English. Club meetings occur weekly with an online, trained facilitator. Our dedicated, amazing, and experienced volunteer, Patricia, will lead classes on Saturdays from 11:00am – 12:00pm. This program is presented by the Hillview Branch of the San Jose Public Library.
Please make sure to register by clicking on the Register button. By providing an email address, we will be able to send you a link to the Zoom meeting before the program begins.
ADA Accommodation Requests

Citizenship Interview Prep Workshop (Virtual)
2025-10-25 11:00 - 12:00
In this workshop, a volunteer facilitator will act as an interviewer and conduct mock interviews with prospective citizens. These interviews imitate the actual ones that take place at a USCIS office, with the volunteer asking questions about the information found on the N-400 form.
This program does not cover the government and history portion of the Naturalization test.

ADA Accommodation Requests

LEGO Club
2025-10-25 11:00 - 12:00
Get ready to build, create, and let your imagination soar at LEGO® Club! With LEGO® and Duplo® bricks, families can drop in and bring their wildest ideas to life. Whether you’re constructing towers, spaceships, or entire worlds, the possibilities are endless. Make lasting memories every Saturday and leave feeling like everything is awesome!
NOTE: Recommended for children 5 and older. Small LEGO® pieces can be choking hazards for younger children.
No registration required.
ADA Accommodation Requests

Lego Fun
2025-10-25 11:00 - 12:00
Join us at Evergreen library on Saturdays in October for LEGO® fun. Bring your creativity and imagination to build unique models using our LEGO® and DUPLO® pieces.
Important: Children under 5 must be accompanied by their parents as small LEGO® pieces can be choking hazards.
For children and families. No registration required.
ADA Accommodation Requests

Master Gardeners Talk: A World of Plants Without Soil
2025-10-25 11:00 - 12:30
Have you ever seen a plant that seems to grow out of thin air? They’re called tillandsias, and they’re some of the most unique and surprisingly simple plants to care for.
Step into the intriguing world of tillandsias, those unique plants you’ve probably seen but didn’t know you could grow yourself. Often called “air plants,” they thrive without soil, making them a wonderfully simple and versatile addition to any space.
Join UC Master Gardener Laura Westley as she reveals the secrets to successfully growing these captivating plants. Laura will guide you through the basics of tillandsia care, from watering and light to creative ways to display them. With her expert guidance, you’ll learn how to cultivate your own impressive collection.
Free. Registration preferred.
ADA Accommodation Requests

Halloween Party
2025-10-25 11:00 - 13:00
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025 Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm Location: Oak Room Patio, Main Library 1st Floor
Join us in the Oak Room from 11am-1pm for a Spooktacular time at the San Mateo Public Library!
There will be a Halloween themed magic show, Trick or Treat parade, spooky sensory boxes, and a variety of crafts to keep boils and ghouls of all ages entertained!
Costumes are encouraged!
11:00 AM- Magician Mike Della Penna
11:45 AM- Trick or Treat Parade
12:00 PM- Halloween Party with Crafts & Spooky Sensory Boxes!
No registration is required!
As a new addition this year, we will have a calming room open in one of the adjacent conference rooms. If your little one gets overwhelmed, please feel free to go to the calming room with them where they can enjoy a quiet space with some sensory toys and soothing autumn ambiance.

Fiber Arts Circle at Almaden
2025-10-25 11:00 - 13:00
Do you enjoy crocheting or knitting? Want to see what others are working on, refine your skills, or connect with other crafters? Grab your project and join us every week in the Almaden Library living room (behind the Tech Center where the newspapers and magazines are kept) to crochet or knit (or embroider or tat or…) and chat with other crafters making things with yarn. All hand needle crafts welcome.
ADA Accommodation Requests

Sahaja Meditation at Calabazas
2025-10-25 12:00 - 13:00
The Calabazas Branch of the San Jose Public Library is hosting a Sahaja Meditation Event suitable for all ages. Sahaja Meditation is a time-honored technique that promotes wellness and reduces stress by helping individuals achieve better focus, balance, and inner peace. Attendees are encouraged to dress comfortably and join for this beneficial experience.
The event includes a free guided meditation workshop. No registration is required and Walk-ins are welcome
ADA Accommodation Requests

WEE Love Science - Pumpkins
2025-10-25 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for a fun and hands-on program series that explores the exciting worlds of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Each week we will explore a subject through a unique activity that sparks curiosity and brings the topic to life through making and experimenting. Each week of STEM brings a new set of tasks to challenge us.
This week we will be exploring pumpkins, how they grow, how you can identify one if it isn’t in the grocery store, and how they look inside. Take some seeds home to grow more for next year.
Sessions are not related, so participants should register for EACH session they wish to attend.
Free. Registration is required.
This series of programs is supported by our Friends of the Pearl Avenue Library! Thank you!
ADA Accommodation Requests

Halloween Glitter Globe Craft
2025-10-25 12:00 - 13:00
First come, first served. Supplies are limited.
Children can enjoy making their own Halloween Glitter Globe Craft. Please note that each child must be in attendance (and 1 craft per child) for the craft. (This is a drop in activity, or a grab and go craft.) The craft takes about 15 to 20 minutes to assemble.
Please note the Halloween glitter globe is much smaller than the enlarged photo.
Size: 2 1/2″Material: Includes self-adhesive foam pieces, glitter and plastic globes.
(Recommended ages 5 years and up due to small parts).

Free, with limited supplies.
Other events your child can participate in at this branch:

Halloween Booktacular Giveaway – front desk
Halloween Scavenger Hunt – children’s area
ADA Accommodation Requests

Reading Buddies with Cristel
2025-10-25 12:00 - 13:30
Children in grades K-5 will discover the joy of reading while improving their reading skills through practice with Cristel on Saturdays.
Our Reading Buddy will listen to children and help them build confidence in their ability to read. They will ask questions about the books being read to encourage reading comprehension.
Children will enjoy one-on-one interaction with Cristel who has been trained to create a positive reading experience for beginning and developing readers.
Availability of Reading Buddies is on a first come, first served basis.

ADA Accommodation Requests

Reading Buddies with Ilse
2025-10-25 12:00 - 13:30
Children in grades K-5 will discover the joy of reading while improving their reading skills through practice with Ilse on Saturdays.
Our Reading Buddy will listen to children and help them build confidence in their ability to read. They will ask questions about the books being read to encourage reading comprehension.
Children will enjoy one-on-one interaction with Ilse who has been trained to create a positive reading experience for beginning and developing readers.
Availability of Reading Buddies is on a first come, first served basis.

ADA Accommodation Requests

Things Aren’t Right: The Disappearance of the Yuba County Five
2025-10-25 12:00 - 13:30
Explore the disappearance of five friends in Northern California from Yuba County and how they vanished on February 24, 1978 while driving home from a basketball game. Their car was found abandoned in the Plumas National Forest. A few months later, the remains of four of the five were found.
This interactive presentation focuses on writing true crime from an ethical and empathetic standpoint. Grab a drink, some snacks, and listen in.
Free. Register to receive a Zoom invitation.
ADA Accommodation Requests

Tech Mentor
2025-10-25 12:00 - 14:00
Need help printing or using Word and Excel? Want to set up an email account? Need ideas on tech security? Questions on accessing SJPL eResources? From the basics to somewhat beyond, volunteer tech mentors are here to help with thoughtful advice and problem-solving. We will do our best to assist you with your tech dilemmas.
Free. No registration or appointment required. Just drop by and ask for assistance.

ADA Accommodation Requests
